"Carl's Lounge" (Off-Topic Discussion, Traditional Knife "Tales & Vignettes")

tmd_87 said:
Today while I looked at my knife collection I realized that I have enough knives in patterns and sizes that I enjoy to use and carry. I have a handful of knives I won't carry or use. I'm wonder with my now small knife budget, should I sell the knives I don't use or should I hold onto them?

At one point, my collection was just knives that I knew I would carry and use. Now my collection consists of some knives I may never carry or use, or knives I have used in the past but I probably won't anymore. Or should I just limit my knife purchases to a handful of knives that I really want? Or am I just over thinking it? LOL idk.
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I guess that I would Sell the ones that you have decided that you will not carry and do not like . You do have some very nice knives that you may not carry but really like and know that they are or will become a Classic . The list is very long of people in these Forums who have sold or traded knives that they have regretted later . I Do Not envy you for the decisions that you may have to make my friend .

Harry
 
I occasionally watch knife-related videos on Youtube and a few things have me baffled:
  1. “Bushcraft”. Since when did “batoning”, making “feather sticks”, and striking a “ferro rod” become necessary for making a fire, and why are these considered essential tests of a knife’s usefulness outdoors? When did the term bushcraft become popular?
  2. Jimping, and putting your thumb on the back of the blade in general?
My days of spending extended periods outdoors and occupational knife use ended roughly 20 years ago now, but I’m sure I don’t recall doing any of those things.

Can someone fill me in? Are any of you practitioners of these types of things? I’m not trying to be disparaging - if bushcraft is just about finding cool and fun ways to use knives then of course I’m all for it, and maybe there are times when you really need to push down on a knife blade with your thumb.
 
Just Tom. said:
I occasionally watch knife-related videos on Youtube and a few things have me baffled:
  1. “Bushcraft”. Since when did “batoning”, making “feather sticks”, and striking a “ferro rod” become necessary for making a fire, and why are these considered essential tests of a knife’s usefulness outdoors? When did the term bushcraft become popular?
  2. Jimping, and putting your thumb on the back of the blade in general?
My days of spending extended periods outdoors and occupational knife use ended roughly 20 years ago now, but I’m sure I don’t recall doing any of those things.

Can someone fill me in? Are any of you practitioners of these types of things? I’m not trying to be disparaging - if bushcraft is just about finding cool and fun ways to use knives then of course I’m all for it, and maybe there are times when you really need to push down on a knife blade with your thumb.
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I don't understand it either. That's why I let my subscription to Knives Illustrated lapse. Nothing--or next to nothing--about traditional knives. Too many articles about "bushcraft" and tactical knives and self-defense articles. Nice photos, though!
 
Just Tom. said:
I occasionally watch knife-related videos on Youtube and a few things have me baffled:
  1. “Bushcraft”. Since when did “batoning”, making “feather sticks”, and striking a “ferro rod” become necessary for making a fire, and why are these considered essential tests of a knife’s usefulness outdoors? When did the term bushcraft become popular?
  2. Jimping, and putting your thumb on the back of the blade in general?
My days of spending extended periods outdoors and occupational knife use ended roughly 20 years ago now, but I’m sure I don’t recall doing any of those things.

Can someone fill me in? Are any of you practitioners of these types of things? I’m not trying to be disparaging - if bushcraft is just about finding cool and fun ways to use knives then of course I’m all for it, and maybe there are times when you really need to push down on a knife blade with your thumb.
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I never heard of batoning until I started visiting this forum.
I'll never baton a knife. Why take a chance on breaking it? I have an axe, wedge, and saw for firewood.
As for feather sticks ... The Scouts taught us to make them way back in the 1960's.
For firestarting ... My scout master was a big fan of Zippo, (I don't know if he switched to Bic lighters when they were invented) and told us to get one for when in the sticks or boonies.
 
