Ultralight Knives and Other Sharp Things

Jeremy, that conception is brilliant. Does it work well?

I was starring at that little firesteel firestriker and somewhere inside I was feeling that it should really serve more than one purpose. Now it does – now it also makes my nails look pretty (and round so they don't shred the UL merino).

Very much appreciated.

johannes

One of the most important emergency uses for a knife is hardly mentioned here: shaving off dry timber if you have an emergency in cold weather. With a sharp enough knife, even a tiny one, and a little time, you can shave down to dry stuff on a wet stick. Pretty darned important if you hike/snowshoe in the Northwest in winter and don't care for hypothermia . . .

So – any suggestions for the lightest knife that would do this job? (I'm lucky – my friends tend to carry this stuff!)

Doris

I've taken to carrying one or more of the following depending on the nature of my trip.

A Derma-safe Folding utility razor, a Frosts Mora Craftsman and a Swiss Army Knife Classic.

Doris,

Sam mentions a couple of nice knives. I own and use both the Mora and the Swiss Army Classic under different circumstances. Noting that you only want this to make wood shavings in "emergency" situations I would suggest the Swiss Army Classic.

At one ounce the Classic can whittle down to dry wood. It will be a bit of a chore because blade is small, lacks heft does not take or keep a fine edge very well. But it will do in a pinch. It will also cut your toenails, pull a tick, strike a match and file a nail. Just keep it as sharp as you can.

The Mora may be the finest blade available for under $20. (In fact, I think I bought mine from Sam). I would put it at somewhere around 5 oz, not particularly small or light. Mine is used on longer or wetter outings when I can expect to need to split branches to get to the the dry stuff. I need to feed a BushBuddy. It readily takes and holds a good edge. Great for frequent use, overkill for emergency use.

I don't like razor blades when put to wood. They snap easily when twisted and for anything more strenuous than cutting paper, foil or tape I think they can be a little hazardous. For some fraction of an ounces you're better off with the more versatile Classic, imho.

Hope this helps. I have loved knives ever since I was 7 and won one at a local fair. Parents made me exchange it. If I could justify any reason for carrying one or paying for one I would own a Busse Battle Mistress:

http://homepage.mac.com/zombiekiller/badmojo/bm.html

But then I'd have to disappear into the Canadian interior before missus skinned me with it.

Paul

The best (in my opinion ) all-around Mora knife is this one:

I used to use the "craftsman" model until The instructor at a class was selling this style and I grabbed it up -much better for my uses. It dosent have that unnecessary finger guard that adds weight and bulk. Its also just a tad smaller and thinner. 3.5 ounces w/shealth

Though it possible I wouldnt want to use a small stainless steel folder to carve wood. Lets not forget that in a real "survival" situation you will likely loose all the fine dexterity and motor skills you had when at home using it.

Brian, Brian, Brian,

You sir are an enabler. Your posting sent me off to this site:

http://www.ragweedforge.com/SwedishKnifeCatalog.html

to find your knife. Also saw something called a Shoemaker's Knife. 1.75 oz. Hmmm.

Paul

If you get one of the Shoemakers let me know what you think of it.
I have been curious about that one myself.

i think moras are the way to go. ive read lots of these posts saying how you usually never need a knife. im interested to know what your plan is when you really DO need a knife? also with these tiny blades you cant field sharpen your blade, moras are cut convexed for easier re-sharpening (have fun sharpening a serrated blade). i can think of plenty of times i used my knife: all the things you razor owners do (food, bandages, etc), cut firewood (kindling maker), if im out a stake i make one, my girlfriend also likes to have one with her for personal safety, etc. also i take less of other things to make up for that extra 2ozs.

I wonder what this thread would be like if it were "If you only had 3 pieces of gear to survive with for a summer what would they be…?"

Brian M – I got a shoemaker. Id rather go with a standard mora. It doesnt have enough blade for me and its awkward in my gorilla hands.

When on a well traveled trail and in a NP I only carry a Derma-safe blade or scissors. I carried a pair of small folding scissors from the sewing box when I did the JMT. I never needed any thing more than those scissors and I could carry them on the plane.
That said, when Im on a day hike Im not carrying a shelter and little to no insulation. In that case I carry my Mora knife as part of my "survival gear" because with it I can build a shelter and make fire even with the loss of fine motor skills- such as when Im cold and/or dehydrated.
My guess is that most people stay on well traveled trails and in NPs so dont feel the need to carry much of anything.
Add to that the fact that a lot of people never learned traditional bush skills and so cant see how a larger fixed blade could possibly help them.

The Gerber LST at 0.6 oz. is “sorta heavy”?? I own two and they are great little pocket knives.

But my fav backpacking knife is a Gerber US1 at 1 oz. (Get it? US1 -> 1 oz.)

2.6″ blade, 3.5″ closed, 6.1″ opened, rubberized panels on handle, 420HC steel

This is the smallest knife I want to use B/C is still large enough to easily hold and work with when actually doing camp chores.

i carry a Leatherman Squirt in the desert. I need a stout pliers to pull agave thorns out of my shoes and occasionally my thighs.  I have yet to use the screwdriver!  So, does anyone have a nice, small, but fairly strong tweezer/pliers so i could leave this at home?   Thanks

…a nice, small, but fairly strong tweezer/pliers

I carry a 4″ hemostat, 15 grams.