On my CTR rides we are suppose to have a pocket knife with us. One time at one of the observations points we had to get it out and cut some round bale baling twine. Mine did, but several riders got marked off because their knife was so dull:). It was a good point, I hadn't thought about what good would a dull knife be if you really needed one.
The funny thing those 3-4 years that I competed so heavy I just got in the habit of carrying a pocket knife with me all the time. It was funny how often I had to get it out and use it, and the comments that came up when a woman was the only one in a big group who even had a knife:)
I'd like to find a really really nice combo, knife, wire cutters only. I've found the ones that have all those other tools but that gets bulky in your pocket. But wire cutters would be easier to use then a knife to cut vines and stuff that can get around the horses feet.
Becky
I've evaluated a small wire cutter, about the size of a min-maglite. It can cut barb wire, electrical, chain link fence, aircraft cable, etc. Its unique design gives it tremendous leverage in a tiny size. I'll throw in pictures of it, too.
It's not a combo tool, but it still keeps the weight and bulk down. This might also be a good place to talk about Israeli bandages, QuikClot, vacuum-packed survival gear, and safety carabiners.
Just whap me if the actual horse-talk gets drowned out.