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Post by Bushbum on Mar 28, 2014 13:37:08 GMT
So.... everyone knows that a bushcrafter values a good knife//sowhat's your chopping preference? what tools and why... I go 6-1 half a dozen the other when it comes to axe vs large knife debate. For my style of camping, and the amounts of time that I'm out// a large knifenis plenty capable, However I usually carry a small hatchet like a fiskars x-7 as for some reason it seems more acceptable in the eyes of other campers, and the law. I suppose a good compomisen would be large knife for shorter more mild trips, and full size axe for colder weather longer trips I feel like I'm pretty cometant with a small hatchet, but the size makes it dangerous.. there have been some near misses over the years, I feel much safer with a full size axe or a larger knife Here's some porn to spice it up      |
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Post by SpookyPistolero on Mar 29, 2014 15:21:13 GMT
Some folks get kind of irrational about this in my experience, usually because they haven't figured out that we all live in different geographical areas, and that you could give any one of us a sharp Rock and we'd still get by just fine. Even though I love hatchets and have probably a dozen excellent examples, I do usually prefer a long blade these days. I find there isn't much they can't do fairly well, and I don't seem to miss the weight of the hatchet. I prefer batoning to splitting with the hatchet. I very much prefer making machete - like snap cuts for vegetation and light branches, which I do way more than heavy chopping. I can quickly carve tent stakes and cook equipment, and process all my firewood. A hatchet can do these things, but not with such little effort, in my woods. The bk9 is a hell of a knife, in this class! It can chop like a friggin axe, but still carve a fuzzy and make effortless snap cuts. You can spend hundreds more and still not do as well. The kabar heavy Bowie is another sleeper that behaves similarly. It's got a dash more knife and less chopper in its blood though. I have a Sykco 1111 on order to test just how large a chopper I'm willing to carry. I suspect I'll enjoy it but miss the balance and elegance / versatility of the above knives. Machetes are good and light, and chop pretty well, but I don't find them as adept at wood processing. Hawks are fun too, but for the weight I'm not sure as good. I can usually accomplish more with a long blade. Pics to prevent boredom!     |
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Post by SpookyPistolero on Mar 29, 2014 15:30:12 GMT
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Post by Bushbum on Mar 30, 2014 23:05:18 GMT
nice selection there brother.....
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Post by DOC-CANADA on Apr 7, 2014 5:26:01 GMT
So.... everyone knows that a bushcrafter values a good knife//sowhat's your chopping preference? what tools and why... I go 6-1 half a dozen the other when it comes to axe vs large knife debate. 
Machax, Kabar on the left, Cincinatti on the right. I also have a BK-9, 2 Martindale machetes, an HI 15" CAK, and a couple of Linders short machetes. I also had an older style Tram (thicker blade) but I lost is somewhere. Still, my favourites are above.
Doc
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Post by SpookyPistolero on Apr 7, 2014 20:41:59 GMT
I've been thinking of trying one of those for long time. They look great. It's hard to talk myself into it when the bk9 is sitting next to me though! Haha.
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Post by DOC-CANADA on Apr 7, 2014 21:39:01 GMT
I love them, especially the Cincinatti model. Actually we did a comparative video Kabar vs. Cincinatti. It has since been corrupted by youtube (stretched all the videos horizontally). I'm waiting to get the originals from my buddy, Phil so I can fix them. When I do, I can put a link in here so you can see them if you wish.
I have a BK-9 and it's a good knife, chops very well, but the Machax is much better for smaller jobs and to work as a draw knife. It is also lighter to carry. And of course, the mechanical advantage of the blade shape. However, all the tests I've seen say that the 9 will outchop it but not by much. Haven't done a chopping comparison myself.
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Post by DOC-CANADA on Apr 8, 2014 0:13:41 GMT
Hey Spooky, is that you in your avatar?
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Post by SpookyPistolero on Apr 8, 2014 0:44:16 GMT
Hey Spooky, is that you in your avatar? Yep! It's a before picture, before I went nuts.   Here's the scarier real mug. Can't find a ton of pictures of me...  |
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Post by DOC-CANADA on Apr 8, 2014 3:10:59 GMT
Hey Spooky, HERE is the link comparing the Kabar to the Cincinnati and a few other bits and pieces. |
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Post by rollingsnare on May 1, 2014 16:04:55 GMT
While I generally prefer a handaxe I'll throw my vote to the Bk9. It chops way out of it league.  |
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