Slip joint for survival tasks?

D

deerhunterp

Joined
Dec 27, 2008
Messages
125
I know many people who like using high quality folders for survival. I like to use slip joints for EDC (they are super classy :jerkit: ) I would like to use this kind of knife (I'm thinking of using a case sodbuster). The area where i would use it is a semi arid region with few trees. The knife would be used for skinning and batoning it to cut smaller trees. Your opinions would be greatly appreciated.
 
Batoning any folder is gonna have a destuctive effect on the pivot, you sure ya wouldn't rather have a small fixed blade skinner as a necker instead, I really can't think of any slip joint I'd recomend beatin' like that.
 
It would work for skinning. Not for batonning.

Why the jerk-it? That is considered a rude symbol.
 
You can use what ever you want for quite a few survival tasks, and there will be quite a few tasks i would not want to use a sod buster for. I dont know how the idea of batonning took hold the way it has the last 5 yrs or so, but that along with a few other popular techniques are not as common as one might think.
 
What is the correct the way to use the jerk-it symbol? I always thought of it as a double rolls eyes smilie.


Yeah, I wouldn't baton with a folder, it's abusive. Don't ruin a sod buster to be like your friends....bk11 is cheaper anyways..
 
.....after a while you kind of figure out that it's more effective to have a blade to cut with ( folder or small fixed blade ) and then another to batton, split, chop ( stout fixed blade, axe, saw, machete etc.). There are good tools that will "cross-over" and accomplish both tasks, but most of us would agree that a Sodbuster isn't one. However, you might get lucky and make it work for a bit.....but it's not something I'd want to depend upon for survival. A Sodbuster is a good cutting tool....it just isn't optimal for much else. Now if you paired it with a "Hudson Bay" axe you'd have a pretty good kit for wilderness treking.....add a 4" drop point fixed blade to the Sodbuster and axe and you're good to go just about anywhere from the Arctic to the Tropics.

- regards
 
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Sorry about using the jerk-it symbol... i won't use it again. But I have seen people use folders for that purpose before.
 
deerhunterp said:
The knife would be used for skinning and batoning it to cut smaller trees. .
Click to expand...

Forget batoning. If you need to cut a small sapling for a shelter pole,hiking staff, or whatnot just notch-cut it.

It takes longer but it can be done.I,and my 9 year old son, have done it a few times with his Ulster BSA knife and my Camillus utility.

Truthfully, I only used them because he asked if it was possible to cut down a "tree" with them. I always have a fixed on me and if out for more than a day I bring a camp axe.

In a pinch a sod buster will work.However it would not be my first or only choice.
 
The Soddie would be a great choice for a folder in camp, never understood why people think batoning is important. I got along for many years without even knowing what batoning was...lol. Beside the Soddie a few other classics should be mentioned as well.

Case Bulldog - this is a big clasp knife up to just about any camp chore. Better than a soddie for skinning as it has much more belly. You can find the same model from Shrade as well.

Case Folding Hunter - this is/was available as a 1 or 2 blade model...new are SS and older models can be found in carbon steel. Camillus did a double lock version of this.

Case Sharktooth, Mako, Hammerhead - all very well made lock backs

Buck 110 series - another good lockback

Opinel - anything size 5 and up should handle whatever you need done, also in the same design you can still find Cold Steel Twistmasters which are even tougher in build.
 
In my book, a small hatchet (and there are some very compact decent ones)is what you need for batoning.

If you want to pair it with a Traditional then OK, but use the slip-joint for cutting,slicing,dressing etc. A full size CASE Trapper might not be too bad an option here either.Large rugged Old School knife, like-able,dependable and with 2 blades to choose from:thumbup:
 
What about a nice Vic Farmer with a saw? This might eliminate the need to baton.
 
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deerhunterp said:
I know many people who like using high quality folders for survival. I like to use slip joints for EDC (they are super classy :jerkit: ) I would like to use this kind of knife (I'm thinking of using a case sodbuster). The area where i would use it is a semi arid region with few trees. The knife would be used for skinning and batoning it to cut smaller trees. Your opinions would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...



It's already been said but I would not baton a slip joint it does put a lot of stress on the pivot and most likely will loosen the blade. I like the SAK Rucksack. The blade locks it has a saw along with other basic tools. It's really hard to beat a SAK.
 
I would carry a Case Large Stockman in CV. This would skin plenty of game, allow plenty of carry options, and offer plenty of edges for all sorts of survival-based chores.

I would NOT baton with a folding knife in a survival situation---the knife is ofttimes the most important component of a kit and putting such a large amount of stress on its parts and threating breakage would be risky business. In a survival situation, the traditional knife I would carry would be that aforementioned Large Stockman (or a Vic Farmer) and I'd pack a Gransfors Bruks Wildlife Hatchet along as well.

:thumbup:
 
Todd A said:
Forget batoning. If you need to cut a small sapling for a shelter pole,hiking staff, or whatnot just notch-cut it.

It takes longer but it can be done.I,and my 9 year old son, have done it a few times with his Ulster BSA knife and my Camillus utility.
Click to expand...

I can recall doing likewise as a kid with grandpa's less-than-optimally-sharpened folders. A series of push-cuts aroung the circumference to weaken the trunk, then break it off when thinned down enough.

In retrospect though, we were pretty destructive lil' brats. :(
 
Masteroffajitas said:
What is the correct the way to use the jerk-it symbol? I always thought of it as a double rolls eyes smilie.


Yeah, I wouldn't baton with a folder, it's abusive. Don't ruin a sod buster to be like your friends....bk11 is cheaper anyways..
Click to expand...

When I first joined, I thought the jerk-it smiley ment to roll the dice. IE - the chance of sumthing happening. :rolleyes:
 
I have a small folder and a multitool as EDC. They will work if I end up in the outback. However if I have to "plan" I bring a bunch of knives. Maybe its is cheating living just 400 meters from work.

I would suggest at least a 3" fixed, like the Fallkniven WM1. It will stand batoning, if you are careful. It is a neat neck knife and a good hunting knife.
 
I would not baton with a slip joint. Even if you don't kill the pivot, pulling on a slip joint that's wedged into a chunk of wood is about the best way to get it to close on your hand.
 
steelscout30 said:
I would carry a Case Large Stockman in CV. This would skin plenty of game, allow plenty of carry options, and offer plenty of edges for all sorts of survival-based chores.

I would NOT baton with a folding knife in a survival situation---the knife is ofttimes the most important component of a kit and putting such a large amount of stress on its parts and threating breakage would be risky business. In a survival situation, the traditional knife I would carry would be that aforementioned Large Stockman (or a Vic Farmer) and I'd pack a Gransfors Bruks Wildlife Hatchet along as well.

:thumbup:
Click to expand...

This post makes an interesting point. :thumbup: If you have only one knife in an emergency it will probably be one of the most valued items in your possession. I would definitely think very carefully before doing anything that might cause any type of breakage in such a scenario, be the knife a slipjoint, a locking folder, or even a fixed sharpened pry bar like a Rat or a Busse. You risk exposing a hidden defect. I would rather be better prepared with a hatchet or a saw like the Gransfors mentioned above. If I found myself in an emergency I would be sure to tread carefully and I wouldn't be batoning anything if I only had the one. Just my $0.02. -DT
 
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