Your favorite Backpacking Folder

My folder is a Ka-Bar Mule

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I take a Spyderco Calypso Jr. It is wicked sharp, very light, and nice ergonomics. I only use it for small tasks that pop up along the way, so I prefer something that is as unobtrusive as possible when in my pocket or clipped to my waist. I take a larger fixed blade and a saw for the more substantial tasks.
 
razcob said:
I usually carry a BM806D2 and a folding saw. Maybe it just me, but I wouldn't take an axe/hatchet along for a backpacking trip, due to the chance of accidentally wounding myself when I am an extensive distance from a trailhead. Sure, I could cut myself with a knife, but a swinging hatchet/axe wound cause some serious damage.
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I understand where you are coming from, but I feel the risk is very small. All of my chopping is done against the ground when I am breaking up logs. I don't split with a hatchet, which is where I believe most all injuries occur. Besides, if I did wound myself, how would my hiking buddies make a stretcher to carry me out if we didn't have a hatchet :D?


As far as the thread goes, looks like there are a lot of Griptilians out there, I must be doing something right.
 
I switch up my fixed blades a lot, but I find myself carrying my Camillus Heat more often than anything for the folder type work.
 
I have a local carry law that has a 3.5" limit, so I chose a folder with that in mind. If I mwas going to make the investment, I wanted to be able to EDC it too. So I got a Benchmade Griptilian. I think it is a nice balance of quality and cost. It's easy to deploy one handed and it's plenty strong enough for a cutting tool. For a larger folder, I like the Benchmade Ruckus a lot.

I have a Victorinox Outrider that I like for day hikes. I had a Trekker, but I really wanted the scissors option with the Outrider.

I wish someone would build a multi-tool aimed at hiking, with weight and fire starting in mind. Scrap the corkscrews! I have a Victorinox Spirit and I'm fence sitting between that and the Leatherman Wave. The Wave comes as close as any multi-tool to having the right selection, but both the Wave and Spirit are too heavy. I'd love to see the Wave with the pliers and frame in titanium, but I'm sure the price would be breathtaking.

When I'm putting together a PSK, I include a small tool like the Victorinox Classic, Leatherman Micra, or the discontinued Buck mini-tool. They go on a lanyard with whistle, compass, micro LED light, firesteel and a spy capsule full of tinder.
 
Fonly -- are those parallel lines or grooves that appear on the blade of your OHT an artifact of the lighting setup you used?

<envious> Either way, they make your OHT look cooler than mine! </envious>
 
For day hikes I go with my RAT 3 on the strap of my camelback, my Vic farmer in my pocket and my Endura 4 in my right pocket. I also throw my Powerlock either on my belt or inside the pocket of my camel back along with a few other survival items. For anything longer than that I replace the camel back with my 3 day patrol bag loaded out.
 
Byrd Cara Cara, super slick knife. big enough blade for ANY folder chores, very tough steel that takes a mean edge, and you can't get a better folder for the money.

I also love my Camillus Heat too. Easy open, suitable steel 58-59Rc AUS8, and good ergos.
 
pipedreams308 said:
Victorinox Farmer, my friend.
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The Vic Farmer is a very good tool for hiking, but when I say multi-tool, I'm really saying multi-pliers. It is debatable whether you really need pliers in the woods, but there are a few other tools that would be handy. I think multi-pliers really come into their own if you are using anything mechanical-- mountain bike, ATV, boat, etc.

I would like to see a multi-tool under 6 ounces with:

Pliers
Scissors
Knife blade
Saw
File
Awl
#2 Phillips
Flat blade screwdriver
Can opener
Removable firesteel
Lanyard mount

The Wenger Handyman has a good selection of features for a knife-based tool and is just 3oz.
 
A vic,one of a few,usually a hiker,fieldmaster,or trekker.

Sometimes a buck 110 or 112,or a case trapper or large stockman.
 
I took this picture on a backpacking trip earlier this year; this is my current tool assortment when I have to carry it far. When car camping, I will carry a BR Canadian Special rather than the North Star, and I will have a Wetterlings large hunting axe (and sometimes a chainsaw).

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I recently picked up a Fallkniven U2. This thing is wicked sharp, small, and light. I wouldn't hesitate to take it as a backup knife deep in the pack/psk, but my go-to folder on the trail is a Vic Explorer.
 
I just went backpacking and used the Mini Grip, Mora, and Gerber saw pictured here.
I found it to be a pretty good setup.
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