Maybe because it was my first fixed blade hunting knife, or maybe just because it feels right in my hand, I prefer my old Craftsman carbon steel knife.

I can't remember exactly where in the house it is right now, but I think the blade is shorter than five (5") inches in length. I have bigger and smaller fixed blade knives, but if I am going into the woods, the Craftsman is my first choice for the belt. For an extended stay, I would put on the carbon steel Kalishnakov bayonet simply because it is more rugged. My three (3") pocket knife is always with me (except at airports) as is a small Swiss Army knife which resides on a leather necklace with my pealess flat marine whistle. My pack has redundency cover in the form of folding knives three (3") inches or smaller. You can always "baton" wood with a rock or another piece of wood.

If I am going into less hospitable situations where I feel a formidable circumcision blade would be appropriate, I like the idea of having my eleven (11") inch blade Swiss bayonet around in the event I have to threaten some thug with novice, inept, inaccurate circumcision. You are foolish to threaten a bear or any animal willing to attack you with circumcision unless they understand the King's English, and swatting at bees, horse flies, and misquitoes with a fixed blade knife could result in your own self-inflicted gender change.

I like the teachings of the Heinlien book "Doorway to the Stars", which advocates evasive and defensive action first and foremost.

We are never as strong as we sometimes believe and should leave that which we can not change or save alone.

Bountyhunter
<img src="images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />