“Bushcraft” knives are silly and “batoning” is a stupid survival skill.

[@treelore7266]

just like a modern woman tries fulfill the role of a man, so the survival knife tries to fulfill the role of the axe and in the process gets so thick you need an industrial apparatus to sharpen it at a low angle. women also get thick.

[@TheRevoltingMan]

Lol, nice! Pinned it!

[@coreygeorge6989]

I agree every time I've heard of a Bush craft knife they were talking about smaller knives for carving and wood task not a large knife, what you have there is a machete.

[@realitycheck1018]

It's true, the knife gets as thick as the axe. Neither need anything industrial to sharpen. But the knife can be carried anywhere at all times. The axe...cannot. So, if you learn how to use the knife (bushcraft) no matter the "bugout" scenario or the location...you can survive long enough to make it to the next town...or across the country if it's truly "red dawn!". And considering with just a little knowledge of ironcraft..you can make your own knife out of the local ditch water ...knowing how to use the knife is paramount. The axe, quite frankly...is a luxury.

[@ronagoodwell2709]

And then we have the thick comments......

[@wildlandoutdoors51]

First off an actual bushcraft knife has usually about a 4-5" blade and is more of a multipurpose knife. Batoning wood is just a way to get kindling if none is availbe for picking up, and as a way to get to the dry wood in the center to be able to get a fire going. It is not meant as a means to cut down trees for firewood, etc... most bushcrafters carry and axe with them as well . As for use in shtf or survival scenarios what happens if your axe/tomahawk is lost? Bushcrafting like many otherthings is a backup set of skills that are nice to have.

[@TheRevoltingMan]

But you can get kindling with an axe. There’s just no point.

[@wildlandoutdoors51]

@@TheRevoltingMan what happens if you lose said axe? Is batoning a solid first level skill no axes, hatchets and tomahawks are a number one. But as a secondary skill in the case of a lost axe or only having your edc when shtf it is absolutely a skill to know.

[@oscarbear7498]

​@@wildlandoutdoors51if your lost your axe 🪓 chances are you lost most your gear and knife. In which case your running for your life. So let's say all you have are the clothes on your back and shoes 👞, what now? Thats why you needs to learn to use your shoe to Baton , and to chop wood.

[@wildlandoutdoors51]

@oscarbear7498 I'd say that's unrealistic seeing as I keep my knife on me. My axe is usually attached to my pack. So if you want to say I lost everything in my pack, then I would still have my knife to baton with. As far as using my shoes, the laces work great for a bow drill

[@MustardSkaven]

@@oscarbear7498 Knives are more prevalent than axes. Even if you lost all your gear, you are more likely to find a knife than an axe. Imagine you are in a plane crash and somehow survive. There is probably a knife somewhere in the luggage or debry. An axe just happening to be there? Unlikely. So it's valuable to know how to compensate for not having an axe by using a knife to get the same job done, although slower and using more effort.

[@scottbutler1561]

I think if you try a Silky Gomboy, you will change your opinion on saws for survival.

[@jeffbesenty8271]

A saw is a dumb survival tool ? Really ? I turn it off after he said that .

[@TheRevoltingMan]

And missed the chance to have your assumptions challenged?!?! That seems to be self defeating.

[@babblefrog]

@@TheRevoltingMan Wait do you listen to every idiot because you might get your assumptions challenged? I think not. Life is too short for that. You have to be selective.

[@foxholeoutdoors70]

I don't think I've ever heard a bushcraft knife defined as a knife meant to replace a tomahawk or hand axe... quite the opposite. Its a tool meant to compliment larger cutting tools by giving you something that does fine detail work. Most bushcrafters agree a good bushcrafting knife is 3-5 inches of blade with a full tang handle, meant for carving, and maybe light batoning if its all you have.

[@1980JPA]

Exactly

[@elonmust7470]

bushcraft is for people from the city, who wish they weren't.

[@ReasonAboveEverything]

What's the point of having full tang if only thing you are doing with it is cutting? It's just extra weight and cold steel against your hands. Most old antique knives have hitting marks on the spine. When you are crafting something sometimes you need to split something accurately and then you simply baton the knife. No steel knife is going to break splitting wrist thick wood. It's simply just another use for a knife. Edit. I live in northern Europe and I am definitely not from a big city.

[@elonmust7470]

@@ReasonAboveEverything There's no country left in Europe.

