idahobob
Trail Wise!
many are cold, but few are frozen
Posts: 198
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Post by idahobob on Jan 13, 2016 12:42:20 GMT -8
Between a knife and scissors, I use scissors more, no doubt. I"m also big on vitamin I (Ibuprofin). I do like a knife however, and its been very useful on occasion: cleaning fish: all the time cutting tent poles when I have forgotten them cutting tent stakes when I have forgotten them carving a spoon, that's right, when I have forgotten it cutting a branch for roasting marshmallows or fish carving a dice for playing games cutting sap wood out of a tree wound for my firestarting kit cutting line to make shoelaces cutting fishing line some hypothetical uses would be: to help make fire by making a bow drill, spindle, and base plate to cut branches up to 3" in diameter by batoning to make a shelter trimming a stick to make a walking stick, crutches, or splint shaping a stick to make into a spear for fishing trimming wood to make a rock fall game trap However, I can see how one could go their whole life and do without a knife. I just like having one available. Now about scissors, where do I get one with straight blades? Seems like I only see those with curved blades. My 2 oz cork handle knife is a lot lighter than others I have made and carried on backpacks, like this:
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Post by williamh4 on Jan 13, 2016 12:47:04 GMT -8
make an easier job of skinning something To each their own, but I have always found a smaller knife to be easier to use when dressing out and processing game. But then again in a true survival situation I'm going to be relying on eating fish and rodents. LOL, I'm not speaking from experience regarding dressing out and processing game. So, that possible benefit may be scratched. I will carry my Leatherman as well, so I'll have that option. For me, I won't mind carrying a larger knife sheathed on my side. It certainly can't hurt and may be beneficial.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2016 12:47:45 GMT -8
After a few days of stewing it over, I have to disagree with me being comfortable carrying a single edged razor blade as my knife as part of the 10E's.
My wife and I, once a year, use our pocket knives to make a fire bow.
I used to make leather products. One of the tools I used to cut leather was a single edged razor in a folding knife type of holder. I bought my blades in bulk. I remember about 1/3 to 1/2 of the blades would break during use.
I thought, initially, that I could realize a weight reduction by dropping the knife and picking up a single edged razor blade to replace the knife. I then thought about the work I'd want the razor blade to do. I could not count on a razor to hold up to the work I'd want the razor to do; such as make a fire bow or work a snare trigger.
The knives I carry backpacking are able to hold up to a certain load of work. I have had the chance to test the knives I carry against an expected work load.
The expected work load of a knife is a determinant as to what knife that should be carried as part of the 10E kit. One person can get away with a single edged razor and another person may need a 21 inch buck knife; an individual choice.
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Post by williamh4 on Jan 13, 2016 12:50:47 GMT -8
Between a knife and scissors, I use scissors more, no doubt. I"m also big on vitamin I (Ibuprofin). I do like a knife however, and its been very useful on occasion: cleaning fish: all the time cutting tent poles when I have forgotten them cutting tent stakes when I have forgotten them carving a spoon, that's right, when I have forgotten it cutting a branch for roasting marshmallows or fish carving a dice for playing games cutting sap wood out of a tree wound for my firestarting kit cutting line to make shoelaces cutting fishing line some hypothetical uses would be: to help make fire by making a bow drill, spindle, and base plate to cut branches up to 3" in diameter by batoning to make a shelter trimming a stick to make a walking stick, crutches, or splint shaping a stick to make into a spear for fishing trimming wood to make a rock fall game trap However, I can see how one could go their whole life and do without a knife. I just like having one available. Now about scissors, where do I get one with straight blades? Seems like I only see those with curved blades. My 2 oz cork handle knife is a lot lighter than others I have made and carried on backpacks, like this: Bob, did you make the entire knife, or just the handle? I don't mean "just" the handle as if there's no talent in making it. Whether you made the entire knife, or only the handle, you're quite talented.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Jan 13, 2016 13:02:32 GMT -8
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idahobob
Trail Wise!
many are cold, but few are frozen
Posts: 198
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Post by idahobob on Jan 13, 2016 15:17:58 GMT -8
I buy blade blanks and put the handles on them. The blanks are sharpened and hardened to 57 Rockwell or thereabouts. They can be had in stainless, laminated, scandi, high carbon, anything you want, for about $25. Some of these would fall into the category of "bushcraft", with full tang and fairly thick blades, but at 2 oz its hard for me to not take at least a Mora knife. The SAK below is 40 years old, rehandled for a friend. Some recent ones: The one below has a blade from Enzo of Finland, handle is Micarta, which is cloth laminated in resin. It doesn't crack or absorb water, is very durable and stable.
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idahobob
Trail Wise!
many are cold, but few are frozen
Posts: 198
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Post by idahobob on Jan 13, 2016 15:22:27 GMT -8
High Sierra Fan: any idea what those scissors weigh? They sure would do the job of cutting moleskin.
