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The Swiss Army knife is more than enough. And NO, a fixded blade is NOT essential. I will walk the Camino Frances a second time and I have never met a pilgrim wishing that he/she brought a fixed blade knife. As a matter of fact, I would say at least 25% of the people that I met didn't even have knife. I will even go on to say that if you cut yourself with a small Swiss Knife, maybe a bigger knife isn't the way you should go.Last year my wife and I did portions of the CF, and, as usual, I carried a Swiss Army Knife (never leave home without one), but I had issues while cutting stuff up on the road (almost sliced off a finger when the blade accidentally closed while cutting once). I decided then to bring a fixed blade knife along on the next Camino (I know, many of you will say "no - no added weight!", but it is what it is).
The one I have and like is the little Morakniv (stainless steel, 4"/10cm blade with plastic sheath - very light). No intention on carrying it on my body (just in the pack, to be pulled out when picnicking or at Albergues without cutlery in the kitchen if necessary). I won't be doing a lot of dining out (e.g., few menu del dias) so it's pretty essential. I'll also be carrying my Swiss Army knife (bottle opener and toothpick are essentials, after all).
Is this something I'll be able to get in SJPdP or along the way (early on) so I don't have to travel through London with it in my pack? I'd like to avoid falling afoul of the law.
Thanks in advance (and I checked online with Decatholon, and they don't appear to carry it, only the heavy duty version which I don't need).
Last year my wife and I did portions of the CF, and, as usual, I carried a Swiss Army Knife (never leave home without one), but I had issues while cutting stuff up on the road (almost sliced off a finger when the blade accidentally closed while cutting once). I decided then to bring a fixed blade knife along on the next Camino (I know, many of you will say "no - no added weight!", but it is what it is).
The one I have and like is the little Morakniv (stainless steel, 4"/10cm blade with plastic sheath - very light). No intention on carrying it on my body (just in the pack, to be pulled out when picnicking or at Albergues without cutlery in the kitchen if necessary). I won't be doing a lot of dining out (e.g., few menu del dias) so it's pretty essential. I'll also be carrying my Swiss Army knife (bottle opener and toothpick are essentials, after all).
Is this something I'll be able to get in SJPdP or along the way (early on) so I don't have to travel through London with it in my pack? I'd like to avoid falling afoul of the law.
Thanks in advance (and I checked online with Decatholon, and they don't appear to carry it, only the heavy duty version which I don't need).
I think that, if you did literally "almost sliced off a finger" then @Ricardo Moretti's advice is sound not an insult.Ricardo, I'm not sure if your intent is to be insulting, but it comes across that way to me. I apologize if I'm wrong. I was asking for some input that I would find useful, not what appears to be some form of reprimand because I prefer to use a specific tool over what I've used in the past.
I'll guess that the Swiss Army knife is enough for your Camino, but I did not find it sufficient for mine, hence my desire for a functional, legal-sized, fixed blade knife.
@Geodoc you won’t fall foul of the law for carrying the knife of your choice in London.
The law doesn’t say you can’t carry a knife, but that you can’t carry a knife without valid reason. Valid reasons include recreational purposes.
IMHO: The French Opinel, available in various lengths, is a terrific choice. It handles like a fixed blade with its simple, foolproof locking ring, has the compactness of a folding blade and is sturdy and lightweight. My copy came with a, most necessary, corkscrew. Buen Camino!You could buy an Opinel knife in SJPdP. They close like a penknife but there's a metal ring where the blade meets the handle which locks it when in use. I think the smallest one, with a blade of about 7cm, costs about €6.
I don't see reason to believe there was any such intent.Ricardo, I'm not sure if your intent is to be insulting, but it comes across that way to me.
You could buy an Opinel knife in SJPdP. They close like a penknife but there's a metal ring where the blade meets the handle which locks it when in use. I think the smallest one, with a blade of about 7cm, costs about €6.
I can understand your allegiance to a perfect working knife life like the Mora, red-handled and practical.
But in this world of ours, there are limits to the length of the blades, and I have in my kitchen section/ satchell a serrated knife (Fiskars Essential Tomato Knife) that goes for cutting vegetables and the odd string, but would be happy to include a Mora Snikars knife for survival purpose when camping, see below,
Same perfect handhold and full control over the blade if you want to cut a twig etc
The blade is laminated, keeps sharp for a long time and is a mere 60 mm long !!
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Ah....Morakniv...Moraknives?
I'm a fan. This is in my vehicle center console with my individual first aid kit. Gave the serrated version to the wife.
Having had and used knives for 40+ years, I know where you're coming from. Those that say you're a danger to yourself and low flying aircraft because a non-locking blade folded back on you have either not used them long or hard enough!
Even folding knives with a mechanical locking mechanism... Huh. I know they work. I carry a Kershaw Ken Onion Tactical Blur on me daily, but most of my other knives have a fixed blade. I suppose when it comes right down to it I prefer a fixed blade over a folding knife.
Ok, online, the picture of my Morakniv was a much deeper, more manly blue...
Ultreia!
I'm a fan of Opinel as well. Each time on Camino I've purchased an Opinel #6, and while small, it does a terrific job on sausages, cheeses, breads, and veg.At the end, I just mail it home with any end-of-Camino souvenirs.
Looked up "Mora Snikars " but got sneakers insteadI can understand your allegiance to a perfect working knife life like the Mora, red-handled and practical.
But in this world of ours, there are limits to the length of the blades, and I have in my kitchen section/ satchell ( of my rucksack) a serrated knife (Fiskars Essential Tomato Knife) that goes for cutting vegetables and the odd string, but would be happy to include a Mora Snikars knife for survival purpose when camping, see below,
Same perfect handhold and full control over the blade if you want to cut a twig etc
The blade is laminated, keeps sharp for a long time and is a mere 60 mm long !!
View attachment 52080 View attachment 52076
I knew I was going to pick up souvenirs in my travels, but an Opinel #6 knife...? Ingenious. Mrs. Beeks will be thrilled...!
my mistake!Looked up "Mora Snikars " but got sneakers insteadbut you gave me an idea of what to do with a snapped off Finnish filleting knife that's been sitting around for years! Thank you.
Beautiful! I loved it when one child held another's hand to help them up the slope. Thank you for this too!my mistake!
try typing Mora 120 knife
Incidentally this knife is used by smaller children in woodcraft classes from early on at home w us...
A knife is only safe when the handler is trained,
look here for reactions when regular knives are distributed for wittling sticks on a normal day in a Forest Kindergarten in Denmark
-at the 4:00 mark.
And here's the finished Finnish knife:my mistake!
try typing Mora 120 knife
Incidentally this knife is used by smaller children in woodcraft classes from early on at home w us...
A knife is only safe when the handler is trained,
look here for reactions when regular knives are distributed for wittling sticks on a normal day in a Forest Kindergarten in Denmark
-at the 4:00 mark.
You can get most of the Opinel's in either a stainless steel or a carbon steel blade. Carbon steel is easier to keep sharp, but can rust far easier than a stainless blade; but the stainless blade requires much less attention when it is exposed to moisture.
For home I like carbon steel; for travel, stainless steel. Of course, a simple swipe with a drying napkin or towel, etc, and a bit of a rub with a foot lubricant, like Hiker Goo or vaseline, etc, will keep any rust away on a carbon steel blade.
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