am i crazy?

jlubas

jlubas

Joined
Jan 22, 2008
Messages
301
I'm going on my next camping trip soon and getting my gear together. As for blades im down to a seven inch Ka-bar, a five inch river trader knife, a ontario machete, a hatchet, and at least three folders. It seems like to many but i cant for the life of me think how i could narrow it down nor do i have the heart to not bring one of them. I'm sure i could throw some more in if i really tried to.

So am i crazy or am i preaching to the choir when it comes to not being able to narrow down my blades? I mean honestly i can think of a use for each one.
 
Good news: Yes, you are crazy AND preaching to an equally crazy choir! :eek: :D

Bring the knives, and compare them for various uses: your favorites will emerge. I know the feeling of how hard it is to leave some steel home.
 
I agree with Brian Jones. You will find uses for them if only even if for entertainment value.
 
Hell, I bring that many maybe more. What else are you going to do or what is the best use of your time, checking out which blade makes the best fuzz sticks or talking bullsh*t by the camp fire?
 
When someone asks AM I CRAZY.... It must mean that somewhere deep down inside they belive they are crazy............... So to make the answer as short as i can at any given time. I would say YES YOU MUST BE CRAZY..... When i got a problem making a choice i use a silver dollor toss it up in the air and what ever it says thats what i do....

Sasha

No im not Crazy no more they let me out with a cert states that im not crazy no more *L*
 
my problem is that my river trader knife has a thin blade that isnt suited for chopping or battoning, but being a butcher i work with knives all day long (i know the perfect job for a knife nut) and the knives i use are thinner blades with very sharp delicate edges suited for slicing. So i wont give that up, but i need something that will take a beating. A compromise between the machete a ka-bar would be nice.
 
The only reason I could think of to try to cut down on the number of knives you're taking camping is if you're doing some serious multi-day backpacking. I've only done short single night trips so far in my short backpacking career and I don't mind the extra weight of some extra steel to play with around the camp fire. If I'm car camping its better than even odds there'll be a sword in the car somewhere just for the fun of it! :p
 
jlubas said:
... i need something that will take a beating. A compromise between the machete a ka-bar would be nice.
Click to expand...

I was looking for something like that too. I ended up with a Becker BK10. I think it works pretty well. Nice thick blade for hacking and batoning but not vey long so its still very control-able If you wanted more length then a BK7 or 9 might be better.
 
I usually carry 2 or 3 blades, usually a 4-4.5in fixed blade or lockback and a Victorinox. And either a saw,machete or hatchet. Not crazy at all to carry more, my problem is if I'm car camping, I've got fishing and all kinds of other gear to keep up with, and if I'm back packing don't want the weight plus all the pocket checks after a stop on the trail get old.:D
 
I try to always take three sharp things. The usual mixes are:

1) SAK in pocket
2) Smallish Fixed Blade on pack or belt
3) Big Chopper- Hatchet/ax in winter, machete in summer, or a Khuk for all seasons :D

Often more of my knives go on a trip than what I am carrying, because my companions are frequently under-knived and I let them borrow.

sasha said:
..... When i got a problem making a choice i use a silver dollor toss it up in the air and what ever it says thats what i do....
Click to expand...

Sasha- I do kinda the same thing. I'll flip a coin, and if I don't like the result- I don't consider it binding. I don't let the coin decide for me, I let it help me decide. ;)
 
But wait... are you sure you're gonna have enough knives to whittle away the evenings with???
 
WHen I don't have to carry them too far, I usally bring a lot more stuff and have several knives. If I'm going long distance, I have to be more selective and carry just two. But yeah, once you start getting a few, it's hard to pick which ones to bring!
 
IMO. Bushcraft is about being able to do more with less. I say pick your favorite and leave the rest at home. Even a small knife will fell a tree, notch wood for deadfalls and split small lumber adequate for a fire to cook with and provide warmth if done properly. I take numerous trips a year moslty with just a very sharp Bark River TUSK and SAK. Just my 2 cents
 
I don't think your crazy. You sound perfectly sane to me and to others on this forum.:)
 
Way too many IMO. "The more you know the less you carry", etc. I would see it as a disadvantage to haul around all of that, but of course, carry what makes you happy. :)
 
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