[@canucanoe2861]

@@elonmust7470 Really? kzbin.info/door/XSVZTsqJn5JjN0h5q5_B_Q

[@scottharrington1309]

As soon as I saw him take his kid to a pawn shop for his birthday gift I new I was in for a amusing time! And how is someone that has never even owned a bushcraft knife in their life supposed to tell people that bushcraft knives are silly? Let me enlighten you on something. There's people out there that can do thing's with a bushcraft knife Exp. Make traps, snares, weapons, tools, lines and so on. The list goes on and on, that would blow your mind! With persion and skill that someone else that's less experienced would be lost in. So everyone has a right to express their opinion but before you judge something as a whole, you might want to do a little more research and background work further than your local pawn shop, mcfly!!! BACF if I've ever saw one!

[@1980JPA]

Exactly

[@Skully317]

Well said sir!!

[@MSLBushcraftSurvival]

Its amazing how someone can get just about every point in his video wrong. This video was painful to watch...!!

[@NPCSN]

I’m new to bushcraft. So why do you say that? Like which parts?

[@ogrebloodchief]

@@NPCSN Buy Esee knives and go with esee 5 or 6. Lifetime warranty no matter where no matter who. Carpenters axe is good way to go if packing an axe (I tie mine up to my trekking pole loops on my Osprey backpage), and I carry a Gomboy Silky Saw. Think 230MM? All wonderful tools to have depending on what you want to do with you experience. I am not a thru-hiker. I like to do 12 mile hike (which kills me but is highly enjoyable) and camp out for a weekend either via car camp or dispersed. Winter camping believe it or not is actually the most fun. Best of luck to you in your future bushcrafting endeavors!

