5" or 7" fixed blade?

[David E]

I CA, it is a felony to have your sheath knife concealed (i.e. in a pack) The PC Sheeple out here give you looks of fear and would likely report you to the authorities when you wear a big knife In CA it is more a matter of surviving sheeple than the hostility of the desert.

How is that even enforceable ?

If you ARE complying with the law, then what would the sheeple report? "I saw a man on the trail that had a BIG knife and it frightened me, Officer!"

"Did he brandish it or threaten you in any way?"

"Well, no.........in fact, he was very helpful, courteous and kind.........but he had such a BIG knife! You should've seen it, Officer!"

One of many reasons I'd never live in Kalifornia....

.

 

[darthstrevel]

How is that even enforceable ?

If you ARE complying with the law, then what would the sheeple report? "I saw a man on the trail that had a BIG knife and it frightened me, Officer!"

"Did he brandish it or threaten you in any way?"

"Well, no.........in fact, he was very helpful, courteous and kind.........but he had such a BIG knife! You should've seen it, Officer!"

One of many reasons I'd never live in Kalifornia....

.

ROGER That...I wouldn't live here either but that's where the brass tell me to. (so I gues that makes me a uniformed sheeple)...You have to live in CA to fully 'appreciate' the sheeple here.

 

[skammer]

...Some specific, real life chores that a 7" blade will out perform the 5" blade are ANY chores that involve chopping, prying, reach etc. Limbing, clearing, chopping firewood/kindling, making stakes etc... You can just start to get some good blade speed and snap with a 7" blade (MUCH more so when you get past 7), its just not there with most 5" blades.


I don't use a knife to chop. I use a chopping tool like a hatchet or axe.

I don't use a knife to pry. I use a prying tool. If I did run upon a circumstance that required me to pry with my knife, would the extra 2" of leverage make a substantial difference?

My knife with a shorter blade reqires me to be 2" closer to my work?

If I go into the woods to limb, clear, chop firewood and kindling, you betcha I'm going to carry an axe, saw, hatchet etc., not a sheath knife. Stakes? I can whittle a stake with a five inch blade just fine.



Codger

I use my 7.5 inch blade for all the above with little trouble and I carry only one tool. Yes, 2 inches makes a BIG difference not that I have been told haha.

Skam

 

[MaineEdge]

Originally Posted by David E
Where does everyone hike or camp that you run into soooooo many people?


Well, it doesn't matter where you hike or camp. Chances are you will not be completely alone, even in Maine. Hiking and camping is popular, especially in the areas where it is most fun to do so. So yes you will run in to people. I'm not saying you guys should not carry whatever knives you want, I don't see why you are getting so upset.

And as for breaking my smaller knife - why would I break it? If in a survival situation I would make sure that anything I did was well within the limits of my knife. I would use it for making other tools if it could not do the job itself. So therefore my small knife would not break. But I have seen a BK9 break after splitting wood for only 20 mins. I've never seen a hatchet break after 20mins of use, and the hatchet also can procure more firewood in 20 mins than a BK9 can - for most people (I'm sure some of you are very fast).

Darthstrevel is 100% correct. The blade law in New England is pretty lax, but the law states that you cannot use a knife to do harm or be threatening. And I've heard of cases where some "sheeple" called the authorities and complained about someone with a knife and said "they felt threatened" not that the person threatened them. I don't know what the outcome was, but why even bother face such problems.

Anyway, for what its worth, I'll continue to carry my large folder in my pocket, and a small hatchet if I feel I could need one. When I get my first big knife I can then re-evaluate my gear.

 

[Shotgun]

I agree with Skunk about region but I'll go one further. If I'm going out into the Coast Range (read middle of nowhere), I'll take 3 blades or more including fixed blade AND hatchet. If I'm going to the Gorge (same travel time) in summer when you can't burn and there are people everywhere, I'd be fine with just a leatherman.

Of course my buddy goes snow shoeing every year out in the Cascades with nothing more than a leatherman so to each his own.

