Trip Report Celebrating First Blood 40th Anniversary

[JonathanD]

Here’s something to make HillBill happy. A couple of years back FerlasDave, Clem and I met up in the Welsh wilderness to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of First Blood. It was after all, one massive influence for those of us that grew up in the 80’s. We had a hi def projector, Lile knives, M65s and a plethora of ‘Nam era military kit to use. Great fun. The best venison I’ve had, roasted on Welsh slate, too much mead, and a bleeding great storm on the last night which blew the whole outdoor cinema into the Irish Sea.

 

[TeeDee]

Well. Done. Sirs.

Exceptional style.

 

[Chris]

I knew Stallone was short, but damn.

 

[JonathanD]

He is a bit diminutive. But he makes up for it in attitude.

 

[Mesquite]

A great way to spend time in the woods

 

[SCOMAN]

A night to remember, love it. Read the book a few years back, I wasn’t expecting much but quite enjoyed it.

 

[FerlasDave]

Some good memories there mate. Thanks for the throwback!

 

[CLEM]

What a weekend that was, one to remember that’s for sure. Good times, tremendous Welsh Wild’ness’es, top company , good conversation, Venisons and copious amounts of Mead. And that storm , I fully expected to take off during the night, be blown and found two or three counties away by sun up. Savage

 

[John Fenna]

A great post mad but great!

 

[FerlasDave]

What a weekend that was, one to remember that’s for sure. Good times, tremendous Welsh Wild’ness’es, top company , good conversation, Venisons and copious amounts of Mead. And that storm , I fully expected to take off during the night, be blown and found two or three counties away by sun up. Savage

I thought the majority of the wind originated from your tent!

 

[Diamond Dave]

Great post

 

[CLEM]

I thought the majority of the wind originated from your tent!

I resent that remark cocker

 

[RonW]

Ah man, this one is fantastic!!
I so enjoyed this writeup. But I think you doubleposted the pictures?

 

[TeeDee]

Out of interest how well does the saw cope on this?

 

[JonathanD]

Ah man, this one is fantastic!!
I so enjoyed this writeup. But I think you doubleposted the pictures?

I’d didn’t, it was a forum glitch. That got progressively worse when I tried to fix it

 

[JonathanD]

Out of interest how well does the saw cope on this?

Very well. I think they got a bad rap from the mass produced replicas. But a hand made one with full flat grind with the bottom of the saw teeth narrower than the edge, makes them very effective. Surprisingly so. Even batons OK if it wasn’t for the teeth chewing the baton up.

 

[JonathanD]

I did have some pics of the saw results as it was happening. Maybe Clem has them.

 

[TeeDee]

So those three Knives. Are they the same model? Original

 

[JonathanD]

They are Andy Wood made copies. He had the Lile licence to produce high end replicas at one point. Probably the most accurate reproductions out there, and the level of detail is insane to the 6 screen used ones made by Jimmy Lile. I have a LILE stamped one, but I’d be off my rocker to use that. The value of those is through the roof now as only a handful were made.

 

[TeeDee]

So would your replicas be the one knife tool you'd take if you were going to be dropped off in a remote forest environment. Honest question - just wondering how usable or misplaced you feel it maybe as a actually useful survival / bushcraft tool.


But it IS a great iconic knife.