Your choice of traditional folder for woods

Since you already have a good fixed blade, I'm not sure why you'd need a full size trapper or similar. Especially a large one like the GEC Pioneer #23 (for example).
Although it is a very nice knife.


Instead, I'd definitely consider a SAK.
Maybe a Farmer or Pioneer in Alox, a One HandTrekker, a Tinker or Super Tinker.

That way, you'll have some pretty useful tools as well as an additional blade (or two).

 

For the folder, this one is what I use in the woods more than any other, a GEC #73 with ebony scales:


And here it is with my trio (the fixed blade varies, I have several from Ray Laconico that get rotated):

 

A SAK Camper would be a good choice as would a SAK Hiker.

Of course, it is hard to beat the vernerable Buck 110.

You don't have to be restricted to carrying only one folder. They are so handy and tuck into so many places that to carry only one seems a bit silly. Heck, I carry two folders every day when I'm just out and about doing my chores and errands.

 

Hi,

I have mostly carried a Stockman as my folder when I'm afield. Simply because that's the knife I've most often owned. And I've always liked having the three different blades in my pocket.

A full sized trapper would be a great choice. It's a rugged pattern with two really useful blades styles. I know the Spey blade isn't all that popular anymore, but it really comes into it's own when dressing out small and even not so small game. The only problem is, if it's even a problem, is getting one with good stainless steel blades. Fortunately, good plain high carbon steel models are easy to get.

I must confess, last fall I started carrying a Case Gunboat in a sheath on my belt and a Vic Hiker in my pocket. That little saw quickly proved it's worth trimming small branches on the trail. And with it's two blades and the three on the Gunboat, I carried 5 edges in two pocketable packages. I think I will continue that pairing.

Dale

 

I too wold go with a smaller blade, capable of more delicate work AND easily sharpened to a scalpel in the field.

My choice would either be a pen knife in the 2" range or (you know me) a TL-29.

Peter

 

I prefer the Stockman pattern above all others.Anything by Queen,GEC,Case,old Schrade,Buck,or various other companies would serve nicely.Jim

 

Yes, an Estwing camp axe (hatchet-no pic), my new Northwoods Rangeland Cocobolo in 1095, Case large folding hunder in CV, and Case mini trapper in Stainless (for food).

 

I am all about the Stockman. It is just such a hard folder to beat in the field. It can do it all...make great fuzz sticks, gut and animal, make a trap, start a fire, plus with three blades you can use each one differently for different tasks. I always have a stockman with me while I go out in the woods. Shoot whenever I leave the house.

 

When I was young enough to still do backpacking and I hunted, my woods folder of choice was my old Buck stockman. At 3 7/8ths, I guess it would classify as a medium stockman, and it did an amazing job for over 20 years and 4 continents. I liked having three different blades to choose, and small enough to ride in jeans or fatigue shirt pocket. It was a general camp cutter, trout and bird knife, and dirty deeds knife all rolled into one. Later on I experimented with sodbusters large and small, and found they did okay too, but I missed my stockman.

A close second would be my old Boy Scout knife or a sak like my old Wenger SI. But I found I just don't have much call for tools off in the woods like in town, so I don't miss the tools so much. If I have to open a can of chilli, that's what my P-38 is for.

If I have my old Plumb boy scout hatchet or a saw along, I don't have much use for a larger knife. Come to think of it, as an "older" retired gentleman of leasure, I don't need as much knife now as before anyways.

 

A 303, or as Jackknife mentioned, its' big brother the 301, could be a good companion for the fixed blade and axe.

Just to fuel the fire a little bit , here's a (not so good) pic of my 303:
(click to enlarge)

 

If you are going into a hunting situation and have to make camp in the woods because you're spending some significant time there without fixed shelters like cabins, and in terms of days and nights their, and preparing camp with your typical after the successful hunt chores that would be necessary, like setting up camp with tents, fire-pit building, field dressing your game post harvests, meat quartering & butchering along with other preparation/cooking and survival chores, then I recommend a good lightweight axe, or good quality hatchet, and decent camp type sheath knife for skinning, tendon cutting and perhaps even caping if required. Additionally, I always personally opt and need a good quality 3 or 4 blade Stockman with a punch blade/tool in my pocket regardless of any situation..





If you are just hiking and woods walking on a day trip you'd need nothing more than a good traditional 3 or 4 blade Stockman folder w/punch blade in my opinion or any folding pocket knife with a punch blade for that fact. And remember, a Harness Jack pattern or a Scout knife pattern will also do in a pinch as long as she has sharp blades including a punch blade.

However, my personal favorite is a four blade and long ago discontinued in the 1970's Case model # 64047P..




Best,
Anthony

 

For a big folder for the woods. I would reach for a Sunfish or Elephant Toenail pattern.

http://www.greateasternknives.com/images/gec_36.jpg

Go big or go home

I am slightly biased as I have a GEC Northfield #36 Sunfish in stag that is awesome. That big fat wide blade screams sturdiness and would hold up to a lot of hard use. Most slipjoints are not made for extreme hard use woods applications, but it is nice to know that your knife would probably be able to handle such use in a pinch.

Before moving to NZ, I lived in very rural Alaska and live and worked outside in the boreal forest. I was a big fan of a smaller fixed blade, ax/hatchet combo in that environment. The ax was a mission critical item especially when out in -40F weather miles from shelter or help. The "woods" are different in every part of the world and the tools to successfully work and/or survive in those specific environment are going to be different as well. The particular set of tools required in one environment may be worthless in another.

Edit: I think sunnyd was posting his reply at the same time as me and I concur with a lot of his comments.

 

Nice combo Anthony. Whats the brand?Looks like a german sheath.

For me I always bring my Estwing axe,the Wave, and a stockman, and a good steel fire poker, and on my next trip, this Mountan Man....








Steve

 

One can't go wrong with an Estwing axe or Estwing hatchet, decent carbon steel Stockman and or Mountain Man and thats a fact!

The Woodsman pair Hatchet/Fixed Blade combination I've shown here and used many times over the years was passed to me by my Uncle and is a Hi-Carbon 1940's-50's produced by Western back in the days. These have cut up there share to be sure!


Anthony

 

How about these?

 

I thought that was an old Western setup. Those are great. I bet you love that set.