What Are Big Fixed Blade Knives For?

CSG said:
Other than a machete in a rain forest, I see no practical use for these large choppers as there are better tools in every case where a chopper might be used. I think they're mostly for the fun of owning one. To me, they're pointless.
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I disagree. I live in the northwest in pine forests and an axe is unweildy compared to my Mukti or Golok. To have the same chopping power an axe has to be at least twice as long and in deep forest that totally sucks. Plus a knife can do all sorts of other things were an axe....... just chops stuff
 
I guess that depends on who..

my father prefers smaller hatchet but also a small fixed blade.
 
I can't figure out the allure either. I also do not agree with the idea that a big knife can do anything that a small knife can do. I think these are things that people say to help justify the big knife purchase...I have a Trail Buddy 3 that is quite large and I use it simply to cook at camp. It can chop a bit and process wood, but is really at home doing food prep. Fine work with it is hard.

I really do not need more than a four inch knife for most camp chores (including food prep if I'm being honest). Processing wood is easy by batoning the edges of a log. Someone posted that can split a 6 inch log with a large knife. Great, but why? I can make wood splinter by moving around the outside of the same log to make kindling. Why would I need to split a 6 inch log? Once a good fire is going, that log burns great as a whole!
 
CSG said:
Other than a machete in a rain forest, I see no practical use for these large choppers as there are better tools in every case where a chopper might be used. I think they're mostly for the fun of owning one. To me, they're pointless.
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You're punning at us. :)

These heavy knives were traditionally used for fascines; to cut small sticks that were woven into a wide variety of field structures including fortificatons and bridges.

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HardTripper said:
I don't want to reduce this thread to a batoning vs hatchet discussion. I find that a large knife is more portable, lighter , and safer than swinging an axe in SOME circumstances. A good point was brought up about a good chopping block and nicely shaped logs, I don't know about you but I'm not so keen on swinging my axe straight into the ground and often have a hard time getting some logs to stand up straight. If your wood isn't chainsawed and sitting on a perfect block, a big knife will be safer, and easier to use. YMMV.
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these would be good points...

if you couldn't baton with a hatchet.
 
goodeyesniper said:
these would be good points...

if you couldn't baton with a hatchet.
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a) many hatchets will be severely damaged by batoning

b) you have less control whilst batoning with a hatchet

c) big knives still fulfill a number of other roles that a hatchet is not good at

I have a small Wetterlings axe which, in terms of aesthetics and feel is one of my favorite tools, but I never have found it to be particularly useful relative to the weight for hiking and such. It's one strength is if I just want to grab one tool and head into the woods it is probably the best thing, but if I'm properly prepared it stays behind. Big knives really are the best highly mobile (in other words you can carry one all day) wood splitters.
 
a 7" blade does not excel at anything in particular but it can do many things as needed in one package

general cutting
whittling
skinning
prying
digging
drilling
grass/weed cutting
batoning through wood
hammering with pommel
draw-knife

some but not all of these can be done effectively with a smaller knife, same with a hatchet,and a larger knife may be too cumbersome in some situations
 
I agree that the whole log will burn once your fire is good and going, but I find I get more mileage out of my wood when I split it all. Especially in winter.
 
Freman Bloodglaive said:
That's what a big knife is for.
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Totally :smile:

I think in terms of chopping, unless a person is well versed of using the hatchet or axe in various situation and has the tool with them, it probably is a little safer to use a big knife for impromptu chopping and batoning.
 
Every collection needs at least one big knife..Wont use it ?? Hang it on your wall.
 
A big knife is for...cutting stuff.

A little knife is for cutting stuff.

A medium size knife is for cutting stuff.

Knives are for cutting stuff.
 
You need to acclimate to a big knife from a small one by using it. When you get used to using the bigger blade you'll be more adept with its use and what ever technique required to get the task done. The more you use it the easier it gets. If its too much of a challenge, its for you to decide. Don't give up on it, get used to it.
 
zeroed4x said:
You need to acclimate to a big knife from a small one by using it. When you get used to using the bigger blade you'll be more adept with its use and what ever technique required to get the task done. The more you use it the easier it gets. If its too much of a challenge, its for you to decide. Don't give up on it, get used to it.
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+1

Give it a try and see if you like it. There is a learning curve with big knives.
 
Big knives are for killing easier. Much easier to lob off a head with a big blade. Little blades don't cut the spine as well. Axes are just to cumbersome. Plus a big knife makes certain body parts larger by their mere presence in one's hand. Axes have no such effect. Mostly, big knives are there to tick off little knife only guys. Seems to be working, as usual. And will every 20 seconds that a little knife / axe only user asks, which is about how often the question this question is asked. Wanna know why? Because some people cannot live with the knowledge that large knives might just have purpose in the world.
 
jimh0220 said:
Big knives are for killing easier. Much easier to lob off a head with a big blade. Little blades don't cut the spine as well. Axes are just to cumbersome. Plus a big knife makes certain body parts larger by their mere presence in one's hand. Axes have no such effect. Mostly, big knives are there to tick off little knife only guys. Seems to be working, as usual. And will every 20 seconds that a little knife / axe only user asks, which is about how often the question this question is asked. Wanna know why? Because some people cannot live with the knowledge that large knives might just have purpose in the world.
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Good statement. I'm happy with the fact that I don't feel the need to justify what I own, or how I choose to use it.
 
heresay1 said:
There is a learning curve with big knives.
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Big blades have their place and can be good "all-'rounders" .

At the end of the day is its where "need" meets "use" meets "skill".

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The humble generic hardware machete.

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