knives... need advice... Rudge?

[hlidskialf]

A great alternative to a belt axe for camping/hunting: http://www.ontario-knife-store.com/sp8-machete-survival-knife/

[weirdwolf]

Have used that knife, it does well as a general purpose camp "chopper" plus it digs better than a lot because of the flat tip.
I own this one
http://www.ontario-knife-store.com/sp10-marine-raider-bowie-knife/
Chops better but is a bit heaver to carry around. On the plus side with it being heavier, you can hammer in tent stakes easier if you use the flat side. I put a better edge on it with a mill-bad man file and it "bites" a lot deeper now, more like a small felling axe. I suspect I'll have to dig it out and look at now.

This should work even better
http://www.ontario-knife-store.com/ontario-combat-survival-kukri-machete/

[Rudge]

I think Sammy was looking for something he could carry in his pocket. 

[weirdwolf]

Thought he was wanting something big and something small
...was working this angle I guess

A second knife to be a bit of a hunting knife...  Camping or in the wilderness...  For self-defense against some critter.

[Rudge]

Thought he was wanting something big and something small
...was working this angle I guess

A second knife to be a bit of a hunting knife...  Camping or in the wilderness...  For self-defense against some critter.

Yea,, I guess he didn't say for sure.

Sammy, trust weirdwolf. He knows what he is talking about.

In fact, a lot of the suggestions here have been good.

I don't know a lot about these hunting/survival knives so I may be useless in that arena.

Almost all of my knowledge is centered around "Folders" or "Cooking" knives.  

Just keep in mind that quality does not come cheap.

[ZX80Man]

Hi All,
I always read the knife posts, and love to hear the views of others on the subject.  Lots of good thoughts & examples in this one.
How much you are willing to spend for said knives, is a good indicator of the quality you may be able to get.
The maintenance you are willing to invest, also plays a big part.  You can pay >$100 for a good knife, but if it requires you to keep it clean, oiled & dry, you will not get the intended benefit from it.  It has been mentioned (kinda) that the harder the steel, the longer it will stay sharp.  Takes you back to maintenance...  S.S. knives are a good in between,  if you want low maintenance, but they are typically a little harder to sharpen, then say carbon steel.
What ever knives you buy, (user knives) if you decide on a cutting edge angle and keep it sharp by tuning it at the first signs of performance loss, you will enjoy it more.  Note: I like a work knife to have a positive grip, fits good in your hand and design that avoids one's hand from slipping forward, from handle to blade...  I would recommend checking the web for knife clubs & shows in your area.  You may fine a wealth of info there.  Also, any laws about what you can use.  Another thought, (back to maintenance again) get a good sharpening system.  Stones are ok, but I prefer the jig style.  I have seen a lot of knives visit the grinding wheel and loose most of their hardening, in the process.  Happy shopping and good luck, Dan

[Rudge]

Hi All,
I always read the knife posts, and love to hear the views of others on the subject.  Lots of good thoughts & examples in this one.
How much you are willing to spend for said knives, is a good indicator of the quality you may be able to get.
The maintenance you are willing to invest, also plays a big part.  You can pay >$100 for a good knife, but if it requires you to keep it clean, oiled & dry, you will not get the intended benefit from it.  It has been mentioned (kinda) that the harder the steel, the longer it will stay sharp.  Takes you back to maintenance...  S.S. knives are a good in between,  if you want low maintenance, but they are typically a little harder to sharpen, then say carbon steel.
What ever knives you buy, (user knives) if you decide on a cutting edge angle and keep it sharp by tuning it at the first signs of performance loss, you will enjoy it more.  Note: I like a work knife to have a positive grip, fits good in your hand and design that avoids one's hand from slipping forward, from handle to blade...  I would recommend checking the web for knife clubs & shows in your area.  You may fine a wealth of info there.  Also, any laws about what you can use.  Another thought, (back to maintenance again) get a good sharpening system.  Stones are ok, but I prefer the jig style.  I have seen a lot of knives visit the grinding wheel and loose most of their hardening, in the process.  Happy shopping and good luck, Dan

"S.S. knives are a good in between,  if you want low maintenance, but they are typically a little harder to sharpen"

I find that Stainless steel is very easy to sharpen but difficult to keep that way.