 

[Macclint]

I know, to some it might sound like a dumb reason, but when I'm 2 miles off trail in the Cascades and sleeping under a tarp in a forest that has critters moving around in the dark, well.....

my Kabar just lets me sleep a little easier. 'Course, my Tomahawk will do the same....

 

[David E]

And as for breaking my smaller knife - why would I break it? If in a survival situation I would make sure that anything I did was well within the limits of my knife. I would use it for making other tools if it could not do the job itself. So therefore my small knife would not break.

This is a contrary statement. In your previous post, you stated that if a larger knife broke, you'd be left with virtually nothing useful. But YOUR 5" knife will not possibly break?

Here, you say that if you were in a survival situation, you'd "make sure anything I did was well within the limits of my knife." What kind of "survival situation" allows you to pick and choose all the tasks that need to be done?

For example, I recently read of an incident where two people were trapped in a Jeep that had overturned and they could not get out. Darkness was imminent, as temperatures fell. Fortunately, one of them had a Swamprat Camp Tramp that he beat the hell out of with a rock to cut thru the steel of the cab. The knife sustained very little damage to the edge.

Another fellow had to climb out of a vertical area using his knife to pull himself 20 feet up, a couple inches at a time. He used a Cold Steel Master Hunter or SRK. There are other cases, of course, but the point is, these folks didn't have the option to "make other tools" to accomplish these tasks. Instead, they had to use their knife in ways unexpected, unplanned and typically considered beyond the limits of their knife.

What are the limits of YOUR knife ? Under what circumstances will you discover you went beyond them?

.

 

[Shotgun]

I know, to some it might sound like a dumb reason, but when I'm 2 miles off trail in the Cascades and sleeping under a tarp in a forest that has critters moving around in the dark, well.....

my Kabar just lets me sleep a little easier. 'Course, my Tomahawk will do the same....

That's what the .357 is for.

 

[David E]

That's what the .357 is for.

Amen !

 

[falnovice]

People reactions can vary greatly, even in Maine. I could walk into the local Shaws with my BK7 on my belt and I doubt most people would bat an eye. But I am Downeast. MaineEdge is in Farmington, and while I haven't been up that way since my sister was attending UMF back in the early 90's I do remember it being very crunchy up there. Might as well be Bar Harbor.....or California.

 

[MaineEdge]

This is a contrary statement. In your previous post, you stated that if a larger knife broke, you'd be left with virtually nothing useful. But YOUR 5" knife will not possibly break?
.

Dude, what is your problem, I in no way contradicted myself. I am willing to have an educated informed discussion, but you don't seem to want to. I NEVER said if I broke a large knife it would be useless, your putting words in my mouth. I said if the knife broke it would no longer be able to chop, you would be reduced to a weakened 2-4 inch blade. It can still be used, but I doubt a 2" broken stock would chop as well as the full knife. I also NEVER said my folding knife would never break, in fact I do know its limitations, as I have already destroyed one, but it was just the handle the blade was fine and therefore still useful.

Here, you say that if you were in a survival situation, you'd "make sure anything I did was well within the limits of my knife." What kind of "survival situation" allows you to pick and choose all the tasks that need to be done?
.

You are always allowed to pick what you use your knife for. If a knife is your ONLY tool then you should use it as such, and not use it beyond its limits. The knife can be used to make wedges, fishing equipment, spears and prybars, That way if any of them break you still have the knife and its razor sharp.

For example, I recently read of an incident where two people were trapped in a Jeep that had overturned and they could not get out. Darkness was imminent, as temperatures fell. Fortunately, one of them had a Swamprat Camp Tramp that he beat the hell out of with a rock to cut thru the steel of the cab. The knife sustained very little damage to the edge.


