Last Minute Decision

[vivi]

Leaving work in an hour to go spend the next few days backpacking through a mountainous wilderness area.

Expecting to do moderate mileage, so don't have to pack ultralight.

Gonna be in a storm damaged area with many trails in severe disrepair, so something that can hack through stuff may come in handy.

I will be packing a folding saw (bahco laplander).

Planning to try to catch some fish, but don't know how well that'll go. Not planning on hunting any land animals.

Will be doing food prep and friction fire prep with whatever I bring.

Got my bag mostly packed, but was undecided on a few things. Among them which knife / knives to bring.

Here's what I left spread out on my desk to choose from when I get back:

Leatherman Rebar
Catcherman
Military 2 Salt
Pacific Salt 1
Street Beat
Street Bowie
Temperence
Aqua Salt
SRK SK5 (Lighter, thinner edge)
SRK 3V (Heavier, thicker edge)
Recon Tanto
Kukri Machete (pretty light and compact, 13" blade)


Leaning towards the Aqua Salt and Leatherman. 50/50 on bringing the light machete. What would you pick?

[Jeb]

V

Man this sounds awesome, the machete, Leatherman and the M2 Salt... You be safe, but be sure to have a big time...

[Catchadroppimgknife]

I’d second Jebs ideas - depends how much stomping you have to do.

Here would be my combination - if there was not too much hiking. The Kukri would attach to the pack.

[benben]

V

Man this sounds awesome, the machete, Leatherman and the M2 Salt... You be safe, but be sure to have a big time...

Yep, I think Jeb nailed it! Where you headed?

[RazorSharp86]

Unless you need to do a lot of brush clearing, I’d leave the machete at home.
Leatherman might be handy.
I always like having a robust fixed blade for outings, so a knife like the SRK in 3V would def be accompanying me on this type of trip.
Mili 2 Salt would be great for quick jobs and could be stretched into quick meal prep tasks.

[apollo]

From that list with those things in mind i would also go Mil2 , leatherman and the machete.

Besides that download some Wendigo creapy pasta story's on your smarthphone so you can listen to them at the campfire while roasting marshmellows...

[Tgmr05]

Folding saw, military 2 salt, street bowie.

[Jeb]

Guys, your not to forget this is our "V" going out trecking. He is going to use the machete for meal prep lol... The M2 Salt for everything else. The Leatherman if he snags his self in the thorns somewhere and can't chew his way out. lol

Dang wish I was 15 years younger, I would go with him, just so I could bother him lol... He is going to have a blast, but who wouldn't out like that...

Edit: Not sure how long these have been out, but this Leatherman has a DLC MagnaCut blade now and a host of all its other regular goodies. I don't need another Leatherman but this one may get snagged up.

You guys need to check this piece out:

https://www.leatherman.com/arc-702.html ... 7fb7aeoprf

[xceptnl]

Ironic vivi, some of the exact knives you listed are on my decision list for an upcoming 50 miler I have planned father's day week.

Leatherman Skeletool (with Delrin hammer insert)
Catcherman (PS hollow ground)
or
Military (PS)
Dayhiker

From your list I would say:
Leatherman
Pac Salt (assuming SE)
Street Beat

What is your target pack weight including food?@vivi

[Burton Knut]

If it were me, I’d take the Machete, Street Bowie and a mini multi tool.

[Bolster]

[Edit] Reread your post and determined your pack trip is so different than my pack trips, I actually have no advice! I've never had to hack a trail through the wilderness. My pack trips are typically multi-day, 8-12 hrs/day, 20-lb pack all in. I carry a Spyderco Mule, but use it seldom. Have fun! And give a report on your knife usage when you return, if you have a chance.

[DerRock]

My choice

[Cletus]

The Military 2 Salt of course, then the Aqua salt and fixed blade of choice.

[Scandi Grind]

If it were me, I’d take the Machete, Street Bowie and a mini multi tool.

This was kinda where I was leaning. I always like a fixed blade over a folder if is convenient to carry where I'm going, which is most anywhere now that I live in a town that doesn't mind seeing a knife on my hip when I go into stores.

[R100]

Leaning towards the Aqua Salt and Leatherman. 50/50 on bringing the light machete. What would you pick?

That's what I'd bring, maybe plus the M2 Salt. Clearing stuff with a machete is generally much slower than going around or scrambling over so if it was me I'd leave that behind unless you are clearing a more permanent path for others. Hope you have a great time.

Dan

[Halfneck]

Aqua Salt
Leatherman
Machete - since you mentioned possibly needing something to bust through brush

[Evil D]

If I'm going in the woods for any extended amount of time and I'm only going to carry one knife, it's going to be a fixed blade.

I also wouldn't ever plan to go into the woods for an extended amount of time with only one knife. Two is one, one is none.

Of your list I'd probably go with the Aqua Salt and Military 2 Salt, because the Aqua is probably better for cleaning fish and should be able to serve for most harder fixed blade tasks, and the M2 would be for food prep and odd jobs that don't include cleaning fish.

I'd also have a multitool on my belt. Weight be damned. If I can't manage with an extra 8oz or whatever on my person then I have bigger problems.

[apollo]

I'd also have a multitool on my belt. Weight be damned. If I can't manage with an extra 8oz or whatever on my person then I have bigger problems.

These are some of the most wise words i have seen posted here in the last 5 years thank you!!!

[Manixguy@1994]

If I'm going in the woods for any extended amount of time and I'm only going to carry one knife, it's going to be a fixed blade.

I also wouldn't ever plan to go into the woods for an extended amount of time with only one knife. Two is one, one is none.

Of your list I'd probably go with the Aqua Salt and Military 2 Salt, because the Aqua is probably better for cleaning fish and should be able to serve for most harder fixed blade tasks, and the M2 would be for food prep and odd jobs that don't include cleaning fish.

I'd also have a multitool on my belt. Weight be damned. If I can't manage with an extra 8oz or whatever on my person then I have bigger problems.

Well said and agree . Dan

[Mushroom]

Personally I would leave the machete at home because if I'm out there hiking, it's not my responsibility (or within my legal right) to cut new trails. Especially not on public land where environmental science and engineering is greatly considered when designing new trails. Also, getting around or past storm damage can be done practicing Leave No Trace principles, so for myself the machete would be unnecessary.

From that selection, I'd probably bring the Temperance sprint for fire prep and general utility. I would also bring the Catcherman sprint if I planned on cleaning some fish while I was out there. Good luck!