This workshop sure looks fun:

http://www.creativetourism.co.nz/workshops_barrytown_art.htm

John,
I just threw the knife on the right of my picture onto the digital scale. The total weight of the knife and leather sheath was 3.5 oz. The knife alone was 1.9 oz. I've been trying to figure out some way to make a lighter sheath. The kydex is a little bit lighter than the leather, but it still weighs almost as much as the knife alone.

Aside from my Spanish Machete, i decided i dont usually need a real blade, but it would also really suck to need one and not have anything at all. So i made a really small handle for an exacto knife by rolling up aluminum foil and JB welding the blade in place. I managed to whittle nice tent stakes and clean some trout pretty easily(seal the handle off so the guts dont stay inside). I made one with vinyl tubing over an aluminum flashing handle, and then a lighter one with just a rolled up piece of fosters can. I cant find what number blade i used. The one with vinyl is prolly under 5g and i would be suprised if the smaller one is much more than a gram. Kinda guessing, i have a crappy scale. Better than nothing....barely....but suits my needs. Ill try to post a pic but its my first try.

I have a small Mora with a 2.25" blade that they sell as a detail carving knife (faces, etc). I made a sheath out of 1/16" thick leather - side sown with a small extra piece (welt) to protect the stiches from the blade, and a belt loop (2x3/4").

Weight of the knife is 1.75 oz. Total weight with the sheath is 2.25 oz. I oiled the sheath so 2.25 oz is the "semi-wet" weight. Not sure if the 1/16" leather will hold up or not though. Been using it for a few days, no signs of wear from the blade yet...

ps: I was able to split 1.5" thick sticks length-wise using my standard 3.25" Swiss Army Knife (Victorinox Spartan) and a baton - with no ill effects to the knife.

I recently went to a wood (and Esbit) stove, so my knife choice has changed, carried a SAK Classic and it worked well for everything I asked of it (I used the scissors more than the knife!). I wanted something that could baton/split small pieces, make fuzz sticks, carve and clean trout/grouse.

I looked and looked and finally settled on a Landi PSK knife. Full tang, 1095 steel made from full 1/8" stock. The knife is 6 3/8" overall w/ a 2 1/4" blade. I ordered w/ thin (1/8") scales to save a little more weight. The Landi differs from a lot of other small full tang knives in that the handle size is larger (longer) than most- fits comfortably in my medium-ish hand. John utilizes a flat grind for strength, it comes razor sharp and holds a edge nicely. The spine of the knife is very square and makes using a firesteel very nice.

The knife weighs in at 2.7 oz, the kydex sheath 0.6 oz. I carry mine w/ a neck lanyard (2.5mm Spectra)- I added a small plastic ring so it would break in an advent of a fall (the Spectra is in the 250 # test range). I also added a Fox micro whistle, along w/ a Photon light. I wrapped the sheath w/ 15' of the Spectra (extra guy line, lashing for a debris shelter, etc). Within the lashing is secreted a 3/16 x 2.5" firesteel. I also added a wrist lanyard w/ a double cordlock- this allows me to secure the knife fully in a neck carry (the knife snaps in nicely into the kydex- just an extra measure).

total weight w/ knife, sheath, cordage & hardware, whistle, firesteel and light is 4.7 oz

Benchmade/Doug Ritter RSK Mk-1, 3.82 oz is my EDC blade -- I am considering packing a Gerber Ultralight LST instead if weight is that important -- but a good, stout blade is something I don't like to skimp on.

Gerber 06 Auto tanto (Military and LE only)

Normally, I carry a Buck Hartsook Ultralite (0.5 oz).


However, if I will be fishing or hunting during my trip, I carry a Buck Mayo Kaala (1.9 oz).


I prefer to carry fixed knives in the backcountry for their reliability. S30V is my steel of choice as it stays razor sharp for a very long time.

-Sid

that's an interesting (and light!) knife :)

http://www.gerbergear.com/index.php/product/id/411

Razorblade carrier type knife.

anybody use the Gerber curve?

http://www.rei.com/product/787216

mini remix 3.4oz

http://www.gerbergear.com/index.php/product/id/412


list of 2010 new products.

http://www.gerbergear.com/index.php/products/new_items

I can't post pics on my Mac anybody else?

Edited by tritan on 12/10/2009 20:49:31 MST.

2.5 oz for a razor blade folder? Ouch. My big fixed blade doesn't even weigh that much.

