big blade uses

A

allenC

Joined
Jun 18, 2000
Messages
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I just read the "camping vs hunting vs survival knife" thread and I noticed alot of folks choose large knives.
So, this lead me to wonder just what everyone does in the woods with a large blade?
Personally, I don't think a large blade (more than 4") is really very useful (not counting machetes which are very useful).
I can think of a few tasks where a big knife would be handy: digging, chopping down small trees, splitting logs, or killing some beast (man or otherwise).
What do you guys think?
 
I`m no expert but I like a big knife in the field for some things. I like building shelters to camp in and most of the fallen branches and standing deadwood in the forrests I frequent need to be limbed or at least trimmed to make a decent shelter. A big bowie or khukuri makes short work of this with little effort expended. They`re great for making up a quick digging stick (I don`t dig with my knives,there`s no quicker way to dull em) or splitting wet wood to get to the dry core. Basically anything you`d normally do with a light hatchet. I find a big knife performs these tasks better *for me* than a hatchet does plus they can still be choked up on and used for smaller "knife" tasks if need be. They also make better impromptu machettes than a hatchet does. I like machettes too but they don`t work all that well for splittling, chopping thick or hard woods,or hammering plus they`re longer and a bit more ungainly to carry and use for certain tasks. Different strokes for different folks.
smile.gif
Marcus
 
Big blades rule afield!

Keep in mind that when possible, I prefer a 3/4 axe, a modest sized but rugged fixed blade (CRK Shadow IV, Fallkniven A-1), a kitchen knife, a sharp folder (Buck 110, Large Wegner, AFCK, etc.) and a multi-tool, (Supertool or Wave).

If, because you're backpacking, the 3/4 axe has to stay behind and the kitchen knife becomes the luxury, I'll take the A-1 or Project One.

A large knife is good for light chopping and, if you are careful about this, you can keep the portion of the blade for rough use, chopping, digging, kindling hacking, etc. saving the portion of the blade nearest the choil for cutting and sharper needs.

If I had 8 inches of blade to carry, I'd pick the CRK Shadow IV and a small but rugged folder, maybe the small Wegner or Buck Ranger, or even small Benza. If I had to do it with but one knife, give me the Project One.

 
opps.

[This message has been edited by allenC (edited 09-03-2000).]

[This message has been edited by allenC (edited 09-03-2000).]
 
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