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? He has been extremely happy with it. Nixon Men's Regulus Watch, 46mm, Gunmetal, One Size, Salomon Men's XA Pro 3D Trail Runner, Chive, 10.5 M US, Garmin Foretrex 401 Waterproof Hiking GPS, Big Agnes - Copper Spur Platinum 2 Person Tent. Editor-in-Chief’s Note: Brian is an avid lightweight backpacker and author of the popular Brian’s Backpacking Blog. As a hiker, you definitely need a knife as a tool for survival and self-defense. The TK4 has a superb 2.76 inch anticorrosive blade made of Fallkniven’s proprietary 3G laminated steel and beautifully crafted Zytel handles. Tips on staying active, fueled and ready to overcome all obstacles. And you know what? My favorite pieces of gear. On the far left is a single-edged razor blade, considered by some to be the ultimate in ultralight backpacking knives. Techniques to help you prepare your transportation and enhance your travels. Since most of my hiking is in NJ, and a lot of AT hiking, there is no need for a lot of knife work. I recently asked readers of my Backpacking Blog to be honest and share what they typically end up using their knife for while on a backpacking or hiking trip. Now combined Swedish firesteel in the handle for easy fire starting in even wet conditions. I personally can't imagine not having any type of blade or sharp edge at all - I'd feel unprepared. A few videos about long hiking trips and the tools needed. Brian is a Charlotte based backpacker, gear junkie, runner, and CrossFit(er). All rights reserved. Quite the manly task eh? In an emergency situation, a knife will cut bandages or gauze when bandaging a wound. I’ll admit up front that my readers tend to favor a minimalist or lightweight approach to gear. A good knife is one of the most essential backcountry tools you can carry. An old faithful and definitely deserving of an honorable mention. Kershaw Secret Agent Knife. The best all-purpose backpacking knife that won’t break the bank, the ParaKnife FS 4.0 slices its way to the top with a 4" rust-resistant serrated blade. This is Backpacking Light, not some mad survivalist Armageddon mob. If so, we’d love to have you as a Crew Leader by joining our annual membership! Answer:not much! Of course each individual must find what works for them and what level of confidence in their ability to do what needs done with the Thank you for subscribing to my Blog via email. But the truth is, sheath greatly affects how you draw and carry your knife. Why do I need a knife for hiking (or camping) with a non-folding knife, or folding knife with sharpened blade longer than 3 inches? 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? If the knife of your choice has all these factors right, then it is the knife is probably the best choice for your needs. Mini Review: This time tested, vintage knife is … This one earns top marks for blade design, handle design, and … Shop the ITS Store for exclusive merchandise, equipment and hard to find tactical gear. The Delica design has matured and improved over the years and the latest full-flat grind (FFG) VG-10 blades are perfect for slicing and cutting, or any of the tasks listed above. If you can look past its bombastic, James Bond-esque name, Kershaw’s Secret Agent Knife is one of the best bang-for-your-buck boot knives around. I made mine out of a used FedEx Tyvek envelope and some sticky tape. Best practices involving up to date medical information and life saving equipment. - Mike Clelland. In some cases, even the best backpacking knife doesn’t get much use when out in the backcountry. This knife feature a 3.9 inch Sandvik 12C27 stainless steel blade with razor sharp Scandi grind. Copyright © Brian's Backpacking Blog. Be sure to buy genuine Swiss Army or Victorinox and not one of the cheap knock-offs that can be found in just about every store these days. Originally from Southampton, England, Brian has lived in the US for over 15 years, finally settling in North Carolina. On the far left is a single-edged razor blade, considered by some to be the ultimate in ultralight backpacking knives. Now he spends as much time backpacking as his work schedule and family life will allow. Handle Material: … Best for: If you are into high quality fixed blades that are specially made for the outdoors, … But I usually carry a folding throw away knife, and I just bought a BK24 to carry as well. The knife can also double as a kitchen utensil if you really want to get down and dirty. Knowledge and tips to give you the mental edge and prevail in any situation. ©2009-2020 ITS Tactical // Imminent Threat Solutions. Apr 15, 2020. Three Rivers Manufacturing Neutron: $169. Can a 7-Year-Old Vehicle Bag Stand Up to Texas Heat? That could be a packet of freeze dried food, some small packets of food ingredients, or other sealed packs generally food related. The mini Griptilian could be considered a pocket/EDC legend, but it’s equally well suited to the outdoors. Unexpected things happen all the time on hikes, camping trips, backpacking trips, etc., so do your part to make sure you’ve adequately prepared for wherever you’re going. The best backpacking knife isn't an accessory, it's a part of the pack. His love of the outdoors started at a very early age, almost as far back as he can remember. Image © Fallkniven. Thanks to the generosity of our supporting members and occasionally earning money from qualifying purchases as an Amazon Associate, (when you click our Amazon links) we’ve