Has anyone found a good fixed blade that weighs less than, say, 2oz.? I figure that since my wife is already carrying the 0.9 oz. Victorinox Classic (prividing tweezers/scissors/file/lite-duty blade fuctionality), I wonder what kinda functionality I could carry for an extra ounce? I'd been considering higher-quality sub-2oz. folders (like Benchmade's Mini Pika), but what about a fixed-blade? For that matter, what are some other lightweight folders to consider? I'm not really considering any alternatives to the SAK. No sharpened, taped piece of flashing for me, thanks.

This summer we're doing the CDT, and while the Vicky Classic has always been entirely adequate for me on other long trails in the past, I'd be willing to carry an extra 1 oz. for easier emergency firestarting, etc that a fixed could provide.

Not a fixed blade knife, but about the lightest locking blade knife I've found is the Columbia River PECK:

http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=47806387&parent_category_rn=4500581&vcat=REI_SEARCH

That's what I carry.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Maxam-4-Folding-Pocket-Knife-KeyChain-Knives_W0QQitemZ8770134553QQcategoryZ75235QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

not sure if this is the same one - got it at local fishing store

mine without the keychain weighs about .5 oz

I was in a commercial fishing supply ( http://www.seamar.com ) and they always have a bunch of knives for cutting bait and cleaning fish. There are some of the toughest, lightest and cheapest knives I've ever seen-- all meant to work with, no hype, no marketing, just tools.

So in this treasure trove I found a Victorinox paring knife --- red plastic handle, sharp as a razor, $3.95 and 0.7oz/20g.

If you search on Victorinox 40603, you will find a number of suppliers, with prices all over the map.

Here's one I found within reason:
http://www.instawares.com/detail.asp?product_id=40603FR

Here's another with a lot of variations-- straight blade, serrated, sheep's foot, etc:
http://www.quickknife.com/herbence2teststore1/victorinox-kitchen-cutlery-paring.html

The weight I gave is for the 3.25" blade. I see they make a 4" model too, but I don't know the weight.

> For that matter, what are some other lightweight folders to consider?


I carry a cheapo 1.5" (1" serrated) lock-blade (0.6 oz) I picked up at a swap meet for about $2. Also, have 2" lock-blade (0.8 oz) and 1.75" (0.75" serrated) hooked lock-blade (0.8 oz) I picked up at a swap meet or military surplus store for $3-$4; and Ozark Trail-brand 2.75" (1.5" serrated) lock-blade (1.9 oz without clip), $0.94 at WalMart.

I like the idea of the paring knife. Hadn't thought of that.

Edited by Otter on 02/27/2006 09:43:41 MST.

I was in a commercial fishing supply ( http://www.seamar.com ) and they always have a bunch of knives for cutting bait and cleaning fish. There are some of the toughest, lightest and cheapest knives I've ever seen-- all meant to work with, no hype, no marketing, just tools.

So in this treasure trove I found a Victorinox paring knife --- red plastic handle, sharp as a razor, $3.95 and 0.7oz/20g.

If you search on Victorinox 40603, you will find a number of suppliers, with prices all over the map.

Here's one I found within reason:
http://www.instawares.com/detail.asp?product_id=40603FR

Here's another with a lot of variations-- straight blade, serrated, sheep's foot, etc:
http://www.quickknife.com/herbence2teststore1/victorinox-kitchen-cutlery-paring.html

The weight I gave is for the 3.25" blade. I see they make a 4" model too, but I don't know the weight.

For a folder, the CRKT Wrangler http://www.crkt.com/wrangler.html is 1.60z/45g and it works. MSRP is $19.99, but you can find them on Ebay for a lot less.

I carry a Gerber Ultralight LST. It has a 2" locking blade and weighs a bit less than the claimed .6 oz for under $20.

There are a number of nice folders which are less than 2oz. I like the benchmade 530, the Kershaw Chive looks pretty decent. The best value would be the Opinel #7 folding knife. 1.2oz with a 3inch blade and will set you back something like $10.

You could also consider a light fixed blade such as a good quality paring knife.

--Mark

A light fixed blade knife?

Easy.

I dont like folding knives out in the woods anymore.

Dont trust em, never really did.

I now carry one of a handful of Scandinavian knives (2 in the winter)... usually Finnish made, but the Swedes make one HELL of a cheap, simple, durable knife.

Generally refered to as the "mora" knife, since thats the name of the town where it is made. It is a dirt simple knife, with a wooden handle and excellent blade steel.

