BigLoad
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Pancakes!
Posts: 12,048 
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Post by BigLoad on Sept 22, 2021 13:33:12 GMT -8
I enjoy good knives, but for backpacking I carry the lightest I can find for the functionality I might need. One of my favorites over the years is the Gerber Mini Paraframe. It's light, tough, holds an edge pretty well, and I find the half-serrated part handy sometimes. I have plenty of others, but they mostly stay home.
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Post by trinity on Sept 22, 2021 13:44:38 GMT -8
I enjoy good knives, but for backpacking I carry the lightest I can find for the functionality I might need. Same. In my case, a Spyderco Dragonfly 2 fits the bill. If you prefer a larger blade, the Delica is a great option. How do you intend to use the knife? Are you looking for a folding or fixed blade? Straight or serrated? Some of these specifics might get you more helpful replies. |
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Post by trinity on Sept 22, 2021 16:59:58 GMT -8
maybe just attributable to this particular knife I suspect you are correct, and a higher quality folder (such as Spyderco or Benchmade) would be much easier to open and close. A less expensive, but also high quality folder would be an Opinel number 8. I don't use fixed-blade knives, but I should think any quality knife with a 3-4 inch blade should do what you are wanting. For what you are describing, I'd probably get a Delica, but there are many comparable options from other companies. Here is an old thread on the topic I started some years ago, with some informative replies. |
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BigLoad
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Pancakes!
Posts: 12,048
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Post by BigLoad on Sept 22, 2021 18:36:21 GMT -8
second use would be skinning/descaling if I manage to catch a rabbit or fish. I think I could handle a rabbit with my knife, but if I really intended to catch fish I'd go with a for-real fish knife. |
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Post by bradmacmt on Sept 23, 2021 6:23:17 GMT -8
If fishing, I carry an Opinel no.6. I've taken elk apart with smaller knives, so have no trouble believing the no.6 would not be up to rabbit. I drilled the hole and added the lanyard:  Otherwise, my day-to-day backpacking knife is the little Victorinox Classic with a P38 can opener riding along:
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Post by swmtnbackpacker on Sept 23, 2021 8:07:56 GMT -8
Mine blade of choice is typically an EDC full tang, yet ultralight knife that has metal running from the blade into the handle. Also I’ll bring a SAK but honestly the blade is too small for regular usage (it can’t even cut the cheese with particles getting into the folding mechanisms.. leading to bits of cheese or meat potentially rotting on the inside if not cleaned after usage … ymmv).
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tigger
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Post by tigger on Sept 23, 2021 9:12:35 GMT -8
I use a Spiderco 3 inch blade as my primary (with a smaller backup knife in my FAK). I primarily use it for cutting beef stick/cheese. It also comes in handy for making my tent stakes (I rarely carry them anymore). I also cut parachute cord and sometime get creative with trap building, etc. I have purposefully avoided using stoves or other things that may require a gadget to fix so a Swiss Army type is not needed for me. My two cents - Pick a knife that best matches your style of hiking/knife use.
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walkswithblackflies
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Resident terrorist-supporting eco-freak bootlicker
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Post by walkswithblackflies on Sept 23, 2021 10:37:41 GMT -8
I have an assortment depending on activity. For trail running (with a pack), I have a lightweight folding 1.5-2" blade. Small and cheap, but light. About the size of the Paraframe BigLoad mentioned above. It has come in useful for shoelaces, cloth, tape, etc. I keep a 4" fixed blade and a multitool in my glovebox which I use when car camping. For trail hiking/camping, I bring a 3" Gerber (similar to the Gerber Crossriver but with a pointed tip). For bushwhacking or winter camping, I sometimes bring the 4" in lieu of the 3". Hunting, I bring an antique passed down to me from my FIL along with a utility knife with gut hook. Since you're new to the Forums, you should read through this classic thread regarding big-ass knives, especially if you need to survive for weeks on end after getting lost within a mile of the trailhead: bpbasecamp.freeforums.net/thread/12390/carry-knives-pack |
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Post by dayhiker on Sept 23, 2021 17:00:35 GMT -8
I read a book on survival a long time ago, and it recommended a fixed blade, larger knife. I lost it, never used it, keep thinking it will show up some day.
I carry 2 very small knives , little Victorinox Classic (has tweezers) and the other one just has a small locking blade.
I do have a rescue knife on my life jacket for whitewater kayaking, lucky I have never had to use it, with shoulder problems now I probably never will.
I also carry emergency scizzors from a backcountry first class I took awhile ago. I find it help in cutting mole skin other things, really light, easy to use, unlike those on Victorinox knife, obviously allot bigger .
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Sept 23, 2021 18:22:07 GMT -8
little Victorinox Classic (has tweezers) That's my second most carried knife. I use the little scissors as almost much as the knife blade. Sometimes I keep it in my food bag. I do have a rescue knife on my life jacket for whitewater kayaking I carried a fixed-blade whitewater knife a couple times in sketchy areas. I never actually used it for anything, so it's still as sharp 15 years later as the day I bought it. |
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gabby
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Post by gabby on Sept 23, 2021 19:01:15 GMT -8
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Post by dayhiker on Sept 23, 2021 21:35:51 GMT -8
little Victorinox Classic (has tweezers) That's my second most carried knife. I use the little scissors as almost much as the knife blade. Sometimes I keep it in my food bag. I do have a rescue knife on my life jacket for whitewater kayaking I carried a fixed-blade whitewater knife a couple times in sketchy areas. I never actually used it for anything, so it's still as sharp 15 years later as the day I bought it. I did try to use for something once forget what now, double sided, I cut myself with it. |
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franco
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Post by franco on Sept 24, 2021 0:54:20 GMT -8
My Opinel carbon steel blade (I think it's an 8) is not only the only knife I need but it is a conmfort item for me.
I had a bigger version when I was a kid and that is the one we took to the mountain with us.
Easy to keep sharp.
(it's the 7, 8 cm blade, the smallest with a lock)
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Post by Lamebeaver on Sept 24, 2021 4:40:23 GMT -8
Victorinox Recruit is all I've ever needed.
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Post by bradmacmt on Sept 24, 2021 5:15:34 GMT -8
My Opinel carbon steel blade (I think it's an 8) is not only the only knife I need but it is a conmfort item for me. I had a bigger version when I was a kid and that is the one we took to the mountain with us. Easy to keep sharp. (it's the 7, 8 cm blade, the smallest with a lock) The no.6 is the smallest with a lock. |
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