Traditional knives for an "unplanned overnighter" in the woods

silenthunterstudios

silenthunterstudios

Slipjoint Addict
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In late March, I will be attending a course provided by Kevin Estela of Estela Wilderness Education, at Scott Gossmans shop in Harford county (mods, this class has been filled up, and both Scott and Kevin are paying members of this forum, so no shilling here). I have been lucky enough to learn a few things from Scott, the one stick fire among them, and glad to call him friend. I love the outdoors, but am an obese guy and definitely not a woodsman, although I am trying to be one. I am no internet commando. We will bring supplies for the night, I will have my truck about fifty feet from the camp site, directly across the street is a 24 hr gas station. We're not out in the sticks, but our spot is secluded. By the way, Kevin has a recommended list of gear to bring along, and a knife is part of that gear.

So, this class is an overnighter. It's basically a lost hunter trying to survive overnight. I get out in the woods, but I am generally not anywhere far from civilization. I have been on some trails where my knees might give up the ghost, but no one plans getting lost. Well, on a hike, what would I have on me? My usual knives. A Charlow, a 73 trapper and possibly a Case Bose Tribal Spear. I put a Vic pioneer alox in my bag, and grab that sometimes. If I am out on a long hike, I will take my sak, my Gossman Kephart, my big Nalgene bottle, probably a couple ibuprofen pills, and my usual rotation of knives. Overkill, definitely. I want to make sure I take my regular knives, even though I will have a stash available at my truck. My regular knives will be the ones I have if something were to happen. I have quite a few physical ailments related to my accident and size, but have confidence that a sak can make my overnighter comfortable. It will also help me build a reliable truck kit, and personal kit to take in the woods. Some pressure and diabetes pills will make the night go by easier if I get lost.

So, for this class, should I just stick with what will be in my pockets on a regular hike? Obviously I will bring a sturdy fixed blade. What would you bring? My main focus is expanding my skills. I have seen BFC and other forum members perform bushcraft tasks with saks, GECs and other traditional folders, right in front of me, in addition to their fixed blades.

Let's have fun, people, and keep it knife based. No one hand openers, but folders and fixed blade discussion is welcomed.
 
SAK and a small fixed blade should be plenty (Mora 2/0 or other 3-4" blade). Since the simulation is the lost hunter, I'd probably have a trapper as well.
 
Hard to beat an Alox SAK and a fixed blade. Look at throwing in a bigger multifunction SAK too like a Swiss Champ for the scissors/saw, etc

Just to go to town (30 miles round trip), I usually have these:

2SAKsandanIXL_zps85c89526.jpg


If a hike was involved, a Mora Classic fixed blade (or a stout 4-5 inch hunter) would be added to the daypack.

I used to backpack a lot and on knives, a little redundancy can be your friend.
 
If its a lost hunter scenario, then I would choose a fixed blade. Your 73 is a great backup. Also the SAK in case you need to improvise something out of a can or use it to handle hot cook ware.
Sounds like a blast!!

Of course, if you want to get all Bourne Indentity, just carry a peanut:D
 
Lost hunter? I carry a Maxpedition Jumbo or Condor II when in the woods..... actually the back pack is my constant companion all the time. I end up carrying quite a bit of stuff, but as for knives, I always carry the following:

1. Some type of skinning knife that can usually double as a meat processing knife. Terrio Light Bushcrafter, Mora Military Spec, Craftsman/Shrade hunter that looks like a bigger version of the sharp finger. Every knife has a blade between 3 and 5 inches.
2. Case 6375, Sod Buster Junior/Senior, Victorinox Farmer, Buck 110.... basically one of your larger folders of 3.5 inches and up.
 
Sounds like fun, Dan. Be safe. It sounds like you'll be more then covered knife wise.
As far as what I'd bring. Probably what I carry most days, a Case/Bose WT in my pocket. I'd add a Scout knife in my pack and my Winkler II belt knife.
 
For myself, going from the perspective that if I got lost/injured etc. and spent an unplanned night in the woods, I would rely on my most often carried combo, a ubiquitous camp utility/scout knife and a small fixed blade, most often a Sharpfinger. I find that when unneeded, larger blades are burdonsome but the small skinner knife is easily ignored until needed and is still large enough for most chores I am likely to encounter.
 
