Wilderness Knife for Backcountry Canoe Trip

C

Chunk

Joined
May 21, 2006
Messages
48
Hello folks,

Summer 2009 is almost upon us - a new year, a new season, new trips into the wild, be it your backyard or a whole new land.
I don't get out as much during the year as I'd like to - almost never overnight anyway.

However, I'm fortunate to work at an occupation, and in a place, where although I slave all year for the 'man' and have no free time, I am able to take a few months off during the Summer months to engage in some reasonable touring and back country expeditions.

I'm still searching for the perfect knife for me - something that can be good for fire prep (I always bring a folding saw), good for food prep, cleaning fish, general whittling, making kakivak (fish spear) etc. I want a do it all knife.
Nothing too big or heavy, if it is 'too much' it just won't get worn in the canoe or kayak, and kind of defeat the purpose. Vic. Outrider is always on me, so no worries there, I am very happy with it.

I try a new blade every trip, and have had ups and downs with them. The last couple were:

Inside Passage: 2 months by kayak up the coast of BC, I took a Fallkniven A1, my partner took a Swamprat Mini Mojo. Found the A1 to be okay - but rusted like crazy with all the salt exposure and wetness (that area is all rainforest). Found the Swamprat to outperform it in batoning and fire prep, as we had to split some pretty big wood to get to the dry stuff. Both were awkward to clean and fillet salmon with, even trickier on smller fish like rock and ling cod.

Mackenzie River: Took us a month by canoe, partner brought along a Cold Steel recon tanto aka the Manto, because he didn't know any better. Edge chipped like crazy, and while the tanto point is great if you are an actual ninja, for actual camp tasks - not so much. I took a large Spyderco Manix and loved it, but was scared to get too rough with it.

Have previously been through a Kabar, Cold Steel Recon 1 folder, Fallkniven F1, Kabar Impact D2, old Henckels chef knife (a 10" 5 star series, to tell the truth one of the more useful knives I ever dragged out into the bush - certainly for food prep anyway).

Which brings us to the next expedition - Canoe and sled from Yellowknife to Taloyoak, by way of the Back River.

canada-map.jpg




2 1/2 months long, unsupported. More than half of which is above the treeline, but there will be driftwood available on the upper reaches. Most of our protein requirements will be met by fresh fish, so lots of cleaning monster char and lake trout - 50 - 70 lb lakers are common in these areas.

Can you recommend a do it all, tough as nails, quality piece of he-cutlery, for my needs? I am veering towards trying out a Bravo-1 or Rat RC-6 for this, but am very happy for any recommendations for my go-to knife.

Thanks much guys, appreciate any input.
If anyone has any questions about gear, food, or logistics for extended kayak / canoe tripping, I am happy to share any info at all.
 
Last edited:
Hows about a Swamp Rat Howling Rat? Great carry size, great power and great steel.
 
Tough as nails, do it all knife for that kind of trip? The Becker BK-2. Like the Rat, you'll have to keep it oiled (a little mineral oil works wonders), but I think it would meet your requirements very well. You can pick one up online for less than $60. It slices, it dices, it splits logs and chops when necessary. Oh, and the handle is the most comfortable I've ever used.
 
I would take my Air Force Pilots Survival knife, but you are probably going to get a lot of suggestions for RATS here and I cannot disagree.

Carl-
 
Sounds like a pretty special trip, you should consider a custom from one of the excellent makers we have here. Check out Ray Laconico, NWA, Brian Andrews, Stomper, Koyote, and the list goes on. They fall very close to what a high end factory knife goes for price wise.
 
You don't have to be scared to get rough with a Spyderco. Those and Kershaws are tough as nails. Obviously your not going to baton with any folder (fixed blades aren't meant to baton with either in my opinion). 99% of the time my folders get used and my fixed blades just sit in their sheaths. Thus, I don't carry fixed blades in the bush anymore. But, I can recommend a few from both ends of the spectrum of some blades I've used over the years. Cold Steel's SRK is great. One hell of a knife. SOG Seal Series has excellent water resistant capabilities and their sheaths have vastly improved. As for folders I like to use those with recurve style blades. The Kershaw Storm and Storm II are good. Ken Onion just designs some heavy duty, comfortable knives. Also, the SIGTAC Pterodactyl. Though a more recent addition, I have been beating the hell out of it. Tough G-10 scales. These have been great skinning and food prep folders. Very easy to clean too. Hope this helps.
 
I love my Bravo-1, but it may be a little too thick for a lot of fish cleaning. I would keep the blade no more than 6", just my recommendation as that's about as big a blade you can comfortably carry on the belt...where you always want it to be in case you get dumped. You mentioned the key part which is a knife that is always on you...that is why the sheath is almost as important as the knife; not only for safety, but how it carries and the ease of getting the knife in and out. I have a Rainwalker sheath for my Bravo-1, and it really makes the knife better...more comfortable to carry, great carry options, not bulky, excellent retention, easy to draw and resheath.

I like convexed edges (Fallkniven, Bark River) for most of my camping chores and they have done quite well at food prep and cleaning fish/game not too mention that they are a very robust edge. Whatever you decide on, JRE makes a great "pack" strop that roles up perfectly and is excellent to keep your edge honed (mine is heading to Afghanistan with me:thumbup:).

There are plenty of Canuck's that could probably give you better advice than this temporary Texan...looks like a great trip!

ROCK6
 
First, your trip sounds awesome, and I hope you have a great time. I love that part of the country, and I look forward to getting back there for another trip one of these days.

