Dubbin. Say no more. OK I will. You need to look after leather but I'd vote for it. Easily restored as well. My dads knife sheaths kept going for years. But in the end its what makes you feel good when you look at it/use it.
Post by littlequick on Dec 12, 2013 11:33:22 GMT -8
Okay back to what OP wanted. Materials of the sheath aside for now. A six inch blade can get a lot of work done, and personally the more blade you have, the more you have to take care of. Six inches is workable for even the newest of users. I'd get a thick blade, one that'll take a beating. No serrations, leave that for your second blade choice. In a dedicated survival situation, the less moving parts the better. Although I totally vote for having a wave sized multitool, you have to take in account that dirt, sand, and all kinds of stuff WILL get inside. That aside I think the bonuses of having a multitool might outweigh the maintenance area. The Waves alternate blades gives you versatility, and using what blade for what. You're going to want to keep the usages seperare from each other. Despite how many rambo cats use their one knife to do it all, it's not recommended. Take control of what you can, and if your tools can adapt, the better. Maybe a sidekick would be better in the size department. Moving onto fire, a small easy fire kit is a necessity. Alternate ways to light a fire are a plus, we're talking matches, bics, strike rods, plenty of cotton balls, zippos. Personally, a container holding a bic, matches, and plastic baggy of dryer lint soaked in flammables is the way I go. Lash it all together with twine to keep it compact and have another alternate lighting n igniting source. You might as well throw a ferro rod in there cause it's already compact. Fire is key to the starting basics of food, shelter, hygiene, signal, motivation. You get a fire going your chances of survival dramatically increase. I can't tell you how many times just a fire alone kept me going. Without a fire, life fucking sucks. FUCKING SUCKS. Anywho, so we got knife, secondary knife, fire. What else is important? Well if you're not dumb you'll have a map. I have never been outdoors on a trip without a fucking map. Thats never happened. If you go camping without a map you're a fucking idiot. I don't care if you are camping in your god damn backyard, bring a map. Or at least draw one before hand. If you ever get seperated from the group or from basecamp, derp, you'll have your map in your sheath pouch. Takes up no fucking room, like honestly? A piece of paper could save your life and you didn't pack it? Dumb ass.
Post by willydigger. FB inFamous on Dec 12, 2013 11:56:28 GMT -8
^ WTF is that? Paragraphs motherfucker! >
That Smurfing Forum is no bueno and HI SPONGBOB. - Kilroy Psychosis is refreshing like a cool glass o' lemonade. - T. YOU HAVE MY AXE, WILLARD DIGGERD OF WESTEROS, FIRST SON OF THE FROG KING - Q Where is the satisfaction in watching other people accomplish things? - Short Make woopy, make waffles make like the wind. - Roy
"...A six inch blade can get a lot of work done, and personally the more blade you have, the more you have to take care of. Six inches is workable for even the newest of users. I'd get a thick blade, one that'll take a beating. No serrations, leave that for your second blade choice. In a dedicated survival situation, the less moving parts the better.
A wave sized multitool, you have to take in account that dirt, sand, and all kinds of stuff WILL get inside. That aside I think the bonuses of having a multitool might outweigh the maintenance. The Wave's alternate blades give you versatility. You're going to want to keep the usages seperare from each other. Despite how many rambo cats use their one knife to do it all, it's not recommended. Take control of what you can, and if your tools can adapt, the better. Maybe a sidekick would be better in the size department.
A small, easy, fire kit is a necessity. Alternate ways to light a fire are a plus. We're talking matches, bics, strike rods, plenty of cotton balls, zippos... Personally, a container holding a bic, matches, and plastic baggy of dryer lint soaked in flammables is the way I go. Lash it all together with twine to keep it compact and have another alternate lighting n' igniting source. You might as well throw a ferro rod in there cause it's already compact. Fire is key to the basics of food, shelter, hygiene, signal, motivation. You get a fire going your chances of survival dramatically increase. I can't tell you how many times just a fire alone kept me going. Without a fire, life fucking sucks. FUCKING SUCKS.
Anyhow, we got knife, secondary knife, fire. What else is important? Well if you're not dumb you'll have a map. I have never been outdoors on a trip without a fucking map. That's never happened. If you go camping without a map you're a fucking idiot. I don't care if you are camping in your god damn backyard, bring a map. Or at least draw one before hand. If you ever get separated from the group or from basecamp, derp, you'll have your map in your sheath pouch. Takes up no fucking room, like honestly? A piece of paper could save your life and you didn't pack it? Dumb ass."
