Why bring a folder into the woods?

runningboar said:
Damn, come on man say something I can jump on you for. :D

My trekker is always in my pocket, folders are just more convenient for most jobs. I can't open a can or turn a screw with my fixed blade, with my trekker no probs. Chris
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I love having my one hand trekker on my belt whenever I am in the outdoors. If I am in town it will be my sog powerlock. You just can't beat a good old SAK in the outdoors. The saw on my trekker cuts about twice as fast as the saw on my powerlock.

Edit: I made a pouch out of leather that is fitted for my One-Hand Trekker so it actually does go on my belt.
 
batosai117 said:
I love having my one hand trekker on my belt whenever I am in the outdoors. If I am in town it will be my sog powerlock. You just can't beat a good old SAK in the outdoors. The saw on my trekker cuts about twice as fast as the saw on my powerlock.

Edit: I made a pouch out of leather that is fitted for my One-Hand Trekker so it actually does go on my belt.
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I wasn't as fond of my One hand Trekker as I am my Vic Farmer. Never did get used to the serrated blade. Don't get me wrong, it's a great knife and the first time I see one with a plain edge I'll snatch it up.
 
I think an axe and a folder is enough. A folder for cleaner work (food preperation), and an axe for chopping wood etc.
 
Morablades said:
I wasn't as fond of my One hand Trekker as I am my Vic Farmer. Never did get used to the serrated blade. Don't get me wrong, it's a great knife and the first time I see one with a plain edge I'll snatch it up.
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Oh I don't actually use the "knife" blade at all, I only really use it for the saw and screwdriver ;). I just like that if I needed the blade, it is one handed. I use whatever folder I have on my pocket for any cutting task.
 
I never tried just an ax and a folder. I always took a middle man blade 4"-5" in blade length. Now it's a Woodsman's Pal, Mora 2000 and Farmer.
 
When I'm out in the woods I'm ultralight, and dressed as a trail runner. I can't have some long huge fixed blade hanging from my waist, and flapping all over the place. So, for me it's the Emerson CQC-12 folder....clipped on my pocket!

CQC-12
Light Multi-Tool
Greber Saw
If I am on the ATV (traveling heavier), I'll replace the saw with an axe.

I have owned a few medium size fixed blades just to see what they're like, but I don't think I have actually ever carried one!
 
Hi guys. Thank you for posting. So far I have managed to collect the following reasons to carry a folder in the woods:


1) Cause I can
2) Completeness
3) Back up
4) Folder main user, fixed blade or axe/chopper back up
5) Personal preference
6) I always carry it anyway
7) A fixed blade makes people nervous even in the wood!
8) It's an old friend
9) It's lighter
10) It is the perfect tool for every day use even in the woods
11) Improve the odds of getting home in one piece
12) Large SAK with saw prefferred before a Mora
13) You can never carry too many knives
14) Boy scouts are not allowed to carry fixed blades (!!?)
15) Compactness important even in the woods
16) Sheaths other than wide mouth pouch types are awkward to resheath
17) folders are just more convenient for most jobs
18) I can't think of a time I ever needed a fixed blade
19) I can't have some long huge fixed blade hanging from my waist, and flapping all over the place.

I must say that I disagree with #13 and I'm shocked by #14.

Sorry if was unclear about "folder". I meant not a SAK with several tools. I meant a folder with a single blade.

On another forum the question was "what to bring if you only could take three things with you and you had to stay in the woods for a month."

Some preferred a folder before a fixed blade even then, which I find strange.
 
Hang_them_later said:
Sorry if was unclear about "folder". I meant not a SAK with several tools. I meant a folder with a single blade.
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Personally i always have a SAK or multitool with me.
I really liked single bladed folders but a SAK/Multi is more versatile.
And usually the SAK is substantially lighter than a lot of single bladed folders.
SAKs are also incredibly tough, tougher than a lot of people give them credit for.

