Questions for people who do the big knife thing.

David E said:
When did "survival situation" become the only parameter? "all around" means that, ALL AROUND. At the office, on the street, at home and oh yeah, in the woods.
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If you post in a WIlderness and Survival SKills forum, as this is, you can expect folks to discuss things in that context.

I never mentioned carrying 1/2 dozen knives. Nor did I champion the SAK as the best "only" knife for all situations. I'm only saying it makes a good "all around." Is there a better "all around?" Sure, I think a decent Leatherman is a better one, but the SAK remains a pretty good one.
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I didn't say you did mention carrying a half dozen knives or attribute that thought to you. In the context you now suggest, a SAK seems like an OK choice. Screws to tighten and all that. Didn't I pretty clearly imply that in my posts?

I agree, pick the BEST one for the specific job. But the typical SAK can easily be slipped into a pocket as well.
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In a survival situation, you may not have that choice -- if we are talking about matters upon which this forum centers most discussions. But if you have access to a range of tools, sure. I have a number of fixed-blasde knives that easily slip into my pockets, but most would not call them "big."

I'd be curious if you approached your co-workers and friends and asked them to empty their pockets, how many have any knife with them? Of those, how many knives would be a machete? Hatchet? Buck 110?
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Where am I approaching them and do they have any relevant knowledge? In an office in 2009, very few will have a knife of any kind. They have to borrow me and my knives (Don't loan knives.) If they are backpacking, they pretty much all carry some sorta' knife 'cause it's on The List. Some will carry a SAK. But, then, they know I have sturdier tools. Few carry a 110 - fairly heavy for the functionality.

What knife is in YOUR pocket right NOW ? I bet it ain't a machete or hatchet.
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You win if there were a bet. But if this is not a survival situation -- as in, you're at home -- who cares what's in your pocket? You are not limited. You can even go buy a "better" tool.

And sodak is so right; this has been done to death. But non-paying memebrs can't use "search" so it will come up again, and again, and again . . .
 
Every inch over 4" makes you more manly and grows more hair on your chest, not to mention supporting the knife industry ;) Heck, I knew a guy with a 12" knife who had 16 kids {{{{{{{{{{{{snort}}}}}}}}}}}}. Get a saw!
 
desmobob said:
Regardless of what people convince you of regarding the advantages (or lack thereof) of a big knife, you just plain need an FBM. Everyone does. Some just might not realize it. Yet. ;)
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I disagree. I think you need at least five at a minimum. More is better when the zombies come.

Mistresses4.jpg


I like the control a big knife gives me for splitting wood. Smaller pieces can mean easier fire starting and, sometimes, drier wood. Try splitting an 8 or 10 inch log with a hatchet, and then try the same with a large knife (9 to 10 inch blade) and a baton log. For me, the knife/baton is a lot easier, and the longer blade gives more striking area for the baton log.

I also like a lot of the points in this post...

Bushman5 said:
to ME a big fixed blade is anything over 10" blade length, The advantages for ME (your milage might vary) are:

- fast easy clearing of trail limbs, thickets
- fast chopping of small logs ( V notching)
- limbing of logs
- peeling bark
- chopping/portioning and tenderizing of steak/ribs etc
- fine controlled cuts (one hand on each end of knife) for making cedar shingles
- massive amounts of shavings in a short time. (ie: from a 8" log instead of a small stick)
- its just fun to swing a big fixed blade.
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Guyon said:
I disagree. I think you need at least five at a minimum. More is better when the zombies come.

Mistresses4.jpg
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Jesus H. Christ! That's a lot of Battle Mistresses there...if you collect any knives other than just BMs you must have quite the collection!

You probably have more money in FBMs than I have in knives and guns put together.

Note: just to clear up any possible confusion as these threads can get touchy...this is a compliment not a criticism!
 
My experience has been with an 18 inch Tromontina machete, Fiskars hatchet and large axe, RAT7 and a Kuhkuri about 15 inches overall.

The machete is the best for clearing brush and vegetation, and makes quick work of wood under 1 inch in diameter.

the hatchet handles anything thicker better than the machete, and can be choked up to handle more precise tasks, but overall doesn't strike me as the most versatile of the group.

Axe, same as the hatchet, except more power behind the swings means it handles larger logs the hatchet wouldn't be practical for. Unbeatable compared to the others for large, heavy shelter building or if you need to chop logs into sections, but not worth much for anything else.

