What tools would you like to see on a folder designed for woodcraft?

T

the possum

Joined
Jul 31, 2002
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Here's a little mental exercise I've been going through now and then. Figured it might be fun enough to get you guys involved.

What kinds of tools and blades would you like to see incorporated into a multi-blade folder that was designed specifically for wilderness woodwork and such? I'm thinking along the lines of a big swiss-army type knife where all the tools would be to help you make other tools, traps, cordage, etc., etc. I'm not really thinking of a "survival" knife with compartments to contain fishhooks and firestarters or that kind of thing. I ask because most guys seem to like pairing a large knife with a small knife or folder, and carry all the other stuff seperately. So what tools would be most useful?

I was thinking a robust blade with a fairly straight back and a lock solid enough to permit light batoning.
A smaller blade or two for whittling and finer carving/cutting. Perhaps a small wharncliffe or pen blade.
A saw.
Perhaps a way to incorporate a "crooked knife" for bowl carving.
One of the tools would have a spine sharp enough to use as a scraper/spark striker.
Holes (perhaps in the saw?) for sizing arrow shafts or whatever.
An indent to place a bow drill.
Gimlet for boring holes in wood.
Something adequate for fine knapping flint and glass.
A tool to help make cordage? (if such a thing exists?)


What other kinds of tools would you like to see?
 
Saw and file blades. A wood saw. A metal saw. A metal file with the two sides different and one safe edge. Maybe a Remington saw blade with carbide grit. Then you can cut anything.
 
A fold out locking blade in the shape of a bearing for a firebow
A chisel or better still, a curved chisel for carving out bowls, spoons etc.
 
SAK Master Electrician. edited to add: Oops, it's called the Electrician Plus now.

Alox scales
main blade
cable blade (sheepfoot with cablestripper notch, useful for smoothing round stuff)
wood saw
awl
bottle opener,screwdriver (can be sharpened for use as a chisel).

That is about as close as you can get in a ready made knife. If you want something custom made then the sky is the limit on tools (as well as cost). But if you get much bigger you lose the handiness factor.
 
Good question. Outside the obvious of a standard blade...

Wood Saw
Rasp
Diamond sharpening rod (could also be a pressure flaker)
Awl
Metal File
 
Tweezers. They weigh nothing and take up very little space in a knife handle, but when you need them, nothing else will do. Multi-tool pliers don't generally grip fine/tight enough to serve as decent tweezers.

Without tweezers, a stray cactus needle or a splinter can ruin your whole trip.

Take Care,
Jeff
 
SAK Farmer

Knife, Awl, Wood saw....and large screwdriver/Can opener which are less necessary.
 
In addition to some of the above I would like to see...

Solid scandi grind blade, locking
Woodsaw, locking
Removable ferro rod stored in the handle scale

Also I have a sewing awl (The Awl for All) that I use to repair equipment. It has a heavy gauge tracked needle with a hole in the tip that you force through the material with the waxed line and then pull back to create a loop that you stitch through. It's a great piece of kit but it's bulky. I'd like to see a fold out adapter that allows you to install the needle, also stored in the handle scales. This way I wouldn't have to wait until I got back to sew up rips in packs etc. Mac
 
pict said:
Also I have a sewing awl (The Awl for All) that I use to repair equipment.
Click to expand...

I have one, but don't use it much any more. I prefer to use an awl, two saddler's needles, and a palm for hand sewing. It does much nicer work than the "awl for all," with no more work. For travel, I just pack a couple of sailmaker's needles and some thread. For field repairs, you can drive the needles with your multitool pliers. That awl haft tskes up too much space in my pack.
 
I really like my Schrade Buzzsaw Trapper.
Hollow ground blade.
Saw blade that works reasonably well for it's size, with liner lock/safety.
Tweezers and awl/pick.

$15 from SMKW last year
 
I don't want to steal the thread so tell me if this is out of line, but sounds like you are talking about a SAK type knife. I have long thought of what the perfect multi-tool for the woods would have and here is what I came up with.
>Needle nose pliers with wirecutters and crimping tool that are locking simular to vice grips.
>3.5 to 3.75 inch clip point blade, one hand opening, locking made of VG 10 or some other quality steel.
>Wharncliff blade of quality steel that is fully serrated with a line cutter / gut hook on the back side
> Quality Wood saw like what is on the SAKs.
> Cross cut file with a medium diamond hone on the other side.
> SAK quality sissors.
> SAK like Can opener / sm. screw driver and bottle opener / large flat head.
> Awl punch with thread eye.
> 2 prong fork
> Quality Magnifying glass.
> In handle, quality button compass, LED light, quality tweezers (Not SAK like) and SS sail makers type needle

Oldsalt
 
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