[@ogrebloodchief]

~~~MICHIGAN~~~

[@MSLBushcraftSurvival]

@@NPCSN I don't know where to start. 3:38 Bushcraft knife better for fighting than a Tomahawk. Bushcraft knives usually don't have a finger guard, so most likely u will cut yourself badly when thrusting the knife into something. And a Tomahawk got a serious advantage in length which is important in a fight. 3:47 Shows a Rambo knife as example which is clearly not a Bushcraft knife. 4:51 Talks about "what a survival knife is" But the title of the video is "Bushcraft knives are silly" 5:53 Picks something like a mini machete from that tree to represent Bushcraft knives. Which is clearly not even close to represent a bushcraft knife (look for the Ray Mears Woodlore). 6:08 Saws are the dumbest survival tool. They are not, a saw cuts down a tree very energy and time efficient. And again, the title of this video was "Bushcraft knives are silly"! 8:12 Picks up firewood from the ground. Try this in autumn after two weeks of heavy rain! Batoning is a emergency technique to get to the hopefully dry inner core of a log. To make kindling to get a fire started. If your out in winter and you know you will need a lot of firewood, then you better bring a axe for splitting logs and/or a proper saw to cut wood in reasonable size. 10:09 Big tree "Reasonable size to cut down for a barricade in an bug out / survival situation" Again, the title of this video was... 12:00 "with a Tomahawk l would have this tree on the ground in 20min" Just use a saw for this size of tree. Thats why people bring saws in the forest... 13:10 Rant about Bowie knives are not Bushcraft knives. Yes, Bowie knives are not bushcraft knives. And again, the title of this video... Bottom line is that in this video is so much stuff mixed up that doesn't belong together, plus poor knowledge. Today's modern Bushcraft is a hobby, basically like camping. Survival is a life threatening situation and you want to get out of it. In some situations the lines might be blurred but not as messed up as it is in this video. And don't forget if somebody on KZbin shows how to get to the inner dry wood of a log, he might not have the time to wait for autumn with two weeks of rain before shooting the video...!

[@Shaggy-intothewild]

@@MSLBushcraftSurvival thank you for writing all of that, those parts were driving me nuts to watch.

[@37south47]

I couldn’t finish this video when I realized he doesn’t have a clue what a bushcraft knife or a saw is lol.

[@TheRevoltingMan]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iH2Uln9siZ2hl7s

[@TheRevoltingMan]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/g5K5hIR_a7-rg5I

[@TheRevoltingMan]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/h4G0Z4F-idx5hLs

[@TheRevoltingMan]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/r4ibnqKfhJt8otk

[@37south47]

Oh joy, my answer is to go watch some more videos lol

[@keithkilby2911]

At 54, second generation surveyor, I have been using a machete since I was around 10/11, for me a 24/30 inch machette has served me well in the woods, snake protrol and even a few mad dogs.

[@keithcronk7980]

I WAS SENT A HAND MADE WOODSMAN PAL AS A GIFT FROM MY BLACKSMITH IVE HAD IT OVER 10 YRS USED IT AS MY DAILY DAILY AND STILL DO. HE LEARNED HIS TRADE AS A YOUNG APPRENTICE AT THE AGE OF 9 FROM OLD SCHOOL REAL BLACK SMITH HAVE A GREAT DAY BROTHER

[@TheRevoltingMan]

For a surveyor I agree.

[@classifiedagent8807]

In Malaysia, the natives only use a Parang Machete for survival. Peace from Malaysia

[@syukryusman8770]

In malaysia u must carry the big boy, its because malaysia forest is full of hardwood , u gonna struggle if u carry the small things

[@CrimsonSurvival]

Yup…

[@blindfredy6128]

Same in Indonesia lots of mahogany and teak.

[@joshuahmoran]

Thank you. I have always carried a big knife too

[@Kriss_L]

Depends on your area. In the Pacific Northwest, for most of the year, any wood on the ground is soaking wet and you have to cut something down (even most standing wood is wet). Sometimes you have to split the wood to find anything dry enough to burn. And saws are more efficient for their weight to calories.

[@Kriss_L]

@Hippy Dippy Swamp country is warm and flat. You need more heat when there are two or more feet on snow on the ground, or the temp is below 0 F. Also, carrying the weight of an ax in the mountains out west is not always a good idea. Maybe if you were a bit more knowledgeable you would know that different locations have different needs.

[@Kriss_L]

@Hippy Dippy I never said it was dry. Try reading it again, but slower this time.

[@Kriss_L]

@Hippy Dippy Since you think you know everything, come on out to the Olympic National Forest and show me.

[@TheRevoltingMan]

What is the source in this calorie efficiency claim?

[@Kriss_L]

@@TheRevoltingMan There are too many fan boys for each - it is like a 9mm vs .45 discussion - to find a source than would change someone's mind. But as soon as saws became practical, the professionals (lumberjacks) who cut trees for a living swapped their felling axes for saws. And from personal experience, in my area of the Pacific Northwest, I find it much easier to cut with a saw than chop with an ax or hatchet. It may be different in your area, though.

[@DieselDoktor]

