What reservations would you have with taking an auto knife into the wilderness?

[Lion]

Stage 2, when you talk about bush experts, who are you referring too? If you wouldn't mind, I'd appreciate a couple of examples. And just to let you know, a number of outdoor writers over the years have recommended folders. Sometimes to be carried with a fixed blade, sometimes instead of. Personally, a folder is perfectly capable of doing everything I expect a knife to do in the woods. Is it theoretically more likely to break? Yes, but in practice this has never been an issue for me in any way. Am I saying a folder is better than a fixed blade? No, but I am saying it is just as legitimate a choice for me. YMMV.

Leo

 

[sh00ter01]

I hope you're not going to try and dispute the point that fixed blades are far better than folders for bush use. As far as the crowbar example, the point still fits. You are arguing that because autos have some use, the its fine to take them in the bush. You can take ANYTHING into the bush, but as I said before that doesn't make it the best thing for the job. Autos are definately not the best thing for the job.

I never said fixed blades weren’t better; in fact I said to carry a fixed blade several times. You crowbar example was a bad one; sorry it just was, you’re comparing to completely unrelated items. And yes, I say the Auto-Rukus has use and therefore take it with, it truly can’t hurt to have another blade with you (please don’t dispute that carrying another knife in the woods is a bad thing).

As far as what I expect my folders to do, thats only part of the issue. You see I have this nagging problem of picking the best tool for the job because you never know whats going to happen. You see its easy to say "oh if it breaks I can just open it manually." Well what about if your hand is busted? Autos don't have thumb studs or holes. And then there's the problem of having it open on you when you don't want it to. And there's also the issue of wet/bloody hands and a sharp fast moving blade. Bad juju.

If for some reason your auto’s spring fail and your hands were wet and bloody (plus one arm tied behind your back) you could just grab your fixed blade if you’re having that much trouble opening the auto.

But thats the problem. It can hurt both literally and figuratively, which is why bush experts don't recommend it.

How so? If it opens in your pocket? First, most auto have safety’s (and its stupid not to use them); second, the way the Rukus carries it opens to the back of the pocket, can’t exactly open on its own. Stop generalizing all autos as the same and look at the specific models the OP listed.

See above.

You really haven’t convinced me of anything other then your personal preference and no offence, but I think I’ll take HD’s word and 10 year experience of using an auto in the woods over your hearsay.

This is getting a little ridiculous

-sh00ter

 

[hollowdweller]

Bush experts! Show yourselves!!!!

I have a BFWS patch? Do I qualify as a Bush expert?

 

[sh00ter01]

Do I qualify as a Bush expert?

I’d say you qualify more so then lots of others here:thumbup:

-sh00ter

 

[Ramm9]

I do my own share of wrenching on Jeeps new and old. (Would like to buy a Willy's infact, but good luck finding a decent one here in Alaska)

You understand my point. I’m not much of a mechanic past a Chevy 283 so something like the Willy’s at least offers me a chance when something goes haywire since there is very little that can go haywire. If you can get your hands on one, even in a crate you’ll be amazed at what it can do.

Granted, However the increase in parts in Technology may be the reason an AR-15 holds accuracy records while hitting a pie plate at 100 yds. with an AK is considered to be some mighty fine shootin'. But, we dare not venture any further down that road. Next thing'll be Ford Vs. Chevy, 9mm Vs. .45, 1911 Vs. Glock, and auto Vs. revolver.......

I’ve just heard guy’s bitch about AR-16’s just sitting there doing nothing when they really wanted them to start rattling off rounds.
Chevy, 45, 1911 but aside from the 1911, a revolver.

Yup, Fixed blades are my favorite too, but I won't discount an auto over any other folder due to it's possession of a spring, a button, and perhaps a sear.
The Buck 110 Vs. a decent auto thing? uhmm....they both could be passed onto Grandchildren and Great Grand children IMHO. I aint about to thump my chest and say an auto is the "best" for anything. Although I believe it's as legitimate an option as any other well chosen folder.

