Not carrying a knife or some form of small blade is incomprehensible to me and a lot of other backpackers and hikers, but to others it's a piece of gear they don't feel is necessary to carry at all. As some of my more frequent readers may recall, I have been slowly reducing the size and weight of the knife that I carry with my on my backpacking trips and day hikes.
Above is an example of the progression of knife devolution that I have taken over time, starting on the right with my Koster Bushcraft knife and stepping down to my Spyderco Delica4, then to my Leatherman Squirt PS4 - which is my current favorite for backpacking. On the far left is a single-edged razor blade, considered by some to be the ultimate in ultralight backpacking knives.
In Mike Clelland's most recent book, Ultralight Backpackin' Tips, he suggests that, based on his experience, you may not need to carry a knife at all when backpacking:
"Here's an insight from all my years in the mountains: With just a little bit of planning, I don't have much use for a knife and rarely use one." - Mike ClellandIf you absolutely need to have some form of a sharp edge with you, Mike recommends a simple single-edged razor blade in a home-made sheath like the one I have created below. I made mine out of a used FedEx Tyvek envelope and some sticky tape. The sheath protects you from getting cut accidentally and offers some protection to the very delicate edge of the blade.
So my question to all of you is, do you agree or disagree that with a little planning there is probably no real need to carry a knife with you when backpacking? Is it necessary and smart to plan for the "what if" scenario and have a blade available just in case, or can you really make do without?
I'll stick my neck out and say that I am willing go minimal and lightweight with my knife and do the best I can to carry as small of a knife with me as feasible so that I can still take care of the basic cutting tasks I usually encounter like cutting cord, opening food packets, or trimming tape. I personally can't imagine not having any type of blade or sharp edge at all - I'd feel unprepared.
What are your thoughts?
Related Posts You Might Like:
Follow @bfgreen
78 comments:
NOLS & LNT vs. Bushcraft and woodland skills - there's an interesting conflict of outdoor principles.
I wasn't aware of this little knife, so thanks for mentioning it here. If that had a pocket clip on one side it would be awesome. Looks like a really handy little knife.
You don't strike me as the sort of person to by cheap "disposable" knives. I can see where you're coming from though.
Tim, the little Tyvek envelopes are incredibly strong. I'm seriously thinking of other applications for them.
As a general rule I do not lend out my knives either - it's the easiest way to ruin a god friendship when it comes back all dulled up.
Ah that's made for L.L.Bean by Buck Knives. How do you like the quality and durability?
I guess that's the underlying theme here. It's better to have a knife an not need it than to need it and not have it.
Tom, I've had my eye on the Style CS for a while now too because of the bigger more capable scissors. Like you I feel strange if I don't have at least a small pocket knife with me.
I have been carrying a knife since I was 10 years old, I would feel strange not carrying one. I have also down sized the one I carry hiking. I now carry a Leatherman Style CS. Being left handed I could never get the scissors on Swiss Army knifes to work well, I have no problem with the CS's scissors.
Great response Mike. For the record I'm not advocating that everyone has to carry a knife/blade or that a knife isn't necessary - I'm asking the question. I happen to carry a small knife with me both on and off the trail, always have and always will.
It's a very interesting topic of conversation and I appreciate everyone leaving their comments and point of view here.
While one could argue that you don't need to take a knife backpacking, I could also argue that you don't need bandages in your first aid kit or a rain jacket. You could use clothing to wrap up a wound or your tarp to keep you dry and out of the rain.
Ultra_Magnus said it best. "As long as everything goes as planned, you might not need a knife." ...or a rain jacket, first aid kit, compass, map, matches or a lighter. But these items become invaluable in certain situations.
Preparing for the expected is not hard. Being prepared for the unexpected could save your life.
I like to carry a fixed- or locking- blade knife and a small multitool like the Leatherman Juice or Squirt (with scissors and a screwdriver). People's needs will vary based on everything else they have in their kit.
