Anyone carry a knife?

[Area54]

The reality is, no one who has ever croaked in the woods as done so because their knife was sorta sharp and not really sharp.

Not croaked, but I bet Aaron Ralston would disagree with you about the blunt versus sharp bit

Skeletool for me, sharp as I can make it.

[kkjellquist]

Carry a Spyderco in the shoulder strap pocket of my Wingnut pack.  Comes in handy for sure.

[sam.pederson]

You can get some really decent knives for like $40 from REI. They will do pretty much anything a nicer knife will do. They will weigh more and you'll need to sharpen them more often, but if budget is a concern just get a little one for $20-$40.

I have knife as a huge priority in backpacking (and bikepacking) because I don't do much freeze dried food. Food is part of the outdoor experience to me (a steak tastes better after a long ride) and I cook a lot at home, therefore I decided to throw down on a nice knife.

[kkjellquist]

Not croaked, but I bet Aaron Ralston would disagree with you about the blunt versus sharp bit

Skeletool for me, sharp as I can make it.

Or he could have just told one person where he was going....way more important than a knife ;-)

[AZTtripper]

Or he could have just told one person where he was going....way more important than a knife ;-)

I read that guys book he did more stupid should've gotten himself killed shit then anyone I have ever heard of. And that's coming from a guy who used to do free solo rock climbing.

I have a tiny little knife I bought at Ace weighs next to nothing seems pretty sharp rarely gets used but I do think it's good to have something out there.

[Done]

I read that guys book he did more stupid should've gotten himself killed shit then anyone I have ever heard of. And that's coming from a guy who used to do free solo rock climbing.

Only in America can a guy get rich talking about screwing up so badly that he needed to cut his arm off. Not saying that it wasn't an impressive act though--just that few of us have the audacity to leverage our bone-headed moments like Ralston...

I carry a little Leatherman tool. The blade is long enough to cut a sausage (barely!), but it gets the job done.

[fotooutdoors]

I am a fan of the Gerber Evo Jr if looking for just a knife (not a multi-tool).  Long enough to reach to the the bottom of the PB jar with some work, fairly sturdy (for its size), locks open (very important to me), and less than 2 oz.  It lives in my pocket while in the front country.  In the backcountry i carry a gerber multi-tool (way too heavy, so that's on the replacement block), so I try to avoid the temptation to bring my Evo Jr...but it really is a handy knife for food stuff (and easier to clean than a multi-tool).

[Ultra Magnus]

I never go anywhere without a knife, except the airport, and maybe some banks and government buildings...

I don't understand the mentality where it's totally acceptable to spend $400 on a sleeping bag, or $2k on that new custom frame, $500 or more on a new wheelset, etc..., but balk at spending $100 on a pocket knife.  I carry a humble CRKT M16-04, and have been pretty steady for the past 10yrs, and use it daily.  I have carried a leatherman for a while, but the pocket clip broke and I've been lazy to get a new clip so now it sits in my bike's tool kit next to my Crank Bros multi-tool.  I find the needle nose pliers extremely useful for pulling out stubborn thorns and cactus needles from a tire's carcass before putting in a new tube.

I teach my boys that every man should always have a knife on hand.  I mean, I may not need a knife.  I could rip and gnaw at stuff like an animal, but I choose to use a more sophisticated implement like an upright walking modern human.

I can't tell you how many times I've been standing in a group of men trying to get some job done, when the need for a knife arises, and everyone stands around staring, trying to decide which of them is going ot run back to the shop to try and find some kind of cutting tool, when I just reach into my pocket, flip out my blade, and hand them my knife...

So then, why would I go out into the back country for any amount of time, with less than what I would carry to work of the grocery store?

BM

[Pawel]

I'm using Spyderco Ladybug which is pretty handy for cutting zip ties and other small bits. It is a part of my "racing kit". For touring I carry Benchmade 530 Pardue. It is still light weight and has very usable length of the blade.

[Jon Cal]

That's not a knife....

[Cheyou]

USMC knife ! Worked in WW2 works now ;0)

A knife is only as good as the sharpener .


Thom

[Damnitman]

Leatherman Wave in the tool kit, small locking folder on a neck lanyard (with a Mg block), oh and a big 'ol Cold Steel SRK on my pack belt

[innokenty]

Iv been carrying my Baladeo 34g. Its a very useful and lightweight knife, but its not the most sturdy and needs some modifications. I use it a lot for eating and just cutting stuff. Doesnt weigh much so i wouldnt feel guilty bringing it on a long trip.
http://www.bikeparts.com/search_results.asp?id=BPC377975

[bmike-vt]

Have a little folding leatherman with mini-biner clip that folds riding in the mesh pouch on my wingnut pack.

[Thegooddoctor]

When touring I have the little knife on my alien and a leatherman with a bigger blade....

[LyndaW]

I carry a 1.9 oz rainbow colored titanium-oxide coated Kershaw knife  on a shoelace around my neck. It is pretty and expensive and was a gift. Sort of a fluff item. It makes me smile. I've taken it on every backpacking and bikepacking trip I have done for the last 20 years and it is almost like a good luck charm for me now. It is well used and still sharp.

http://www.kershawknives.com/productdetails.php?id=1

[delete this account]

 

[jehsohn]

Check out Opinel knives. Simple, light, many sizes and inexpensive! I have a #8 the most popular size and it was $12!! Quality steel that can be sharpened easily. They also offer stainless blades for maybe a dollar more. Way better than any of those made in China knives for practically the same price! You won't be disappointed.

[Colorado Cool Breeze]

Every trip is different for me but I will usually have two.

I really like this one.


http://www.rei.com/product/634902/victorinox-minichamp-swiss-army-knife

Depending on the trip I might also a have a 4" fillet knife and or my Kershaw folder with belt clip.

[Bndst]

Usually a Leatherman Skeletool (practical) in the frame bag/seat bag and a Becker fixed blade (paranoid) strapped between the handlebar and bar bag. Second one is ALWAYS in plain view and has a bunch of safety orange cord wrapped around the handle.