Another fellow had to climb out of a vertical area using his knife to pull himself 20 feet up, a couple inches at a time. He used a Cold Steel Master Hunter or SRK. There are other cases, of course, but the point is, these folks didn't have the option to "make other tools" to accomplish these tasks. Instead, they had to use their knife in ways unexpected, unplanned and typically considered beyond the limits of their knife.

What are the limits of YOUR knife ? Under what circumstances will you discover you went beyond them?
.

I don't believe this for a minute. Where did they get the rock, if they could reach a rock then they should climb out or dig themselves out. If they have enough space to swing a large knife and rock, then they have enough space to find a way out with a multitool. I know Swamprats and Busses are extremely nice knives, but that doesn't mean you will die if you do not carry one.


I know the limits of my knife, and I am comfortable with them. like I said, I also carry a hatchet. Please no more arguments, arguing is silly especially if it is as trivial as peoples personal opinions.

 

[Codger_64]

...What is your knife choice, Codger ?...

This is my knife of choice, albeit this one is 440 stainless and mine is 1095HC.



Do I think it should be the knife of choice for everyone? Of course not. I have used this pattern so long that I have "tactile memory" of it. I know what it's shape is in the dark. I processed twelve deer with it this year alone, cut fireboards and bows and spindles, dressed catfish, bream, sauger, and bass. I cut river cane for fishing poles. In all the years I have owned this pattern, I've never chipped the edge or broken the tip. The bladestock is full tanged and nearly 3/16" thick. I have used this knife year in and year out, and there is no noticable blade loss from my honing. In short, the knife works for me.

I realize that many people these days are eaten up with "Rambo-itus", and think that only high dollar big knives are worth having. Likewise, people think that only big caliber guns are worth having, "Dirty Harry-itus". If that is what floats your boat, fine. I bought my knife of choice before "Rambo" hit the big screen, and Stalone was either making porn movies or hopping around Europe. Eastwood hadn't advanced beyond spaghetti westerns. And this knife has worked for me all this time.

If you are a fan of shorter knives, that is fine too. I've used a 3 1/2" knife many times and never felt unprepared for the tasks I undertook. Familiarity with a knife far outweighs many other factors such as blade length, IMHO. Someone who belittles people because they don't choose their particular knife of choice is foolish, IMHO. Unless it is one of those "SAK-o-whackos".

Codger

 

[Boats]

For example, I recently read of an incident where two people were trapped in a Jeep that had overturned and they could not get out. Darkness was imminent, as temperatures fell. Fortunately, one of them had a Swamprat Camp Tramp that he beat the hell out of with a rock to cut thru the steel of the cab. The knife sustained very little damage to the edge.

I nominate this for the dumbest survival story ever posted on the forum that was not an obvious joke.

 

[David E]

I in no way contradicted myself.

You said:

And as for breaking my smaller knife - why would I break it? If in a survival situation I would make sure that anything I did was well within the limits of my knife.

And then:

You are always allowed to pick what you use your knife for. If a knife is your ONLY tool then you should use it as such, and not use it beyond its limits.

You ASSume that you will always have the choice. Maybe you have a different idea of "survival situation" but by its very nature, it's one you did not plan (choose) and therefore, some other 'choices' you thought you would have won't exist.

I don't believe (that story about the Jeep) for a minute. Where did they get the rock, if they could reach a rock then they should climb out or dig themselves out. If they have enough space to swing a large knife and rock, then they have enough space to find a way out with a multitool.

I started to look for that posting for you, but realized you still wouldn't believe it even if you read it. Nonetheless, here are a few more details: The Jeep rolled downhill, turning several times, caving the top in on the last roll. The windows were shattered and a rock was within arms reach. There was NOT room to swing the knife, only room to pound the pommel of the knife thru the steel to eventually make a hole big enough to crawl out of. I'm pretty sure your CRKT would not have accomplished that feat and I don't quite see how a multi-tool could have done it, either.

Dude, I'm not upset, nor do I have a problem. But I do find your contradictory statements to be interesting reading. Keep 'em coming!

 

[David E]

This is my knife of choice, albeit this one is 440 stainless and mine is 1095HC.