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@Just Tom Prester John Prester John afishhunter afishhunter
I first heard of "bushcraft" from an old Australian book with that title (by Richard Graves). I believe the word became famous here through the efforts of Canadian Mors Kochanski and his book with that title, which declares the mora kniv to be the best design for bushcraft, and features batonning. I also have a book called Our Life in the Bush, of which I'm embarassed to say I don't remember the setting, Australia or Africa.
I've assumed that the word "bush" is British Empire-ese for the wilds, and bushcraft for outdoors survival skills.
I resisted adopting the words because I live in the eastern woodlands, so what's wrong with "woodcraft". But I've finally accepted "bushcraft" because not everyone is always in the woods.
I suppose we might have tried wildscraft, but the battle is lost. If there was a battle, but I don't think there was.

Kochanski says you should be able to drive your knife into a tree and stand on it- talk about abuse.
 
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scrteened porch said:
@Just Tom Prester John Prester John afishhunter afishhunter
I first heard of "bushcraft" from an old Australian book with that title (by Richard Graves). I believe the word became famous here through the efforts of Canadian Mors Kochanski and his book with that title, which declares the mora kniv to be the best design for bushcraft, and features batonning. I also have a book called Our Life in the Bush, of which I'm embarassed to say I don't remember the setting, Australia or Africa.
I've assumed that the word "bush" is British Empire-ese for the wilds, and bushcraft for outdoors survival.
I resisted adopting the words because I live in the eastern woodlands, so what's wrong with "woodcraft". But I've finally accepted "bushcraft" because not everyone is always in the woods.
I suppose we might have tried wildscraft, but the battle is lost. If there was a battle, but I don't think there was.

Kochanski says you should be able to drive your knife into a tree and stand on it- talk about abuse.
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Thank you! That explains a lot. It never occurred to me before but before this discussion I probably would have referred to these skills as “outdoor skills”.
 
Just Tom. said:
Thank you! That explains a lot. It never occurred to me before but before this discussion I probably would have referred to these skills as “outdoor skills”.
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Prior to 6 years ago, when I redeveloped my interest in pocket knives after a 45-year layoff, I'd have guessed that "bushcraft" was a synonym for "topiary".

- GT
 
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Glad you liked it, Greg and Jeff. :) I've read enough books, and done enough crossword puzzles, over the years that some weird vocabulary has infiltrated my mind. :rolleyes: I'm guessing "topiary" might be something I picked up in Agatha Christie mysteries, maybe. Doesn't it seem like something of interest to British gentry? ;) I know it's a skill I wish I had!

- GT
 
There a couple of problems with the match and twigs to start a fire approach.

First, it is REALLY difficult to buy a decent match these days. Good ones like we used to be able to get at any hardware or grocery store, have been deemed "too dangerous" by the busybodies dedicated to saving us from ourselves. Even the best strike anywhere matches of today are nowhere close to what they were 35 years ago, AND, I have discovered, after a year or so of storage in totally waterproof containers, they stop working at all!

Then there is the wind. Even with a good match, the wind is the enemy.

If you learn to use the ferrocerium rod (bushcrafters usually call them "firesteels"), to ignite very fine shavings of dry wood made with the sharp knife that is your constant companion, the wind is your friend, fanning the sparks into flame.

If you find and use some resin impregnated wood for those shavings ("fatwood"), the task is even easier, though with practice, the firesteel will ignite very fine shavings of even green wood.

Even with no wind (when has that happened?!), a practiced firesteel user will get the fire going in about the same time as the person using the almost unobtainable decent match. In the wind - no contest!

The firesteel never gets too wet or cold (Bic lighters are a disappointment in really cold weather I have found), to work, and is good for hundreds, maybe thousands, of fires. Paired with a stick of fatwood, it is an absolutely bombproof fire starting method.
 
Mr. Chips said:
There a couple of problems with the match and twigs to start a fire approach.

First, it is REALLY difficult to buy a decent match these days. Good ones like we used to be able to get at any hardware or grocery store, have been deemed "too dangerous" by the busybodies dedicated to saving us from ourselves. Even the best strike anywhere matches of today are nowhere close to what they were 35 years ago, AND, I have discovered, after a year or so of storage in totally waterproof containers, they stop working at all!

