American and British knife size difference
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When I lived in Texas I always expected to see lots of bowie knives strapped to people's thighs. To my surprise I heard that a law passed in the mid 19th century, banning specifically "bowie knives", is still in force.
Most of the knives I saw in outdoor shops were drop point or clip point hunters, of the loveless style, usually not more than 5 inches in the blade.
I think culture has a big part to play in this debate. In the UK we haven't had a knife culture since the middle ages. The carrying of fixed blades was largely superseded by folding pocket knives by the early 19th century primarily because larger blades were heavier and less necessary.
By contrast the USA, Canada, Russia and Scandinavia have a knife culture based on frequent use of these tools in the outdoors. The knife recommended by Lt. Warren H. Miller in his book The Sportsman's Workshop is just a butcher's knife, presumably because it was tough, easily sharpened and long enough to give years of wear.
It's also worth bearing in mind that our Bushcraft culture is brand new, thanks largely to Ray Mears and a few others. It resurrects and re-explores skills and crafts largely forgotten in western Europe. The tools reflect that "craftsman" ideology. But American "Survivalism" predates Henry David Thoreau and is rooted in a Jeffersonian view of what America is and should be. Because of that, it follows a much more Native American model when it comes to equipment than modern Bushcraft does here in the UK.
Most of the knives I saw in outdoor shops were drop point or clip point hunters, of the loveless style, usually not more than 5 inches in the blade.
I think culture has a big part to play in this debate. In the UK we haven't had a knife culture since the middle ages. The carrying of fixed blades was largely superseded by folding pocket knives by the early 19th century primarily because larger blades were heavier and less necessary.
By contrast the USA, Canada, Russia and Scandinavia have a knife culture based on frequent use of these tools in the outdoors. The knife recommended by Lt. Warren H. Miller in his book The Sportsman's Workshop is just a butcher's knife, presumably because it was tough, easily sharpened and long enough to give years of wear.
It's also worth bearing in mind that our Bushcraft culture is brand new, thanks largely to Ray Mears and a few others. It resurrects and re-explores skills and crafts largely forgotten in western Europe. The tools reflect that "craftsman" ideology. But American "Survivalism" predates Henry David Thoreau and is rooted in a Jeffersonian view of what America is and should be. Because of that, it follows a much more Native American model when it comes to equipment than modern Bushcraft does here in the UK.
Over the past year or so I have been experimenting with larger knives, essentially to see what the big deal is about carrying a big chopper. This has led me to leave the axe behind on a couple of trips in favour of trying a machete, CS Kukri, and ESEE Junglas. In reading online about various knives, in an attempt to find information, read reviews, etc., there is a strong correlation between the "Jeffersonian view of what America is and should be" proponents and the fascination with and usage of big knives. Essentially, there seems to be a strong connection between big knives and the defensive mindset.
As a Canadian and having lived in the USA, there is a strong acceptance of seeing big knives and even when wearing an 8-10" blade in a restaurant or store I've never been questioned or hastled. The other statements from previous posters that strikes to the heart of it is the "dude", the "wilderness craftsperson" and my addition, "the wilderness conquerer" mindset. For better or worse, we (in North America, are still struggling culturally to truly inhabit our landscape as home, as opposed to a hostile "other" that must be grappled and fought with at every turn. Even though many of us in North America would object to this conceptualization on a personal level, history supports the idea of a continuing frontier mindset. This grappling with the wilderness, and the prevalence of the Jeffersonian thinking combine to give us a preference for big knives, defensive thinking, and a fertile ground for tacticool marketing.
The bushcrafter ideal that is more common on this forum, is fertile ground for the marketing of the gentle bush craftsperson. This consumer profile seems to require a different quantity and style of merchandise to allow them to live out their outdoor fantasies. Which one is superiour? Each is a product of history, culture, marketing, and some imported influences. In North America, we have a long history of remarkable bushcrafters (Sears, Mason, Jacobson, Kochanski, Seton) who continue to influence skills and thinking on both sides of the pond. But these are the influencers of the readers and armchair academics/historians, not the producers and consumers of tactical marketing and outdoor recreation based consumerism.
The other reality is the intentionality behind the culture that has been created on this forum. Topics such as defensive weaponry, hardening ones dwelling, self-defence, conspiracy theories, political/economic collapse, preponomics, religious motivation, etc. are typically not welcomed on this forum. There have been threads on these topics that have been locked (possibly even deleted). The result has been a winnowing of the readership and opinions to reflect the ground rules set in place for this very pleasant place to hang out. Without a strong (or perhaps it's a vocal) core of these individuals on the forum, we simply do not read the same types of content and opinions.
As a Canadian and having lived in the USA, there is a strong acceptance of seeing big knives and even when wearing an 8-10" blade in a restaurant or store I've never been questioned or hastled. The other statements from previous posters that strikes to the heart of it is the "dude", the "wilderness craftsperson" and my addition, "the wilderness conquerer" mindset. For better or worse, we (in North America, are still struggling culturally to truly inhabit our landscape as home, as opposed to a hostile "other" that must be grappled and fought with at every turn. Even though many of us in North America would object to this conceptualization on a personal level, history supports the idea of a continuing frontier mindset. This grappling with the wilderness, and the prevalence of the Jeffersonian thinking combine to give us a preference for big knives, defensive thinking, and a fertile ground for tacticool marketing.
