How useful would this be in the wilderness?

I've been looking at that thing and I'm interested in it as well. It seems awfully expensive for such a small knife, though. I'd be interested in reading more about it. I've seen advertising for it all over the place, but no real write up or information about it. I assume the idea is that it is small enough to be carried easily, but the paracord wrapped around it can be used to convert it into a handy spear with any available shaft. It looks like it would be sturdy when used as a spear, and the blade is small enought that it would be light and fast. It looks like it could be used as a fishing spear or for any other critter you could get close enough to use it on. But 80 bucks seems like a lot for something so small and simple.
 
thats kind of what I was thinking. I also dont know about using my knife as a spear, might be a good way to lose it.
 
i have a harpoon... i love it... it is an excellant addition to any woodsman's survival kit/B.O.B.:thumbup: it is pretty easy to lash to a stick, to be used as a spear or a gaf....

i do agree with the fact that it is too expensive..... terrill hoffman, the gentleman that deigned it, is one of the moderators over at knifeorums.com.. he is a great guy.... he also helped organize a big group buy of some harpoons a few months back..... i don't know if i could have justified spending the $$$ otherwise....:)

the harpoon also comes with a lansky pocket sharpener and a mini-magnesium firestarter...... it's a mini kit all by itself....:D

mike
 
the tip is pretty darn thick... i think the spine is almost 3/16-inch thick... it has no problem at all going through small animals or fish.....:)

resistance is futlie... i think you just need to break down and buy one....i'm sure you'll love it.....:D

mike
 
Don't own one, but they do look interesting. I've used several different knives in several different ways that that one would have done better.

I used to gig frogs with a split, pointy stick, sometimes river cane with a pebble in the split. I speared a fish with a fixed knife on a stick, and it got off. I got really wet and cold before I caught up with it downstream. I fired my last arrow at a coon in a tree almost directly overhead. Man was that thing pissed at me! I had his littermate on the ground, him with an arrow stuck deep, and no way I was going to climb the tree after him. I finally cut a long limb, tied my knife to it, and tried to spear him. Coon hide is tough, so no joy there. I then remember to use it as a twist, rolled his fur around the blade, and flipped him to the ground where I was able to thrust hard enough to finish him. Yup. The harpoon would have worked better in both instances.

A gimmick? Aren't all knives beyond a 1928 Western States Outer's pattern with a full tang carbon blade and slab jigged bone handles a gimmick? Send me one and I'll give it a thorough review and workout.

Codger
 
I think it might be useful for something. If it were cheaper, I'd give it a try.

I am curious, does the knife twist around in that cord wrap? It seems the "handle"-tang is so thin, the cord wrap handle covering would let the blade slip on the spine axis, which would make it harder to use as a knife.
 
How about just carrying an old bear razorhead, zwickey, grizzly or the glue on broadhead of your choice. Good quality steel and with a little careful dremel work and filing you could make a very servicable harpoon, I would drill a hole and attach a large swivel for line attachment. You could also very easily attach an improvised handle and use it for a knife. Best of all you could buy it for a few dollars, and carry two or three. Chris
 
I've got one. It is really a neat design, and holding is believing. I keep one in my camelbak for mtn biking, and it is nice to know I have a good sturdy blade in the pack.

Give them a go, and I think you'll like it. It is a lot bigger (thickness, etc) than it looks in pics. Plus it is 1095 and not some cheap stainless the company is afraid to tell you what it is.

--Carl
 
MG_Saldivar said:
How about something like this?
Click to expand...


I second that. If I thought that design was worth carrying, I wouldn't pay $80 bucks for it. For $15 I might give it a shot, just for giggles. But it would probably find an early grave at the bottom of my toolbox, honestly. Come to think of it, I'd rather spend $10 on beer and grind a dozen frog-stickin' points just like that out of $5 worth of mild steel.
 
Thanks. I have two Sheffield steel bar-stocks I was making into knives. I am now going to divert at least one to a harpoon. I would wet-grind away some steel from behind the choil to make the blade barb. One is going to have serrations.

It doubles as a spear point. It has a straight-razor look and can be used as such.
 
I have made a few things like this, both Ti and Steel, but with Terrill coming up with the idea, and marketing it, I wasn't going to do a blatant copy.

I have used the smaller Ti ones a bit for unexpected things in the woods before I got this one. I don't think it is for everyone, but it is a nice design that has it's uses in a BOB.

--Carl
 
From the photo it doesn't look as if it has enough of a barb to keep a wet, wriggling fish attached while you lift it out of the water.
And that's about all I would use it for. Most places (in the US) it's illegal to spear game animals. The term "traditional hunting" nowadays conjures up in most people's minds images of guys with longbows or recurves made in factories, rather than the way many hunter/gatherer societies hunt.
Sorta sad, but I guess it's for the better. There's too many folks who would simply buy the thing and try to stick a bear with it or something.
For this reason only would I not spend 80 bucks on it--I just wouldn't have any use for it.
PMZ
 
Yeah, I also look at it as a lightweight backup. Like I said, it is a good size for mountain biking, and would serve me well if I had to spend I night out, so I have a good use of it.

I would say, if you ever get to a show with one of these, pick it up. It feels different than it looks in pics. However, with that said, I would never encourage someone to buy something that they have no use for.

The state laws do cater to the lowest common denominator. In Idaho, I can't even snare small game. This really sucks, but even on animals you can take in almost every conceivable way (including rocks, sticks, spearing) you can't snare.

--Carl
 
I'd own one except for the price. Would I have a use for it? Probably not. Look at some of Terrill's early harpoon prototypes made from nails and what not. A surface to pound on (like a sledge hammer), a ball pein hammer, and a heat source and try making one yourself. I think I will.
 
:thumbup: terrill is a great guy.... this design is awesome...i've owned my harpoon for a few months now.. i absolutley love it.... if i'm going into the woods.. it's with me.....:D

2DOGS where abouts are you located..... it's nice to see more california folks on here.....:thumbup:

mike
 
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