Then there is the wind. Even with a good match, the wind is the enemy.

If you learn to use the ferrocerium rod (bushcrafters usually call them "firesteels"), to ignite very fine shavings of dry wood made with the sharp knife that is your constant companion, the wind is your friend, fanning the sparks into flame.

If you find and use some resin impregnated wood for those shavings ("fatwood"), the task is even easier, though with practice, the firesteel will ignite very fine shavings of even green wood.

Even with no wind (when has that happened?!), a practiced firesteel user will get the fire going in about the same time as the person using the almost unobtainable decent match. In the wind - no contest!

The firesteel never gets too wet or cold (Bic lighters are a disappointment in really cold weather I have found), to work, and is good for hundreds, maybe thousands, of fires. Paired with a stick of fatwood, it is an absolutely bombproof fire starting method.
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Thank you for that explanation - I always enjoy hearing people explain things they are passionate about. I was going to counter most of it with tales from my own experience, but each time I read what I had written, I realized what a curmudgeon it made me seem!:eek:
 
Out here beyond the black stump in the middle of Australia lies the Gibson Desert...just next to the Simpson Desert not far from the Tanami ....err desert....anyway theres a lot of desert and its pretty harsh...to help survive in these rugged conditions you need to know how to find certain plants that can be pruned and trimmed for a pleasing effect such as a nice geometric triangle or an egg shape....a good knife,and possibly some secateurs are essential...at least youll have something to admire whilst you die of thirst and starvation.
 
meako said:
Out here beyond the black stump in the middle of Australia lies the Gibson Desert...just next to the Simpson Desert not far from the Tanami ....err desert....anyway theres a lot of desert and its pretty harsh...to help survive in these rugged conditions you need to know how to find certain plants that can be pruned and trimmed for a pleasing effect such as a nice geometric triangle or an egg shape....a good knife,and possibly some secateurs are essential...at least youll have something to admire whilst you die of thirst and starvation.
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I love it! I can imagine a scene where the relief expedition comes upon the lone crazed and disheveled survivor, who refuses to be rescued because he hasn’t finished his topiary Cupid. Anyway, it’s about as realistic a scenario as my life or death ever hinging on my ability to light a fire...

I remember years ago reading Cooper’s Creek, Alan Moorhead’s history of the Burke & Wills expedition. I think that is when I resolved never to set foot in Australia.

Funny, I just looked up the Wikipedia article on that expedition, and it mentions Burke’s lack of “bushcraft” skills.
 
J Just Tom.
Cheers mate....its meant to be an ostrich:D
Thankfully I live on the coast....but yep..
Burke n Wills were doomed despite their bravery and intrepid lack of knowledge.
The guy who is most impressive an Australian explorer is Hamilton Hume...
There is also a tv show ..Nature of Australia...but the true nature of australia can be found here
 
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When I think of the Outback I generally think of one thing... ;)
Made me laugh Meako :thumbsup: :) Thanks.

Ray

Outback wisdom here : Salt water crocs are not to be trusted.
 
meako said:
J Just Tom.
Cheers mate....its meant to be an ostrich:D
Thankfully I live on the coast....but yep..
Burke n Wills were doomed despite their bravery and intrepid lack of knowledge.
The guy who is most impressive an Australian explorer is Hamilton Hume...
There is also a tv show ..Nature of Australia...but the true nature of australia can be found here
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Very informative even entertaining :thumbsup::thumbsup:, except for the sad parts...
... by the time Kennedy got back... he was dead. (2:10)
Probably taken out by the wild dogs "that are waiting to pounce upon the unsuspecting visitor." (0:38)
:D:D:D Thanks for the laughs Meako!
 
Cheers redsparrow redsparrow
In his series Coight invariably stops to help someone in distress...flat battery , car bogged.. using his vast knowledge and bushy wisdom...car end up in creek ,battery catches fire...his tent fires are hilarious...as are his attempts to interact with wildlife and people.
Coight ( coyt) is also an Australianism for a part of the digestive system...the end part.
Cheers
 
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