How to choose and mix bladed tools

Jon StokesStaff - January 19, 2019

Thinking through how to mix and match from the wide range of bladed tools on the market.

[See the full post at: How to choose and mix bladed tools]

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I was recently sharpening a large knife (10 inch blade) that I had bought when I was younger, and I fully agree that it awakens something primal inside you to hold a knife that big. Even just sharpening it I felt ready to fell a tree, skin a deer, and fight a grizzly.

Fortunately none of those were options for me to attempt at my kitchen table.

 

I use Japanese for 10 years. I never change the blade of knives because their blade is good and strong. If you read about Japanese knives then read this article Japanese knives buying guide. It’s very helpful for you.

 

(Sharing this comment from a (non-native-english) reader who wanted to stay anonymous:) 

As you list kukri in the luxury list, I can see why, a good kukri is a deadly weapon in trained hand, while useful as outdoor tools. But, kukri isn’t always suitable for any environment, for example, some country people carry short parang (around 12 inch), some country use long machete(18 inch), which is useful to clear underbush in tropical while prevent snake bit, so in my opinion it is important to mention tools should suit the climate and country, the best would be follow what the average outdoor people in the country use.

For the Avoid Very Large Blade part, I could say this is simply true but not the most case. I know some people imagine they are rambo and try to use a large blade for everything and fighting with it, but in reality knife shouldn’t be used as weapon unless you have nothing better.

I believe you have heard the Kabar USMC knife, they are popular and work great in the woods. As the technology make progress, the company that make kabar, collab with Ethan Becker (A very experienced outdoor man) and produce the becker line which is an upgrade over the USMC and more toward to utility line when compare to USMC. I have bought a BK9, which is a 9 inch bowie, with the intention to use as chopping, splitting wood, and baton if I need to, it has a nice balance, not so heavy compared to the short machete used in my country, and easier to carry in backpack.

I still use smaller knife for smaller task, sure the BK9 could do anything, but I wouldn’t want to, since there are better options. Also, you could found a lot of people like the BK9 very much, especially on bladeforums.com

 

Your very fine article does not mention Pulaskis, a variant of an axe combined with a grubbing blade.  These are great wildland fire fighting tools – good at chopping standing wood and branches, as well as grubbing in the dirt.

I have seen them recently in stores, not expensive at all…..

 

I learned something new today and didn’t know that these existed. That does look like a good tool to chop wood and dig out ditches. 

Here’s a picture for others who don’t know what they look like.