I dont think its about cultures developing different knives, the is a tribe (cant remember the name) that have used bows for generations without feathers (proper name) on the end. when someone from another culture (who use feathers on the end) came along and showed them that they work better they said great, and now use them.
anyhow, just because a culture uses a given knife successfully doesn't mean it the most efficient tool for the job
Fair nuff, we in the west usualy use saws that cut on the pushstroke whilst the japanese do fine with ones that cut on the drawstroke and all that.
But, how about those who use for instance the Kukri?
Is ours better than theirs? Is it down to the environment that they are using theirs or our legislation that causes us to use a short knife and an axe instead of just a big knife?
I can't say I am a fan of massive knives myself but if I had to get into a coconut often or chop sugarcane I could well change my mind.
Also I notice that there seems to be a bit of unrest as the interchangability of the words "Bushcraft" and "Survival".
Looking through that blokes site, I have to say that theres a massive crossover as a lot of the things he likes doing are frequently discussed on here under the title "Bushcraft" so are we just arguing semantics?
Well apart from the bits when he has his as****e list, errrrrrr, proper loon there he is.
You look through almost any survival book and then check on here to see if the same subjects come up and I bet that most of them do.
Wild food? Check.
Knife choice and care? Even "Rays" first book was a Survival one.
Cooking in the wild using fires? Check.
Rope making? Check.
Navigation? Check.
You name it and most of it's in there, its just that most of us don't want to be included in the Michael Ryan TA wannabe style so we call it bushcraft instead.
Can't say I blame em but we all know that if one of use went nuts and killed a load of people that the Daily Kneejerk would label us survivalists anyway.
It could even be argued that the term "bushcraft" isn't that accurate as theres a distinct lack of "Bush" round the UK.
Well apart from me, I just go camping every once in a while and don't mind calling it that
Mind I am one of those awkward gits that doesn't like to be labled, I own several motorcycles but shy away from the label "biker".
Can I put my freshly whittled wooden spoon away now?
Regards Scott.
