bush blades

[deepcmonkey]

Back on track to the original subject, I think if I really did want a "survival" type knife I would pick one of these:

http://www.heinnie.com/Knives/Extrema-Ratio/Extrema-Ratio-Shrapnel-Testudo/p-92-137-947/

 

[malente]

Back on track to the original subject, I think if I really did want a "survival" type knife I would pick one of these:

http://www.heinnie.com/Knives/Extrema-Ratio/Extrema-Ratio-Shrapnel-Testudo/p-92-137-947/

Hi,

looks interesting, anyone got any experience with one of these?

I have a Fallkniven A1, so I guess this would be my choice.

Mike

 

[deepcmonkey]

I have heard they are quite good, I love my Bushy knives but to be honest if I was cold, wet, tired etc.. I would like a finger guard on a knife to prevent accidents would be interested to find some opinions on the Extrema Ratio Shrapnel. Think I might get one.

 

[TheGreenMan]

Uh oh...

I'd like to try a little preaching meself, never hurt no-one, he?

Hmmm,

Come to think of it, better let the experts of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster do it...

:AR15firin



May The Schwartz be with you!

Mike

That was one hell of an opinion, Mike.

Interesting link, looks like when i said man is bad i was right

Well, I'm not a religious man, Shinken, but the words you quoted from the Bible seem to be working for you, you took that one from Mike on the chin without so much as a whimper.

Best regards,
Paul.

 

[cariboo]

demographic is a biker
I find the notion that in a survival situation nature is the enemy quite interesting. :tapedshut
Anyway, gotta rush,
cya
Mike

I'm reading a book now, "Three Against the Wilderness" by Eric Collier. It's about a family of three surviving in the bush in the 30's and 40's. They homesteaded about 10 kms away from where we are homesteading. Technology, however, has made our survival much easier than theirs of course.

Good read for bushcraft types. In fact maybe a must read to get the feel of the British Columbian interior (Chilcotin area).

Against the wilderness. Battling, fighting, surviving. Is that what we do? You'd think after 60,000 years ...

Also, big bush tools are a must if one lives in the bush here. That's not an opinion.
My closest tools are a chainsaw, an axe, an adze, hookknives, a sledgehammer and an ulu. The front end loader on the tractor is handy. If we had to the only tool we would need to survive would be a hefty 8" knife with belly. Anything under 12cm would not do the job.

If we only had the guts to be responsible for ourselves. I believe the expression is "walk the talk" Paul.

Scott.

http://www.caribooblades.com/Bushcraft-tool-review.html

 

[deepcmonkey]

Read the reviews etc.. cheers was very intresting

 

[malente]

I'm reading a book now, "Three Against the Wilderness" by Eric Collier. It's about a family of three surviving in the bush in the 30's and 40's. They homesteaded about 10 kms away from where we are homesteading. Technology, however, has made our survival much easier than theirs of course.

Good read for bushcraft types. In fact maybe a must read to get the feel of the British Columbian interior (Chilcotin area).

Against the wilderness. Battling, fighting, surviving. Is that what we do? You'd think after 60,000 years ...

Also, big bush tools are a must if one lives in the bush here. That's not an opinion.
My closest tools are a chainsaw, an axe, an adze, hookknives, a sledgehammer and an ulu. The front end loader on the tractor is handy. If we had to the only tool we would need to survive would be a hefty 8" knife with belly. Anything under 12cm would not do the job.

If we only had the guts to be responsible for ourselves. I believe the expression is "walk the talk" Paul.

Scott.

http://www.caribooblades.com/Bushcraft-tool-review.html

Cariboo,

thanks for sharing that link!

Just had a quick look (will dedicate more time at the WE) and this looks like a valuable resource! Do you have a photo report on how you set up your camps? I'd be very interested in that

Apologies if I have upset anyone with my earlier diatribe but sometimes my nihilistic tendecies show through. Take it all as friendly banter please

TheGreenMan, I guess this thread has firmly established that we all here are entitled to my opinion

I better shut up now :tapedshut

Nite

Mike

 

[weaver]

M40 is a member here as well as several other boards. He uses a different name than the one he writes his web page under. You can recognize his writing style if you have been around some of the other sites very long. Of course he is more careful of what he says here.

I generally like him but we disagree on many points. Knives being one. I may be on his AH page, never checked, don't care.

Unlike many Americans I believe a knife is or should be made for cutting. I learned this at the age of 7 when I was chopping a branch on a small tree in the neighborhood. There were several retired guys in the area and a couple of them knew quite a bit about living out in the wild and about life in the old days. One of these guys saw me chopping away and walked over to where I was. I thought he was going to get on to me about hurting the tree, but he told me:

"You have to give it a chance to cut."

I had no idea what he was talking about and he could see that I had no clue. So, he showed me how to cut through the limb in short order. And I must say it was safer, quicker, easier and more effective than my chopping with the small knife. He held the limb bent over a bit and worked the blade into the limb working it in a 'see saw' fashion, back and forth. Not sawing but more of a wiggle, pressing down on one side then the other. He cut right through the limb clean and smooth.

Then he explained to me that you chop with an ax and cut with a knife. Always use the right tool for the job and the right method for the tool.

That was 43 years ago but I remember it like it was yesterday and have tried to live up to his example. So, when I go overnight into the woods I carry a small belt ax and a five inch fixed blade knife along with a couple folding knives. Each has its place.

 

[OzaawaaMigiziNini]

I've emailed with M40 before, mostly about my Kukri Machete and the modifications I have made. I respect M40, the guy sticks to what he believes in, and that's something I respect.

I don't think his personal opinions on other subjects should be brought up on the knives thread. But his opinions about knives, can be brought up.. hey if it's in the public eye view, we have the right to critique it right? I have also questioned about the "Bush Blades" page he made. I've carried a Mora knife for several years now, as well as a Swedish Bush blade with a curly birch handle.

When I'm doing a bushcraft-based trip, I will carry several blades, including saws, axes and small knives. Bushcraft is where I believe "Bush Blades" belong, not on a survival-based trip, where I am expected to do everything and anything with one blade. I carry a large blade (before mentioned kukri machete), when I am doing survival-based trips. I've chopped down large saplings, split wood, constructed shelters (including the digging out of roots inside the shelter), skinned and butchered porcupine and many other tasks with the kukri machete. I could not possibly do those tasks with my Mora. But at the same time, I use my Mora for detailed carving of bushcrafts, not for big work.

The right tool for the right job.

So let's agree to disagree, righto?

 

[Shinken]

Unlike many Americans I believe a knife is or should be made for cutting. I learned this at the age of 7 when I was chopping a branch on a small tree in the neighborhood. There were several retired guys in the area and a couple of them knew quite a bit about living out in the wild and about life in the old days. One of these guys saw me chopping away and walked over to where I was. I thought he was going to get on to me about hurting the tree, but he told me:

"You have to give it a chance to cut."

I had no idea what he was talking about and he could see that I had no clue. So, he showed me how to cut through the limb in short order. And I must say it was safer, quicker, easier and more effective than my chopping with the small knife. He held the limb bent over a bit and worked the blade into the limb working it in a 'see saw' fashion, back and forth. Not sawing but more of a wiggle, pressing down on one side then the other. He cut right through the limb clean and smooth.

Then he explained to me that you chop with an ax and cut with a knife. Always use the right tool for the job and the right method for the tool.

That was 43 years ago but I remember it like it was yesterday and have tried to live up to his example. So, when I go overnight into the woods I carry a small belt ax and a five inch fixed blade knife along with a couple folding knives. Each has its place.

Brilliant!

 

[TheGreenMan]

...If we only had the guts to be responsible for ourselves. I believe the expression is "walk the talk" Paul...

I only take responsibility for the decisions that I take, Scott, and absolutely nothing else.


All the best,
Paul.

 

[TheGreenMan]

...Apologies if I have upset anyone with my earlier diatribe but sometimes my nihilistic tendecies show through. Take it all as friendly banter please ...