8g Stanley Mitey-Knife carrier here:
http://www.stanleytools.com/default.asp?TYPE=PRODUCT&PARTNUMBER=10-039
It actually has a spare blade in it as well.
I think a blade should always be carried. I carry a pocket knife in my, well um pocket, everyday. Why wouldn't I carry one backpacking. More than any other tool a knife would be needed in a survival situation. A knife can help you build a fire if you don't have matches for other forms needed for fire starting. there are thousands of uses on the trail, in camp, and in survival mode. I feel it is a must have.
I keep a single edge razor blade in my first aid kit but I carry a
Gerber paraframe because I need to have something to make a pointed
stick for my marshmallows. :) But it's one of those things that I feel
is worth its weight (75 grams), I'd rather have it and not use it rather
than need it and not be carrying it.
Hello,
It is good read your article and content. Because they are quite inspiring for me. I just shared this blog with my Facebook friends. Please keep up this good work and hope to read more in the future.
Regards.
I always have my gerber on me with the 2 in blade, and usually one of my small generic multitools.. but can tell you that if things turn south and I get lost or stuck out some where you can survive using a knife. yeah I know pretty extreme.. I miss my swiss army camper though..
Turns out it's 3", but seems smaller in my hand. Here's the link.
http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/48104?feat=506870-GN2
This Eagle Scout will keep my knife. Between 1.5 to 4 oz is worth every oz when you have a need and don't have one. The difference between survival in the evolutionary process was having and knowing how to use tools. So those of you that think you don't need a knife... Well I will let you hike your own hike... but when you need a knife don't ask to use mine.
Like the Tyvek envelope for the razor blade. I'll have to make some of those. I too have devolved into carrying just a razor blade in the first aid kit. After two 100 mile hikes along the Appalachian Trail, I've found little use for a knife at all, just trimming moleskin. This year I took pre-cut moleskin and never touched my knife.
The knife I previously took was a cheap $1 swiss-style knife that I could toss in the trash at the end of the hike. I prefer no legal entanglements with local police regarding possession of a hidden weapons, as most constables don't discriminate between bakpacker and drifter.
I suppose Brian that this is one of those issues where using the term "backpacker" is just too broad of a term.
There are the survivalists out there that feel a need for a 10 piece kit for this, and a 6 piece kit for this, and so forth - including a knife big enough to build a shelter - is absolutely essential. (I use to be one)
There are those who are weekend hikers - people who might spend under 10 nights a year in the outdoors - who probably feel that having a knife is a necessity, or perhaps just a nice convenience. (I use to be one)
There are those who are active hikers - people who might spend 10-30 nights a year in the outdoors - who probably feel that some sort of light weight knife is a very helpful tool for them. (I use to be one)
There are those who are thru hikers or very active hikers - people who spend 80+ nights a year in the outdoors - who have probably come to realize that with how the rest of their gear and food and such is, that they simply do not need a knife at all, or a very small one at best. (I am one now)
Pretty much what everybody here has said is right - in their own aspects of what a "backpacker" is.
John B. Abela
RedwoodOutdoors.Com
Like all other tool geeks I love reading about other people's knives and even buying and trying...but after 30 years of carrying pocket knives, camping, traveling, cycling and every day...i keep coming back to the cheap little Stanley 10-049 Pocket Knife. I keep my Swiss army in the bottom of my bag, but the Stanley is the go to knife.
I go to the store and buy the lightest $10 knife I can find. Usually a 2" blade with a serrated section. They are like sunglasses to me, I lose them so often that I don't want to invest too much money. Last trip I used it to cut cheese and apples, no wine. :) I agree though if you are in a situation that demands survival, a knife is right next to a saw. You will substantially increase your chance of living if you have one.
I've been using that blue Leatherman Squirt for years now and love it. It's all I need.
I´m a knife buff and it´s a tradition here in Brazil to carry one.
Without a knife I feel buttnaked.
There are knife people and there are those who are not. It's like liberals and conservatives. I always carry some kind of knife. It depends on the trip.