Bob
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reuben
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Gonna need more Camels at the next refugio...
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Post by reuben on Jan 13, 2016 15:22:53 GMT -8
bob, that's pretty cool that you have the skills to do that.
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Post by williamh4 on Jan 13, 2016 16:23:04 GMT -8
Bob, Do the blades come in different shapes and lengths?
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johnb
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Never stop learning...
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Post by johnb on Jan 13, 2016 17:54:55 GMT -8
I personally carry two different knives when I'm out in the field; a Kershaw Skyline (3.1 inch blade, 2.5 oz and < $50 price tag) and a Leatherman multitool with whatever knife blade it comes with. I couldn't imagine not having something to cut with if needed (I also fall firmly in the 20-25lb range of loadout so my aspirations for UL backpacking are a long way off).
Perhaps it's just the emphasis that I've seen on the 10 essentials for survival that make it so important for me, or maybe I'm just paranoid.
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Post by JRinGeorgia on Jan 13, 2016 18:15:24 GMT -8
I'm not actually sure what you'd do with a big knife in a survival situation that would make a big difference. After my inner caveman insisted for years on clinging to my former knives I finally came to agree with this. A Personal Locator Beacon seems like a much better technical advantage vs. a knife. Zactly. I'm not sure why I would "need" a fire, but if I did I carry some vaseline-soaked cotton balls, alky fuel, a mini Bic and backup matches. For warmth I already have a down quilt, down puffy, and other layers. Build a shelter? I'm already carrying one. Cut up bandages? Razor blade and scissors have me covered. Cut rope and baggies? Ditto. Self-defense? The possibility of being in a self-defense situation in the wilderness seems too remote, and if it did happen I doubt I could defend myself properly with a knife anyway. Just a general feeling that I will survive with a knife but die without one? If I'm in trouble I'll hit the button on the PLB. If you enjoy woodworking or hunt/fish your food that's different from "when things go wrong".
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Jan 13, 2016 18:51:02 GMT -8
High Sierra Fan: any idea what those scissors weigh? They sure would do the job of cutting moleskin. Bob I can weigh a pair tomorrow in the lab. The shipping weight listed was under an oz and that looks wrong.
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idahobob
Trail Wise!
many are cold, but few are frozen
Posts: 198
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Post by idahobob on Jan 13, 2016 19:54:52 GMT -8
Williamh4: the blades come in about any size and shape you want. this site, Ragnar's forge, sells Scandinavian brands like Mora, Helle, and Lauri. They also sell finished knives by these companies. Thompson Scandinavian sells .... Scandinavian knives and knife making supplies. North Coast Knives has a lot of "non-Scandinavian" blanks. Its a fun project and gets a little addictive. Its kind of outdoorsy, kind of craftsy. Its a lot easier than one would think. For $25 and 10 hours of garage time you end up with a $200 knife.
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Post by williamh4 on Jan 13, 2016 20:06:51 GMT -8
I'm not actually sure what you'd do with a big knife in a survival situation that would make a big difference. After my inner caveman insisted for years on clinging to my former knives I finally came to agree with this. A Personal Locator Beacon seems like a much better technical advantage vs. a knife. Zactly. I'm not sure why I would "need" a fire, but if I did I carry some vaseline-soaked cotton balls, alky fuel, a mini Bic and backup matches. For warmth I already have a down quilt, down puffy, and other layers. Build a shelter? I'm already carrying one. Cut up bandages? Razor blade and scissors have me covered. Cut rope and baggies? Ditto. Self-defense? The possibility of being in a self-defense situation in the wilderness seems too remote, and if it did happen I doubt I could defend myself properly with a knife anyway. Just a general feeling that I will survive with a knife but die without one? If I'm in trouble I'll hit the button on the PLB. If you enjoy woodworking or hunt/fish your food that's different from "when things go wrong". For me, it's not a big deal as it hangs from my belt. Whether or not I'll ever need it, I don't care. There's a good chance it won't serve a purpose my multi-tool can't handle, but if something should arise, I'll have it. Again, it's hanging at my side. The only effort involved is running my belt through the sheath and taking it off when I sleep.
The defense post was a joke, BTW.
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Post by williamh4 on Jan 13, 2016 20:09:55 GMT -8
Williamh4: the blades come in about any size and shape you want. this site, Ragnar's forge, sells Scandinavian brands like Mora, Helle, and Lauri. They also sell finished knives by these companies. Thompson Scandinavian sells .... Scandinavian knives and knife making supplies. North Coast Knives has a lot of "non-Scandinavian" blanks. Its a fun project and gets a little addictive. Its kind of outdoorsy, kind of craftsy. Its a lot easier than one would think. For $25 and 10 hours of garage time you end up with a $200 knife. Thank you, idahobob. I might give that a try myself. My thought was exactly as you pointed out, with some effort, you can have a really nice knife.
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