I'm considering a new knife for camping/paddling and would love to hear thoughts on what works well for you.

My ultralight tendencies typically have me just using the knife on my leatherman tool as a primary knife for camp needs. It is somewhat a pain, though, to uncase, unfold, and deploy it each time it's needed. But what about having a second dedicated knife? Is it redundant gear or an important backup? I was thinking something like a midsize spyderco folder might be easy to carry in a pants pocket and be a good all-around knife for cooking/repair/general camp use. This would be in addition to the leatherman-which would be relegated to riding in the pack.
Of course a full-tang sheath knife might pull duty batoning wood instead of a hatchet, but I think that big of a knife would be awkward to carry around.

Assuming realistic solo trips with freezer bag cooking and no crazy emergencies, how necessary is it to have a good knife at the ready?

I use a small pocket size buck knife. Never thought I needed anything else or wished for anything else. For me it's easy to get when I need it and easy to put away.

quote muddyfeet: "...Assuming realistic solo trips with freezer bag cooking and no crazy emergencies, how necessary is it to have a good knife at the ready?"

I, too, carry a Leatherman when solo. I'm aware of its short-comings (no batoning, not the best steel, peanut butter gets in the hinges, etc.) and yet find it a good trade-off to have the various tools in a convenient format. Used to carry a larger/sturdier knife, never needed it. As a caveat, I make only small, brief campfires, and don't fish, so that may change the picture for some.

I rarely have a fire either and do freezer bag cooking, so I find I rarely use a knife. I have an old Swiss Army Knife I carry in my pocket for small chores and I do carry a belt knife on me or my PFD as emergency gear. I also have a very small, cheap multi-tool in my repair kit.

quote Whatsit: "I use a small pocket size buck knife. Never thought I needed anything else or wished for anything else. For me it's easy to get when I need it and easy to put away. "

Same here. I don't even notice it clipped in my pocket and it's convenient when needed. I also have a leatherman in my repair kit in the pack but don't remember ever using it.

Like ducks I carry a leatherman in my repair kit and don't think I've ever used it on a trip, which is good because I think it's a PITA. I carry a small folder in my pocket as well as a 4" belt knife.

The belt knife sees the most use. All my meals cook fast but I only carry a stove for backup so I'm cooking over fire at least twice a day; generally in a small twig stove. I can usually find enough small dry branches to make a fire but sometimes, especially when it's wet, it's really nice to have the ability to split small 1-3" branches and that's where the belt knife shines in conjunction with a folding Silky saw that also sees use clearing portage trails.

My last trip was the first time I took a hatchet as it was a long trip in potentially cold weather. The weather did indeed turn out to be cold and wet and although the hatchet went unused most days it was greatly appreciated on about half a dozen occasions over the 5-6 week trip.

My pocket knife is not used very often and most of the time the 4" sheath knife is overkill; especially to carry on me the whole time (though it's not uncomfortable). I'm thinking about leaving the pocket knife at home and finding a smaller fixed blade (2.5-3") to carry on my belt with either a hatchet or 6" Buck knife in the pack for heavier work when required.

Alan

I, like Alan, will be taking a hatchet with me next spring. I think between the hatchet and a pocket knife and a multi tool that's all you would really need

Large lock blade SAK, AG Russell Deer Hunter and Bird and Trout (which get clipped to each pack). Sheaths are home made Kydex.

If I plan on more campfire cooking,
Saw and hacker knife for batoning go.

butthead

Spyderco Delica

I carry a Morakniv Companion, got it cheap on Ebay. Clipped on my belt, occasionally got in my way, but was handy when needed, and came super sharp. I used it for batoning wood to start fires, and it was perfect for cutting the summer sausage. I wouldn't want to be without the ability to split wood to expose the drier insides if trying to start a fire in wet conditions. I also carried the Irwin carpenters saw to process the wood.

If budget is consideration I would suggest a Mora # 106, it's very sharp and excels at all small wood and food tasks. The sheath is not acceptable but a sheath is a great winter project.

If you have more to spend I would suggest an Adventure Sworn knife. www.adventuresworn.com

Thanks for the input, everyone.

quote NotSoFast: "I, too, carry a Leatherman when solo. I'm aware of its short-comings (no batoning, not the best steel, peanut butter gets in the hinges, etc.) and yet find it a good trade-off to have the various tools in a convenient format."

Yep- I clean and oil/maintain mine pretty well, but there must be years of cheddar cheese in there! I do find the multiple tools helpful for adjustments/repairs.

quote whitecedar: " If you have more to spend I would suggest an Adventure Sworn knife. www.adventuresworn.com "

Those look beautiful! ...and by a small American company too.

