dangit, I like my big knife!

Runs With Scissors

Runs With Scissors

Joined
Dec 3, 2000
Messages
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There's alot of debate out there regarding hatchets/hawks VS. big knives. There are alot of extremely, extremely knowledgeable folks out there who most highly recommend the hatchet/hawk.

I almost feel like I'm committing an act of heresy by stating this, but I like my big knife more so than any hatchet/hawk.

It's easier to cut/move snow with.
I can clear out a camp spot in grassy areas quicker
it's lighter than alot of hatchets/hawks.
It's more adaptable to use as a draw knife
It cuts anything that I really want to cut when camping. If I get any more serious than what my larger knives can handle, I'm gonna have a chainsaw, and a serious full size double bitted axe.

They're tried and true for me. Once when my dog tried to hang himself off the porch I cut through a 1/4" cable with my Becker #5 on the first try. Pretty darn impressive, me thinks.

Heaven forbid I should tangle with any wild persons/critters, but if I did I like the penetration offered on critters by a large-ish knife. (I'm sure I'd be a dead SOB anyways, but it'd be cold comfort to leave fish and game a decent blood trail to follow)

I've tried the hatchets, and just can't make 'em work as well for me.

I still have a Fort Turner Camp Hawk, and a K-5 Tactical floating around the house for some reason, although I'm not entirely sure what I'll ever do with 'em.

The big knives I refer to are my BRK Golok, my Helle Lapplander, and my BKT#5. I also have an 18" HI Ang Khola, but it don't come out much due to it's massive size.

There's alot of folks out there that are a helluva lot more adept than I am in the wilds that stick to hatchets and hawks. I still can't help wondering if I'm missing something. Maybe it's a geographical consideration?
 
Yes and no- It is very much the product that's represented. It's pretty much indestructible, cuts like mad and handles very well.

Problem is that it's so heavy duty I never want to carry it. The whole package is just way too much for the casual out of shape woodsloafer such as myself. As I was just mentioning, I prefer a larger knife, and if I do carry a Hawk my Fort Turner suits me much better.

For tactical bad ass dudes that need a bomb proof hawk- yes, it's a great tool. For small town white trash woodsloafers it's a bit of overkill IMHO.
 
I agree with you totally on the big knives. I do use and carry a small axe on some ocasions and when with vehicals, but overall I love the versitility of a large knife.

We tend to argue about the knife Vs axe a lot on this forum, but i belive it depends on where you live, what you do and what you are used to, that will determin your choice.

Each to their own.
 
90% of what I do I like my 14" tramontina. I am not real big on the mega dollar, big, heavy knives, just can't understand what they do that much better that warrants the huge price. Chris
 
I generally prefer big knives also, but always carry some smaller cutters too. My large blades are much more useful for me than hatchets, especially when considering many tasks.

I think threads have a tendency to go either one way or another, or turn into an argument. Generally I'll look at a thread, and try to decide if I have something to add, or if my adding something will just start something. I think when you get a lot of people chiming in on one side, people on the other will just pass it by, and then to a casual observer it just looks like concurrence, when in fact folks get tired of the same old debate.

I'll evaluate why people like something, but if it doesn't work for me, I disagree, even if they are *gasp* Nessmuk or Mors or <insert your favorite here>. :D I don't go for hero worship, I know many of these people are more knowledgeable than me, but I go with what I like.
 
I think the appropriate tool is one you feel comfortable with. And a good dog helps too. Good on you bro!

Don't listen to pundits ever. I've posted with you long enough not to question your choice of gear if we got stuck in a trench together.
 
I have found my satin trailmaster chops almost as well as my fiskars hatchet so I usually just carry the trailmaster.
 
I completely agree that geographical consideration is a part of the reason why people choose what they do.

In the end, however, I think that the answer to this question is the same as for so many other questions in these forums:
If you feel more comfortable with a certain edged tool than the other, then that's the one you should use!!! Not everyone will agree with your choice of edged tools, and certainly not with it being "the best tool" for that particular job, but that's really not the point.
The point is that if you feel comfortable with your choice of tool, you will bring it, and you will use it and use it well/safe.

