Interesting to read this again Vic ... I have a regiment re-union coming up and it basically involves a walk up Pen Y Fan in the Brecon Beacons and after that I plan to stay on and make the most of being down there doing some of the old selection routes to get myself fit. I have a number of knives lying on the carpet next to my rucksack and am trying to decide which one to take?

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> ... this happens now far too often !! I think I have to thin the herd ... but the choices are hard to make ... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

The ones in the line up are :

Camp Tramp
Basic 9
Basic 11
BWM LE
Cold Steel Carbon V Khukri
Nuclear TTKZ

They are listed light to heavy performance wise ... and whilst I want to travel light I don't mind carrying a little weight in a knife ... it goes in the ruck sack and is'nt noticed like it would be if I were to carry my choice on the hip.

At least having narrowed things down to these favourites it makes things a little easier ... there must be at least "double" the number and more if I were to include them all ... and there in lies the "rub" ... all of the above and all of the large knives I own could do the job but making a choice is'nt easy at all. It feels like one of those "if there could only be one" threads <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

For my uses I find up on the Moors that if I were to be stuck and needed a fire going in an emergency then I need a knife which could tackle a fence post or a hardy birch or thorn tree as wood is scarce and not lying on the ground. So a long blade able to baton through a post or take a small tree down is the order of the day ... a bushcraft knife or folder would'nt be up to it ... and I guess I will probably take my Basic 9 as I usually do. It is light and long enough for the tasks I will need. Makes me sort of query whether I really need all the others. If I want something a bit more effective I would probably jump to the Nuclear TTKZ ... although I do like the CS Khukri for it's lighter weight. For balance and feel I love the BWM LE ... and the Camp Tramp is perfect if I want to carry the knife on my belt ... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> no wonder I find it hard to decide !

I liked reading your review because it reminds me of my own dilema ... they are often "all good" ... and like you I think it is now time to sell a lot off and just have a simple life with "one" choice ... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />