How to Choose a First Timer’s Best Knife for Backpacking
Backpacking is an amazing experience, but having the right tools is essential to your comfort, and maybe even your survival.
I have spent hundreds of nights in the Canadian wilderness with just me and my backpack, my dog, and my knife of course.
Choosing the wrong knife for backpacking can waste your money and you time. But more importantly, the wrong knife may fail when you need it most and leave you in a perilous situation.
This article will help you learn what you need to choose the right knife for your next backpacking trip.
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It's always a tough call for first-timers when trying to find the best knife for backpacking. The knife you need for a backpacking trip is very different than carrying a knife while wearing dress pants. There are many options available in the market, and finding one that suits you can quickly turn into a nightmare.
You will find use for your backpacking knife in literally everything you do while in the wilderness. From lighting a fire to chopping your food, shelter building, cutting twine and rope, and in a pinch, even opening your cans of food. A backpacker's knife is a must-have.
In general, a great backpacking knife is made of high-quality material, has a convenient and ergonomic handle, is safe for use, easy to sharpen, and retains a nice sharp edge for long. It also needs to be able to stand up to harsh environments and be easy to maintain.
following are somes tips for considering when you choose your own knife for backpacking. If you are in a hurry, my two favorite, reasonably priced backpacking knives are listed next, but if you want to learn how to choose which specific knife will be right for you then read on below.
My Best Folding Knife For Backpacking
Spyderco Tenacious Value Folding Knife with 3.39" Black Stainless Steel Blade and Durable G-10 Handle - PlainEdge - C122GBBKP
- GAME CHANGER - Being tenacious means you are persistent and cohesive. Its being tough and tireless in achieving your best performance; all worthy descriptive words for a hard-use knife
- SUPERIOR BLADE STEEL - The 3.39 8Cr13MoV stainless blade is coated in a non-reflective black coating and ground-flat from spine to cutting-edge for non-stop cutting.
- A SECURE GRIP - It has a black G-10 laminate handle, ergonomically milled with prolonged fatigue-free cutting in mind.
- EASY-TO-USE - The blade’s shape coupled with an oversized Spyderco Round Hole and textured spine jimping allows you to open the blade and position your thumb on the spine in slip-proof confidence ready for work
- POCKET-FRIENDLY - The Tenacious includes a Walker LinerLock and a 4-way pocket clip lets the folder be set in a variety of carry and draw positions: Tip-up/tip-down left-hand/right-hand.
My Best Fixed Blade Knife For Backpacking
Morakniv Bushcraft Carbon Steel Survival Knife with Fire Starter and Sheath, 4.3-Inch, Black
- Fixed blade knife with 1/8-inch (3.2 mm) thick carbon steel blade with anti-corrosive black coating
- Blade Thickness: 0.126 (3.2 mm), Blade Length: 4.3 (109 mm), Total Length: 9.1 (232mm), Net Weight: 5.4 oz. (154g)
- Black plastic sheath with integrated diamond sharpener and Fire Starter; ergonomic handle with high-friction rubber grip
- Morakniv Fire Starter yields 7,000 strikes and produces 3,000 degree sparks; works when wet
- Limited lifetime manufacturers warranty.
The Purpose of the Knife
For ages, man has depended on a knife to survive. Backpacking knives are dependable for everything. They are easy to carry around and come in handy when you want to split some kindlingor make feather sticks when making a fire. They'll also come in handy when setting up your tent, or when preparing a meal.
A great backpacking tool will easily handle all of these tasks for you, at the same time. By choosing the right knife, you can avoid carrying multiple tools that will do the same job.
Even when fishing, your backpacking knife will come in handy when either cutting the line, removing hooks from a fish's mouth, or preparing your catch for the fire.
Fixed or Folding
Two main considerations when determining if you need a fixed blade or a folding blade are the tasks you will use it for and the way you will carry it.
If you are backpacking light and don't intend to do a lot of bushcraft or large fire making, a foldable blade will work just fine. A decent folding pocket knife will usually perform all the tasks you need it for while backpacking. The convenience of it being foldable and kept in your pocket means that you will always have it with you.
