I guess the 2 lb Busse knife I pack is outta the question, then???

For me, it all depends on the situation. There's been plenty of hikes where I've only packed the multi-tool. Then there've been hikes where I've strapped on the Ruger Super Redhawk across my chest.

You take what you think you'll need. The hikes I dread the most are the ones with the 30-40 lbs of rope added to the load. For some reason I am always the one volunteered to add it to my pack.

I totally agree. If you reasonably expect to need a tool, you take it. I wouldn't hesistate to pack an axe, machete, cold steel shovel, chain saw, or 12 gauge if there was a legitimate need.

But I've also learned, from experience on the ground, that I can pack a lot of functionality into a pound of weight.

If I'm ranting, it's because of what I've seen on the trails.

I've seen too many "backpackers" (cocky young males, always) with big Rambo knives (cheap steel, and dull as sticks). I call it "big knife syndrome" and I can usually guess what comes next.

They inevitably have leaky tents, inadequate food (marshmallows, stored where bears can get them), cotton clothing, no maps and no dry matches. Rather than cover up properly, or use provided facilities, they commonly take dumps in the open where it washes into pristine glacier-fed streams.

And the experienced walkers in camp, with our sharp little SWAKS and proper gear, end up bailing them out (if only to avoid creeping bureacratic rules that follow tragedies). Or, we end up cleaning up after the swine because we care about the land and the water.

So when I hear "backpacking" and "big knife" in the same sentence, I see red.

Lucky thing none of us here would be part of such a SNAFU.