To carry a pocket knife, or not

[Grinder]

My knife evolution is as follows.

I started hiking with a Frost Sheath knife w/ a 4 in. blade. But no place to put it on the beltand heavy as I began to adopt the light weight approach. I tried a neck sheath, but it was always hanging in the way of my line of sight.

Next, I made a hacksaw knife. It was everything I needed, but it had to be stored in the pack and wasn't availablefor odd jobs while hiking.

Finally got a three inch pocket knife. It's always ready in my pocket. I've been carrying it for the last three years.

That said, a simple swiss army knife might pay for itself. I hiked for 5 weeks this year and it was real interesting trimming my toenails with the pocket knife after they got vampire long.

[rusty bumper]

I carry a Victorinox Swiss Army Classic...kept it in my ditty bag and used it maybe a dozen times during my 5 months on the trail.

[fredmugs]

http://www.amazon.com/Tool-Logic-SL3...8213626&sr=8-8

I use this. Just weighed it at 2.8 oounces and it has a fire starter if you want that. The pointy end is great for popping blisters.

[pervy_sage]

In general response to a common sentiment I've seen here and elsewhere in these forums which goes something like "I have never needed (item x) so why carry it?" I keep a simple toolbox, jumper cables, first aid kit, flares, space blanket, wool blanket, a jug of coolant, and a quart of motor oil in my car. It adds weight, and probably consumes a quantity of of fuel (over time) to lug around. I have maybe used 10% of these items over 20 yrs, but was glad to have that particular item when the need arose. The unused items may only serve to give piece of mind, but it is worth it so I might focus better on what I'm doing and where I'm going.

The idea behind any piece of equipment is either to satisfy a recurring known need, or mitigate the effects of potential unknown negative circumstances thus allowing the mind to relax and enjoy the journey. To those of us with a pension for concern of the unknown risks in life, it is worth the extra weight or bulk to have that little protection totem in ones pack. The true need of that item may satisfy a remote perceived risk, and the realized benefit may be solely psychological, but this is no less important than one's big four.

Granted, if the concern turns into unhealthy anxiety resulting in uncontrolled gadget obsession and a 50 lb pack, then one should probably see a therapist.

That said, my current pack toolkit leans toward the Leatherman Squirt PS4 @ 2 oz. and for a fixed blade I discovered the CRKT Minimalist Razor @ 1.1 oz. So for a bit over 3 oz. I get a full set of tools to satisfy my needs, real or perceived.

MTCW

[scree]

I'd go without a pack before I went without a knife.

I currently carry an orange handled Hultafors carbon utility sheath knife on hikes (http://www.hultafors.com/uk/products...ans-knife-hvk/). Best $20 ever - worth a group buy. On two+ week hikes I also carry a small orange enameled Leatherman Juice S2. ( http://www.amazon.com/Leatherman-702...dp/B0007UQ16U/ )Orange = better visibility if dropped.

When I'm out in an area where I think there'll be clearing work to do, I carry a Shark folding saw - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00008VE2Y/ Bit heavy / unnecessary for long distance.

[hikerboy57]

the reality is you really dont need a knife on the AT, a single edge razor blade is good enough more 99% of the time. my reality though is that i still carry a swiss army knife, in addition to the blade. you just never know. i think the real rule of thumb is: if you dont carry one, you will most certainly need one, and if you do, it will becomes useless weight.

[Minnitonka]

I carry the good old swiss army knife and a larger blade. They don't weigh much, but I do like the suggestion of just carrying your knife on your belt.

[Velvet Gooch]

I've carried different renditions of the Spyderco Military for over 15 years. I don't weigh my gear, though

[10-K]

2 single edge razor blades for me.

1 to lose and 1 to keep.

[Odd Man Out]

Victorinox Tinker. 2 small blades, screwdriver, can opener, tweezers. All I need.

Me too. It would be tragic to find yourself in the woods with a great bottle of beer and no bottle opener.

[hikerboy57]

Why are swiss army knives so popular anyway? I mean did the swiss army ever win any wars with them? Or did they carry tjem for the tweezers?

[msupple]

Many ultralight hikers carry a swiss Classic. Small blade, nail file, sissors, toothpick, & tweezers. Under $20 & lightweight. I carry one but also carry a heavery one. Just my preferance.

I carried the Classic around my neck and probably could have gotten away with just that, but I also carried a Spyderco with about a 3.5" locking blade. I was surprised how much I used the larger knife. I wouldn't even think about just carrying a razor blade.

Cat in the Hat

[kayak karl]

i carry a widget.

[msupple]

Me too. It would be tragic to find yourself in the woods with a great bottle of beer and no bottle opener.

Man...if you can't open any kind of beer without an opener....well...you're just not worthy.

[dale1627]

I carry a CRKT Minimalist. A buddy of mine bought for me as a birthday present awhile back. I've started carrying it almost all of the time.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk

[Blissful]

A small swiss army knife with scissors, tweezers and blade is my one of choice. I have used it many times.

[rocketsocks]

Me too. It would be tragic to find yourself in the woods with a great bottle of beer and no bottle opener.

I use my eye socket to open those pesky bottles.

[swjohnsey]

A pocket knife is one of the basic survival tools. With a knife you can do about anything. Without one . . . well. It doesn't take much of a knife. I can skin out a moose with my little Gerber LST that weighs less than an ounce and has a blade about an inch long. Try that with a single edge razor blade.