Who prefers big blades in the outdoors?

J

James Y

Joined
Feb 18, 1999
Messages
6,504
...in the 7-plus inch-bladed range?
Although many people are fine camping/hiking with only a SAK or other small folder, or even a smaller FB, perhaps in some situations it would be good to have that big blade just in case?
Any comments appreciated.
Jim
 
I carry several different blades. How many depends on whether I'm camping or hiking. Most of my camping is done from my vehicle, so I'm not limited in how many knives I can take. When camping, I carry my CS Voyager tanto in it's regular place in my pocket, a Leatherman Super Tool on my belt, my Western Cutlery Official BSA also on my belt. In the Jeep I have my Gerber Camp Ax, my KaBar for light chopping, a Gerber BMF with a Gerber original MultiTool on the snap strap. Not to mention all the small blades I have tucked into my various bags and backpacks plus the 3 that stay in my Jeep all the time. I have almost as many firestarters as knives when I go outdoors. I always tell my wife that, if I'm in a survival situation, I could survive several days with a good knife and a good firestarter.
 
Who prefers big blades in the outdoors? Well, I'd say guys who have small ...... oh, nevermind. :p
 
I like big blades as well!

At present the fav I use over 7" is my D2 KA Bar, Gerber BMF and Doug Mondt Custom (10" 15"O/A) in CPM 10V.:cool:
 
Big blades can be handy, like a CS elk skinner when you've got a moose on the ground, but I prefer nothing larger than a CS Master Hunter. Big blades are generally too heavy to carry IMHO, unless you're truck camping. A Marble's Fieldcraft or Campcraft will do everything I need a knife to do in the bush, and an ax will do the rest.
 
Yes I like using large knives in the outdoors. I usually carry a med. SAK, and a folder (usually a stockman), and strap a medium to large fixed blade to the pack for camp set-up and day hikes. If the place permits campfires we usually try to take a 3/4 axe to feed it with deadfall.

The large knife is a bit of a compromise. But, like the SAK it tends to be a handy tool. There is usually very little that I do with a large knife, that I couldn't do with a folder or a smaller FB, but it is alot easier to do things with a larger blade.

It's funny you mentioned the BMF; I had just pulled out my old knife yesterday and it is holding up fairly well after 17 years. At 1 3/4 lbs in the sheath it seems smaller and lighter than I remember it. It must have gotten up to 25 lbs on one hiking trip.... :) There are plenty of good knives out there, and most of them will work well as long as you remember to use your head instead of your brawn.

n2s
 
Big Blades rock. I had a Cold Steel LTC kukri. It is such a sweet sound to hear that kukri go ping as it easily sopped of 3/4" branches in my way. besides, I am a knife nut and big blades in the bush are cool! You can't usually carry them in the city, wo shere else are you gonna satisfy your big blade fantasies?
 
In my neck of the woods (Finland) big blades are pretty useless. I don't hunt. There's no jungle, no hanging vines or tall grass -> no machete/kukri type work to do. If I have to cut wood to build a lean-to or other shelter, I'll use an axe or a folding saw. I find the idea of cutting logs with a knife a bit impractical, if not amusing. OK, it's nice to know your blade can handle it, but I think there's the right tool for every job... An axe beats a knife in most heavier jobs, and - definitely - in self defence, should the need arise.

If I'm hiking with a tent (which is the case in summertime, and I rarely make a fire if not absolutely necessary) there's hardly any use for a blade, except cooking. Yet I always carry a puukko and a Leatherman when I'm in the "wild".

Being in the wild is one of the rare chances I have to openly carry a knife, so I always carry one. Or five. :) Heck, who needs an excuse to carry a large blade!
 
I can't always justify carrying a big blade, but I sure like 'em! Maybe we could do a Bladeforums version of that rap song "I like big butts (blades)"? Of course, it would take someone more creative than I.

When I think I'll have to do a lot of trail clearing I often carry either a Basic 9 or Patrol Machete, depending upon the foliage.
 
It has been said that you can use a big knife for small blade chores, but you can't use a small knife for big knife chores. Even so, I don't like the added weight of a big knife. I carry one of several custom fixed blades usually in the 3-4" blade range and a folding saw or small axe if backpacking or camping. When hunting on foot I sometimes cover alot of ground and I carry one of the fixed blades 3-4" drop point on my belt and an old Bucklite 110 folder (nylon handle) as a spare.
 
When truck camping, an axe will perform chopping chores better, but what fun is that? For hiking, axes are WAY too heavy. A small folding saw is more practical.

Now let's talk fun. A big ole bowie or HI khukuri chops well enough, and is a real kick to take camping. Maybe not quite as good as an axe, but much easier to carry while hiking. Plus, they will do a LOT more than an axe or saw.

I love big knives. Go to the HI website and check out the 22 inch GRS. It might chop as well as most axes, and sure is a lot more fun!
 
When truck camping, an axe will perform chopping chores better, but what fun is that? For hiking, axes are WAY too heavy.
Click to expand...

All too true. That why I try to get in some canoe trips. You can take double your backpacking load and still get away from the crowds.

Happy chopping...

n2s
 
I love big knives, but never carry them in the woods anymore...
My general woods knife has a 5 inch blade which I find to be enough. Always have a pocket tool on as well.
But then, I always have an axe on my pack and don't travel through any jungles.;)
 
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