why a large knife is better in the woods - an informal trianing scenario

HA I thought it was pretty funny watching someone try to call you out on something they didn't read correctly, what, 3 times. just give them enough rope, they'll hang themselves!!! :)
I was an Ironworker for several years up here in Vermont (before I went back to school) Particularly in the winter my (and everybody else's) hands would go numb from cold/vibrations. Doing ironwork you are swinging a 3-8lb sledge sometimes all day (bolting up) Me and all the other men I worked with would wrap the end of our handles like a hockey stick and never drop them this is absolutely essential as dropping even your little 3lb ballpeen could easily kill someone!!! Many days I could grip, swing and safely use a sledge only to find my hands too numb to grip a bic lighter to fire up a smoke. I can say with absolute certainty a large grip can be used safely and effectively under conditions a small grip can not!! this is why they make everything big for people with athritisis.
bushman.... keep up the great work, don't let losers get you down, it's like one of my foremens used to say "there's a mental midgit in every crowd" Every one's different and there will always be some one around trying to bring themselves up by putting you down The most important thing is to remember most people are not this way you just have to ignore/exclude those who are.
 
I enjoyed and appreciate your experiment with two vastly different cutting tools. I don't know that I would have purposely endured the deprivations of being cold and wet to duplicate the experiment, but I have been very cold and wet before, and in sudden need of improvised shelter.

First, let me say that I am not located in the far North, and understand that the weather and the flora are a lot different from that here in the mid-Southern U.S. I never found the need to carry an axe, hatchet or large bladed knife capable of chopping tree limbs, though I can see where that might be handy, if not indispensable in some environments.

I prefer a smaller fixed blade knife (sub-six inch) and a small folder, and have never found myself under-knifed. It does take a bit of inginuity to form work-arounds when constructing shelters with a smaller blade only. I have wrapped a tarp to a tree trunk and pegged the bottom to form a "teepee", and bent uncut small saplings to form a small dome, twisting their tops to negate the need for lashings. I realize this may not work for some people in some environments, but it has worked for me. I also realize that your experiment involved constructing a pre-conceived shelter type repeatedly as a control of sorts. Even when cold and wet, I have made such shelters as I described in ten minutes or less.

Such real-life experiments as yours are one of the main reasons I like this forum. Thanks!

Codger :thumbup:
 
Regarding the Kukri, just look at these videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMeUVfvOEuk&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTbuG--UKOQ&feature=related

And now somebody show me someone who cuts the same kind of things with a Victorinox easier than this.

Regards!

I really don't think that looks to be easy, VERY fast !!! But in no way an easy way to cut stuff.

10 min of doing that WILL leave pretty much any normal person gasping for air.;)

Working with my sak has never left me breathless:thumbup:

Having said that, and having the choice I'd go with the chopper but a slower pace:o
 
I enjoyed and appreciate your experiment with two vastly different cutting tools. I don't know that I would have purposely endured the deprivations of being cold and wet to duplicate the experiment, but I have been very cold and wet before, and in sudden need of improvised shelter.

First, let me say that I am not located in the far North, and understand that the weather and the flora are a lot different from that here in the mid-Southern U.S. I never found the need to carry an axe, hatchet or large bladed knife capable of chopping tree limbs, though I can see where that might be handy, if not indispensable in some environments.

I prefer a smaller fixed blade knife (sub-six inch) and a small folder, and have never found myself under-knifed. It does take a bit of inginuity to form work-arounds when constructing shelters with a smaller blade only. I have wrapped a tarp to a tree trunk and pegged the bottom to form a "teepee", and bent uncut small saplings to form a small dome, twisting their tops to negate the need for lashings. I realize this may not work for some people in some environments, but it has worked for me. I also realize that your experiment involved constructing a pre-conceived shelter type repeatedly as a control of sorts. Even when cold and wet, I have made such shelters as I described in ten minutes or less.

Such real-life experiments as yours are one of the main reasons I like this forum. Thanks!

Codger :thumbup:

we do have enough overgrown and low to the ground cedars up here with "swoopy" limbs on them that i could utilize them as you described, and thus fore go the need to have to try and lash poles together.

I also know that when my hands are cold, that i cannot tie fishing line to hooks.......So what i've done is pre tie leaders to the hooks, and tied the other end into loops. So if if needed to fish when cold and stiff, i can just "loop" the leader/hook into a length of fishing line that has a loop on it as well.

most of the time though i prevent myhands from getting like that, i carry thin polypro liner gloves, and nice ragg wool mittens. (plus some chem heat warmers).
 
I really don't think that looks to be easy, VERY fast !!! But in no way an easy way to cut stuff.

10 min of doing that WILL leave pretty much any normal person gasping for air.;)

Working with my sak has never left me breathless:thumbup:

Having said that, and having the choice I'd go with the chopper but a slower pace:o

The first video is taking it easy, he's certainly not going all out. The second, well, you'd move fast too when getting assaulted by that much rope and having to defend yourself with a kukri! :D
 
I was an Ironworker for several years up here in Vermont (before I went back to school) Particularly in the winter my (and everybody else's) hands would go numb from cold/vibrations. Doing ironwork you are swinging a 3-8lb sledge sometimes all day (bolting up) Me and all the other men I worked with would wrap the end of our handles like a hockey stick and never drop them this is absolutely essential as dropping even your little 3lb ballpeen could easily kill someone!!! Many days I could grip, swing and safely use a sledge only to find my hands too numb to grip a bic lighter to fire up a smoke. I can say with absolute certainty a large grip can be used safely and effectively under conditions a small grip can not!! this is why they make everything big for people with athritisis.

LOL! I've seen a few beaters go flying. Luckily a few feet on decking under a bridge, so no damage. The friction/hockey tape definitely prevents that from happening. What local were you out of? Local 40 here.
 
Good test. A few things......

What was the Barometric pressure? I cant believe you didnt list it.

What altitude were these tests performed at? Again wtf.

What was the last 3 meals you ate before testing?

Were your fingernails trimmed properly?

Did you have on clean underwear?

Were your shoes double knotted or just knotted?

When was your last physical, whats your bloodtype?

ALL very important info.











:D:D:D:p Sorry man. I couldnt resist.;)

Very good test, I enjoyed reading it. Thanks for thinking to post your findings here.:thumbup:
 
Good test. A few things......

What was the Barometric pressure? I cant believe you didnt list it.

What altitude were these tests performed at? Again wtf.

What was the last 3 meals you ate before testing?

Were your fingernails trimmed properly?

Did you have on clean underwear?

Were your shoes double knotted or just knotted?

When was your last physical, whats your bloodtype?

ALL very important info.











:D:D:D:p Sorry man. I couldnt resist.;)

Very good test, I enjoyed reading it. Thanks for thinking to post your findings here.:thumbup:

There is always a little devil in the details. This time his name is listed and he lives in Missouri! :D

I enjoyed the tests, I haven't done anything like it and deep, down know I should.
 
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