Ive carried a small hatchet for splitting wood (which I also enjoy being able to do for wet fires), but the potential exists for weight savings by replacing it with a large knife to baton with. (never tried it- but it looks easy enough). What else might a hatchet be better at than a large knife? (note, i also have a svensaw with for crosscutting/trail clearing)

I carry a Gerber multi-tool w/ blunt nose plier on my belt and also bring a Becker BK2 for battoning fire wood and whatever else I need it for. BK 2

I carry one and a half Swiss Army knives. The Tinkerer, and a little key ring Swiss knife.
As the outside man/janitor at the local High School. The Tinker has saved me more steps than I can recount.
Tweezers, tooth picks, three blades, phillips, straight, nail file, and an awl, make for two handy tools. They are with me where ever I go with pants on !

Belt knives are always in the way of things. So I would opt for a decent folder.

Jim

Ive carried a small hatchet for splitting wood (which I also enjoy being able to do for wet fires), but the potential exists for weight savings by replacing it with a large knife to baton with. (never tried it- but it looks easy enough). What else might a hatchet be better at than a large knife?

Battoning small stuff for a twig stove is a snap and I find it faster, easier, and safer to do that with my 4" sheath knife as opposed to the hatchet. For larger wood (length and diameter), especially if it's knotty or not straight grained, the hatchet works much better. I've used a 6" sheath knife (Buck 119) for larger wood and while it did the job most of the time it was a good deal of work and hard on the hands.

For cooking over a twig stove and occasional larger fires in warmer weather I think a 4" sheath knife would work well. If you normally cook over an open fire, like to have camp fires most nights, or will be in cooler weather where fire might be used for more than just "fun" I think a hatchet or small axe is worth the extra weight.

The hatchet is easier to quickly peel the bark off a small dead spruce for the shelter poles I was making and was also much quicker at limbing branches or small trees that I either wanted to use as poles or to cut into firewood. Other than those uses, and splitting larger wood, I haven't found much use for a hatchet over a sheath knife.

Alan

quote Alan Gage: "

Ive carried a small hatchet for splitting wood (which I also enjoy being able to do for wet fires), but the potential exists for weight savings by replacing it with a large knife to baton with. (never tried it- but it looks easy enough). What else might a hatchet be better at than a large knife?

Battoning small stuff for a twig stove is a snap and I find it faster, easier, and safer to do that with my 4" sheath knife as opposed to the hatchet. For larger wood (length and diameter), especially if it's knotty or not straight grained, the hatchet works much better. I've used a 6" sheath knife (Buck 119) for larger wood and while it did the job most of the time it was a good deal of work and hard on the hands.


For cooking over a twig stove and occasional larger fires in warmer weather I think a 4" sheath knife would work well. If you normally cook over an open fire, like to have camp fires most nights, or will be in cooler weather where fire might be used for more than just "fun" I think a hatchet or small axe is worth the extra weight.


The hatchet is easier to quickly peel the bark off a small dead spruce for the shelter poles I was making and was also much quicker at limbing branches or small trees that I either wanted to use as poles or to cut into firewood. Other than those uses, and splitting larger wood, I haven't found much use for a hatchet over a sheath knife.


Alan"

That is some great info there. I love this site!

Backpacking, I carry a benchmade mini griptilian that's got a straight edged drop point blade.

In the kayak or canoe, I carry a full tang fixed blade for batoning wood instead of the little folder.

The difference being that when backpacking, the fire is usually only in my twig stove.

When fishing I add a pair of Gander Mountain aluminum pliers that have sidecuts and are tethered to the sheath.

quote gymcoachdon: "I carry a Morakniv Companion, got it cheap on Ebay. Clipped on my belt, occasionally got in my way, but was handy when needed, and came super sharp. I used it for batoning wood to start fires, and it was perfect for cutting the summer sausage. I wouldn't want to be without the ability to split wood to expose the drier insides if trying to start a fire in wet conditions. I also carried the Irwin carpenters saw to process the wood. "

+1 on the Morakniv! That and a small saw and I have a campfire every night. The Morakniv is a sturdy SOB and I use it every evening to baton and burn my firewood. We all have our preferences, but I've never really needed an axe. Big groups, big fires, big wood, maybe an axe, but never on a solo for me.

And I love campfires!

Dave

I'm a knife guy, in general, so I always have more than what I strictly need. I probably don't really need anything more than my titanium spork, truthfully, lol.