Like the saying goes"Better to have one and not need it than to need it and not have it" I am not talking about a machete I am talking about having a good working knife that can cut limbs if needed.
Sounds like you carry a knife so you can do stuff to a wooded environment. NOLS might not like that. Over here in the UK, the best night stops are way above the tree line and miles from decent timber. No wooded environment to do stuff to. A peat cutter's spade could be useful. Does anyone make an ultralight version?
Damien, I agree about the scissors being extremely useful. That was why I liked both the Leatherman Juice and it's smaller brother the Squirt. The Leatherman Style looks like a modified Victorinox Classic on steroids!
Charles, I'm not familiar with that specific knife, but it sounds perfect for lightweight backpacking. Do you have a link to it or photo you could share?
I think you definitely need a knife and something better than a razor blade by itself (that's a good backup).
If you're looking on cutting ounces then here are some great light weight options that are still actually functional:
http://countycomm.com/ladybug.htmlhttp://countycomm.com/straightrazor.html
http://countycomm.com/pocketknife.html
If a person needs a knife to help them start a fire in a three day time-frame, they probably deserve to get what's coming to them. I live in a rain forest and can start a fire without a knife. If the requirement for being backpackers/hikers is having a knife big enough to chop wood, than the thousands of people around the world that successfully thru-hike 2000+ mile hikes every year must not be called hikers anymore.
Anyone ever had to build an emergency shelter with a little swiss army knife? It would probably take you 3 days just to get enough wood with a puny little pocket knife and by that time you would probably be dead. As a retired Army soldier you are taught that besides your wits the only thing you really need to bring with you is a knife to survive. I guess if you are only going to cut bread and brie to have with your wine then go ahead and take your little pocket knife. I thought we were talking about going backpacking not out on a picnic. Oh well to each his own but if you really got in trouble you could always use the razor blade to slit your wrists with.
I always bring my LL Bean 2", 3 bladed folding knife. I've never needed anything more, it's small, light, and aesthetically pleasing.
I usually find that little are scissors more useful than a knife. I use them to cut bandages, trim nails, or cut packages and tape. As long as I don't plan on cutting fruit/veggies, they I can easily get by on my newest tool: the Leatherman Style. At about 23g, it has pretty much everything I need.
There's no way you could cut a good loaf of crusty bread with it, but then I could just as easily tear it up with my hands. Oh how I miss a good thick slice of crusty bread with butter...
My husband carries his DeWalt fold up razor knife. Would be somewhere in the middle between large knife and small. It always has extra blades with it. He would never go anywhere, especially hiking or camping without it. It's the only knife he's carried for years.
I'm with you guys. I like to be prepared and having a knife, even my small Squirt PS4, makes me feel like I am better equipped for a 'WSHTF' situation.
My EDC is a Spyderco Delica4 with a plain edge. I have that with me at all times unless I'm flying (damn the terrorists) or in a Federal/Govt building. It's come in handy more times than I can count and saved my bacon more than once - and once is all it takes!
I like the multi-use capabilities of the smaller Leatherman tools like the Squirt or Juice, but their blades are usually lacking for anything more than an occasional use or light cutting.
I have several high quality bushcraft knives that I love, but for the typical multi-night ultralight trip they are overkill. For more natural camping and scouting activities they are superb and among my favorites.
I always carry a sterile, sealed scalpel blade as part of my standard first aid kit. It weighs almost nothing and I like knowing that I have it for medical uses and in the case of an emergency I have something small and sharp.
Hey Brian,
I will admit that I probably push the limits - all I carry is the "Victorinox Swiss Army Classic Pocket Knife" - at 22 grams.
It is far from being enough of a blade to start cutting up my shoes if my feet swell, but it is large enough to cut cordage that I carry and anything else along those lines.
But, as you know, I tend to have a different approach to hiking - lighter pack and higher risks.
