One Reason I Reeeeaally Like Serrations

[Mistwalker]

When a fire is really needed then it's usually needed as fast as possible. In survival fast means efficiency more so than all out speed. One of the reasons I like having wicked sharp serrations on my "survival" knives is for quickly making, cleaning, and back-cutting notches in hearth boards. For me it usually goes better and quicker using good serrations to saw out the notch rather than hack, whittle, or batonning it when using the thicker blades that I prefer. I have had more than one case where those methods did far more harm than good...splitting the board, breaking out a bigger hole than I needed, or one shaped wrong.

For a quick demo I grabbed a sycamore limb, and using one of the knives I picked up recently for a tactical bushcraft course, I chopped out a quick hearth board.

I know a lot of people don't like using "pointy" knives to make hearth boards but they work ok for me. After making my initial small hole the normal...holding the blade perpendicular to the board spinning tip. I just lay they blade at a shallow angle and rotate the edge around that hole removing material and widening the hole.

Then I burned in the socket.

and then using the aggressive serrations I was able to very quickly...less than a minute, and efficiently make the notch just the size I wanted it.

And getting a coal soon followed.

Anyway, with my constantly studying being down to just one tool...that's just one of the reasons why I am "a serrations guy"

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[TNRat]

Never understood the "one tool" mentality, especially when you lose it or break it but to each his own.

I can see the set up works really well for you. Thanks for the great pics. I would probably just use the SAK OHT saw if I need a saw for notching but have not gotten as far as friction fires yet.

 

[WILLIAM.M]

Good photos

Thanks for sharing

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

That's actually a pretty good point. I can't say as I'm typically a big fan of serrations, but lets just say that I've been warming up to them when it comes to certain situations or settings. :thumbup:

 

[Mistwalker]

Never understood the "one tool" mentality, especially when you lose it or break it but to each his own.

I can see the set up works really well for you. Thanks for the great pics. I would probably just use the SAK OHT saw if I need a saw for notching but have not gotten as far as friction fires yet.

Thanks, glad you enjoyed the pics. I keep a Vic Soldier or Wenger Ranger in my pocket pretty much all the time...but s#!t does happen. I take it you've never found yourself down to one tool or no tools and had to start from there eh?

 

[Mistwalker]

Good photos

Thanks for sharing

Thanks Bill

That's actually a pretty good point. I can't say as I'm typically a big fan of serrations, but lets just say that I've been warming up to them when it comes to certain situations or settings. :thumbup:

Lol, at one time I hated them...over time i've found several uses for them. I usually prefer a team of tools...one serrated and one not, the Ranger in my pocket has both a serrated blade and a saw so most of the time my fixed blade is p.e. but if I only have one tool I want a partially serrated edge.

 

[Joezilla]

I'm a fan of just using a light stick and banging a notch out. the knives I use are usually thinner, and the scandi helps with it. If I'm trying to make a fire fast, and don't have anything but fire by friction, I hope I do freeze though.

 

[Mistwalker]

I'm a fan of just using a light stick and banging a notch out. the knives I use are usually thinner, and the scandi helps with it. If I'm trying to make a fire fast, and don't have anything but fire by friction, I hope I do freeze though.

Yeah, I first saw that done with a mora, and I have done it with 1/8" blades just fine even, but using the heavier 3/16" and 1/4" blades with steeper grinds it has been hit and miss especially when the wood is cold and brittle.

I don't know bro...cold weather injuries suck and have some long lasting effects. Just trying to light a friction fire can get you warmed up

 

[nothinghappenedtoday]

I am in the Serrations camp also, whether it be a combo blade, or a Leatherman that has bot a PE and serrated blade. Never been a fan of my only knife being fully serrated though (had a Cold Steel Voyager that was fully serrated - gave that one to my brother). If I were to carry just one blade, it would be a combo - luckily I usually carry two

 

[Shotgun]

Makes sense but I aint packing no serrations.

 

[TNRat]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed the pics. I keep a Vic Soldier or Wenger Ranger in my pocket pretty much all the time...but s#!t does happen. I take it you've never found yourself down to one tool or no tools and had to start from there eh?

Aha! I thought you meant you were only taking along your one tool. You are practicing the "one is none and two is one" mentality just like I am. We are on the same page.

I was referring to the Rambo mentality where in you carry a single knife no matter what the situation which is entirely different.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Just trying to light a friction fire can get you warmed up

Ain't that the truth!

My dad likes to say that using a wood stove to heat the house keeps you warm three ways--chopping the wood, stacking it, and burning it!

 

[Mistwalker]

I am in the Serrations camp also, whether it be a combo blade, or a Leatherman that has bot a PE and serrated blade. Never been a fan of my only knife being fully serrated though (had a Cold Steel Voyager that was fully serrated - gave that one to my brother). If I were to carry just one blade, it would be a combo - luckily I usually carry two

Yeah, one of my best friends carries a C.S. folder full serrated edge. Man it will definitely do some aggressive cutting but as my only folder on me it would drive me insane!

Makes sense but I aint packing no serrations.

That's ok, I'm sure you're not the only one

They're definitely not every-one's cup of tea.

Aha! I thought you meant you were only taking along your one tool. You are practicing the "one is none and two is one" mentality just like I am. We are on the same page.

I was referring to the Rambo mentality where in you carry a single knife no matter what the situation which is entirely different.

Oh hell no!, I study being down to that point as I choose the tools I'll keep long term but never start out that way. Shoot I almost always have two fixed, one larger one smaller, and a folder, plus multiple fire starting capability, and two lights just on my belt, in my pockets, and around my neck

 

[TheGame]

Makes sense but I aint packing no serrations.

+1

I can see how they would be helpful, but I much prefer plain edge blades, even if the serrations would make one task easier, they may limit other tasks that I like to do.

 

[Mistwalker]

+1

I can see how they would be helpful, but I much prefer plain edge blades, even if the serrations would make one task easier, they may limit other tasks that I like to do.

Like I said bro, I know they're not every one's cup of tea.

As for me i'm usually just studying the various aspects of the one task I like most...staying alive

 

[TheGame]

As for me i'm usually just studying the various aspects of the one task I like most...staying alive

Staying alive is vastly overrated

I know how serrations can be utilized, I just can't seem to like them. (My brother prefers serrations for work, and I do just fine with a plain edge)

 

[Mistwalker]

Staying alive is vastly overrated

Lol, pretty sure I said that to myself a couple of times during a previous marriage

 

[IA Woodsman]

Hey Mist, what does a "tactical bushcraft course" consist of ?

 

[Mistwalker]

Hey Mist, what does a "tactical bushcraft course" consist of ?

Some of the guys I hang out with that are in one of the local reserve units here asked me to put together a short course on bushcraft...fire starting, shelter making, making traps tools and utensils...techniques structured around their issue and personal "tactical" tools because I was showing them how to use their RMJ Hawks (also local) to make friction fire kits. A lot but not all of it focuses on that specific model hawk.

 

[IA Woodsman]

Some of the guys I hang out with that are in one of the local reserve units here asked me to put together a short course on bushcraft...fire starting, shelter making, making traps tools and utensils...techniques structured around their issue and personal "tactical" tools because I was showing them how to use their RMJ Hawks (also local) to make friction fire kits. A lot but not all of it focuses on that specific model hawk.

Roger that, I misunderstood. I thought you were talking about stuff like doing a bow and drill under tactical conditions. Thanks for clarifying.