neck knives and axes..some thoughts

[Mistwalker]

So, to reiterate earlier: the big chopper and a small(er) blade -- carried in whatever fashion -- is a good, and time tested, idea.

I sometimes carry a smaller knife, like my SEAL Pup on the shoulder straps of my pack and then a larger knife on my belt...then sometimes and even larger knife in my pack...depending on where I am going, why, and for how long.

 

[RescueRiley]

J.. I agree liner lock folders are tough... but a stick tang knife can take a bejeezeus of a beating... but I digress... I have yet to find a folder I trust implictly witht he exception of my leatherman wave multitool...that thing has saved my bacon more times than I care to remember.

 

[NoFair]

Love axes and a sharp one can do a lot of knife work as well:thumbup:

Despise neck knives because I hate having something around my neck. I used to carry a small/medium fixed blade tip up on my LBV while in the army and found it handy then. Looks a bit too tacticool now that I'm a civilian..

Normally I now carry a 3-4" fixed blade in a belt sheath and a medium axe (20-25" handle) on my pack.

 

[kgd]

I've only worn a neck knife on my neck a few times. Invariably I shove them in my front pocket. I find that as convenient as any. The neck knife is handy when you are sitting, like in a boat where access to your belt knife can be a bit more constrained. Most neck knives can be worn either on the belt, on the neck or in your pocket. I like them for their versatility. To me they are an EDC. I never really found much love for folding knives. I understand why people like them and the very thing that draws other folks tend to repel me. I hate that they are mechanical and all gidgity with the locks and stuff. A simple slippy is far more appealing to me and I'll suffer a sak or two in my kit.

 

[RescueRiley]

This thread has taken some interesting turns.... I think if I could not have both a necker and a larger blade... than I would go with the standard.. mid to large length FB with a 4-6 inch blade

 

[J.Wade]

This thread has taken some interesting turns....

Just goes to show that they'er more than one way to skin a cat or least more than on tool to do it with. If I could only one it would probly be my leatherman wave..I know it works

cya
jimi

 

[Foilist]

I've only worn a neck knife on my neck a few times. Invariably I shove them in my front pocket.

Yup. I love neck knife SIZED knives, but I prefer to pocket carry them. My first Bark River, a Mini Canadian, is a frequent companion that has only once left me underknifed (I had left my hatchet behind and only had larger wood avilable).

The only times I've worn it around my neck is when I am wearing full winter clothing and don't want to fumble with gloves, coat, and pockets. I'm more likely to have a larger knife if I'm wearing gloves, though.

Speaking of neckers, has anyone tried the Folts Minimalist from CRKT yet? It's a useful looking little wharncliffe.

 

[Mistwalker]

Speaking of neckers, has anyone tried the Folts Minimalist from CRKT yet? It's a useful looking little wharncliffe.

I have a friend in the UK who really loves his, I think it's his edc knife...though he didn't come right out and say that...funny knife laws over there ya know.

 

[chiangmaiheadman]

I only carry parang with ten inch blade which serves well for chopping wood when necessary, but like other people said here usually can find enough firewood that doesn't need to be cut. Around the farm I generally use a chainsaw.

 

[attej]

About axes in general, I use one almost weekly at my summer place (a Fiskars splitting axe), and I own a few smaller ones for hiking too (wetterlings, and a mini fiskars). Sometimes its fun to carry one, especially if I know Im going somewhere where building an open fire is not an issue. The largest knife I own is 6" blade, and I find it a bit too heavy and clumsy, so I dont really know about choppers.

I guess it all comes down to what do you want to do, and what do you need to do in the woods. I like camp fires, but for natures sake, I only build one occasionally. I dont use one to keep me warm during nightime (dont need to with modern sleeping bags), and I dont build one every time I want a cup of coffee or whatnot (camp cookers are light and easy to use). Also, even though Id really want to, I dont build natural shelters. Again, tarps are lightweight, easy and quiet to set, and dont require a single tree to be cut down. For these reasons, I simply have no need for a chopper. For emergencies, I prefer to carry a few garbage bags and maybe a space blanket instead of a large knife or a hatchet.

Not trying to preach here, just explaining how I try to do things in this environment.

Now neck knives, those I really like! Im used to carrying my puukko on a paracord necklace; a somewhat rare method in here. Especially with a large backpack, and with a thick winter coat, I find a neck knife a lot easier to access than a belt knife. The knife Ive been using lately is a small classic mora, with 3,5" blade. Its ok for battoning 2,5"-3" thick branches in a pinch.

 

[attej]

3.) Don't understand the proper geometries to use when using an axe (a good example is the Youtube video of the guy who's saying that the Fiskars axe suck because beating away with almost straight on blows with a SPLITTING AXE didn't work well.)

Yeah I saw that too... I laughed out loud to that; I have that exact same axe at my summer cottage, and its easily the best splitting axe Ive ever used. But the way that guy was using it...

 

[Shearwater]

Pretty much agree with the OP. A fixed blade around 3" and then a larger knife (I've got a 7" Leukko and a 12" Ontario camp machette) would suit for most all of my woods work. I do usually have a small saw with me also. Axes large and small are dear to my heart, but I usually don't have a reason to tote them on canoe trips or hikes into the bush. They get used most around the cabin or at a base camp. Maybe it would be different in more northern climate.

Its sure fun to play with the more medium sized knives, and there is usually one or two stashed in my pack somewhere, but I do like having a small blade handy for fine work and a large blade for fire and shelter making.