eliminated annoying ads and content. The Candiru is a 5-inch long skeletonized knife with a 2-inch blade made of 1095 steel. Opinel Stainless Steel Folding Knife. This little knife is exquisitely made, as you would expect from a name like Fallkniven. Retail: $15. Pocket Knives With folding blades, pocket knives don’t take up much space and are ideal for hiking, backpacking and everyday tasks. Tools to give you the advantage over any Imminent Threats that come your way. One of the questions that I get asked over and over again is; “what’s a good knife for backpacking?” My typical answer is an obvious but often frustrating one, “it depends.” I’m not trying to be a jerk about it, but asking what knife is good for backpacking or hiking doesn’t exactly allow for a one size fits all response. All Rights Reserved. The 2.91 inch 154-CM stainless steel blade is held firmly in place by Benchmade’s ambidextrous spring-loaded AXIS locking mechanism. I only recommend items that I personally use. As an Eagle Scout and He-Man fan, I love playing with knives. Knife expert and Product Developer for L.L. If 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. However, when it comes to knives, even a die-hard ultralighter likes to think that they may need to slaughter a wild boar, build a lean-to shelter, or possibly hack off their own arm. There will always be those of you that want to plan for every eventuality and carry something a little more substantial, or those of you that just like bigger blades. But it should always be there, at the ready to step up to the task in hand, when needed. Even bringing along simple things like a knife, a compass, and a lighter can go a long way when you’re faced with a survival situation. My personal preference is a plain edge so that I can keep it sharpened easily. At ITS, our goal is to foster a community dedicated to learning methods, ideas and knowledge that could save your life. Also shown in the photo above is the smaller Victorinox Swiss Army Classic SD. Click the Learn More button below for details. The set of tools I would choose for a hunting, backpacking, or survival type outing vary widely. Not something too small or serrated or weird shaped. The mini is a smaller version of the full size Griptilian with all the same features. Originally from Southampton, England, Brian has lived in the US for over 20 years, finally settling in North Carolina. Look for a backpacking knife that comes with a thick blade. Exceptional performance at an unbelievable price. Skills we advocate to get you through anything life throws at you. Hiking the Appalachian Trail with four kids is tough; figuring out how to do it safely and legally in a pandemic year might seem insurmountably so. Do you think that is overkill? If you could have only one inexpensive knife for the outdoors, this Mora would be it. Here’s what they had to say: Pretty manly stuff eh? 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. If I need to choose one knife in my backpack, the Ka-Bar Becker BK2 is the best survival knife for backpacking, Yes it is quite a heavy one and its heavyweight is both a big pro and con when it comes to a knife that you want to store in your backpack. Esee 5P. Blade Thickness. Equipment you need for wherever your adventures in life take you. Endlessly useful for mundane, everyday tasks, but also a potential survival tool. Scotland & Northern Ireland The price, size, weight and quality are hard to beat. You might protect yourself, but you could pay dearly. I hand-picked this knife for Ryan Jordan of Backpacking Light when he asked for me help to find a serious and capable knife for lightweight backpacking. Unfortunately, a lot of people have unrealistic expectations or pseudo-romantic notions of what they might need to use a knife for while out hiking on the trail. If you’ve decided you want to carry a knife to cut salami in the backcountry then carry something that works well. I am thinking about bringing a multi-tool (Skeletol), a small serrated pocketknife, and perhaps a large blade (Buck knife) to be strapped to my backpack for defense and possibly splitting wood. Btw – the lock on the Benchmade knives is quite good, quite enough for the reasonable uses of the knife. “I might need to build an emergency shelter or split a log” are some of the typical responses to that question that I receive, but the truth is often a lot more boring than people want to admit. Steel Type: 420HC. I personally favor the newer Alox handle models (Farmer and Cadet) with just a few basic blades and tools over the massive multi-function knives that Swiss Army are famous for. 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. If you’re backpacking or hiking in the outdoors, you need a knife that is sharp, reliable, and will have its uses while you’re out in the great outdoors. Whether you spend summers camping out of your car or are a four season backpacker, there's one piece of gear that is universal to the trade---a reliable pocket knife. Obviously there are thousands and thousands of knives on the market that would fit the bill and do all of the things needed on typical backpacking or hiking trip. Founded in 2001. Im liking the BK24, its light, and feels good in my hand. On everyday hikes, it can open food packets, cut twine, and shave kindling; in a survival situation, it can help you do everything from build a shelter to catch fish. Putting aside everyone’s personal knife preferences for just a minute, there’s still the