All Purpose Trail Knife

[GonzoJohn]

I'm shopping for lightweight all-purpose trail knife and would like suggestions since there are so many brands and types.

I know it should have a lockable blade with a square back. Other than that, I'm clueless as to quality and durability. Any suggestions?

[Brandon Hill]

Thank Pop... I only really did the handle on that one.

[Rory Partalis]

Cool knife. This was homemade?

[Brandon Hill]

Nope... just a blank blade that I put a handle on. Maple, torched to give it the nice color. Copper rivets and a CA finish. Happy with how it came out. My own hand made blades are not up to this point yet. Not by a long shot.

[James S]

check out knifes of alaska. they make very nice high quality knifes.

[Kyle Cozzens]

So what did you end up getting?

I carry SOG's Trident folder: http://www.amazon.com/Specialty-Knives-TF-3-Trident-Serrated/dp/B00... and the knife with the fire steel that Rory mentioned earlier.

And to Rory, that knife is actually pretty sweet. It can be opened with one hand and locks in place well. The fire steel has two gaskets to keep water out and the knife has a very loud whistle on it as well. It is also very light weight. When I go paddling I attach it to my PFD and just let it hang and I don't even notice it.

[Paul Sheehan]

The one thing you need to keep in mind is it needs to be a good knife and by that I mean not the 9.99 Walmart special! It needs to hold up especially if you are going remote and or long distance. A well made knife wont break and cut you or have the handle come apart.

I, being from VA go to Gun Shows and there is a guy who sells 3 for 10 dollar knives and there are folks that sell 300.00 knives. The truth is you can spend 100.00 on a good knife. On the other hand if you do local 3 day trips where you see other people, shelters Etc a reliable 30 to 40 dollar knife will do.

Most of all ask your self what type of scenarios you might be in and get the knife that is one up for what is practical. Remember the story about the guy who had to cut his own arm off when trapped by a rock? Yes that is an extreme point but it is to the point, he was days away from help and in that type of outdooring you need a real piece of steel.

Having said that I always consider my multitool and its knife a second piece of gear. One it is a backup blade and two the blade on them are rarely as good or efficient as a high end stand alone knife.

Hope this helps

[GonzoJohn]

For the record, I haven't made a purchase yet, but I'll let you know when I do.

[James S]

as long as you haven't bought anything yet here are pictures of my "knifes of alaska" master guide knife. d2 tool steel for blade, composite handle. made in the usa

[Kevin]

I also like Gerber knives. My multi-tool is a Gerber 21 function that never seems to lose its sharpness. This thing has been cross country with me on the trails, crags and on the bike. I use it around the house more than any other tool I own, including my bike tool. To me that says a lot.

[benjamin]

I usually carry basic knifes with me on the trails. Well actually i carry them with me everywhere everyday just about. They come in pretty darn handy. Before someone can say, " I wish i had something to cut this with", I already have my blade flipped out with its quick release.

Anyways here are a few pictures of the knifes i currently carry. But, i usually carry the smallest of the kershaw blades.

Personally, I like GERBER AND KERSHAW. I prefer to carry a gerber, but they tend to be a little bit more expensive. I like to always have a small kershaw like these in the pictures just because they are reliable, compact and seem to last a long time. I also have a gerber hatchet, but i dont have a picture of it. I have had it a very long time. I have sharpened it so many time that its about half the size that it should be.

[Tobin]

sweet knives man

[Ata]

I am going to be honest with you, I had the same problem looking to for a nice one. But in the end I went to the flea market and I found a veri nice one not bad looking and very funtional for $25 and it's been 5 months so far and it is very sharp still.

So if you have a flea market near your area pass by and take a look