Hey thanks for the info. I will try it out.

I alternate between a Columbia River "Ringer" a very interesting fixed blade knife that weighs 0.6oz (plus 0.6oz for a case) and the Swiss Classic.

The ringer has a sharp and fairly large blade but I find I use the scissors on the Swiss Classic more than I need a larger blade. However there have been a few times a larger blade was (or would have been) nice.

Edited by ksawchuk on 10/18/2008 21:06:15 MDT.

For SUL I carry a leatherman micra with scissors. When I am not quite as concerned with weight I will throw in the leatherman juice which has scissors and pliers.

I always carry my leatherman wave and either my Ka-Bar or my CRKT Ultima. I do not really count the ounces when it comes to my multi-tool and my fixed blade. To me, these are essentials and I'm not too worried about the weight. I'll shave weight elsewhere. :-)

I just got a Gerber LMF II, but I also have Gerber EZ Out, a Buck Whitaker/Metro, another buck serrated edge folder I can't ID from the website, an Uncle Henry Bear Paw I rebuilt.

Hi, new guy here. I've been lurking for awhile, nice site. I'm a semi knife collector, folders mostly. I carry a Victorinox Soldier model.

Edited by dcamnc on 10/22/2008 23:33:36 MDT.

Ah men!

I would leave the tent, pack, and sleeping bag behind before I forget my knife. And I do that quite often.

Now if you don't use a knife all that often then a Victorinox Classic might suffice(hoping your peaceful weekend in the woods doesn't turn into a survival situation) but when you count on a knife as much as I do, a half a pound of steel is worth carrying.

I noticed many recommendations were straight blades. Anybody prefer partially serrated (no climbing anticipated)? How about the fixed vs. folding variable?

Haven't tried this but it looks intriguing (sorry, embedded link doesn't want to work):
http://www.japanwoodworker.com/product.asp?s=JapanWoodworker&pf_id=12%2E907%2E120&dept_id=13726
3 1/2" blade, little over 1 oz, $30.

Edited by erdferkel on 11/17/2008 18:13:13 MST.

Tohru,
That link didn't work. Do you have another one? That knife looks very interesting. Does anyone know if it's difficult to sharpen a titanium knife? Do you need a special sharpener?

Edited by jasonklass on 11/17/2008 18:11:54 MST.

http://www.japanwoodworker.com/product.asp?s=JapanWoodworker&pf_id=12%2E907%2E120&dept_id=13726

I don't have any titanium knives but from what i've heard you can just use a diamond hone to sharpen them. I don't think it would be very difficult. I'm not sure if it would load up a stone.

I'm not too fond of folders while in the woods. Too much grit can hinder the proper function of a folder. I prefer fixed blades and here is something that I whipped up...weighs 3oz. 3" blade made from CPM S30V stainless, flared Ti tubing and canvas micarta.

Edited by grinder on 11/17/2008 19:23:28 MST.

Shane - that is a nice looking piece. It looks like a very useful size and design.

On many of my outings I am responsible for my troop (scoutmaster), so I normally carry more cutlery than most ultralighters. A small folder (like a SAK Soldier) and a fixed blade (Bark River Northstar) cover the eventualities. After all, even Nessmuk always had a good complement (axe, fixed blade, folder) to cover all his needs in the wilderness despite the fact that he had his entire kit, including his canoe, down to 26 lbs. The original ultralighter did not take shortcuts with steel.

Shane

How did you engrave your name on the SS blade?

Cheers

Thanks guys.

I make knives for a living. My name is a formend with a steel stamp that I use before the Heat Treat of the Stainless.

Bark River makes some great knives for backpackers...and speaking of Nessmuks....

Edited by grinder on 11/17/2008 21:02:12 MST.

This is Backpacking LIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!
1.1 oz. Knife & Compass

Edited by Creachen on 11/17/2008 21:26:05 MST.

Just remember to remove the compass from the knife before you use it. Metal interferes with the magnetism!

Hi Shane

> I make knives for a living.
We have introduced a disclosure policy here at BPL which requires that the poster openly declares any commercial interest in a product under discussion.

For instance, one regular reader always mentions that he sells Valandre bags in the USA when discussing the merits of rival bags - all brands. That way everyone knows where he is coming from. (Cuts both ways of course: people then know he is an agent for Valandre!)

I would appreciate it if you and anyone else in a similar situation could also do this please.

Cheers and thanks in advance
Roger Caffin
Online Community Monitor, BPL

Unless you need to slice ropes and webbing in a hurry there's no advantage to a serrated or part-serrated blade. A good non-serrated fixed blade (or folder, if you prefer) is much easier to sharpen in the field and can be honed until it literally splits hairs. Rescue teams and climbers have good use for serrations, but not the typical woodsman.

For general purposes I like a traditional slipjoint, such as the Tidioute Beaver Tail, but if there's any amount of serious woodwork involved I find a fixed blade to be far safer and more reliable. The basic red-handled Mora is surprisingly light (80 grammes including its horrendous plastic sheath) and I'm also fond of the tiny Bark River Mikro-Canadian.