Blades and Belt Pouch of the 18th Century Woodsrunner

What do YOU think of the videos? We encourage members to discuss their opinions along with posting links. Are you into period trekking?

I liked the videos even though there were a few points I didn't agree with. There is little evidence that knives were NOT used for hacking and splitting firewood. Sure, there are a few passages in journals that lead you to believe this but it is no different than taking a poll here on knife use.... opinions varied. I enjoy period trekking but I believe the mindset is too narrow when it comes to being "period correct". I prefer the "experimental archeology" approach as opposed to strictly reading historical documents.

Thanks for linking the videos... I subscribed to his channel.
 
I tried my best to not keep fast forwarding but could not stand more than 2 out of every 5 minutes.........very slow and drawn out boring verbal delivery.......I kept thinking "Beuller....Beuller....Beuller
Nice beard however, he sure would look the part in costume, pretty nice faux aged knives and tomahawk.
 
... pretty nice faux aged knives and tomahawk.
Click to expand...

Some say I shoot my own foot saying this stuff but....

The funny thing is... they didn't look aged during that period. I often see reenactors with old looking, element eaten wares and think... When the 18th century woodsman bought/used them, they were NEW! ..... lol... They weren't made to look like 200yr old antiques from the get go.
 
rick marchand said:
i often see reenactors with old looking, element eaten wares and think... When the 18th century woodsman bought/used them, they were new! ..... Lol... They weren't made to look like 200yr old antiques from the get go.
Click to expand...

Now that is funny.
 
Using knives like these is just more than a period look for me. It is very difficult to find a modern manufactured one that doesn't have the feel of a boat anchor without going custom. I much prefer a long knife with a distal taper to move the mass back which in turn speeds the knife up in "hacking" motions which I didn't know until now I wasn't to be doing. LOL

I've always wondered if some of the ornate pommels found on some old knives were there for more than just decoration.
 
Talk about dulcit tones. Too difficult to watch I'm afraid.

RM - Spot on observations!!
 
My ADD would not allow me to watch a whole video. His presentation is just...................too..................slow.
 
I kinda liked the presentation, he did not seem to be in a hurry, and this is my day off, so neither am I.
I like the content too, the guy does not come a cross like an armchair commando like my self, But more like a person who has used his gear and enjoyed it a lot.
all in all , pretty cool, I think. :thumbup::)
 
Rick Marchand said:
What do YOU think of the videos? We encourage members to discuss their opinions along with posting links. Are you into period trekking?

I liked the videos even though there were a few points I didn't agree with. There is little evidence that knives were NOT used for hacking and splitting firewood. Sure, there are a few passages in journals that lead you to believe this but it is no different than taking a poll here on knife use.... opinions varied. I enjoy period trekking but I believe the mindset is too narrow when it comes to being "period correct". I prefer the "experimental archeology" approach as opposed to strictly reading historical documents.

Thanks for linking the videos... I subscribed to his channel.
Click to expand...

Butcher blades were the most common type of blade used in my period of interest, I see no point in using a butcher blade to try and cut wood. I carry a tomahawk/axe for that purpose. Experimental archaeology is the using of period tools to complete a historical task. Trying to use a butcher blade to cut wood is not sensible, & certainly not classed as experimental archaeology. No woodsman would sensibly use his/her knife to cut or split wood if they were carrying an axe.
You must understand that I am old school, the right tool for the right job.
Regards, Le Loup aka Myeengun.
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less travelled.
 
Brad "the butcher";10574836 said:
I tried my best to not keep fast forwarding but could not stand more than 2 out of every 5 minutes.........very slow and drawn out boring verbal delivery.......I kept thinking "Beuller....Beuller....Beuller
Nice beard however, he sure would look the part in costume, pretty nice faux aged knives and tomahawk.
Click to expand...

My apologies for the slow talking, since my third stroke I tend to forget things and this is my way of staying focused. Sometimes I am a little faster though.
Regards.
 
Rick Marchand said:
Some say I shoot my own foot saying this stuff but....

