fixed blade knife for hiking?

MrBitey

MrBitey

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I was hiking in Nevada a few weeks ago and talked briefly with a hiker who was descending the mountain while we were on our way up. He had nice gear that included a fixed blade knife in a sheath attached to the front of his left shoulder strap, and this seems like a good thing to add to my day-pack. I wish I'd asked what he was carrying, but I didn't. What fixed blade knives do folks recommend, esp. for a day pack? I usually carry a folding knife but I like the idea of having something more accessible.
 
Bark rivers look and perform phenomenally well. A word of warning though. Buy one and you will want another.

Ka-bar has a pretty good sale running right now. 50% off a significant amount of their website.

Esee are good too.
 
Thanks for the replies! I'll check out the recommendations.

On this particular hike there was the complete gamut of hikers, from young trail runners who didn't even carry water to old guys who were prepared to spend the night on the trail if needed. I used to be one of those young trail runners who didn't bother with anything other than car keys for anything under 10 miles, but now I'm at an age where I want to be more prepared.
 
MrBitey said:
Thanks for the replies! I'll check out the recommendations.

On this particular hike there was the complete gamut of hikers, from young trail runners who didn't even carry water to old guys who were prepared to spend the night on the trail if needed. I used to be one of those young trail runners who didn't bother with anything other than car keys for anything under 10 miles, but now I'm at an age where I want to be more prepared.
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I spend a lot of time on the trails in DuPont State Forest. It always cracks me up when I see the old couples in matching LL Bean/REI decked out in technical hiking gear with their daypacks, camelbacks, trekking poles and $300 boots walking alongside the 300# trailer queen in her cutoffs, crocks and smoking a Marlboro.
 
For weight and sharpness, Montana Knife Company Speedboat or mini Speedboat. The mini is a drop knife so you have to catch the drop. The larger one they try to keep in stock. Several color currently available. Not cheap, but one of the best knives I've ever owned. I've had both. I think I like the larger one better. This is Josh Smith's company, Forged in fire winner and master blacksmith.


www.montanaknifecompany.com

BLADES IN-STOCK!

www.montanaknifecompany.com www.montanaknifecompany.com
 
chiefjason said:
For weight and sharpness, Montana Knife Company Speedboat or mini Speedboat. The mini is a drop knife so you have to catch the drop. The larger one they try to keep in stock. Several color currently available. Not cheap, but one of the best knives I've ever owned. I've had both. I think I like the larger one better. This is Josh Smith's company, Forged in fire winner and master blacksmith.


www.montanaknifecompany.com

BLADES IN-STOCK!

www.montanaknifecompany.com www.montanaknifecompany.com
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I’m watching for tomorrows drop of his fieldcraft knife, I like the blade shape of both it and the blackfoot better than the speedgoat, but at less than 2oz I can see why the speedgoat is so successful. I find that most of my fixed blade knives are overly thick for most uses, the speedgoat is not.
 
I have several to pick from and when camping/hiking I seem to gravitate to my Winkler Huntsman. Cheap no. So that is a whole different topic. However is the firearm you carry the cheapest? I know mine isn’t. You can’t go wrong with ESEE with their no bs warranty. You break it they will replace it. Check out their own torture tests they do on their own products. One that they did break was their one in sv35. Didn’t hold up to batonning. It’s a deep hole this knife thing.
 
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@MrBitey I’ve got some Esee’s, a Bark River and a couple Bradfords. Plus some other stuff. For your use any of them are fine. Esee is an excellent value for what you pay. I like some of the others better, but that’s more for looks or pride of ownership reasons. Nothing practical. I like the 3“ sizes for most things. 4” if you are really going to use it more seriously. For belt carry the 3” is nice. Maybe carry a bigger blade in the pack. That way you have 2 in case you need them? 😄
 
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If you want a stock knife you can’t go wrong with one of these.
ragweedforgestore.com

Mora Basic 511: 2022 Limited Edition #14047 Dusty Blue/Gray

The Mora Basic 511: 2022 Limited Edition. This all around utility knife is has a carbon steel blade, Dusty Blue and gray handle, and comes with a Dusty Blue sheath. New for 2022 and for a limited time only! The Morakniv Basic 511 Utility Knife features a 3.6-inch fixed blade made of high...
ragweedforgestore.com
 
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+1 for a Montana Knife Company. Awesome owner and company and USA made.

I have the Magnacut Blackfoot 2.0 and it is excellent. Depending on your budget it could be considered pricy but buy once cry once, you get what you pay for, yada yada...
 
Lot's of great options are available in a wide range of prices. I'm a fan of Morakniv for their excellent mix of quality and price. Two options to consider are the full tang Garberg model and the Kansbol

Morakniv Garberg Fixed Knife Multi-Mount Sheath - Blade HQ

Morakniv has dubbed the Garberg fixed blade their most robust knife to date. Its full-tang, Scandi grind makes it easier to keep a sharpened edge.
www.bladehq.com

Morakniv Kansbol Fixed Blade Knife OD Green w/ Multi-Mount Sheath (4.125" Satin) - Blade HQ

Features: Unique, all-round knife designed for cutting tasks of all sizes. OD Green polyamide/TPE handle offers a secure, comfortable grip. Mora Multi-Mount sheath system breaks free of traditional carry limitations. Description: The Morakniv Kansbol fixed blade is a fusion of lightweight...
www.bladehq.com
 