I suspect you will be doing some batoning. You'll need a fixed blade. Other than that, you're good to go.

I usually have a SAK in my pocket, so I would probably take that as it would be the most likely knife I would have on me in an unexpected emergency.
 
I really like the Rat Stockman for this kind of trip idea! ;) Two different sized blades plus punch- it's always nice having an outdoor knife with accessory tool for those 'almost but not quite knife' moments.

On my last mountain hike I took these:
d844bf12.jpg


I do think you should take your EDC knives, to test their limits and learn a bit more about them. Another option is to take a knife that might be borderline passable, or one you think won't cut it (pun intended). My last hunting trip I used my Executive Whittler almost exclusively around camp, and it did fine, despite other enthusiasts saying it would fold/break etc before completing tasks. Text yourself and your cutlery- you know you will have backups so see what the minimum you need is!!
(Just my suggestion)
 
Just an FYI, there is a thread on Batoning with a SAK Farmer around somewhere on bladeforums. It inspired me to get the black farmer that I have.
 
For me it's a combo of a Vic farmer and a Opinel #9 or #10, that's the combo I EDC'd for around 20 years, ( before my knife addiction went full blown) and did everything with, solo camping trips, solo cross country trip with lots of impromptu camping, parts of the Appalachian trail, Europe, etc. I've never needed to baton, only carried my grandfathers Schrade walden fixed blade a handful of times, I find on the Vic farmer saw and the awl are extremely handy for making things, I did sometimes bring a small Estwing sportsman axe.
Sounds like a fun trip, I would use what you normally carry, that's what you will have with if you are ever in a unexpected situation. A few basics in your pocket can make a unexpected night in the woods into a comfortable night of camping.
Enjoy your trip, take pics if you can and give us a update afterwards,
Pete
 
Dan, best of luck on the course, it sounds like it will be great.

Keep positive and just do what you can, and don't let any frustration with your skills, fitness or ability get the better of you.

It can really pay to stop and sit back when you begins to feel a bit miffed or frustrated. When say learning the bow drill, I've learned a lot more by sitting back and watching others fail or succeed. Hey, afterall, you are there not only just to be schooled, but to learn how to be comfortable should that 'unplanned' situation arrive, a big part of that can be just being relaxed in whatever the surroundings, and pausing to gather your thoughts and prioritise and plan what you are going to do to survive.

All the sharps you have mentioned should be fine. But I'd say the Pioneer and the Gossman Kephart should have all the bases covered. Take just what you need, the skills you learn and the people who are training you shall help you discover how to get the most out of them for the trip, and how to improvise what your tools can't deliver or your pockets can't carry.

Now you should go away and photo your potential sharps together!
 
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The most important things to me on this trip will be my resolve and my health. My skills are nonexistent compared to what the instructors know and most of the participants. I know that out of the gate. I am going to learn and better myself and have fun. Scruff, what you said is my outlook on the issue. All of these individuals are supportive of people there to learn.
 
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If I had to choose one knife to take with me into the woods, it would be a SAK Swisschamp, hands down. Here is a video by Survival Instructor Richard Lonewolf, where he talks about building entire Indian villages using only a "Victorinox" as he calls his favorite knife.

[video=youtube;YTJTNqsHQvs]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTJTNqsHQvs[/video]
 
Good for you Dan. It's always worthwhile to challenge yourself. Getting out in the woods isn't too bad either. ;)

I have a few knives that I like to use in the outdoors. For your scenario I think these two are most relevant.



I could probably do without the puukko, but I prefer to have a fixed blade on my belt when outdoors. The puukko and its sheath are lightweight, no heavier than a Buck 110. The dangler is a very comfortable carry method, keeping the knife low so that it doesn't dig into my side or bump into my pack.

You might be confused by the harness jack. Normally I'd carry a single blade #73 for my slipjoint, but in this case I find the punch of the HJ invaluable. I use the punch as a striker for my firesteel, thereby preserving the fine edges on my blades. In a survival situation I'd use the blade if needed, but I avoid doing so when I have better alternatives available.

I also keep a Victorinox Farmer in my pack just in case.

- Christian
 
 
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