A good "truck" blade

I generally throw a big 21" khukuri in my jeep, but truth be told a Tram machete sees most of the use. I have a beater with a gouged edge that has found more rocks that wood and a bolo machete that I covet more than I should for a $17 machete. Light stuff, heavier stuff, and just takes a ridiculous beating and keeps on going.

That said, a log over 6" gets the khuk treatment.
 
18" machete, hatchet, small handsaw, cordless chainsaw.
Chainsaw sees the most use.
If I were to stop and clear all the limbs that mark the sides of my jeep, I'd still be out there hacking away... forever.
 
I know maybe not as fun but I carry folding saws in all my trucks a Bahco or Silky easily cuts anything I need to clear a trail.
 
twistedshifter said:
Looking for opinions on a good truck blade to stash in my truck when I am off roading. Needs to be able to hack away small to medium sized branches, shrubs and the misc. stuff that gets in the way of my truck.....or keep from scratching up the side of my truck. Was thinking some sort of machete type blade, but wondering what any of you 4x4 guys have stashed under your seat for this sort of task. Thanks for any insight.
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For doing the job you're describing, no knife is going to come close to the speed and ease of using a folding bow saw. I keep a bow saw in my Landcruiser for removing all sorts of branches no matter how large, it makes quick work of any wood, plus it's light-weight. I also keep a small axe and a come-along on board for moving fallen trees. For emergency knife-work I keep an ESEE 5 in the glovebox. It's a slab of steel that I can count on no matter what (but it's so heavy I wouldn't carry it anywhere but in my glovebox).

As for using a knife for hacking away branches...if you feel you have to do it that way...a machete is going to work best. If you want more of a "knife" than a machete for that job, I would suggest checking out the ESEE Junglas.
 
I have a Woodmans Pal and a large Silky saw on a web belt attached to the roll cage of my Rubicon. They work well in clearing downed limbs and such that get in my way on the trail.
 
Way back when I was looking at tossing a Cold Steel Gurkha Kukri in the Jimmy for an under-the-seat hacker.

After scratching my beard for a moment, I realized I could buy a new Stihl MS180 Chainsaw and a CS Kukri Machete for the same price.

Ended up buying the Kukri Machete. Comes with a good sheath, and it's cheap enough that you don't feel guilty if it rolls around the truck with the beer cans and Gummi Bear wrappers. I think it was 20 bucks. It fits under the seat, and in a full size GMC Jimmy, it fits in the console between the front seats.

13 inches-ish, so it'll go in the backpack if you have to get out and walk back to town to get your brother's truck and a tow strap to get you out, only to find that he's passed out from drinking all the beer you left in the fridge for when you got back, and...

But I digress. The Fiskars axe is a good add too, if you don't want to take the Stihl. Sometimes you have to cut real wood.
 
I keep a BK-9, a Mora Companion, two camp axes, a small bow saw, and a backup Leatherman Wave in the truck. I mean, I've got the room, right?!
 
Check with your local knife laws of course, make sure a knife in a truck isn't considered a "concealed weapon" (Florida law is a bit sketchy on that one unless its in the open where it can be seen from the outside) but assuming you have a decent EDC on you already, a good hatchet, saw, and/or 8"+ chopper should do, as well as a solid $20 "junk" blade in the event you run into a situation where you'd rather not use your "nice" blade, or god forbid you break, lose, (or forgot) your EDC you don't want to be stranded knife less for any period. I personally keep a small hatchet and hacksaw under my passenger seat and a S&W Border Guard (because it has a strap cutter and window break) in my glove box as my "just in case".
 
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A folder, fixed blade, machete, and a chainsaw with fresh gas. You never know what you may come across during travels in this remote part of the country. One day a folder might needed for dealing with stubborn packaging, on another day it could be a tree blocking the road with no other alternative route available.
 
I keep a Cold Steel Kudu in my center console and a hatchet in my tool box in the bed. I know the Kudu doesnt do what you're looking for, but its big, strong lock, and stupid cheap.
 
My truck knives for the last few years have been a BK&T BK4 Machax and a Leatherman Supertool. Both have served me well when I need em and pretty much cover any knife use I could imagine.
 
twistedshifter said:
Looking for opinions on a good truck blade to stash in my truck when I am off roading. Needs to be able to hack away small to medium sized branches, shrubs and the misc. stuff that gets in the way of my truck.....or keep from scratching up the side of my truck. Was thinking some sort of machete type blade, but wondering what any of you 4x4 guys have stashed under your seat for this sort of task. Thanks for any insight.
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An Ontario SP53 might fit the bill... There's one around here for cheap... Or if you want to spend the money, a nice Esee Junglas will get you out of a jam.
 
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Machete and saw. Chainsaw only for deep woods travel. Bow saw and curved pruning saw (get one with the Japanese teeth) are both very handy, and faster/safer than an axe for larger wood.
 
Agreed, I don't "keep" a chainsaw in my truck, but I'll load it up beforehand on an as needed basis... The saw and hatchet fit nicely under the seat and out of the way, always there if I need 'em, and the spare knife is always in the glove box, coupled with whatever knife(s) I'm carrying on my person on any given day, (appropriately more blade if its a pre planned outing) it's always been enough to get the job done
 
Bill Siegle said:
My truck knives for the last few years have been a BK&T BK4 Machax and a Leatherman Supertool. Both have served me well when I need em and pretty much cover any knife use I could imagine.
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If you decide on the BK4, get it now--they're going to be discontinued from what I've been told, along with the BK5 and BK15.
 
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