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a lot has changed [maybe] what are you ounce counters carrying these days ?

Big game , predators , camp knives in the backcountry ?

There should be a thread a couple pages down that has a lot of good knife info.

The thread is gene Ingram knives....

A Benchmade Bugout checks a lot of boxes.

EXTREMELY light, sharp, good steel, reasonable price, compact.

I have one in my pack at all times.

Dave

The Benchmade Altitude at under 2 ounces is popular with the ounce counters.

Both those Benchmades look great - really liking that bright blue model . Both under 2oz. - American made too - that huge with me .

Might look at a tyto.

Cold Steel Canadian Belt knife. Light, cheap, ok steel, excellent ergonomics

Benchmade Bugout weighs 1.8 oz on my scale and is a LOT of blade for the weight. I keep one clipped to my sweat pants I wear at night- can't even tell it's there. Started doing that after I got attacked by the neighbor's dog late one night. Long story. I'll be carrying it on my next backpack hunt and any backpacking prior to that. Don't see why I couldn't take an elk apart with it including skinning. I also bought my daughter one for her solo South America trekking. There might be a better 1.8 oz knife out there but I'm not even looking- the Bugout is awesome.

The blue version is nice for not losing it in the woods, I guess, but I got the tan version with the black, coated blade, which is a much classier looking knife.

Edit: the Bugout also uses the same S30V steel that they use on the Grizzly Ridge, which is my daily carry knife. While I haven't sharpened my Bugout yet, I use the Griz hard and sharpen it often. Takes and holds an edge very well. I've taken apart and skinned 2 deer with it too. Good steel.

Bought one of these last fall for a light packing knife. Used on a moose and 1 deer. I like it.

https://argalioutdoors.com/collections/knives/products/carbon-knife

I've been carrying a Bucklite folder for 30 years. Now have 4-5 of them. My fav is a blaze orange handle that was given to me as a tip when guiding.

They are easy to sharpen and keep a decent edge.

I like this for a lightweight pocket folder.

KNIVES OF ALASKA Model # 392FG WEIGHS 2.3OZ. 4.18 CLOSED and 7.50 Open. Feather Light Hunter Orange G-10 and the Blade is D2 Serrated .

https://www.ebay.com/itm/KNIVES-OF-ALASKA-POCKET-KNIFE-392FG-D2-BLADE-SERRATED-ORANGE-G10-OD-FEATHERLIGHT/371802348489?hash=item5691259bc9:g:NxoAAOSwiONYPdA~

I carried a Griptilian for EDC for many years but once I got a hold of the Bugout with the OD green handle I was sold. Love the blade shape and S30V, although I've had coated blades that got all scarred up before and am usually not a fan. I'll take my chances with this one though. Add the fact that it was a gift from my son and it's a no brainer.

kifaru has couple on their site...

https://store.kifaru.net/helium-1-blade-kifaru-logo-p286.aspx

https://store.kifaru.net/kru-blade-wolverine-p308.aspx

https://www.amazon.com/Victorinox-Cutlery-Straight-Paring-3-25-Inch/dp/B0019WXPQY

1.6 OZ, under $10. But you might have to find/make your own sheath.

These are outstanding little knives, I use them in the kitchen all the time. they don't hold an edge long but sharpen easily. Great value. They make a wooden handled version too which I like.

I been meanin to order some Moro's for a few years. They're under 2 oz.

I have been running Kestrel’s for 4 years now and have no complaints. My favorite and most used is the skeleton short ovis hunter. Weighs around 1.5 ounces with sheath.

After almost a year of watching eBay, I finally found a good deal on a Benchmade Altitude- it's certainly light and the steel really holds an edge (evidently some kind of rare Elvish steel :D)

I have a couple of those. I found some cheapo plastic sheaths someplace in anchorage.

Wanna say a knife store on north side of 5th. near JCP?
Damn remembery.

That'd be Northern Knives. Been a while since I've been in there.

Gear Shed in Homer used to have Kydex sheaths that fit them. Cost more than the knives, but worth it. I made a few kydex sheaths too. They are pretty easy.

Thanks. Couldn’t remember the name.

Also can’t remember which of these sheaths came ftom there and which came from a fish gear shop.

White handle knife is a Dexter but similar to the vickies.

at some point someone was selling the Vic paring knives w/ a kydex sheath- I picked up one

A knife is that last place I want or need to shed weight. To each their own I suppose.

Sort of like the cyclist with carbon frame and components, and heavy wheels. Just doesn't add up and make sense.

MCH, I don't see how that sentence/analogy works, though I agree about the heavy wheels.

A knife is an excellent place for most guys to shed weight IMHO. Low-hanging fruit. Unless you are full-on bushcrafting why would any backpack hunter need a heavy knife?

Wife and I are moving our backpacking gear towards ultralight so yes, I'm an ounce weenie. They add up.