The bushcrafter ideal that is more common on this forum, is fertile ground for the marketing of the gentle bush craftsperson. This consumer profile seems to require a different quantity and style of merchandise to allow them to live out their outdoor fantasies. Which one is superiour? Each is a product of history, culture, marketing, and some imported influences. In North America, we have a long history of remarkable bushcrafters (Sears, Mason, Jacobson, Kochanski, Seton) who continue to influence skills and thinking on both sides of the pond. But these are the influencers of the readers and armchair academics/historians, not the producers and consumers of tactical marketing and outdoor recreation based consumerism.
The other reality is the intentionality behind the culture that has been created on this forum. Topics such as defensive weaponry, hardening ones dwelling, self-defence, conspiracy theories, political/economic collapse, preponomics, religious motivation, etc. are typically not welcomed on this forum. There have been threads on these topics that have been locked (possibly even deleted). The result has been a winnowing of the readership and opinions to reflect the ground rules set in place for this very pleasant place to hang out. Without a strong (or perhaps it's a vocal) core of these individuals on the forum, we simply do not read the same types of content and opinions.
I didn't say that it isn't possible.
I said it isn't the best.
My experience of skinning large animals is limited to cattle.
The favoured skinning knife is always shaped like this:
+1
At least three of these guys suggest a smaller knife for day to day use, Horace Kephart too, I don't know what (Cliff?) Jacobson or (Ernest?) Seton recommend(ed) but would be curious to know. Two other US bushcraft personalities whose media star has recently risen Cody Lundin and Dave Canterbury also recommend a smaller knife. In fact the only well known bushcraft personality I can think of living today who recommends a larger knife is Tom Brown (although he has a smaller knife too).
Daniel Boone however, he had a big un.
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I'm not sure "struggling" is an accurate description. I think we actually revel in it. At least those of us who enjoy the outdoors.
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You seen the footage from London recently? I'd say we have more than our share of the brain-dead.
Interesting question for sure. Unfortunately we mainly have only the two forums (BCUK and BCUSA) to compare. Fortunately we do have members on both forums that are from other venues. I would like to hear more concerning what are the trends (not the legal restrictions in town) in those venues (Africa, Australia, Canada, Asia, South America, etc.) We've heard at least one post from Canada (Grey Owl) but more posts might be enlightening.
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What an outstandingly lucid post. But then you're a Canuck and you fellas always seem blessed with a healthy share of common sense.
When I was younger I always wanted the biggest baddest knife I could find when I went into the woods. Now with more knowledge and experience I've moved down to a knife no bigger than 4''-5''. That being said if I could only carry one knife as my only tool in an extreme situation, I would want a 6''-7'' blade.
I think Rambo had alot to do with the big knife movement.
I think Rambo had alot to do with the big knife movement.
i think its due to axes not being as popular, and as the majority of forest work is chopping, a large bladed knife works better over a small bladed knife. however it appears that more recently, the knife and axe set is becoming more popular in the US.
I'd say Rambo had a lot to do with the "tacticool" knife movement; but an awful lot of us who like "bigger" knives predate Rambo by 20 or more years.
forestwalker
Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
And 53.7% (proctorectally derived number) of the moosehunters in Sweden use a mora.
I think it is based on the myth that you must carry a large knife. Like Jim Bowie, Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone, not to mention a lot of Hollywood movies that always show a large knife somewhere in the plot. The largest knife I ever carried in the wilderness was a 6 inch blade and have, over time, discovered that I prefer one between 3.5 and 5 inches, 4 being mostly perfect.
While in the military I carried either a special made 6 inch Randall Model 15 or a Model 1 with a 7 inch blade. The uses for a knife differ for someone in a combat or combat training scenario there is more emphisis on using it as a weapon, let's call that combat survival. Ka-Bar is a perfect low cost alternative, I carried one occasionally also. Combat use and fieldcraft/bushcraft can overlap but I find a smaller knife more useful for non combat and for a combat knife there is no substitute for a knife 6 inches or over.
Personally, it is my opinion that most people that like large knives feel a military connection and utilization, whether or not they ever experienced the military. It is cultural and in a way a bit of a fad. Rambo had a big knife, I remember a lot of people in the military with me at that time went out a got a bigger knife. No good reason other than physical attraction.
While in the military I carried either a special made 6 inch Randall Model 15 or a Model 1 with a 7 inch blade. The uses for a knife differ for someone in a combat or combat training scenario there is more emphisis on using it as a weapon, let's call that combat survival. Ka-Bar is a perfect low cost alternative, I carried one occasionally also. Combat use and fieldcraft/bushcraft can overlap but I find a smaller knife more useful for non combat and for a combat knife there is no substitute for a knife 6 inches or over.
Personally, it is my opinion that most people that like large knives feel a military connection and utilization, whether or not they ever experienced the military. It is cultural and in a way a bit of a fad. Rambo had a big knife, I remember a lot of people in the military with me at that time went out a got a bigger knife. No good reason other than physical attraction.
Mykel Hawke carries a big knife on Man Woman Wild & he's got a highly attractive wife. Must be something in it...
I spent many years between Singapore and Borneo when my father had a logging company there, we have had many camping/buhcrafting funs in Borneo, the longest trip was a 14 days wild camp in the Borneo jungle with a few Iban friends and we all preferred bigger blades, much easier and more practical.
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