If you are planning on doing some wilderness backpacking then one piece of equipment you will come to rely on is a backpacking knife. They can be used for a variety of activities including preparing food, chopping wood or helping erect a camp or shelter for the night.
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The type of knife you need will depend on which of the above you plan to use it for. Fixed blades are popular as they are easy to clean and have no complicated locks that could get filled with dirt and grit. They also tend to be very strong so are ideal for sawing through wood. Some of the best fixed knives available are Scandinavian style, which are also popular as they tend to be well built, quite light (important when backpacking) and cheap.
There are lots of different manufacturers of backpacking knives but you should look out for Highland, Woodland, Benchmade and Bark River. All have a reputation for making high quality knives whilst keeping them lightweight.
Backpackers who plan on travelling to unknown territory or territory that is likely to be hostile might want to carry two knives or more to ensure every eventuality. For more casual backpackers, a Swiss Army Knife will often suffice as they have a wealth of tools yet is available at a very affordable price. Those that wish to take a fixed blade with them but are not entirely sure what they will use it for may want to take a double bladed knife with them (see picture although this is not a fixed blade). These have a sharp cutting blade on one side but a blade for sawing on the other.
Double Bladed Backpacking Knife
It’s important that you look after your knife whilst backpacking. Always take a stone with you so you can sharpen your knife after each use. Most popular knives are made from stainless steel which is rust resistant but not rust proof meaning that you have to thoroughly dry it every time it gets wet.
A 4″ blade should be sufficient for most. Anything else will be cumbersome to carry over long distances.
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