Perfect, Ultralight Backpacking Knife

[ye olde shiza]

Hello folks,

I'm planning my 2012 PCT thru-hike. Already finished the AT in 2008. I used the Victorinox Swiss Army 8-Function Knife on the AT. Fairly light. Nice, but overall, I only used three tools ... the toothpick, bottle opener and knife.

I want something more efficient. My ideal would be to have a single-piece (no joint) blade on one end, handle topped with an o-ring bottle opener. I'd have to carry a sheath with that, of course, so maybe something that folds would be better.

Anyway, what are your favorite ultralight knives? I only care about two things - opening quality beer and cutting sausage/cheese.

Thanks,
VooDoo
AT '08

[ye olde shiza]

Ha. Nevermind ... think I found the answer in one of these two:

1. http://www.leatherman.com/product/e33L/e33Lx

2. http://www.kershawknives.com/productdetails.php?id=365

Any experience with either of these?

[Llama Legs]

http://www.rei.com/product/760978

I blew all of my REI dividends on one of these. No bottle opener...

[ye olde shiza]

But yeah, without the bottle opener, I'd have to bring something extra. Especially on the PCT ... so many delicious beers with non twist-off caps.

[Danielsen]

http://www.meritline.com/stainless-s...ource=dealnews

Two bucks shipped (used to be some discount code so I got mine for 0.79 total), I use mine all the time. It's in my back pocket right now.

[Texico]

Another good option would be the CRKT Dogfish.

http://www.crkt.com/Dogfish

I prefer fixed blades to folding knives because they are easier to keep clean. This knife plus the sheath is also only 2.3oz. I own four CRKT knives and they are all great quality, my favorite of which is now my Folts Minimalist.

[garlic08]

I've been using this for a few years: http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/STA...-Scraper-3Q094

They're about a dollar at the local drugstore with five extra blades. The best thing is if you need to board a plane with carry-ons, you can throw it away and get a new one at your destination without too much grief. It's sharp enough for minor surgery.

[Trailbender]

Hello folks,

I'm planning my 2012 PCT thru-hike. Already finished the AT in 2008. I used the Victorinox Swiss Army 8-Function Knife on the AT. Fairly light. Nice, but overall, I only used three tools ... the toothpick, bottle opener and knife.

I want something more efficient. My ideal would be to have a single-piece (no joint) blade on one end, handle topped with an o-ring bottle opener. I'd have to carry a sheath with that, of course, so maybe something that folds would be better.

Anyway, what are your favorite ultralight knives? I only care about two things - opening quality beer and cutting sausage/cheese.

Thanks,
VooDoo
AT '08

http://www.amazon.com/Swiss-Army-Cad.../dp/B003LDCMR2

This knife is 1.6 ounces, the best backpacking knife I have seen to date.

[tammons]

A GI issue can opener is good thing to have if you dont carry a swiss army knife. and weighs almost nothing. Just get a real GI model.

The Becker necker has a bottle opener and is fixed blade and thick. Tough knife and weighs about 4 oz. You could use it to split wood with but the blade is a bit short at 3"

If you want a light knife with a longer blade and a comfortable handle I like Mora 840 clipper. They are about 3.5 oz with the sheath but just a knife so no bottle opener. They sell for about $12 on ebay. They sell SS and carbon steel knives. The 840 has a 4" blade.

Also on BPL they sell a knife called the Baladeo which weighs 22gr but only has a 2" blade.

To me I think the Mora is the most useful all around knife but it does not have a full shank handle. The Becker necker is the best light tough knife I have found. Waiting on becker to come out with a 4" model. If I was going SUL I would take the Baladeo.
The Rat RC-4 is suposed to be a great 4.5" blade knife, but I have not used one.

I think a good combo that gives you a decent knife with a longish blade, toothpick and tweezers and scissors, can opener and bottle opener is a Classic swiss army small. Been carrying one for years everywhere. Weighs less than 1 oz. Either that or a swiss card has scissors too and a little more stuff on it.

Add to that a GI issue can opener.
Add to that one of the knives above.

If you dont get a knife with a opener there
are about a million different styles of keychain bottle openers
and multi function tools like listed above.

[Wags]

these knives hit the backpackign trinity of "cheap, light, durable"

http://www.swedishknives.com/

[Luddite]

The Gerber LST. It weighs .6oz.

But yeah, without the bottle opener, I'd have to bring something extra. Especially on the PCT ... so many delicious beers with non twist-off caps.

Lighters can be used as bottle openers.

[Torch09]

The Gerber LST. It weighs .6oz.



Lighters can be used as bottle openers.

sounds like someone went to college

[Chance09]

look up on youtube ways to open beers. There are hundreds of ways to open beers lol. A lighter is just one of them. If you have a TI spoon or fork you can use that. You could even use a rock if you wanted.

I usually use the back edge of my knife much the same way you would a lighter.

[Llama Legs]

[GeneralLee10]

Another good option would be the CRKT Dogfish.

http://www.crkt.com/Dogfish

I prefer fixed blades to folding knives because they are easier to keep clean. This knife plus the sheath is also only 2.3oz. I own four CRKT knives and they are all great quality, my favorite of which is now my Folts Minimalist.

I have the Dogfish and like it alot. Mite need to change out the chain it comes with to a string.

[amac]

Swiss Army Rambler

Features blade, scissors, nail file with screwdriver tip, bottle opener with magnetic Phillips screwdriver tip and wire stripper, toothpick, tweezers

[Firefighter503]

Nice Bottle Opener Llama Legs, I have a collection of those myself

[TheYoungOne]

Ha. Nevermind ... think I found the answer in one of these two:

1. http://www.leatherman.com/product/e33L/e33Lx

2. http://www.kershawknives.com/productdetails.php?id=365

Any experience with either of these?

The leatherman is a real knife, built solid and only 3 ounces. I like Kershaw knives, but that thing looks like a toy.

Another option is a Skeletool. You get a knife, screwdriver, pliers/wirecutter and a bottle opener in a 5 ounce package.

http://www.leatherman.com/products/p...p?id=2&f=6&c=1

[SMSP]

http://www.leatherman.com/product/Micra

http://www.leatherman.com/product/Squirt_ES4

SMSP

[Trailbender]

The leatherman is a real knife, built solid and only 3 ounces. I like Kershaw knives, but that thing looks like a toy.

Another option is a Skeletool. You get a knife, screwdriver, pliers/wirecutter and a bottle opener in a 5 ounce package.

http://www.leatherman.com/products/p...p?id=2&f=6&c=1

3 and 5 ounces is pretty heavy for a hiking knife. If I am carrying a 5 oz knife, it is a fixed blade. I take one in the woods on my hike, but didn't for a thru.