The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details:
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is $300 $250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Protourist, that knife design came from a fellow that lives in Canada, It is what he wanted for his hunting knife.
Bryan
This thread needs some pics..
My last 2 camping trips..1 back country overnight, and one 2 day fam car camping at a campground (I actually used a knife much more during this trip than on any of my back country trips) I;ve been using a combo like this.
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I think for most average outing a cutting edge is all you really need.
However for wood processing I like a heavy tool, be it axe, hawk, larger knife, etc..
I find larger knives more versatile. and when I have one find I use it for most everything.
However.. in most of the places I go. a larger knife is not as acceptable as an axe.
Knife knuts being obsessed by the knife are going to be more into the belief that it is an indispensable item, especially if it's a big chopper. But the truth is, a knife is not needed near as much as we those who are obsessed would believe. I seriously doubt that there are many, if any here, that face life as ruged as that of the old mountain men who lived in the Rocky Mountains in the depth of winter. They got by with a skinning knife that was basicly a large butcher knife, and a 'hawk.
A large butcher knife is a large knife.
Hence, it isn't unreasonable to think a large knife would be handy.![]()
Despite living for years in primitive conditions, they got by just fine with knives which would be considered fragile and flimsy by todays standards. Makes you wonder how they kept from breaking their blades while batoning firewood...![]()
There is a twist to some of this. For I hear and see many backpackers that do not take a knife at all. I asked on why? There is a local guide that works at my local Erehwon outfitter. His goal is to get by with the least amount of weight yet still be comfortable, dry, warm and so on. He is not a bushcrafter, gatherer or hunter. He hikes many miles and takes in the sights. He doesn't take a knife at all...I asked him how he get away with it for the thought to me is inconceivable. He put it simple, the type of food...mountain house and so on, don't require a knife to even open it, he is not building a fire, he is not fishing, and the gear he takes does not reflex the need for a knife...no food prep other than what a spork can deal with...his shelter is conventional lightweight tent. He has been doing this for over 17 years and is one of the best I know at it. Where as I took a 40lb pack to the same trip he takes a 22lb is is more comfortable then I am.
Now I like a fire, I like to carve, I like to try my hand at some bushcraft and tinker in shelter building from time to time. I like to fish and eat what I catch...I am not typically into long hikes...I like to hike into a spot that has a lake that is within 5 miles and setup camp for the next few days in the same spot and enjoy. Not his style...but I do appreciate his style and have enjoyed it to.
My point is a knife is relative to the style and your goal, as many have said. Myself I will always take one with no matter what style! Protection, capability, what if scenario and so on. My s1 is small and light, can handle anything and wearing it on my hip doesn't add much to my trips.
If he is lucky he will be able to do this his whole life and never have a problem. If he is ever unlucky and is stuck out in a freak storm or longer than the provisions he is carrying last he may wish he had a knife.
If he is lucky he will be able to do this his whole life and never have a problem. If he is ever unlucky and is stuck out in a freak storm or longer than the provisions he is carrying last he may wish he had a knife.
some one a few posts back mentioned going for up to 2 weeks without food. While medically possible. and touted by many people far more educated in the field of survival than I. I will add only this, I have done several survival themed trips where I went in excess of 24 hours with no food, or minimal rations, as a challenge.. and I can tell you that while yes, you can live..it is a grim existence, and energy, motivation, and the efficacy of self rescue attempts deplete rapidly.
That being said the chances of a knife getting you food are astronomically poor, for people who are not highly trained and practiced in the harvesting of wild game and food..
But I agree with the general sentiment of the thread. for most backpackers in the controlled environment they create for themselves. a knife is not deemed essential, and aside from the occasional hangnail, or stubborn thread or food bag.
It is nothing more than a box cutter without the knowledge and practice of those versed in knife craft.
whether those skills are necessary to the modern trekker is almost arbitrary today.
both bushcraft, or survival skills or whatever you want to call it, and backpacking are 2 entirely different hobbies that just often happen to take place in the same arena. I;ve learned allot from ultralighter friends (granted nothing I use on the regular..except for the fact that I've learned to bring less stuff)
Some of my friends have learned a thing or 2 from me (the last ultralighter I camped with has hiked all over the country, and had never made a campfire)
but I digress.
The resounding message for me throughout all my travels and interactions is simply a knife is not essential.... till it is, but when it is..it is often the essential.
At least for me.