does anyone know of a cheap knife that weighs under an ounce that can get the job done when its needed?

Edited by brandonhippler on 09/14/2012 03:51:53 MDT.

Depends on what you expect it to do. A single edged razor blade suffices for some. I kind of like the Gerber L.S.T.

+1 to the Gerber LST. Small enough to be light (34 g - there is also a lighter one) but big enough to handle like a real knife.

For lighter look at a DermaSafe (7.5 g). I have one in my car FAK. MUCH preferable to a bare razor blade.

Jim

Edited by bmafg on 09/14/2012 07:18:43 MDT.

Baledeo makes a nice UL knife; mine weighs in at 15 gms. I also like the LST; both are very solid for UL use; a great multi tool is the Gerber Splice, weighs in at about 1.2 oz. and is safe for airport travel.

"that can get the job done when its needed?"

Brandon, it depends on what the job is.

Serious cooking might require something. Just opening sealed packages might require something less. Cutting up wood is something else. Doing emergency surgery on the trail is another story, but that might require a SAK.

--B.G.--

"it depends on what the job is"

That is obvious; I think a core philosophy of light and ultralight backpacking is measuring risk vs benefit or risk vs reward ratio when evaluating what not to carry (or what to carry); ie. if you will be in an area that there is great exposure, prepare accordingly.

But let's face it, you do not need a field machete on most hikes. You need a simple blade for common tasks. In most cases, a pair of scissors performs just as well as a small lightweight knife. If you are talking about chopping firewood or performing field surgery, then you are not an ultralight hiker.

Edited by bvidrine82 on 09/19/2012 17:15:56 MDT.

I never used a knife on a hike.

In several hundred miles of carrying it, I have never even used my derma safe knife on a hike, but at 0.3 oz, I think Ill keep carrying it, just in case I ever need to cut moleskin or ductape or cord.

I used my "22g" Baladeo (it's 23g) every single day of my most recent trek, and I'd say it's about as small as I can go for what I need to do. So, I sliced hunks of thick jerky, cut paracord, cut fishing line, cut fish, cleaned fingernails and slaughtered a fammily of rabid marmo...well, not the last one.

It wouldn't do for batoning much wood, but it's a pretty good size for most other work.

Edited by EBasil on 09/20/2012 00:06:33 MDT.

I like my Ti Kestrel ultralighter. 12 grams of fixed blade blade glory. I love mine.

-Tim

What is the lightest knife that could be used to baton wood?

The lightest folding knife I've battoned wood with is a standard size SAK. Be careful of the joint, and use technique, not brute strength.

I've used an Opinel #8 to baton, but there's not much wedge to that blade. It's the wedge profile that helps so much, when you have it. Strike outboard of the pivot on folders, of course.

1/2 a gram!

Edited by oware on 09/20/2012 12:09:03 MDT.

The prison slash is the best one, of course: it's multi-use!!

I use a Swiss Army Bantam a lot. Full size blade plus a combination tool (can opener,
bottle opener, phillips and straight screw driver, wire stripper). 33 grams.

Spyderco Bug, .35oz
http://www.amazon.com/Spyderco-Slip-Joint-Plain-Knife/dp/B003788U9U
Blade is nice and sturdy, holds a good edge and I find it's a little better overall than a dermasafe or a razor blade and a scraper holder. I can twist the blade and make holes in things, it's not going to snap like a razor blade can.


That said, I still never use it for more than cleanly cutting leukotape and gorillatape. I'm strongly considering switching to scissors, though the knife is handy for removing splinters. Plastic handled suture removal scissors are about .3-.4oz, Swisstool replacement scissors are about .2oz

www.swissarmy.com/us/app/product/Swiss-Army-Knives/Replacement-Scissors-SwissCard/30521

I've found the Swiss Army Clipper to be the most useful for me.



It has a small (1.75") knife, scissors, a nail file/screwdriver, and a nail clipper.

It weighs 37 grams (1.3 ounces).

Edited by KBabione on 09/21/2012 06:23:49 MDT.

I carry two. The tiny micro swiss with the scissors and the Ka-bar ZK Acheron neck knife- it's really light, I forget the weight but it's somewhere around 7 grams with the sheath.

"Ka-bar ZK Acheron neck knife- it's really light, I forget the weight but it's somewhere around 7 grams with the sheath."

Seriously? Is that a typo? 7 grams is about 1/4 ounce and I have seen this knife listed as 0.8 ounces and 1 ounce in a couple other places.

It is really light. I'm not at home where I could tell you for sure. That was a guess. It is one of lightest and still usable knives that I've seen that didn't cost a bunch. It's black stainless steel and it works for me.