Knife Selection

07/29/24 • 19 min

Primitive Camping & Bushcraft

Introduction:

Host: Chris Speir
Welcome to the Primitive Camping and Bushcraft Podcast
Today's topic: Knives, the most crucial tool next to a metal pot for any outdoor adventure

Key Points Discussed:

Types of Knives:

Importance of a good sheath or belt knife
Backup knife necessity

Personal Favorites:

Morinive Garberg
BPS Bushcraft II
Uses: Cutting trees, saplings, splitting firewood, carving, cleaning game, cutting fish

Types of Steel:

Stainless Steel: Malleable, less brittle, anti-corrosive, tarnish-resistant
High Carbon Steel: Rigid, robust, prone to chipping and cracking, superior for ferro rod fire starting, more rust-prone

Knife Tangs:

Full Tang: Strong, extends through the handle
Partial Tang: Weaker, handle made around it, more affordable

Grinds:

Scandinavian (Scandi) Grind: Common, easy to sharpen
Flat Grind: Similar ease of sharpening
Hollow Grind: Sharp and precise, ideal for delicate tasks, prone to damage
Convex Grind: Robust and durable, challenging to sharpen

Spine of the Knife:

Importance of a sharp 90-degree spine for fire starting
Avoid flashy, powder-coated knives

Sharpening Techniques:

Tools: Stones, diamond plates, ceramic sharpeners, leather belts
Strop or leather belt use for maintaining sharpness

Knife Length:

Ideal length: 4-5 inches blade, total length 9-10 inches
Importance of blade thickness for durability

Personal Techniques:

Energy conservation by burning logs instead of splitting
Primary and backup knives carried by Chris

Conclusion:

Quick guide on selecting a knife
Invitation for listener questions and feedback
Mention of the book "Primitive Camping and Bushcraft"
Encouragement to follow and review the podcast

🔥 Explore More from Speir Outdoors
All my links, gear, community, and content in one spot:
👉 links.speiroutdoors.com

Stay Connected

📖 Book: Primitive Camping & Bushcraft

☕ Coffee: Primitive Camping Roast

🎙️ Podcast Episodes

🎥 YouTube Channel

🧭 Socials, Blog, and More

Have questions or want to connect?
📩 Email: [email protected]

Introduction:

Host: Chris Speir
Welcome to the Primitive Camping and Bushcraft Podcast
Today's topic: Knives, the most crucial tool next to a metal pot for any outdoor adventure

Key Points Discussed:

Types of Knives:

Importance of a good sheath or belt knife
Backup knife necessity

Personal Favorites:

Morinive Garberg
BPS Bushcraft II
Uses: Cutting trees, saplings, splitting firewood, carving, cleaning game, cutting fish

Types of Steel:

Stainless Steel: Malleable, less brittle, anti-corrosive, tarnish-resistant
High Carbon Steel: Rigid, robust, prone to chipping and cracking, superior for ferro rod fire starting, more rust-prone

Knife Tangs:

Full Tang: Strong, extends through the handle
Partial Tang: Weaker, handle made around it, more affordable

Grinds:

Scandinavian (Scandi) Grind: Common, easy to sharpen
Flat Grind: Similar ease of sharpening
Hollow Grind: Sharp and precise, ideal for delicate tasks, prone to damage
Convex Grind: Robust and durable, challenging to sharpen

Spine of the Knife:

Importance of a sharp 90-degree spine for fire starting
Avoid flashy, powder-coated knives

Sharpening Techniques:

Tools: Stones, diamond plates, ceramic sharpeners, leather belts
Strop or leather belt use for maintaining sharpness

Knife Length:

Ideal length: 4-5 inches blade, total length 9-10 inches
Importance of blade thickness for durability

Personal Techniques:

Energy conservation by burning logs instead of splitting
Primary and backup knives carried by Chris

Conclusion:

Quick guide on selecting a knife
Invitation for listener questions and feedback
Mention of the book "Primitive Camping and Bushcraft"
Encouragement to follow and review the podcast

🔥 Explore More from Speir Outdoors
All my links, gear, community, and content in one spot:
👉 links.speiroutdoors.com

Stay Connected

📖 Book: Primitive Camping & Bushcraft

☕ Coffee: Primitive Camping Roast

🎙️ Podcast Episodes

🎥 YouTube Channel

🧭 Socials, Blog, and More

Have questions or want to connect?
📩 Email: [email protected]

Previous Episode

Cooking

Introduction:

Host: Chris Speir
Topic: Best cooking methods for camping
Book: "Primitive Camping and Bushcraft"
Facebook group: Primitive Camping and Bushcraft

Cooking Essentials:

Importance of cooking for health and energy
Cooking temperatures for various foods
Cooking benefits vs. pre-packaged foods

Cooking Methods:

Dehydrated food
Freeze-dried food
Just-add-water meals
Pre-packaged foods
Procuring food in the wilderness

Cooking Equipment:

Pots and pans: aluminum, titanium, stainless steel
Cast iron and enamelware
Stoves: wood-burning, propane, butane
Bedroll stove, bush pots, packable grills

Primitive Cooking Tools:

Pot hooks and cranes
Tripods and their versatility
Open fire roasting

Safety Tips:

Fire safety and regulations
Handling raw food
Essential items: aluminum foil, camp utensils

Conclusion:

Recap and next episode teaser
Book availability on Amazon and major retailers
Join the Facebook group

🔥 Explore More from Speir Outdoors
All my links, gear, community, and content in one spot:
👉 links.speiroutdoors.com

Stay Connected

📖 Book: Primitive Camping & Bushcraft

☕ Coffee: Primitive Camping Roast

🎙️ Podcast Episodes

🎥 YouTube Channel

🧭 Socials, Blog, and More

Have questions or want to connect?
📩 Email: [email protected]

Next Episode

Cutting Tools

Introduction: Chris welcomes listeners and introduces the topic of essential cutting tools for camping.
Discussion Points:
- Importance of Cutting Tools: Overview of why cutting tools are crucial in camping and bushcraft.
- Axes:
  - Types of Axes: Campers axe, boys' axe, felling axes, hatchets.
  - Personal Preferences: Chris shares his experience with different axes, including the utility axe and the Eastwing camper's axe.
  - Uses of Axes: Chopping trees, splitting firewood, carving, and more.
  - Axe Maintenance: Importance of keeping axes sharp and tips for sharpening.
- Saws:
  - Types of Saws: Buck saws, bow saws, folding saws.
  - Personal Preferences: Chris discusses his preference for the Baco Laplander folding saw.
  - Uses of Saws: Cutting small and large diameter logs, making notches, and primitive cooking tools.
- Multi-Tools:
  - Versatility: Multi-tools as backup cutting tools and their various uses around the campsite.
  - Modifying Multi-Tools: Customizing multi-tool components for specific tasks.
Gear Selection:
- Budget-Friendly Options: Emphasizing the importance of practicality over brand names and expensive gear.
- Avoiding Gear Acquisition Syndrome (GAS): Encouraging listeners to focus on essential items and enjoy their time in the woods.
Conclusion:
- Teaser for Next Episode: Chris previews the next episode on different types of cordage for camping.
- Call to Action: Encouraging listeners to like, follow, and subscribe on their preferred platforms.