Using the wrong tool for the job !!!

[pitdog]

I pondered upon the scenario that I was stuck somewhere, it was cold, the only wood was large wet pieces and all I had was a folder !
Could I still split the wood to get to produce small dry kindling for a fire ?

Only one way to find out....

Now let me be clear this folder ain't no strider or BM Rukus, in fact I think a standard SAK would be more sturdy !!!

It's a lot more difficult than I thought as I usually just thrash my fixed blades through, more care has to be taken here because I know this knife won't take it !

Hey what d'ya know success, it can be done.....

Each time it got stuck I would release the lock while I hit the back end of the blade. Using a small wooden wedge would have made the job easier but if I had small wood for a wedge then I wouldn't need to do this anyway !

 

[BarberFobic1992]

I had a similar thought once. so, I went outside armed only with an Opinel #12. It has a ring lock so is quite sturdy in contrast to your folder. anyway, my OP got the job done.

 

[XMP]

That is an interesting test. I think though that one of the biggest challenges would be to have the coordination and dexerity to be careful enough not to break a folder when you are cold and wet.

 

[pitdog]

That is an interesting test. I think though that one of the biggest challenges would be to have the coordination and dexerity to be careful enough not to break a folder when you are cold and wet.

That's a very true and valid point ! In actual fact I never really carry a folder, instead prefering a small fixed blade such as my SwampWarden !

It was good to try it out though !!!

 

[texastonydobbs]

Great Example shown....Myself ,I perfer a small FB over a folder anyday..and yes the SW is a tough lil' FB knife.

 

[Runsalone]

How would you have gotten that round of wood in the first place?

 

[pitdog]

How would you have gotten that round of wood in the first place?

There are plenty of large sections lying around where I hike, there are also plenty of small sections as well but I just tried this for a test.

Most people on this forum know that I ain't one to get sucked into petty arguments bro but if you don't have anything constructive to add to a post then why add anything ?

 

[cz75b]

Pitdog,

Not to rain on your parade, but this can also be done with a wooden (selfmade) wedge.

If you just make a small carve in the wood, and make a wedge, just hit it with a large stick, so the wedge is driven in. After that, just some good poundig untill it's trough. You WILL save you knife, and you can use it longer for what it's made for.........cutting.......

I've done it, and it works.....

CZ

 

[3wolves]

I did some very light batoning on a swisstool once and the lock failed. I wiggled it from side to side to pull it out and when I pushed the blade back it locked up again.

 

[pitdog]

Pitdog,

Not to rain on your parade, but this can also be done with a wooden (selfmade) wedge.

If you just make a small carve in the wood, and make a wedge, just hit it with a large stick, so the wedge is driven in. After that, just some good poundig untill it's trough. You WILL save you knife, and you can use it longer for what it's made for.........cutting.......

I've done it, and it works.....

CZ

Good point bro and if you check my post I did mention this technique, however if I had small wood to make the wedge then I could just have carved the outer away to get to the dry inner and started a fire with that !

 

[pitdog]

I did some very light batoning on a swisstool once and the lock failed. I wiggled it from side to side to pull it out and when I pushed the blade back it locked up again.

Yeah that's why I released the lock when hitting the back of the blade, all but the most sturdy of folders will fail if struck while locked up !

 

[Runsalone]

There are plenty of large sections lying around where I hike, there are also plenty of small sections as well but I just tried this for a test.

Most people on this forum know that I ain't one to get sucked into petty arguments bro but if you don't have anything constructive to add to a post then why add anything ?

Arrgh! This happens to me all the time. Honestly that was meant to be a non-sarcastic question. I just havnt got a real delicate way with words:foot:

 

[pitdog]

Arrgh! This happens to me all the time. Honestly that was meant to be a non-sarcastic question. I just havnt got a real delicate way with words:foot:

Sorry I jumped on ya then bro !!!!

My post is all hypothetical anyway, I just wanted to see what a cheap folder could take !!!

 

[Runsalone]

Sorry I jumped on ya then bro !!!!

My post is all hypothetical anyway, I just wanted to see what a cheap folder could take !!!

Its all good, I really do suck at this human interaction stuff

 

[eatingmuchface]

lol

pit, I don't mean to be annoying here either, but!!! ... I did noptice there was a big crack running all the way down the length of the wood where you were batoning.
do you think it would have been different if that crack wasn't there?
just asking cause you almost went right along the crack, and that could've made it easier.
(idk though)

lol
sorry, it was just a thought.
and I have batoned with a few folders and most will actually do fine.

thanks for the pics man.

 

[pitdog]

lol

pit, I don't mean to be annoying here either, but!!! ... I did noptice there was a big crack running all the way down the length of the wood where you were batoning.
do you think it would have been different if that crack wasn't there?
just asking cause you almost went right along the crack, and that could've made it easier.
(idk though)

lol
sorry, it was just a thought.
and I have batoned with a few folders and most will actually do fine.

thanks for the pics man.

LOL !!!
I only noticed that after I had posted the thread, it would have made it easier if I'd put the knife in the crack and followed it down for sure, as I did it though the crack did not help at all as I was cutting into fresh wood !

 

[kgd]

I had a similar thought once. so, I went outside armed only with an Opinel #12. It has a ring lock so is quite sturdy in contrast to your folder. anyway, my OP got the job done.

I use and love my opinel #8 for urban EDC. Have you ever taken off the ring of your opinel though? You'll notice the blade is secured by a tiny little pin that sits in the ridge part of the ring lock. Snap the pin - and pop goes your knife. I doubt an opinel is sturdier, and think it would be,in fact, much less sturdy then your common lock-back design.