When you’re on a backpacking trip, the last thing you want is a pocket knife buried at the bottom of your pack. And, carrying a knife in your pocket can become unpleasant as the long miles add up. That’s why carabiner knives are great – hook one onto strap, vest, or belt loop somewhere, and it will be ready whenever needed.
Kershaw, headquartered in Oregon, has a variety of carabiner knives available. This particular one, the 5-in-1 Carabiner Tool, is a great example. The 3-inch AUS6A stainless steel blade is partially serrated for a diversity of cutting uses. Also in the tool roster is a flathead screwdriver, Phillips-head screwdriver, and bottle opener. The 4 1/8-inch carabiner handle is made of Teflon coated aluminum – very strong, though not intended for load-bearing use – and has a screwed gate to lock closed. All together, this carabiner knife weighs 2.7 ounces.
Carabiner knives are not the most ergonomic knives in the world. I would not make this my everyday knife. But for an expedition with a lot of gear, it’s always a nice touch to have a knife somewhere that is easily accessible. With the carabiner clip, you can ensure that this Kershaw will always be ready to go. It’s has a corrosion resistant blade and handle, so this 5-in-1 won’t mind exposure to the elements..
