I was underknifed!

David E said:
Hey, isn't this where someone smugly says, "The more you know the less you need?" :rolleyes:
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Perfect timing. :)

longbow50 said:
Reads like the trip was successful, aside from lacking a fire that night.

One of the things that I've practiced here at home, is the what ifs with my gear. Especially my knives and I'm pretty sure that if you whittled yourself some wedges with that mini and grabbed yourself a batan, that the mini is more than up for being driven into the side of a 2-4" diameter piece of wood and as it splits, drive the wedges in until the job is done. Yep, I get the feeling, that little knife of yours is more than worthy.
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Foilist said:
Ah, here is the "secret technique!" I should read more carefully before I post. This sounds like a lot of extra work for a recreational fire, but it's good to know in case of an emergency.
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I just got back from a soggy camping trip and had similar experiences. I could have used wedges and other techniques, but wanted to eat before midnight. I did bring a large knife and hatchet, and tried going without, but it wasn't worth the effort for me. Yes it can be done, but IMO, it isn't practical.

I did have some interesting knife breakage doing "normal" tasks like splitting small pieces of wood (fatwood, 3/4 in by 3/4 in by 6 inches) for the fire. I'll post that in another thread, though.
 
You know, this makes me wonder ... if weight is an issue, then instead of taking along a large knife or an axe maybe you could carry one of the plastic splitting wedges sold at http://www.forestry-suppliers.com (search on "wedges"), and then use a log to batton that. They've got to weight only a fraction of what a large knife or axe weight. I suppose they wouldn't work too well on small branches (1.5" across), but then again maybe a folder or small knife would work on those just fine.
 
Weight and space weren't an issue for me on that trip - I was just being a dumbass! Occasional dumbassitude is a great way to learn things if the price isn't too high.
 
dulledge2 said:
ah its not good to dismiss to boy scout motto!!
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Yup, everytime my bone doc decides he wants to talk about all my knives and how come I need em, the first words out of my mouth are, I learned it in the boy scouts. BE PREPARED!!!!
 
Carve a wedge, use the MC to to make the initial split only as deep as the blade, pull it out and pound on the wedge, it will split in no time at all.

You see, the more you know... ;)
 
I just finished a survival knife a couple months ago that has magnesium thermite stored in the pommel. Here in the soggy Pacific Northwest I wanted something that would start a fire with less then tinder dry wood. It can be lit with flint sparks and the addition of titanum shavings gives it a long hot ember.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pMXlTggWU4
 
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