Hi Frisquet.

I think like you, but only in everyday life. In a survival situation, I'll try anything before using my RSK as a harpoon, because I think it is the most difficult way to catch fish or small game. But if it is the only way... I'll buy another one later.

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.

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.

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?

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.



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.

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

I don't know much about this, but I saw a lot of prehistoric bone or stone harpoons point. Wood point, except bamboo, is weak and soft. and weaker and softer if wet. Y try spearfishing a lot of time, and I caught a fish just one time. With a metal point. I'm sure I won't be able to catch it with a wooden point spear... But perhaps I'm wrong.

And the fish I caught, I was in Morocco, on a sand beach. No risk for the blade.

Joel:

Put down the Harpoon. I think you've had enough.

Actually, that's a pretty neat idea.

.....cliff

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