While I have many knives I carry backpacking two really get the most use.
The first is A hand forged knife patterned after the knife the early 20th century outdoors writer Horace Kephart designed for himself as a hunting, kitchen and woodcraft knife. Made by Matt Lesniewski of ML knives from 1095 carbon steel and dark Walnut. The 4" spear point blade is convexed to a scary sharp edge. It only weighs about 5 or 6 ounces, about as much as most folders.


The other is a Wenger Evo Grip that probably sees the most use of all my knives. Gotta love the SAK's.


Please! No offensive remarks about my or other peoples choice of cutlery. I count ounces when it comes to other gear so the weight of my knives doesn't matter much. Is it a tiny swiss army knife, Leatherman or a big bowie! So........... what do you carry?

Edited by sjdm4211 on 10/07/2008 19:40:50 MDT.

I generally don't carry a multi-tool, but never leave at home my Kershaw Blur. It will be considered heavy at 4oz, but the blade length is over 3 inches, it is very strong, and it retains its blade very well. This is one area I will not skimp on.

Mini Buck, 0.67 oz single lock blade.

Gerber LST 0.5 oz.

Gerber LST

Hi Joseph,
On my last backpacking trip I took a Stromeng 9 inch Leuku, plus a small plastic Marttiinni M571. This was just a short 4 mile hike that involved building a fire in pretty wet conditions so I was not too concerned about weight.

Normally I'd just take a small folder, my current favorite is a Fallkniven U2 (1.5 oz) or a Spyderco Delica (2 oz).

In addition to the above I've always got my Victorinox classic too.

Dan

you might want to search the forums (though the search doesn't work too well). this topic seems to get debated about once every two months or so! (like a lot of other topics...)

I have a Bucklite (#422?) folding knife I like to carry. It is an older model that I believe is discontinuted. Weight is about 2.5 ounces with a 4.25 inch blade

Who cares if topics come up frequently? What are you implying? Why do you care?

Also, the search function sucks.

And to actually add to the conversation at hand: I take a Leatherman multi-tool that was given to me as a gift. I think I would prefer a small pen knife and a folding saw.

well, i'd say that there's a wealth of info already posted, so folks would be missing out if they didn't take advantage of everyone's early thoughts and ideas. pretty straightforward stuff.

if you want to read into it more than that, you are free too (and judging from your previous posts, maybe that's your style).

Very nice blade.. Ive always been a fan of buschcraft style blades. It looks similar to my BRKT North Star that ill carry. I too like the benfits of a fully convexed blade (ie the BRKT's)

As for what I normally carry, Ill always carry my benchmade RSK MK 1 (model #552). Yep, its a little heavier than some's blade of choice, but thats ok, Im willing to lug the extra ounces =)

That Lesniewski knife is gorgeous, almost identical to an OSK model I am having made by Charles May of Missippi at present in green micarta and SV30. This is an extremely versatile and practical tool for backpack and other wilderness travel and will handle any task you can imagine.

I never go backpacking without a decent sheath knife with me and always carry a Leatherman Wave or Charge TTi as well. A light pack is important, but, so is having the tools you need when you require them and a good kinfe is so useful that I will never be without one.

1/2 oz.
Knife Blade
Nail file (Which I like to grind and sharpen to use as a spare knife blade)
Nail Cleaner/Small Screwdriver
Scissors
Tweezers
Toothpick

On my Alaska Traverse (www.bucktrack.com) I used a Leatherman Juice S2
4.4 oz.
Knife
Needlenose Pliers
Regular Pliers
Wire Cutters
Hard-wire Cutters
Extra-small Screwdriver
Small Screwdriver
Medium/Large Screwdriver
Phillips Screwdriver
Scissors
Bottle Opener
Can Opener

I use a Victorinox Classic as well.

.6 oz
Knife Blade
Nail file/cleaner
Scissors
Tweezers

I removed the toothpick and I am attempting to find a way to remove the plastic covering.

Edited by akowis on 10/08/2008 08:56:05 MDT.

Kershaw's folding TwoCan - 0.830 oz

A surgically sharp blade




with a serrated scissors option




Easy to hold and use...

Edited by greg23 on 10/08/2008 09:27:16 MDT.

To get useful search results, use Google instead of the built-in BPL seach tool. Just go to google and start your search with "site:backpackinglight.com" then enter your search terms as usual.

And to Evan... it is bad forum etiquette to ask a frequently asked question. That's what FAQ's are for and why they came into being. It's one of the basic rules of etiquette that has been in place since before there was a world wide web (back in the Usenet days).

That said... I'm not sure if BPL has an FAQ... but they should. That or a selection of "sticky" threads.

I personally don't mind these questions coming up again and again... but technically speaking... it is considered bad form. Again though, with a useless forum search tool and no FAQ... we can't really blame the users.

Edited by davidlewis on 10/08/2008 10:53:19 MDT.

I took a Bark River Knife and Tool PSK on my last trip, good knife. As I watched my dad slice an avocado with the handle of his Lexan spoon, it did occur to me that I bring it more for pyschological comfort than real use. If I was looking to cut a couple ounces, it would be a leading candidate, to be replaced by a straight razorblade...

Edited by johnbrown2005 on 10/08/2008 13:09:50 MDT.

The Fallkniven U2, hell any fallkniven is a really great choice. I have had mine for about a year and a half now. Have you convexed the edge on it yet? Besides the U2 I have 2 F1's and one S1. Some of the best production knives out there IMO.

I have a OSK in s30v and black canvas micarta ordered right now from Charles May. I should be getting it in January. Really pricey but I am willing to pay it.

I am the same way, never enter the woods without a fixed blade.

So bringing up this topic is bad forum etiquette? Even if it was, just you saying that on this thread is bad forum etiquette. Guess what? your way off topic, how rude........ :)