The file is a tiny bit heavy for a lightweight hiker but if you are doing trail maintenance, and need to carry tools anyway, it isn't too bad. It is even more doable if you have a small crew as you can get by with one file for every four or six machetes. The file can also be part of a 'crew kit' to keep shovels, axes, McLeods, mattocks and grub hoes sharp and productive. A good file, a small can of oil (I like transmission fluid), and a couple of rags make a nice little field kit.