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Are "Rambo" type knives practical?
- Thread starter ron finkbeiner jr
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Well you don't see them in the field because most of your friends probably don't have 2k+ to spend on that kind of knife, but again that doesn't mean those knives are impractical
You haven't a clue what either I or anyone I know can afford.
Regardless, how many people use a $2K knife in the field. As pointed out on another page here, Bob Lovelace (and he made mostly practical knives and as speaking of actual practical knives) said it best:
"In fact, if there is any apologizing to be done, Loveless figures that it is owed to him by customers who refuse to treat his work as something of utility, who put his knives in cases and "fondle and drool over them."
"Ninety percent of my knives aren't used!" he exclaims. "And, damn it, they should be out working. That's why I make them. When some old cowboy or guide comes back to me with a knife that's worn down to a nub and he says, 'That thing fit my hand better than any knife I'd ever had, and it worked longer, too,' that's fame. That's what I'm on earth for. A knife is a tool, and if we don't treat our tools with a certain familiar contempt, we lose perspective."
http://si.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1123591/5/index.htm
However, with an impractical knife, I suppose I could understand.
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All I've said is Rambo-type knives are impractical, and nothing else negative. That was the question of the OP. Never ask a question you don't want honestly answered.
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leghog,
Sincere question - Without re-reading this entire thread (and I apologize if you have already told us), could you list in order the features that you find most impractical? Sawteeth? Large blade? Hollow handle construction? Double guard? Etc. I'm sure it's a combination of features, but I'm curious as to which features you dislike and the ones you find acceptable?
Thanks! :thumbup:
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I admit to not having read this entire thread but I keep seeing use of the term "practical" and have to ask myself, "practical for what?"
If we're talking about cutting through the walls of an aircraft or removal of a sentry then perhaps you do want a "Rambo"-type knife, although there are better choices. But I have to wonder how many of us do such a thing on a regular basis?
If the practical application is simple survival then the following article does a fair job of describing the basic requirements for such a knife. You will quickly see that Rambo's knife doesn't cut it (pun intended).
How to Choose the Perfect Survival Knife
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If I'm "eliminating sentries" (smh) then id rather have about a 4" dagger. Yup, a pig sticker is the tool for the job. Been used on the farm for centuries because its good at what its made fur, kill in'
Anyway, I too would like to know what is so impractical about it? Impractical for what?
For me it's just carry. Like I've said, I've only taken my Bk9 out once, and that was in a pack. But it wasn't because its not practical that I took it, in fact quite the opposite; I packed it because I had reason to believe that I may need it.
I packed it not fir size/weight reasons (it's rather comfortable really) but for social ones. I want to have the tool for the job but by no means does that mean I want to walk around explaining my large blade to people all day. And if I thought that I might need it again, I'd pack it in heartbeat.
But generally speaking, in my warm pine laden southern forest I tend to get around just fine with daily carry + a small fixed blade.
A machete might be desirable but that's only until you get "into" the woods. Sticker vines tend to only be thick along the edge of the woods, once you get in deep, things start to open up
Anyway, I too would like to know what is so impractical about it? Impractical for what?
For me it's just carry. Like I've said, I've only taken my Bk9 out once, and that was in a pack. But it wasn't because its not practical that I took it, in fact quite the opposite; I packed it because I had reason to believe that I may need it.
I packed it not fir size/weight reasons (it's rather comfortable really) but for social ones. I want to have the tool for the job but by no means does that mean I want to walk around explaining my large blade to people all day. And if I thought that I might need it again, I'd pack it in heartbeat.
But generally speaking, in my warm pine laden southern forest I tend to get around just fine with daily carry + a small fixed blade.
A machete might be desirable but that's only until you get "into" the woods. Sticker vines tend to only be thick along the edge of the woods, once you get in deep, things start to open up
You must have missed the end of the article...
Like I said before, to each his own.
And to those here trying to prove the impractically of HH knives to guys that actually take them out and use them, well, it's quite funny
-sh00ter
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Actually, the real Rambo knife by Lile was never intended for these purposes. The saw was designed for wood, not metal, and the teeth could easily get hung up when thrusting. Personally, I really don't care for sawteeth, but they are there for a reason - to save the cutting edge when possible. You're correct, not many would do these things on a regular basis and Lile took this into consideration when he designed his knife.
I'm guessing if someone was in a survival situation and found a Lile knife laying in the woods, the knife would become very practical, very quickly.
True that.I'm guessing if someone was in a survival situation and found a Lile knife laying in the woods, the knife would become very practical, very quickly.
While they may be useful for cutting wood (or metal) the purpose of sawteeth from a tactical standpoint is to trap or snag an opponent. I have no idea if this is what Lile had in mind when he designed the movie blade.
