General Vs. Extreme Knife Use

[Rogue01]

There appears to be a couple schools of thought about general versus extreme knife use.

One says that knives are cutting and slicing tools, so they should only be tested in the general usability sense.

Another argues that a knife needs to be tested using extreme methods to determine its durability and survivability.

If a knife is to be used in a survival situation, then isn't it the case that any knife used in that scenario should be both an excellent user and have a high degree of durability.

Take for example having to use the knife as a pry bar to open the cockpit of a downed plane or car door to save someone's life, wouldn't it be important to know that a knife you had with you could do the job without breaking if it was the only tool available at the time?

Or if someone was in the woods and had to use their knife to baton or chop wood because it was the only tool that had to use, wouldn't they want to know that the knife's edge wouldn't roll or chip while building that emergency shelter? I know when I go backpacking, I don't carry an axe do to its weight, I carry a medium sized knife with me.

I'm curious as to what others think about this.

 

[singularity35]

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[Rogue01]

Obviously, words must be a bit too hard for you.

 

[mystro]

I am a hard core hunter and spend a lot of time in the woods. My edc has to be able to field dress/skin if I don't have my main hunting knife. I also tend to use my knife making ground blinds or cut limbs while hanging a tree stand. All my new edc knives are tested the first day. My latest edc knife was tested these past few days. I put a new ZT0350 through my survival test like making tent stakes, cutting large limbs by batoning, etc... It passed with flying colors and was still razor sharp. I don't want to find out in the field if a knife has a weak lock or the blade is too brittle. I think you should test any and evey tool in the environment you intend to use it in before you need to use it.

 

[singularity35]

Obviously, words must be a bit too hard for you.

I have invested a lot of emotion into this particular discussion.

I have already been labeled as a Hard Use Mafiosi and a knuckle dragger because of my stand on this.

 

[Damn_Animal]

For me my knife is a tool that must be able to handle whatever i throw at it. Im not about to carry a tool kit with me wherever i go. If needed the knife needs to be able to replace said tool box.

 

[Rogue01]

I tend to be more emotional towards women and college football.

Knives, I believe, should be considered more rationally. A knife you should be able to trust without question when you need it most.

My woman and my favorite college football team will always be less reliable, in my experience.

 

[cziv]

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ROTFLMAO....agreed.

There appears to be a couple schools of thought about general versus extreme knife use.

One says that knives are cutting and slicing tools, so they should only be tested in the general usability sense.

Another argues that a knife needs to be tested using extreme methods to determine its durability and survivability.

If a knife is to be used in a survival situation, then isn't it the case that any knife used in that scenario should be both an excellent user and have a high degree of durability.

Take for example having to use the knife as a pry bar to open the cockpit of a downed plane or car door to save someone's life, wouldn't it be important to know that a knife you had with you could do the job without breaking if it was the only tool available at the time?

Or if someone was in the woods and had to use their knife to baton or chop wood because it was the only tool that had to use, wouldn't they want to know that the knife's edge wouldn't roll or chip while building that emergency shelter? I know when I go backpacking, I don't carry an axe do to its weight, I carry a medium sized knife with me.

I'm curious as to what others think about this.

If I'm in the deep woods I carry an axe slung on my back, a mini prybar in my kit. In addition -when I'm flying my F-15 beside my CRK Green Beret or ESSE 4/5. I also pack a ZT 0301 for my folder but maybe I'll be changing to a 0350, with a lighter, whistle, reflective device, water purification pills, Swiss Army Fire Steel with some cotton balls, space blanket. I like to hump a little liquor for sterilization as well as painkillers for those nasty falls (usually happen after I've sterilized my stomach). About 4 or 5 MRE's and at least a 1/2 gallon of bottled water. Everything fits easily on my molle gear, pockets and a small bug out bag. Water goes in a pack bladder or canteens.

I am a hard core hunter and spend a lot of time in the woods. My edc has to be able to field dress/skin if I don't have my main hunting knife. I also tend to use my knife making ground blinds or cut limbs while hanging a tree stand. All my new edc knives are tested the first day. My latest edc knife was tested these past few days. I put a new ZT0350 through my survival test like making tent stakes, cutting large limbs by batoning, etc... It passed with flying colors and was still razor sharp. I don't want to find out in the field if a knife has a weak lock or the blade is too brittle.

Waiter ZT 0350's all around! :thumbup:

All valid questions and concerns but this has been covered to death. I hope you don't mind my enjoyment by teasing a little and I hope you get the answers you're looking for.

 

[sambo.]

i'm kind of in both camps on this one.

i bought a Fallkniven S1 as my main outdoor blade and am fairly confident i could use it to "pry open the cockpit or the car door" if i absolutely had to.

if i was in such a situation, or any situation where the choice was: abuse and possibly wreck thy knife, or DIE!, i'll abuse the blade.

now, that said, i prefer a hatchet for large chopper duties and carry one with me in the scrub. if i was caught without it, yes, i'd have no qualms about using the S1 for battoning etc and would do so in a heartbeat if the situation demanded it. but i don't plan on doing it on a regular basis.

 

[cziv]

i bought a Fallkniven S1 as my main outdoor blade and am fairly confident i could use it to "pry open the cockpit or the car door" if i absolutely had to.

Gosh what is it with these Fallkniven-nuts?? I can't read a recommendation thread, or about any thread with "get a Fallkniven this or a Fallkniven that."

I can feel it coming, I'm going to end up buying one, even though most of them look like the exact same thing from A, F, G, H, S, have buyers remorse and then not want to sell it anyway.

High priced too - compared to ESEE for e.g.

 

[dnuggett]

Well I don't own a plane so chances are if the 767 I rented for $400 to get me to Denver goes down in the mountains I won't be able to pry the door open with my "tested hardcore" knife... it'll be in checked baggage.

As for the other scenarios... are you suggesting that I am supposed to carry my "tested hardcore" knife everywhere I go on the off chance it can help me save my bacon?

Or are you really talking about testing for hobby scenarios like hiking, camping, survival scenarios (fire making, batoning for shelter, skinning, hunting) etc. In other words times when I'll purposefully have that knife.

 

[Rogue01]

Gosh what is it with these Fallkniven-nuts?? I can't read a recommendation thread, or about any thread with "get a Fallkniven this or a Fallkniven that."

At least they aren't not recommending a Bark River knife. Those Bark River guys on the "other" knife forum are pure zealots.

Although I think there are some Fallknivens with Bark River handles apparently. Should I call then Barkknivens?

All I know I've used my Buck 119 as a heavy duty pry bar once with no problems, and my Buck 110 has done everything that's been asked of it the past 30 years, including cutting wire and scrapping head gaskets. Both are still amazing and reliable cutters.

I really don't know if I could ever justify paying the high price for either Fallkniven or Bark River. I'm glad my Bark River Bravo 1 was part of a trade and I'm not out any cash for it, and even though that Fallkniven Thor is one amazingly attractive looking bowie knife - for $350.00 I think I could do better picking up a custom made bowie.