Why taking a large knife into the backcountry might be outdated thinking.

What I like about an ultralight approach isn’t necessarily trying to take the least and lightest. It’s analysing what purpose a piece of gear serves. 

When I started my ultralighting a decade ago, my obsession was with the big items: tent, sleeping bag and pack. Once those problems were solved I focused on smaller and smaller pieces of gear. 

Eventually, I took a look at my pocket knife. 

As a former Boy Scout, a knife was burned into my memory as an essential survival item. And we all remember how much Rambo used his knife in the backcountry. As I said, essential, right?

But I wondered: how often did I actually use the blade? Surprisingly rarely, aside from cutting the occasional sausage or piece of cheese. Packing lightweight meant taking mostly dehydrated food or snacks I could munch on as I walked. 

What I did use most were the other  functions of a multi-tool, especially the scissors. They were indispensable for first aid and gear repairs.

After some searching, I discovered the Leatherman Style CS ($80). At just 41g it features spring-loaded scissors as the main tool. Folding the multi-tool open creates a decent handle to grip. Sure, the 4cm blade is tiny and certainly doesn’t look tough, but it can divvy up a wheel of brie and cut through a sausage. The tweezers and screwdriver are handy extras for first aid and light gear repairs (they’ve saved my trekking poles a few times!). And who doesn’t want a bottle opener? 

For the last six years the CS has come with me on everything from day hikes to epic 10-day quests. I’ve never wished for more. Even on trips where weight isn’t a huge concern, I see little benefit in taking something larger. 

Other multi-tool options on the market could also fit the bill. The Victorinox Swiss Army Classic SD is even cheaper ($40), and lighter at 20g, though I find the scissors less functional. The Gerber Dime swaps the spring-loaded scissors for pliers, which are useful if you find yourself needing those more often.

If you want a longer blade, Deejo makes a 37g folding knife with a 9.5cm blade, and Opinel does a similar 43g knife with an 8.5cm blade. Personally, I like having scissors too much to ditch them for more blade length. 

Of course, there are times when a larger knife would be handy, such as when you’re cooking with ingredients that require lots of prep, if you want to practise bushcraft skills, or for hunting. But on fast and light trips and long stretches on the trail, a simple keychain multi-tool is enough for my needs – and maybe yours, too.

*Author update: The Leatherman CS has been discontinued, for an updated & similar model check out the Leatherman Micra.