But what's the fun in that? I adhere to a "3 blade system" . .you have one for "clean tasks", one for "misc tasks" and then one for "big jobs" . .typically this one is a saw for me . .but it could be a hatchet.

My "clean knife" . .ie . .for food use and tasks where a clean knife is important . is an Opinel #8. I love this knife. It's cheap, light and the blade shape works well for food.

My "misc task" knife is my Benchmade Mini Griptilian. It's small, light, sharp, opens easily with one hand, it's everything you want in a knife that would, for example, need to come out one-handed and maybe cut a piece of rope or fishing line while your other hand is occupied.

My "big job" blade is usually my folding saw. I have others - a hatchet, a Benchmade big folding hunter, several Mora fixed blades, etc . .but typically the saw is most useful.

If I plan to eat fish, I prep them with my "misc task knife" so that can impact my knife choice there. I can (and have) take a fish apart with my mini grip..it's not ideal but if you work carefully and use the tip a lot you can do a pretty good job.

I can't bring myself to bring a dedicated filet knife . .but if I knew I was going to prep a lot of fish I probably would . .or else choose a more nimble blade for my "misc task knife".

quote butthead: " Large lock blade SAK, AG Russell Deer Hunter and Bird and Trout (which get clipped to each pack). Sheaths are home made Kydex.


If I plan on more campfire cooking,
Saw and hacker knife for batoning go.


butthead "

What is Kydex? Can you tell me more about it? Thanks!

Youtube making a Kydex sheath does a very good job of explanation. My shop tools are, a toaster oven, 2@2x6 wood pieces with foam sheet insulation 1 inch thick, and a set of clamps.

butthead

PS: Need to point out the beautiful saw sheath was made by Ragged, another forum member. bh

Thanks!

I am not from the camp that spends hundred plus dollars on knives. I like knives, have lots of them but I enjoy them for their utility and effectiveness. Morakniv makes incredible knives that are cheap, sharp and durable and simply the best value out there. Sierra Trading used to have them for around 11 bucks and I bought several, don't see them anymore. But they are still fairly cheap on Amazon for what you get. Come in a couple different types of steel, styles and lengths. They come to you sharp as can be and are virtually indestructible.

Since I learned of batoning a few years ago I have practiced it a great deal and it is fun, effective and impressive to your friends:). All i would need on a trip, solo or otherwise is a Morakniv stainless steel knife, small saw and a lexan or comparable serrated knife for cutting summer sausage and spreading peanut butter. You can beat on those Moras while batoning and they just smile.

Best value knife

I'm partial to solid performing items when I have taken the time, effort and expense to get back into the bush. Therefore, I carry what some mite deem as overkill, but they all have served me exceptionally well. I carry a bush crafter type knife - A Buck Vanguard, that I got for almost 1/2 price on the internet. This is a very sturdy knife that will perform all camp chores with solid performance. It is strong enough to baton, has a great edge that holds, can fillet a fish, cut kindling, and feather sticks. I also carry a Sven Saw 15", which does a great job with good cooking size wood. (I prefer cooking over a wood fire). I carry a BSA hatchet that also serves to baton wood and can be used to pound tent/tarp stakes when needed. These 3 are essential for my system of camping. All three of these have performed flawlessly for me over many years.

here are several of the knives I use.The folding buck fillet knive. Only used for fish. The gerber fishing plyers is used alot while fishing. Needle nose for getting hooks out of fish. The fixed blade kershaw resides on my Pfd. has been used for batoning wood and misc. camp chores. The fixed blade Anza stays in the pack and used mostly for cooking. One other that is not pictured is the Gerber Crunch, a vise grip type multi tool that stays in the repair bag.

Update on this thread: I've been carrying a Spyderco Tenacious for trips this year, and have found that it can go un-noticed clipped into my pants pocket, but that I use it at least a few times a day. I also have found it very useful to carry it weekends working around the house. I've used it for everything from cutting cheese, to paracord, to opening boxes and packaging, to butchering a rabbit and turkey in the backyard. Leatherman multitool still rides along on trips, but in the repair kit buried in the pack.

Also, the KME sharpener system makes a super sharp edge foolproof.

this is what you need

"My ultralight tendencies typically have me just using the knife on my leatherman tool as a primary knife for camp needs. It is somewhat a pain, though, to uncase, unfold, and deploy it each time it's needed. But what about having a second dedicated knife?"

