Choppers: Why? Educate me!

[Raymond1000]

Raymond1000, that very well could've been what I was referencing. I could of sworn it was a manual having to do with lumberjack work, but I'm getting old and could've made that part up during some south Texas midsummer nights dream involving cooler temps and maple syrup Either way, it's what I was getting at. Big knife use in the outdoors isn't new, just as batonning isn't. Folks repeatedly claim this or that is a new internet based fad to add credibility to their opinions. Your reference points out that the handiness of a large knife wasn't lost on our fathers, or great grandfathers. Bear fighting being just one such use That being said, I don't recall seeing my grandfather with any knife bigger than an Oldtimer stockman type jack knife. So I can see why some believe old timers didn't use big knives. Pawpaw would also argue all day that there was no rifle other than a 30-30 worth owning, so I learned early on even experienced opinions varied greatly.

JDK

You weren’t wrong.

That’s what Woodsmanship is. A collection of information about old style logging. Made just before logging was transformed by big power tools. Click the link and see.

 

[jdk1]

JDK

You weren’t wrong.

That’s what Woodsmanship is. A collection of information about old style logging. Made just before logging was transformed by big power tools. Click the link and see.

Ah good! At least I'm not crazy. I am getting old though

 

[lobo9er]

Almost got baited in this thread... Minimalist-Snobilist. Some like a large knife... but some prefer a saw... yet some like to carry a hatchet... Crap I chimed in...

 

[neeman]

I think it's easy for others to misinterpret what I'm getting at. Easy for you to get confused.

True
And this response of yours is a perfect example of misinterpreting of what I said and of your confusion

Please contact me off line

 

[Raymond1000]

Yep.

One of my uncles trained with a bunch of noted survival experts up here, and swears by the utility of Opinels and Moras.

When I showed him the sword I made to replace a machete and a small axe for woods usage, he had to admit that it would do so just fine.
He was skeptical when I first told him about it, but once he held it and felt the motion and ergonomics, his experience with other tools told him that it would definitely work out just fine.

He'll still be sticking with a folding or collapsible saw and a Opinel, and I respect that choice too; each approach has its own merits.

It depends on approach:

Some love a Mora. Some love a 12” machete. (Hard to EDC in town. But you can’t build an igloo, or hack through the jungle, with a Mora.)

It depends on circumstance:

I traded hatchet for trail knife when cutting fuel to heat our house. The knife was safer.

I used the trail knife hiking and hunting. It was still safer, and more versatile. Way batter at clearing shooting lanes. I also carried a task knife.

A vehicle kit is different. Cheap because—thieves. Bow saw, machete, spade, Mora knife, pry bar. (Plus other stuff.)

I designed a BOB that relies entirely on the Vic Farmer. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1200695-An-Educated-BOB

It depends.

 

[B34NS]

Now enough of practical discussion, guys who chop for sport

[video=youtube;aNYf56upj0M]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNYf56upj0M[/video]

 

[calc]

If I started a thread saying someone could use two trees for leverage to easily break up wood even oak and maple odds are the silence would be deafening. Maybe one response? At best?

When discussing this topic, many people place too much emphasis on the tool and not enough on the skill/method.

A few weekends back I went camping with some friends, and one of them brought along a 6 inch Gerber hatchet to "process" firewood. The only problem was that the logs themselves were over a foot wide and two feet tall. After watching them pound away at one for 20 minutes in teams of 2, I showed them how to carve a wood wedge from the side, start the split, then use the wood wedge to finish it. They were surprised at how easily the wood started to come apart and we worked our way through the pile in no time.

This method works great with a knife, but very little chopping needs to be done.

[video=youtube;8O_EjyoZcs4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8O_EjyoZcs4[/video]

 

[Sagewood]

I think the skills are the same but what draws attention is perhaps different. For example this thread is really about processing wood? Correct? Anyone think otherwise? If I started a thread saying someone could use two trees for leverage to easily break up wood even oak and maple odds are the silence would be deafening. Maybe one response? At best?

Nearly every time I make a pile of firewood to feed the fire for the night/weekend, I will set it next to 2 closely spaced trees to use for breaking. Its a helluva alot less work than bucking or sawing.

Less time processing, more time relaxing I say!

 

[SouthernCross]

Nearly every time I make a pile of firewood to feed the fire for the night/weekend, I will set it next to 2 closely spaced trees to use for breaking. Its a helluva alot less work than bucking or sawing.

Less time processing, more time relaxing I say!

Oh my god..how do you miraculously get by, when you don't compensate for your obvious lack of skils, without bragging about how big your tool is?


Mick

 

[jdk1]

Speaking of tools... Could it be that the focus of many threads and posts on BladeForums is the bladed tool because THIS IS A KNIFE FORUM?