Mike, if one is going to trash thousand of years of religious culture, with a crass comment or two and a link to someone else’s web site, then one might expect to offend some people The least one could do is put up a reasoned, intelligent argument, or choose to say nothing. I’m not a ‘politically correct’ type myself, but I understand the notion of mutual respect, and I’m of the opinion that just because one has the right in some parts of the world to say pretty much what we like, that doesn’t mean we have to trample over the feelings of others just because we can, and at every opportunity.

I appreciate that an in-depth argument and counter-argument about religious philosophy is difficult in a thread about the opinions held by m4040 (who was characterised by some as John Rambo, as if that were a negative thing), and without running the risk of being Moderated, despite the fact that the Moderators and Admins allow an enormous amount of latitude for a thread to wander.

The size of a bush knife is a pretty un-stimulating topic for discussion if one has read this kind of debate a few times. It almost invariably takes the form of individuals expressing their personal preferences without taking into account the location of other members or their traditions. The only truthful conclusion one could come to is that one may need a variety of knives for a variety of purposes and situations, or that one knife can serve many purposes when circumstances dictate and the user’s skill allows.

That’s said, I like to kid around just as much as the next guy, as I think that some of my earlier posts to this thread show

Best regards,
Paul.

 

[malente]

Mike, if one is going to trash thousand of years of religious culture, with a crass comment or two and a link to someone else’s web site, then one might expect to offend some people The least one could do is put up a reasoned, intelligent argument, or choose to say nothing.

Maybe I'm a sauce-pox and on top of that, was just a bit flabbergasted to find biblical quotes in a thread about the size of knives. I'm quite allergic to preaching which is not exactly a form of reasoned, intelligent argument (that's of course just my opinion)...

I’m not a ‘politically correct’ type myself, but I understand the notion of mutual respect, and I’m of the opinion that just because one has the right in some parts of the world to say pretty much what we like, that doesn’t mean we have to trample over the feelings of others just because we can, and at every opportunity.

I agree!

I appreciate that an in-depth argument and counter-argument about religious philosophy is difficult in a thread about the opinions held by m4040 (who was characterised by some as John Rambo, as if that were a negative thing), and without running the risk of being Moderated, despite the fact that the Moderators and Admins allow an enormous amount of latitude for a thread to wander.

I actually think that the thread has brought up some quite interesting and (at least for me) new thoughts and resources, and also that it gravitated to the original topic quite good!

The size of a bush knife is a pretty un-stimulating topic for discussion if one has read this kind of debate a few times. It almost invariably takes the form of individuals expressing their personal preferences without taking into account the location of other members or their traditions. The only truthful conclusion one could come to is that one may need a variety of knives for a variety of purposes and situations, or that one knife can serve many purposes when circumstances dictate and the user’s skill allows.

Now, that's YOUR opinion, and quite a strong one I would think.

That’s said, I like to kid around just as much as the next guy, as I think that some of my earlier posts to this thread show

Best regards,
Paul.

Cheers,

Mike

 

[Shinken]

I'm quite allergic to preachin

My friend i meant no offence, but why are you allergic to it? and not allergic to other people's opinions?

And besides i wasnt preaching, just quoting.

God Bless

 

[TheGreenMan]

Maybe I'm a sauce-pox ...

You are indeed, saucy-pox, Mike, and in general I don’t have a problem with that Shinken’s quoting of the Bible took me a little by surprise too, I’ve read a great many posts by him and we have probably exchanged a few dozen PMs and he has never, as far as I remember mentioned his ‘faith’. I did prepare a long reply to his post, but decided not to post it, not because I was challenging some of the ideas he expressed but because it was ‘off topic’.

I agree, that some of the posts in this thread have been informative, I enjoyed several of Cariboo’s posts and particularly the one that informed us that he had actually met m4040, and he wasn’t the ‘**** for brains’ that others may have thought him to be. And I have enjoyed also the posts by Weaver and OzaawaaMigizNini, and indeed some of the humorous ‘off topic’, and non-humorous 'off topic' posts.

