- Joined
- May 17, 2006
- Messages
- 4,290
Yes, another very rainy overnighter. This time the thunderstorms didnt let up at all during the night, but I still had a fire that never quit. I did have some new rain gear to try out and a new neck knife to play with. First of all, testing rain gear is a pretty boring affair. You put it on and walk or stand in the rain, then decide if it works or not done! However, trying out a knife is way more fun.
I designed this little necker almost a year ago and now it was finally here. Mudman on the forums made it for me along with the sheath. Basically, I wanted a beefed up Old hickory knife, but with a more substantial handle. Its meant to be a neck knife, but unlike most neck knives that have a short blade and handle, this one has a regular sized handle. I needed a knife that was light, easy to carry around the neck, and was versatile. I like light gear and this is one of the lightest, full tang knives Ive used (4.2 ounces with sheath, just a hair over 2 ounces for the knife). I designed it in the tradition of the classic Roach Belly pattern, just smaller. The spine is super sharp and another tool altogether. Blade length 3 1/8 about 3/32 thin, and made of 01 Steel!
The sheath is solid and very classic looking.
The first thing I did on the trail was see how it shaves wood and if the curls would be thin enough to light with a firesteel
Cordage was next. Sometimes convex edges dont bite as easily on cordage, but a little muscle and it cut through.
Then the rain really picked up under the tarp I went.
The sheath was top notch work!
In a fist grip the handle is full and comfortable
Larger than usual handle for a neck knife.
Chest lever grip
The handle cradles into the palm for some grips
Using the knife in a chest lever grip in a full fist grip for added power is also very comfortable.
Doing simple, cross-grain batoning on green wood for notches is considered regular use, not abuse on a small knife.
MONSTER Kabobs over coals!
Despite the rain, I needed a fire
I used the Roach Belly neck knife as my tinder and kindling maker
The blade did the fuzz stick (near the blade), while the spine produced super fine shavings (closest to spine)
The long-fire and rain
Once a fire starts and hard wood catches, it takes a tsunami to put it out, usually. From the time I started the fire at about 6:35pm, it didnt stop until about 9 am. I did have to throw some wood on every few hours and make some changes to the set-up, but it rained pretty hard all night on this fire, without it ever going out. Oak and maple, with some birch, will give you a hot fire that burns fierce.
Damp/wet wood was dried out near the long-fire
Nice looking night light!
From the back the wetness can be seen
Night visitor
Garlic SPAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Knife play ensued once the morning coffee was down the hatch.
A pot hook and some kindling were split, easy work!
A few more knife tasks and then it was time to take the trail out!
It was a good, wet, fun overnighter after allthanks MUD!
-RB
Nice knife, I didn't know Mudman was making knives.
