#217659 - 02/21/11 02:22 PM
Re: RSK mk5 "Harpoon"
[Re: JOEL]
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Old Hand
Registered: 08/18/07
Posts: 831
Loc: Anne Arundel County, Maryland
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Interesting modification. I have a "survival" knife that was given to me many years ago that comes with a gizmo that fits into a slot in the blade to turn it into a similar type spear/harpoon.
My problem with the idea is this: even with it tied to me with something stout, e.g. paracord, do I really want to risk what is a key part of my equipment being dragged off into the bush, to be lost forever?
About the only realistic scenario I could come up with is spearing fish, so that the fish doesn't slip off after spearing. And for that purpose, I think a sharp stick and the wire might me just as effective. Don't want my knife going to the bottom of the lake/river/ocean either.
Still, ideas like this are something to keep in mind and in our bag of ticks.
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"Better is the enemy of good enough."
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#217697 - 02/21/11 10:46 PM
Re: RSK mk5 "Harpoon"
[Re: JOEL]
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"Be Prepared"
Pooh-Bah
Registered: 06/26/04
Posts: 2210
Loc: NE Wisconsin
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Do you have ANY idea how much a whale weighs???
I don't think its reasonable.
;-)
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#217757 - 02/22/11 11:03 AM
Re: RSK mk5 "Harpoon"
[Re: JOEL]
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Addict
Registered: 09/03/10
Posts: 640
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I love how usefull wire is with a pair of pliers such as ones in a multitool. I just used some decent gauge wire to create eyelets on a pencil almost fishing pole style. They are amazingly sturdy once done for the bendability of the wire.
I just couldnt live with myself if i hit a rock and broke the tip off my Mk5 even if in a survival situation id be heartbroken.
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Nope.......
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#217777 - 02/22/11 03:22 PM
Re: RSK mk5 "Harpoon"
[Re: JOEL]
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Geezer in Chief
Geezer
Registered: 08/26/06
Posts: 7705
Loc: southern Cal
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I would rather use my knife to carve a harpoon point from a handy piece of hardwood. It would not last forever, but it would serve.
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Geezer in Chief
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#217789 - 02/22/11 05:42 PM
Re: RSK mk5 "Harpoon"
[Re: JOEL]
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Old Hand
Registered: 03/24/06
Posts: 900
Loc: NW NJ
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Don't completely discount the spear as a survival tool.
Steven Callahan survived for 76 days in an inflatible life raft because he was able to spear the fish that were attracted to the raft. He was unable to catch fish with a hook because the large fish would bite right through the line and he didn't have a wire leader.
At one point, when he jabbed a fish the spear tip came off inside it and it swam away. He was able to fashion a new spear tip from, among other things, a mess kit butter knife.
Would you trade your smallest knife for your only chance to eat?
_________________________
- Tom S.
"Never trust and engineer who doesn't carry a pocketknife."
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#217828 - 02/22/11 11:16 PM
Re: RSK mk5 "Harpoon"
[Re: JOEL]
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Addict
Registered: 09/03/10
Posts: 640
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Steve Callahan actually used a speargun not a spear there is a major difference tho Im sure a spear woulda worked well in that situation too. It's a good idea too, but once getting wet, even hard wood quickly get softer. And a soft point can't pierce the scales of a medium sized fish. But yes, it would serve. You can always figure out ways to incorporate the wire to the stick to make a better spear would loveto see what you come up with.
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Nope.......
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#217833 - 02/22/11 11:47 PM
Re: RSK mk5 "Harpoon"
[Re: JOEL]
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Enthusiast
Registered: 09/09/06
Posts: 323
Loc: Iowa
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The original fish spears were wood and only wood. Tips were fire hardened and lasted long enough to catch fish over several days of fishing. I think I'd try that first before risking my knife. Worst case I can always carve a new spear if the tip softens or breaks. I haven't tried spearfishing but in my experience even pine ( very soft wood) stays pretty hard if all you are doing is occasionally dipping it in the water. It will soften if you leave it in though.
- Eric
_________________________
You are never beaten until you admit it. - - General George S. Patton
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#217853 - 02/23/11 03:49 AM
Re: RSK mk5 "Harpoon"
[Re: JOEL]
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Sultan of Spiffy
Enthusiast
Registered: 05/12/01
Posts: 271
Loc: Louisiana
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Joel: Put down the Harpoon. I think you've had enough. Actually, that's a pretty neat idea. .....cliff
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#217854 - 02/23/11 03:53 AM
Re: RSK mk5 "Harpoon"
[Re: JOEL]
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Enthusiast
Registered: 09/09/06
Posts: 323
Loc: Iowa
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Joel, Not knocking the idea, think it is pretty inventive and a nice option to have in the playbook. It is also probably not the first thing I'd try for several reasons, most importantly, I'm not a big fan of fish - probably try spearing something land based first unless I was really, really hungry. - Eric
_________________________
You are never beaten until you admit it. - - General George S. Patton
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