Is 3" Enough for Bushcraft and Wilderness Survival?

[Mistwalker]

From my recent experiments with some 1 and 2 1/2 inch blades I'd say yeah it's enough to do a lot and to keep you alive. That said I'd still rather have a little more if given the choice.

 

[dawsonbob]

For me, I take a 2 3/4", a 5 1/2", and a 14". They all serve different purposes, of course, but the 2 3/4 inch blade gets the most work, I think.

 

[TheGame]

Is 3" enough? Yes. However, I really prefer to also have a big blade of some sort with me. I use a Izula to do most of my work, so a little larger would be very advantageous. That said, if I had to have one knive, I would be leaning around a 5 inch blade, at least.

 

[coote]

That is an honest, beautiful knife Pitdog.

Here is my three-incher. Home-made from a bit of bandsaw blade from a sawmill. I made it to have the blade angled down from the handle. I like this for two reasons: it is a good shape for making the initial cuts when skinning an animal, and it seems like a good shape for a one-handed drawknife (I have made a lot of bows and arrows from natural materials).

It is sitting on one of my new 10" Tramontina machetes. The little knife cost me nothing more than a bit of my own labor. The machete cost me around NZ$7. This combination would cover dang near everything a man might need a blade for around here short of felling a big tree.

 

[jackknife]

I'll never forget the lesson from looking at the gear that Otzi the icemaan carried. A small copper hatchet and a flint knife with a blade almost 2 inches. He was gettiing by very well 5000 years ago in a primitive world till somebody shot him in the back with an arrow.

 

[coote]

I should have noted earlier that I like to carry a fairly slim pointed knife. It is good for splinter removal. And if the blade isn't too wide is is more versatile for carving, boring, boning and sticking an animal.

 

[abo4ster]

Everyone has an opinion, for the most part, based on thier current skill level; so here is mine...

A 3" (or even smaller) blade is all that is needed. The only exception in my opinion is making fire in wet weather. While not necessarily a necessity, having a larger blade would definately make things easier. A wood saw on a SAK, or something like the TOPS Pocket Size Survival Saw can help make up for that though.

 

[dextersp1]

Everyone has an opinion, for the most part, based on thier current skill level; so here is mine...

A 3" (or even smaller) blade is all that is needed. The only exception in my opinion is making fire in wet weather. While not necessarily a necessity, having a larger blade would definately make things easier. A wood saw on a SAK, or something like the TOPS Pocket Size Survival Saw can help make up for that though.

I'm coming to the conclusion that a 3" fixed blade (maybe 4") and a SAK with a saw, scissors and awl is all you need in the outdoors.

 

[ZombaiO]

3'' is enough,but if possible I would choose something just a lil' longer - around 4''.

 

[Shotgun]

I'll never forget the lesson from looking at the gear that Otzi the icemaan carried. A small copper hatchet and a flint knife with a blade almost 2 inches. He was gettiing by very well 5000 years ago in a primitive world till somebody shot him in the back with an arrow.

Plus one for Otzi. A hatchet and small knife are plenty for just about anything.

 

[bigrob911]

All you need is a wee bit of sharp steel. I think a 3" blade is fine. I used to think you needed a big knife until I started carrying a case peanut I now carry small but very sharp and get by just fine.

 

[99f250]

My main carry when I go into the woods is a 3 3/4 in folder, but a 3in. would be fine also, and a fire steel, unless I'm headed far from the truck that is, with them I can make shelter and fire.

 

[Razorsharp1986]

My main knives when I go outdoors is never bigger than 4 inches. That said, it is usually an Inch smaller. Truly, I don't feel than my smaller bladed Izula performs worse than my bigger bladed BK-11 or StreetBeat.
If you're skilled enough, a 3' Blade should be enough.

 

[Mannlicher]

A 4 inch blade is more to my liking. Right now, I am using a RC 3 as a woods carry, along with a SAK Trekker.
Just back today from three days, two nights in the Ocala National Forest, and those two knives more than covered my needs.

 

[Rotte]

3" is plenty of blade. My most often carried knives are 3" or less. When going outdoors, I prefer a bigger blade, say 4"-5", but realistically a 3" would do just as well. Of course I'm also willing to use a 7" knife. I think you need to assess how you might use a knife and then get the knife that will fill those needs.

 

[Vivi]

Unless I plan to process large pieces of wood for building a shelter, I prefer something 2.5 inches to 4 inches in blade length. Two most frequently carried fixed blades are a Scrapyard Mudpuppy and Spyderco Aqua Salt. Dogfather or a hatchet comes along if I feel like building stuff. That's more just for fun though. For real work, outside of making fire asap in crappy conditions or clearing trail I never have need for anything longer.

 

[pitdog]

3" is plenty of blade. My most often carried knives are 3" or less. When going outdoors, I prefer a bigger blade, say 4"-5", but realistically a 3" would do just as well. Of course I'm also willing to use a 7" knife. I think you need to assess how you might use a knife and then get the knife that will fill those needs.

Nice knives buddy !:thumbup: