All you big knife fans, sell me on why I should carry a big knife (RD9, BM size).

runningboar said:
But there is something that sends an electric charge up your arm and into the pleasure center of your brain when you hold a razor sharp piece of functional art in your hand, all of us here understand, buy the RD6, or even the RD9 and enjoy it.:D :thumbup: Chris
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See, now that sounds like a plan :thumbup:

If you want the RD6, get one and I'm sure you'll be happy with your decision.
 
Three cheers for testosterone!

Hip, hip, hooray!
 
I take a big knife because I want to , mainly , I guess its reason number 1 anyway .

I guess clearing a path thru cane grass is another reason , thats interesting stuff , and the plain old weeds , farmers friends and thistles blackberry and lawyervine ... and low hanging slap face or nettle tree leaves ... I like to be able to just slash em down and whack my way thru them rather than be untangling the spikes out of me and my gear .

well , thats why I like a larger knife anyway , between about 18-24 inches blade length :) Okapi calls them a bush knife , others call them a machete ...

but a smaller blade , between 10 - 12 inches I like to have for a lot of reasons , begining with I like to have it for the emotional security aspect , a big knife makes me feel good :)

then there is the useful aspects , I like to indulge in a bit of hunting , and Im just used to butchering with larger knives

they make good drawknives cum planes for things as peeling bark of poles , or smoothing a handy log for a seat .

I found it easier to use a bigger knife to drop a bunch of coconuts by just chopping the stalk and letting them drop than it is by whittling thru the stalk , and yes I have tried both methods .

the actual amount of times I use the knives and the jobs I use them for realy depends a LOT on where I am at the time , camping in a paid site in a caravan park , I use a little knife to open packets ... camping free up in QLD on the coast , doing the bush tucker thing , I use it a lot , from holding the claws of a mudcrab down ( I am just not brave enough to do it with my bare feet as the locals do ) to getting the flower stalk off a grass tree for a fire stick or spear shaft , to poking around the same tree for resin ( great glue that stuff ) or if we are more outback like kicking around in the inland reigions of WA I use the bigger blade for things and cutting digging sticks to get grubs , or on the coast for teasing rock crabs out of their crevices to use them for bait its a sadistic thing to do to watch an octopus slice itself up in a sharp blade , but I have seen them do it , walking on a reef that is having a hard time ,t he critters was going to have a go at my foot , I put the blade between my foot and it intending to push it aside with the flat , it grabbed the blade , and again with its remaining tentacles ,I had octopus for lunch .

A bigger blade is useful for things as prying the larger shellfish off rocks as well , but it can be abusive to the blade too .

there is all kinds of things I use my bigger knife for , but if I was to adopt the standard western style of camping , and bring all I need with me , sleep in the bush a few nights and go home again ... yeah , there is very little need for a bigger knife ...

barely a need for a itty bitty pocket knife

I reckon that it comes down to your personal style of camping :)
 
Noshtero said:
I can't give the win to the big knife guys... but I can give the win to testosterone.

Thanks guys :)
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I hope you have a blast and get out there an enjoy yourself.
Life's too short to not try different knives!:D

We all had to go through out "big knife" phase (and some are still in that phase).
But one last word of warning....
The testosterone thrill of a big knife will run dry around the 5th mile of the hike.;)


Sincerely, good luck,
Allen
 
you need ot assess yourown needs, try a tramontina machete, not too0 expensive and will give you an idea about what the large blade can do. you will have a couple of dollars invested in it if you dont like it you are not out much. a lot of this preference is about your own style of camping and woodscraft. some like a small axe, large chopper, saw. i am comfortable with a one handed treker swiss army knife. fits in my pocket and is always with me has a small saw that works well out of proportion to the weight and size, i have caried axes, machetes, large and small choppers , try different things and see what you find usefull.

alex
 
Noshtero said:
I can't give the win to the big knife guys... but I can give the win to testosterone.
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It has nothing to do with testosterone, but functionality.

AllenC, my hike was over 8 miles. I've done a dozen of Colorado's 14er's with my Busse SH E or BM, and have never regretted the weight. I carry a *lot* less weight now then when I was in the Army 25 years ago. I went through a "Mora" phase, and now have a dozen or so that I really don't care for. For all their great press, they don't cut nearly as well as some of my small fixed blades. Between a good sized chopper, Dozier K2, and a Spyderco Caly 3 or Vic Farmer/Huntsman, there's not much I can't do.
 
Personally, I like big knives. It really has more to do with what I am doing and the way I hunt/fish/camp in the woods more than anything though. When I go on river trips I am usually in an airboat so weight isn't a problem. My usual mode of transportation into the woods is a horse, and there again, weight isn't as much of an issue when deciding whcih blades to carry. We do a lot of hog hunting from horseback with catch dogs and we generally dispatch of the hogs with a knife instead of shooting them. I much prefer about a 7" heavy bladed knife for that task, and I have found that it is good at a lot of other things as well. My go to 7" blade is a custom RD7 that I had Justin build me and I love it. The other plus of a big blade is the fact that they just plain look cool in pictures.
100_0190.jpg

I post pics of my new Ranger every chance I get....heeheehee:D
 
It has nothing to do with testosterone, but functionality.

AllenC, my hike was over 8 miles. I've done a dozen of Colorado's 14er's with my Busse SH E or BM, and have never regretted the weight.
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To each his own...

I can't tell you the number of times I've been hiking and camping with someone who was carrying a large knife; and it's almost always the same...
at the end of the trip they always wonder why they bothered lugging that big knife around for so long.
Most never even use their big knives...

It's just a "security blanket".


But hey, if that security blanket makes them sleep better at night, then it's okay with me (after all, it's not like have to lug the big knife around).:)
 
I have an answer you might like;
Get yourself one of each. For any given trip you will be prepared. Save up some money to get yourself enough tools to do the job whatever it might be.

1. folding pliers kit ie leatherman
2. a reasonable sized swiss army knife- you customize based on choice of tools you might need
3. a 3" blade folder
4. a 3 3/4 - 5" blade folder
5. a 2"-3 1/2" blade straight knife
6. a 5"-7" blade 'survival' straight knife
7. a 8 1/2"+ or machete

As far as knives go, with this amount you will be totally covered for most anything.
The fun part is choosing what you want!
Some, like me, are bang for the buck types, and others spare no expense. If you're like me, you should be able to totally kit yourself out for far less than $700, and get yourself enough quality for your needs. At that amount your looking at production knives. As you develop preferences for certain kinds of knives, you may decide to spend more cash in that particular direction as your interest grows.
I would advise to get yourself covered for most anything, then specialize and invest.
Every camping trip is different, I like to have the option of choosing from the tools I have before leaving on an excursion. With that being said, I always bring a swiss army knife, a large folding knife, and a fixed blade. Often the leatherman joins me too.
Be clear with the Ranger guy about what you foresee yourself using a knife for and let him provide you with what he figures you need. If he's good, you won't be disappointed.
two cents please.:)
 
Whoa!!

Its been too long, :eek:

Anyways. hey guys, and to anwsure the question, I have to say my BK7 fits the bill for me. Its not horrible heavy, yet it still has a fair amount of chopping power, and is a great slicer. for a 12 Oz knife is awsome, perfect midrange knife, that and a Vic Rucksack do it for me, anything larger and I drop that, take my wetterlings, master hunter and Rucksack and Im good to go.
 
Fonly said:
Whoa!!

Its been too long, :eek:

Anyways. hey guys, and to anwsure the question, I have to say my BK7 fits the bill for me. Its not horrible heavy, yet it still has a fair amount of chopping power, and is a great slicer. for a 12 Oz knife is awsome, perfect midrange knife, that and a Vic Rucksack do it for me, anything larger and I drop that, take my wetterlings, master hunter and Rucksack and Im good to go.
Click to expand...

Welcome back, Fonly. Where ya been?

Doc
 
Pack a blade depending on the type of camping you plan on doing, the time of year, and whether or not you're going to hunt or fish. It is one of the Ten Essentials though, so don't skip it altogether. Make sure it's sharp, comfortable, and practice a bit at home with it.

Backpacking, keep it light and practical. Probably more serious backpackers carry a SAK than anything else. In the past I've carried an Opinel or Bucklite, and my current knife is an AG Russell Hunters Scalpel (0.8 oz). If buying a SAK for backpacking, I'd pick the One-Hand Trekker. I'd insist on a locking blade, although plenty of traditionalists wouldn't. And a small fixed-blade is always a good choice.

For fishing and hunting, I'd definitely want a fixed-blade. Cleaning the "goo" from a folder could become a health issue. Maybe a fillet knife if you're only going to fish? The AG Russell Bird and Trout would be good, as would the smaller Buck knives like the Pathfinder and Woodsman.

Family camping in a campground? I'd want a small knife for cooking, almost anything would work, and a hatchet for splitting larger wood. With campground fire pits you won't have to worry about no-tracing the ashes, and kids love campfires.

I've backpacked quite a bit in the mountains, desert, and forests (longest solo trip was a week in Arkansas) and never once had to chop anything. There's wood laying everywhere, and the best size for cooking is only finger-thick. Plus, larger logs are difficult to burn down to ash in order to no-trace the fire pit.

Think about the things you're really going to use a knife for, given the climate, location, and your definition of "camping." On many trips I've never once used the a knife. And when I do, it's always for rather mundane tasks like picking splinters, cutting tent lines, and slicing knotted shoelaces.

And, as with everything else, backpacking and camping is a constant learning experience. Take only a SAK Classic and wish you had a larger knife, then take a larger knife next time. Carried a Becker BK7 and only used it to open a foil food pack, then carry a smaller knife next time.