Lol I use a knife, a tomahawk, and a bow saw. 🤷🏻‍♂️ I don’t understand any of this argument. They’ve all got different purposes. Batonning to get to dry wood makes sense. (Splitting with a tomahawk makes a bit more sense) Bucking logs with a saw makes sense. Because a tomahawk takes too long when the log is over about 6-8” in diameter. These all have their own purpose. So I’m not sure I understand…

[@pgpagaia]

The argument is that in a real survival situation your focus is to make due with whatever resources. There is no such thing as "the right tool for the job" in a survival situation. If you have access to fire wood you will always be able to expose dry parts of if, for example by breaking it with your feet, like he did in the video. Rendering splitting not only superfluous but also a waste of energy and time. I carry a small fold saw when backpacking because I can collect fat wood from death fallen spruce by cutting branches from the trunk. That makes it much easier and cleaner to start a fire. Would I ever be in a situation that that would be the only way to get a fire started? No. I would always be able to break a few branches and start the fire anyway. From that point on, that is taken care of.

[@racciacrack7579]

The big dorky bushcraft knife isn't good. I prefer to have a small actual bushcraft knife in my pocket or belt along with either a tomahawk or the ol' Estwing hatchet. Maybe a kukri if I feel like carrying it.

[@lr44x13]

Batoning is usefull if wood is wet, becouse it was raining. The wet part of the wood is outside part, when inside is dry. Batoning is just better than sawing down a piece of wood in half, vertically. Also if you don't have a lot of wood around you and you mostly have big branches, you can use it to make them smaller. Its really usefull in my forest, becouse its wet most of the year, there are a lot of trees, that grow high and its hard to get dry wood.

[@redrustyhill2]

Ever hear of a hatchet?

[@lr44x13]

@@redrustyhill2 ever heard of weight? And money?

[@patbiggin4477]

I always found batoning to be a bit silly. Only time I can see needing to split into wood is when it's wet out and you need dry material

[@timduncan9903]

I don't think I would want to bug out with that understanding of a woodsman and his/her tools of choice.

[@littletree343]

Not one of those are bushcraft blades but they are “survival” and “bug out” knives

[@DougShoeBushcraft]

The batoning fad exists because people haven't spent time in the woods (IMHO). Dead wood is all over the place. No axe or saw is necessary to cut it up. It is easily broken.

[@tristansimmons510]

I spend a shit ton of time in the woods, and there isn’t a need for it Yea but do just to do it

[@tristansimmons510]

Hippy Dippy ain’t got to do it every time but it sure as makes you feel like the shit when you finally manage to make one like that

[@DougShoeBushcraft]

@@tristansimmons510 yes can be fun

[@paulblackburn4245]

Doug Shoe Bushcraft Yeah, knives, axes, and saws have much better uses like carving things. Batoning is stupid. I’ve seen someone banging the hell out of their axe head pounding in nails or pounding wood into the ground. Watch someone make a firewall, it’s funny.

[@roguesheep1747]

Depending on where you live lol

[@1Darmbr]

Wrong. Have you ever heard of having the right tool for the job at hand? Sometimes that’s a hatchet, sometimes that’s a knife, other times it’s a saw. I bring all three into the wilderness. My fixed blade, small forest axe, and folding bow saw weigh less than 4lbs altogether so there’s absolutely no harm in packing them out. Why make things harder and limit yourself to one tool.

[@oscarbear7498]

You can only bring one. Pick

[@redrustyhill2]

​@@oscarbear7498i can bring as many as i want.

[@arctodussimus6198]

Resin Bowie actually created the “Bowie” knife, but his brother Jim made it famous.

[@Beowulf_98]

The Bowie knife is British it dates back to Sheffield in the 1450s. So it's a British knife.

[@arctodussimus6198]

@@Beowulf_98 lol

[@jhtsurvival]

Uh I'll tell you I wouldn't have an ax with me in probably like 99% of survival situations since I don't carry a fuckin ax in my pocket and 99% of survival situations are situations you don't plan to be in so I'm more than likely to only have a knife to split wood. I'd say this video is like wicked bad. Alot of wrong information. Bushcraft and survival are two different things as is "buggingout". Bushcraft is basically primitive camping. I'd say that you claiming that bringing a hand saw to the woods is a terrible idea discredited you completely. I use a silky pocketboy at work all the time for cutting little branches in a controlled manner which works great for camping or cutting trees for shelter or camp wood if needed too. I know I use a chainsaw to cut wood for my house I don't just go stomping trees down. Maybe you live in the south where you don't need to stay warm

[@tigerpisces5506]

You're like my pioneer ancestors. A kitchen knife was what the Injuns scalpers used. Axes 🪓 and chainsaws were for creating logs, mauls and wedges were for splitting wood 🪵 into kindling. I never used a hatchet axe 🪓 for anything. It was too short. I enjoyed throwing a 24" axe. Hmm I better try a hatchet for novelty. I own many knives because my grandfathers were ornamental black smiths and made everything that was iron.

[@JustCantGetRight]

I sense a lot of contempt and resentment here

[@wyominghomesteader5063]

