Guy Gear
Pocketknives and multi-tools buying guide
A quality knife or multi-tool is one of the handiest things you can carry in your pack. It’ll help you spread peanut butter, carve a tent stake, fillet a rainbow trout, maybe even save your life. But you have to pick the right tool for the job.
Outdoor survival expert Peter Kummerfeldt will show you how.
THE LOWDOWN
There are several types of knives. Kummerfeldt’s favorite, fixed blades, are no-nonsense knives with a beefy handle and stationary blade.
“You need a knife to accomplish the everyday tasks you come across in the outdoors, from whittling on things and cutting materials to spreading peanut butter on your sandwiches,” he says. “And a short, no more than four-inch-long, fixed-blade knife will accomplish all of that.” Avoid large sheath knives; they are heavy and awkward to carry.
Then there are all-purpose folding pocketknives. Most come with tools such as a can opener, screwdriver, tweezers and, of course, knife blades — all in one compact package. Though they can be extremely handy, Kummerfeldt says a downside is the knife blade doesn’t lock into place, so it may fold up on your hand while you’re using it.
Lockbacks are simple folding knives with a single blade that can be locked. So you get the benefits of a sturdy fixed blade-style knife but in a convenient pocket-size package that can be folded open with just one hand.
You’ll also find specialty knives such as river rescue knives with serrated blades for slicing rope, whittling knives designed for carving wood, and multi-tools, which are compact, handheld tool boxes. Most are built around a pair of folding pliers.
BLADES
Most blades are made from strong and durable stainless steel. Blades are available in straight edge, serrated (jagged like a saw) or both. Bigger is not always better. A small, sharp four-inch-or-smaller blade can cut just as well as bigger knives but is much safer to handle and easier to maneuver in tight spots.
PRICE & QUALITY
You don’t have to spend a fortune to get a quality tool.
“My $15 knife does everything I want it to do,” Kummerfeldt says.
As prices go up, you’ll see small improvements in the quality and size of the blade.
CARE & MAINTENANCE
“The only good knife is a sharp knife,” Kummerfeldt says. “A blunt knife requires you to put so much force on it that it could slip, and you could drive the blade into your leg.”
As needed, run the edge of your blade across a sharpening stone a few times. Wipe the tool clean after every use and lubricate any hinges with a light oil like WD-40.
CARRY IT
Kummerfeldt says the smartest, safest place to stash your knife is in an easy-access spot in your backpack. You’re asking for trouble by wearing a fixed-blade knife on your belt. If you fall, the knife could rotate inward and you could land right on the blade.
Jul. 9, 2009 at 11:36 am
go to cabelas for a knife they have great deals i got a cabelas swiss army knife for only 5 bucks and it rocks
Jul. 6, 2009 at 10:18 am
I have way cool wal-mart knife That i found in the boy scout latrine in camp when I was eating my dinner in there
Jul. 6, 2009 at 10:17 am
i have a swiss army knife and i got it on june 6th for my birth day and shortley after like 4 days after was ranked up to weblows ow i almost forgot i got a gardener with the original swiss army knife
Jul. 4, 2009 at 12:04 am
I have a SOG flash 2 and its a great knife the spring assist helps with opening, a lock blade makes it safe, along with a open safty keeps it from opening in your pocket it is light and very durable. And best of all its made in the USA!!!!
Jun. 27, 2009 at 5:37 am
When backpacking to a campsite that doesn’t have a definitive latrine or other outside toilet, a temporary latrine must be dug and built. Traditional spades and long handle shovels are too tedious to carry on a hike. What is the best and most reliable folding and collapsible spade or backpacking shovel which can be attached to a backpack for the digging of a cathole or temporary latrine at a campsite when no other toilet facilities are within reasonable walking distance of a campsite? Thank you for your advice.
Jun. 23, 2009 at 3:19 pm
Does the Totem’ Chip Boy Scout Skill Requirements specify the safe use of a long handle axe or a short handle camping hatchet? What is the best camping axe for use in cutting firewood for a campout?
Jun. 11, 2009 at 7:39 pm
Try the Swiss Tool Spirit S by Victorinox. I have used it for more than a year and it is all I could ever ask. I carry it with me wherever I go. It is a little pricey, but it is definitely worth it!
Jun. 10, 2009 at 6:06 pm
I am getting a one- handed trekker and which is better the serrated or non
Jun. 7, 2009 at 7:41 pm
I dont agree with the boyscout law about no sheath knives. I would rather have a small fixed blade than a folder.
Jun. 3, 2009 at 8:25 am
i have a victorinox one hand non serrated trekker that has a saw can opener bottle opener and more and nice sized locking blade even though it has tools
Jun. 2, 2009 at 12:30 pm
i just got a victorinox poketknife at wal mart for about $10