Any knife guys out there?

[cmeier117]

I think I am just going to stick with a 1095 steel blade and bring along a small bottle of some sort of oil to re apply before it goes back in sheath.

 

[Ironman]

If weight is the issue for a hatchet, what about a Cold Steel Trail Hawk Tomahawk?

 

[cmeier117]

Weight isn't the only issue, it is the fact that it is a one trick pony, and in my experience a hatchet requires more work than batoning a large knife through a log to split it, I have gotten used to using a folding saw as well. Also on snow, it is hard to get a base for a hatchet. If I was car camping then yes, screw a large knife. But for backpacking and snow shoeing a large knife is easier and burns less calories in my usage.

 

[unm1136]

Rather than a small bottle of oil, get two zip top bags, and put a small cotton or camios rag in each one. You can go smaller, but equal to blade lenth square is what I like. Soak one of the rags with food grade mineral oil. An ounce or two should do it. Since I live in the desert I wipe with the wetter one first, then the dry one. Eventually the dry one will leave a perfect not wet film on the blade. Food grade mineral oil will not go rancid, and allow you not worry about petrochemicals and meat. If your knife has a wood or leather handle, mineral oil will help preserve the material. Google patina, and you will find people using mustard, coffee, vinegar, ect to do it. Wipe the blade down with alcohol first. The issue is that home grown patinas are inconsistant, at best. I have a bottle of oxphoblue cream that I got from brownells for like $15 that will cold blue steel w/o much issue.

I was scared of sharpening my D2 benchmade blade, since it was hardened to 62RC. I was amazed at how easily I was able to get it back to scary sharp, and held that edge for a long,long time.

pat

 

[Hunt'nFish]

A 14" Fiskars hatchet has it's place at times. The smaller Gerber Parang is also an option.
I have both and have started relying more & more on the Parang.
With the Work Sharp I can keep it razor sharp and it does suprisingly large jobs fast.
Kinda the best aspects of a hatchet & short stiff matchetee all in one.
And a good defensive weapon as well. IMO it's a good multi use tool for less than 1lb.
And a good value....$30 at American Knife & Sword.
Hunt'nFish

 

[pyroducksx3]

The strider fixed blade is supposed to be freakish
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPgSOQY4CDk

 

[cmeier117]

That is really impressive!