Seaching for a better Trail Knife

[Wise Old Owl]

Well I just love to be inquisitive... Owls need to know. While hanging out at a party I watched a Friend pop a brew with his swiss army knife that was clearly a lot longer and easier to use. As we all might know length of blades is regulated by state or federal laws. 2 inches for a swiss knife well...its a bit of a joke or a good piece of ridiculous cutlery. Remember when they had a fork years ago? I am looking for knowledgeable help in finding a good source of lightweight "longer" swiss knifes & a lightweight or better survival knife longer than 3 1/4 inches. This appears to be a internet source as most places have to follow too many rules. I am not looking for "illegal" just something of better quality and length. Feel free to post your favorite knives - although I am not a not a fan of Multitool as they are too small or heavy.

[Wags]

http://www.catsupbottle.com/archive/2007/biggestproject/knife.jpg

[Wise Old Owl]

Thanks Hiking Pa, somehow that was what I would expect from you, You really don't disappoint anybody.

I am looking for a better product than this Shrade.

http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=25192&catid=member&imageuser=11552

[taildragger]

https://www.shopatron.com/product/part_number=5510K/638.0

CRKT makes good knives

as well as gerber

http://www.rockynational.com/1173_22-08443_Gerber_Paraframe_I_Stainless_Serrated_Edge.h tml

[Wise Old Owl]

CRKT didn't post size or weight, The Rocky National Site was very helpful! That's a good start....

[DocSarvis]

Google : Smokey Mountain Knife Works and Knife Center of the Internet. They both carry many variations of the "long-blade" Swiss Army Knives.

For a peek at the higher-end of things have a look at the "Sebenza" by Chris Reeve knives in Idaho. Heavy/expensive and worth every gram/dollar. Also Bob Dozier knives of Arkansas for sheath knives.

[Askus3]

My favorite trail knife goes down the east side from Katahdin. It has a serrated sharp edge and it can be used for slicing clouds.

[Homer&Marje]

http://www.buysellcommunity.com/sale/JXEFUCPY/

HA! everyone thinks my knife is overkill, not as heavy as it looks, survival knife for sure. Legal everywhere, who knows!

[Jerm]

i found this jewel at the outfitter in Hot Springs!

http://www.buckknives.com/index.cfm?event=product.detail&productID=3563

[NICKTHEGREEK]

I have the same camillus pilot survival kife I was issued in Viet Nam. I does have a new sheath after 40 yrs.
It meets the bill for real life or death situations, very durable and pretty inexpensive
http://www.knivesplus.com/CAMILLUS-KNIVES-MILITARY-BOOT.HTML

[Wags]

i actually use a knife similar to nick's, but ww2 us navy issue. thanks gramp

[taildragger]

crkt listed weights on their site that I looked at last night www.crkt.com

[rpettit]

If you are looking for a swiss army type knife, look at the Wenger Ranger Series. Locking blade , can opener, bottle opener, screw driver combos. Not certain of the weight.

[Captn]

If you are looking for a swiss army type knife, look at the Wenger Ranger Series. Locking blade , can opener, bottle opener, screw driver combos. Not certain of the weight.

SteepandCheap.com runs specials on CRKT folders all the time .. you can get an $85 for $15 or so.

I've bought half a dozen for my friends and family.

[Wise Old Owl]

these are all good suggestions, the price is not the issue. Jerm actually gave me an Idea after looking at his blade without a handle (must hurt) . Now I am thinking I can take a Coghlans Sierra Saw and sharpen the other side with a blade & knotch to take out brambles.(short Machete) & have someone create a sheath.... Hmmm now if I can lighten the plastic cheap handle.

Has anyone included this saw with their back pack experience?

[Captn]

these are all good suggestions, the price is not the issue. Jerm actually gave me an Idea after looking at his blade without a handle (must hurt) . Now I am thinking I can take a Coghlans Sierra Saw and sharpen the other side with a blade & knotch to take out brambles.(short Machete) & have someone create a sheath.... Hmmm now if I can lighten the plastic cheap ass handle.

Has anyone included this saw with their back pack experience?

I would think it would be easier to sharpen the back side of a hack saw blade and use duct tape for a handle .....

[Wise Old Owl]

I remember that thread from several months ago, no that might be a bear, as the saw blades break far to early. This is about finding something that will hold up better than that and be multi task.

