Well…while I have to admit (as some of you may have already noticed) that I am much more used to carrying and using larger knives and not carrying a hatchet or axe in my travels through the woods, I have been enlightened a good deal by the U.K. approach to field craft…”Bushcraft”. I have been inspired to work more with smaller knives and learn how to do more with them as this too falls in line with my “carry less” philosophy of wilderness travel as I never know what I will be wanting to bring back out with me.
In this endeavor I acquired a small Smith & Wesson hunting knife combo set model number SWMCOM2 (with the SWMCOM1 being the same set except the skinning knife also has a gut hook on it) that consists of a small recurved hunting knife, and a short but broader bladed skinning knife. These are both full tang knives with comfortable micarta handles, and they both offer a very positive grip.
and the sheath seems well made, is nice and compact, and works really well at holding both kives in place. There is a form fitting hard liner built into the skinning knife sheath that holds the knife in place snuggly and keeps the blade from cutting thruogh.
The first thing I did was skin the bark off of some branches I am making a grill out of, and whittle a little bit. The recurved hunting knife has a very sharp edge and is actually a pleasure to work with being somewhat less tiring than performing these same tasks with a larger knife.
Next I decided to see how it was to work with in the task of making small cooking utensils. I started with a green branch and whittled out a small fork for turning meat on a grill. The size and shape of the knife does lend it’s self to this task quite well, making quick work of the job.
Next I tried it at cutting so I dug up some wild onions (using a digging stick this time) and it handled that small chore very well.
It also was great to work with in fire starting prep. I used it to make some fatwood shavings for starting a fire with fire steel, and it handled that task just fine as well.
This knife is sold individually as well but I like having the combo…even though the main game I skin are rabbits and squirrels that can be skinned with nothing more than a sharp rock if needs be I like the idea of having to serviceable blades in such a small package. I haven’t had a chance to try out the skinning knife in it’s intended role but it does come shaving sharp, and does feel very good in the hand. Definitely looks and feels the part for it’s intended role. I think this is going to be a very useful addition to my kits, and it is great getting the opportunity to go about field craft with added knowledge gained from seeing it from a different perspective. I know I have more to learn about working with smaller knives, and I do look forward to the learning process.
Yes that's my arm hair on the edge...sorry, I've been in the woods all day and am a little sweaty in the nearly 80F temps here today
In this endeavor I acquired a small Smith & Wesson hunting knife combo set model number SWMCOM2 (with the SWMCOM1 being the same set except the skinning knife also has a gut hook on it) that consists of a small recurved hunting knife, and a short but broader bladed skinning knife. These are both full tang knives with comfortable micarta handles, and they both offer a very positive grip.
and the sheath seems well made, is nice and compact, and works really well at holding both kives in place. There is a form fitting hard liner built into the skinning knife sheath that holds the knife in place snuggly and keeps the blade from cutting thruogh.
The first thing I did was skin the bark off of some branches I am making a grill out of, and whittle a little bit. The recurved hunting knife has a very sharp edge and is actually a pleasure to work with being somewhat less tiring than performing these same tasks with a larger knife.
Next I decided to see how it was to work with in the task of making small cooking utensils. I started with a green branch and whittled out a small fork for turning meat on a grill. The size and shape of the knife does lend it’s self to this task quite well, making quick work of the job.
Next I tried it at cutting so I dug up some wild onions (using a digging stick this time) and it handled that small chore very well.
It also was great to work with in fire starting prep. I used it to make some fatwood shavings for starting a fire with fire steel, and it handled that task just fine as well.
This knife is sold individually as well but I like having the combo…even though the main game I skin are rabbits and squirrels that can be skinned with nothing more than a sharp rock if needs be I like the idea of having to serviceable blades in such a small package. I haven’t had a chance to try out the skinning knife in it’s intended role but it does come shaving sharp, and does feel very good in the hand. Definitely looks and feels the part for it’s intended role. I think this is going to be a very useful addition to my kits, and it is great getting the opportunity to go about field craft with added knowledge gained from seeing it from a different perspective. I know I have more to learn about working with smaller knives, and I do look forward to the learning process.
Yes that's my arm hair on the edge...sorry, I've been in the woods all day and am a little sweaty in the nearly 80F temps here today
