What is size is your primary fixed blade for the woods?

[Huntsman Knife Co. LLC.]

For the past few months Ive been trying to figure out the best setup for for when I go camping where weight is somewhat of an issue. What gets me every time when I try to pick a setup is that I LOVE carrying a big chopper and don't see that changing any time soon but also LOVE medium sized do it all blades.

Ive found I can use a big blade for alot of things that I used to use a medium blade for. I chop and split firewood, make feather sticks, clear brush, make tent stakes etc... All with a 10 inch chopper.


That leaves skinning, cleaning fish and other small game, general food prep, and Whittling/ fine wood work for my primary knife. A smaller knife 4ish inch knife is most ideal for these tasks but the problem I find with a really small knife is that they lack even light chopping ability. It's really nice to have a medium sized blade that has some heft for hard work.


So my problem is, I absolutely love medium sized blades but am finding them almost useless because they really don't excel at cleaning game and other fine tasks.

My question is, what size is your primary blade and why do you prefer that sized blade?

I usually carry a ratmandu and it works well but I also love to carry larger blades like the ESEE 6 and smaller ones like the 3 or my S90V nessmuck as my primary blade.

this is my current setup.

 

[RickJ]

First off go with what ever makes you feel good! I like large choppers too!

I like a Busse NMFBM paired with a ESEE Izula II, I like big and small when it comes to fixed blades, no mids for me right now, I got rid of all of them.

 

[Huntsman Knife Co. LLC.]

I think I am going to attach a small skeleton knife like the Izzy or Swamp warden to my rat daddy and just carry a big chopper and a medium fixed blade since the izzy is almost weightless. I am trying to find a Koster MUCK. I think that will be the perfect do it all knife.

 

[phm14]

Fallkniven A1

 

[whitedoor]

Have you looked at the Becker BK-2 (Campanion)?

 

[quattromori]

My primary fixed blade is between 3" and 4" (lately more 3" than 4").
I don't carry a larger knife, I prefer an axe or a folding saw for processing wood. As a sidenote, I have seen quite a lot of wood processing done with small blades (less than 4").
But again, it's all a matter of taste and personal preference.

 

[lambertiana]

I prefer a 4" blade in general, usually choosing from one of these Laconicos

 

[BigLebowski65]

Personally, as of lately, I prefer a hawk and a good folder (Fort Turner Norse, and Umnumzaan), unless we go car camping, then I'm bring the whole farm.

On the side note, I find throwing a hawk to be more fun than throwing a big knife.

 

[NightMare Silverado]

I take a buck special with me if I'm doing anything that would require a fixed blade(fishing/hiking ect)

 

[Noddy]

Usually 3 3/4" - 4 1/4" blade

But I just have a thing for smaller fixed blades too - got a lovely little Moki Banff fixed blade - 2 1/2" it's fantastic

 

[Huntsman Knife Co. LLC.]

I prefer a 4" blade in general, usually choosing from one of these Laconicos

Ok now you're just showing off

 

[gundude73]

either a BK2, BK9, ESEE6.

 

[TwinStick]

Right now it is this setup. This will change when the new midsized Beckers come out. The Gerber will go & be replaced by a new Becker.


Modified Becker BK9 & Gerber Metolius fixed blade without the guthook.

 

[aznpos531]

Depends on my plans, really. If it's just a short trip and I won't be doing that much chopping or wood processing I'll generally have a medium sized fixed blade in the 4" ~ 6" range (usually my CS SRK) with a small 3" ~ 4" folder. On a longer trip where I need more chopping power I'll bring along a large fixed blade in the 10" range (more recently my new Junglas) with the same 3" ~ 4" folder. I may also bring along a collapsible saw.

 

[shunsui]

My favs are a D2 Rat-7 and a hatchet. The flat ground D2 is a great cutter and being an old boy scout, the hatchet is programmed muscle memory now. Got a pretty good collection of other things that would also work just fine. I prefer the 7-8" knives.

 

[jimh0220]

Right now it is this setup. This will change when the new midsized Beckers come out. The Gerber will go & be replaced by a new Becker.


Modified Becker BK9 & Gerber Metolius fixed blade without the guthook.

I'd think twice about replacing the Gerber. I ground off the hump @ the tip, and the knife was much more useful. I't's been a great knife for me, and the grip can't be beat! Just my .02. I like the whole package!

Jim

 

[trailbum]

I like my BK2.

 

[Chris Pierce]

My main woods knife is generally which ever one hand folder I happen to choose that day and then a machete or small axe/large hatchet. I always carry a vic farmer in the woods (and pretty much every other day as well)

If I choose to carry a belt knife it's blade is usually 4-5" I will generally only carry a belt knife if I'm hiking and don't plan on actually "processing" any wood, or sometimes when I go shooting.

I am considering picking up a Cold Steel Recon Scout though. I like the looks of it, I generally don't like 7" blades but I'm going to give this one a shot.

 

[Harayasu]

I used a Mora Classic, #2 1/2 I think it is, for a number of years. Currently I'm using a Mora 2000. Recently I bought a Brusletto Kniven, but haven't tried that one yet.

 

[bobo_the_gnu]

Lately I have been using a Mora Companion carbon steel (soon to be replaced by a Koster Bushcraft) or an Entrek Companion. With my primary belt knife I also carry a Kabar Dozier Folder and hatchet.

I just picked up a Becker BK-2 not long ago and would choose that if in a 1 knife/edged tool scenario.