Ultralight Backpacking Knife (How to Choose One and What I Carry)

Ultralight Backpacking Knife (How to Choose One and What I Carry)
In this video, I am talking about how to choose an ultralight backpacking knife. I have very few uses for a knife on a backpacking trip, so I want something ultralight but functional.
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About:
I am Paul "Pie" Ingram. I am a hiker and filmmaker from the UK that's living in Finland and hiking all over the world. Pieonthetrail is all about sharing my hiking films, reviewing gear, and sharing tips and tricks. In 2015 I Thru-Hiked the 2189-mile Appalachian Trail; in 2017, I finished the 2700-mile Continental Divide Trail (CDT). I've also hiked:
- The Annapurna Circuit in Nepal
- 400+ miles on the high routes in California's Sierra Nevada
- 400+ miles crossing Iceland from NW to S
- My current project, "seasonslostfilm," has me hiking the East Highland Way in Scotland in January and again in June.
#hiking #hikingadventures
KEYWORDS
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[@pieonthetrail]

Come say hi on IG - @pieonthetrail or get my free ebook on pieonthetrail.com/

[@eqlzr2]

At about 5:00, he actually starts showing some knives.

[@trailkrum]

There’s something to be said for a dedicated pair of folding scissors. I use my Fiskars for first aid, gear repair, opening packages, cutting food, trimming nails and my mustache, even to strike a fire rod. It’s the most versatile tool that I carry in the backcountry (not the most critical).

[@thomasbrennan6303]

This guy clearly isn't a knife guy, so this isn't going to resonate with knife guys. Not carrying a Mora because it's a few extra ounces, and not wanting to spend money on a more expensive knife, but instead carrying multiple pounds of expensive camera and electronic equipment, speaks to his individual mentality and approach to backpacking which is perfectly valid, even if it doesn't make much sense to a knife guy like myself. Carrying a big knife for slicing sausage or opening packets of food is secondary to filming and documenting his experiences for others to enjoy. I respect it.

[@neobello6736]

For multiday backpacking trips I can and do use a small Victorinox Classic for slicing sausage and cheese, don't need anything bigger for these actions and really like the scissors, tweezers and toothpick. Having said that, I do also carry the lightest, cheapest Mora I have, the old 546, to clean fish and light wood processing. Never needed anything larger and this combo covers all my needs and only weighs 4.5 oz.

[@thomasbrennan6303]

@@neobello6736 I carry a Swiss Army Knife in my pocket at all times, whether in the outdoors or in the city, so I don't consider this pack weight. I carry the weight like I carry the weight of my head, arms and feet. I carry a Mora Classic #2 in my overnight pack for the same reason, light wood processing, but also some self-protection when I'm solo. It's svelte and light, really not much of a penalty for taking it. Where all backpackers agree is that taking heavy-duty full tang bushcraft knives with stout leather sheaths is overkill and needless weight.

[@neobello6736]

@@thomasbrennan6303 Good call. My Mora is stainless. Never worry about corrosion and use it for cleaning fish. Stays plenty sharp. Hard to beat this combo for the functionality to weight ratio.

[@faethe000]

Knife guys always carry way more knife than they actually need or even use.

[@southernlonghorn4507]

@@faethe000Facts…and don’t want my back-up knife to be lonely so it’s got another back-up…gotta be redundant - 1 is none and 2 is 1….etc. Besides, it’s great being “that guy” who has the biggest or most knives on a trip. Besides…nobody complains about a knife being a little big when things get sketchy and you want some better protection with you.

[@firewitch9531]

I've just bought a Victorinox Walker, which is basically a Bantam with an added woodsaw that weights 1.5 oz. I replaced the toothpick with a firefly rod and now have the perfect light backpacking knife. I call it the firewalker!🔥🔪

[@eqlzr2]

So, as a knife aficionado, WTH am I watching this vid for? ;-)

[@canadafree2087]

@@pieonthetrail LOL Us knife guys can't bring just one knife. We want to play with them all. To us a knife is not a means to an end, it is the whole purpose of the trip (that and to get to use our axes). ;)

[@Janesch]

I normally pair one of the Spyderco lightweight knives with a small Victorinox. So that I have a locking blade for extra security and a small multitool for opening bottles or cans and a small backup blade. The tweezers and toothpick are a must too. The Spyderco is on the front of my pack or directly on me and the Vic is in my first aid kit.

[@scottbecker3485]

Always enjoyed having the Classic along, especially for the scissors and toothpick! But as a knife without bells and whistles, the Spyderco Ladybug 3 is fantastic. Excellent blade, locks in place, sufficiently long for most tasks and has a great grip. Only weighs .6 oz (18 g). Small but very mighty.

[@MrBluesluver]

When I backpack, which isn't much anymore due to bad knees, I am in pretty remote areas, not on beaten trails. My equipment is more vital than a through hiker's would likely be. I ALWAYS carry a SAK (usually a Fieldmaster) and a fixed blade at the very least. I find the Mora knife is the most useful and least expensive. I just replaced my Companion with the Spark. On my pack, I will have either a large knife/machete or a hatchet/small axe/tomahawk, and a folding saw. But then I do make fires and also cook fish or what ever in the field. My 2 most important items are (1). My knife (2). my compass.

[@machbaby]

I carry an Opinel no 6, which does have a rotating lock ring. It's larger, but has a more usable blade length than the no 4 and weighs in at just 1 oz (28 gm). I agree, not much uses on the trail, but I would feel naked without some type of knife. Just personnel preference.

