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Knives
Jul 15, 2018 14:03:51 GMT -8
Post by trinity on Jul 15, 2018 14:03:51 GMT -8
For several years, I have been wishing for a good dedicated backpacking knife. As with any piece of backpacking gear, the trick is finding the correct balance between weight, bulk, and functionality. For years I have been carrying a Buck lockblade, quite large and heavy, with about a 3 inch blade. Nice to have along if I ever find myself in a knife fight or need to pull an Aron Ralston, but really far more knife than I will ever realistically need.
After some research, I purchased a Spyderco Ladybug with FRN handle scales and H1 steel blade several years ago. I immediately fell in love with this simple folder. The blade is quite small, but it came incredibly sharp from the factory. It has a very smooth action, opens easily with one hand, and just has a nice feel to it. If you are an ultralighter who carries safety razor blades for cutting things up, the Ladybug might be an upgrade for you, a very small, lightweight knife that, though larger and heavier, is considerably more functional than a razor blade.
However, I eventually decided the Ladybug was just a tad too small for my needs. Enter the Spyderco Dragonfly 2. This blade, at 2 5/16 inches, lightweight FRN scales, and a total weight of 1.2 ounces is, in my opinion, the ideal backpacking knife. It is quite small and lightweight, with a really nice clip. It is midway in size between the Ladybug and the extremely highly regarded and popular Delica, a fine knife, but a bit on the large side. I got the knife in VG10 steel, which is an excellent steel, easier to sharpen than the ZDP 189, and less brittle and prone to rust, though it does not hold an edge as long.
I think the Dragonfly2 is the perfect knife, both for backpacking and for EDC. For opening packages, cutting line, chopping food, the random duties that might be required around camp, it performs beautifully. Though small, it has a wonderfully comfortable ergonomic design, with thumb and forefinger choils that really help with getting a firm grip on the knife. If you like a decent functional blade that is compact and lightweight, this might be a great choice for you. $60 if very reasonable for a good folder made of quality steel, IMHO. It is available in several different blade steels and handle scales. I believe I have found, for me, the perfect backpacking blade.
Below is a photo of the Dragonfly 2, and photos of, left to right, Ladybug, Dragonfly, and Delica.
What knives to y’all carry for backpacking and EDC? Any favorites?
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Jul 15, 2018 14:28:16 GMT -8
For years, I carried a Buck 110 folding hunter on my belt, constantly. When I stopped working 9 yrs ago, I stopped carrying a knife most of the time. I have a Gerber in the console of the car, and the Buck is in my desk drawer. BP'ing, I carry a single edged razor blade, but haven't used it for much of anything in several hikes now. I mostly used it to cut tape if I couldn't just tear it, or to cut a string for a tie out. Since I don't need anything for a sharp edge, the razor blade works for me.
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Post by bluefish on Jul 15, 2018 15:34:34 GMT -8
A SOL knife w/ penlight and whistle or a small Gerber replaced the ubiquitous folding Buck (I found at a Sierra lake in the 70's). I now use a number 8 Opinel. Light and sharp and beautiful- the handle is 100 year old maple that was sunk in Moosehead Lake in Maine. They made them special for LL Bean. Love the simplicity of the locking collar, the durability of a stainless blade. I am pushing UL,but some things I refuse to give up. We forgot trekking poles on a trip last year. I whittled a perfect fit for our tent . One small example of the dozens of time a knife has been useful.
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JiminMD
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Post by JiminMD on Jul 15, 2018 15:36:36 GMT -8
I'm a dedicated fan of Spyderco serrated knives, have been since my USCG days. Around the house I carry a 79mm Rescue. It's an excellent general purpose package opener. For work and away from the house I favor a Spyderco Endura fully serrated. It will cut a seatbelt with ease and handles just about anything else I've ever thrown at it. The free lifetime sharpening is a nice benefit too.
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reuben
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Knives
Jul 15, 2018 15:54:34 GMT -8
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Post by reuben on Jul 15, 2018 15:54:34 GMT -8
I have to say that the concept of an EDC escapes me. I'm not an EMT or anything of the sort, and have never needed a knife to bust a windshield, make a spear to kill my dinner, skin an elk, or clean out a corncob pipe.
Maybe EDCs came about due to marketing, inferiority complexes, or just general materialism and keeping up with the Joneses.
Some people actually need one for their job, and may feel naked without one, but for the vast majority of the population I just can't see the need.
Having said all that, I have some sort of Benchmade I take backpacking. I'm sure that it's more than I need, but it's what I have.
