I love backpacking and wilderness survival. I wanted to share some feelings about knives and their place in backpacking and hiking. I am a gear tester of sorts and write reviews on outdoor gear and post them on many outdoors sites. I usually am contacted by companies to do photos and tests of knives in the outdoors. When I am backpacking I usually just carry a Swiss Army Knife. When I am day hiking I have less gear as far as shelter and sleeping gear but always carry the survival basics. I also tend to carry a small stout knife for emergency shelter construction, fire and food prep. I wanted to share a knife that you backpackers, and hikers might find usefull. I just did a huge phot review for a knife maker from Nebraska and wanted to share this with you guys.
Breeden Knives PSKK II (Personal Survival Kit Knife) It is only 2.5 oz. and has a full tang. Perfect for backpacking and summit attempts.
Thanks for the photos, I really like the looks of that knife. I think bright colored handles are especially useful in a "working" knife even if they aren't as pretty as wood, bone, or antler. What steel is used? Is there a website where curios "knife nuts" like myself can see more?
Amongst the many knives I have made, some have a titanium blade/tang. Tough material to work, titanium sheets! But 1 mm thickness is good enough for small sized knives, that go very lightweight if you also use light woods for handles.
Bryan Breeden is a knife maker out of Nebraska. He spends much of his time in the woods cutting trees for a living and making knives when the weather is bad. While growing up Bryan spent his youth hunting, trapping and fishing. After talking with Bryan about knives and the outdoors I realized we shared a lot of the same views on what we use knives for. Being in the Marines Bryan was exposed to all aspects of survival and the importance of a knife. He is currently using 01 tool steel and orange G-10 scales. Welcome Breeden Knives and lets hope the weather stays bad at least in your neck of the woods!
PSKK II
Specs:
Steel-01
Blade Length-4" Drop Point
Thickness 3/32"
Cutting Surface-3 7/8"
Overall-7 3/4"
RC-59-60
The PSKK II (Personal Survival Kit Knife) is very light making it perfect for backpacking and summit attempts. This is the bigger brother to the PSKK which has a 3" blade. If you ever wanted a thin lightweight full tang knife perfect for whittling and making trap notches then this is it. Combined with a chopper you can cover all the bases. Very handy size in between a neck knife and a small sheath knife. Imagine a Mora 510 meets CS Roach Belly and you got the PSKK II. This knife is a joy to use in the kitchen and in the woods.
Registered: 04/07/04
Posts: 221
Loc: Arkansan displaced in the PNW
I've always been a big fan of fixed blade knives -- especially important in a survival situations -- and I've owned a CRKT Carson F4 for a while. I don't think they make it any more, but you might be able to find it somewhere:
That said, I really like this one. Especially the bright orange handle.
Registered: 04/07/04
Posts: 221
Loc: Arkansan displaced in the PNW
Quote:
That looks light. What are the specs? Thanks for sharing. Knives while backpacking can be a subject for debate with most.
Here is what I could dig up.
Specifications: Blade Length: 2.50 in. (6.4 cm) Blade Shape: Modified Drop Point Blade Steel: AUS 6M, 55-57 HRC Carry System: ZytelŪ Sheath Clip: Pocket/Gear clip Handle Material: Textured Zytel Scales Knife Type: Fixed Blade Length Overall: 5.50 in. (14.0 cm) Weight: 1.3 oz. (37 g)
As a general rule I carry two knives when I'm backpacking, the one mentioned above and a small multi-tool (Leatherman Squirt S4). Each fills a different and specific job in my opinion.
I love knifes. I have a few that I have collected. I have always carried knives into the woods. Remember this when I ask some critical questions. Basically I am going to play devil's advocate to get a good discussion out of this, and to stir things up.
[quote]I love backpacking and wilderness survival. I wanted to share some feelings about knives and their place in backpacking and hiking. I am a gear tester of sorts and write reviews on outdoor gear and post them on many outdoors sites. I usually am contacted by companies to do photos and tests of knives in the outdoors. When I am backpacking I usually just carry a Swiss Army Knife. When I am day hiking I have less gear as far as shelter and sleeping gear but always carry the survival basics. I also tend to carry a small stout knife for emergency shelter construction, fire and food prep. I wanted to share a knife that you backpackers, and hikers might find usefull. I just did a huge phot review for a knife maker from Nebraska and wanted to share this with you guys.
Breeden Knives PSKK II (Personal Survival Kit Knife) It is only 2.5 oz. and has a full tang. Perfect for backpacking and summit attempts.[quote]
You say that when you are backpacking that you usually just carry a swiss army knife. Why would this knife (the PSKK II) be better for backpacking? Why is it perfect for backpacking, as opposed to a small knife and a pair of scissors for the same weight? I can see the benefit for a day hike while not carrying shelter, sleeping gear, or cooking gear, and why it might be considered a survival basic. But, remember this is lightweight backpacking. Normally a lightweight backpacker doesn't need to leave his/her gear at a camp site to go on a day hike.
Now, I don't summit much, and I have never summited a peak with year round snow (Mt Rainier, Mt Baker, etc.). What are the benefits of a fixed blade knife while summiting? Why is this knife perfect for summit attempts?
Before you think I am trying to overly criticize the knife, I will add a few things. I really like the knife. The size is great, the choice in steel is well made, and the overall craftsmanship looks superb. I also normally carry a large fixed blade knife when I go backpacking, but I can honestly say that I have never, ever, used it for anything.