Why not just get rid of the Leatherman and go with a Mora. In over 50 trips I can count the times on one hand that I needed a Leatherman style tool, and that was on portage clearing trips to maintain another non-typical tool. It's like carrying a solid block of steel - not ultralight.
That being said, on almost all trips, I get by with just a pocket knife.

quote PortageKeeper: "

Why not just get rid of the Leatherman and go with a Mora. In over 50 trips I can count the times on one hand that I needed a Leatherman style tool, and that was on portage clearing trips to maintain another non-typical tool. It's like carrying a solid block of steel - not ultralight.
That being said, on almost all trips, I get by with just a pocket knife."

I think I'm leaning more this way. Just have to let go of the "what if" repairs to equipment or canoe- which, admittedly, are fairly rare.

Ya Like my knives also. +2 on use Mora and pocket size Benchmade griptillian
Lots of knife options out there depending how much cash you want to spend.
Also carry old Kershaw folding fillet knife works great.
I think being prepared is worth the extra weight.

I recently purchased the Leatherman Juice S2. Seems like a nice balance between light weight and tool options. Also handy in that the knife and scissors open directly from the closed position , without having to open the pliers. I carry it in the pocket of my PFD. The blade is on the small side, but I have found that for my type of camping, I don't need a larger blade most of the time.

Tony, how does the knife attach?

quote WaveRunner: " I recently purchased the Leatherman Juice S2. Seems like a nice balance between light weight and tool options."

Thanks- I'll have to look at this in person next time I see it at a shop. It claims weight to be 4.6oz , which is pretty amazing for a multitool with pliers. Different uses than a dedicated knife, but for reference my spyderco folder is 4oz.

Any $20.00 mora

In the past I have always brought a Mora knife to use in camp and a small Swiss Army Knife in my PFD pocket.

Lately I have only brought the Swiss Army Knife. It covers all my needs.

I use the Leatherman Skeletool SX and keep it in a holder on my belt.
The pluses:
Knife blade can be deployed with one hand using the thumb. (I used to bring a regular leatherman, but don't anymore)
Pliers (replaced needle nose pliers for fish and regular pliers for handling hot pots around fire)
Phillips and standard screw drivers.

Minuses:
I would prefer a non serated blade, but it does cut well.
Doesn't feel as nice in the hand as wood handled knife.

Sometimes I take a Grohmann Camper knife, but that is more sentimental reasons. The only thing it does better than the skeletool is spread peanutbutter.

quote johnMN: "Tony, how does the knife attach?"

hope this helps

quote Tony: "

quote johnMN: "Tony, how does the knife attach?"

hope this helps"

Thanks, Tony, yes Now I see. Is that a custom made case then?

For the exact same reasons as paddlinjoe, I like (love) my leatherman. Having used one in my previous career on a day to day basis, it is second nature and an extension to my skill sets. I also carry, packed, a very nice extendable fillet knife gifted to me one snowy Christmas many years ago. A knife, the blade of which was questioned at the time as way too long because it can be drawn from it's handle an extra three inches, that has come in handy for some large salmon in Alaska as well as Minnesota eaters. And so sharp I get the 'gibbies' when I remove it from it's sheath which also converts into a large pliers, has a hook sharpener and if I recall correctly, floats.

Mac

quote johnMN: "

quote Tony: "

quote johnMN: "Tony, how does the knife attach?"

hope this helps"

Thanks, Tony, yes Now I see. Is that a custom made case then?
"

No, that is the way it came from Kershaw. I think it is called the responder. It is half serrated with a glass breaker and seat belt cutter

Tony

Armored, that is a great looking knife! Could you give me more info on it? Thanks

quote CrZander: "Armored, that is a great looking knife! Could you give me more info on it? Thanks"

My father in law made the knife. I did the sheath, fire rod and diamond stone. Any time I go into the woods it is on my hip . There is not much to tell about it. It is a full tang with black walnut scales. The black walnut tree that it was made from, my 4th great grand mother planted when they homesteaded in 1865 in new ulm MN . The tornado of 1999 took out the farm and all the trees . we salvaged the logs. I also had a 62 Cal flintlock northwest trade gun built from one of the logs. I guess I am kind of sentimental.

I carry a knife of my own making. Micarta handle, about 4.5 inch blade, scandi grind. I used an old file for the steel. It has a ferro rod incorporated into the sheath. In conjunction with a saw, I can process all the firewood I could ever want. It splits wood like a dream and is delicate enough to slice veggies or meat for dinner, reaches the bottom of the peanut butter jar, and is small enough for delicate carving work.

I usually also have a gerber multi tool for removing fish hooks, cutting line, and small tasks.