So far I see that both are capable woods knives.
That they are!
A big knife should be able to do "Big Knife Jobs". Kind of a no brainer. But there are always smaller more intricate things that need doing in and around camp.
Batoning and hacking is fun. But it uses a lot of energy.
There are days when I wish I was born in a different time. My Avatar reflects that as well. But maybe not even that far back. I have to believe after the Civil war up until the early 1900s up here in the Adirondacks must have been a pretty cool time to roam these woods.
Life was simpler. Today everything is so rushed. I have neighbors, that to be honest, I don't even know why they own a house. They are on the road from six AM until midnight. Work, kids, sports. Their two vehicles never stop.
I even see it creep into Bushcraft and woods roaming. Everything has got to be done right now. People even have contests to see who can get a fire going the fastest. Not the best, or the longest lasting, just the fastest. It's pervasive.
You have to charge into the woods with your knife and chop, hack, split, shave, and burn. Then head off to tomorrow's mission
I prefer a more relaxed approach. A deep breath even.
I like to think ahead as well. If I know I'm going to have a fire tomorrow night. Why not do some prep work tonight while I'm sitting around the fire sipping a cold one.
So last night while sitting around. I spent some time taking the Duke to task on smaller jobs.
Not every fire has to consist of giant logs broken down by a knife. Sure it's fun sometimes. And I admit I enjoy doing it at times. But there is something to be said for a little forethought.
The Duke as it arrived from Fiddleback does a fine job of making smaller curls. Remember it is a big knife. But it feels good and its balance is awesome. I think it could do better yet. It was used when I received it. I'm sure a good stropping would take it to the next level. But for now, it does a fine job.
While I was pretending to be working hard at camp chores. While my wife gatherd dry sticks from the forest floor. I noticed some of the blocks that were recently cut had a decent split running along them. I had an idea. Here is one and a shot of the sheath that comes with the Duke Pro.
That block and its friends were attached to a tree last week. It was about twenty feet up. A branch that took off on its own. Trying to reach the sun. It must have lost the race. The last storm did its magic and brought it down for this post. How cool is that?? Been dead for a while, no bark and standing dead dry. Beautiful!
Ok, this part is going to bet a bit more technical. So pay close attention. Most of this woods stuff is extremely difficult and should only be attempted by a high tuned professional. Take three pieces lf wood, and tie them together.
I realize that is a lot to absorb. But this woods living is complicated.
Then, and this is another important step. Take a nice picture of Andy's knife. So he lets you keep it for another week.
Make note of the small triangular gap in the center of the logs. You need a gap there for some air flow. I figured the cracks would help the process along.
There are a lot of ways to do this. I have done it with just twine. Sometimes it stands, sometimes not. Snare wire or any wire that isn't coated works well too.
For today's little experiment. I took the KA-BAR and did a little excavating. I didn't dare throw "Fluffy" in the dirt. Because it's not my knife. I mean it thinks it's a Duke. Royalty doesn't dig holes. At least not today. The digging was easy. More loosening with the Knife and scooping with the hands.
I buried it about three inches. Just enough to keep it from tipping over. While the Ka-bar and I were doing the dirt work. Fluffy the Duke readied the top. Shaving some more, cutting twine into three inch pieces, slicing a few small strips of birch bark, and "Fluffing" some twine. Somebody has to do the cushy gigs.
As you can see, this is all complicated work. It takes a vast amount of intoxication.