Some Condor fun in the Maine woods! (Viking, Bush Knife, and Rodan)

[FortyTwoBlades]

In one of my Education Major classes I had to do something of an off-the-beaten-path project. After weighing my options I figured that making a big 'ol bottle of pine needle tea would be a good option, so I donned my favorite tools and set out for the woods.

We've been fortunate enough to have had some fantastic weather lately, and much of the snow has either sublimated on the cold days, or just thawed clean away.

I was carrying my Condor Viking and Bush Knife as my choppers that day. I've been testing out a bunch of different models out of my collection lately, but I just keep coming back to these two. I had the Viking on my belt and the Bush Knife on the stabilization strap of my Malaga Gearslinger.

On my way to the woods I found a dead white birch across my path. In need of fire starting materials for my project, I used the tip of the hook on my trusty Bush Knife to score the bark. I then used the reverse side to push under the bark and lift it free.

Upon entering the woods I found a nice damp stump on which I could build my fire without any potential troubles. A dead branch from a nearby blue spruce provided some lovely fine sticks for the initial stages of the fire.

The fine stuff taken care of, it was time to go in search of more sizable materials (as well as an opportunity to have some fun with my Viking machete--it's a beast!) I stumbled across one of the many decaying old blown-down pine trees in the area and a test cut revealed that there were pockets of fatwood to be found within the roots. The wood that wasn't fatwood was still quite resinous, so I found a stout root and chopped away!

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Here you can see just how deep the Viking bit on the first chop.

It didn't take long before I'd chopped clean through! This wasn't rotten wood either. The dark center of the root is actually frozen wood--the thaw hadn't reached it yet! If the zombies come this will be my first choice!

I then found a large branch to use as a baton so I could split the root up. I used the "hatchet blade" of the Bush Knife to chop a handle on the thing I could actually grab, then used the baton to strike the Bush Knife along the top of the bill to baton it through the root. No pictures of the process (it WAS two-handed after all) but here's the Bush Knife and baton.

It turned out that much of the root was hollow along much of the length (though not where I'd chopped through it) and most of what remained was fatwood. By sinking the bill of the Bush Knife into a log I was able to pull a piece of it up into the blade to make nice little curls.

However, it was much easier to use a more conventional knife for the finer process of cutting away the non-fatwood bits. I switched to my trusty Rodan for the task. A better knife for $20 you shall not find!

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

In addition to some good fatwood bits I also got a fair amount of highly resinous (but not fatwood caliber) wood. My materials gathered (including some dry pine needles covered in pitch and some fluffy fleabane to catch a spark) I was ready to start! I was able to catch a light on the third strike.

A small piece of dense fatwood acted like a match to spread the fire around.

Time to start the boil!

Mission success! Now let's see how my classmates like it on Tuesday.

 

[dawsonbob]

Good thread, 42B, and good pictures, too.

I really, really like the Condor's...especially that Rodan. I can't wait to get mine, but that will be after I get my new Condor bolo.

I like the Viking, but it looks like too much for me to carry on my hikes around here.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Blade length on the Viking is 20", so it's pretty average for a machete length-wise. The sharpened back edge is great for clearing grasses and brambles, or for pulling down branches and the like. The handle is quite comfy when held "backwards". Great for the varied flora that we have up here. :thumbup:

 

[Rockywolf]

Great pics. They look like tough users. What boots you wearing?

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

They're Corcoran jump boots. A buddy of mine in the Air Force gifted them to me. Nice as they are, though, they aren't really meant for the kind of abuse that heavy woods use gives them. The finish is all worn away in a bunch of places and I have a few deep gouges in them. I plan on replacing them with some 10" Bean Boots when they finally die.

 

[dawsonbob]

Blade length on the Viking is 20", so it's pretty average for a machete length-wise. The sharpened back edge is great for clearing grasses and brambles, or for pulling down branches and the like. The handle is quite comfy when held "backwards". Great for the varied flora that we have up here. :thumbup:

For some reason, perhaps because it's so slender, it looked much longer to me. I've got a 20" myself for use around the yard, but if I'm going out I usually take my 14" bolo.

 

[remmmm]

Great pics. I think you should have made everyone from your class hike out there with you though

 

[DOC-CANADA]

Great pictures - nice way to spend a day!

Doc

 

[jcl-MD]

Cool Pics!
RP#141

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

For some reason, perhaps because it's so slender, it looked much longer to me. I've got a 20" myself for use around the yard, but if I'm going out I usually take my 14" bolo.

I honestly think the secret to making a 20" a choice that you grab is having a damn good sheath. The swiveling belt loop makes all the difference--I hardly notice it's there. It'd be a pain if it had a standard fixed loop, though.

Great pics. I think you should have made everyone from your class hike out there with you though

I would have loved to, but unfortunately much of the class isn't so wilderness minded as me. The thought crossed my mind though!

 

[franchisekid]

So jealous. There, I said it!

 

[WILLIAM.M]

Great photos

Thanks for postig bro

 

[Joezilla]

Nice pictures! Yes the stickers are getting ousted! Isn't it fun to play pyro with a purpose! I hope you got an A on the project!

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Nice pictures! Yes the stickers are getting ousted! Isn't it fun to play pyro with a purpose! I hope you got an A on the project!

I leave the stickers on as a matter of pride. I really respect the work the guys at Imacasa do. That being said I know that most folks aren't big fans of peeling those puppies off.

I ought to be able to get an A no problem--the teacher is one of those ones that don't grade and have you do a "self assessment" at the end of the course.

 

[theedge13]

Awesome reviews! I was looking into the viking myself! and the rodan... but kinda hesitant on that one cuz i already have a BK2..but for the small coinage it might still see my stable

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

It has a full flat grind and a high convex on it right from the factory, plus it's a hidden (but BEEFY) tang, so it's great in cold weather. Can't go wrong for around $20.

 

[1066vik]

as always - nice photo's & travelogue.
I'm definitely looking forward to the Rodan passaround - it's beginning to look like a good addition to my "giveaway BoBs" if I ever run out of Mora's. (which tend to go out the door as holiday/b-day gifts)

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

I still use my it a bunch, but I've found that the Rodan has taken over most of the chores that my Mora used to do. The high convex and flat grind make it cut nearly the same as a Mora, yet the thicker spine and significantly beefier tang (it goes all the way to the lanyard hole!) make it a LOT more durable--and Moras aren't weak! The nice leather sheath is a lot better than any Mora too. You can't usually get just a nice leather sheath for $20!

It's funny--it's one of my least expensive knives and yet one of my favorites.:thumbup:

Anyone who hasn't should give the Bush Knife a try, too. I can't ever see myself needing a hatchet when I have that little guy around--it can do a lot more than you might expect!