I don’t know much about high end auto’s but would you want one three days into the bush bow hunting?

I'm not entirely sure what motivates a man to carry an auto in the woods. I myself have done it as an experiment, and because I thought the knives were pretty cool. Never in a hurry to show off any of my knives while camping. (especially since 2/3 of the people you encounter up here are armed with large revolvers and shotguns)

I once read that bears in Alaska do not attack Alaskan’s, because they know “Alaskan’s carry guns.” You probably have a lot less issue around people loaded down with artillery than down here in the lower 48. Too many folks just can’t resist the urge to show off and as we know that’s when problems start. If I had an auto on me, say in deer camp, it would be for “cool” factor alone...might not be a bad idea this fall now that I think about it.

Hell, my favorite knives are Scandinavian fixed blades, my favorite guns muzzleloaders, and my favorite vehicle a 17 year old Jeep Wrangler.

I’ve got to try a long rifle or a Hawkins someday!

Bush experts! Show yourselves!!!!

I have a BFWS patch? Do I qualify as a Bush expert?

Hey, I had to take a very stringent exam to get that patch!! And I passed first time.

 

[STAGE 2]

Ok you're starting to make me laugh now.

:thumbup:

Next time I go out no autos. I want my rambo knife in case if I'm injured in a pool of mud with cougars closing in.

Because slipping and falling and injuring yourself/damaging you gear is impossible and could never happen

 

[STAGE 2]

Stage 2, when you talk about bush experts, who are you referring too? If you wouldn't mind, I'd appreciate a couple of examples. And just to let you know, a number of outdoor writers over the years have recommended folders. Sometimes to be carried with a fixed blade, sometimes instead of. Personally, a folder is perfectly capable of doing everything I expect a knife to do in the woods. Is it theoretically more likely to break? Yes, but in practice this has never been an issue for me in any way. Am I saying a folder is better than a fixed blade? No, but I am saying it is just as legitimate a choice for me. YMMV.

Leo

Never said don't take folders, just not autos. I always have my SAK when I camp. As far as wilderness experts, pick any one you like. There are several instructors on this board alone.

 

[misanthropist]

So what if you have a folder that has the option of opening manually, like an SAK, or automatically? Don't you just have a folder with the added option of opening automatically?

In that case I would think you'd have to agree that there isn't anything specifically worse about taking what is effectively an SAK with an extra feature to make it open one-handed if you want.

 

[STAGE 2]

I never said fixed blades weren’t better; in fact I said to carry a fixed blade several times. You crowbar example was a bad one; sorry it just was, you’re comparing to completely unrelated items. And yes, I say the Auto-Rukus has use and therefore take it with, it truly can’t hurt to have another blade with you (please don’t dispute that carrying another knife in the woods is a bad thing).

For the last time THATS NOT THE POINT. You keep saying "XYZ knife has use so take it with you". That wasn't the question. The question was are there any reservations in taking an auto folder into the bush. There are plenty of these. Enough to where wilderness instructors won't recommend them.

If for some reason your auto’s spring fail and your hands were wet and bloody (plus one arm tied behind your back) you could just grab your fixed blade if you’re having that much trouble opening the auto.

And if you don't have one? I didn't read where the OP said this was going to be backup so the fixed blade is an assumption at this point. Either way, this goes to the larger issue of mind set. You use the proper equipment for the job and have backups in case of problems. Having a traditional folder eliminates one more potential problem.

How so? If it opens in your pocket? First, most auto have safety’s (and its stupid not to use them); second, the way the Rukus carries it opens to the back of the pocket, can’t exactly open on its own. Stop generalizing all autos as the same and look at the specific models the OP listed.

In your pocket, using it when its really cold, using it when your hands are wet/bloody. And there is the also the issue of closing a tensioned blade as well. As far as opening on its own, if its a pushbutton auto then its certianly possible. If it has a safety, then that kills the "its easier to open" argument since there are more things to manipulate (and more things to malfunction).

