Overboard with Blade Thickness: Your Mod's Ramblings

[Brian Jones]

Maybe a summation is in order,

For the small, thin-blade fans, I'm a dumb-ass because I like, carry, and use big choppers.

For the big, thick chopper fans, I'm a dumb-ass because I like, carry, and use small, thin-blade knives.

So, I guess that begs the question, "Are there any other options?"

Doc

Nope. it means we're ALL dumbasses! So, look around everyone! You're in same company! :thumbup:

I'll rename the forum the Wilderness & Dumbass Knife Owners forum.

 

[monkeybutt]

[I'll rename the forum the Wilderness & Dumbass Knife Owners forum. [/QUOTE]

I'm in! Sign up or is it automatic.

 

[CaptInsano]

Thick knives have been in vogue since way before UBL.
See my comment about Webster Marble.

Some would rather have something that can't be broken, instead of taking time to care for their gear and learning how to use it properly and carefully.

The Ugly Stick fishing rod comes to mind.

I think it is far more likely that people recognize that things don't always (actually quite often don't go as planned. The basic premise of many situations is that I need to do this list of things which, odds are won't be the most orthodox list, and all I have to accomplish them with is this knife. The simple fact of the matter is that I can accomplish more things with a knife that will accept more conditions than one that will accept less conditions. Knives are designed for different purposes. I don't need to excel at some tasks. I need to get by with all tasks. Your situation is going to be dynamic. A knife that can handle more abuse can be used "properly" for more tasks. People complaining about overbuilding what is probably the second most basic survival tool is really beyond me. By the time I need to carve myself a spoon, I'm not going to give a damn that it looks like it was made for an ogre.

 

[DutchV]

Dannyboy - Okay, whose knife is that in the picture? Details, man, we need details.

 

[Brian Jones]

I'm in! Sign up or is it automatic.

You seem like a natural. DOH! (j/k)

 

[RedRockNv]

I am thinking something small with several blades in your pocket (SAK) something middling on your belt (for quick defense and general use) and a chopper (clearing ground and firewood) on you pack.
Why is it when someone mentions their perfect knife and how great it is they use initials instead of the whole name? I want to look up what people think is their favorite. Who knows I might like it also. So if you must use a company’s initials (SAK =Swiss Army Knife) spell it out somewhere for the dunces among us. I am new to Busse and everyone there it seems abbreviates the names of the different models (JH = Jack Hammer) now that is in one domain and not too hard to look up given the number of related sites. But there are any number of companies and models most of us are brutally unaware of. Ok I am talking about myself one of the dunces. So help me or us out. Tell us what you are talking about.

 

[CaptInsano]

I am thinking something small with several blades in your pocket (SAK) something middling on your belt (for quick defense and general use) and a chopper (clearing ground and firewood) on you pack.

I completely agree, but rarely are we talking about an ideal scenario.

 

[monkeybutt]

Sorry, double post.

 

[monkeybutt]

You seem like a natural. DOH! (j/k)

That's what my wife says. Brian its nice to have a Moderator who has a sense of humor and is able to well... keep it 'moderate'. Thanks man.:thumbup:

 

[udtjim]

Why does it have to be a either or situation? I am sure most all of us have plenty of both.

 

[Brian Jones]

That's what my wife says. Brian its nice to have a Moderator who has a sense of humor and is able to well... keep it 'moderate'. Thanks man.:thumbup:

Monkeybutt, glad I didn't offend you and that you like it here. We like having you here, too. Thanks for the kind words.

If we aren't having fun, we aren't living, IMHO.

 

[Ebbtide]

I read an article that proposed that the prototype of Jim Bowie's blade was merely an elongated kitchen knife with a slightly greater than 1/8 thick steel carbon blade.

Where was that article?
I'd like to read it.
Every mention (that I've read) of Bowie's knife goes right to the one published eyewitness account:
"...big butcher knife."
I've never seen any mention of the blade thickness at all.
Thanx in advance

I think it is far more likely that people recognize that things don't always (actually quite often don't go as planned. The basic premise of many situations is that I need to do this list of things which, odds are won't be the most orthodox list, and all I have to accomplish them with is this knife. The simple fact of the matter is that I can accomplish more things with a knife that will accept more conditions than one that will accept less conditions. Knives are designed for different purposes. I don't need to excel at some tasks. I need to get by with all tasks. Your situation is going to be dynamic. A knife that can handle more abuse can be used "properly" for more tasks. People complaining about overbuilding what is probably the second most basic survival tool is really beyond me. By the time I need to carve myself a spoon, I'm not going to give a damn that it looks like it was made for an ogre.

Capt, I'm sorry but I don't understand how my knife being able to handle abuse makes it do more tasks properly.

This whole abuse thing has me puzzled anyway.
If, lets say, chopping coconuts (for example only) is abuse & I make a knife that can chop coconuts as well as baton wood and carve the thanksgiving turkey, is chopping the coconut still abuse?
I mean, if the knife is designed to do it, is it still abuse?

Hey there is a butt for every seat, right?
That's why they make knives in all different sizes

Oh and a question for the guy that spent 45 minutes in the icy stream...
How did the firelighting go?
If the fingers were too far gone to open a pocket knife, matches must've been a beach.
I guess a fire drill would have been pretty rough too.

 

[beef]

I think one of the issues here is that some have taken it as "Big thick knife or Small thin knife".
Those that practice bushcraft, which we'll take as "going bush with the intention of chopping and carving" generally use an axe for chopping, and a knife for carving.
Two tools for specific purposes. It is not necessarily a case of only taking a mora along, although a mora has always been capable of batoning for me.

I regularly read posts like "You won't have a hatchet if you're in a survival situation. Well chances are I won't have a big thick knife with me either. But if you're going to carry a 2lb knife just incase you need it, you may as well carry a 1lb hatchet.