The axe, hatchet, tomahawk, etc... will process wood better than a knife there is no question of that. What you have to ask yourself what tool will you need more. In parts of the world you can travel for days and never see a tree. In other parts you can't see anything but trees in every direction. Don't pigeonhole your thinking with a predetermined bias and go for the tool that makes the most sense for the likely use and the weight carried. Biased assumptions is the reason we keep gathering bodies of people that actually believed that all you need to survive is what you have in your pockets or your woobie. Guess what if you only have flat ground with no trees, bushes, or scrub to build with or burn and a constant wind of 30+mph in the winter your equipment choices will be different than a eastern pine forest with little wind and temps above 0.

[@pennsyltuckyreb9800]

Exactly. This is what it all comes down to. Location and where you live. My area of Northern PA Appalachia, deep of winter January and February....batoning with ANY knife, even with large "chopper" blades that can handle heavy batoning for the F birds. Believe me, I've given it a try and it sucked. Summer works just fine but winters.....nope. I'll take my saws and GB Scandinavian Forest axe every day over any knife when having to split frozen hardwoods. Now if I'm traveling to my family in SC and want a compact, "one tool survival option" for that specific area... I'll absolutely choose my ESEE Junglas over lugging around my axe and saws in the pack no problem. This "debate" is all about where you live and the areas you expect to "survive" in. My other family in Arizona desert might as well be a totally different planet than where I am here in Northern Appalachia!

[@wyominghomesteader5063]

@@pennsyltuckyreb9800 One other thing is the size and weight of the tool and your limitations. No matter where the mission is a pilot will never bail out with a hatchet or axe because of the limitations on his gear. It is no different than someone swearing by a 7.62x39 over 5.56. Will the 7.62 hit harder sure, but at the cost of double the weight in ammunition and 2-4lbs more for the rifle. For essentially the same weight of the 7.62x39 you could carry a .308 giving you longer range and harder hitting power, again be honest on the needs and the limitations you have and not going on a preconceived opinion that is more emotion than facts.

[@shaunoneill7650]

@@wyominghomesteader5063 you picked some bad analogies to use there!!! Pilots often have the folding style lightweight shovel which can convert to an axe/pickaxe if needed as well as a decent sized survival blade. And your firearm comparison made no sense!!! Yes, 7.62x39mm is heavier than 5.56x45mm, but then to say you might as well use a .308 cal which is 7.62x51mm (12mm longer and heavier because of it!!!) I agree with the point you're trying to get across, "equip yourself appropriately for the terrain and environment" but that's only an option on a planned trip/excursion to known locations!

[@wyominghomesteader5063]

7.62x39 30rd mag is 1.8-2.2 lbs depending on the mag chosen and the ammunition. A 25 rd .308 mag is 1.9-2.3 lbs. Like I said basically the same. Size and weight along with the mission will dictate the gear. Btw never once were we ever issued an e-tool. I know the new artic loadout for the F-35 has an e-tool. So they found the space and weight to load a 2.5lb tool as part of the survival kit in that plane. There was a reason we had height and weight limitations. The size of the cockpit and limitations on weight both in the plane and for the parachute matter. So yes the comparisons work and the details matter.

[@kotogray8335]

I can appreciate what your point is My 2 cents is that people should learn how to live off of the land first and not worry so much about all the bushcraft stuff I love camping, building shelters in the wild, fishing and what not, and I have the least amount of tools to do that when I do, but unless you know how to survive off of Mother Nature, you won't be around to "enjoy" anything If it's your thing to do bushcraft, do it, but don't come bother me when the shtf I will be with my family surviving

[@TheRevoltingMan]

Good comment!

[@ungratefulpeasant8085]

The right tool for the environment is the answer. In the PNW a axe or saw combined with a hollow or flat ground knife is an excellent combination. In the high desert in the southwest everything sticks your hand. A long knife to protect your hand combined with a small knife for fine work is a great combo. There are places in the south east where a machete would make a better option. It all tldepends on the enviroment and type of wood your dealing with.

[@TheRevoltingMan]

A machete would never be the best choice in the southeast. We have too many hardwoods.

[@partner348]

@@TheRevoltingMan While a machete is certainly not a "crafting" tool, having been a land surveyor in Florida for 40+ years, my EDC was everything from a pocketknife to a chainsaw, but I've hewn, chopped, and split every wood in the state up to 3-4 inch dia with a machete and wood density made no difference in my choice of blade. I understand that "Girls just wanna have fun" with wood, but when time and efficiency equal money, "knoives" are best left to the whittlers. Not that there's anything wrong with that. Or that there's not a place for it.

[@markbeasley5322]

Agree 100%. For 30 years my woods knife has been an actual butcher knife. (cut down Old Hickory) Works for everything I need it for. Never saw a need for batoning.

[@oscarbear7498]

