Kerry wrote on May 21^st, 2010 at 6:27pm:


I carry a sharpener too, makes the filleting more of a joy ...one side is carbide the other is ceramic.

I have the same Russel belt knife that I've carried for the past 40+ years.  I carry it mostly out of habit because truth be known I don't actually use it that much.  I also got a Benchmark folding fillet knife this year which I hope will do the trick.  The most important thing I carry with regards to knives is a DMT Diafold Sharpening stone.  Very small, handy and easy to use.  A dull knife is not only useless but more likely to cause a nasty accident.

jimmar wrote on May 19^th, 2010 at 11:01am:

I knew there was a reason I still bring that darn Leatherman!

I had a nice knife ... it's currently in cold storage at the bottom of the Pickerel River. It was a cool luxury item but never replaced. My fillet knife is rather stiff. The tip is for filleting, the rest cut's anything that needs cutting.

I bring my Leatherman multi-tool and a KA-BAR USMC 5-1/4". I've had the old ka-bar on every trip, it's a tough knife and use it for everything from splitting small logs to filleting fish, and it's not too large to carry. The Multi-tool has obvious uses, but the wire cutters saved my thumb from being torn to shreds when me and an big northern were hooked together on opposite ends of a Rapala. Now I keep close at all times.

A only carry my fillet knife and a gerber multi tool. I've never found a need to have more. I've spent most of my life tramping around the northern Minnesota woods and I've never needed more. I used to carry a lot more but I've stopped recently. Even hunting I usually only carry a fillet knife. It works far better than any hunting knife I own or ever have, amd I've had many go through my posession.

I carry 4 knifes. One is a small Swiss Army type that stays in First Aid kit. Has the scissors/tweezers/magnifying glass etc.

2nd is my little personal knife, about 6" over all. It's in a Kydex sheath, that clips inside the right side cargo pocket of my paddling pants. Out of the way wearing a pack, but easy to grab when needed. I like a straight blade over a folder, unless you can open the folder with one hand. The Kydex sheath is nice, Locks the knife securely so you don't end up looking for your blade. I use this for opening food packages, cutting line, 90% of everyday chores.

The 3rd blade is a Gerber blade that is now discontinued ( figures)
It's similar to the River Shorty they still sell. but has a partially serrated triangle shape blade that's pointed instead of blunt. Comes with a one hand Kydex sheath, with a safety button you depress to remove it. Has bright yellow Neoprene handle for sure grip when wet and high visibility. This is attached to my survival gear fanny pack that stay close at all times on water.

4th is a 6' Gerber fillet knife.  I also have my camp saw and small camp axe.
Sure I could get by with far less, but they don't really weigh that much, probably about the same as a larger axe or machete would. I'm a knife fan.  I just like the feel of a good blade in my hands, Sort of brings out the "wild" in me

One thing I wouldn't do, is bring ANY knife that I couldn't afford or bear too lose I have a few knifes my late Father left me, that HE made from old lumber saw mill blades. I take them car/wilderness camping, but would never risk them on a canoe trip.
 Same philosophy as many of us have in regard to fishing rods/reels.

Along with a filet knife and a Buck lock back which can fit easily in my pocket, I bring a Ka-Bar.  It's big, it is unwieldy for the wrong jobs, but when you need it and use it correctly, it can get lots of jobs done that a smaller knife won't.  Also, I just like it 

DH Russell is my main blade.  Full tang.  Perfect for whatever from cleaning fish to batoning wood.  It also spreads peanut butter nicely.
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Additionally I have a couple multi-tool type dealios.

A belt knife needn't be on your waist.  Mine is on a lanyard and is either attached to my little kit bag or around my neck.  Same lanyard has a whistle and I don't tromp without it.

A full tang belt knife is a must. 
Swiss Army knives, once the standard, haven't kept up with modern multi-tools imo.

Thanks Mad_Mat for clearing those portage trails.  Since we usually go in the late summer, it's rarely a problem for us.  We usually bring a Leatherman or Gerber Multi-pliers per person plus 1 fillet knife per canoe.  I also keep a one-handed, quick-opening, locking folder on me on trail and most always back in civilization (airports and gov't buildings don't like 'em) for all of those little tasks that seem to come up when you already have your hands full.  It serves similar purpose to the fixed blades suggested, but is a little more discrete.  Personal preference is a Spyderco Endura or Military model

Trouble with a belt knife is that it isn't comfortable to carry a pack if the knife is on your belt - so I don't bring one.  A fillet knife, and a pocket knife work for me on solo trips (and a small folding saw) - for tandem trips, I add my machete, usefull for filleting those pollyhumpers that seem to crop up in threads quite often, but more useful for clearing portage trails.