the best knife for the day hiker

jstarks188 · Jul 26, 2005, 9:04 PM

howdy again,
i just want to find a good knife for simple tasks,like slicing open my clif bars and not much more then that.
cya in the woods
jack

ctenidae · Jul 27, 2005, 8:33 AM

Cliche as it may be, I've always found the basic Swiss Army knife to be about as useful as anything you'll ever need. Leathermen are nice for the variety, but I hate the handles. My Swiss Army knives have served for everything from stake hammer to tent stake, descender to tow handle, and it's been pretty good for opening stuff, too. There's nothing better than having a handy toothpick or tweezers, too.

**thetrailboss** · Jul 27, 2005, 9:14 AM

Hey welcome back! Glad to have you, jstarks.

I agree with the Swiss Army recommendation...I carry the Huntsman model and it has worked well. No need for a knife with a 'chainsaw' on it or anything!!!

Leathermans have also become quite popular.

David Metsky · Jul 27, 2005, 11:19 PM

I don't even carry a knife with me on most dayhikes. Just a small pair of scissors in my F/A kit since that's what I used most from my Swiss army knife. I have a small SA knife that I carry on overnights and ski trips.

-dave-

Starter Jackets Rule! · Jul 28, 2005, 7:39 PM

A"SAK" is a great tool to have but it ain't worth jack if it is not sharp!

Paul · Jul 29, 2005, 9:47 AM

I usually carry a plain ol' Buck knife with a locking blade (My one gripe about most SAKs) And a pair of ER shears.

ctenidae · Jul 29, 2005, 1:47 PM

it ain't worth jack if it is not sharp!

True of so many things...
Nice thing about the SAK, though- if you take half-way (or even a little less) decent care of the blade, it'll sharpen right up, and hold a nice edge for a long time. Especially for stainless steel.

Jul 26, 2005, 9:04 PM	#1 (permalink)
jstarks188 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: newington,ct. Posts: 29	the best knife for the day hiker howdy again, i just want to find a good knife for simple tasks,like slicing open my clif bars and not much more then that. cya in the woods jack

Jul 27, 2005, 8:33 AM	#2 (permalink)
ctenidae Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Boston Posts: 4,954	Cliche as it may be, I've always found the basic Swiss Army knife to be about as useful as anything you'll ever need. Leathermen are nice for the variety, but I hate the handles. My Swiss Army knives have served for everything from stake hammer to tent stake, descender to tow handle, and it's been pretty good for opening stuff, too. There's nothing better than having a handy toothpick or tweezers, too. __________________ "Democracy is two wolves and a sheep voting on what's for dinner. Freedom is a well armed sheep contesting the vote."- Benjamin Franklin

Jul 27, 2005, 9:14 AM	#3 (permalink)
thetrailboss BSP 2008 Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Now Playing at Sugarbush and Burke. Posts: 10,916	Hey welcome back! Glad to have you, jstarks. I agree with the Swiss Army recommendation...I carry the Huntsman model and it has worked well. No need for a knife with a 'chainsaw' on it or anything!!! Leathermans have also become quite popular. __________________ Live, Ski, or Die! Trailboss' Ski Videos now on YouTube! Trailboss' Photo Albums. 66 days for the 2007-2008 ski season!!!! 40 of the 48 New Hampshire 4,000 Footers Completed and Counting!

Jul 28, 2005, 7:39 PM	#5 (permalink)
Starter Jackets Rule! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Highland Lakes, New Jersey(for now) Posts: 381	A"SAK" is a great tool to have but it ain't worth jack if it is not sharp! __________________ Learning How to Tele-Ski One Fall At A Time! "Keep The Change and Buy your Self new Skis"!

Jul 29, 2005, 9:47 AM	#6 (permalink)
Paul Doofenschmirtz Evil Inc. Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: East Hampton, CT Posts: 3,328	I usually carry a plain ol' Buck knife with a locking blade (My one gripe about most SAKs) And a pair of ER shears. __________________ When it comes to havoc, nobody wreaks like me!!

Jul 27, 2005, 11:19 PM	#4 (permalink)
David Metsky Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Somerville, MA Posts: 565	I don't even carry a knife with me on most dayhikes. Just a small pair of scissors in my F/A kit since that's what I used most from my Swiss army knife. I have a small SA knife that I carry on overnights and ski trips. -dave-

Jul 29, 2005, 1:47 PM	#7 (permalink)
ctenidae Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Boston Posts: 4,954	it ain't worth jack if it is not sharp! True of so many things... Nice thing about the SAK, though- if you take half-way (or even a little less) decent care of the blade, it'll sharpen right up, and hold a nice edge for a long time. Especially for stainless steel.

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