Same I had a "survival" end up using it for just cooking 😂 I then ditched the survival knife and bring traditional cleaver knife, for all cooking needs. The Chinese were poor as hell and could only have 1 knife for cooking , that one knife out of thousands of designs ended up being the cleaver. For survival axe 🪓 and clever for cooking

[@rrcaniglia]

I’m not a fan of beating on a knife like it was a free, however, if you’re not going to carry an axe, you may have to. In a wet area, you’ll need an accelerant (fire starter) or dry kindling. I didn’t hear you talk about dry kindling that would take a spark, so must wonder if you carry a bottle of lighter fluid. In other words, while your system may work in your area, it likely isn’t effective everywhere. I carry a small axe and a ‘bushcraft’ knife-meaning a sturdy blade of about 4 1/2 inches that is easy to sharpen. Think I shall continue to do that.

[@londiniumarmoury7037]

I don't know about building a campfire needing perfectly sized bits of wood. But when I run out of Anthracite or don't want to waste expensive Mapp Gas for my forges, I baton wood into perfectly sized strips. I can't be using all odd different shaped pieces of wood when heat treating knives, I need all of them to be the same size. Batoning is faster than using an axe, it's more accurate and I can process a ton of scrap wood into evenly sized pieces for my forge. Using a saw, or angle grinder or another tool is just extra effort, batoning is fast and energy efficient and saves me time.

[@TheRevoltingMan]

That seems reasonable.

[@londiniumarmoury7037]

@@TheRevoltingMan Yeah, I dont think it's needed for campfires, I agree with your points, just wanted to give me only real world example of where I find it useful. When I go camping, and make fires as long as the wood is dry that's good enough. I collect small bits of wood to start the fire then put thick bits of wood on when the fire is roaring. I don't split the wood or remove the bark, just chuck it on. If it burns that's good enough.

[@mistersmith3986]

My folding saw will cut a tree down faster than your axe! TREE not sapling.

[@TheRevoltingMan]

No it won’t.

[@Adeoneer]

I've been using my Ralph Martindale for the past 20 odd years now and it has served me better than any axe or saw. You are absolutely right about batoning and thanks for the tour of the shop.

[@sackett68]

I'm 52 years old. Been spending time in the woods for over 40 years. Never batoned anything even once. Carried a buck 119 or a small folder. If I needed to cut down a tree (hardly never) I used an axe.

[@joeygutierrez5311]

Notice he doesn't use the knives in any way a real woodsman uses them...... he's just angry and blowing smoke

[@joeallen2354]

The bowie knife that Jim Bowie popularized was a style of knife which had existed for centuries. The term bowie knife was a marketing strategy employed by the Sheffield Company in England. To increase sales of their clip point knives in America, they capitalized on Jim Bowie's fame and attached his name to those knives. Jim Bowie did not invent the style of knife that bears his name. He merely had a blacksmith make a clip point knife, became famous using it in a duel, and subsequently had his name associated with that style of blade by Sheffield, who, incidentally, manufactured and sold a significant majority of the bowie knives purchased in the United States during the mid to late 1800's. Clip point knives are a comprise design that fill the roles of utility and fighting. They are neither the best fighting knives nor the best utility knives but are excellent for those, such as the Marines in WWII, who need a single knife to fill both roles. I liked your video overall and think you made some good points. However, I feel you have too narrow a view of the purpose and role of both batoning and survival knives. Under certain circumstances I can agree with your main points 100%. Nevertheless, under other circumstances I disagree completely.

[@ikapatino3214]

I think the knife that Jim carried looked more like a old hickory.I think his brother or someone discribed it .

[@escapetherace1943]

it's actually unknown if the knife Jim Bowie used himself had a clip point.... the clip-point became a thing because blacksmiths just made go-to knives in the bowie-length, and the style came along overtime because most of them made ended up being clip points, and now we associate it with it.

[@alfonsedente9679]

I made a spoon! -Ralph Wiggum

[@starlingblack814]

I spent several years hiking and fishing in Alaska. I would carry either a large Bowie or small axe for wood processing, a six inch blade hunting knife and a small 3 bladed pocket folder. With these tools I could handle anything the Alaska weather threw at me. Only once did I have a hard time finding dry wood and that was on Kodiak Island when it was so windy the rain was coming down almost sideways for several days. I used my axe to split dry wood from a log's center, but my Bowie Knife would have done as well. I never carried a saw while backpacking, but always used a bowsaw to process firewood to heat my home. Thanks for the video; I don't 100% agree with you, but you really created a lightning rod for debate.

[@chriskp]

Most modern saws are designed with hardened steel. You don’t sharpen them. They stay sharp longer and when they dull you change the blade. Saws are also much more energy efficient tools, which is something worth considering in a survival situation.

[@tallpaul1563]