However I bought a Buck 110 early in December and have been carrying it around over the Christmas holidays. I know its heavy (7 ounces) but i've been pocket carrying it and somehow it doesn't seem as heavy as that. To tell you the truth i love the thing to death. I'm still a SAK-aholic but i also kinda wish i'd also bought a 110 years ago.
The only problem is the 110's solid but bulky sheath. I need to buy or make a sheath that is a little more streamlined.

For me though i usually think not in terms of number of tools carried but in terms of total weight of tools carried.
When i really think about it (in a woods/camping situation) for the weight of the 110 i could carry a Vic Huntsman and my Buck 102 Woodsman fixed blade or a Mora 2000.
 
Eyegor said:
...For the past 16 years I've EDC'ed a Vic Rucksack...
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+1 on the Vic Rucksack. 99% of the times I go out I am going more into the mountains than "into the woods". That said it is easy to understand why I carry folders... because they are usually smaller and I never have to deal with woodcraft at all. I usually carry a Vic Rucksack in my pack and an Spyderco Rescue (think cutting ropes, webbing and stuff like that in a hurry) in my pocket or attached to my climbing harness. A few times when I went out and didn't expect to do nothing but food prep... I got rid of them both and take a nº10 Opinel along. Whenever I carry crampons or ice axes... I usually take a multitool along and forget about the Vic so in case someone screws up (don't plan ahead and forget to size the crampons corretly at home) we can always fix it right on the spot.
I guess that as much as I like big choppers... it is hard to find the chance to use them. The truth is that I used them more when I was a kid and went to summer camps with school.
Mikel
 
tholiver said:
For me though i usually think not in terms of number of tools carried but in terms of total weight of tools carried.
When i really think about it (in a woods/camping situation) for the weight of the 110 i could carry a Vic Huntsman and my Buck 102 Woodsman fixed blade or a Mora 2000.
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For me I want to carry knives that can perform very different tasks rather than having several similar blades as a backup.
If I'm going on a longer hike in the woods and I could only bring three, two or one knife. I would look like this:


Three knives: Fallkniven F1 + large chopper + multi-tool

Only two knives: Fallkniven F1 + large chopper

Only one knife: Fallkniven S1 (bigger than the F1, smaller than the chopper)


And I probably would discover a folder in my right front pocket because I forgot to leave it at home before I left! :)
 
I Carry folders in the woods My SOG Flash II and a leatherman wave and a Buck Hatchet in my pack for chopping.
I am a Boy Scout Leader and I like to set the right example for the boys.
I also think a fixed blade is unnessesary and unsafe for most purposes
 
I think the guys who carry SAKs on onto something. Ron Hood carries a Rucksak in most of his survival videos. I think the 3-4 tools in the woods would be prodent. Small ax, fixed blade, SAK folder and multitool. To be honest, I am less concerned about the tools I carry, and more with actually knowing and understanding woods survival intimately.

"Tactical" folders are a misnomer, but they do seem to sell like hot cakes. Inspite of that, I'll continue to enjoy my Strider SnG.... :)
 
BigFrov said:
I Carry folders in the woods My SOG Flash II and a leatherman wave and a Buck Hatchet in my pack for chopping.
I am a Boy Scout Leader and I like to set the right example for the boys.
I also think a fixed blade is unnessesary and unsafe for most purposes
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Well Mr leader a hatchet has mamed more people that a fixed blade ever will.

Setting the right example for the boys involves exposing them to tools and their safe uses. A folder is more dangerous than a fixed blade. What happens when they leave the movement and get a fixed blade and have not been instructed in its safe use.

Do you think Baden Powell was on crack or he was just wrong teaching boys woodcraft with fixed blades or just that you are right. Or is it the liability you are worried about? Be honest.

WE had firearms training when I was a scout and went hunting. WE finished scouts with a hunting license and years of firearms handling experience. Todays scouts learn about smores, liability and social sensitivity.

Where have all the men gone?

Skam
 
Good point, Skam. My first organized firearms training was at the rifle range at Emerald Bay Boy Scout Camp on Catalina Island in 1963. What do you wanna bet they don't do that there anymore?
 
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