The Kuhkuri and RAT7 are my favorites. They can be used to clear brush and vegetation like the machete and do well enough to clear out a camp site for one quickly or clear thorns from overgrown portions of a trail. They work great with batoning techniques to bust apart wood for more efficient burning in the fire or finding dry wood in poor weather. They chop, the kuhkuri much better than the RAT7, but they aren't something you'd want to use on 6 inch thick logs. The bigger versions of each would do better overall but they're also more uncomfortable to carry due to the size and weight. Not that I'm goign to let that keep me from trying to get something larger :D

Short version: They all have strengths and weaknesses. I carry my RAT7 and bring along specialized tools as needed.
 
DaleW said:
Every inch over 4" makes you more manly and grows more hair on your chest, not to mention supporting the knife industry ;) Heck, I knew a guy with a 12" knife who had 16 kids {{{{{{{{{{{{snort}}}}}}}}}}}}. Get a saw!
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I know you can split wood with a saw
 
David E said:
What knife is in YOUR pocket right NOW ? I bet it ain't a machete or hatchet.

.
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This kinda funny on two counts:

1.) neither the hatchet or machete fit in a pocket, so it's a loaded question.
2.) on my belt right now, is a Bura Bowie I just cleared some brush around the head of my driveway with. Try doing that with a SAK. Oh, it's a biggish knife at 17.25" OAL, 10.75" of that being blade.

;)
 
Cpl Punishment said:
2.) on my belt right now, is a Bura Bowie I just cleared some brush around the head of my driveway with. Try doing that with a SAK. Oh, it's a biggish knife at 17.25" OAL, 10.75" of that being blade.
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Pics? Remember, this is W&SS, it didn't happen if there aren't pics! ;)


I've never tried this, but I saw it in an Air Force film about arctic survival once: at one point the crew of the 'downed aircraft' decided to cut snow blocks and build a shelter, kinda like an igloo. I think they used a big knife or saw (can't remember). Anyway, they made a nice little shelter. That idea has stayed in the back of my mind as a good reason to have a big knife in winter conditions. It could be used to cut snow blocks or dig a snow cave. Sure a shovel would be better for digging, but not for making blocks.
 
I can't imagine putting the amount of work in that an igloo would require (although my gf does constantly pester me to build one every winter, without fail) but cutting snow blocks for simpler shelters is not too difficult and either a big knife, a rigid saw (as opposed to a bow saw or sven saw) or a purpose-built snow saw would work great!
 
misanthropist said:
1.) Blondes or brunettes? Yes
2.) Ginger or Mary Anne? Yes
3.) Big knife or hatchet? Yes
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I like the way you think! :D


misanthropist said:
I can't imagine putting the amount of work in that an igloo would require (although my gf does constantly pester me to build one every winter, without fail) but cutting snow blocks for simpler shelters is not too difficult and either a big knife, a rigid saw (as opposed to a bow saw or sven saw) or a purpose-built snow saw would work great!
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I wasn't going to bring her up, but since you did, that thread you started with the knife that you made, while it looks good, it might look a whole lot better if she was holding it! ;)
 
You know I considered the answer for #2 possibly being "at the same time" which you might have appreciated as well...

Anyway rest assured that once it's looking model worthy, I'll get her to pose with it.
 
Guyon said:
Well, I like some of Ethan Becker's large blades too. ;)

BeckerGroup.jpg
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I am gonna weep. Amazing the amount of variety there, I love it.

Do you happen to have a larger version of that image, the larger the better? If so, I would love to have it.

And if you don't want to post it here, you can feel free to email it to me, any size, mdpoff at yahoo dot com.

WOW,
Marion
 
To sum up, if I may....

Big Knife Advantages

Use as a Draw Knife
More Cutting Surface, thus less of a need for accuracy
Possibilty of Multiple Edge Types ala Parang
Precise Batoning
Easier to Baton, more Striking Surface
Ease of Access and Carry
Reasonable good at machete like tasks, for instance, clearing brush

An Axe excels at those tasks for which it was created, but it has never made extinct the big knife, no matter it's name, be it bowie, khukurri, golock, bolo, parang, leuku, whatever.

When you *need* to process large wood to satisfy a fire, for instance, during the winter, then an axe is without peer.

But, if you are trying to accomplish multiple types of cutting, then a large knife can do that very well.

I carry an Axe, because I love axes, but I also carry a large knife, but I have no use for hatchets (axette, or baby axe).

There is no 'one' cutting tool, all have their value.

Marion
 
Guyon is definitely the man when it comes to choppers! Got that whole Busse & Becker thing on lockdown.

I think Bushman's checklist of why a chopper can be useful is clearly stated.

Many primitive folk put choppers of some sort to good use, and they often serve the role of multi-tool, also.

Igloos seem to come together pretty quickly; if you have a saw (looks like a cheap woodsaw here) and the right snow (wind-packed snow drift, deep), 2 experienced Inuit, and 30 minutes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-x5QOSqP3E
Their work seems to favor the saw over a big knife, but I bet it'd still work.
 
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