Some parts of Littlequick's post, edited somewhat for the concerns of another member who likes paragraphs. I appreciate his input, because he actually goes out in the woods, unlike my townie ass.
This is the short version of what I have so far.
1) Leather sheath with kydex insert I'm not a fan of scout carry, but I think it should be able to go in drop-leg, and chest carry positions.
2) Six inch blade for main knife No serrations (*ribbit*!), and 1/4" stock. I may get some flack for this, but thick knives appeal to me, anyway.
3) Secondary knife with 3" blade I'm going to stick with fine edge (unserrated) for this one, too, although the way that ESEE does it on their knives is a possibility. 5/32 thick stock sounds about right for this, although many will disagree. I want something that is going to take some of the things you shouldn't do to a knife.
4) Leatherman Wave or Sidekick I never thought of this, but it does seem like a good idea, so it's there.
5) Fire options Lighter, matches, twine, cotton or lint, and a firesteel is an easy thing to have so why not include it? In this case I think I would include a firesteel and a big-ass center pouch so that the end user could add whatever extra fire options they felt were appropriate. This pouch could also be used to carry your weed, but since EDC is the context of this forum, you should already have that squared away...
6) Sharpening Not sure what to do about this. There are the chances of getting a deep dent on the main edge of the big knife, but I think that you're expecting a lot of yourself if you sit down on a log, and try to grind that out of the blade by hand. If I clamp a piece up good and tight in a vise that won't move around, and really try, I can remove 1/16 of steel in about half an hour with a stone. But it hurts. I think the job of a sharpening tool, out in the field, is more one of keeping a very sharp edge on your smaller knife. The ability to restore the edge on your larger knife for heavier whittling is nice, though. Although I hate to admit it, two stones may be the way to go here. A medium stone or diamond to maintain a "service sharp" edge on the big knife A fine stone for the smaller knife to keep it in shape.
7) Map LittleQuick's point is well-taken, but I have to draw the line somewhere. Knife, fire, sharp, are the basics of outdoor activities, and the multi-tool is an excellent backup option for so many things. But the map will have to ride somewhere else.
Last Edit: Dec 12, 2013 14:09:18 GMT -8 by Shorttime
Post by littlequick on Dec 12, 2013 14:23:18 GMT -8
I like it. How I'm imagining it so far: Large knife in the back. Then smaller knife. Then a large GP pouch that can fit a multitool. Smaller pouch below that for fire materials. And next to that another pouch for sharpening stone. Don't stones come double sided anyways? Hard and light grains on either sides.
I like it. How I'm imagining it so far: Large knife in the back. Then smaller knife. Then a large GP pouch that can fit a multitool. Smaller pouch below that for fire materials. And next to that another pouch for sharpening stone. Don't stones come double sided anyways? Hard and light grains on either sides.
Pretty much.
It's going to be a big sonofabitch, though!
The small knife should ride about 3" lower than the main knife, the MT pouch would sit about 3" below the small knife, and the MT and GP pockets take up 10" or so. All told, the rig will end up being 14" to 16" long, and at least four inches wide! I can move things around, but it is what it is.
I personally don't like having stuff attached to my knife. I use my knife a lot more then the other stuff, so most of the times it's just in the way. Right now I'm trying out a Black Diamond gear-sling to carry my knife, folding saw, & small pouch with my multitool, firesteel and some firestarting materials. But I'm still looking for a slightly larger pouch so I can add my first aid kit to it as well. Another option would be to put the MT in my backpack so I have some room in the pouch for first aid materials, still playing around with that. Also, just curious, but why do you think you need such a big knife? I think 4 to 5 inch would be ideal personally, anything longer will be harder to control for finer tasks ime.
I do like hatchets but I'm handier with a knife myself, unlike this guy:
So I'll be leaving the hatchet at home I think. But I have a folding saw of course, a very useful tool in the field.
edit: I just noticed you'll carry a smaller blade as well, I should've read better I guess. In that case, dump the big knife & get a small hatchet
It's all a matter of preference and experience really, both will work if you know how to use them (practice!).
You seem to have most of the basis covered anyway, although getting lost can be a very serious issue. But I guess a GPS would make the knife a little bulky & heavy..
And another edit. I'm missing a light, perhaps a small headlight?
