#157104 - 12/04/08 07:36 PM
Re: why no handguard on a bushcraft knife
[Re: Hookpunch]
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Veteran
Registered: 11/01/08
Posts: 1530
Loc: DFW, Texas
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Proof positive that there as many opinions regarding the "right" knife as there is opinions on the "right" gun, car, camper, mythical beasts come to rule one's TSHTF nightmares. To each his / her own.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
_________________________
I do the things that I must, and really regret, are unfortunately necessary.
RIP OBG
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#157157 - 12/05/08 12:35 AM
Re: why no handguard on a bushcraft knife
[Re: Tom_L]
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Pooh-Bah
Registered: 02/16/08
Posts: 2463
Loc: Central California
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I don't think anybody is going to recommend just one knife, certainly not anybody on this forum.
I think I have managed to cut myself [nothing major - yet] either using or sharpening every knife I own, guard or no guard. I tell myself it is part of a process of learning to respect limits: mine and those of the sharps.
Edited by dweste (12/05/08 12:42 AM)
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#157186 - 12/05/08 02:27 AM
Re: why no handguard on a bushcraft knife
[Re: Leigh_Ratcliffe]
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Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 08/03/07
Posts: 3078
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Hand a bunch of 440A Indian made fantasy swords to the greeks at Troy.
You would be elevated to God status.  These 2800 year old swords and spearheads were dug up a few miles away. Even today they are pretty impressive and elegantly designed swords and spearheads up close. They just need new edges worked so as to bring them back to a useful sword or spearhead. Replicas and a workshop course to manufacture your own bronze sword is available at http://www.bronze-age-craft.com/
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#157229 - 12/05/08 03:12 PM
Re: why no handguard on a bushcraft knife
[Re: Am_Fear_Liath_Mor]
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"Be Prepared"
Pooh-Bah
Registered: 06/26/04
Posts: 2210
Loc: NE Wisconsin
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RSK Mk3 vs Rant Drop-point ...
--Though I don't own one (I have the Mk3 instead) I see the newer style BM Rant drop-point as a very nice knife for survival. It does have the features I'd look for, but ...
--I much prefer the exposed tang on the Mk3. It gives me a sense of confidence that the handle is REALLY full tang.
--I much prefer the G10 handle on the Mk3. I don't carr for the rubbery handled knives.
--I prefer the screws on the handle - so I can swap it out with the orange G10 slabs ... if DR ever can get those out. I'm waiting patiently, just like I did for the Mk3.
--I prefer the metal half-guard for strength - and I do prefer having some kind of guard.
--I've liked the deep blade shape on the Mk1's & Mk3. That feature is actually what made me buy my first Mk1 years ago.
--I'm glad that DR didn't thin the spine of the blade just behind the drop-point - like the Rant has. I suppose the thinning would improve stabbing efficiency, but that is not what my knife is used for. OK, I might have stabbed a watermelon to start slicing it, but that's about it.
--I really like the stonewashed finish on the Mk3. Doug says it offers extra corrosion protection - maybe, but I think it also just looks really nice.
--I may be one of the few that actually likes the Mk3 sheath over other possibilities. I like the attachment options it provides. But then again, I don't typically carry the knife on-belt, but rather in or on pack.
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#157233 - 12/05/08 03:33 PM
Re: why no handguard on a bushcraft knife
[Re: KenK]
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Enthusiast
Registered: 02/14/08
Posts: 301
Loc: Croton on Hudson, NY
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Nice discussion of the MK3.
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#157394 - 12/06/08 07:18 PM
Re: why no handguard on a bushcraft knife
[Re: KenK]
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Veteran
Registered: 03/31/06
Posts: 1355
Loc: United Kingdom.
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RSK Mk3 vs Rant Drop-point ...
--Though I don't own one (I have the Mk3 instead) I see the newer style BM Rant drop-point as a very nice knife for survival. It does have the features I'd look for, but ...