Hey thanks for opening the discussion. I know alot of knife enthusists always carry too much steel with them. I carry a Swiss Army One Handed Trekker with the serrations ground down. For me I feel pretty good about this since I have done wilderness and jungle survival classes in Peru. I know what I am capable of doing with a saw, blade and awl of an SAK. If I am by myself I will have a small fixed blade with a full tang that can split wrist size pieces of wood for emergency fire starting when things are wet. Now there are exceptions when I have hiked with a Tramontina 12" machete (10 oz) that is very light and could do almost all knife chores like whittle wood, split wood for dry inside or chop shelter poles, slice and make all kinds of things. Remember that the average big chopping knife or hatchet weigh about 1 pound and a half. There are many people that always feel they have to have a knife in the woods and I am one of them but within reason. When I was going to the Grand Canyon I noticed a few folders clipped to peoples pockets and not much else. I agree with this since you are on heavily traveled trails with not much need for a knife in general. When I am in Lytle Creek CA backpacking or hiking I may not see anyone and the trails are harsh and empty. The chances of being in a survival situation there are high, I have been cought in a horrible snow storm there at 5,000 which is kind of low for snow in the first place. The trails are full of wind blown branches and trees large and small. I always have to saw branches or chop to clear the trails there. It is a place where I see lots of fixed blades on peoples belt if there is anyone in the first place.
Summit attempts. Not everyone carries an SAK with them but maybe a fixed blade or nothing at all. I was hiking Mt. Whitney last july and noticed many people leaving their gear in the camp at 12,??? feet and making the climb to 14,035 with just water, rain gear and some emergency type things. We usually go very light to make the summit so grabbing a small light knife would be ideal. For those that don't like the weight of a fixed blade like a K-Bar, RAT Cutlery, TOPS, Becker, Busse, could get a small Breeden that weighs 2.5 oz and can do big work.
Tools should be used for their intended purpose - chopping wood with a tiny little knife is not a good idea. And why would you. I have camped for a long time and have never, ever, ever , not once, ever HAD to chop wood. I have chopped wood with a hatchet, but I did not have to. Exactly which survival situation are we considering that would necessitate the use of a fixed blade over a folding knife? Knives are cool- and the one you have shown in your post is a real beauty - but chopping wood with a knife is about as useless as shaving your butt hair with one in my opinion.
Tools should be used for their intended purpose - chopping wood with a tiny little knife is not a good idea. And why would you. I have camped for a long time and have never, ever, ever , not once, ever HAD to chop wood. I have chopped wood with a hatchet, but I did not have to. Exactly which survival situation are we considering that would necessitate the use of a fixed blade over a folding knife? Knives are cool- and the one you have shown in your post is a real beauty - but chopping wood with a knife is about as useless as shaving your butt hair with one in my opinion.
I hear you. I am not a big chopper of wood but have used knives to split wood to get to the inside where its dry for a fire. This is mainly while car camping which I really don't do much of. I don't think one would ever want to chop wood with a small knife.
The question about a fixed blade over a folder is just a matter of preference to us all. I carry an SAK and that is a folding knife. Fixed blades would be better suited for day hiking without a full pack where you may get lost or need to spend an unexpected night or two in the forest. You can't baton wrist size pieces of wood for an emergency shelter or get to the dry wood if its damp with a folding knife.
Thank you bigfoot for your reactiion to my comment---
After careful consideration I retract my comment about the uselessness of rump grooming, and apologize to those that partake in this ritual. I hope that my comments have not offended those smooth bottomed persons among us. Shave on, my friends.
If I was a smooth bottomed person, I would have been greatly offended. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> But, since I am not, I enjoyed your comment. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
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Registered: 04/07/04
Posts: 221
Loc: Arkansan displaced in the PNW
Quote:
Exactly which survival situation are we considering that would necessitate the use of a fixed blade over a folding knife?
Not necessarily in survival situation, but a fixed knife (one with a full tang) doesn't run the risk of closing on your hand/fingers while you're cranking down on it, nor is it as strong. A locking mechanism helps, but is no substitute. In most cases, a folding knife should serve as a backup or supplement to your primary fixed knife.
Demo Geez I thought my primary backup was the samari sword in case my gun jams. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> The tantau of course is for 2 handed fighting with the short sword. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> I guess my Gerber LST (1.5 oz) backs up the Tantau. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> O man - I probably need backup scissors as well. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />
I have come to the conclusion that the only normal realistic CAMPING activity you can do with a knife - sharp or dull [besides fashiopning a spear] - is slicing food. I find that a sharp knife cuts the bottom of the paper plate and cuts the aluminum cookware. A dull knife can slice my steak. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />
OTOH a tiny pair of embroidery scissors can cut fabric in a straight line - your knife can't, and it can clip a single thread out, whereas your knife can only make a jagged hole. A knife is almost worthless for doing repairs compared to scissors. AND there ARE cooking scissors completely eliminating the need for kitchen knifes at all - only butter knifes and steak knifes are required. Unless you eat reconstituted dirt - er freeze dried - then tell me need a razor sharp knife to eat soup <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
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These are my own opinions based on wisdom earned through many wrong decisions. Your mileage may vary.
I have come to the conclusion that the only normal realistic CAMPING activity you can do with a knife - sharp or dull [besides fashioning a spear] - is slicing food. I find that a sharp knife cuts the bottom of the paper plate and cuts the aluminum cookware. A dull knife can slice my steak. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />
OTOH a tiny pair of embroidery scissors can cut fabric in a straight line - your knife can't, and it can clip a single thread out, whereas your knife can only make a jagged hole. A knife is almost worthless for doing repairs compared to scissors. AND there ARE cooking scissors completely eliminating the need for kitchen knifes at all - only butter knifes and steak knifes are required. Unless you eat reconstituted dirt - er freeze dried - then tell me need a razor sharp knife to eat soup <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
Jim, you need to post this on your sharp knife post. seriously. Someone was asking about why use scissors.
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