TK Magazine "Wilderness Knife"

[theoldawg]

I carry a knife because I like to. I don't need any other reason.

Not adding much substance to this great discussion, but I appreciate the above statement - Kind of reflects my own knife philosophy...........

 

[DOC-CANADA]

Probably so...my input was in jest, for sure! I agree wholeheartedly with what Steve Dick wrote in his column. There are many who will denigrate others for choosinig a specific type of knife...I'm not one of them. If you feel you can get by with a SAK, so be it. And if you want to carry an 8" Bowie knife (as I do at times), that's alright as well!

Ron

100% :thumbup:.

Reminds me of the story of the hooker who asked the john with the unusally small equipment, " Who do you plan on satisfying with that?"

His response: "Me, baby, me!"


Maybe that was Talfuchre.................., oh well, I carry what I like, and don't feel the need to rationalize my choices. If you (in the general sense) don't like it, tough cookies!. (actually, cookies wasn't my first choice )



Doc

 

[mdauben]

I just dont understand why if you like to carry a light pack your supposed to be some kind of liberal elitest snob

Not sure if you are referring to what I said or not, but just to be clear. I certainly don't think everyone who is into ultralight backpacking is an elitist snob. The ultraligh movement has done a lot to generate interest in new, lighter gear that benefits anyone who wants to cut down their load. There are elitist snobs in the ultralight community, however, who denigrate and look down on anyone who does not follow their idea of the proper way to backpack. IMO the comment about knives larger than 2.5 inches being for "greenhornes" is an example of that sort of thinking.

This is certainly not a reflection on ultralight backpackes as a whole and examples of similar "elitist snob" mind-sets can be found in almost any group.

 

[Pritch]

For the past couple of years I have been adopting more and more light and ultralight gear, but not out of any sense of superiority. I just wanted to offset some of the weight of my knives, guns and sometimes my archery tackle.

-- Pritch

 

[Trout Tamer]

With modern gear, freestanding tents, dehydrated meals in tearable plastic packaging, etc., I think it's entirely possible to go out on a backcountry trip and never use a knife once. This seems to have created the mindset that a belt knife is unnecessarily heavy, and at most you should carry a little SAK.

I recently flipped through a book on backpacking that said that carrying anything more than a 2-1/2 inch folder is a sure sign of "a greenhorn."

All I can say is, that's a strange thing to feel superior over.

Very well stated.

Yes, modern gear makes the wilderness seem a little less wild and requires a little less effort to live off the land. But (and it's a big but ) the wilderness is still exactly that - wild.

Carrying a knife, firesteel, and other fundamental wilderness tools may get chuckles and raised eyebrows when the weather's perfect and the unicorns are frolicking with the fairies in the fields.

A simple misstep, though, and everything changes. Everything. One short mile into the wilds is a loooonnng way to crawl with a broken ankle. Or when hypothermic.

A chunk of sneer-inducing steel in the form of a knife, camp shovel, and firesteel is more precious than gold when needed.

So let 'em snicker and condescend. As the retired Air Force pararescueman who taught me my survival skills and saved my crushed leg from amputation said, "Those who know need no explanation and, for those who don't know, no explanation will ever suffice."

 

[caine]

Havent read this issue yet. Becuase Im deployed, but I have a Dozier Wilderness and love it

 

[caine]

Just got my issue today. Great read.

 

[hollowdweller]

Hey Caine,

How's it going?

 

[caine]

Im good and safe. Cant wait to get home and in the woods

 

[Rick Marchand]

Good.... stay safe, bud. I guess there wouldn't be much time or place for woodsbum'n overthere, eh?


Rick

 

[Joezilla]

Id like to introduce a term...

Packsniffers: One whose judgement of others gear, whilst out in the woods, gives them a superiority complex. Characterized by constant critisizms of others gear, and satisfaction that they are more of a "woodsman" upon the discovery that some "ultralighter" dosnt carry______ or carries too much _____. This behavior is strangely much easier to find on internet forums than out in the ACTUAL woods.

Funny term!

 

[Mistwalker]

Call me green then....

Rick

Me too.

[QUOTE

I can make due with a small a knife or no knife at all, but would never intentionally set myself up to get "stuck in the middle".

Swallow your ultralight pride and pack safe.

:thumbup: I agree 100% 'Ol Bud ! Better to have & not need than to need & not have I always have & always will carry at least a good midsized fixed blade on my belt ( not counting whags in my pockets & my pack )

Agreed, to a point one of my favorite philosophies!

For me, I practice preparedness and I will carry what ever I need to make sure I'm comfortable while out. I don't mind the extra weight of a fixed blade or axe.
Scott

I find the weight of an axe annoying in my area as I seldom if ever need or want one, but I will always have a medium sized fixed unless something went drastically wrong!

 

[hollowdweller]

For the past couple of years I have been adopting more and more light and ultralight gear, but not out of any sense of superiority. I just wanted to offset some of the weight of my knives, guns and sometimes my archery tackle.

-- Pritch

For me it's to offset the weight of my belly

 

[Thalestin]

I like my bravo 1 for the woods. I dont find it very heavy or bothersome. It is fun for staring fires or just cutting some stuff. I also take a book to read. I consider myself to be a pretty strong healthy guy so I can handle the extra weight. I don't race when I hike--I hike for enjoyment. I also take a large camera so whatever. Each to their own in my op. I have been in the woods my whole life. In I am a noob for not being as light as i can be, oh well.

I still love the woods even if im a heavy ass hiker

 

[hushnel]

I carry what I want to carry too. From what I've seen of the Dozers they seem quite usable. I have to admit a certain wonder at one that would not carry any kind of knife but then I can remember the Christmas of 1960 the only thing I asked for was a knife. Mom looked at the very short list and said “not until you learn how to spell it”

Here is a knife I take everywhere except work, it’s just one of three or four I will carry, and anyone who cares to is welcome to poke fun at me, I can handle it, oh mine is the left handed version.

 

[Carolina River Rat]

That's pretty cool, Hushnel. Where doth one acquireth such an animal?

 

[woodsmoke]

How much knife you need usually depends how far from the road you intend to go. I have been in situations where on remote Canadian rivers, after a day of cold rain, with the people I was responsible for being mighty cold with teeth chattering, if all I had was a SAK or light belt knife, things would not have gone well. I always have a substantial knife in the side pocket of my Duluth pack just in case. It supplements the axe and has saved my butt several times.

 

[hollowdweller]

:thumbup:

I carry what I want to carry too. From what I've seen of the Dozers they seem quite usable. I have to admit a certain wonder at one that would not carry any kind of knife but then I can remember the Christmas of 1960 the only thing I asked for was a knife. Mom looked at the very short list and said “not until you learn how to spell it”

Here is a knife I take everywhere except work, it’s just one of three or four I will carry, and anyone who cares to is welcome to poke fun at me, I can handle it, oh mine is the left handed version.

wow. a folding multi tooled "crooked knife" :thumbup:

That's gotta be one of the coolest things I've seen in a WHILE

 

[hushnel]

it's called the Carvin' Jack and it's made by Flexcut. I found in on sale with the rouge, stroping block and case. I wanted one since they first came out a few years ago.

 

[Carolina River Rat]

What an awesome site! While I thank you, my girlfriend and my wallet hate you.