I think a lot of it has to do with trail experience. Right off the start people realize they do not need that big Ka-Bar or Tom Brown Tracker, and scale down to a pocket folder. After a whole lot of miles a hiker begins to realize just how much they do not need a full on knife and they just start to carry little things such as the Victorinox.
At one point I had considered using a razor blade, but in the end I realized that for a matter of just a few grams, the Victorinox provided a few more features/options - I use the scissors probably 90% more than I do the knife blades.
Great blog!
John B. Abela
RedwoodOutdoors.Com
I always carry one even if its small. I agree with Trail Sherpa and David Creech always better to have one and not need it. As a Eagle Scout I am always prepared
I agree with Ultra_Magnus and Stephen. It's less about the everyday utility and more of a "be ready for anything" choice for me. That said, I am in serious need of a pack intervention. I take way too much with me. But I would take my blade with me every trip.
Knife is a must...And I agree with Trail Sherpa up there...better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it...
My needs in a knife:
* Cut things like rope, tape, fishing line. Occasional whittling.
* Cleaning fish.
* Cutting food
My needs in a multitool:
* Scissors for cutting, especially for first aid
* Pliers for fishing, picking up hot stuff, fixing things, etc.
* Phillips and regular screw driver heads (trekking poles clamps, stove parts)
Brian,
I too have come along in knives, starting out with a Mora fixed blade and now using a Ka-Bar Mini Dozier.
Funny thing, when I posted a review of the Ka-Bar over on my blog I received some comments that said a knife was not needed. To be honest, this floored me. I cannot imagine a backpacker going out in the backcountry without some form of blade. So, I immediately followed up that post with one that is a poll on whether or not you carry a knife when backpacking. To date, 153 people responded yes, 3 no and 11 sometimes. I also posted some polls on a few forums but cannot remember exact numbers, but I do know that they were very similar to those I just posted.
As for me, I am going to stick with my 1 oz Ka-Bar...
Been grappling with this myself tough call though I think Ultra_Magnus is right a good knife in an end of the world situation maybe what makes the differenece.
I carry a leatherman (forget which small model).
As long as everything goes as planned, you might not need a knife. But if you find yourself in a "holy crap how'd I get in this mess" kind of situation, a decent knife could save your life.
I personally carry a 4" tactical folder every day (that weighs almost 5oz), and I couldn't imagine going out into the wilderness with something less than my edc knife. It just doesn't make logical sense.
Something between the Squirt and the razor blade? I use a 22g Swiss Army Knife Classic. I've never needed more and use at least one of it's wee tools on every trip. I know there are many here in Scandinavia that love their puukkos and mora knives and if they're one of your little luxuries then I don't begrudge anyone carrying one.
Ski touring in winter requires a few more tools and a mini-tool based on small pliers is usually a good idea when trying to repair bindings, etc.
In 1974, on his All The Munros hike, Hamish Brown used a spoon "edged sharp enough to cut", for 112 days. At one point he found onions and made soup. I think he also cooked potatoes he came across, although it's a while since I read the book. Quite how he managed to sharpen the spoon and then use it without cutting his hand or mouth, I don't know.
By contrast, I spotted an opportunity to cut some fat wood matches and failed dismally with my Leatherman Wave. (It was on private property and I was trying to leave no trace, with the rain pouring down, just to help things along.) However, I did use all of the blades and the scissors and the little screw driver for my glasses at other times.
The single sided razor blade sounds a great, ultralight idea until I get to thinking, when would I use such a thing. If the razor appears to be all that's needed, then possibly no blade is needed. Medical emergencies an exception?
That Leatherman Squirt looks great, but can you slice crusty bread with it? The Wave has a great bread blade.
So far I love it. I've had it for about 3 years. I'm not building survival shelters with it, but it does the trick if I need to cut rope, take out a splinter, trim nails, etc... I prefer it over my CRKT M18-14 on multi-day hikes every time.
The quality is good, seems to be well-made. It feels like it has a strong platform with no danger of a blade breaking (within reason). I would trade the 2 extra blades for a lock mechanism, though.
