Wilderness knife design question-----from Dr.Bill

Shotgun said:
Nope. I don't keep blades that will never get used.


Irrelevant. I'm not saying these can't do the job I'm saying I find large blades cumbersome to carry.


No offense but I don't NEED to do anything. To be honest I don't see the point to your question. You want people of a lesser experience level to learn from this but what are they learning? The parameters of your question are too narrow. All someone is going to learn is what the best features of Siegle's knives are. How does that help someone? I get that you love Siegle's knives but not everyone shares that view. Don't get me wrong they're nice blades but some people have no use for them.
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Then why respond to the question at all???

NO ONE else had problems answering the question or in your case refusing to answer it...

It's cool that you like Tomahawks more than larger knives--but that has nothing to do with this question.

The question clearly stated it was NOT about Siegle's knives --but about knife DESIGN choices

The knife maker does not matter--this is a question about the Design features(Blade shape and length as well as handle shapes) that you would pick for a large knife

If you do not like them at all---then do not reply to the question...
 
My choice would be the top bolo with the handle of No. 5. Weight forward and centered working point. That said No 8 may be one of the best combat survival designs I have yet seen to date.

I agree with Shotgun, I really don't understand why the strict enforced parameters of the question or why the question was made in the first place, as I have no experience with a single Siegle blade and will probably never be able to justify the cost, and I really don't see what anyone is going to learn from this other than Siegle himself. This kind of feels like a market research survey on his behalf.

Considering Kabar's incredible record for customer service, manufacturing quality, material quality and reasonable price, I'd just as soon pick up a Grass Machete and a Heavy Warthog. Those two are close to the top of my list at the moment. I agree with Shotgun in that my Tomahawk is my go-to piece of equipment for the task, though large blades offer different capabilities such as drawknifing, and often carry a light Tramontina machete in conjunction with a HB Forge tomahawk. I'll also add that when it comes to designs, there are many and all have their pluses and minuses for different jobs in different environments. While some may be favored an allaround design, others will be much better at specific tasks.
 
PayetteRucker said:
I agree with Shotgun, I really don't understand why the strict enforced parameters of the question or why the question was made in the first place, as I have no experience with a single Siegle blade and will probably never be able to justify the cost, and I really don't see what anyone is going to learn from this other than Siegle himself. This kind of feels like a market research survey on his behalf.
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LOL...I'm glad I'm not the only one thinking maybe there's a sales pitch in there.
 
Shotgun said:
LOL...I'm glad I'm not the only one thinking maybe there's a sales pitch in there.
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This is NOT about Siegles knives

As far as a Sales pitch-That was an Insult to me Sir.

BE DAMN GLAD YOUR ASS DOES NOT LIVE IN TEXAS

Siegle is not taking orders-SO THIS IS NOT A SALES PITCH

Several people have told me you understand the question and have just tried to make it into something else

AND YOU HAVE DONE THIS BEFORE TO OTHER QUESTIONS I HAVE POSTED

You are NOT WELCOME to reply to my questions if you are unable or unwilling to follow the rules I set down

This is MY POST-and My question.

Whether or not you like it or find it useful means nothing---KEEP THAT CRAP TO YOURSELF

If I have a Tomahawk question I'll look you up

Until then -Just stay out of my posts
 
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I think that the handle of #6 would go well with the blade of #4.

I got two WWII bolos awhile back from my Dad and Father in Law.

I found the handle on them to reduce hand fatigue quite a bit.

Being somewhat thin in the center, as opposed to a large palm swell, and having the large hook to the rear seems to keep me from needing to have a panic grip on the swell.

My grip can be somewhat looser and the rear of the handle catches the knife from slipping forward.

I grasp the handle right before impact.

I can also choke up on it and feel like I'm handling a smaller blade.

I modified one of them to a clip point and thinned the edge. I love it!

I asked Justin to make me a knife to my design using that blade shape and a beefed up modified RD handle.