Akin to "if your only tool is a hammer, all problems become nails".I'm guessing if someone was in a survival situation and found a Lile knife laying in the woods, the knife would become very practical, very quickly.
And I'm guessing if someone was in a survival situation and found a small piece if sheet metal laying in the woods, that metal would become very practical, very quickly.
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Interesting. I have never heard of sawteeth being helpful on a fighting knife. Everything I have read suggests that, when thrusting, sawteeth can snag on clothing, tendons, or muscle tissue and the knife can be pulled from the hand. It is known that Lile's sawteeth were designed for two purposes. The rear teeth are full width to cut wood and the front raker teeth are only there to act as barbs if the knife is converted into a spear, which always seemed impractical to me. Did I just say IMPRACTICAL?!?!
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Hey leg,
How about answering these questions instead. You have lots of catching up to do.
How about answering these questions instead. You have lots of catching up to do.
Sam Wilson
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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I'm glad this has continued to be an interesting and productive discussion, and one I've enjoyed. However, in that vein, speaking just for myself, I'm done addressing just about anything leghog has to say. It has now become painfully obvious that he has no plan to contribute anything of substance to the discussion, but merely detract from it and stir the pot. He has refused/failed to explain or elaborate on anything he has said or believes, after being kindly asked to do so, so I'm not going to feed him in his efforts to derail one of the best discussions on HH knives I've ever seen on a forum.
And ironically enough, one of the knives that he posted that he found "practical" enough to use, was a hollow handle knife with a sawback and a guard on it. Guys, he's just trolling. If you don't feed them, they go away. Usually.
And this quote by sh00ter01 kind of sums it up:
Good call, sh00ter
Thanks,
Sam :thumbup:
And ironically enough, one of the knives that he posted that he found "practical" enough to use, was a hollow handle knife with a sawback and a guard on it. Guys, he's just trolling. If you don't feed them, they go away. Usually.
It's still an impractical knife (the question in the OP) regardless of whether the handle is hollow or not. That, and their expense, is why so few are actually used in the bush. Even the fictional character, John Rambo, had a like new custom knife --- one of the believable aspects (excepting a drifter having a custom knife) of the film.
When I need a large knife I just stuffed Glock Field knife (hollow handle but for different a reason) and/or a Lao machete in my ruck. At $25 for one and $1 and a pack of cigs for the other, I was never in want of any other large knife. They were actually used hard without even a second thought. Note the Glock sheath is in excellent condition. It rode in a ruck when it rode.
And this quote by sh00ter01 kind of sums it up:
And to those here trying to prove the impractically of HH knives to guys that actually take them out and use them, well, it's quite funny
-sh00ter
Good call, sh00ter
Thanks,
Sam :thumbup:
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Seriously, a Glock knife as the be all end all argument?
I respect having and using one but to counter hollow handle survival knives with? Well I parry that counter, Shrug it off..
I respect having and using one but to counter hollow handle survival knives with? Well I parry that counter, Shrug it off..
Sam Wilson
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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We've seen pics of Buckmasters, Hibbens, Timberlines, and others in this thread. So, somebody around here has to have a Robert Parrish HH knife. Anybody have any pics of one they've owned, used, or even some stock pics of one? I've always thought they looked like one of the most practical and durable HH knives around. Plus just some of the cleanest lines on an HH knife ever.
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Everyone on this thread has repeatedly asked you to give some examples of what makes these knives so impractical. Nobody cares about what you say if you don't explain why you said it. Your argument is what they call "empty" in this case. It appears as though you have some experience given your time in the military, but without some form of reasoning behind your claims they fall on deaf ears. So let's hear em.
Yup, need a tough beater compromise field knife go with something like a $25 Glock knife vs any Rambo-type so expensive that vast majority of those buying them are loathe to actually use and beat them. Like the OP asked --- eye candy?. For most applications the Glock field knife too is impractical, but it's tough enough and because it is still only 25 bucks 35 years after it was introduced, people actually use them and use them hard. At least the Glock field knife was designed for that vs designed as a movie prop. No "eye candy" about the Glock field knife.
Enjoy your eye candy. I won't own a knife I won't use, a gun I won't shoot, or a watch I won't wear. To each his own, even those evangelizing the "unmatched" virtues of the Rambo-type knife.
Also remember this --- my posts here are from a man selling nothing. And again, never ask a question you don't want answered. To each his own.
Enjoy your eye candy. I won't own a knife I won't use, a gun I won't shoot, or a watch I won't wear. To each his own, even those evangelizing the "unmatched" virtues of the Rambo-type knife.
Also remember this --- my posts here are from a man selling nothing. And again, never ask a question you don't want answered. To each his own.
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