Codger,

Thanks for sharing a picture showing your "knife of choice."

Looks like a nice knife.

.

 

[Fonly]

I find it amazing at how many diffrent tastes their are for knives, Its great. My tastes change all the time, I allways find something I like the look of better, or something that has better geometry. I have gone between 7 inch fixed blades, 4 inch fixed blades and even some folding knives for my main out doors knife. One thing I allways hated deciding over, was which one I felt was going to be the best choice, because you have so many.
But I think having a stout, well made knife between 4-7 inchs, a durable folding knife with a saw, and or a serrated blade and an axe, when you feel like carrying one, is what works best for me ( but a multitool is extremly handy aswell )

 

[Codger_64]

Codger,

Thanks for sharing a picture showing your "knife of choice."

Looks like a nice knife.

.

Thanks. The blade measures just over five inches from guard to tip, 9 3/4" O.A. Weight is 8.8 ounces, sheath adds 4.1 ounces. They were introduced in '67 and made til 1991. Still plenty of them available on eBay for anyone interested. $40-60 for a good user, $100-150 for MIB. Quite a bargain considering the price of some newer fixed blades. I did a research article on them which required my buying a dozen or so examples, including a few made for Sears Craftsman and some Fibron handled prototypes.

Codger

 

[MaineEdge]

I realize that many people these days are eaten up with "Rambo-itus", and think that only high dollar big knives are worth having.

If you are a fan of shorter knives, that is fine too. I've used a 3 1/2" knife many times and never felt unprepared for the tasks I undertook. Familiarity with a knife far outweighs many other factors such as blade length, IMHO. Someone who belittles people because they don't choose their particular knife of choice is foolish, IMHO.
Codger

Very well said Codger, I don't know what needs to be done to get it through their heads though. There is one with an IQ of about 40 that does not know what contradict means. But oh well, its best to just let them think they are right and all-knowing. I Also used to have a nife like that one, but I can't find it anymore .... it was a nice knife.

Boat ditto :thumbup:

 

[Liam Ryan]

I fail to see the contradiction, myself.

And why didn't they just crawl out the broken window?
You may as well post the story, I am intrigued now?

You said:


And then:



You ASSume that you will always have the choice. Maybe you have a different idea of "survival situation" but by its very nature, it's one you did not plan (choose) and therefore, some other 'choices' you thought you would have won't exist.



I started to look for that posting for you, but realized you still wouldn't believe it even if you read it. Nonetheless, here are a few more details: The Jeep rolled downhill, turning several times, caving the top in on the last roll. The windows were shattered and a rock was within arms reach. There was NOT room to swing the knife, only room to pound the pommel of the knife thru the steel to eventually make a hole big enough to crawl out of. I'm pretty sure your CRKT would not have accomplished that feat and I don't quite see how a multi-tool could have done it, either.

Dude, I'm not upset, nor do I have a problem. But I do find your contradictory statements to be interesting reading. Keep 'em coming!

 

[Liam Ryan]

I find it amazing at how many diffrent tastes their are for knives, Its great. My tastes change all the time, I allways find something I like the look of better, or something that has better geometry. I have gone between 7 inch fixed blades, 4 inch fixed blades and even some folding knives for my main out doors knife. One thing I allways hated deciding over, was which one I felt was going to be the best choice, because you have so many.
But I think having a stout, well made knife between 4-7 inchs, a durable folding knife with a saw, and or a serrated blade and an axe, when you feel like carrying one, is what works best for me ( but a multitool is extremly handy aswell )

I am the same way, I am sweating over the day I have to grab a few blades and run for it, I will probably just grab them all.

I just love bladed tools, so I alwys buy new ones of all types, (still looking for that chopper that makes me change my mind about them) which just makes the decision that much harder. I have lots of axes as well, but there is no way I can carry all of those. I have yet to find it but a mid size double bit would be ideal for me, but I don't believe they exist.