" I would recommend checking the web for knife clubs & shows in your area.  You may fine a wealth of info there. "

+1

"get a good sharpening system.  Stones are ok, but I prefer the jig style."

What system are you using? The only one that comes close to what I can do on my water stones is the Wicked Edge - "http://www.wickededgeusa.com/".

At $200.00 (or more) it cost more than most of my knives.

I have tried the clamp systems from various companies but I have found them only useful for "reprofiling". After that, I have to switch to my stones and go free hand.  

"

Reprofiling & Sharpening your pocket knife: the Guided Rod systems - Lansky, Gatco, DMT

"  

[ZX80Man]

I was comparing the time it takes to sharpen carbon steel to ss.  There is no hard part, just time.
I have 3 different purchased jigs and one huge one I made myself.  Lansky was my first.  The one I made, works well on large blades.
I made it for making my own knives. (stock removal)  I am also a collector, so I love a good looking, as well as sharp knife.
I don't want to bore the majority out there, but if anyone wants to further shoot the breeze about knives, I'm game.  Email or ...

[Rudge]

I was comparing the time it takes to sharpen carbon steel to ss.  There is no hard part, just time.
I have 3 different purchased jigs and one huge one I made myself.  Lansky was my first.  The one I made, works well on large blades.
I made it for making my own knives. (stock removal)  I am also a collector, so I love a good looking, as well as sharp knife.
I don't want to bore the majority out there, but if anyone wants to further shoot the breeze about knives, I'm game.  Email or ...

Here are mine.. show me your's.

All of my KAI knives. I have since acquired a standard black Leek.

 

I have other knives made by other companies but I like KAI.

In the pic are....

Shuns,
Kershaws,
Tan Rens,
and a
Zero Tolerance 0350.

All "KAI" products.

Also I love my little Spyderco Dragonfly (VG10). "Not pictured" It goes everywhere with me.
 
 

[ZX80Man]

Not sure how to post pictures, but I'll try best guess...



Hope that worked.
I just cut/pasted.
Have quite a few knives, I just took pictures with my tablet, should be small enough.
I shot some close-ups too, but will wait to see if this works and if any interest in more photos.
Can you guess witch ones I made, or are custom made?
Hint: I am just an armature...

[ZX80Man]

Well, it looks like that didn't work.lol
Could not find a simple how-to, Any pointers for a rookie?
Thanks, Dan

[Old-Polack]

You have to upload the images to an image hosting site, like this one.

http://postimage.org/



Click the Browse button, navigate to the image and select it, then click the Upload It button.


Then use the link they provide to attach it to your posted message here.



Click the copy to clipboard button indicated, then move the cursor to the location you want the image to appear in your post, right click and choose paste.  You'll see something like this;



If you remove the bottom line the link below the image will not be posted, which is fine because you can click any one of the images itself to get to the hosting site.

If you register, (free) and log in before uploading your images, all your uploads will remain available for reuse in the future. These images were uploaded for another similar thread, quite some time ago, and are seen like this when one wants to reuse them.



Clicking the show codes link gives you the code box shown above, second image.

[joechimp]

Even a Caveman could post pics with that great tutorial OP ! 

[sammy2fish]

You know.... When I first made this thread, I had no idea of ALL these choices.

There has been so much input here.  So much to take in.....  thanks to everyone..!

[ZX80Man]

Try 2





When I view my preview, the first photo appears large, but the second photo looks much smaller.  I did delete that second line from the first photo, but the second photo only had one line.  Will post as is and hope the cave man does not get me.

Thanks OP, Dan