-Sid

Ka-Bar Becker Necker (notice the integrated bottle opener/wire breaker)
http://www.agrussell.com/product.asp?pn=KABKhhh11CSM&bhcd2=1260503541

or

the D. H. Russell Canadian Boat Knife
http://www.agrussell.com/dh-russell-canadian-boat-knife/p/DHRhhh3S/

depending on my mood.

> Benchmade/Doug Ritter RSK Mk-1, 3.82 oz is my EDC blade... lighter Gerber LST

The RSK Mk-1 is a really nice blade... but I found it to be overkill for my needs. It moved from being an EDC to be part of my emergency go bag.

The Gerber LST is a decent value priced knife. I was my EDC for awhile until I lost it. My favorite light folder is the pricier Benchmade 530.

My EDC is a Victorininox Rambler which is a lot like the "Classic" except that it has a small philips head blade / bottle opener. The blade is adequate (though a bit short) for the food prep I do, I can cut through light rope when needed, the scissors are easier to use than a blade when trimming duct tape or other first aid pads / tape, I can manage my nails using the scissors and nail file, and the small flat head and Phillips head screw drivers have been useful when I need to tighten up various items.

If I am doing a lot of food preparation which needs a knife with a longer blade, I take a Benchmade 530.

Edited by verber on 12/10/2009 22:20:32 MST.

I have grown very fond of the 0.6oz Spyderco Ladybug

Another vote for the Mora Military.
Ultralight, fixed blade, quality and cheap.

I tend to cook with found wood so a fixed blade is easier to work with and the finger guard makes it a little safer than a folder.

Some of the best ultralight folders are made by Opinel. Cheap and ultralight.

I don't want to spend a lot of money on backpacking stuff that is easily lost and I have lost knives. Too many knifes are more like jewelry for men:-)

Edited by brooklynkayak on 12/11/2009 15:36:13 MST.

Another vote for the Swiss army classic. I find I rarely use the blade, but I use the scissors on every trip, and I use the little file surprisingly often.

For a folder, I carry a 3oz Benchmade 930 Kulgera. Modified 3.6" drop point w/ partial serration, excellent S30V steel, great AXIS locking mechanism, G10 scaled handle. Never let me down.

As for a fixed blade, I sometimes opt out due to the weight of knife and sheath. But they are hands down the best in survival situations and for all-around durability. Fallkniven F1 is pretty amazing, as well as all of their knives. Function and beauty - true craftsmanship.

No razor blades for me, unless I'm scraping paint off of windows.

Great to see all the responses and input on a much debated topic. I personally reduce weight elsewhere and don't worry about a scant 3 to 6 ounces on what I feel is necessary in the great outdoors. To each their own though, we've all got our preferences.

PS: crazy amount of posts, eh?! I couldn't resist joining in

First,

I really dig Sanad "Sid" Toukhly (Red_Fox)'s suggestions

Buck Hartsook Ultralite (0.5 oz)

Buck Mayo Kaala (1.9 oz).

Just created my own knife, first blade. Was suprisingly easy, results weren't to shabby.

Fixed blade. About 4.5 inches. Needed something for splitting wood for my DIY wood stove.

Black fiberglass bondo handle.

Weighs about 2.5 oz.

I still need to make a sheath for it, thinking about using ABS plastic. It's tough, light and easy to form.

May also slim the handle, but I'm pleased with the weight.

Sorry, no pictures yet.

Already thinking about making another. This time with a cut out handle. The plan is to wrap it in paracord. Perhaps a shorter blade, I think I was overly cautious about making the first one to short for splitting. Will see.

== Wymoning saw (blade only) ==

On a side note I'm very pleased with my wood cutting solution. Have found a 12" Wyoming blade. I previously tried a 21" bow saw blade and even though it weighed only 1.2oz and I had a place to pack it, it was overkill.

The Wyoming blade is nice because it has unidirectional teeth so I can improvise a lighter weight bow since it only cuts on the pull stroke. Admittedly it is a little trickier actually to creat a shorter bow because it needs to have a tighter arc, but I imagine with a little practice I'll have it down fast.

BTW, the Wyoming saw blad weighs about .5 oz if my scale and memory are not mistaken. (New scale, not certain of it's accuracy yet.)

Oh, one last tip. Two appropriately sized keychain rings make for great bow saw pins. I loop them from the outside of the bow in so they keep the wood from splitting. Works great.

Edited by mmeiser on 12/12/2009 22:30:19 MST.

I carry an Opinel no8 with a small 550 loop, it's very useful and weighs under 1.5 ounces.

take a pic sometime when you get a chance of your bow for the saw- I have an old WY saw and your right the blade is pretty light