That's great to hear. I've always been a big fan of the sheepsfoot (Flat) blade design, so I was wondering which of the three blades you use the most? You could probably find another similar version with a locking blade if you had to, but then that costs more money to buy a new knife :-) I appreciate the feedback on the knife though - thanks!
Ok I think this depends very much on what you are doing. If I am lightweight hiking/packing...everything I pack does not require a knife to us. My dried food can be torn open easily (Mountain House), I am not building a shelter so I dont need a big blade, my stove is a jetboil so no need for wood or what not to burn to cook with. I carry a small tent and other light weight gear, water/nalgene, etc. But I still take a knife for protection or "what if" situation. My F1 is ideal, small light, good handle, tough, stainless, and can handle a ton of tasks! Sheath is so minimalist friendly you dont know you have it on. It is light and the perfect size to cover a ton of "what if" situations.
Now if I am camping where I want to shelter build, make a fire, fish, then I bring a few blade, one for baton/splitting wood (but nothing over a 6" blade 4-5" is quite good) a folding saw and a folding knife. My usual picks are a S1, Sven Saw or Sawivor (SP) and a Spyderco Military...great for food and fish prep! This covers it. I like to camp like this more than a long hike/pack trip. I dont mind hiking but only if it is to get a nice site next to a lake! I like to settle in. I like to carve by a fire with some whiskey...this is my most relaxed place! So for me a blade is essential. I do usually bring a tent and a sleeping pad. So this is typically why I dont go as far,,,everything weights more! Cook via my canteen cup and mil-spec stainless mess kit...good for fish! I do make soup in my canteen cup as well a cube and some dried pasta and veggies make a great fall lunch! I'm a settler not as much of a roam arounder.
I don't disagree with you at all. I love my F1 also, superb yet simple knife. The plastic sheath is a piece of crap IMHO, but the knife is excellent.
Like you I have two modes of outdooriness (?). I like to travel far and light with as minimal pack weight as possible, but I also like to camp out with my kids and scouts that usually means taking some additional home comforts and not traveling quite as far. For the latter I will often take my Bahco folding saw, my Koster bushcraft knife, and sometimes even my small forest axe.
There's no right or wrong answer here, I wanted to see what others thought and how people make a decision on what knife (if any) to take with them when they go outdoors. Thanks for your excellent and detailed response :-)
I prefer the SL Pro 2 from Tool Logic. Small 3" knife with a 50/50 blade, removable LED light/Magnesium striker built in to handle and emergency whistle. Never know when you'll need any of those tools and it's nice to be prepared.
As long as you have your pack and your gear, a knife is really just a convenience. The real question is what happens when you lose your pack, shelter, insulation layers/sleeping bag. Whether you need a knife or not is so dependent on the area you're hiking in and the time of year...
In many places during the summer you could easily survive without a blade of any kind. In some places during the shoulder seasons you'd be insane to not carry a fixed blade capable of batoning wood.
Sometimes I don't bring a knife, sometimes I carry a tiny victorinox, sometimes I carry a multitool, sometimes I carry a fixed blade AND a multi tool. Depends on remoteness/how hard it will be to get help, and the time of year.
Agreed on scissors. I carry a Gerber shortcut multitools which has great Fiskars scissors in place of pliers. Used them to trim toenails on one trip - that's not something I'd fancy doing with a razor blade.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujQPo19XcDo
I'm a big fan of the SAK Classic myself. I recently snagged a bunch of them that were on clearance for $3 a piece! Great for the kids or for Xmas sticking stuffers.
Curious (cuz I'm a knife geek), what folder do you carry as your EDC?
Stick, how is the quality of the Ka-Bar Dozier? The lock up, pivot, wobble, edge retention? It seems too good to be true for the price?
We need to get you to fill out a gear list spreadsheet and come face to face with exactly what you are carrying. That's the first step..
So what do you carry that meets those requirements?
