Registered: 04/01/07
Posts: 63
Loc: California, USA
When you buy a knife, it does not come as sharp as can be. This is due to the fact that knives are mass produced and sharpened on the assembly line. It is near impossible to get a 100% perfectly sharp edge using a machine designed to sharpen hundreds of blades at a time. Even companies like leatherman that sharpen their blades by hand are doing so very quickly to be more efficient. To get the sharpest edge you must sit down and spend a little time sharpening and honing your knife using a nice sharpening kit. You can ALWAYS make a store bought knife sharper.
I immediately put an edge on it that would split hairs! Yes...i will be bringing it on our trip. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />
BF
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Hammockers aren't stuck up, they're just above it all.
Jim, you better beef up your 1st aid kit to cover bigfoot when he cuts himself. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Or maybe beef up his kit so you don't have to carry it. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Maybe let him borrow your scissors. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />
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I've taken a vow of poverty. To annoy me, send money.
Matt, if you truly care about Jim's (dullknife's) safety, I recommend you pull your new knife's edge, 90 degs across a bench grinder. That way its edge will match the spine of the knife. Use a vice to break off 1/2" of the point. Bring some rounded, plastic scissors too, in case you run across some construction paper on your hike. Safety first! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Don't even bother with a knife or sissors. Just chew in in half with your teeth. I'm sure you won't cut yourself that way. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
I bought the orange/red handle so the blood would not be as noticeable....leave no trace camping...always! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> If we run into any wild animals, Jim can give them a pedicure as a distraction while i run away. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
BF
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Hammockers aren't stuck up, they're just above it all.
BF All I have to do is out run you... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
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These are my own opinions based on wisdom earned through many wrong decisions. Your mileage may vary.
chaz quote" Don't even bother with a knife or sissors. Just chew in in half with your teeth. I'm sure you won't cut yourself that way. "
Eaxactly what I've been saying <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> - thats what teeth were made for <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Real men hold their food in their hands and chew off a hunk. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
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These are my own opinions based on wisdom earned through many wrong decisions. Your mileage may vary.
Jim, remember we live in Oregon...you'd be hard pressed to find a full set of teeth here, let alone trying to chew with 'em. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />
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Hammockers aren't stuck up, they're just above it all.
All I have to do is out run you... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
That has always been my moto. Maybe I should change my saying on the bottom. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
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I've taken a vow of poverty. To annoy me, send money.
tiny quote " Even things like cutting tent string or preparing a fish (etc..) is safer using a sharp knife. the theory is, the sharper the knife, the less pressure you have to exert to cut something, thus, if you miss and end up cutting yourself, the cut won't be that bad because you weren't pressing that hard to begin with. I have only cut myself ONCE using a knife and it was a dull blade filleting a fish. The knife wouldn't easily run through the fish (because it was dull) so I had to use more pressure and move the knife around to get it to cut. Not only did I make a mess of my fish, but I slipped and cut my thumb." ____________________________________________
Tiny What is the first A #1 rule of knifes? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> NEVER POINT IT TOWARDS YOURSELF <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> Every one who has ever been cut by their knife, has violated this simple rule. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> Do not use your hand as a cutting board. Everybody who has ever been cut with their own knife, dull or sharp, pushed the blade into their own body when something unexpected happened.
So maybe people who stab themselves should use extremely sharp knives. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />
Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> YMMV <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />
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These are my own opinions based on wisdom earned through many wrong decisions. Your mileage may vary.
Registered: 02/03/06
Posts: 6800
Loc: Gateway to Columbia Gorge
When will this famous trip happen? I can't wait to hear about Dull Knife borrowing Bigfoot's knife so he can cut something (hopefully not himself).
Personally, I want a knife that is sharp enough to clean fish without leaving jagged edges. Assuming, of course, that I can catch any fish in the first place. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
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May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view--E. Abbey
When will this famous trip happen? I can't wait to hear about Dull Knife borrowing Bigfoot's knife so he can cut something (hopefully not himself).