--I much prefer the exposed tang on the Mk3. It gives me a sense of confidence that the handle is REALLY full tang.
--I much prefer the G10 handle on the Mk3. I don't carr for the rubbery handled knives.
--I prefer the screws on the handle - so I can swap it out with the orange G10 slabs ... if DR ever can get those out. I'm waiting patiently, just like I did for the Mk3.
--I prefer the metal half-guard for strength - and I do prefer having some kind of guard.
--I've liked the deep blade shape on the Mk1's & Mk3. That feature is actually what made me buy my first Mk1 years ago.
--I'm glad that DR didn't thin the spine of the blade just behind the drop-point - like the Rant has. I suppose the thinning would improve stabbing efficiency, but that is not what my knife is used for. OK, I might have stabbed a watermelon to start slicing it, but that's about it.
--I really like the stonewashed finish on the Mk3. Doug says it offers extra corrosion protection - maybe, but I think it also just looks really nice.
--I may be one of the few that actually likes the Mk3 sheath over other possibilities. I like the attachment options it provides. But then again, I don't typically carry the knife on-belt, but rather in or on pack. Ok fair comment. My absolute preferred knife in a TSTF situation is a Fallkniven F1. I have certain concerns regarding what I want the knife to do. No least of whom is the ability to dig, pry under bark etc and being able to stab with it. In situations where bodging up a spear to deal with large predators may be nessesary.
_________________________
I don't do dumb & helpless.
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#157399 - 12/06/08 08:00 PM
Re: why no handguard on a bushcraft knife
[Re: Chris Kavanaugh]
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Veteran
Registered: 12/12/04
Posts: 1204
Loc: Nottingham, UK
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Less good as a bushcraft knife/survival than the same knife would be without the guard. Sorry, I thought what I meant would be obvious from the context. MK3 is lousy for cutting grass and vines, bettter buy a cheap Tramontina. Is it the guard that makes it so? I don't really see what the drawback of the guard is, nor do I think the MK3 is a fighting knife because it has one. it seems more like it helps with any kind of pushing motion towards the point.
_________________________
Quality is addictive.
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#157408 - 12/06/08 10:43 PM
Re: why no handguard on a bushcraft knife
[Re: Glock-A-Roo]
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Enthusiast
Registered: 01/06/08
Posts: 319
Loc: Canada
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"Knives with guards are often used by Scouts and other children in Scandinavia..."
Don't get to concerned about dribble like this unless you are into carving. If your fundamental reason for having the knife is for a "Wilderness Survival Situation" then you want a Knife that will help you Survive. If the guard helps you or does not hinder you in anyway then leave it on. Silly quotes about the likes and dislikes of Scandinavian Scouts are particularly irrelevant when concerned with what makes a good usable survival knife to the average person.
_________________________
Bruce Zawalsky Chief Instructor Boreal Wilderness Institute boreal.net
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#157413 - 12/06/08 11:11 PM
Re: why no handguard on a bushcraft knife
[Re: Brangdon]
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Pooh-Bah
Registered: 01/28/01
Posts: 2207
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I don't really see what the drawback of the guard is, nor do I think the MK3 is a fighting knife because it has one. it seems more like it helps with any kind of pushing motion towards the point.
The RSK Mk3 has a half guard for the same reason I prefer a half guard of some sort on all my knives, safety. EOD I have never found a well-designed half-guard to create any problems using the knife. Whether one believes a guard of any sort is a good thing, a bad thing, right or wrong, or simply irrelevant, is a personal choice. For survival use *I* prefer to err on the side of caution and safety. YMMV The following comment is not directed at you, but in regard to some of the posts in this thread, and much of the discussion on the forum. Whatever you believe does NOT make you right or others wrong. Arguing for your point of view is good. Implying or suggesting others are wrong, stupid or otherwise ill-equipped if they disagree, is not appropriate. A wee bit of tolerance and adherence to our Rules and Courtesies and participating in civil discourse in this regard would be appreciated. Let your arguments be persuasive in and of themselves.
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