I used to have one of those extendable little pocket craft knifes that you can snap the blade off of to expose the new sharp edge. Similar concept just smaller - worked well for all sorts of uses.
I carry at least one with me everywhere. Sometimes I'll have two or even three on my person. Oddly I only carry one when backpacking - go figure!
Love my Buck Smidgen 1.3 oz. wear it in it's sheath around my neck. Used it daily on my last hike in Maine. Mostly to beat up on uncooperative plastic packaging, carve a tough piece of summer sausage, cut paracord, moleskin,etc but occasionally hold in my hand when approached by hinky person. Just made me feel better, but might nick them and cause a bit of pain while I ran. The ability to completely conceal and use easily with pack still on was paramount. Just bought 31/4 " hunting blade buck for next hike in northern VT. Used it day I bought it to sharpen a straight "tent pole" in lieu of trekking pole. Took no time at all! Nice to have real knife! will take both smidgen and Hunter next time.
That's funny, I've had my eye on the Smidgen for a long time but was never sure about Buck knives. Did you get the stainless or all black version? Have you had it long enough to determine if it holds an edge well?
The uses you list are very similar to mine :)
Backpacking without a usable knife (my preference is fixed blades) makes absolutely no sense to me? I don't know what kind of backpacking trips everyone has been on, but the ones I have experienced have almost without fail required the use of a knife and not just a small knife on a number of occasions. I have been on outings and have been caught in bad weather and also have been on a trip when an unexpected mechanical breakdown extended our stay! I usually have a large folder on me at all times and when going out into the woods I add a medium to large fixed blade, depending upon the planned activities (camping, hunting, fishing etc)? I would rather have a knife and not need it, than need one and not have it!
While I agree that having one is better than not having one - I hiked well over 500 miles and spent about 45% of the year (2010) out hiking and under the stars and only used a knife twice - and each time was to open a container that was stuck.
Not everybody backpacks the same way. Please do not generalize your style of hiking/backpacking/survivalism with the ways of everybody else (as has been stressed a great deal in this article already). If you backpack in such a style that is a knife is vital, great enjoy yourself out there! But the question of this article is "is it necessary" and myself and a lot of others have shown that depending upon your backpacking style, no, it is not. The article exists to get people thinking about their gear. HYOH.
Mr. Shadow,
I hear you completely. I'm not saying that you don't need one and I'm not saying that you do. For me the knife has been the single hardest piece of gear to rationalize cutting back on, I've just about managed to get to the point where I cary a really small folding blade - for just in case situations. I know full well that if SHTF I would be screwed, but I plan as best I can to avoid these types of situations.
It really depends on the trip and situation. For the record, if the trip even slightly looks like I will need a more robust or sensible knife, I pack accordingly.
Even so, some people are quite happy to not have anything more than a small disposable blade, several of the people here have said they've hiking numerous times without any type of knife.
It's fascinating for sure, that's why I asked the question.
Brian, I like your page! Don't know much about buck vs. others, but this knife is lowcost. I got stainless, I like the idea of the holes in teh top in case you wanted to put a makeshift handle- Frog hunting? Haven't checked the edge, but you really aren't going to use it to cut down trees, so it seems to hold up fine. I prefer to small razor type blade knife cause it has stiffness. I also like the way it hangs around your neck in the locking plastic sheath. Wore this way for a week, even in bed, fell a couple of times, never stuck myself. i even grab for day hikes, traveling.
Have any women out there had reactions positive/negative to wearing hunting knife on belt?
This is like saying "shoes and clothes are not necessary in the wilderness". Just because you could survive without something does not make it unnecessary. I too hike well over 500 miles a year, and have for the last 20 years. All that experience has taught me going into the wilderness without a knife is a gamble. Food, shelter, splints, firewood, building a travois to haul an injured fellow hiker out of the Big Horn mtns., all possible because of a medium sized knife. Necessary, I suppose if you don't use it, it wasn't necessary. But then wearing seatbelts isn't necessary, just smart.
