[at-l] Re: Good knife for backpacking...

[camojack at comcast.net (Jack)]

I likes me Leatherman?; it's come in quite handy on numerous occasions...
(YMMV)

-"Camo"

PS: The P-38 is good, too.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bob C." <ellen@clinic.net>
To: "Jack" <camojack@comcast.net>
Cc: <Adkhiker2003@wmconnect.com>; <at-l@backcountry.net>
Sent: Sunday, January 04, 2004 11:07 AM
Subject: Re: [at-l] Re: Good knife for backpacking...


Over the years I've used all kinds of knives and knife/tool combinations,
since
I'm notorious for losing gear.

 But I'm convinced from many years of experience that all one really needs
is a
 tiny, single, lock-bladed knife and a GI P-38 can opener. The ideal knife
 should have just one very thin blade -- preferably not stainless steel.
Gerber
 made the one I've found most valuable. It had a 2.5 inch blade, and weighed
 about an ounce.

 Carry a small sharpening stone. (about one ounce if you shop carefully) The
 knife's primary usefulness on the trail is opening Pita Bread, cutting
summer
 sausage and cheese, shaping moldskin, and carving decorations on my alder
 hiking pole on days when I find it too rainy to want to walk.

 The point of the single blade is perfectly adequate for tightening eye
glass
 screws, at least tight enough to serve until I reach town. More elaborate
tools
 are rarely needed, especially along the AT. Or at least any need that can't
 wait until the next town stop. I just stop at the first automotive service
 station and someone invaribly offers to fix whatever may be wrong that
requires
 the services of a "Leatherman."

 Plus every other hiker will be carrying one of the multi-tool gadgets, be
it
 leather or swiss, without ever finding any use for most of the tools. After
 days of cursing at the awkwardness of the scissors and the knife, most will
 welcome a chance to put the thing to some use, even if it's for your pack,
not
 theirs.

 The GI can opener works as well as any can opener so far invented. It's
only
 draw back is that it weighs so little and is so small that its easily lost.
I
 partially get around the getting lost feature by connecting it to a long
loop
 of bright yellow or orange string.

 Weary