[le loupe]

I'm not aware of any state that restricts blade size to only 2"

PA & Virginia have to restriction on length. Connecticut says 3 1/2" Even NJ has a specific provision where hunters and fisherman can carry a knife for lawful purposes, blade length not withstanding.

I wouldnt worry about the knife you choose to carry from that perspective. Again knife, not machete or bushido blade.

[mister krabs]

Since you were asking about the "bigger" swiss army knives, here's a couple from both companies. No weights provided.

http://www.wengerna.com/prod_images/16302E.jpg
http://www.swissarmy.com/images/ProductCatalog/vm/vm_53661_sol_a02.jpg

[Captn]

I remember that thread from several months ago, no that might be a bear, as the saw blades break far to early. This is about finding something that will hold up better than that and be multi task.

I'm sure you'd have to retemper the main part of the blade ..... but perhaps your right .... there are better options.

[Gray Blazer]

Don't use pocketknives with plastic handles. If you do, be careful. I had to get 6 stitches because my shrade's plastic handle folded on me while whittling.

[Wise Old Owl]

Don't use pocketknives with plastic handles. If you do, be careful. I had to get 6 stitches because my shrade's plastic handle folded on me while whittling.


The one pictured at the beginning of the thread has a lock on it to prevent the occurance.

[Wise Old Owl]

Since you were asking about the "bigger" swiss army knives, here's a couple from both companies. No weights provided.

http://www.wengerna.com/prod_images/16302E.jpg
http://www.swissarmy.com/images/ProductCatalog/vm/vm_53661_sol_a02.jpg

Yes that is what I am looking for and I also discovered one that has a locking blade, still its hard to judge the length of the blade as there is little information. The upper picture is the New Ranger 155 or 55? They don't appear to be available here in the USA.

Here is the one I found at 4 & 3/8 inches

http://www.amazon.com/Victorinox-One-Hand-Trekker-Lockblade-Pocket/dp/B000687B44/ref=pd_bxgy_hg_text_b#moreAboutThisProduct

http://www.amazon.com/Wenger-Serrated-Mountaineer-Genuine-Swiss/dp/B000MF69TO/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1215027249&sr=1-16

[mister krabs]

the top pic came from Wenger North America, so they're available here. http://www.wengerna.com/browse/browse.jsp?cat_id=1&sub_cat_id=85

For victorinox lockbacks, http://www.swissarmy.com/multitools/Pages/Category.aspx?category=lockblades&

this place looks to have some good deals http://www.swissoutpost.com

[Gray Blazer]

The one pictured at the beginning of the thread has a lock on it to prevent the occurance.

I'm saying the plastic handle folded on me.

[springerfever]

These are very nice and not terribly expensive (considering the quality...Benchmade.........)


http://www.aeromedix.com/product-exec/product_id/1083/nm/Doug_Ritter_MINI_RSK_Mk1_Knife#productINFO

[Panzer1]

I've always preferred a trail knife with sissorrs.
A small to medium size swiss army knife is best for me.

Panzer

[Wise Old Owl]

Panzer, Yes that is what I have been doing for a long time a small swiss army knife, really though I just think its too short of a blade. I just changed my mind after "seeing" a older longer one.

[Bob S]

I carry 2 knifes with me, A Victorinox Swiss Champ and a Buck 1 ¾ inch locking blade. These seem to handle almost everything I have ever needed a knife for.







Remember when they had a fork years ago?



PS there never was a Swiss Army Knife with a fork or spoon on it. Winger and Victorinox (the only companies to make real Swiss Army Knifes) never made one with those attachments. Cheap knock offs had them, but never the real Swiss knifes.

[Wise Old Owl]

Thank you for clearing that up... possibly a Boy Scout thing?

[ki0eh]

Popping beers, and knife, might be two different applications... :)

Here's what I use for a bottle opener and keyring: http://www.cmi-gear.com/catalog/essentials/bopener.asp

I got a credit card sized combo mirror/knife as a premium for attending the last ATC biennial meeting. Not going to be whittling with it for sure but it sure opens balky foil packs and it's light. Can't find a link to it.

I don't happen to be one of those folks for whom the aesthetics of a knife is important, and I don't build fires backpacking solo, so YMMV for sure.

