On the adjenda for tomorrow...

T

TFin04

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Aug 21, 2005
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Taking a buddy of mine out exploring. There is a 900 acre area we're going to that doesn't have many defined trails, more of just a walk through the woods.

My friend is an experienced hiker. By hiker I mean Appalachian Trail type who hikes from site to site and takes food drops and that kind of thing. Nothing wrong with that but he has very little skills in the art of bushcraft.

I've got a new blade in from Stomper. One of his Budget Hunters in 1095. It's the up swept style. I'll be loaning my buddy my Kephart to carry. He'll be thrilled.

I figure we'll do a little exploring. Show him how to set up a poncho as a shelter a couple different ways and we'll build a fire to cook our lunch on. Probably some liptons noodles with a packet of salmon.

My rules for the day:

- I will not use any other knife than the JK blank I have. If it means I'm digging a trench to stay in for the night, so be it. Lets see what this thing can do!!

- We will not be carrying stoves. I have a canteen cup. If we want hot food, we must build a fire.

- We will not be carrying a lighter or matches. Nor will I be using cotton balls to catch a spark. My friend will learn how to baton through a log and start a fire from fuzz sticks.

Pics to come!!
 
Sounds good. Rule number 4 & 5

- you will take a camera and pictures.
- there will be obligatory shots of knife in use and firesteel sparking!

Looking forwarded to the follow up!
 
KGD kind of hit the main points I wanted to make. :D But yes, lots of pictures of shelters, fires, steel, and smiles are all mandated when you pre-announce your plans.
 
Looking forward to seeing some pics. :D

Don`t baby it, beat it! I will refinish it and put your choice of handle on it when you are done.
 
Stomper said:
Don`t baby it, beat it! I will refinish it and put your choice of handle on it when you are done.
Click to expand...

Yes sir! I have just the thing in mind... it will certainly be considered 'abuse' but I want to see how far I can take this thing.
 
kgd said:
Sounds good. Rule number 4 & 5

- you will take a camera and pictures.
- there will be obligatory shots of knife in use and firesteel sparking!

Looking forwarded to the follow up!
Click to expand...

Thats what I wanted too.:thumbup:
 
Well my hiking buddy had family stuff so I just used this knife out in the yard.

The convex edge batons very well and creates fuzz sticks well too. I prefer my Kephart for batoning only because of the longer reach of the blade. I could even stand for a 6" version or maybe even a Scout model as a main belt knife. The hunter would serve a great purpose as a game/food knife, which is kept sharp in my pack. It would be big enough to process wood for fires and build shelter, but that wouldn't be the main purpose.

I drove the 1095 knife through about 30 feet (total) of dried hard wood and created a fire with it. My kephart throws sparks better, not sure if its the more finished spine or the blade steel. I think it's just the finished spine. That is nothing against the Budget Hunter, as this is just a blank I'm testing. The 1095 knife still shaves hair off my arm after all that and it started with a very fine edge, one that normally doesn't hold up well to heavy batoning.

I also batoned it cross grain into a 5" piece of Hickory. I went around the log in 5 or 6 different spots and drove it in about 1" all the way around. The log was thin enough for me to break over my knee then. This isn't something I like doing because it is so hard on the edge. I would normally burn this log in half but if it was all I had, this knife could make it small enough for me to baton through, split up, and start a fire with.

I like it a lot so far. More to come...
 
So where is this 900 acre area? Is it in our neck of the woods? :D

Jeff
 
That IS a sweet spot. My wife and I just did a 2 1/2 hour hike there yesterday! There's tons of good bushwacking besides the trails as you know. Did you get the email with the rough map?

Jeff
 
Yes I did. I have it printed and in my bag waiting to go... hopefully sometime next week.
 
Cool. I am gonna do some more with mine tommarow. Might baton some bricks or somethin. I have some seasoned osage to baton with it as well.:cool:

I was gonna do somethin today, but I didnt get home till 5am. Went to some haunted houses in KC, and then to the casino. Won me a little scratch too:thumbup:

Too tired for anything right now. Gonna watch some slasher flicks I rented and be a sloth.:D

Look forward to them pics dude., have a safe trip, and glad to see your sharin some info with your bud.:thumbup:
 
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