Agree with everything except the fighting part...... A knife is basically an assassin's tool. Tomahawk's and Machetes tend to end fights in combat quicker than knives, allowing you to move on to the next enemy combatant faster.

[@keithsimonh]

A hawk can end a fight with one good hit, a knife forgives bad hits, a sword is just a larger knife with less camp utility.

[@WesS2016]

Jim Bowie was famous for fighting, his weapon of choice was oddly enough a large knife. He even had one made to fit him, patterned I might add after a clip point seax. And then he created the Great Plains of Texas trying to supply firewood to the Texas Revolutionary Army! True story!

[@joels5722]

I never expect to do any chopping at all with my “bushcraft” knives. For me it’s more about being able to carve for projects, and also being able to hold up to some fire processing. I feel like this is kind of just a shot at a strawman.

[@olddirtycracker]

Some of the knives are good it's the idea that firewood needs to be pretty that's idiotic. Guys that advocate them over hatchets are splitting chainsaw cut logs with a knife.

[@ActionJackson1993]

I can baton with a tomahawk if needed. That being said my "bushcraft knife" I use for processing animals more than everything.

[@ajamckenzie6449]

bushcraft knives are usally 4-5 inches as the blade lenght the knife you were demonstrating in the video is not a Bushcraft knife thats a cheap chinese crap survival knife i think you should look into bushcrafting skills. i think batoning is a good technique to learn if you dont have a saw axe or a tomohawk. happy bushcrafting :)

[@StrengthScholar0]

Imagine saying a saw is useless in a survival bag. Dude obviously hasn't used a silky saw. Also weight is a massive part of the equation for backpacking/bushcrafting/survival. A hatchet weighs more and takes up more space than a knife and a saw combined. Lastly he wasn't even holding a bushcraft knife for the whole video. That was basically a kukri. The best bushcraft knifes are 5-6 inches MAX

[@TheRevoltingMan]

I have a Silky saw that I guarantee you I use more than you.

[@rickdeboer6615]

Survivalknife or bushcraftknife??? Survival and bushcraft are 2 totally different things.... bushcraft is fun to do.... survival is a situation you would get out as soon as possible

[@Qui-Dad-Jinn]

Tip for the future, get dressed prior to filming. I couldn't take you seriously while putting on socks.

[@TheRevoltingMan]

Why? Serious people don’t put on socks? I’m confused.

[@texxos57]

Long time no see. I hope all is well with you. I have used an ax, a hatchet, a machete and a knife. My favorite is my morakniv. I like what works and batoning makes great kindling. It's safer than an ax and doesn't harm the knife. Just my opinion. I'm old and if it makes something easier, I'll use it.

[@TheRevoltingMan]

Good to see you, it has been a while!

[@boilermechanic5106]

The only good reason i can come up with for batoning is making a fireboard for friction fire. A small saw would come in handy for processing firewood in an area that doesnt have pine trees. Try breaking up some hardwood limbs like you were breaking up that pine. It aint easy. I do love my hawk but it can get tiresome chopping anything with some size to it. With a mora sized knife, a good small saw, and a trailhawk, you would get by pretty good in the Georgia woods.

[@TheRevoltingMan]

We have a lot of pine trees but we’re primarily in a hardwood forest. I usually only burn hardwood.

[@colestewart4205]

To me a bushcraft knife is any knife you use in the "bush" that being said I love my tomahawk and axe...but there are things I'd rather use a knife for...Gerber prodigy is my knife of choice....for fighting, skining squirrels, and so on....I have batoned with it...mostly because I dont carry a tomahawk on my plate carrier...I have used a saw...I believe it's easier than an axe in some cases...living in Nebraska there isn't alot of firewood laying on the ground...they all have their place and if it's up to me I'd like to carry all three

[@TheRevoltingMan]

Fair enough.

[@dukedashwolfgg2283]

Did he literally just say saws are useless? Dude you save time and strength using a saw meaning you could build a temporary shelter quicker and cleaner then using a knife or axe

[@TheRevoltingMan]

No you can’t. This is a myth. It was started by people who don’t use axes very much or very well.

[@dukedashwolfgg2283]

@@TheRevoltingMan and yes you can

[@TheRevoltingMan]

No you can’t.

[@dukedashwolfgg2283]

@@TheRevoltingMan yes you can

[@Zac_Craig-Claveau]

Most "actual" bushcrafters have better knives then those things which I agree are stupid. A bushcraft usually knife is for light tasks like feathersticking, food prep, carving, and suchlike. Look at youtubers like Haze outdoors, TA outdoors. Maybe 4-5 inches, 3mm thick, scandi grind. Just general utility. The stuff you show I'd call tactical, which is for the people you describe, no real use. No one Ive ever seen argues for chopping a tree down with a knife cuz that's not what its for.

[@TheRevoltingMan]

I got introduced to bushcraft by some really bad channels. I’m still not a fan but I’m not a ms dead set against it as I was:

[@Zac_Craig-Claveau]

@@TheRevoltingMan And I agree with you on batoning-Just collect smaller wood or use an axe. Only use for it is if everything is sodding wet and yo need to get to the inside, AND you forgot your axe

[@realitycheck1018]

