beardedone
Registered: 08/22/07
Posts: 3
|
|
| |
Reply with quote | #1 |
Large knife or small knife? I have noticed that this seems to be a topic of much debate. You know sometimes you hear things like I have a swiss army knife that will do anything I will ever need to, or how about A big knife will do antyhing a small knife will and more, so which one is right? When I first started studying survival, I pretty much leaned towards a large knife, but as time has gone by I have found that I actually use a smaller knife more than I do a big knife. This is not to say that a large knife doesn't have its place, it does. There are some things that a large knife can do that a small knife can't. I would like to hear some opinions on this topic if it is one of interest.
I personally think that a pack should have room in it for both a small and a large knife.Better to have and not need than to need and not have.
|
| Loading... | | |
prariewolf
Moderator
Registered: 11/28/06
Posts: 105
|
|
| |
Reply with quote | #2 |
I ALWAYS have in pocket two to three knives. ALWAYS! One clipped to right hand rear pocket is 3 1/2 inch blade folder kept usually razor sharp. This is my primary knife used for everything that a blade can be used for - sometimes things that are damaging to the blade. As such, it is not always razor sharp. I do keep a small diamond stone on my belt for touch up. My secondary but primary knife is a similar (tho currently slightly lighter and smaller) which is kept clipped to my off hand left front pocket. This blade is used for nothing but emergencies (seat-belts, halters on paniced horses, tie down ropes, etc.,) and kept razor sharp at all times. Generally there is a third, much smaller folder kept in the bottom of my left hand pocket for whatever emergency. This size knife does almost everything I need on whatever field trips.
At the other end of the scale would be a small ax or hatchet. I know of one woodsman who puts all his faith in a hatchet. He uses it well as a knife but allows him the ability to chop much better than anything smaller.
In between would be something along the lines of the Philipine bolo. I have used a knife such as this for many years. It will handle well as a knife and also chops well - tho not as good as the hatchet.
Remember tho that we dictate Naked Into The Wilderness - Primitive-Primitive. Anytime that we use steel knives on an outing we are not going primitive. In those cases, as stated above, I have the smaller knives backed up with bolo.
So - overall - I guess that we think along the same lines.
__________________
Prairiewolf.net |
| Loading... | | |
hillbilly
Registered: 10/01/07
Posts: 2
|
|
| |
Reply with quote | #3 |
something i learned from my dad along time ago, different jobs need different knives, a small pen knife for skining squirrles or gutting rabbits, a bigger knife, at least 3" blade for skinning and dressing deer or hogs, a sheath knife 5" at least blade for cutting up meat, a thin blade for fruit or veggies and fish. and if they arent sharp, they aint worth having. Most folks cut themselves when trying to force a blade through something instead of cutting easily. just my two cents on the subject, and its what i teach my son......hillbilly |
| Loading... | | |
sam
Registered: 09/25/09
Posts: 2
|
|
| |
Reply with quote | #4 |
Different knives for different tasks. I'm with ya'll there. I carry a medium sized locking folder for every day tasks. It has a good lock that allows it to be almost as good as a fixed blade, tho a bit easier to carry ( I live in the city where openly carrying a belt knife can be more trouble than it's worth) For outings I carry along a good medium sized khukuri that can chop just as well as a large hatchet, while giving me more blade to work with. As a bounus the khukuri has two small utility knives in the back of the sheath. These I keep razor sharp. I used to be a big believer in Swiss army knives, but I've had too many times when the damn blade almost closes on my finger, so I've given them up for for the way- out- of- doors treks and keep them for around the house. A good multi tool with locking blades never hurts either. |
| Loading... | | |
PrayingMantis
Registered: 07/08/09
Posts: 2
|
|
| |
Reply with quote | #5 |
I find that a larger blade can accomplish more tasks, while still performing delicate work. I routinely carry a 5 1/2 puuko, using it with a baton to chop through trees, as well as recently carving a small salt spoon. I also carry a generic folder, which I consider disposable, and use as a screw driver, prybar and anything else I need as I go about my farm chores.
__________________
http://www.laughingcoyoteproject.org |
| Loading... | | |
dixieangler
Registered: 06/11/09
Posts: 72
|
|
| |
Reply with quote | #6 |
I carry a SAK (Swiss Army Knife) Hiker model for a folding pocket knife. It has several extra tools that come in handy for everyday activities and works well for use in the woods. While the extra tools are nice, its main drawback like most SAKs is that it is not a lock-blade. I carry a small pocket diamond sharpening stone also. I use a fixed blade heavy duty Gerber Profile belt knife for heavy knife work. I also have several Opinels that are nice single blade locking folder pocket knives but not thick heavy duty blades for heavy knife work. I have a SAK Ranger model that has even more tools than the Hiker but I find that it is larger than I like for a pocket knife. An ideal knife for me would be a SAK similar to the Hiker with the extra tools but also a lock-blade for the main knife blades. While a Leatherman Wave would be a great multi-tool knife, I can't justify $70 or $80 for a knife. Nor one that I can't carry in my pocket.
Quote: Originally Posted by prairiewolf
Remember tho that we dictate Naked Into The Wilderness - Primitive-Primitive. Anytime that we use steel knives on an outing we are not going primitive.
Granted but there are no other means of getting a cutting blade in Florida since we have no knappable rocks in the south central to southern part of the state. There are very few if any examples of Chert, Flint, and other knappable rocks even in the north and north central part of the state at the end of the Smoky Mountain range. Serrated seashell blade maybe, some wood or bone blade maybe, but that is about it. Pretty much Limestone and sea rock that crumbles or breaks apart, nothing useable. If you go to the woods in S.C. Florida or S. Florida, you will have to have a steel blade or you will most likely not be doing any cutting, scraping, whittling, or splitting.
__________________
Robert M. |
| Loading... | | |
prariewolf
Moderator
Registered: 11/28/06
Posts: 105
|
|
| |
Reply with quote | #7 |
I always carry two knives. One is left unused, razor sharp for that emergency that just mite come along - like a horse harness or seat belt that needs immediate cutting. The other I attempt to sharpen every day or so as I use it maybe 15-20 times a day - or more. 3.5 or so inch blade, lock open.In the field same. Sometimes I like - actually ALWAYS I like, sometimes I have with, a bolo type, edge beveled to one side. This is used for heavier chopping and w/beveled edge can be used as a draw knife in finer work (bow making). I have had but seldom used Swiss Army knives in past. I really like the saw. The one I have now does have a lock back blade. I sometimes carry a belt knife. One can skin a deer with a sharp pocket knife easily. Comes down to what you want to carry - whatcha gonna use it for. Since what we do is primarily “primitive teachings”, tho I will have the before described pocket knives I try to do all with stone or other primitive tools.
In “real” life, need of “primitive” is unlikely.
just some thoughts.
__________________
Prairiewolf.net |
| Loading... | | |