The size of the grip fatigues my hand trying to grasp the swell ....... but it hits like a ton of bricks! :)

IMG_5385.jpg


IMG_5387.jpg


IMG_5447.jpg
 
Believe me there is no sales pitch being sold here. I think Bill is simply using pics of my blades to show different attributes of different blade shapes and handles. Use your own experiences to explain why you would choose a clip point over a drop point or why the sheep's foot style would work for you where the Nessmuk design wouldn't. Too many times we see post saying this is best or that sucks but few folks accurately explain why they feel that way. For the inexperienced, the info you can share could save them some learning curve :)
 
Brian Sargent said:
I think that the handle of #6 would go well with the blade of #4.

I got two WWII bolos awhile back from my Dad and Father in Law.

I found the handle on them to reduce hand fatigue quite a bit.

Being somewhat thin in the center, as opposed to a large palm swell, and having the large hook to the rear seems to keep me from needing to have a panic grip on the swell.

My grip can be somewhat looser and the rear of the handle catches the knife from slipping forward.

I grasp the handle right before impact.

I can also choke up on it and feel like I'm handling a smaller blade.

I modified one of them to a clip point and thinned the edge. I love it!

I asked Justin to make me a knife to my design using that blade shape and a beefed up modified RD handle.

The size of the grip fatigues my hand trying to grasp the swell ....... but it hits like a ton of bricks! :)

IMG_5385.jpg


IMG_5387.jpg


IMG_5447.jpg
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Those Look SWEET

Which one chops hardwood best???

No wait--better send them to me for proper testing

:)

(my way of saying--those look SWEET)
 
Brian, I love that modded USMC Bolo! The knife by Justin looks great too :) I once read an article where the author described blades like them as flat axes. I love that term as it is so appropriate and descriptive of the intended uses. I have never been much of a hatchet guy and choose the big, heavy blades for camp use.
 
Thanks guys! I had a lot of fun doing it and learned a bunch about geometry and ergonomics in the process. I slowly thinned it out until it really bit deep without sticking.

Out of the three the modified bolo chops the best. The spine is 5/16" and the blade is over 11". I thinned it out quite a bit but there is still a bunch of weight behind it.

This is one of my first videos, I was excited! It was before the rehandle. That was a tough old piece of Oak!

Kind of embarrassing watching this now but it's a good laugh!

I'd love to give one of those Siegles' a workout. :)



[youtube]aonfkZTLEvY[/youtube]

IMG_2400.jpg
 
I have several (several several several) knives from Bill, many similar to what is up here, and will preface this by saying that if you have ANY of them and can't get along in the wild, you're a poor outdoorsman. :)

That said, I have to lean the hardest on #5. I believe leaf-shaped blades to be the best of just about all worlds. Endless (almost) belly that cuts everything well (like a recurve) and is easy to sharpen by anybody with even a pebble's worth of skill (less like a recurve) all while converging in a point that's more than fine enough for anything you'd ever need a point for, directly in line with the handle for drilling.

It's big enough and small enough. Pair it with a SAK (one that has a saw) and I don't know what you couldn't achieve in the outdoors. Also, as one who had to lug more than eighty pounds around with him, ALL DAY EVERY DAY, whether I wanted to or not, I have to say that the concern of a few ounces more or less really could not mean less to me. I've carried tomahawks/hatchets into the wilds before, and no longer do---how nice that there are those here with vastly different experiences/preferences to keep things interesting. :D
 
I would like to try #5's blade with # 7's handle or grip. If it would fit. I like the shape of the grip more on #7 because of the round shape.

That's what I would like to try anyway.

Jeff
 
the USMC bolo is a thing of beauty.