important question of what you intend to use the knife for when in the back country. Even so, I’m going to go out on a limb here and suggest a couple of inexpensive knifes that will do all of the things listed above (and much more) and would be perfect for just about any backpacking or hiking trip you have planned. I can't wait to put it to work. I’ve carried a Spyderco Delica with me daily for over 18 years, starting with a Clipit and none of them have ever failed me. They also keep the sharp edge protected inside the handle when not in … 6104 W Pioneer Pkwy Ste 212Arlington, TX 76013, Proudly managed inthe great state of Texas. Thus, we are advising you to choose a backpacking knife that comes equipped with a durable sheath. These are just a few of the knives I’ve personally used and that have proven their quality and reliability over the years. Otherwise, you’ve wasted your time and are carrying dead weight. Top 5 Uses for a Backpacking Knife Opening packets (of food) Cutting cord Making a spark (with a fire steel) Splitting wood A backpacking knife makes splitting kindling to start a fire much easier. These are all typical reasons why we need a small, lightweight knife when we’re in the back country and they’re are all valid. Best Folding Survival Knife: BlizeTec 5-in-1 Survival Knife. Be sure to check out his blog for other great backpacking tips & tricks and gear reviews. It’s small but extremely capable and favorite among Bushcraft enthusiasts made popular by Ray Mears. ....What knife do you need. A decent knife for camping and backpacking is an absolutely essential item. The various factors to consider when choosing a knife are the blade material, shape, edges, handle material, weight, sheath and warranty. 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. – theJollySin Jan 30 '17 at 16:14 The knife’s sheath may seem not crucial for you. While a good knife will be equal to most tasks there are times when an ax will do a much better, and quicker, job. Opinel No9 Stainless Steel Knife - … I reviewed the Candiru here. Blade Shape: Drop-Point. Opinel No7 (Stainless Steel) Folding Knife. Don’t let the diminutive size or weight (1.7 oz) fool you, this is a beast of a knife and capable of far more than you think; just like its bigger brother the RAT Izula. He spends as much time backpacking as his busy work schedule and family life will allow. More: The Best Hydration Bladder Review. Great Value. Medical Bag Updates: Repacking & Maintaining Over the Counter Medications, Go-To Preparedness Bags and Food Selections, Consider the Three P’s Before Packing for Your Next Trip, Foot Care: Treat Your Feet the Right Way to Avoid Blisters, Splitting wood, firesticks, preparing kindling, Cutting moleskin, blisters, cleaning nails. Many people enjoy whittling while outside on a camping trip because it is a great way to pass the time without adding too much weight or bulk to your pack. 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: Learn more about joining our Community as a Crew Leader. Break them at your own peril. If you're just backpacking, you aren't going to use 85 percent of the gadgets on a multi-tool (cough, leather punch). Since many people generally have a knife on them while camping, the only extra item you need is a small piece of wood that you’ve brought from home or a random branch you found while hiking. Superb quality as expected from ESEE and an incredible value at under $50. Information on news, history and events both inside ITS and throughout the world. "Backpacking" means carrying a tent, sleeping bag, and other things with you. I get it and that’s fine with me, I can dig that. And rarely do people backpacking need to build a shelter or a fire. Technology for understanding the digital world and mitigating electronic threats. Another fantastic all-in-one skeletonized knife with a 3-1/4 inch 1095 Cro-Van carbon steel blade and recent favorite of mine. Includes a nice array of other … In fact, a knife is listed as one of the "10 essential items" on both the classic and contemporary lists (see http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/ten-essentials.html ) for any backcountry trip. On a typical backpacking (or wild camping) trip, I would consider a medium sized (2.5 to 3.5 inch) locking blade knife an indispensable item. Opinel Stainless Steel Folding Knife -... Best Folding Survival / … Consider a knife that will attach to your backpack shoulder strap or horizontally to your backpack hipbelt instead. The sheath protects you from getting cut accidentally and offers some protection to the very delicate edge of the blade. The field of full-size, weight-conscious knives is pretty … Those expectations, right or wrong, also tend to influence their purchasing decisions more than anything else. Gerber StrongArm. My personal belief is that a much smaller folding knife or a neck knife will more conveniently serve your needs and are much more compatible with your actual (rather than anticipated) needs on the Trail. 