Knives, machetes etc. on long backpacking trip

X

XC279

Joined
Nov 6, 2006
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I am planning a month long backpacking trip this summer on the pacific crest trail. I am planning on bringing a swiss army knife and a SOG Daggert 2. Any advice on what machete would be good or if I even should bring one? I had been considering either the Woodsmans Pal or the SOG Fusion Jungle Primitive but I have heard mixed opinions on them.
 
You don't even need it on the PCT. Trust me, a good SAK and maybe a small-medium FB should be all you need. I've hiked long stretches of the PCT, and never needed one, even when building a fire every night. Besides, that stuff gets heavy after a while, and there aren't many places along some parts of the PCT where you can send stuff back that you don't want.
 
Hi XC, glad you made it over. Hope you stay around a while! But sadly, new guy buys the beer here. :D

I don't have much experience with the SOG Daggert, have you used it much for woods chores? Double bladed knives can be a bit cumbersome to work with, since they have somewhat decreased versatility due to being double edged.

If you do settle on a good belt knife and pocket knife, I can really recommend the Gerber folding saw. It's extremely light and compact but can help a bit with wood chores. (In lieu of a chopper.)

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I might not bring the Daggert. My uncle has the Gerber LMF and it seems like a good choice. It was built for wilderness survival so I think it could do what I need.
 
In agreement with the rest, a machete won't be needed on the PCT. You'd be good to go with a SAK, a small fixed blade and maybe a saw. Have fun! All the parts of the PCT I've been on have been great.
 
SpookyPistolero said:
Hi XC, glad you made it over. Hope you stay around a while! But sadly, new guy buys the beer here. :D

I don't have much experience with the SOG Daggert, have you used it much for woods chores? Double bladed knives can be a bit cumbersome to work with, since they have somewhat decreased versatility due to being double edged.

If you do settle on a good belt knife and pocket knife, I can really recommend the Gerber folding saw. It's extremely light and compact but can help a bit with wood chores. (In lieu of a chopper.)

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Ditto on the Gerber (or Fiskars) saw. Very light and very capable. You can also get a 7" blade folding saw from Fiskars that will handle up to 3" limbs at the cost of a few more bucks and a little more weight.

The only time I carry a double edge (Daggert 1) is when I'm in an area where bear and mountain lion are abundant and guns are not legal; strictly for last ditch protection.

Actually, I almost forgot. I also carry a capable thrusting knife when calling predators or turkeys. That's right turkeys. A turkey hunter got rolled from behind by a large male mountain lion in the mountains right above Los Alamos. He was hiding in camo clothing clucking softly like a hen. Since that incident I've tried using a turkey call for predators and it works so well it's scary.
 
The LMF should serve you well. Be sure to report back with pictures after your trip!:thumbup:
 
I've thru-hiked the entire PCT twice, both times with a SAK Classic that was adequate, if not overkill. The next time I thru-hike the PCT I will bring a small-medium fixed blade, Mini-northstar size, just for fun (and because I love knives.)

A normal-frame SAK and/or a moderate fixed blade will do you just fine. Those who suggested a folding saw give good advice -- these really provide a lot of cutting power for a relatively lightweight package. (I had plenty of fires on my PCT hikes and never found myself needing a saw.)

I agree that a machete is not necessary at all, but if your hike will include the infamous Section O, you will find yourself wishing you had one! :D Of course, if you did have one, you would probably tire of chopping after a mile or so and just push thru the overgrown trail like everyone else.

In a month, you could cover a good section of the PCT -- which part are you doing?

Whatever sections you choose, you will have access to at least a Post Office or two, so you could always mail home any extra gear that you do not want to carry any more -- in fact, I highly recommend this classic long-distance hiking rite of passage. It is a humbling and valuable exercise in flexibility and pragmatism.

Have a great time, and please remember to take and post lots of pics, especially knives-in-backcountry-action pics. :D:thumbup:
 
raindog101 said:
You don't even need it on the PCT. Trust me, a good SAK and maybe a small-medium FB should be all you need. I've hiked long stretches of the PCT, and never needed one, even when building a fire every night. Besides, that stuff gets heavy after a while, and there aren't many places along some parts of the PCT where you can send stuff back that you don't want.
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True.

Can I ask when you are leaving?

Need a quilt? Probably taking a sleeping bag right?
 
The Gerber folding saw is excellent advice, just make sure to carry a replacement saw blade. Depending on how much you use the saw you may need it. The Gerber Exchange-a-Blade Sport Folding Saw include both a fine and a course blade. The extra blade is stored in the folding saw sheath. Different types of wood cut better with either the fine or the course blade, so having both is not a bad idea.
 
XC279 - "I am planning on bringing a swiss army knife and a SOG Daggert 2. "
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I don't know anything about a "SOG Daggart 2" but if it is a "daggar," both edges sharpened, it is a felony to carry "daggars and dirks" concealed in California.

"Concealed" can be interpreted many ways by zealous (or ignorant) law enforcement officers, Federal, State, and local.

I don't know the knife laws in Oregon or Washington, so know-before-you-go is a wise decision.

I strongly suggest you leave your "daggar" at home. :cool:

FWIW.

L.W.
 
SpookyPistolero said:
But it's such a good excuse for new steel! :D

Like...
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Spooky... with so many internet cutlery stores... and so many pictures of an F1 lying arround here... and soooooooo many other threads about Falknieven... How on earth did you end up liking a picture from a spanish cutlery store? :D :D :D We have them here as well but they are a lot more expensive... :( I bought mine overseas.

I just fell in love with that Aurora, you shouldn't have posted the picture!

XC279, as someone else already stated, don't bring the dagger neither the LMF... Stick to a Vic (or multitool if you want pliers), 4" fixed and a folding saw. You will be good to go and they don't weight much.

Mikel
 
I've never had the pleasure of backpacking in the forests of the Pacific NW, but it looks beautiful up there. I don't know how thick the cover is. Down here in the swamps and river bottoms of S Georgia, it gets thick and a nice 18" Tramontina is nice. I hear it rains a lot up there. You might want to go all stainless, like this combo of a 10" Condor Inca knife, SAKOHT, and Mora.
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Or upgrade to the BRKT Wet Enviro Recon:
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But if rust is not a concern, you might go with an Ontario Camp machete, BRKT Aurora, and SAK.
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Or maybe the Bravo-1 instead of the Aurora.
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So many choices!
 
I would focus on getting a more sutable fixed blade then the others.
Mora 2k=$30
SAK OHT=$35
Cold Steel bolo=$11
 
Trust me, a machete or hand saw is way over kill. You will not use it unless you plan on chopping down the scenery. A SAK is really all you'll ever use, but maybe if you want a back-up a small Mora or similar will suffice.

H
 
This is what I would bring. A fixed blade, a SAK and a pocket chain saw. From what I have read the only knife you would really need is the SAK but I like having a fixed blade and the saw is so small I would carry it just in case.
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