The funny thing is... they didn't look aged during that period. I often see reenactors with old looking, element eaten wares and think... When the 18th century woodsman bought/used them, they were NEW! ..... lol... They weren't made to look like 200yr old antiques from the get go.
Click to expand...

Quite true, totally agree, but I have been using this equipment for over 30 years. The best way to age your equipment, is to get out there & use it. My hunting knife however is an original blade.
Regards.
 
crossada said:
Using knives like these is just more than a period look for me. It is very difficult to find a modern manufactured one that doesn't have the feel of a boat anchor without going custom. I much prefer a long knife with a distal taper to move the mass back which in turn speeds the knife up in "hacking" motions which I didn't know until now I wasn't to be doing. LOL

I've always wondered if some of the ornate pommels found on some old knives were there for more than just decoration.
Click to expand...

Excellent comment.
Regards.
 
Le Loup said:
Butcher blades were the most common type of blade used in my period of interest, I see no point in using a butcher blade to try and cut wood. I carry a tomahawk/axe for that purpose. Experimental archaeology is the using of period tools to complete a historical task. Trying to use a butcher blade to cut wood is not sensible, & certainly not classed as experimental archaeology. No woodsman would sensibly use his/her knife to cut or split wood if they were carrying an axe.
You must understand that I am old school, the right tool for the right job.
Regards, Le Loup aka Myeengun.
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less travelled.
Click to expand...
Thanks for hopping on the forums, Keith. Unless this isn't you...

You give us all something to think about. Butcher blades can handle fire prep just fine. Perhaps we have different definitions of wood prep. I'm not talking about bucking logs. I find it difficult to believe that these resourceful woodsman weren't employing any type of light wood prep or batoning. The froe had been around for some time so the concept was there. I agree, the right tool for the right job. I guess the 18th century woodsman always had the right tools on hand? Too convenient for my liking. You said it yourself...
if they were carrying an axe.
Click to expand...
I don't think they were helpless without and I don't think they weren't above using the wrong tool for the job.

Rick
 
Rick Marchand said:
Thanks for hopping on the forums, Keith. Unless this isn't you...

You give us all something to think about. Butcher blades can handle fire prep just fine. Perhaps we have different definitions of wood prep. I'm not talking about bucking logs. I find it difficult to believe that these resourceful woodsman weren't employing any type of light wood prep or batoning. The froe had been around for some time so the concept was there. I agree, the right tool for the right job. I guess the 18th century woodsman always had the right tools on hand? Too convenient for my liking. You said it yourself...

I don't think they were helpless without and I don't think they weren't above using the wrong tool for the job.

Rick
Click to expand...

You missunderstand me. I am not saying that they would under no circumstances use their tools for other purposes other than what they were meant for, what I am saying is that under normal circumstances why would one use a butcher/hunting knife for anything else other than a hunting knife. I carry three knives, & I explain this in the video.
I was a profesional hunter in the Territory for a number of years, & no hunter uses his knives for any other purpose unless he has to.
Most if not all the equipment & tools we carry is for comfort & ease. Being able to go naked in the wilderness & survive is fine, but it is NOT fun. Fun learning & achieving yes, but having to do it for survival is not.
Regards. Keith.
 
Last edited:
I agree with that, Keith and I'm sorry if I misunderstood you. By no means, am I a historian. I am really liking your videos and website.

Rick
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the nice videos man. As for the slow talking, I like slow but inelegant. I guess I am used to listening to BBC radio 4 :) No music , No advertisements, Just slow inelegant talking. Our fellow Americans like too much action :D :D I think nutinfancy is the ultimate in Utube there but I like your style.
 
ukknifer said:
I think nutinfancy is the ultimate in Utube there but I like your style.
Click to expand...

lol.... Speak for yourself, bud. I much prefer Keith's relaxed intelligent style. When I was a young Hobbit, a tree once told me, "You must understand, it takes a long time to say anything in Old Entish. And we never say anything unless it is worth taking a long time to say."

Okay... I'm not a Hobbit and Ents don't exist... but you get my meaning.

Le Loup...
I will relent to your experience with historical trekking.... but man.... I just watched your knife sharpening video. We need to talk, my friend. Ha!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top