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Post by howler on Sept 20, 2016 22:06:57 GMT
Speaking of survival tool that can be used as a weapon, I just purchased a Husqvarna Carpenters axe (Hultafors axes...with a bit less polish, made by Hults Bruks), and have the hatchet and forest axe (3/4, boys, bush), btw. Absolutely insane quality for the price. Anyway, that Carpenters axe has a 4 1/4" knifelike profile and (at 3lbs. and 20 1/2"), though designed for carving/robust bushcraft, would make a nasty compact axe weapon in a pinch.
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pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
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Post by pgandy on Sept 21, 2016 12:49:09 GMT
I cannot say much of my past was pleasant but I would not change the experiences for anything as they made my life richer.
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Post by bluetrain on Sept 21, 2016 12:55:29 GMT
I was just commenting on another forum on a totally different topic about having regrets. While not everything I experienced and lived through was pleasant, much less fun, I did manage to do a lot of things that were a lot of fun and were times I wouldn't have traded for anything. But at the same time, I have some regrets about not having done a few other things that I would have liked to have done and it's pretty much too late now. But in reality, it would have meant not doing something else instead.
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Post by bluetrain on Oct 6, 2016 13:58:03 GMT
This is partly an extension of this thread and partly a comment on a different thread. Anyway, everything here is about something with a blade, except when it isn't.
I was pondering the idea of getting a kukri. But instead, I decided to get a Martindale Golok instead. A Glock is on the list too but that's for another thread. It's so easy to just click away and two weeks later you get something in the mail. I still doubt I'll use it that much, although I always try to use whatever I have at least now and then. Even with a sheath, it won't cost as much as a kukri. But it's not something for a survival situation. The problem is, I can't really imagine a realistic survival situation. I'm not going to run to the woods. But if I were, I know what I'd take.
First, a Hudson Bay pattern axe. Here I'm thinking of a world without laws in which you could freely cut down anything you cared to. Secondly, a belt knife, by which I mean a Kabar-style knife or what used to generally be referred to as a hunting knife. But a large folding knife of the sort Buck sells is really just as good. Third, a little pocket knife, also like Buck sells. Nothing expensive because they get lost.
There's not going to be any knife fighting.
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Post by howler on Oct 6, 2016 22:47:28 GMT
This is partly an extension of this thread and partly a comment on a different thread. Anyway, everything here is about something with a blade, except when it isn't. I was pondering the idea of getting a kukri. But instead, I decided to get a Martindale Golok instead. A Glock is on the list too but that's for another thread. It's so easy to just click away and two weeks later you get something in the mail. I still doubt I'll use it that much, although I always try to use whatever I have at least now and then. Even with a sheath, it won't cost as much as a kukri. But it's not something for a survival situation. The problem is, I can't really imagine a realistic survival situation. I'm not going to run to the woods. But if I were, I know what I'd take. First, a Hudson Bay pattern axe. Here I'm thinking of a world without laws in which you could freely cut down anything you cared to. Secondly, a belt knife, by which I mean a Kabar-style knife or what used to generally be referred to as a hunting knife. But a large folding knife of the sort Buck sells is really just as good. Third, a little pocket knife, also like Buck sells. Nothing expensive because they get lost. There's not going to be any knife fighting. Husqvarna for the axes (just get all three...forest, carpenter, heavy hatchet). Condor and Cold Steel have good offerings for machete/large knife, as well as Ontario, Kabar are good if you get a deal, but pay a bit more. I just pulled the trigger last night for half a dozen offerings on the Aranyik site (I suggest you take a look at it, as I have talked a lot with Miles...nice person). The E-nep is very Kukri like, but has a more functional, knifelike balance, as well as tip. He is offering various Canes, socket machete, Hybrid hatchet, Latin machete, etc...with FANTASTIC quality control, using 5160 and a great edge (things have been out of stock for years until recently).
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Post by bluetrain on Oct 6, 2016 23:04:34 GMT
When you bought something 30 years ago, you have the idea that's what they still cost but they don't. That makes buying something new more difficult, especially when it doesn't seem like you have any more money than you used to.
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Post by howler on Oct 7, 2016 3:01:19 GMT
When you bought something 30 years ago, you have the idea that's what they still cost but they don't. That makes buying something new more difficult, especially when it doesn't seem like you have any more money than you used to. Haha...then there is that. I bought a bunch of Ontario 12" cutlass machete (thicker spine then regular and with 1095 steel) from Tactical intent for something like $11 bucks each, several months back. They were saw back, but I could live with that. Thing is, did you know as much about quality steel, etc...30 years ago (ignorance is bliss)? For throwaway hacking of grass, weeds, you can probably buy machete (at various discount stores and whatnot) for a couple dollars. The E-Nep machete on the Aranyik site is simply stunning at $25 (and the Narong socket machete and Toong socket billhook are each 16.50), but you will probably have to purchase a bunch of stuff to lower the shipping, as Miles is based in Hawaii, and gets his stuff that he touches up and works on from various Thailand communities he oversees.