As for a good all-around knife for such a trip, that's a tough one. The recommendations that have been made so far are good (especially tknife's suggestion to check out some of the local W&SS makers). How about a Grohmann No. 4 Survival knife with a flat grind? http://www.grohmannknives.com/pages/flatgrinds.html . It has a 5.5" and comparatively wide (sturdy) blade, a nice handle design, and a flat grind that is thin enough for fillet work. I have batoned mine without any problems.

Let us know what you decide!

All the best,

- Mike
 
I'm gonna say you need to get Bryan Breeden to make you a 6" PathFinder :thumbup: These are Awsome knives & very practical blade. Lazer sharp convex blade & Very comfortable handles. All you would need is to keep it lubed up (01 steel) I would also go for a kydex sheath for it since you are on the water alot;) Whatever knife you choos to take with you... we expect to see a full review w/ pics :D
 
I would say try a Bark River Aurora. Thinner than the Bravo but still very strong and tough. I have beaten the crap out of mine, cross-grain batoning through seasoned wood, with no problems. It does patina quickly when used on acidic foods but hasn't given me any rust problems. The point is a great piercer and driller. But best of all for me, it weighs only 6 ounces. I often just tuck it into my pocket while hiking and barely even notice it :thumbup:

Sounds like a great trip, have fun :D
 
G'day Chunk

Sounds like your in for a great time.

Make sure you take a camera, I'd love to see some pics from this part of the world :D

Chunk said:
Most of our protein requirements will be met by fresh fish, so lots of cleaning monster char and lake trout - 50 - 70 lb lakers are common in these areas.
Click to expand...
How do you prepare your fish for cooking?

If it's a simple case of gutting & gilling, then a small knife (eg lightweight folder) is more than enough knife. If your going to fillet them, then I can see the need for a larger knife.

Since you'll be travelling by sled & canoe, have you considered taking two knives? A smaller thinner one for food prep, and a longer more robust one for the wood work?

Just a thought.



Kind regards
Mick
 
Lots of great suggestions folks - thanks, keep em coming!

Certainly have lots of research to do now!

Morablades - I agree with you, almost all of what I do could be done with a folder, but, there have been times I have needed to baton to get to dry wood, and I'd hate to lose the capability

Mentor - Not to fear, lots of pics and gear reviews to come afterwards. Hope you make it back up here some day, the Barrenlands miss you. Especially the BUGS!!! lol

ROCK6 - Thanks for the advice man, much respect to you and stay safe down there when you deploy!

Mick - Yes sir, multiple knives would be the best, however, every ounce counts on this one. 82 portages on the Back River alone, the longest portage being the 20km historic Pike's Portage from the east arm of Great Slave Lake up and over to the headwaters of Artillery Lake. Trying to keep the weight down as much as possible.


Ultimately, I think that tknife and Coaldigger have the right idea - I would much prefer to give my hard earned $$$ to a maker from here. Only problem is, I leave base camp down in BC on 13 June for the drive to Yellowknife, so maybe not enough time to get a custom built. If any makers are reading this and think they could pull it off in time, please let me know,that would be #1...
 
G'Day Mick! This one's for you bud:


Salmon.jpg



That's a good little Pink salmon on a cedar spit, nicely hot smoking. Harpooned in this unnamed creek on Princess Royal Island, in the Great Bear Rainforest of coastal British Columbia.


Rainforest.jpg




Cheers Mate!
 
I would also suggest two knives, for the flexibility, and the redundancy, that way if you lose or break one, you still have another cutting tool.

I would suggest a RAT Cutlery Izula

desert-izula-cord-wrapped.jpg


comes with a great sheath, and a nice little survival kit, if you don't already have something of that size. Nice to have that attached to your belt, so that you know that you always have a way to make fire.... Even a nice additional kit, if you don't have one of that size. I think I have seen guys attach the firestarter to the sheath, somehow.... More info here... http://ratcutlery.com/neck_knife.htm

and RC-6 for the rough stuff.....

RC6%20action.jpg


http://ratcutlery.com/rc-6.htm

And realistically, Jeff Randall and Mike Perrin are about as close to custom as you can get and still be production, they very much are involved in the day to day of their brand and the knives they offer.

And, you would have no issues with delivery times, in fact, you could have them in time to make sure they were going to work out for you....

Marion

PS - Sorry about the large image, that is their image....
 
Last edited:
If it was me, and I had to keep in mind the rusting problem with salt water, it would be the Bravo1 Stainless Steel. A little pricey, but the convex edge is a cutting fool, the stainless steel will help fight the rusting.

Be careful on that trip, I believe there have been a couple of not-so-encouraging historical reports about the Back River.

I do envy you. I wish I were younger, and if so, would try to snaggle an invite.

Please, please, take lots of pictures so us old timers and others can do the trip vicariously through you.

Doc
 
When I was working up in your neck of the woods, I used to carry a Cold Steel Master Hunter, I can't really find much fault with this knife. If I was to do the trip you are planning today, I would probably bring one or more of the following:

- Rat RC-4
- BRKT Bravo 1
- Busse Game Warden or Active Duty
- Swamp Rat Ratmandu
- Koster Bushcraft

If you are looking for a custom knife by a great Canadian maker and don't mind spending a bit more money, give Greg Lightfoot a call. His Woodsman model would do the trick for you:
 

Attachments

  • 100_2652lowres.jpg
    100_2652lowres.jpg
    57.9 KB · Views: 85
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top