Bill, I certainly meant no offense and I'm sure Shotgun didn't either. I think where our confusion comes from is you invite public answer and input but restrict replies by applying rigid criteria to an arbitrary task. This is why your intent was questioned. Making threats over the internet in a constructive discussion group doesn't get anyone anywhere. Maybe a more open thread like 'sketch or describe your ideal large blade' or 'what do you like in your choppers', etc etc. The ultimate result of these kinds of threads, as seen in your other recent topic, is that 'whatever floats your boat'-everybody has their own tastes and there are multiple tools to accomplish similar tasks. Maybe a topic inviting more creativity would be a good thing and spur more open discussion, inspire the local bladesmiths and thus farther the industry and our capabilities in survival and bushcraft.
 
I would take number one or four, add a folding saw and a belt knife and you have a great system.
 
I'd like everyone to step back, take a deep breath, and chill out, please. If you don't like Dr. Bill's question, don't participate. But, by the same token Dr. Bill, if you aren't prepared for answers you don't like or questions about your parameters, don't post either. This could've been handled by both parties in a much more adult fashion.
 
Blade 4 with handle 2.

I like a jack of all trades approach. The blade shape looks like it would be capable of tackling most tasks and the handle in neutral enough for a couple of different types of grip. I also wear gloves when out so a slimmer handle is fine. I find the thicker handles tend to fatigue my hand quicker.
 
WILLIAM.M said:
This is NOT about Siegles knives

As far as a Sales pitch-That was an Insult to me Sir.

BE DAMN GLAD YOUR ASS DOES NOT LIVE IN TEXAS

Siegle is not taking orders-SO THIS IS NOT A SALES PITCH

Several people have told me you understand the question and have just tried to make it into something else

AND YOU HAVE DONE THIS BEFORE TO OTHER QUESTIONS I HAVE POSTED

You are NOT WELCOME to reply to my questions if you are unable or unwilling to follow the rules I set down

This is MY POST-and My question.

Whether or not you like it or find it useful means nothing---KEEP THAT CRAP TO YOURSELF

If I have a Tomahawk question I'll look you up

Until then -Just stay out of my posts
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:rolleyes:

The reason I posted in the first place is because your intent was to help newbies, or at least that was my take from your first post. I wish someone like me would have come by when I was a newbie to say that big hunks of steel aren't needed for wilderness survival. Can they be useful, sure. Are they fun, you bet. Are they needed, no. It would have saved me a great deal of time and money.
 
As a proud owner of a Bill Siegle knife, I have to say that I also have no need for a huge camp knife. 3 - 4" is all I need in a knife. For wood processing, that's what an axe or folding saw is for.
 
I am not a chopper but love a good knife and like a flat area for drawknife use, a useful spearpoint for belly plus a drilling tip. I like a little length for clearance in batonning.--- For these reasons I would choose:
The Red Handled knife in 3/16"
or
#7 with the choil section removed- kind of slice the deisgn removing all the choil area and move the blade back to the hand




Nice selection of knives & exercise in choosing the design best suited to the woods in your location and your personal usage style/skills.
Bill
 
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Brian Jones said:
I'd like everyone to step back, take a deep breath, and chill out, please. If you don't like Dr. Bill's question, don't participate. But, by the same token Dr. Bill, if you aren't prepared for answers you don't like or questions about your parameters, don't post either. This could've been handled by both parties in a much more adult fashion.
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Thanks Bro

I just do not suffer being accused of something I did not do.

Feel free to post answers I do not like--I could NOT care less.

Insult me--and we have a problem.

Or worse---insulting the question and then replying with a totally different answer.

Like Brain said--if you do not like my questions---don't reply.

Even someone who calls the 8th Grade his Senior year could understand that...

Or even better-----

POST YOUR OWN QUESTIONS

I've been teaching Martial Arts since 1972 and know how to teach and ask questions-but there are always those that you can not reach.

This post was made not to sell Siegles Knives(He does not need my help for that


Just thought I would start a post asking what blade length and grip design most people would like the best

If I had a VAST collection of all sorts of knives I would have posted A GROUP PHOTO them to choose from.

All of those Siegles shown in this post are no longer owned by me---I used a group photo taken last year to ask the question.
 
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