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Post by bluetrain on Oct 7, 2016 10:40:26 GMT
For "throwaway hacking of grass, weeds," etc., is all you buy a machete for anyway and they cost more than a couple dollars, although not a lot more.
I use my machete mostly for chopping down climbing vines. For trail maintenance where I go in the woods, I use shears instead. I rarely use my axes. On the rare occasions I need to cut up a tree, I'll use a crosscut saw instead. But for a very large downed tree, I'll use an axe. I have two chain saws, one gas, the other electric, that I got when my father-in-law died, but I don't use them so much.
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Post by howler on Oct 7, 2016 23:17:12 GMT
For "throwaway hacking of grass, weeds," etc., is all you buy a machete for anyway and they cost more than a couple dollars, although not a lot more. I use my machete mostly for chopping down climbing vines. For trail maintenance where I go in the woods, I use shears instead. I rarely use my axes. On the rare occasions I need to cut up a tree, I'll use a crosscut saw instead. But for a very large downed tree, I'll use an axe. I have two chain saws, one gas, the other electric, that I got when my father-in-law died, but I don't use them so much. But then again, there are a vast array of tools under the classification of "machete" that are quite unlike the standard definition (light weight, cheap, thin blade). A lot of the newer stuff out there can be hard to classify (knife, machete, hatchet, sword, hybrids). But, you can certainly do a lot more specifically, when you use exact tools for the job, as these "exotic" machete hybrids are really trying to be "jack of all trades".
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Post by AndiTheBarvarian on Oct 7, 2016 23:29:34 GMT
For example for a home defence job I would like to have a ko-katana under my bed. Howler, what's your opinion of this?
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Post by howler on Oct 8, 2016 4:38:41 GMT
For example for a home defence job I would like to have a ko-katana under my bed. Howler, what's your opinion of this? Home defense, it is great. 21" blade (mine is a wider heavier bladed/specialized cutter by Chenese) with regular Katana length handle (and overall weight). Using as an outdoor survival tool, I don't think I would go there. You REALLY should go look at the Aranyik site, and talk to Miles. I just ordered half a dozen various goodies the other day (Toong socket billhook, Narong socket machete (both $16.50), E-nep machete (kukri with stabbing tip...$25.00), Hybrid machete/cleaver with 3 1/2"belly ($30), standard Latin 18"bld. machete (weighs 1 2/3lbs and 3/16" thick...$25) and they make a 20"bld, and a just ordered #2 standard wide tip Cane cutter for $35. Check the reviews, look on YouTube, watch WeAllJuggleKnives. He is based in Hawaii, gets large shipments from Thailand, where he works with various communities, then he finishes, sharpens, tweaks them himself with great quality control of 5160 steel. Of course, I have not received the items yet, but the reviews have been stunning. Why am I rambling on about a business I have no part of? Because Aranyik will hopefully join Cold Steel and Condor as my go to, for less expensive products at various levels of quality control...and you can pick several items from these three companies to fit many needs (and scratch many itches of a lunatic blade junkie like myself).
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Post by bluetrain on Nov 2, 2016 12:11:37 GMT
Thought I would just update the thread here with a note that I actually got around to ordering a genuine Martindale Golok. At the moment it's somewhere between here and St. Louis. Might have it by Saturday when I can go out and see if it's as good as the British Army used to think. It was the thing to have for a few decades, although not the first machete they ever had on issue.
A few more words about machetes and similar blades while I'm waiting for the mail, a most enjoyable pastime.
Although machetes are a Latin American sort of utility long knife and very well known in the New World, similar things have been used elsewhere for ages and American soldiers encountered them in the Philippines a long time ago. That would be the bolo, which apparently quickly entered into the vocabulary of the American soldier and even resulted in a copy being issued (in limited quantities) for exactly the same purpose as machetes: for whacking things that grow. Not surprisingly, reproductions are available but I've never seen an original (yet).
The French used something a little different, just because they are French, I imagine. Anyway, they issued a wide variety of entrenching tools at squad or section level. One was a small billhook, a sort of hatchet-sized version of a brush hook. Much more substantial than a machete and in some ways, maybe a little more useful. I doubt if they were used in North Africa but they would have been just the thing in Indo-China. Either way, it is interesting how the same basic problem was approached in so many different ways around the world.
To me, however, the ultimate survivalists in this part of the world were the American Indians, even though to be truthful, they didn't survive. But as far as I can tell, they did not use any tools like machetes, kukris, bill-hooks, bolos or special forces shovels. But along with tomahawks (which were not all edged weapons or tools), they certainly used knives. After trade with Europeans and settlers from the East or from Mexico, they had access to steel knives. And from every photograph I've ever seen, they mostly all looked like either a "hunting knife" or a plain old butcher knife. So if it's good enough for the Shawnee, it's good enough for me.