When I go out, I generally have a mora and SAK with sawblade. With these tools I can baton thick wood to reach dry timber, or saw halfway through wood to split it like an axe.

As another poster mentioned earlier, the term "abuse" is an odd one. Does knife abuse only happen if the user lacks the skills to correctly employ a thin knife? If I pry with my 2mm stock blade and it snaps, is this because the blade was too weak, or because I didn't have the necessary skills to achieve my end?
What are people prying and digging with their knives? A knife designed to pry, dig, chop and carve sounds like a cross between shovel, prybar, axe and knife. Horrible!

When you go out with the intention of practicing bushcraft, it makes sense to take the appropriate tools for each job. Since I generally go out bush to practice my skills, chances are I will have a saw and knife when I need them.

End of my self righteous rant.

 

[Brian Jones]

Marty Simon digs all the time with his Fox River. Works great and has been going for a few years now! :thumbup: It is not the biggest thickest blade around by any means.

 

[Bushman5]

I agree Beef . I carry the Trio: a chopper, a fixed balde and a small knife.

 

[ilbruche]

I agree Beef . I carry the Trio: a chopper, a fixed balde and a small knife.

Gotta love the trio!

Let's face it....as men there is something satisfying about weilding a heavy piece of steel that could decapitate a hippo. Is it practical to always carry one? No. But is sure as hell is fun.

 

[Bushman5]

^ very nice Trio!

 

[Bushman5]

Where was that article?
I'd like to read it.
Every mention (that I've read) of Bowie's knife goes right to the one published eyewitness account:
"...big butcher knife."
I've never seen any mention of the blade thickness at all.
Thanx in advance



Capt, I'm sorry but I don't understand how my knife being able to handle abuse makes it do more tasks properly.

This whole abuse thing has me puzzled anyway.
If, lets say, chopping coconuts (for example only) is abuse & I make a knife that can chop coconuts as well as baton wood and carve the thanksgiving turkey, is chopping the coconut still abuse?
I mean, if the knife is designed to do it, is it still abuse?

Hey there is a butt for every seat, right?
That's why they make knives in all different sizes

Oh and a question for the guy that spent 45 minutes in the icy stream...
How did the firelighting go?
If the fingers were too far gone to open a pocket knife, matches must've been a beach.
I guess a fire drill would have been pretty rough too.

matches were broken, we could'nt gauge the striking pressure we were using, fingers too numb. It was pretty much gross motor skills we were relying on. The lighter were easy to light though, thumb the gas and roll the wheel on a rock to spark it..

 

[Thomas Linton]

I think one of the issues here is that some have taken it as "Big thick knife or Small thin knife".
Those that practice bushcraft, which we'll take as "going bush with the intention of chopping and carving" generally use an axe for chopping, and a knife for carving.

Well, there is that British guy who uses a parang. He has some association with "bushcraft." Mills. Myers. Mears, that's it, Mears.

I regularly read posts like "You won't have a hatchet if you're in a survival situation. Well chances are I won't have a big thick knife with me either.

For me, just for me, the most likely occasion for wilderness survival would be when backpacking, and I'm likely to have whatever I decided to carry with me. As I noted, a couple of times, that is most likely a fairly stout 4" knife, folding saw and slip-joint of some sort. But if I decide to take a khukuri, golok, or parang, I won't need the 4" knife (but may take it anyway, bein' a knifeknut) .

When I go out, I generally have a mora and SAK with sawblade. With these tools I can baton thick wood to reach dry timber, or saw halfway through wood to split it like an axe.

Useful to have that skill - sawing to create a stress-riser so you can split wood.

As another poster mentioned earlier, the term "abuse" is an odd one. Does knife abuse only happen if the user lacks the skills to correctly employ a thin knife?

Which can result from cold, as noted above, or from illness, injury, hunger, excitement or panic.

What are people prying and digging with their knives? A knife designed to pry, dig, chop and carve sounds like a cross between shovel, prybar, axe and knife. Horrible!

If needs must, the Devil (not design or mission statement) drives.

When you go out with the intention of practicing bushcraft, it makes sense to take the appropriate tools for each job. Since I generally go out bush to practice my skills, chances are I will have a saw and knife when I need them.

But therein lies a difference between "bushcraft" and "wilderness survival." Few intend to find themselves in a survival situation (although the prudent plan for the possibility). In such a situation, the argument goes, "It's nice to have a knife that can [whatever]." As well, there is that cold, injured, hungry, excited, and/or scared to s**t factor(s) that may never factor into bushcraft (as defined at BushcraftUK).

 

[Dannyboy Leather]

Dannyboy - Okay, whose knife is that in the picture? Details, man, we need details.

Yes, sir. The knife was manufactured by Joel Bolden. Joel calls the knife his "Practical Applications Knife (PAK)." It is made of 154CM and heat treated by D'Alton Holder (excellent heat treats). The spine file does a GREAT job of scraping magnesium shavings in seconds, shredding tinder, filing notches, etc. Too, the protruding butt has been checkered to throw impressive sparks from a ferro rod. And, the half coffin shaped butt also has sharper edges for scraping wood or throwing sparks from a firesteel. The area between the scales (on the spine) and the file is also sharp and makes an excellent scraper. Really a multi-task knife that has spoiled me with the extras. I might add; the PAK handle is oval-shaped with fairly thick scales that fill my larger hand with the ability to work and whittle in comfort. Loveless bolts and epoxy secure the scales. The blade is flat-ground with a 4-1/2" convexed edge (you can choose your flavor here). Nice, light little knife made by an experienced woodsman.

I own two of the PAK's. The orange handled PAK has a slightly longer handle, 4.25 cutting edge, longer file section, satin finish.