That said, a fixed blade is often a better choice if you will need more power in cutting and chopping tough stuff. Fixed blades are usually stronger and easier to clean. The main drawbacks of a fixed blade knife is that it needs to be carried in a sheath which means that it can interfere with your waist belt of your backpack and need to be removed if it does.
Size and Weight
Different types of knives come in different sizes. Some are minimal and meant for light duties, and others come in large sizes.
When choosing the best knife for backpacking, small-sized knives are easy to carry around. However, they may lack strength, and their use is also limited due to their size. While you could have them in your pockets easily, you may end up compromising on the functionality.
Mid-sized backpacking knives are best for the common daily use and can fit in your pockets nicely. Their construction is light, and they are the most convenient backpacking tools for moderate backpackers.
For those backpackers who plan on staying out longer, large-sized backpacking knives come in handy for the various duties such as clearing bushes and cutting tree branches. Nonetheless, the large-sized backpacking knives are optimized for ergonomics and comfort, but they are heavier to carry around.
Weight is sometimes though to be a more determinant of the quality of a knife. A blade with extra thickness is usually stronger. However, many of the new high grade steels available cam make a very durable knife that will hold up to tough use without being overly heavy to carry.
With a heavier backpacking knife, it will be easy to prepare tinder for lighting fires and cut off some bushes or tree branches when clearing space for your tent. That said, it can also make your hands and arms get tired faster, especially if the handle is not comfortable to hold and use.
An interesting option for a good backpacking knife is the Spyderco Mule Team Knife. It comes in a wide variety of steel and is a full tang blade blank without a handle. This means it is very light for its size and you can always wrap a paracord handle on it to make it more useable and also have an extra length of paracord for backpacking emergencies.
Picking between a Knife and multitool
Unlike a knife, multitools resemble a tiny toolbox in your hands. A multitool is a backpacking knife with other secondary appliances such as pliers, corkscrews, etc. Multitools can either have a variety of random tools or could come in a specific set of implements.
While multitools are convenient, they are smaller in size than the real tool they replace, and their ergonomics are therefore reduced. This makes it hard to depend on multitools for specific actions such as cutting tree branches while making a fire.
Another factor to consider is that a multitool is usually much heavier than a quality knife and you will probably not use all the features they offer on your trip.
If you are backpacking, chances are you won't need all the tools that the multitools offer. However, it still depends on the purpose. If you are just aching for a backpacking trip and nothing more, a simple backpacking knife will be your best choice.
Safety Features
It's important also to consider user-safety when buying your backpacking knife. While most companies build their knives with user-safety in mind, the best knife for backpacking will often spot extra safety considerations for a user.
Features such as a locking blade are important if you want the assurance of safety when carrying your backpacking knife. Locking blades combine the convenience of a foldable knife with the strength of a fixed blade. The locking feature prevents the blade from folding back while in use.
Convenience
If you are going for a foldable backpacking knife, considering ease of use is important. Knives that open fast with only one hand are convenient while using, and they often have a notch, stud, or cutout on the blade that makes it easy to draw the blade out easily with one hand.
An assisted opening mechanism is also a great plus for your backpacking knife. These knives have a safety lock that disengages the opening mechanism of the knife when it's closed. That way, you are assured against any accidental opening
One major benefit of a folding pocket knife for backpacking is that you will almost always have it with you. Keep it in your pocket and if you wander from your camp you can be assured you have your trusty knife with you at all times.
Ergonomics
Ergonomics are crucial for a backpacker who will depend on their knife for as long as they will remain far away from the convenience of having the right tools at their disposal.
Most people overlook ergonomics when buying a knife. The best knife for backpacking should be comfortable for use, with a handle that allows for a safe and firm grip.
Good ergonomics are crucial to"
- Redure the risk of injury while using your backpacking knife
- Making life easier when using your backpacking knife
- Reduce fatigue during prolonged cutting
- generally make it easier to perform cutting tasks