If you want to skimp on a subpar designed knife that's on you.

A knife is probably the most used tool you will have. The minimal weight you are saving results in poor design. Weight can also aid in cutting. A proper knife for backpacking isn't heavy enough to shave weight on and even if you do shave a little its nothing you will ever notice. Add to the fact a knife to be used should be carried on ones belt where it is always in reach and handy. Not in a pack! So weight isn't an issue.

If you need to shave weight that much then you have way to much trash already in your pack. It will serve you much better to cut that trash out of your pack than from the tool you will use more than any other.

A great place to shave weight is actually your pack itself! I have hiked the AT and about 2/3's of the PCT. I have climbed a number of Peaks in the US and Abroad, never have I said to myself dam my knife should be lighter. Never!

Couldn't agree more Jeff.

Most of my friends have gone to the Havalon Pranta for BP hunting. For 3 oz's you have a knive with 4 extra blades. Me, I've settled on the 1.6oz Opinel no.8 for hunting (available in carbon or stainless), and a small 1.1oz Arkansas stone for touchup.

If I'm backpacking and fishing I use the .9 oz Opinel no.6, otherwise a little Victorinox Classic at less than at .9 oz is ideal. I've never seen the need for more of a knife than the Opinel no.6 for backpacking, and it would work on an elk too, but I prefer the fuller sized no.8...

Two I usually pack are a Moki Banff and a BM Steepcountry.

2.7 and 3.7 oz’s respectively.

I guess if one were to get super weight weenie a Vicky in Kydex would save a few oz’s. I’d want two though. Maybe hacksaw off a short 4 or 6” section of a rod like this to sharpen if carrying just one.
https://www.webstaurantstore.com/de...ul-KN5wIVkiCtBh2AJAG7EAQYAiABEgJnl_D_BwE
Being hollow it wouldn’t weigh much.

I use a knife very little when backpacking my tiny Gerber has got me through every trip . But i could use something that held a better edge - or i could be more mindful of not abusing the edge .
I've never needed any of the ''bushcrafting'' knives or batoning skills while backpacking .

I will qualify my answer of the Benchmade Altitude and Havalon, that if I’m hot tenting I add a Fallkniven S1 (and a light saw) to process wood- the S1 is heavy (not crazy heavy- 6 oz) but much lighter than a small hatchet

Sort of a contradiction! If you use it so little why isn't it holding an edge? That little of abuse should be no problem.

Three inch blade has done the job for me no problem. When I am burning wood I carry a Silky Zubat. Light and small enough and can cut anything I need cutting.

Benchmade Altitude. Love that thing! I’ve deboned an elk and a Mule deer and it’s still fine.

Deer and elk: havalon + 3 extra blades, Vicky, cheapo pull-thru hand sharpener for Vicky.

I sharpen the Victorinox prior to trip via lansky to where it takes off swaths of arm hair without effort.

Moose: add a knife with some backbone, because the havalon bogs down in thick hide when skinning.

I wouldn't be without a Victorinox when boning an animal - the flexible blade makes life grand.

Brad's Opinel units look interesting.

I cannot wear anything on a belt while backpacking, due to waistbelt interference. Strapping things to the waistbelt might work, but then I'd want it with the backpack off. The bino chest purse is a good place for such things.

I carry there as well while hunting. Backpacking I carry fixed in the lid and folder in my pocket. Not sure how I manage all that weight, but I do.

LOL.

The new Benchmade Mini Bugout weighs in @ 1.5oz and is available in an orange color. I may have to try one!

I just realized that the old school Gerber Pixie that I have might be the perfect backpacking knife.

Plus, tons of style points!

Odd that Havalon blades have not made it into this thread. If I’m big game hunting, I have one. If not, I have a little liner lock folder.

Ah, I see the thread is older than my left hip. Apologies.

Several of us have talked about them on this thread...

Yup. Slow on the uptake, sorry.

Big game? I assume you are talking about gut / skin / quarter. In the past when I'm concerned about weight I have used a pair of Gerber LSTs, one is the 2nd smallest size, the other the Magnum. More recently I have replaced the Magnum LST with a Benchmade "Steep Country". Also pretty fond of the Cold Steel Pendleton Mini. Sometimes I'll slip one of the Buck skelton knives in my pack as a backup to my backup. they're awkward / uncomfortable but sharpen up ok and hold an edge long enough to finish a job. Not sure I'd buy them again, but since I have 'em .. y know.

Predators .. what, like fighting bears and cougars and the like? I hope not to use a knife for that, I pack a gun and will happily use it.

Camp .. I don't carry a camp knife. Anything I need to cut I can cut with the smaller Gerber or rip it apart with a titanium spork.

When I'm just out day hiking and messing with trail cams then sometimes I'll carry bushcrafting type knives, a hatchet, or even a big chisel to build "hides" for trail cameras in downed logs or the thick bark of fire-killed trees.