[JAK]

I'm looking for advice on the best type of small knife with the following tasks in mind...
1. handy all purpose knife
2. boring holes in softwood/hardwood (for dowel joints)
3. use as a drawing knife
4. occassional skinning/cleaning small fish/game

[DocSarvis]

You might look at one of the following:

http://www.agrussell.com/knives/by_maker/a_through_d/buck_knives/buckmayo_kaala.html

http://www.agrussell.com/knives/by_maker/a_through_d/buck_knives/buckhartsook_ultralight.html

http://www.agrussell.com/knives/by_maker/a_through_d/dozier_knives/dozier_straight_personal.html

So many great knives out there and a very wide range of prices. Although, as in many consumer items, you tend to get what you pay for.... a modestly priced knife can offer good steel and excellent performance. It's hard to beat one of the simpler Swiss Army knives for a good general purpose trail knife. I generally carry the Victorinox "Tinker" or "Spartan" supplemented with a small fixed blade knife. Most recently ones from Bob Dozier or his stepson Dan Crotts. Whatever you decide, a liberal warranty and decent steel should be on your short list of requirements. As well as your budget. Leave the $500 Randall at home. Besides, it's too danged heavy!

[JAK]

I am thinking about a crooked handle, better for drawing with one hand.
http://members.aol.com/mocotagan/

I wonder if I could make one from a carbon steel pruning saw blade,
and perhaps leave the saw edge on the back side.

[Bare Bear]

Fisrt get a block of 440 or better steel then heat it and grind it down.....oh never mind, just get a little one off the shelf. In 40 years of hiking the one thing I kept getting smaller was the knife I carried. My Swiss Army is about 2" now and has done everything I needed on a hike for three years now. The scissors is really the most used part. I found a mini-razor straight blade with a plastic handle enclosure the size of a silver dollar worked better for opening the food packages.

[den9]

http://www.rockynational.com/1139_06990_Gerber_LST_LST_II_Black.htmlhttp://www.gerbertools.com/search.aspx?d=1&m=100000
this knife is great, probaly too big for most people hiking but its a nice survival too, has a built in sharperner on the sheath, leg and belt straps, the end can be used as a hammer, also good good bashing out a car window, it also has 3 holes in the handle so u can tie it to a stick and use it as a spear. 100 bucks but doesnt come with that seatbelt cutter unless u pay an extra 40, its a airforce survival knife

this is what i carry though, american made, 20 bucks, light and sharp
http://www.rockynational.com/1139_06990_Gerber_LST_LST_II_Black.html

this is also a good knife, german made, super super sharp, but if u need it resharpened u might need to send it out, its super hard steel


http://www.rockynational.com/1139_06990_Gerber_LST_LST_II_Black.html

[den9]

http://www.rockynational.com/1139_06990_Gerber_LST_LST_II_Black.htmlhttp://www.gerbertools.com/search.aspx?d=1&m=100000
this knife is great, probaly too big for most people hiking but its a nice survival too, has a built in sharperner on the sheath, leg and belt straps, the end can be used as a hammer, also good good bashing out a car window, it also has 3 holes in the handle so u can tie it to a stick and use it as a spear. 100 bucks but doesnt come with that seatbelt cutter unless u pay an extra 40, its a airforce survival knife

this is what i carry though, american made, 20 bucks, light and sharp
http://www.rockynational.com/1139_06990_Gerber_LST_LST_II_Black.html

this is also a good knife, german made, super super sharp, but if u need it resharpened u might need to send it out, its super hard steel

http://www.rockynational.com/1139_06990_Gerber_LST_LST_II_Black.html
forgot link http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0006884512326a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&QueryText=boker&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=boker&noImage=0

[veteran]

[QUOTE=ki0eh;
I got a credit card sized combo mirror/knife as a premium for attending the last ATC biennial meeting. Not going to be whittling with it for sure but it sure opens balky foil packs and it's light. Can't find a link to it.

QUOTE]

Link to it (http://www.ad-promotion-gift.com/pc/1573/Beauty-kit-with-mirror_5464.html)

[veteran]

I'm looking for advice on the best type of small knife with the following tasks in mind...
1. handy all purpose knife
2. boring holes in softwood/hardwood (for dowel joints)
3. use as a drawing knife
4. occassional skinning/cleaning small fish/game

This one might handle all your Tasks (http://www.wengerna.com/browse/product.jsp?prod_id=1260&cat_id=1&sub_cat_id=23) :D

[Odd Thomas]

This one might handle all your Tasks (http://www.wengerna.com/browse/product.jsp?prod_id=1260&cat_id=1&sub_cat_id=23) :D

http://www.amiga.org/uploads/smil402e47bbe7f0f.gif