About sharpening: I used to carry a diamond and a ceramic stick from my Lansky crocksticks set. They are small, light, and more importantly; I'm comfortable using them with the knives I carry. But I recently switched to a knife with a scandi grind so I needed something flat that sharpens a wider bevel. Most guys that use knives with a similar grind and steel choose the DC4, so I just went with it after having a brief look at the other options out there. My advise is to pick the knife first and then see what matches it and also works for you.
Last Edit: Dec 14, 2013 3:32:38 GMT -8 by The BOOM
There are already many examples of exactly what I was thinking of, here. Just look up "bushcraft sheath".
My original idea was to build a few of these and sell them (since I don't go out in the woods), but I believe that it's a very small, and well-served, market.
So I'm discarding any plans to profit from this idea.
Oh well. There's nothing really new in the world, right?
I might still build a kit for myself, someday, for kicks and giggles. But the main challenge for me is finding the perfect knife.
I know we have a couple people who have actually spent a night in the woods, on purpose. If you all want to continue to use this thread to build on the idea, feel free. I'll check back and see if anything interesting is going on.
But the main challenge for me is finding the perfect knife.
You know better than anyone that the perfect knife does not exist. Maybe a few perfect knives for a few different situations.
i think i could find a perfect knife.....but i dont have the money for the venture. Im fairly sure i could get todd rexford to make me my ideal knife......IF i had between 1k and 2k to spend, AND his books were actually open.
but its unlikely i will ever spend that much money on a knife. i cant conceive of it.
Post by willydigger. FB inFamous on Dec 14, 2013 21:35:47 GMT -8
What about a piece of cut off file for a sharpener? You'll have some pretty big dings in the chopper. A file should fix it up.
That Smurfing Forum is no bueno and HI SPONGBOB. - Kilroy Psychosis is refreshing like a cool glass o' lemonade. - T. YOU HAVE MY AXE, WILLARD DIGGERD OF WESTEROS, FIRST SON OF THE FROG KING - Q Where is the satisfaction in watching other people accomplish things? - Short Make woopy, make waffles make like the wind. - Roy
I personally don't like having stuff attached to my knife. I use my knife a lot more then the other stuff, so most of the times it's just in the way. Right now I'm trying out a Black Diamond gear-sling to carry my knife, folding saw, & small pouch with my multitool, firesteel and some firestarting materials. But I'm still looking for a slightly larger pouch so I can add my first aid kit to it as well. Another option would be to put the MT in my backpack so I have some room in the pouch for first aid materials, still playing around with that. Also, just curious, but why do you think you need such a big knife? I think 4 to 5 inch would be ideal personally, anything longer will be harder to control for finer tasks ime.
I do like hatchets but I'm handier with a knife myself, unlike this guy:
So I'll be leaving the hatchet at home I think. But I have a folding saw of course, a very useful tool in the field.
edit: I just noticed you'll carry a smaller blade as well, I should've read better I guess. In that case, dump the big knife & get a small hatchet
It's all a matter of preference and experience really, both will work if you know how to use them (practice!).
You seem to have most of the basis covered anyway, although getting lost can be a very serious issue. But I guess a GPS would make the knife a little bulky & heavy..
And another edit. I'm missing a light, perhaps a small headlight?
About sharpening: I used to carry a diamond and a ceramic stick from my Lansky crocksticks set. They are small, light, and more importantly; I'm comfortable using them with the knives I carry. But I recently switched to a knife with a scandi grind so I needed something flat that sharpens a wider bevel. Most guys that use knives with a similar grind and steel choose the DC4, so I just went with it after having a brief look at the other options out there. My advise is to pick the knife first and then see what matches it and also works for you.
I have the hatchet just above the mini. It's still shitty compared to a chopper. Watching that video, I can see a chopper being more effective in every instance. A BK2 or equivalent will still have the chopping power and can do everything the mini hatchet can do. I think it's easier too. You can baton much larger pieces of wood with a 6 inch blade than you can with a 2-3 inch hatchet.
The only advantage would be the hammer capabilities of a hatchet head. If you don't need a hammer secondary ability, a chopper will be better in most instances.
That Smurfing Forum is no bueno and HI SPONGBOB. - Kilroy Psychosis is refreshing like a cool glass o' lemonade. - T. YOU HAVE MY AXE, WILLARD DIGGERD OF WESTEROS, FIRST SON OF THE FROG KING - Q Where is the satisfaction in watching other people accomplish things? - Short Make woopy, make waffles make like the wind. - Roy