Cool Camp knife combos: show and tell

[wildmanh]

I thought it would be cool to have a little knife show and tell, and the theme is: "Cool camp knife combos with a H.I. flare" (HI's and other knives you take camping). Pics, stories, decriptions are all welcome. Let's see what you guys and galls favor on camping trips and outdoor excursions.

Mom left me her camera when she went on vacation but accidentally took the cables so I can't supply my own right now. Will have them soon though, I promise. BTW if anyone needs help posting pics, just email me.

I'll start off:

H.I. 16.5" WWII model: Used inplace of a Bowie knife/hatchet. It excels at chopping, trail clearing cutting bone and other heavy work. Normally worn on a Baldric type setup, cross draw.

SOG Government: Worn drop leg strong side; used as my main camp knife. In the kitchen, making tinder, and general knife use.

BUCK 110 Folding Hunter and SOG X-42 Autoclip: Do to it's deep hollow grinds, and clip point the Buck 110 works great as a hunting knife for skinning, cutting food and whittling. worn on my belt cross draw, or on my Webbed belt. The X-42 Autoclip is worn in my right pocket and used when ever the Government is to big. Holds an edge forever and cuts veggies almost as well as the Buck.

Leatherman Mini (Multitool): This little multitool has a 1" blade, bottle opener, can opening, file and small neddle nose plyers. Not only that, it doesn't weigh much or take up a lot of run but is always there when I need it.

Sometimes I substitute the Buck 110 for a H.I. Durba dagger (knife similer to the WWII Shark knife with a Himalayan flare).

Now it's your turn.

 

[The Big Kahuna]

Normal Camping and Hiking: Hanuman with tools

Nice large but "light for size" chopper. Good for firewood chopping. Spine good for tent peg pounding. Haven't tried digging but suspect that it digs OK. Xtra thick handle fits my fat hands well. Xtra large karda slices and dices food well. Other tools fun for playing around with during those wonderful times when there is nothing to do (but what do you with the button hook?). Scabbard is very wide. But belt carry is still possible (some would disagree).

Camping + trail clearing, bush/jungle whacking: 21 inch Gelbu Special

Extra few inches in length helps a lot when slashing. Relatively light weight to length easier for machete-like use. Long sweet spot good for strokes at odd angles. Spine substantial enough for tent peg pounding although control a bit hard. Blade substantial enough for fire wood chopping. Karda OK for food stuff if sharp. Too long to carry on belt (tip jabs leg). So I carry mine on a baldric or on my calf.

Serious bush/jungle whacking: Old style HI Tawar + Trishul Decker

Tawar makes a heavy (and pricey) machete. But extra long length allows for more strokes with a straight back (a Godsend). Extra weight gives heft for side to side swing clearing [Martindale's traditional machete is already nearly one and a half pounds (vs. 2+ for Tarwar) with a 31 inch length (29 inch for Tarwar)]. Can chop firewood but awkward. Trishul Decker handle fits fat hands and handles food stuff really well. Used with a block of wood, it can split firewood and spine can be used gently (don't want to wreck that beautiful handle) to pound tent pegs if there are no rocks. Tawar carried on a baldric either swinging from hip or on the back Conan the Barbarian style.

Future Pig Hunting: Tawar + 7 inch blade pig sticker + folding peasant knife.

Planning on going pig/boar hunting with dogs. If terrain requires, plan to carry Tarwar on baldric back (so can jog). Pig sticker kept on baldric front just on top to sternum with handle down for quick draw. Folding peasant knife for food stuff and hopefully cleaning game. We shall see how it works.

All of the above are carried with a mini-Leatherman tool for pliers, small blade, etc. and a folding knife, fork, spoon set (for corkscrew, can/bottle opener).

Good thread idea. I am looking forward to learning more about what others use!

 

[raghorn]

Other tools fun for playing around with during those wonderful times when there is nothing to do (but what do you with the button hook?).

The button hook works well as an ear wax remover.



Or so I've been told anyway... :footinmou

 

[eraaij]

My HI 15' AK or Gransfors Axe and this nice bushcraft blade:

Blade is a custom in UHB20C steel from Maihkel Eklund made to my specs, I did the handle, which is in Paduk wood.

-Emile

 

[BruiseLeee]

Originally posted by raghorn
The button hook works well as an ear wax remover.

Remind me of this post if you ever offer an item for trade.

I carry a 15" AK because I'm weak, lazy and out of shape. I usually have some form of Swiss Army Knife too.

 

[The Big Kahuna]

"The button hook works well as an ear wax remover."

What if you push too hard?


(I guess it would be better than the awl)

 

[mrostov]

HI BAS (Amtrack) and a Leatherman Wave.

Always keep a razor sharp spare skinning knife (3-5/8" blade) in my pack that I made out of an old Nicholson file. If I have a new sheath made for the BAS, I'll use it as my new karda. Before I made my own, the spare skinner I always tossed in my pack was a Buck 103.

My current karda for the BAS is also one I made out of a Nicholson file and it has a 2-1/2" blade.

Almost forgot to mention, in my ruck, next to the spare skinner I always toss in a lightweight Gerber folding saw.

 

[sams]

There are no bad khuks, but my favorite users are my M43 or 16.5 inch WW11. A Case folder a stout fix blade works for me.