Shortly, I will be traveling out to California for a little hiking.  I wanted to take a fixed blade knife in my pack.  My options are not just limited to the few I photographed above.  I guess since my wife and I would be taking day trips, I did not need a very large knife for Bushcraft chores.

To carry the gear, I will be humping a Tactical Tailor backpack loaded with water, snacks, first aid supplies, and a DLSR camera with two lenses.  A twenty-five pound pack may seem a bit much for short (5 to fifteen mile) treks, but some of the areas are a little remote and without cellular signals.

Though I will be bringing a Spyderco Delica, I like having the ruggedness of a fixed blade on board….but my selection needs to be ultralight.  What made the cut?  My ESEE Izula.

I love the scant 2.7 ounce weight of both the 1095 carbon steel blade and the tough plastic sheath.  The OAL of the package is just 7″.  A 2.75″ blade may seem short, but this knife can be pounded through wood with a baton and take on twisty, prying chores as well.

I definitely overdo it for short hiking gear (I have a tourniquet and QuikClot combat gauze in the first aid kit), but I figure I am prepared for most potential emergencies suffered by my wife and me, or those of anyone else we might encounter out there on the trails.  A reliable fixed blade is a necessity.

by Wilson