There are many skills which could be improved: knife/axe skills, social skills...

 

[sodak]

Speaking of tools... Could it be that the focus of many threads and posts on BladeForums is the bladed tool because THIS IS A KNIFE FORUM?

There are many skills which could be improved: knife/axe skills, social skills...

Well, there is that...

 

[Woods Walker]

Speaking of tools... Could it be that the focus of many threads and posts on BladeForums is the bladed tool because THIS IS A KNIFE FORUM?

There are many skills which could be improved: knife/axe skills, social skills...

"The leading edge of knife discussion"

Mother of pearl! You're right.

 

[Thomas Linton]

Obviously, people come here for different reasons. Thanks to those who come here to share information, experience, and insight. I have learned much from you, even when you force me to question - even abandon - previously-held beliefs.

Those who come here to bully and assert their right to rule also serve a function - populating "ignore" lists.

 

[SouthernCross]

G'day sodak

Well, there is that...

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't this forum suposed to be about "Wilderness & survival skills" rather than making anyone who posts here feel good about themselves?

Goes a long way to explain why there is little in the way of "evidence" posted by regulars here, that they get off their a$$e's for long enough to prove that their opinions are backed up with real first hand experiences.

Mick

 

[SouthernCross]

G'day Thomas

Obviously, people come here for different reasons. Thanks to those who come here to share information, experience, and insight. I have learned much from you, even when you force me to question - even abandon - previously-help beliefs.

Those who come here to bully and assert their right to rule also serve a function - populating "ignore" lists.

LOL...I guess it will depend on whether or not you really expect your ego to be publically "massaged" on the 'net or really questioned? LMFAO

BTW, care to share your previous posts that actually show you leave your computer for long enough to show you do, rather than just talk about it?


Mick

 

[Hammer67]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't this forum suposed to be about "Wilderness & survival skills" rather than making anyone who posts here feel good about themselves?

Goes a long way to explain why there is little in the way of "evidence" posted by regulars here, that they get off their a$$e's for long enough to prove that their opinions are backed up with real first hand experiences.

Mick

Yes, thanks for those incredibly educational videos on the previous page, Mick. Your first-hand experience at sticking a piece of wood between two trees and breaking it speaks volumes. Having seen your skills in action, I have little doubt left of your expertise.

....and you could guarantee that unless it was a brand that the 'net fan boys on that particular forum favoured, you could also expect little in the way of response.

But take heart, posts that involved TV show's & personalities, have always been more popular with more responses that the posts that show people actually do.

Mick

I can't believe that your "skills" videos, such as stomping on a piece of wood to break it up for kindling, didn't recieve more responses. I'm sure that it had to with the fact that you weren't using a certain brand of knife. Again, thanks for taking the time to share your expertise with those of us that are still learning, and for your constructive, non-condescending comments.

 

[Woods Walker]

G'day sodak



Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't this forum suposed to be about "Wilderness & survival skills" rather than making anyone who posts here feel good about themselves?

Goes a long way to explain why there is little in the way of "evidence" posted by regulars here, that they get off their a$$e's for long enough to prove that their opinions are backed up with real first hand experiences.

Mick

I don't think that's true. We have plenty of trip reports and instructional threads. As for regulars not showing field experience and knowledge a simple scan of threads reinforces my observation that there is good info here.

This OP has over 2000 posts.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...-loop-in-the-Pintlers?p=13916477#post13916477

This OP has over 12000 posts.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1207570-Took-my-Sis-up-a-mountain

This OP has over 4800 poats.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1211834-Canuck-Cacti

I apologize to the moderators for going off topic but feel the need to set the record straight about this community. Slightly more on topic has anyone considered using a mouse hawk or one of the mini hatchets/axes for a chopper if a larger knife isn't their style.

 

[stabman]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't this forum suposed to be about "Wilderness & survival skills" rather than making anyone who posts here feel good about themselves?

One of the top "survival skills" would involve sitting in one spot using almost no energy, so your fat reserves last longer and rescuers can find you.

It makes for a really, really boring video though; "Yep, still sitting here...better stop talking in order to conserve energy better."

 

[Esav Benyamin]

What a shame. This is a great forum with so many interesting people frequenting it. Lets not let a troll distract us from it.

Lower left corner of a post, small triangle icon, hit it and send a message in the dialog box to the moderators if someone is having fun being a pest.

 

[DOC-CANADA]

What a shame. This is a great forum with so many interesting people frequenting it. Lets not let a troll distract us from it.

Lower left corner of a post, small triangle icon, hit it and send a message in the dialog box to the moderators if someone is having fun being a pest.

Esav, the only moderator who spends any time here at all, and he does a good job, is you.

Didn't know about the triangle at the bottom of posts.

Doc