What I’m less enthusiastic about are threads that are set-up to be contentious, and by default invite heated debate. I’m not saying that that was your intention, but that was the most likely outcome, hence my first post to the thread. A more obvious example might be a thread with a title such as ‘Axe or Kukri?’, for instance. When I see a thread title like that, I know that it is most likely to result in a ‘hiding to nowhere’ for most of the participants. All that kind of thread does for me these days is cause me to sigh and think ‘here we go’ and deter me from posting because there’s little hope of a meaningful outcome, other than to confirm the idea that it was a good idea that I didn’t post to it.

And when I wrote ‘…The only truthful conclusion one could come to is that one may need a variety of knives for a variety of purposes and situations, or that one knife can serve many purposes when circumstances dictate and the user’s skill allows…’ I honestly believe that that is a truthful statement. It’s the whole debate in a nutshell, with a meaningful conclusion, and that is pretty much all I have to say about what size or shape a knife should be. Controversy no longer interests me, but I’m not saying that controversy shouldn’t appeal to others, it’s my opinion based on my experience, but not a dogmatic ruling.

Lots of love,
Paul

 

[Shinken]

did prepare a long reply to his post, but decided not to post it, not because I was challenging some of the ideas he expressed but because it was ‘off topic

there is alway Pm my friend, i got to where i am by being challenged. Actually it's a good thing!

 

[TheGreenMan]

Cool, I might put a PM together after the mellowing effects of alcohol (it enhances my feelings of brotherly love ), but I doubt it will be tonight, and purely on the basic of 'time management', not my mood. But that said, after a couple of glasses, what I'll be available for is anyone's guess

Cheers,
Paul.

 

[deepcmonkey]

I did believe this thread was going back on track.

I take nothing away from the guy who this topic is about, where he lives in the US I am sure it is perfectly acceptable to carry large knives ie bowies, kukris' and machetes but here in the UK it is not deemed acceptable nor is it needed and as this forum is called BCUK I think the vast amount of people would agree a small woodlore clone,F1,mora etc..and a Axe will be all you really ever need plus maybe a small lock knife and even then we are on a fine line with the law.

So to that end I am still going with the advice from a Mr Mears and sticking with my girly woodlore, I think it will be big enough to fend off any angry Badgers in a survival situation in my backgarden, lol

 

[British Red]

Actually deepc' I'll call (first) the "not true" on that one. A large knife is no more "over the line" than an axe in this country. If you can show " good reason" for an axe, I suspect you could show good reason for a larger knife. If the knife is a fixed blade, whether the blade is 2", 3 ", 4" or 8" is entirely irrelevant. Lets not bring the law into it in a way that has no real bearing in law. If its under 3" in length and a folding, slip joint blade, the law is relevant. Once we are discussing axe vs large knife, we have to show "good reason" and the law has no bearing at all. In the UK the "acceptability" of an axe vs a large knife is irrelevant. Both are "show reason" in the eyes of the law.

Red

 

[deepcmonkey]

Actually deepc' I'll call (first) the "not true" on that one. A large knife is no more "over the line" than an axe in this country. If you can show " good reason" for an axe, I suspect you could show good reason for a larger knife. If the knife is a fixed blade, whether the blade is 2", 3 ", 4" or 8" is entirely irrelevant. Lets not bring the law into it in a way that has no real bearing in law. If its under 3" in length and a folding, slip joint blade, the law is relevant. Once we are discussing axe vs large knife, we have to show "good reason" and the law has no bearing at all. In the UK the "acceptability" of an axe vs a large knife is irrelevant. Both are "show reason" in the eyes of the law.

Red

Yea I see your point Red, I am new to using an Axe my self and the only time I will use it will be on a friends private land, so I have no worries there. I do think you will stand more chance in proving a small woody and an Axe are tools though than if carrying a Bowie. However I still believe all these bowie knifes etc.. are complete over kill for any task and if you carry one you are at risk of being branded a Rambo wannabe lol and dont forget to wear those string backed fingerless gloves as well when using any bowie knife lol

As for being more aceptable I think this is a valid point, If I saw maybe a guy at a campsite with a Bowie I would be more inclined to report him (infact I would), then some one carrying a small blade, I really think public perception is valid here.