Bunsen said:
Lot's of great options are available in a wide range of prices. I'm a fan of Morakniv for their excellent mix of quality and price. Two options to consider are the full tang Garberg model and the Kansbol

Morakniv Garberg Fixed Knife Multi-Mount Sheath - Blade HQ

Morakniv has dubbed the Garberg fixed blade their most robust knife to date. Its full-tang, Scandi grind makes it easier to keep a sharpened edge.
www.bladehq.com

Morakniv Kansbol Fixed Blade Knife OD Green w/ Multi-Mount Sheath (4.125" Satin) - Blade HQ

Features: Unique, all-round knife designed for cutting tasks of all sizes. OD Green polyamide/TPE handle offers a secure, comfortable grip. Mora Multi-Mount sheath system breaks free of traditional carry limitations. Description: The Morakniv Kansbol fixed blade is a fusion of lightweight...
www.bladehq.com
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And if you don't like their handles they sell $12 blade blanks and you can do your own.

IMG_20220911_173311385_1.jpg
 
I have these in all my go bags. And I think they are a fantastic bargain for that mission. If you choose to go this route and plan on using it with a fire steel, test it first. A couple of mine, I had to use a file and flatten out a part of the spine near the handle. Once I did that, they were good to go. In my opinion, if you are going to use it as a hiking knife on your pack. Then I would go with a custom build or if commercial the would be ESEE or better.

Amazon product ASIN B004ZAIXSC
 
Yes, beware that many "coated" blades won't spark a firesteel off the spine unless you scrape/grind some coating off. It needs to be a clean sharp edge. You can use the knife edge, but it can damage that area.

You'll have to think about the situations you want to use it for. General camping task, a Mora is fine. Process wood for a fire or building a shelter, you might want something more. But, then you're sacrificing slicing ability like prepping dinner. Self-defense? Another consideration. Its personal on what your preferred balance of features are. Many carry a two blade set to cover everything. Some carry a "Swiss Army Knife" and a small axe. Determine what you actually want to do.
 
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georgel said:
Yes, beware that many "coated" blades won't spark a firesteel off the spine unless you scrape/grind some coating off. It needs to be a clean sharp edge. You can use the knife edge, but it can damage that area.

You'll have to think about the situations you want to use it for. General camping task, a Mora is fine. Process wood for a fire or building a shelter, you might want something more. But, then you're sacrificing slicing ability like prepping dinner. Self-defense? Another consideration. Its personal on what your preferred balance of features are. Many carry a two blade set to cover everything. Some carry a "Swiss Army Knife" and a small axe. Determine what you actually want to do.
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I've got a rehandled Kabar blade and a Mora carbon both in antler that I really need to do a dual sheath setup for, since neither are in a great sheath right now. Maybe even a triple if I decide to add that huge "seax" I finally finished hilting.
 
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abraves said:
Now if weight is a consideration you can always go the minimalist direction. I usually have this on my waist but could easily lash to a pack. The one pictured on the left View attachment 705212
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I have one of @opaul minamalists as well, nice minimal blade and always fun supporting a forum member. I’d probably start with a Mora Companion myself while I figure what I needed. Unless you knew you were going to baton wood etc where a full tang would come in handy. As others said, how do you want to use it?
 
Dale Gribble said:
ESSE 4…not a fan of coated blades, though, so it gets stripped off.

Mora Garberg (carbon)

Old Hickory (Ontario) Kephart…model is 7024, iirc.
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The Old Hickory knives are sleeper knives.

It wasnt an Old Hickory, but for many, many years, my mother used a Kephart styled kitchen knife. She used it for everything, slicing vegetables, butchering meat, in the garden. That and a cleaver for heavier work. I managed to salvage that knife after she passed and still have it.
 
1). Morakniv $15.00 blade for bushcraft. Very lite and well constructed, 2). ESEE 3" a little heavier, easily sharpened with a smooth stone and works well with ferro rods (My favorite knife brand) I am not sure how many I have, but it is a lot. 3). Helle Eggen. I have three. These are super sharp and expensive, light weight and very elegant. What @Dale Gribble mentioned is a darned good recommendation.
 
Since many have covered the sharpened crowbars, I'll suggest one of the finest outdoor knife designs created, the Canadian Belt Knife or Willow Leaf:

grohmannknives.com

#1 Original Design

[jvservices type=
grohmannknives.com grohmannknives.com

Bridges the gap between skinner, kitchen knife, and general purpose outdoor knife perfectly. Dexter has their own version, as does Bark River, Lucas Forge, and other custom makers.
 
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Bunsen said:
Lot's of great options are available in a wide range of prices. I'm a fan of Morakniv for their excellent mix of quality and price. Two options to consider are the full tang Garberg model and the Kansbol

Morakniv Garberg Fixed Knife Multi-Mount Sheath - Blade HQ

Morakniv has dubbed the Garberg fixed blade their most robust knife to date. Its full-tang, Scandi grind makes it easier to keep a sharpened edge.
www.bladehq.com

Morakniv Kansbol Fixed Blade Knife OD Green w/ Multi-Mount Sheath (4.125" Satin) - Blade HQ

Features: Unique, all-round knife designed for cutting tasks of all sizes. OD Green polyamide/TPE handle offers a secure, comfortable grip. Mora Multi-Mount sheath system breaks free of traditional carry limitations. Description: The Morakniv Kansbol fixed blade is a fusion of lightweight...
www.bladehq.com
Click to expand...
The Garberg feels great in the hand.
 
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