One handed ferro rod fire with Folder !

pitdog

pitdog

Joined
Apr 13, 2007
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One of the tests I always give any new fixed blade knife is to try and make a fire using only one hand, a ferro rod and fatwood.
To do this the knife needs to be reasonably tough, sharp and have a squared off spine( unless ya want to wreck the edge)'
All the recent talk about folders V's fixed blades on the 'Outdoor Gear, Survival Equipment & More ' forum made me wonder if my folder could pass the fire test.

I'm not much of a folder guy as you probably know and other than SAK's I have....hmm let's count em......One folder !:D

First task was to get me some fatwood~

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By pitdog2010 at 2011-06-10

And a little prying ~

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By pitdog2010 at 2011-06-10

When ya watch the video you will see that my main problem was the wood I used as a base was slightly rotten which allowed my knife to move about. I was going to use a flat stump from a tree that had been cut down but what would the chances be of finding one of those when ya really needed it !

[youtube]O7jePcxIWGg[/youtube]

So we did get there in the end. I'm really glad I'm not into high end folders, the fixed blades cost me enough as it is. As folders go I really like my CRKT, the blade takes a very sharp edge easily and the lock up is rock solid.

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By pitdog2010 at 2011-06-10

I also tried my sons Opinel at making fuzzies with one hand, man these knives are masters of fuzz !

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By pitdog2010 at 2011-06-10

So to sum up my thoughts now~

As my video shows Folders can get stuff done. I would gladly carry a folder when hiking round Walmart or Starbucks but when I go into the woods I'll still take my fixed blades thank you !;)
 
Great skill test :thumbup: For not being a folder guy, you picked a nice one too, I have been really happy with CRKT knives.
 
tknife said:
Great skill test :thumbup: For not being a folder guy, you picked a nice one too, I have been really happy with CRKT knives.
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Thanks buddy, the folder works well enough for me, the open design makes it easy to keep clean as well.

I'd be interested to see how other peoples folders do in this test. I'm sure many would find the spines don't strike a ferro rod !
The Opinel spines rock at striking the ferro rods as well.....awesome knives, I just wouldn't feel too confident prying with one.
 
Thanks for the pics and id, Pit. Of course, nothing will ever convince me a folder could be as good as a fixed blade in the woods. As you said though, in town, it may be all the I can have. (Although I usually do have a small fixed blade)
 
That was a great video!

And... :D

I don't know what it is about survival and music, but it's right here in my life, too.

Your Son did the November Rain solos well. The hardest parts to play, the double bends, he did the very, very well. :)
 
Don Rearic said:
That was a great video!

And... :D

I don't know what it is about survival and music, but it's right here in my life, too.

Your Son did the November Rain solos well. The hardest parts to play, the double bends, he did the very, very well. :)
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Thanks buddy I'll tell him what you said !;):thumbup:

Why did this post get moved to here, isn't this a survival skill ? I still get confused which forums have which kinda posts ???:confused:
 
You make sure you do that. He's 15, tell him to not get discouraged and don't stop playing. The only other thing is, when you go to put it down for the day or for a few hours, play one thing you have been learning or already know and play it right. It's always best to end, literally, on a good note. :)

As for thread movement and what skill v. gear is, man, I have no idea. Is a sammich bag you fill with water to mimic a magnifying glass to make a fire..."gear?" Or, is it "skill" at improvisation?

I think the idea of splitting the forums was interesting, but it really wasn't "broke" so why fix it?
 
I admit that I have the toughest time picking the right forum with some of your posts. :)
The titles sometimes seem gear related, like "I got a new axe!", but then your post is filled with discussion of a long hike or wild edibles - those are great in WSS. This post I felt was more about your knife, so I moved it.
 
Troy H said:
I admit that I have the toughest time picking the right forum with some of your posts. :)
The titles sometimes seem gear related, like "I got a new axe!", but then your post is filled with discussion of a long hike or wild edibles - those are great in WSS. This post I felt was more about your knife, so I moved it.
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No worries buddy, I'm just unsure sometimes where to post em !
 
Pit, great video & pictures buddy. One thing I have always tried to teach my son was using his weak hand as often as his strong hand, and also using just one arm/hand to perform tasks (shooting, fishing, eating, writing, etc.). He was pretty impressed with the video, & as a fellow musician (bassist/drummer) he said to pass along to your son great job on the song as well.
Thanks for the post, sometimes we do not think of an injury changing our game plan in the outdoors . . . . :thumbup:
Be safe.
p.s.: Be sure to pass along the 4 biscuit treats "guest appearance" fee to you know who in the background of the video . . . . :)
 
Great thread and video:thumbup: And it goes to show that while a folder may be a little less then ideal for “survival”, it’s capable enough to get ya out of a tight spot.

If I’m planning on heading into the woods do I pack a fixed blade, of course, but fixed-blades aren’t generally part of my EDC and bad situations have a way of sneaking up on ya, good to know my folders can perform.

Really like the one arm/hand challenge of it too, I'll have to give it a try.

-sh00ter
 
Really good technique there to plant the knife in the log. I've tried a one handed fire before where I stepped on the firesteel and moved my hand. I think yours might be more effective.
 
eomeo said:
Really good technique there to plant the knife in the log. I've tried a one handed fire before where I stepped on the firesteel and moved my hand. I think yours might be more effective.
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Not sure about that. Both equally good but I can see holding the firesteel with your foot would give you more force applied to the rod with the knife.
 
eomeo said:
Really good technique there to plant the knife in the log. I've tried a one handed fire before where I stepped on the firesteel and moved my hand. I think yours might be more effective.
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I've done it before with my foot on my knife and the ferro rod in my hand. It worked pretty well but I put some bad scratches in the nice wood handle on the knife I was using !!!:(
 
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