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Jul 15, 2018 16:03:50 GMT -8
My dad carried daily. Mostly used it to cut the string on packages, back when they were tied up with twine. Saw him cut tape, and clean his nails with it. I learned to cut the tape on packages with a very small screwdriver, and had that in my pocket for a few years.
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Post by JRinGeorgia on Jul 15, 2018 16:03:56 GMT -8
I'm with Zeke. Form follows function, and as I pared down my pack weight I kept asking myself what exactly I need/use a knife for, and came up mostly empty. Most of the few things I could think of I can accomplish better with scissors, which are superior IMO for first aid and general repair needs. My meals are dehydrated so no food prep. A razor blade and titanium-bonded sewing scissors cover my sharpie needs.
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Knives
Jul 15, 2018 17:16:03 GMT -8
Post by trinity on Jul 15, 2018 17:16:03 GMT -8
The free lifetime sharpening is a nice benefit too. Definitely.
Some people actually need one for their job, and may feel naked without one, but for the vast majority of the population I just can't see the need. This is true. I spent many years working in wholesale nurseries and landscape construction, and I needed a good blade on a daily basis. That is no longer the case, but I just feel, as you say, naked without one.
I'm with Zeke. Form follows function, and as I pared down my pack weight I kept asking myself what exactly I need/use a knife for, and came up mostly empty. Most of the few things I could think of I can accomplish better with scissors, which are superior IMO for first aid and general repair needs. My meals are dehydrated so no food prep. A razor blade and titanium-bonded sewing scissors cover my sharpie needs. Certainly can't argue with that logic. I very rarely need a knife at all when backpacking, but it goes in my pocket, so doesn't take up pack space, and I consider it a piece of survival gear worth carrying. But your approach is likely more practical.
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BigLoad
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Knives
Jul 15, 2018 17:42:58 GMT -8
Post by BigLoad on Jul 15, 2018 17:42:58 GMT -8
The knives I most frequently bring a half-serrated Gerber Mini-Paraframe and Swiss Army Knife (the little Classic). I have bigger knives, but they almost always stay home.
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Knives
Jul 15, 2018 20:17:34 GMT -8
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Jul 15, 2018 20:17:34 GMT -8
For food prep a good knife is invaluable.
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Knives
Jul 15, 2018 21:53:15 GMT -8
Post by happycamper on Jul 15, 2018 21:53:15 GMT -8
I use the Camillus titanium folder I got at Walmart. The handle is made of a type of nylon and it's snappy with a good feel in my hand. Plus it has a clip so it goes right on my waist belt.
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RumiDude
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Knives
Jul 16, 2018 1:16:06 GMT -8
Post by RumiDude on Jul 16, 2018 1:16:06 GMT -8
I have a Benchmade that I carry every day. I guess that makes it my EDC. hahaha It has a clip that makes it easily accessible. It oens and closes with one hand and I don't need to be extra careful closing it because it has an AXIS locking mechanism. It is 66 grams or 2.3 ounces, has a 3 inch blade, is 4 inches folded and 7.25 inches in length open, and a mere 0.25 inches thick. Because of those characteristics, it gets used for all sorts of things. A razor blade tucked into a safe holder deep in my pack that takes at least a minute or two just to retrieve it is worthless. I started carrying a knife when I worked on river boats on the Mississippi River. It just became a thing. I use it almost every day and I don't even have a job. I consider it a piece of survival gear worth carrying. It is a survival tool. And in that capacity a tiny knife or razor blade will likely not suffice. And many times when a critical situation occurs, the tools that are easily accessed and easily used can really make a difference. Rumi
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Post by bradmacmt on Jul 16, 2018 4:08:14 GMT -8
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davesenesac
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Knives
Jul 16, 2018 7:55:57 GMT -8
Post by davesenesac on Jul 16, 2018 7:55:57 GMT -8
On my keychain a cheap red Victorinox Swiss Classic. Ever at hand, gets a lot of use, especially opening packages and boxes. Usually forget about and lose at airport check ins then will buy another. Had to stash behind tree before going in to latest D&F concert.
In my photo daypack an older Browning model 010 with 3.5" blade 4.5" black plastic skeletonized handle. Not used often but a necessary tool for occassional serious cutting tasks or my long imagined possible fight against a lion or bear.
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reuben
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Knives
Jul 16, 2018 8:31:49 GMT -8
Post by reuben on Jul 16, 2018 8:31:49 GMT -8
I have a Benchmade that I carry every day. That sounds relatively small and useful. Smaller than what I currently use. Any idea which model it is?
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