I haven't heard of any women having issues with wearing knives on their belts - if anyone has please let us know. It sounds as though you prefer to wear it around your next not only for convenience, but to be discrete too.
I think a small fixed blade knife is very important in the event that things go wrong. The most important wilderness skill is starting a fire in wet and cold conditions, and for that, a knife is indispensable. Being able to split wood to get at the dry wood inside a branch to make shavings, kindling with it is important. Using a fixed blade knife and batoning techniques you can do this quickly.
In the summer I carry a Bark River Bravo Necker with paracord on the handle. I don't use the kydex sheath but instead protect the blade with a lighter cut down plastic insert used for kitchen knives. The whole thing weighs about two ounces but it will cut down a 3 inch thick branch.
http://www.knivesshipfree.com/index.php?cPath=465_712
In the winter I carry a larger, stronger knife - a Fallkniven F1 pilot survival knife weighing 6 oz. I think the extra security is worth the weight.
I decide what size 'knife/sharp edged tool' to pack based on the length and remoteness of the specific trip. On one trip I may require a regular fixed blade knife AND a hatchet (canoe or extended multi-week long trip in remote area); while on another the simple single edged razor blade in tyvek envelope could suffice (day hike). I often find myself carrying my Leatherman type tool with scissors, as I find Scissors more useful all around than a knife when backpacking. Most anything I need done with a sharp edge cutting -wise can be done with a pair of scissors. It's only when one begins to utilize objects they did not bring along, ie, wood, fish, etc., that one 'feels' the need for a single edge blade. In that case Fiskars makes a very good pair of lightweight scissors that come apart and one of the edges can be used as a knife if need be. I've cut up panfish with them, cut up veggies for the pot, even split smaller pieces of wood for mini campfire! Scissors are very versatile in one's backpack IME.
Thanks Pat. I like your common sense approach to determining what you need on a trip by trip basis. I'm sure that will help others to make a better informed decision too. I appreciate you taking the time to leave your feedback :)
I have to say as a knife nut I almost always carry something, but that as my lightweight camping grows I use/need a knife less and less. So the 4 inch bushknife stays home, as does the mora, but sak classic for the scissors and opinel Nº 8 — because it would just be wrong to have nothing… though lately have been thinking of carrying instead a nice folder, a brass and rosewood lambsfoot maybe… its not all about function, then
I know this post is five months old, but damn it, I like you.
in my experience as an eagle scout and life long backpacker, it all depends on what you like to do in the woods. For myself, buying and packing all kinds of lightweight gear isn't really what i enjoy doing. I'd rather go out with less, build shelters, collect and prepare game, make traps, camp furniture etc. Every trip is different, and doesn't feel like you are living out of a bag. i got by for a long time with my spyderco endura, and recently switched to a benchmade cskII. I go into the woods feeling like the possibilities are endless, and at 6.5oz the knife is more than worth its weight in gold.
It's never all about function - it it were things would be easy. As a visual person, esthetics play a large role in my decision process, but it can't look good and NOT function :)
It's funny, the classic SAK keeps coming out on top for a simple, trusted, small blade tool for EDC. It won't split logs but it will serve you well on many other tasks. Thanks for sharing, let me know how the evolution goes..
I hang my Buck Smidgen around my neck-1.3 oz including plastic locking sheath- Use for cutting open packages, tape, fishing line. Really sharp,easy to use and I don't even know it is there. Am headed to Maine for a week and considering weather to bring my fixed Blade 3 " blade Buck, But as a woman traveling alone, I don't think I want/ need to wear it on my belt. Could send the wrong message and I will be going through towns, etc. Any ideas
Sologal, I've heard a few people give praise of the Buck Smidgen so you're not alone. With regards to how you wear it, I think that the around the neck option is most definitely the more discreet way to go, you never know who will take offense to seeing a knife on your hip and why attract that type of attention?
Out of curiosity, how often would you say you have had to sharpen the Smidgen? Thanks for leaving your comment ^BG.
Post a Comment