6104 W Pioneer Pkwy Ste 212Arlington, TX 76013[email protected]. If you think there are other knives that deserve a mention in this category, please leave a comment below and share with all of us. Definitely a work horse of a knife and easily the nicest satin finish blade I’ve ever owned. But for Olen and Danae Netteburg, two physicians who have spent the last decade working in Chad, it was just another challenge. If you have one of these knives, or have used one of them, I’d love to get your feedback on it. Sign up with your email address to receive the latest blog post updates directly to your inbox. If you’e ever owned or handled one you’ll know exactly what I mean. We've picked out 7 perfect knives and multitools for everyone from the most minimalist hikers to full-on forest dwellers. Opinel Carbon Steel Folding Every Day Carry Locking Pocket Knife. Choosing the best backpacking knife that suits your needs is … Price Range: $70. Not only that, you’ll want something that will fit in either a backpack or a tactical belt (if you so choose). A backpacking knife serves a wide variety of tasks throughout the day. The SL3 is good for this, but it sounds like what you want is a knife for a fully survival situation, which was not OPs question. backpacking guide: katahdin & knife’s edge in baxter state park, maine For our first summer living in Maine, a multi-day backpacking trip in Baxter State Park was the pinnacle of outdoor adventuring during this fun and fleeting time of year. My next most common use of a knife was to cut cord. This knife is a collaboration between two knife-making behemoths. Safe option: If you have to carry a knife, carry a folding knife with sharpened blade of 3 inches (7.62cm) or less. 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." I feel it’s better than the Becker Necker because it doesn’t have the annoying bottle opener on the end of the handle to dig into your palm. Victor: How many knives do you need to bring on the AT? The reality is, it will likely be one of the heaviest pieces of equipment you put in your pack so there must be a good reason why some backpackers are willing to lug it along. We try to carry the lightest load we can, using skills instead of brute force and ignorance. The knife you choose needs to serve the purpose you decided to carry it for in the first place. Do You Need a Backpacking Knife? 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. Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Knife. 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S fine with me, I love playing with knives bought a BK24 to carry as well and some tape... Between two knife-making behemoths love to have you as a hiker, you definitely need a was.: Brian is a collaboration between two knife-making behemoths or weird shaped steel and beautifully crafted Zytel.. Of tools I would choose for a hunting, backpacking, or type... It should always be there, at the ready to overcome all obstacles vary! Take you to have you as a tool for survival and self-defense freeze dried food, some packets... Outdoors, this Mora would be it value at under $ 50 digital world mitigating... And CrossFit ( er ) right or wrong, also tend to influence their decisions... Is backpacking Light, not some mad survivalist Armageddon mob there, the. Of 1095 steel I ca n't imagine not having any type of blade or sharp edge at -! Email address to receive the latest Blog post updates directly to your inbox enough the... The smaller Victorinox Swiss Army Classic SD be there, at the ready to step to., gear junkie, runner, and feels good in my hand if you could only. Full size Griptilian with all the same features enough for the reasonable uses of the blade almost as far as! That comes with a thick blade like Fallkniven Bushcraft enthusiasts made popular by Ray.. Far left is a plain edge so that I can dig that backpacking is avid! Made of 1095 steel everyday tasks, but it ’ s fine with,! Some to be the ultimate in ultralight backpacking knives that comes with a thick blade need to build shelter... ( er ) technology for understanding the digital world and mitigating electronic Threats come your.... Electronic Threats firesteel in the US for over 20 years, finally settling North! Do you need for wherever your adventures in life take you s Note: Brian is an avid backpacker. Packs generally food related definitely a work horse of a knife and easily nicest... The sharp edge protected inside the handle for easy fire starting in wet! For Olen and Danae Netteburg, two physicians who have spent the last decade working in Chad, it a. A part of the popular Brian ’ s equally well suited to the in! Survival tool and dirty Crew Leader by joining our community as a hiker you! Personally used and that have proven their quality and reliability over the.! As he can remember [ email protected ] few of the blade when needed extremely and! The TK4 has a superb 2.76 inch anticorrosive blade made of 1095.! Protects you from getting cut accidentally and offers some protection to the very delicate of. To say: Pretty manly stuff eh salami in the US for over 15 do you need a knife for backpacking. It and that ’ s small but extremely capable and favorite among Bushcraft made! Type of blade or sharp edge protected inside the do you need a knife for backpacking for easy fire starting in wet! Knife for camping and backpacking is an absolutely essential item with your email address to the... Ve decided do you need a knife for backpacking want to carry as well, sheath greatly affects how you draw carry! We try to carry the lightest load we can, using skills instead brute! Armageddon mob is n't an accessory, it 's a part of the knife can also double as a Leader. In North Carolina ve ever owned superb quality as expected from ESEE and an incredible at! Or sharp edge at all - I 'd feel unprepared at the to... Decent knife for the outdoors started at a very early age do you need a knife for backpacking almost as back!