[@machbaby]

@@pieonthetrail I'll try to come up with a topic that you haven't already covered- I'm fatally addicted to backpacking channels! Thanks for putting up these videos. Cheers.

[@tomsitzman3952]

Openel folding knives fold and lock, just twist the metal ring and lock. Great tool. they come in about tens blade lengths, from paring to butcher size. Where I grew up every kid started carrying a pocket knife to school in the 4th grade, We used them to play games, whittling birds, spoons etc. Just remember a knife is a tool. For safety's sake make sure you are always using the right size tool for the job you are using it for. Being a wee bit older than most, I have never figured out this Light weight obsession hiking thing about counting grams or oz. To me bulk not weight is the real concern.

[@akif684]

You can use wildo spork thats have a knife too .

[@ARH0101]

Contrary to your belief, people who carry a knife do not expect to be in a survival situation, they choose to be prepared for them. A decent folder is mere ounces in weight, and if that’s too heavy for someone then they need to hit the gym.

[@kriskabin]

Otter Messer Black Cat. It's tough, thin & a light German knife that's stood the test of time. (It's a locking blade too with a lanyard ring; to wear it around your neck for easy access.) A Benchmade North Fork is a damn good Portland, Oregon made wearable folder too. It's heavier than the Otter, but long after your hike is over, you'll still enjoy carrying this solid easy open & close premium knife with you! Tons of 5 star reviews on it on Amazon. I've worn mine daily for 5yrs now & love it; & no I'm not getting paid to say this. I'm a knife collector.

[@Alexis-ze2wu]

i'd love to see a video on lightweight fixed knives for making small fires

[@canadafree2087]

Sometimes I like to comment before watching. :) I dug out a Gerber US1 and Buck 424, both almost same weight and both 420 steel. Putting them in a survival kit, so I came to this video. Now to watch.

[@imsoberwilson6487]

Check out antonini old bear. Like opinel but locking

[@americangoombah4015]

Victornox Compact, blade, scissors, bottle opener/flat head, nail file, hook, corkscrew with micro driver for compasses and glasses, tweezers, toothpick, pin, and pen. All handy tools without the flimsy sd classic blade and scissors. A great edc knife.

[@pieonthetrail]

I like the classic but will look into the compact thanks

[@I..cast..fireball]

Get a mora

[@silentshuttrcom]

Check out the 'Folts minimalist wharncliffe' :) - I mainly use it to cut dried reindeer meat. Another great product is the replacement scissors from the 'Victorinox card tool'. I don't use the rest.. just the scissors.

[@silentshuttrcom]

@@pieonthetrail Yeah, its the smallest knife I could find that can still be used for gutting fish and actually has a good grip. The blade is long enough to cut tomatos - Somehow I always enter town craving BLT sandwiches :D - Also its not too expensive.

[@andrewwolfe8742]

Gonna be frank what do you carry in your pack for survival emergency? If your gonna carry something, carry fixed blade. They can be low cost and small then carry a victoriox sd. The weight is minimal.

[@brianmacpherson6078]

opinal knives do lock , you have twist the collar

[@MetalSonicBricks]

Only on models 6 and up

[@sablinger]

i am pretty much addicted to tomatoes... it´s really the only thing i use my small opinel for.

[@alpinekiwi]

Avocado! Saucisson!

[@jonbriafield]

Victorinox Ambassador. 74mm version of the Classic at 35g ♥️

[@acemastermatt]

I carried my sog flash 2, in my pocket like I do every day and didn't bother me, wish I had a flash 1, if any one has a flash 1, I will give you money

[@acemastermatt]

@@pieonthetrail for sure bro! Hike on

[@ronaldrose7593]

Hello my outdoors friend, thank you for sharing this very informative video. You did a great job. All the best to you. Stay safe and healthy out there. 🤗

[@nikolalutov8898]

Brother! Not only do I get to leave the 1st comment, but more importantly I get to enlighten you! What anyone wants on the trail is the Benchmade 535 Bugout - CPM-S30V steel (around 59 HRC) which means you will likely not need to ever sharpen in in the field, 3"24 blade, Benchmade quality and ONLY 1.85 oz. Cheers, mate!

[@jeremywilkerson3466]

I believe he mentioned something about cost being a prohibitive factor.

[@nikolalutov8898]

@@jeremywilkerson3466 Oh, yeah...that might turn out to pose a bit of a problem. Yet, if you ask me $120 for a blade lasting a lifetime and perfectly fitting such a vital purpose is 100% worth it. :)

[@JohnDoe-cq3ii]

I carry a 940-1 while I'm backpacking and the thought of loosing it is making me shy away from it. Even losing the bug out would suck.

[@nikolalutov8898]

@@JohnDoe-cq3ii Jesus...I WANT one of these monsters for myself! :D Otherwise, yeah, losing a 940-1 would hit me right in the feelings. However, Pie spends off-grid like half a year at a time for a number of years which makes the $120 investment worth the risk. You know this benchmade can be relied on in any non-extreme situation and its basically a blade to last a lifetime! :D

[@nikolalutov8898]

@@pieonthetrail Hell yeah, I'd be interested! However, I myself wouldn't opt for a fixed blade during a long-distance hike precisely for the reasons you video lists - a reliable folder is more than enough. Looking forward to you next knife video tho... :D

[@ciccioformaccio7527]

Why choosing a very poor folding knife for saving few grams, while bringing a plethora of electronic devices weighting a ton ? Strange decision.

[@douglasconrad8969]

Opinel blade does lock. Know your gear!

[@Mjolbaggar]

not the smallest ones. the nr 6 is were they start to be lockeble.