Good Luck,
-Bob
 
I like big knives. These days, when I venture out, I carry a Mora 2000 and a SAK. I just despise the extra weight on extended hikes into the wilderness. These two blades cover most bases.
 
There is a lot to be said for backpacking light. Nonetheless, I still never go out without a 6" blade. I'll cut the weight in other ways. Part of it, I'm sure is what you are most skilled with. I grew up using 5-7" blades primarily and use them the best.

The only smaller knife I've found that I might consider going with instead is the RAT3, its the "biggest" little knife I've come across.

As far as Ranger, I don't have an RD6 yet (waiting for a custom from Justin; thanks Tolly:thumbup: for the inspiration). But the RD7 is an exceptional knife. It does everthing -- cut, chop, baton -- well. I really don't think an RD9 would be necessary for backpacking, I think the RD7 and probably the RD6 would be enough.

P.S. Welcome back Fonly. Don't they have internet service in your new/old hometown?:D
 
Fonly said:
Whoa!!

Its been too long, :eek:

Anyways. hey guys, and to anwsure the question, I have to say my BK7 fits the bill for me. Its not horrible heavy, yet it still has a fair amount of chopping power, and is a great slicer. for a 12 Oz knife is awsome, perfect midrange knife, that and a Vic Rucksack do it for me, anything larger and I drop that, take my wetterlings, master hunter and Rucksack and Im good to go.
Click to expand...

I'm with you, Fonly. I'll be picking up a BK7 in a deal soon with my friend, and even though I know I can get by without a larger fixed blade, I can't help myself. If the weight proves to be a real pain, I'll cut back on the other stuff ;)
 
Bob W said:
Pack a blade depending on the type of camping you plan on doing, the time of year, and whether or not you're going to hunt or fish. It is one of the Ten Essentials though, so don't skip it altogether. Make sure it's sharp, comfortable, and practice a bit at home with it.

Backpacking, keep it light and practical. Probably more serious backpackers carry a SAK than anything else. In the past I've carried an Opinel or Bucklite, and my current knife is an AG Russell Hunters Scalpel (0.8 oz). If buying a SAK for backpacking, I'd pick the One-Hand Trekker. I'd insist on a locking blade, although plenty of traditionalists wouldn't. And a small fixed-blade is always a good choice.

For fishing and hunting, I'd definitely want a fixed-blade. Cleaning the "goo" from a folder could become a health issue. Maybe a fillet knife if you're only going to fish? The AG Russell Bird and Trout would be good, as would the smaller Buck knives like the Pathfinder and Woodsman.

Family camping in a campground? I'd want a small knife for cooking, almost anything would work, and a hatchet for splitting larger wood. With campground fire pits you won't have to worry about no-tracing the ashes, and kids love campfires.

I've backpacked quite a bit in the mountains, desert, and forests (longest solo trip was a week in Arkansas) and never once had to chop anything. There's wood laying everywhere, and the best size for cooking is only finger-thick. Plus, larger logs are difficult to burn down to ash in order to no-trace the fire pit.

Think about the things you're really going to use a knife for, given the climate, location, and your definition of "camping." On many trips I've never once used the a knife. And when I do, it's always for rather mundane tasks like picking splinters, cutting tent lines, and slicing knotted shoelaces.

And, as with everything else, backpacking and camping is a constant learning experience. Take only a SAK Classic and wish you had a larger knife, then take a larger knife next time. Carried a Becker BK7 and only used it to open a foil food pack, then carry a smaller knife next time.

Good Luck,
-Bob
Click to expand...

I did a lot of long distance backpacking in high mountains (10 to 14 day trips) in both the East Coast and in Britain in both summer and winter conditions.
I carried a Bucklite in the East Coast, as it is stronger.
I carried an Opinel in Britain as there is no real forest.
And a small SAK for my first aid kit.

I carried a stove, sleeping bag, and mat.
In your pack you have your emergency gear.

I don't believe in the senario of looseing your backpack.
How are you going to loose your pack?
Swept away in a river? Flash flood?
Then you are making a critical mistake in crossing the river or walking where there might be a flash flood.

I have walked a half day upstream by a river in spate to find a crossing place.
Just falling in water in the winter is deadly.
You would not have enough time to build a fire before hypothermia would set in.
Your gear is in a waterproof bag, your sleeping bag is dry.
Eat emergency rations.

And if you are in natural forest, just pick up dead wood.
Dry and breakable.
Fuzz stick?
Twigs, then small branches, to larger branches.
Logs?
Drag them and make a star fire with logs.

In long distance backpacking, I could never afford the extra weight of a big knife or an axe for a minimal senario.
 
I carry a Gerber exchange a blade folding saw, a 4 inch fixed blade and a SAK. I don't need an ax with the saw. Getting that close to feral critters (9" chopper) makes my blood run cold. I would rather fabricate a staff (4-6 feet) with a fire hardended point to ward off the critters. If it's a bear the the 4" blade will not hurt as much as the 9" one as he/she jams it up my rear end. Peace brothers.
 
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