- Joined
- Mar 22, 2006
- Messages
- 5,944
There has been countless Threads during my tenor here about the suitability of one knife verses another...in regards to use outdoors...I think there are numerous factors that contribute to this, the primary one which has been stated by others before is what the primary uses of a knife would be..SOme people would consider battoning and other heavy chores to be the work of a fixed blade others would not, there is nothing wrong with either perspective but I feel it brings forth a dichotomy of personalities within the forum. Which seems to be the survivalist vs the outdoorsman. The survivalist perspective seems to include the notion that a knife might be your only tool, while the other perspective assumes that they might have several specialized tools for given tasks..Namely an axe or a saw.etc. This is not to say that a survivalist is not an outdoorsman or vice versa. (just a semantic or perspective issue) So while a shelter could be made with just a knife one might attempt it and the other might use different tool to cut supports, or firewood might be able to obtained with just a knife but another person might use an axe..Anyway this is nothing new, and I'm beating a dead horse,,,but I think the recognition of this dual perspective can give insight on to the variation in individual opinions over what is an appropriate fixed blade...Some one who carries a bk-9 probably won't have an axe someone who carries a mora might and should.
So here are some basic thoughts on knives for each perspective
Survival knife Qual.
Thick spine
Drop point
Full tang
convex grind
Carbon or high end stainless or laminate steel
grip larger than the width of the palm that is comfortable
lanyard hole
5+inch blade
maybe a ricasso to allow the user to choke up on the blade for detailed work.
outdoorsman knife qual
Thinner spine (designed for slicing)
Full tang is preferred but not nec .
drop or slightly clippped point
scandi or flat grind
carbon or quality stainless
shorter comfy handle
3-4inch blade
well that's all I got for now (untill I have my coffee) any thoughts or want to add to any of the list by all means feel free. Cheers .
So here are some basic thoughts on knives for each perspective
Survival knife Qual.
Thick spine
Drop point
Full tang
convex grind
Carbon or high end stainless or laminate steel
grip larger than the width of the palm that is comfortable
lanyard hole
5+inch blade
maybe a ricasso to allow the user to choke up on the blade for detailed work.
outdoorsman knife qual
Thinner spine (designed for slicing)
Full tang is preferred but not nec .
drop or slightly clippped point
scandi or flat grind
carbon or quality stainless
shorter comfy handle
3-4inch blade
well that's all I got for now (untill I have my coffee) any thoughts or want to add to any of the list by all means feel free. Cheers .