Cutting Through The Wild

     Knives are another tool that seems to clamber and strangle me with an overcoming desire to have just one more.  At one time I used to count my knives in the tens and forties.  At flea markets, yard sales, auctions, and of course online, knives of all kinds can be bought.  But the defining way to sort need from desire is asking yourself what purpose a knife must fulfill.  Let's break this up something like this.

1. Small hike
   For a small hike a simple utility knife, like the tiny one on the para cord above, would work just fine.
2. Long hike.
   For a long hike I now could use a fixed blade knife a multitool and a backup knife.

  Again saving weight is key to making a hike enjoyable.  Often people overburden themselves for a disaster that will never happen.  Overburdening is akin to wearing a nuclear bio chemical suit every time you get within two hours of a nuclear plant.  Also ask yourself these questions when looking for a knife.

1.Will I use it?

    How many knives lie dormant like damp mold in the bottom of our drawers.  I love utility folding knives because I use them all the time.  I cut open packages, Christmas presents, sever clothes tags, sharpen pencils, and decapitate super glue caps.  What I don't use are the cheap knives that are to dull to cut quickly.

2. Will it last?

   Again durability is very important. I love my folding utility knives because I can change the blades, they are light, almost indestructible, and very cheap. In a large knife it needs to have a full tang, hand guard, and the best balance between lightweight yet enough heft to accomplish difficult jobs.  With a long knife avoid modern hollow handle survival knives and also the fighting knife style.  A fighting knife has a blade designed for penetrating flesh making it impractical for the chopping and prying tasks you may need to use it for.
   For multitools, knife snobs will settle on usually the Leatherman.  Gerber, H&K and many other brands also catch much of the business.  From a price perspective I settled on a Kobalt multitool with a lifetime warranty until I can afford a Leatherman Sidekick.  In a multitool I am definitely looking for pliers, a knife, and a saw predominately.  In a multitool below thirty dollars is sketchy territory.  I am currently in the process of testing my twelve dollar Kobalt I hope it will last a couple years.
    After you have your  knives , learn how to care for them.  turn your blade into a friend, a story, and a treasure!