alittle rant of mine

M

macgregor22

Joined
Sep 20, 2007
Messages
2,685
I think the whole camp, survival, bush craft knife thing is silly.
First of all when you go into the woods weight is a concern, a axe and small knife is just to much weight.
You usually fall into or get forced in to a survival situation often losing most of your stuff like backpack etc.
You dont walk into survival situations. That is why small blades are not practical survival knives, you most likely will be stuck with that one knife.
Pilots are perfect examples, they can not carry an axe with them.
Bushcraft, many bushcrafters recommend small pretty finely crafted blades for survival. They often chose this over durability and function.
I always hear about bushcrafters stressing whittling being an important task in survival, whittling(yes because I need to make a spoon to survive). I can make a figure 4 trap with a very large blade like a kershaw outcast or Dog Father plus unlike bushcraft blades I can chop wood for shelter and fire.

Luckly I found my perfect survival knife, the Scrap Yard Yard Hook. Light enough to carry but big enough to preform large tasks, you can open beers to. :D

end rant
 
Many of your points are well founded, most of us just do it for fun because we find it interesting. Although, I would say the most likely chance of being in a survival situation is in the woods so having all your survival gear with you is important.
 
omniviking said:
Beer, gee most folks just twist off the cap or pull the tab:rolleyes: Pat
Click to expand...

it has a hook on the top of it, it can open beers
kc051k.jpg

see
 
macgregor22 said:
I think the whole camp, survival, bush craft knife thing is silly.
First of all when you go into the woods weight is a concern, a axe and small knife is just to much weight.
You usually fall into or get forced in to a survival situation often losing most of your stuff like backpack etc.
You dont walk into survival situations. That is why small blades are not practical survival knives, you most likely will be stuck with that one knife.
Pilots are perfect examples, they can not carry an axe with them.
Bushcraft, many bushcrafters recommend small pretty finely crafted blades for survival. They often chose this over durability and function.
I always hear about bushcrafters stressing whittling being an important task in survival, whittling(yes because I need to make a spoon to survive). I can make a figure 4 trap with a very large blade like a kershaw outcast or Dog Father plus unlike bushcraft blades I can chop wood for shelter and fire.

Luckly I found my perfect survival knife, the Scrap Yard Yard Hook. Light enough to carry but big enough to preform large tasks, you can open beers to. :D

end rant
Click to expand...

I agree with your first line. I also think some of the "Bushcraft" mentality is silly in that it's becoming a fad. Like many thing knives are subject to fads as well.

As far as axes, or hatchets I couldn't disagree with you more. There are many people that have spent a lot of time in the woods and INSIST on carrying axes or hatchets.

You don't have to take my word for it. Read Mors Kochanski. Bradford Angier. Horace Kephart.

To quote from Angier's book Basic Wilderness and Survival Skills "The ax is an almost indispensable tool for the woodsmen, many of whom rate it even above matches as the most valuable item to have along in the bush".

Not sure about you, but his book was a great resource for me, and he (Angier) has logged more time in the bush than my entire family put together.

I have found that a hatchet is an essintial tool in the woods, and worth every ounce it weighs.

As far as those, "many bushcrafters recommend small pretty finely crafted blades for survival. They often chose this over durability and function", it's funny how most of our ancestors used very thin blades and managed so well.
 
macgregor22 said:
I think the whole camp, survival, bush craft knife thing is silly.
First of all when you go into the woods weight is a concern, a axe and small knife is just to much weight.
You usually fall into or get forced in to a survival situation often losing most of your stuff like backpack etc.
You dont walk into survival situations. That is why small blades are not practical survival knives, you most likely will be stuck with that one knife.
Pilots are perfect examples, they can not carry an axe with them.
Bushcraft, many bushcrafters recommend small pretty finely crafted blades for survival. They often chose this over durability and function.
I always hear about bushcrafters stressing whittling being an important task in survival, whittling(yes because I need to make a spoon to survive). I can make a figure 4 trap with a very large blade like a kershaw outcast or Dog Father plus unlike bushcraft blades I can chop wood for shelter and fire.

