How Many Of You Carry A Large Blade and A Small Blade When Going into the Bush?

[Cliff Stamp]

When I say large I mean about 10 inches in blade length and by small I mean under 5.

If you are hiking or camping there is little use for anything beyond something like the Deerhunter. However for building a shelter, fire in poor conditions, cutting a trail, etc. a larger knife is much more efficient. A hatchet or an axe has its place as well, but again a long knife is at times many times more efficient, limbing, gathering grasses light brush etc. . A hatchet and axe works much better for splitting some woods and cutting thick woods in general.

One thing to remember is a big knife can do the jobs of a small one but a small knife cannot do the job of a big one.

Sure it can, it just isn't as efficient. Sometimes you have to change methods and obviously the force used, but the same holds for using a large knife for precision cutting.

-Cliff

 

[BillL]

Hi,

Can you defend yourself against a cougar with a 7 inch Ka Bar? I know it's no match against a bear - you need a high powered 7.6 mm rifle for that.

 

[Cliff Stamp]

Can you defend yourself against a cougar with a 7 inch Ka Bar?

Yes, you do a varient of the two man shark attack defence.

I know it's no match against a bear - you need a high powered 7.6 mm rifle for that.

Or a cast iron skillet :

http://www.dangerouslogic.com/archive/000553.html

-Cliff

 

[allenC]

When I take to the woods I usually just have a Victorinox SAK and a large lock-blade folder.

Occasionaly I will also bring my 12" Ontario machete.

And I will admit that I am a fair weather only camper--no winter camping.

Allen.

 

[Peter La]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I have gained a lot of insight through reading your posts.

 

[Foilist]

It used to be a Grohmann/Russell #1 and a Leatherman Wave. This summer, I'm going to try out my new Becker Crewman and Swisstool Spirit.

The Becker has an old Boker stockman-type folder in the sheath pouch as a backup, along with a Bic and a ceramic sharpener.

 

[riddleofsteel]

I have used the same blades for decades in the field. I always carry a well made folder, a medium sized sheath knife and a tomahawk.
Depending on my purpose in the woods this may be supplimented by a series of small saws, replaceable blade razor knives, or full size axe.
I started out with a Skachet

a Uncle Henry folder

and a USAF survival knife

These blades served me well for over two decades camping and hunting all over the Southeastern US. Then I discovered the internet and I found some new toys. They do the job just as well maybe even better.


I still pack my Skachet as I have never found a more useful a tool for camp work and helping to dress heavy animals.
My folder has been switched over to a Doug Ritter MK1 Benchmade folder with S30v blade.

I have retired my USAF survival knife for a BRK&T Northstar when camping,

a Fallkniven NL5 Idun when hunting

and a Fallkniven A1 for extended wilderness outings

 

[Temper]

I take these two. Both made by BF Makers

The big one is a R Linger SCK in D2, the little fella is a DMKnives Drop Point in S30V

I usually hike with a pal who takes a little Wetterling hatchet (#13) and a Gerber Exchange-A-Blade.

 

[WYK]

I carry a 10" Bowie and a small 3.5" folder. I mostly use the folder for utility, and rarely use the bowie. I also usually carry a 45 caliber firearm on me because it's easier than carrying a frying pan. I still say "Bring it on!" when bears attack me, though.

WYK

 

[Cliff Stamp]

I also usually carry a 45 caliber firearm on me because it's easier than carrying a frying pan.

Yeah but it is easier to cook them in the pan once you subdue them.

-Cliff

 

[WYK]

Yeah but it is easier to cook them in the pan once you subdue them.

-Cliff

True. But, and bear with me on this, if you were to be disarmed by the bear (and I mean losing your weapon, not your actual arm), and if you were using a frying pan, the bear could easily turn it against you and give you quite a beating, perhaps even maiming or killing you. And think how embarassing it would be to be cooked by a bear.

With a 1911-type 45acp pistol, the bear can only grasp it and pull the trigger in vain because there is no way a bear could figure out how to work the thumb safety. This might frustrate the bear enough to distract it, allowing you enough time to draw your 10" Bowie and shove it deep into the bear's chest. Well, 10" deep to be precise, asuming no parrying-type guards or anything fancy. Anyways, with a 10" Bowie that gives you roughly 1/2" to maybe 1" of the tip actually piercing the heart after 9"+ of muscle and ribcage. Needless to say, you'll want to repeat the stabbings as fast and furious as you can, or until the bear drops the firearm and it ends up back in your posession so you can give it a proper killing.

WYK

 

[Cliff Stamp]

...if you were to be disarmed by the bear

All my self-defence frying pans have laynard holes for this reason.

...there is no way a bear could figure out how to work the thumb safety.

Unless you are in Jellystone park.

..allowing you enough time to draw your 10" Bowie and shove it deep into the bear's chest.

Nah, I then break out my backup neck-rig frying pan.

-Cliff

 

[Fatty_Boomsticks]

Forget frypans, .45's or bowies- to kill a bear you need a:

Ka-Bar

that why its called a Ka-Bar! I bet you wondered why it was called that....













Eeet's troo I tell yooo!!- just check their site if you dont believe me

 

[Andrew Lynch]

LOL, Cliff, you're really loosening up



As far as knives is concerned, I do carry something larger, but to be honest it never really gets used. Most of the time I feel that if I'm chopping down anything more than a 2-3" limb/tree I'm wasting energy. I just find something already fallen or try to break something off. I don't know...at the end of the day I just always reach for that laser-efficient folder or small FB.

 

[Cliff Stamp]

...you're really loosening up

It finally came above zero, so my brain unthawed, it is just now raining solid, I think we are in monsoon season. You can almost swim just going for a walk.

I just find something already fallen or try to break something off.

This is always better if you can. While not a tree hugger, or extreme enviromentalist, if you can burn or utilize already dead wood it is much better than cutting down growing trees, plus it burns better anyway and has less sap which is annoying as it sticks to you then dirt sticks to it and soon you look like the missing link, well I do but it isn't a huge step anyway.

-Cliff

 

[Rat Finkenstein]

Nah, I then break out my backup neck-rig frying pan.

LOL! Cast Iron or Non-stick?

 

[ExamonLyf]

I knew I kept my iron skillets for something.... ..., that said, I would have fainted....lol

 

[Ryan8]

LOL! Cast Iron or Non-stick?

Go with Teflon all the way - the most tactical material in existence. You should see me de-animate an omelet with it.

 

[Cliff Stamp]

Cast Iron or Non-stick?

Cast iron all the way, the non-stick ones are nice and light, quick in the hand, very grip versatile, but you can't beat the awesome chopping power of a 6 lbs cast iron skillet.

-Cliff

 

[savagesicslayer]

Right now I carry a U.S.M.C. ka-bar for close work and an sp-8 with a paracorded handle for the rough stuff.