Summits on the Air - Knives I Carry

In this video, I discuss five great rugged and inexpensive knives I use for Summits on the Air or Parks on the Air. From the budget-friendly Opinel Garden Knife ($20) to the versatile Swiss Army Knife Cybertool ($89). The discontiued Gerber Chameleon ($79), the reliable Ontario RAT II ($48), and the rugged ESEE Izula Fixed Blade ($60).

Gear
USMC Assault Pack
QRP-LAB QMX QRP Radio 60-15M
Antenna: 20M Dipole w/ 15 and 17M links
RG-316 25'
Bamatech TP-III
American Morse Single Lever Paddle
iFTx IOS APP
7M carbon Fiber Mast

There is no way I would have the confidence and or the skill be a CW operator on the air without the fantastic instructors from both CWOPS and LICW. Do not hesitate one minute to join this fabulous clubs to learn morse code.

iFTx Details

YT channels I like:

#cw #pota #parksontheair #summitsontheair #sota #QRP #hamradio #amateurradio #qrpportable #morsecode #bamatech #americanmorse #mcHF #N0SASPX #QRPLabs #MTBR #bioenno #DJI #LICW #dipole #efhw #Chelegance #mc750 #endfedhalfwave #hamradioantenna #adventure #landcruiser #fj60 #toyota #ft8 #qmx #qrplabs #iftx #mountainbiking #mountains #hikingadventures #hiking #singlespeed #29er

[MikeNMAK]

Great video! I was into knives before getting into ham radio and had been thinking about doing a video like this.

[Swamp-Fox]

We have very similar taste in knives. I recently got an Izula. I love it!

[chrismackay]

I carry a size 7, carbon, opinel (not as elegant as the style you have) but Opinel are the best slivers! So good for food prep or a fish. And super light. I have a size 8, that was tight, so I popped the lock ring off, pressed out the pin, and sanded the slot for the blade to make it a bit wider.

[KYFriedHam]

Oh, man...my inner knife nerd has been awakened, trying to not go down a rabbit hole in the comments haha.

The Izula is such a great EDC fixed blade, and the warranty can't be beat! I carried an Opinel for years until the ring loosened to the point that it opened in my pocket and I sliced my finger open.

[david-rz]

Awesome knives. I have a few SAKS. New sub from New Zealand 🇳🇿

[ExactlyLikeVermont]

I used to always carry and thought highly of Buck knives. Then this company Leatherman came along in the 90s and I picked up their first non locking multi tool. It really changed things for me. I find them to be a lot more durable than the swiss army style multi knives. But times change...things like Buck get outsourced. I still like my Leatherman as it has the original leather sheath for your belt, but the locking features are really a must have. They've moved on to nylon bags now, which are just clunky. Good review. Out of your selection I think I like the Izula, but don't own any of those options.

[mtpmc]

Heads up, the clip on the ontario rat is a pocket clip - not a belt clip

[Utahforrest]

Dude I literally have an Ontario knife in my POTA kit lol

[tonphil]

Opinel is the best inexpensive knife there is. W2PAA

[KNU]

Spyderco Salt Sage 5 in Magnacut. 82grams ... they buried one of these in @Utahforrest favorite lake (Great Salt Lake) and came back for it a month later - no damage. You have to die those scales another color though - nobody likes yellow. Doesn't ESEE still replace their knives, no questions asked if you damage one?