been a handy little $9 gadget for me

even brought it on the plane with me (forgot it was on the key ring)

Here are two other additional UL knives/scissors that weren't on the list.

1. Coghlan's foldable scissors [1.0 oz]
2. Olfa Touch-Knife (retractable) [0.2 oz]

Both are stainless steel.


Cheers,
PCM

I just decided to not carry my Spyderco Delica, and am now just using a Leatherman Squirt S4 alone.

Hi Kevin

> You know, the one thing that hasn't been brought up for UL use is a disposable surgical scalpel ---previously unused, of course :-)>.
Tut tut: you should read the article more carefully. I listed a scalpel blade in my kit. Mind you, I suspect some of the other BPL staff probably have scalpels in their first aid kits too, and just didn't mention them.

> A #10 scalpel w/ plastic handle will handle most chores and is far easier to use for precision work than a single bladed razor,
Easier to use? Well, yes, but where do you get the plastic handle? Could be useful.

Without some sort of handle a scalpel is more tricky. The blade starts out *very* sharp. So? Well, if the tip get a little blunt after some use, there is a temptation to grip the short metal handle end more solidly and to use a little more force. But that can so easily bring your finger into contact with the still very sharp edge at the handle end of the blade, leading to a rather deep cut in your finger before you have realised it. The edge is so sharp you don't feel it cutting in for a while...

I must say I rather like the prep blades as an idea.

cutting blade from a broadhead. .019 ounces!! 1/5 of the razor
blade.

so, does the arrowhead actually stay in place on the pencil? Do you cut a groove in first to stabilize it? how do you protect the cutting edge? Where does one get an arrowhead like that and how much?
Looks really sweet though, and multi-use

Carbon Fiber can be used to make very strong, sharp, and ultra-light blades. They are harder to find in our post 9-11 world. If you like a rugged long blade carbon fiber knives are an ultra-light option. The best one that was ever manufactured was the Mad Dog Frequent Flyer.




http://www.steeladdictionknives.com/knives/custom/mcclungkevin/CustomNeckKnives/OldSchoolMiniFrequentFlyer.php

Cool. And $325 seems reasonable...

:-)

But still- REALLY cool.

Wenger Esquire, with the nail file ground down into a nice striker for the firesteel rod (from a magnesium firestarter). I'm considering just bringing a razor blade, as I very rarely use a knife, but then I'll need to get another striker. are razor blades effective and user friendly for using a firesteel?

First things first, my pack weighs 34lbs, so I'm no ultralighter. I pack in Alaska so I can’t safely spend nights under tarps with little to no safety equipment. The mosquitoes, bears and even some moose are a real threat.

For a knife, I carry a real knife. The risk of cutting myself with a non locking folding blade, or some micro contraption made with a razor blade, far outweighs the extra ounces of a fixed blade knife.

I now carry a Fallkniven WM1. It has a 2.8 inch blade and weighs 2.5ounces. The sheath adds 1.5 ounces. When I need to cut, whittle or even puncture a can, this knife can handle it.

Another option would be a Kershaw Chive. It's a small locking folder that weighs around an ounce, and, it's a real knife that you can safely use without the risk of slicing your hand or fingers open due to accidental closure.

When it comes to 'stupid light', knives are at the top of the list for an accident waiting to happen.

Just a thought.

Edited by mdenton@gci.net on 03/23/2008 12:36:07 MDT.

Dear Mr. Mark Denton,
You don't sound at all like an UltraLight guy, which just makes me wonder how you arrived in and continue to tolerate this club.
I have been using folding knives for about 45 years, and the ONLY times I've cut myself was when using a FIXED blade at the age of about 10, and when my little 3 year old brother sliced me with the breadknife at dinner when I was about 5 (my first and only stitches).
I've spent 5 summers in Alaska enjoying many trips into the backcountry and usually alone: never had a problem with bears, moose or mosquitos .. I mention this just to let BPL members know that there is more than one side to The Great State of Alaska.
Thank You and Safe Travels Ahead,
theThriftstoreMountaineer

Edited by gregdegler on 07/09/2008 12:42:27 MDT.

I'm very interested in getting the Spyderco Ladybug as my pack knife. I will soon be getting a BushBuddy Ultra, and I'm wondering whether a straight or serrated edge is most appropriate for wood shaving purposes.

Thanks

Jeremy, that conception is brilliant. Does it work well?

I was starring at that little firesteel firestriker and somewhere inside I was feeling that it should really serve more than one purpose. Now it does - now it also makes my nails look pretty (and round so they don't shred the UL merino).

Very much appreciated.

johannes

One of the most important emergency uses for a knife is hardly mentioned here: shaving off dry timber if you have an emergency in cold weather. With a sharp enough knife, even a tiny one, and a little time, you can shave down to dry stuff on a wet stick. Pretty darned important if you hike/snowshoe in the Northwest in winter and don't care for hypothermia . . .

So - any suggestions for the lightest knife that would do this job? (I'm lucky - my friends tend to carry this stuff!)

Doris

I've taken to carrying one or more of the following depending on the nature of my trip.

A Derma-safe Folding utility razor, a Frosts Mora Craftsman and a Swiss Army Knife Classic.

Doris,

Sam mentions a couple of nice knives. I own and use both the Mora and the Swiss Army Classic under different circumstances. Noting that you only want this to make wood shavings in "emergency" situations I would suggest the Swiss Army Classic.

At one ounce the Classic can whittle down to dry wood. It will be a bit of a chore because blade is small, lacks heft does not take or keep a fine edge very well. But it will do in a pinch. It will also cut your toenails, pull a tick, strike a match and file a nail. Just keep it as sharp as you can.

The Mora may be the finest blade available for under $20. (In fact, I think I bought mine from Sam). I would put it at somewhere around 5 oz, not particularly small or light. Mine is used on longer or wetter outings when I can expect to need to split branches to get to the the dry stuff. I need to feed a BushBuddy. It readily takes and holds a good edge. Great for frequent use, overkill for emergency use.

I don't like razor blades when put to wood. They snap easily when twisted and for anything more strenuous than cutting paper, foil or tape I think they can be a little hazardous. For some fraction of an ounces you're better off with the more versatile Classic, imho.

Hope this helps. I have loved knives ever since I was 7 and won one at a local fair. Parents made me exchange it. If I could justify any reason for carrying one or paying for one I would own a Busse Battle Mistress:

http://homepage.mac.com/zombiekiller/badmojo/bm.html

But then I'd have to disappear into the Canadian interior before missus skinned me with it.

Paul

The best (in my opinion ) all-around Mora knife is this one:








I used to use the "craftsman" model until The instructor at a class was selling this style and I grabbed it up -much better for my uses. It dosent have that unnecessary finger guard that adds weight and bulk. Its also just a tad smaller and thinner. 3.5 ounces w/shealth

Though it possible I wouldnt want to use a small stainless steel folder to carve wood. Lets not forget that in a real "survival" situation you will likely loose all the fine dexterity and motor skills you had when at home using it.

Brian, Brian, Brian,

You sir are an enabler. Your posting sent me off to this site:

http://www.ragweedforge.com/SwedishKnifeCatalog.html

to find your knife. Also saw something called a Shoemaker's Knife. 1.75 oz. Hmmm.

Paul

If you get one of the Shoemakers let me know what you think of it.
I have been curious about that one myself.