skammer said:
At the end of the day Gutsy can count on his folder for light chores but not much more. A good fixed blade is unequaled in utility by any folder I am aware of. DOnt take my word for it go out and beat on your folder and pry it with full body weight and see what happens.
Gutsy, or others interested in reality...
While everyone will agree that a fixed blade may be stronger than a folder, and likely a more suited tool for bushcraft, it does not mean you should be beating on it, or prying with your full body weight. You probably know this already, but just in case you get any loony ideas from those trying to tell you that this is an accepted, advisable thing to do. Not even if you are doing it in your backyard, nextdoor to the hospital. Unless you want to get rid of some excess blood and fingers.
I am sure with some maturity, a little experience, and probably some stitches, these ridiculous suggestions will soon vanish from thought, but for now, please put some thought into what you are doing before listening to this potentially dangerous garbage.
From my limited, 20 short years of outdoor experience, and a fair bit of trial and error, the only time that I can think of that you need to hit a knife is to cut limbs off trees/logs, and to get to the dry wood in the middle of a log.
Here are my suggestions that should not break your folders. Bend limbs to stress the point you are cutting, and then hold it there with something (leg, log, etc.) then put your folder on the stressed part and push it into the wood. If it won't cut through, tap it with a baton, just hard enough to dig into the wood, then repeat until it breaks. If you have a weaker folder, just be careful not to smash the sh!t out of it. I have done it many times and it really isn't that hard. I usually use a SAK saw, but have often used my Spyderco Starmate, just to see that I could. Never a problem.
Before you do this, though, think about why you are doing it. Is there absolutely no blowdown or deadfall that would work just as well? Surely there is dead wood that is already dry that will just break off, or can just be gathered up.
If you are cutting green limbs for shelter, make a cut then pull on the limb. It is not that hard to rip it off once the cut is started.
Splitting wood is usually not neccessary. Use smaller logs or limbs, and use your folder to cut smaller arcs off rather than going right down the middle. this gives you piles of strips that dry quickly, then you eventually get to the dry wood inside. Once the fire is going, feed logs into it, and they will dry and burn, no need to cut them.
Shoot, if you are using a fixed blade, it's no different, except that you can hit it harder with the baton.
Yes a fixed blade would be better suited, but a folder will work just fine. At least it does for those of us with a little patience, and willingness to use finesse.
Once again, it all comes down to using your head. (to think with, not as a baton to drive your Battle Mistress through a log or cinder block.)