Some will take that as "not being optimally prepared". But that's a different discussion.

/ Karl
 
runningboar said:
90% of what I do I like my 14" tramontina. I am not real big on the mega dollar, big, heavy knives, just can't understand what they do that much better that warrants the huge price. Chris
Click to expand...

What he said. Although I prefer the 12 inch Ontario I totally argree with the sentiment!
 
Runs With Scissors said:
Yes and no- It is very much the product that's represented. It's pretty much indestructible, cuts like mad and handles very well.

Problem is that it's so heavy duty I never want to carry it. The whole package is just way too much for the casual out of shape woodsloafer such as myself. As I was just mentioning, I prefer a larger knife, and if I do carry a Hawk my Fort Turner suits me much better.

For tactical bad ass dudes that need a bomb proof hawk- yes, it's a great tool. For small town white trash woodsloafers it's a bit of overkill IMHO.
Click to expand...


excellent answer--thanks Bro
 
aproy1101 said:
I think the appropriate tool is one you feel comfortable with. And a good dog helps too. Good on you bro!
Click to expand...

I agree. If you have a lot of brush to clear a khukuri or even a machete is better than an axe or hatchet. Especially in summer when there is a lot of vegetation and having a big hot fire is not as important.
 
I'd like to agree with Persky and Karl, regarding "Where You Are".

I'd also like to agree with Hollowdweller and Aproy regarding "Appropriateness and Usage".

Are we in the Deep South or the High Sierras? Regional flora can dictate what may be best. As Hollowdweller stated, if you are beating the bush, trailblazing, a Big Knife/Machete/Kukri is gonna be the ticket.

By my backdoor right now I have a pile of firewood, a 2 foot diameter 24" tall log (sitting on end) and two hatchets. the hatchets get the nod for splitting kindling. If i were in camp and trying to do some wood work, split some stock for fabricating an item, , I may want a hatchet over a big Knife, (and I'm a Big Knife kinda person.)

It's all about where you are and what you will be doing that should dictate tool selection. I'll throw a third item into the mix, a Saw.
There are times when a Saw makes more sense than the hatchet or the Big Knife. (say it ain't so?) :eek:

In the end, it's what gets the job done for YOU. :thumbup:
 
Location, Location, Location.....Along with the proper tool for the job. A hawk/hatchet has a purpose...so does a knife...

If I'm in the woods, I've got both on my hip!
 
There are jobs a big knife can do better than a little knife and visa versa. Still there's that satisfying feeling of carrying a large knife. Large knife doesn't need gas or chain oil either.
 
I bring the full assortment, Sven saw, Gransfors Bruks Wildlife Hatchet, larger fixed blade, and so on.
The large fixed is what I use most of the time for chopping and cutting, the hatchet is usually used to hammer tent stakes, if needed at all. I will say the saw has been handy in gathering large wood for fires and clearing trees off the trails when needed, cuts big wood really fast.

Helle
 
This is one thing that is allways running through my head. But the largest knife I carry in the woods is my BK7, In its pouch I have a leatherman wave, firestell and a Vic fireman. That would be all I take on a hike through the woods, but If I was walking into an area I know and Im setting up camp that night, Ill take my wetterlings with me ( which I usually do anyways :D)
 
I carry a chris reeves project II plain edge that is attached to a nalgene ajustable water bottle carrier with the wide mouth water bottle and GSI
metal cup, a small pouch that is sewed onto the shoulder strap that holds
the doug ritter psk,the amk orange space blanket,small first aid kit,red bandana,titainum spork,and a dmt course and fine knife sharpener. in the pouck clipped to the inside is a spyderco hand saw. the project II does every thing from striking the flint in the handle for my fire to cutting up poles for my
shelter and battoning sawed up round for my fire. I think it is a pretty good combo.
 
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