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Post by AndiTheBarvarian on Nov 2, 2016 12:36:52 GMT
As an old bavarianbarbarian and germaniac I can throw in the Sax (Seax). Tool, weapon, whatever you want and need, in any size and quality.
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Post by bluetrain on Nov 2, 2016 12:57:40 GMT
As they say, there's more than one way to skin a cat.
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Post by howler on Nov 3, 2016 0:08:08 GMT
Thought I would just update the thread here with a note that I actually got around to ordering a genuine Martindale Golok. At the moment it's somewhere between here and St. Louis. Might have it by Saturday when I can go out and see if it's as good as the British Army used to think. It was the thing to have for a few decades, although not the first machete they ever had on issue. A few more words about machetes and similar blades while I'm waiting for the mail, a most enjoyable pastime. Although machetes are a Latin American sort of utility long knife and very well known in the New World, similar things have been used elsewhere for ages and American soldiers encountered them in the Philippines a long time ago. That would be the bolo, which apparently quickly entered into the vocabulary of the American soldier and even resulted in a copy being issued (in limited quantities) for exactly the same purpose as machetes: for whacking things that grow. Not surprisingly, reproductions are available but I've never seen an original (yet). The French used something a little different, just because they are French, I imagine. Anyway, they issued a wide variety of entrenching tools at squad or section level. One was a small billhook, a sort of hatchet-sized version of a brush hook. Much more substantial than a machete and in some ways, maybe a little more useful. I doubt if they were used in North Africa but they would have been just the thing in Indo-China. Either way, it is interesting how the same basic problem was approached in so many different ways around the world. To me, however, the ultimate survivalists in this part of the world were the American Indians, even though to be truthful, they didn't survive. But as far as I can tell, they did not use any tools like machetes, kukris, bill-hooks, bolos or special forces shovels. But along with tomahawks (which were not all edged weapons or tools), they certainly used knives. After trade with Europeans and settlers from the East or from Mexico, they had access to steel knives. And from every photograph I've ever seen, they mostly all looked like either a "hunting knife" or a plain old butcher knife. So if it's good enough for the Shawnee, it's good enough for me. Huge explosion of various machete (many both heavy and exotic) in the last ten years or so, some of which can be used as a knife/machete/axe hybrid for versatility or substitute for hatchet/axe.
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Post by AndiTheBarvarian on Nov 3, 2016 5:49:22 GMT
It's time for CS to make an egyptian Kopesh Machete (Axchete)!
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Ifrit
Member
More edgy than a double edge sword
Posts: 3,284
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Post by Ifrit on Nov 4, 2016 2:47:56 GMT
After receiving a Conder HD Kukri, I feel like I could rely on this tool if I could only take one bladed tool with me for wilderness survival. It's very thick, has a very nice convex edge and feels like a mean chopper. This December I'll probably be able to test it out and see how it works on some Frozen saplings. I have lots of confidence that I won't be disappointed with its chopping ability.
Feels like I could do everything with it, from shelters to traps. I do not regret this purchase at all
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Zen_Hydra
Moderator
Born with a heart full of neutrality
Posts: 2,632
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Post by Zen_Hydra on Nov 4, 2016 10:45:25 GMT
I'm curious about Condor's 'sword' products, and whether people think they are practical and we'll constructed. I haven't seen a thorough review for any of them (at least the last time I went looking for some, there weren't any).
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Post by howler on Nov 4, 2016 19:02:56 GMT
I'm curious about Condor's 'sword' products, and whether people think they are practical and we'll constructed. I haven't seen a thorough review for any of them (at least the last time I went looking for some, there weren't any). The Condor Dadao has received excellent reviews and is damn near bulletproof as a defensive chopper. Good convex edge, mass, thickness, steel, etc... at a decent price (got mine for under $70). Some of their one handed heavy machete offerings can be used very effectively for chopping off a two legged goblin bad guys head. The 14" barong is a fast bladed item with a wicked edge that was literally made for fighting. The various parangs, goloks, engineer bolo (what a head hunter), kukri (like Venus mentioned), and large knives are all tough, but you may want to thin the profiles on some of the offerings to your liking, as they are more profiled to wood than flesh.
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Post by howler on Nov 4, 2016 19:06:32 GMT
After receiving a Conder HD Kukri, I feel like I could rely on this tool if I could only take one bladed tool with me for wilderness survival. It's very thick, has a very nice convex edge and feels like a mean chopper. This December I'll probably be able to test it out and see how it works on some Frozen saplings. I have lots of confidence that I won't be disappointed with its chopping ability. Feels like I could do everything with it, from shelters to traps. I do not regret this purchase at all That thing is SOOO thick for its blade length (10"), I can't even imagine what you would have to do in order to break it.
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