For under $15, you can buy one of these Mora knives, with a 4inch laminated steel blade (NICE!), unfinished birch wood handle (ready to use, or stain, paint, or whatever it), and a well fitting plastic sheath (in the traditional Swedish style).

My wife has one of these knives, hers has the leather sheath, and weighs a shade under 3oz. The plastic sheath looks to be a touch lighter and wont absorb moisture. The plastic sheathed model is called the "SL-1". Probably about 2.75oz.

One caveat is that the handle on this knife is a bit small. There are knives in the same line with slightly larger handles, and correspondingly slightly larger blades, but there will be a weight penalty for that of course.

If you want to try out a slightly lower grade of Mora (but still a VERY functional knife) try out the "#1". Its the same size as the SL-1, but the handle is red painted wood, and the blade is carbon steel, not laminated carbon. The cost for this one is $9.

I buy my knives from Ragweedforge.com
Shipping from him is a flat $5 no matter how much you buy, priority post.

SOG Seal Pup

Anyone that regularly uses a non-locking penknife in the backcountry is asking for it, in my opinion.

Benchmade folders are quality. The Mini-Griptilian is a great all-purpose knife. It's only 2.6 ounces. That's what I almost always carry. They also make a knife called the Benchmite that only weighs an ounce but is expensive due to titanium components. Kershaw folders are OK; I have the Scallion. The metal is 420c, so it dulls more quickly than more expensive knives.

As for light fixed blades, look at scuba knifes. The usually have weight trimming features like plastic handles and cut-outs in the blade. SOG makes a interesting knife called the Duo thats only a couple of ounces and gives you both a plain and serrated blade fixed blade. I haven't used one, though.

The problem with carrying a more robust folder or a fixed blade is that you'll probably need a multitool or swiss army knife anyway, in case you need scissors or a screwdriver blade. You end up carrying two blades. But if you find yourself really needing a knife in the backcountry (in an emergency or survival situation) relying on a non-locking pen knife blade could really put you in a tough spot. I consider it a neccessity, like seatbelts or an avalanche beacon. You won't need it til you need it, and then you better have it.

Never really have found a need for a phillips screw driver or a corkscrew in all my years on the trail. The only need I have for a knife is to cut guy lines and duct tape. Seems like a razor blade would work about as good as anything.

"in case you need scissors or a screwdriver blade."

cant recall the last time I needed a screwdriver, and a sharp knife will cut anything scissors will.

"A knife will cut anything scissors will." And a few things they won't: fingers, in particular. I thought the same thing, and saved maybe an ounce by taking a Gerber Ultralight LST instead of my Leatherman Micra. Needed to trim a piece of moleskin for a hot spot. Small piece, big fingers, slippery rock - long story short, I also got to use my bandaids. Operator error/incompetence? Absolutely (the LST is a really nice knife.) But with very little chance that I'll get less clumsy in the future, I'll either carry the "heavy" Micra or a small pair of folding scissors.

Edited by garkjr on 02/24/2006 11:57:08 MST.

"Operator error/incompetence? Absolutely"

At least we got that out of the way ;)

Yes, scissors are easier to use, and there is a minor safety factor for the "clumsy", but if you take some time and think things through a knife works as well as scissors for anything you might need outdoors.

For starters, use a piece of wood as your cutting board, not a rock. You wont slip as easily, and youll save your knife edge.

I'm a big fan of Cold Steel knives. They are very tough and stay scarry-sharp.

Take a look at the Super Edge and the Bird & Trout knife.

http://www.coldsteel.com/superedge.html

http://www.coldsteel.com/20btj.html

I'm not that interested in starting an argument here but I will reitereate: if you need a knife in the backcountry for an emergency situation, you need a knife. If the need arises and you're without, then its too late. You can't cut tinder from wet wood with scissors.

As for the the multitool- you're right, for many hikers its not neccessary, unless you need to maintain gear (bike, climbing gear, snowshoes, etc). I use pliers a lot.

"As for the the multitool- you're right, for many hikers its not neccessary, unless you need to maintain gear (bike, climbing gear, snowshoes, etc). I use pliers a lot."

I would agree with this statement.

If your using gear that requires "specialist" tools like a pair of pliers, then a multitool has its place. The fact that it has a knife blade is a nice extra, but if I am carrying a multitool, its because it is functioning as a miniature tool box. Not because it has a knife on it.

Plus, if anyone has seen Survivorman, apparently you can MacGyver anything with a multitool!