G
Guest
Guest
AKA Dammit Glenn.
OK, so I seriously need to re-think my fixed blade knife. I have a bunch of old sheath knives, some dating back to my childhood, but the only high quality rust-free fixed blade I own is a Spyderco H1 Salt with a serrated blade.
It is a big fixed blade fully serrated rescue knife. Too big, and completely inappropriate for most of the camp chores it sees. But I still tend to use it for everything I do in camp, from cutting line to slicing cheese. I can now better understand issues of balance and handle shape, but I’m lost in scandi edges and micro bevels, at least for my simplistic fixed blade purposes. I do know I much prefer a fixed blade as an at-hand general purpose camp knife.
Using Glenn’s criteria as a baseline
OK, no fishing, no hunting either, maybe some food prep if it is the knife most conveniently at hand.
1.No. I foresee no need to split wood using this knife.
2.Maybe some minor use for stick whittling or shaving. S’mores perhaps.
3.Self-defense, sure. I’ll poke them with a flaming marshmallow on the end of my whittled stick. Or not, I carry other things in areas where I think man or beast might be a problem.
4.Yes, absolutely low maintainence . Salt water low maintainence. But as my go-to minor camp chore knife I’d like it to hold an edge. And be easily sharpened, which for me leaves out serrations.
5.Now it gets peculiar. Yes, short. But I won’t be wearing it in the canoe. Actually I don’t intend to “wear” it in camp. I detest things hanging off my hip. Maybe if I wore a shoulder holster, which is the only thing that keeps me from wearing a sidearm where that is legal.
I’m an endomprph, and perhaps lacking in proprioceptive senses, but something hip hung just doesn’t work for me, I’ll bang into things with it or get caught brushing past in some tight area. I know I’d get it hung up on a gunwale clambering in or out of the boat. I carry a knife, but tucked away in a deep pocket (or in a day pack while wandering).
So a pocket short, maybe 4 or 5 inches total length, but I’d still prefer still a fixed blade. And, just as important since it will be sagging my pocket, a lightweight handle and sheath.
Oh yeah, 6. Reasonable price. Fixed income here too. Maybe Glenn can find another astonishing discount.
OK, so I seriously need to re-think my fixed blade knife. I have a bunch of old sheath knives, some dating back to my childhood, but the only high quality rust-free fixed blade I own is a Spyderco H1 Salt with a serrated blade.
It is a big fixed blade fully serrated rescue knife. Too big, and completely inappropriate for most of the camp chores it sees. But I still tend to use it for everything I do in camp, from cutting line to slicing cheese. I can now better understand issues of balance and handle shape, but I’m lost in scandi edges and micro bevels, at least for my simplistic fixed blade purposes. I do know I much prefer a fixed blade as an at-hand general purpose camp knife.
Using Glenn’s criteria as a baseline
My applications do not include any fishing, hunting or food preparation, or any sophisticated whittling or woodworking.
My applications and needs would mainly be:
1. Occasional splitting of small diameter wood, as I carry a folding saw but no axe.
2. Occasional stripping and shaving of branches or small trunks into tarp poles.
3. Self-defense against man and beast. (Paranoid, yes, but I'm getting old.) So the knife should be a reasonable stabber.
4. Low maintenance, especially around water. I have little interest and great neglect for cleaning, sharpening and polishing.
5. Long enough to do the job but short enough that I can comfortably wear it. If I get a fixed blade, I would want to wear it in and out of the canoe.
6. Reasonable price. Fixed income here. I don't want junk but don't need a Rolls Royce.
OK, no fishing, no hunting either, maybe some food prep if it is the knife most conveniently at hand.
1.No. I foresee no need to split wood using this knife.
2.Maybe some minor use for stick whittling or shaving. S’mores perhaps.
3.Self-defense, sure. I’ll poke them with a flaming marshmallow on the end of my whittled stick. Or not, I carry other things in areas where I think man or beast might be a problem.
4.Yes, absolutely low maintainence . Salt water low maintainence. But as my go-to minor camp chore knife I’d like it to hold an edge. And be easily sharpened, which for me leaves out serrations.
5.Now it gets peculiar. Yes, short. But I won’t be wearing it in the canoe. Actually I don’t intend to “wear” it in camp. I detest things hanging off my hip. Maybe if I wore a shoulder holster, which is the only thing that keeps me from wearing a sidearm where that is legal.
I’m an endomprph, and perhaps lacking in proprioceptive senses, but something hip hung just doesn’t work for me, I’ll bang into things with it or get caught brushing past in some tight area. I know I’d get it hung up on a gunwale clambering in or out of the boat. I carry a knife, but tucked away in a deep pocket (or in a day pack while wandering).
So a pocket short, maybe 4 or 5 inches total length, but I’d still prefer still a fixed blade. And, just as important since it will be sagging my pocket, a lightweight handle and sheath.
Oh yeah, 6. Reasonable price. Fixed income here too. Maybe Glenn can find another astonishing discount.