If it doesn’t serve a direct life saving function you will probably pitch it. It’s easy to talk big on the forums and stateside but when the bullets start flying and you’re humping 100 pounds of gear over rugged mountains, unnecessary crap is getting pitched. I have seen this old Firepower vs Mobility equation play out again and again and I readily detect guys who DON’T get it. And yet having a fixed blade on your LBE is highly advised. For both utility and defensive use. The Cold Steel Outdoorsman and Tanto Lite blades fill the bill. At just 7 ounces, these featherweights can come along for the ride, ready for service. The are extremely high value for their abilities: only (price, availability subject to change). Don’t expect heavy duty splittling, hacking, or chopping performance here. That’s not their job. Utility, food prep, and stabbing bad guys is their calling and in that they will rock. The 4116 German produced steel is up to the task, featuring adequate but not phenomenal rust resistance and edge holding. They arrive “offensively sharp” which is just the way we like them. The blades’ bright finish on these versions should be DuraCoated (example shown) for improved camouflage if their combat bound. Krylon paint will work after a good sanding job too. The Tanto is a featherweight version of Cold Steel’s gorgeous full featured Tantos but it’s much lighter. The tip on both knives are strong with great penetrating power. The Outdoorsman blade is much better belly …