You really haven’t convinced me of anything other then your personal preference and no offence, but I think I’ll take HD’s word and 10 year experience of using an auto in the woods over your hearsay.

This is getting a little ridiculous

-sh00ter

I agree. This is getting rididulous. And your first mistake was thinking I have to convince you. I'm not here to do that. Apparently in your eyes, no one can have legitimate reservations about carrying autos for bush use because you don't. I don't know what hollowdweller's qualifications are, but I'm fairly certian he's not teaching classes or running a survival school. Furthermore you assume that I have less experience than he does. I know its impossible that someone else could have 10 years or more in wilderness skills Either way I'm going to throw my lot in with the professionals and instructors, folks that are more qualified than myself, you or hollowdweller.

 

[sh00ter01]

I agree. This is getting rididulous. And your first mistake was thinking I have to convince you. I'm not here to do that. Apparently in your eyes, no one can have legitimate reservations about carrying autos for bush use because you don't. I don't know what hollowdweller's qualifications are, but I'm fairly certian he's not teaching classes or running a survival school. Furthermore you assume that I have less experience than he does. I know its impossible that someone else could have 10 years or more in wilderness skills Either way I'm going to throw my lot in with the professionals and instructors, folks that are more qualified than myself, you or hollowdweller.

You don’t have to convince me to not carry an auto in the woods; I said that all you have convinced me of is that you have a strong, strong, personal preference against autos in the woods. And I never said you can’t have your own reasons for not carrying an auto in the woods, if you don’t like autos in the woods, then by all means, don’t carry them.

I didn’t assume you have less outdoors experience, just less experience with autos in the outdoors; which by your own words would be true seeing how you said you don’t carry auto’s in the woods. Those 10 years of experience I was talking about are just with autos in the outdoors, not all of HD’s outdoor experience; I mean have you seen the guy (just playing HD).

Once again, you misread my post… I’m pretty much done with the arguing, it’s getting old fast…

-sh00ter

 

[STAGE 2]

I didn’t assume you have less outdoors experience, just less experience with autos in the outdoors; which by your own words would be true seeing how you said you don’t carry auto’s in the woods. Those 10 years of experience I was talking about are just with autos in the outdoors, not all of HD’s outdoor experience

The issue isn't outdoor experience with autos, the issue is outdoor experience. If you know whats required in the bush, then you know what is and what isn't going to work well. Thats why the folks with the most knowledge don't use them.

 

[JackBauer24]

Depends on what you bought it for. That said, unless you're serving warrants there isn't any real need for one, and even then a knife probably wont even be an issue. .

I can't decide if I'm agreeing with this or disagreeing. I wouldn't be caught with an auto for self defense. Too many things to go wrong. I have several high end autos that have all failed. Microtechs and Benchmades. Love them like a first born, but wouldn't trust them for shit. Not for saving my life in the city or keeping me alive in the bush. I'll take my solid fixed blade all day.

 

[Ron53]

All this being said, there are a lot of highly-trained and very competent folks carrying and using high-quality auto knives in tough environments every day both here where I am, and in SW Asia. They seem to work quite well in the heat and dust and sand and cold environments they encounter.

I recently picked up a Benchmade Mini-Ares Stryker Auto. I will be carrying it and using it as my EDC, so I'll let you all know how it holds up.

Just my opinion, folks.

Ron (in lovely Northern Iraq)

 

[sh00ter01]

All this being said, there are a lot of highly-trained and very competent folks carrying and using high-quality auto knives in tough environments every day both here where I am, and in SW Asia. They seem to work quite well in the heat and dust and sand and cold environments they encounter.

I recently picked up a Benchmade Mini-Ares Stryker Auto. I will be carrying it and using it as my EDC, so I'll let you all know how it holds up.

Just my opinion, folks.

Ron (in lovely Northern Iraq)

Hope it serves you well… take care over there:thumbup:

-sh00ter