Personally, I want a knife that is sharp enough to clean fish without leaving jagged edges. Assuming, of course, that I can catch any fish in the first place. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
That's why they call it fishing not catching. Good luck
The reason they say is dull knife is more dangerous is that you have to apply more force with a dull knife which can slip and cause injury. With a sharp knife less force and more control are possible. Did you ever see that dude on the ginsu commercial with a cut finger? Gerber is a sharp knife. I got a Gerber for creek boating - I took a grinder and rounded the point over and dulled the blade a little - I was desperately afraid of that knife - it was the sharpest honed blade I have ever seen. Now in this instance I was willing to have a little dullness. Imagine being trapped upside down in your boat going through some heinous rapid on some little flooded creek with your head bouncing off rocks and you pull out the Gerber (scapel) to cut your knee straps loose.
Just got back from the Dunes hike with Jim Shaw. Good hike, GREAT food and good company! Jim ended up carrying twice as much cutting weight than i did...two pairs of scissors, one small bone handled flint knife and a tiny piece of sharp flint for "cutting and skinning"... probably about 8 ounces total. I had my trusty (razor sharp) CRKT pocket knife (3.4 ounces), not to mention my "rapier whit". I cut my steaks, Jim chewed his. To each his own. Whatever works for each person is the best method. If you feel comfortable, weight be damned, use what works for you!
The first night of my next outing will be with steak and a sharp knife to cut it with. Oh yeah! add some steak sauce, Potatoes, butter, sour cream, chives, bacon bits, and some burbon. I almost forgot, ice and a chaser. Maybe a pie for desert. I might not go very far to the first camp. But the pack weight will be lighter after that. Have I left anything out? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
I cut the meat and ate my steak with a titanium fork and deer antler handled obsidian ceremonial knife complete with beaded handle and hand sewn leather scabbard. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> so there... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />
The fork and the obsidian knife were the only tools that I used this weekend besides a finger nail file.
BUT
I could mention bigfoots son sleeping in the hammock laying on the ground, <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> or bigfoot sliding down his slippery tent. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> We both forgot creamer but I had a plastic funnel and 2 dozen filter papers and half a pound of fresh ground coffee. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> A good time was had by all. I'll admit I was a bit worried about the 16 year old running around in gym short and a tee shirt bare fotted when I was wearing everything I rought and it was around 43 degrees to 50. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
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These are my own opinions based on wisdom earned through many wrong decisions. Your mileage may vary.
Jim, You forgot to mention that the 16 year old was TESTING the hammock and could've easily bunked with his Dad in an emergency. Also, how the 16 year old (who has been backpacking since he was 3 years old), helped 4 college students get a fire going on a very windy beach...not easy, i know because i taught him how. As i remember, he also put clothes on when he got cold enough. Any parent will tell you that a 16 year old boy can't be told what to do or wear...i'm just glad he wore the gaiters on the hike in. I won't mention the purple womens long underwear you put on when it got chilly <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> And as for shoes...it's a beach, dude! His Dad went barefoot half the day, too. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> All in all, i'd say we had a great time and the steak was awesome.
After testing several knife/scissor/cutting edges on this trip, I have decided to carry my victorinox swiss army knife again as my standard camping tool. Its a full sized one with 2 blades, a saw, scissors, cork screw, and screw driver bottle opener. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
3.7 oz. The scissors are preciscion enough to cut a hangnail. The two blades are just slightly sharp. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
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These are my own opinions based on wisdom earned through many wrong decisions. Your mileage may vary.
I use a little cheap 3 inch Gerber Shortcut multi tool I got a Wally Mart for 13 bucks. I use the little scissors more than anything. I have a titanium spork I use for eating while backpacking and at work when I pack my lunch.
The knife on the multi tool isn't sharp, but I never really use it.
Tom
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"Let's not miss the beauty of the forest by the ugliness of some of its trees." Bill W.
Tiny What is the first A #1 rule of knifes? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> NEVER POINT IT TOWARDS YOURSELF <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> Every one who has ever been cut by their knife, has violated this simple rule. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> Do not use your hand as a cutting board. Everybody who has ever been cut with their own knife, dull or sharp, pushed the blade into their own body when something unexpected happened.
So maybe people who stab themselves should use extremely sharp knives. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />
Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> YMMV <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />
but if you never cut yourself than the sharpness of the blade is irrelevant to safety. on the other hand situations in which you might cut yourself arrive more often with dull knives than sharp ones.
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