The purpose of large fixed blades ?

Classified00

Classified00

Joined
Jul 14, 2000
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Greetings,

First up, I'm not trying to rekindle any fires. I ask this because it has been bugging me for quite some time.

What is the purpose of a large blade?

I have been eyeing a particular fixed blade in the 7"+ range. The maker clearly states something to the effect of "it is a knife and should only be used for cutting". If all one planned to use a knife for was to cut stuff, any well made small (3 - 4") folder or fixed blade would do the job easily and with less weight and bulk to carry. I have always thought of a large fixed blade as "the original swiss army knife". A sort of do all knife while in the field.

I really would like to understand the concept of a 7.5" "combat knife" that should only be used for cutting. Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Brent...
:p
 
Sound like someone is covering their a$$ :rolleyes: .

The purpose of a large fixed blade (IMO) is in it versatility. Chopping, cutting, digging, self defence and hunting ;)
 
Large knives are made for more than cutting. A military/combat knife will get used for a lot more than that. I am not sure why the maker of this knife would say this was the only activity it was designed for. If that is truely the case, you may want to look for another large knife.

Actually, large blades are not good at doing everything in the field. There are many tasks that a small knife would do a better job on. Big knives work best on big jobs. There are few, if any cutting tasks that require a knife with a blade longer than 6".
 
Purpose of a large blade? Hmm....

I understand that military guys use their knives in ways that a knife would not normally be used, out of necessity. The average person out camping will not need to open an ammo can, or peirce a 50 gallon drum, etc.

Most people when camping already have something like a tent or some other shelter, so you don't really need to build one, nor do you really need to have a single knife big enough to do so.

If I need to chop wood for firewood, when allowed and when I'm not in forest fire heaven, I use a khukuri or an axe, they bite and split wood faster than any bowie or big knife I've used.

In reality, it's highly unlikely I'd get lost in the woods at all....and I've been camping and doing outdoor activities since I was 8.

Since then, an axe, a knife with a blade no more than 7" long, or a khuk have served me well, consistenly. I like big knives, I have a few, but I don't really lug them around.
 
There are few, if any cutting tasks that require a knife with a blade longer than 6".
Click to expand...

That's painting with a pretty broad brush :)
How about filleting a 14lb. Bluefish or a 30lb. Striper?
Carving a ham or roast beef?
Field expedient draw knife (woodworking)?
Hawg hunting with Larry Harley?
And...
at TEOTWAWKI I'd much rather have a 10" blade than a 6.
;)

I agree that there are better things to chop wood with, though.
:D
 
Just the other day, had a pineapple to cut.... used my BK-9 combat bowie! Made short work of it. Big blades allow you to cut big stuff. Plus there's that genetic tugging that most of us have that makes our eyes glaze over and transports us to "another place" when we hold a fine large bowie or similar knife. (hey, at least it does to me!) There a some big blades that easily do small blade work. The one I have that comes to mind is my BK-5, the Fisk designed Magnum Camp. This knife is fantastic, hard to explain how or why... you just have to handle it and use it.

Ebbtide... what is TEOTWAWKI?

Eyes glazing.... Mongo
 
They just LOOK COOL!.:D. Can you imagine a Bagwell Hell's Belle with a 4 inch blade??...Me either...

Also as a "fighter" (as in the Hell's Belle), they give you more reach which keeps you alittle less likely of getting cut yourself if forced into a "fight", (which we all know will NEVER happen...Right?).
 
Speaking only in so far as wilderness applications, a good large blade attached to you is like an insurance policy. you only realize how useful it is when you need it. Since I have needed it, I now always have a large FB that can cut,chop,dig, and take some abuse with me and a smaller FB or folder that's thinner and ment more for slicing.
 
Thanks for the thoughtful replies.

I hadn't really thought much about the food prep angle. Still, I have to believe that a large FB should more than just cut.

Happy Holidays,
Brent...
:p
 
I may be painting with a rather broad brush, but there wasn't any task that you mentioned that couldn't be done with a knife with a 6" blade although a larger one would be a better chioce for hunting boar. I have even seen great draw knives with blades in the 4 1/2" to 6" range, although most are much larger.

As far as that TEOTWAWKI part of your post is concerned, if I could only choose one knife to have in that situation I would probably opt for a larger knife myself.

My intention was not to discount the viability of large knives. They most certainly have their place, but one that is designed only to cut does not make a lot of sense to me.
 
A large knife is a big plus for trail maintenance. Sure you could cut twigs, branches, and shubbs with a 3" folder. Just make sure you have plenty of asprin and bandaids on hand when you do. Your sore back from all the stooping and reaching and the raw skin where you were cut and scratch by thorny undergrowth would appreciate it.

But while you are at it take a small knife too. Who wants to prep food with the knife they just used to maintain a latrine? A couple of ounces more isn't going to break you; and, it's much lighter then a gallon of cleaning fluids.

n2s
 
I've filleted 8lb. fish with my Sharpfinger. It took a lot longer and I couldn't skin the fillet.
Was it the best for the job? no.
Did it work? Sure.
So we agree there ;)

As for a knife that is for cutting only...that makes sense to me.
Chop with an ax. (I'm not much of a chopper anyway, pack saws work OK for me) Pry with a screw driver or a wrecking bar if necessary.
I'd never dig with my knife. You cut cut a branch and whittle a digging stick if you really needed to dig.

Should a big knife be able to withstand chopping? Sure, but there are better things for the job. Same goes for prying.

Maybe that knifemaker was trying to impress the fact that his knife is a quality tool that should be used as intended. To cut.


So, to answer the original question, I'd have to say that the purpose of big knives is to make their owners happy!
This make me happy :D
shirt1.jpg
 
I myself like the big blades,But I also believe that cleaning game with a big blade does take practice,I recieved the Fehrman Final Judgement-It has a 9 inch blade this is a blade length that I am use to,This blade cuts very well and also chops very well.

Just food for thought,I carry my Ferhman final judgement with a SAK,that way if im cleaning trout or some other type of small game (squirrel) (rabbit)etc. ive got a little blade,If I have to make a shelter or chop wood for a fire or if im cleaning out large game and need to split or chop bone I have a large blade,This way I have both,making things alot easier.
 
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