Which SAK for backpacking?

bulgron

bulgron

Joined
May 19, 2005
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Normally I wander around with a Leatherman Charge. But I'm planning a week long trip into the Sierra so I need to lighten the load for that trip.

Debating the Vic Ranger or the Huntsman II. The Huntsman II is lighter than the Ranger, but from the Ranger it saves less than an ounce.

I've heard a lot of people say how much they like the Ranger. Can't remember anyone ever talking about the Huntsman.

Leatherman Charge: 8.4 oz
Vic Ranger: 4.1 oz
Vic Huntsman: 3.4 oz

I'm leaning towards the Ranger. Gonna feel naked going without my LM, though.

Any thoughts?
 
I would get the larger Outrider for backpacking. 3 1/2" models for always in pocket around town and a back-up for woods, trails, etc. The larger saw makes a difference in anything larger than a twig, more hand-filling handle makes a big difference, better main blade that locks (better for the knife's durability and your fingers).

I like the Camper and Huntsman best for the 3 1/2" size.
 
I used to carry the Huntsman, went everywhere with me including many backpacking trips, it really has the best selection of tools and is really useful. Had that knife for a long time until my car was broken into and it was stolen.
 
the venerable Farmer @ ~ 3.0 oz

I'm growing rather fond of my GAK @ 2.9 oz

GermanArmyCCMknife.jpg
 
If you are doing a typical modern backpacking trip, where you only need to open food packages and light stuff, get a SAK Recruit.


If you are doing Survival type stuff and actually cutting wood and fabricating stuff, then you will want a lot more knife.
 
For a multi-tool, the things I like to have with me off pavement are scissors, a saw, a screw driver, and sometimes (but not very often) a file. I also use the pliers on my LM a lot but I've decided I can get along without it for this trip. But for a multi-tool, the first thing I look for is a scissors because if it doesn't have that I'm not interested. The rest of what it has is all about compromise. Anyway, that's why the Recruit isn't going to work for me.

As for what other blades I'll have with me, I'm still debating it. I was going to bring my Busse SAR-3, but I keep looking at those 3,500 foot passes and thinking mmmm.... Maybe my W&SS Koster Neck knife is all I really need.
 
you can purchase the SAK scissors as stand alone (as well as the tweezers)- I carry the scissors, tweezers and a small fixed blade (much the same size as the W&SS knife)- I've never felt wanting in all the backpacking trips I've done
 
mtwarden said:
you can purchase the SAK scissors as stand alone (as well as the tweezers)- I carry the scissors, tweezers and a small fixed blade (much the same size as the W&SS knife)- I've never felt wanting in all the backpacking trips I've done
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That's ... interesting. Where did you find the SAK scissors standalone?
 
I carry a huntsman all the time (its in my pocket now) and i love it. But ive been looking for a model that has all the huntsman tools, plus a file. So i can sharpen my axe. Good luck in your quest.
 
Rob Thomas said:
I carry a huntsman all the time (its in my pocket now) and i love it. But ive been looking for a model that has all the huntsman tools, plus a file. So i can sharpen my axe. Good luck in your quest.
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I think the Ranger has all of that, and then some. But is the file on a SAK really good enough for sharpening an axe? My LM Charge has an awesome file for things like that.

For most situations, the LM Charge is awesome. But it's just too heavy for real backpacking.
 
Backwards as it sounds, I hike with a Hiker;)
It's basically a Recruit with a saw, except the awl and phillips head on the back. I use the saw for little jobs like making stakes when in wooded areas. Never reallly thought about the weight, but in leiu of stakes, it's effective weight is about zero. Making stakes gets me to sit down for a few minutes, too. Helps me relax from bouncing around the woods, and get into "camp mode".
There's a Classic on my keys, so I always have that in my pocket or pack, and could just as easily carry a Farmer, instead, and still have the scissors, tweezers, and small blade. Some backpackers carry just a Classic, but I'm pretty sure they're not carving tent stakes with it!
 
OwenM said:
Backwards as it sounds, I hike with a Hiker;)
It's basically a Recruit with a saw, except the awl and phillips head on the back. I use the saw for little jobs like making stakes when in wooded areas. Never reallly thought about the weight, but in leiu of stakes, it's effective weight is about zero. Making stakes gets me to sit down for a few minutes, too. Helps me relax from bouncing around the woods, and get into "camp mode".
There's a Classic on my keys, so I always have that in my pocket or pack, and could just as easily carry a Farmer, instead, and still have the scissors, tweezers, and small blade. Some backpackers carry just a Classic, but I'm pretty sure they're not carving tent stakes with it!
Click to expand...

lol. Well, on this particular trip I'm pretty sure I won't be carving any tent stakes. A few of the nights, there won't be any trees. We'll be waaay above treeline for a lot of this trip.

I keep coming back to the Ranger or the Huntsman, although the Outrider is now confusing me. :D
 
It wasn't one of the knives you listed but the vic farmer is a good hiking companion and at only 3oz it weighs less than the ones you listed, well by .4 oz anyway.:D
 
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