Daily Question: Best Backpacking Knife | |
Ruze23
 | Posted: February 9th, 2011 Edited: February 9th, 2011 | Quote, Reply |
Daily Question (Feb 9th, 2011):
Is a serrated or straight blade knife better for general backpacking use?
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treeline09
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Okay... this is a can of worms type of question but here we go.
In short, the advantages of a serrated edge are:
1) To maintain a bite on your cutting edge when you are out for weeks and unable to properly sharpen and maintain your edge
2) To provide more cutting power at less effort when dealing with unusually tough materials (animal bone, leather etc). The sawing action of serration does the job, although it will be a messy one
I prefer (as do most blade enthusiast) a plain edge for a multitude of reasons, but primarily because serrations are in exactly the wrong place, that is, the base of your blade. This is the part of the knife where you have the most control and can create the most power. Placing serration there just destroys so much of a blades more delicate and joyful function like fine splitting of lashing, whittling, cleaning and splitting wood etc. Try building traps, creating spindles and shaving bark for fiber with a serrated base and you will soon loose your mind!
My preference it to take out a plain edge and a light sharpening stone (they get as light as 1 oz). You can strop on your belt (leather or not) for an uber fine edge that will turn chores into joys.
Now I understand there is a whole category of light weight backpackers who only carry a knife for camp chores and 'just in case'. Although I myself am an ultra light backpacker, I do not fall into this category. A good blade for me is as important as it gets.
However, if you do fall into the above mentioned category and are only carrying a knife 'just in case', then a serration is not the worse idea... Not a great one, but not the worse. It will, without fail, cut and cut and cut.
Just some thoughts. I've inserted a link to what I believe to be the best backpacking knives out there (particularly for the price range) They cover their knives for life - unconditional.
-Ed
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CaptainAwesome
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I'll throw my hat (helmet?) into the ring with a hybrid answer: Both edges, one knife. I've carried a pocket knife most every day of my adolescent and adult life. Like the adage says, you never realize how often you will use one until you carry it regularly. These days, on the rare occasion that I make it out of the house without it, I feel "off" the entire time (for regular watch or jewelry wearers, imagine the feeling of forgetting an item - it's like being off balance all day). During all the other days, it makes an appearance a handful of times as a tool of choice in many tasks. In terms of general utility, I prefer a knife that has both edges, as it allows me the versatility to be prepared in more situations. For the tasks that require serration - tough materials, things that need to be sawed through, etc - the toothed lower edge is there to get the job done. For items that need a lighter touch or more precision, the smooth edge on the upper half of the blade can be used similar to a pen knife. And when it absolutely, positively needs to be pared in two, the combination edge gives both benefits in one good slash. While one or the other may excel in specific applications, the focus of the query was what to carry in overall, "be prepared" non-technical outings - that, friends, is why I offer that we don't settle for one over the other when we can just as easily have the benefits of both.
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agoldstein
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For me I like the old U.S. Army issued pocket knife with the textured stainless handle scales. It was made by Camillus, who is out of business now, but they can be found on Ebay or at army surplus stores usually. The are light, simple, and useful, including a simple straight edged blade, can opener, bottle opener/flathead screwdriver, and an awl. The materials are stainless so it doesn't require a lot of care, and thin blade takes a nice edge. This wouldn't make a good survival knife, but for a useful camping knife it's great. Also has a nice large lanyard bale for tying it off. Use it for shaving tinder, opening a can of tuna, cutting onions, cutting paracord for new boot laces.
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