Luckly I found my perfect survival knife, the Scrap Yard Yard Hook. Light enough to carry but big enough to preform large tasks, you can open beers to. :D

end rant
Click to expand...

Our Soldiers carry 45 - 80lbs on their backs, in addition to their weapons adn all the clothing.

I hardly think the MINIMAL weight of a little ax or chopper knife are that big of a deal to carry in comparison.
 
you guys are totally missing my point, I am saying that bushcraft and small knives should never be called a survival knife because they are reliant on axe's and hatchets
and that very often in survival situations you only have what is on you
if you loss most of you stuff in a river and only have your sheath knife and the contents of your pockets you would be wishing that you carried a larger blade
 
Perhaps, but I know that I'm not very likely to carry a humongous blade while hiking, or even my hatchet. I'm most likely to carry a pocket knife or two, and perhaps a 4" or less bladed sheath knife. I should know how to use those tools that I *will* have with me, regardless, to do what needs doing, rather than worry about something else that I'm not likely to have with me anyway. Big and heavy blades don't do much for me, unless I'm needing to fight with them. But that isn't really wilderness survival. A scout knife or SAK is.
 
macgregor22 said:
you guys are totally missing my point, I am saying that bushcraft and small knives should never be called a survival knife because they are reliant on axe's and hatchets
and that very often in survival situations you only have what is on you
if you loss most of you stuff in a river and only have your sheath knife and the contents of your pockets you would be wishing that you carried a larger blade
Click to expand...

I would bet most of what matters is what you're comfortable with. If you're comfortable with, and know how to use a 4-5" blade. Isn't any reason in the world you won't do just fine.

Besides, no matter the knife, a $400.00 Busse, or a $300.00 scandi knife will save you if you don't have the knowledge to use them.

We have done this to "little rant" to death before.

I firmly believe your brain is your most important tool. Knives and everything else come second.

I ever actually find myself in a "survival situation", I'll be thrilled to have any sort of tool with me. Big, small, or in between.
 
sixgunner455 said:
Perhaps, but I know that I'm not very likely to carry a humongous blade while hiking, or even my hatchet. I'm most likely to carry a pocket knife or two, and perhaps a 4" or less bladed sheath knife. I should know how to use those tools that I *will* have with me, regardless, to do what needs doing, rather than worry about something else that I'm not likely to have with me anyway. Big and heavy blades don't do much for me, unless I'm needing to fight with them. But that isn't really wilderness survival. A scout knife or SAK is.
Click to expand...

So according to you all big knives are for fighting?
 
tarmix101 said:
I would bet most of what matters is what you're comfortable with. If you're comfortable with, and know how to use a 4-5" blade. Isn't any reason in the world you won't do just fine.

Besides, no matter the knife, a $400.00 Busse, or a $300.00 scandi knife will save you if you don't have the knowledge to use them.

We have done this to "little rant" to death.

I firmly believe it's your brain is your most important tool. Knives and everything else come second.

I ever actually find myself in a "survival situation", I'll be thrilled to have any sort of tool with me. Big, small, or in between.
Click to expand...

You are absolutely right, your mind is your best tool. Thats why humans have gotten to the point they are now.
so :foot:
 
I personally don't understand the point of a thin stock fixed blade unless you're on a budget. Yes it's a more efficient profile but most of the people on the forum EDC a folder that can outperform or at least keep up with fixed blades of yester year. The only reason I carry a fixed blade is for the same reason the original poster stated, if I lose everything I still have a knife that can split out some fire wood. I personally carry a hatchet quite frequently but the problem is that it rides in the pack and not on the person.
 
macgregor22 said:
You are absolutely right, your mind is your best tool. Thats why humans have gotten to the point they are now.
so :foot:
Click to expand...


An idiot with a tool is still an idiot. Without the knowlege to use them, what dfference does it make. A big knife will not save your skin. Your ability to THINK will allow you to survive.

Rule of survival S T O P

Stop

THINK



Orientate

Plan

You want to have an intelligent duscussion.... your use of the :foot: doesn't make you look all that good. More like a troll.
 
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