The whole point of the bushcraft knife is that you can accomplish everything you need with one very light, easy to carry and conceal tool. Keep a knife on you at all times and you can survive. I can't walk around town all-day and go to work carrying a tomahawk. Bug out, and survival are surprise situations. Unexpected. Caught off guard. If you are planning to go into the woods for fun or training I'd have to suggest multiple tools, as one tool, no matter how good it is..can be lost or broken. If you have time to prepare yourself for this Armageddon bug out situation then you should carry multiple tools then as well. So circling back around...the knife is small, light, concealable and can be used for everything. Always carry a knife. Carry a tomahawk and get tossed in jail arguing with the cops who showed up because Betty got scared. My knife is always strapped to my leg, above the ankle, under my pants. The only time i cant carry it is on a plane. 90% of people live in cities...not the styx. I cannot walk around with a damned tomahawk..downtown new york. In the woods... playing around while hiking and camping..i will have an axe, machete, knife and a saw., As well as a damn shovel. Oh..and the most important item of them all...a cellphone. This aint 800bc. There is a road within 10 miles of everything in the US, and 350 million people. There is no zombie apocalypse...

[@oscarbear7498]

Just carry the metal part of the tomahawk. You can make a handle anywhere with just the metal part. Just the metal part is more Concealable than a big knife.

[@turtlewolfpack6061]

I have always thought of a bushcraft knife as a smaller 3-4" fixed blade knife that had a great handle on it for general camp chores. As for big knives, I love my axes/tomahawks/hatchets, but I also love my traditional khukuri knives. As for battoning I have done it, even with some of my tomahawks I have but it sure as shooting is not a survival skill. To me a survival knife is the knife that is with you most of the time so mine is a little Buck folder that I have carried for years and cost me $10 CAD.

[@TheRevoltingMan]

The only way I’d even think about ditching my tomahawk was if I had a khukri.

[@turtlewolfpack6061]

@@TheRevoltingMan as much as I like using my khukuri the tomahawk is easier to maintain, use and repair.

[@pootieheadroflmao]

Its a good choice. Ever try the cold steel finn wolf? That sucker is beating my 110 out in the wood carving department for about a year now and is still as razor sharp as from the factory. Moras are okay I guess, but I love a good folder that is a workhorse.

[@SwampValley]

A bushcraft knife is a small carving tool not a survival knife, they're very different. it's designed to do a lot of jobs well but nothing specific, chill out and let people use whatever, we're all just overgrown kids with a bunch of toys playing in the woods.

[@tony-ms5sf]

what would you say your favorite tomahawk is? what brand and model. i bought an eastwing hatchet before and had a bad experience. i use to work at a park. and was using it to chop some wood and within one day it bend like a katana. so i never purchased from them again

[@TheRevoltingMan]

For the work you were doing at the park I would have gotten a nice boy’s axe like the Hults Bruk Kalix. As far as tomahawks go Cold Steel is the gateway drug. Eventually you’re going to want a hand forged one though. They’re hard to screw up.

[@FatCuz66]

As my KZbin channel implies I’m a huge fan of the tomahawk but I do see the importance of a good knife. For general purpose a good 4 inch fixed blade can do a lot. However if guns weren’t an option a large kukri type knife and a tomahawk make a very formidable weapon combo. As for batoning it certainly has its place although it is generally over rated. In the woods surrounding my house it can be rather tough to find any dead wood that isn’t saturated to the point of being impossible to light. Batoning allows you to get to the dry center of the wood although this task can certainly be accomplished with a tomahawk. Just my thoughts and feel free to disagree with me. - TomahawKing (formerly VAPrepper)

[@rodneyhoskins8187]

Can you recommend a good budget tomahawk?

[@oscarbear7498]

Tbh if some had a knife 🔪 and I had time to grab a weapon. I would use a rock and long stick. You can throw a rock 🪨 and no Matter how it hits, if it connects its doing big blunt damage through clothing. Throw a knife and the tip has to perfectly connect, or the blade hit just right. With a higher odds of failure, with little mass too so no blunt damage. A stick is fast and hit anywhere in the face you win. Honestly I would jusy throw rocks , dude with a knife 🔪 will jusy hyper focus on knife

[@WesS2016]

Well! I never heard such as this afore! Everyone know Jim Bowie invented the Bowie Knife to chop down trees. He came through West Texas on his way to the Alamo and cut so many they still aint growed back. Why I muhself have and Authentic Original Bowie Knife, (made in Pack E Stan) that I cut cord wood with ever winter. But yes cleaning and butchering is made possible with a Bushcraft Knife, but it is made easy with a Butcher Knife. Saws get dull and are difficult to sharpen in the bush, Axes get dull and are easily sharpened in the bush. But you don't have to hate on us knife guys with all that historical accuracy crap!

[@winfieldjohnson125]

Lol.

[@TheRevoltingMan]

And Wes speaks the truth as usual.

[@halfcantan1208]

Wes S well I never knew that's what happened to the trees

[@wvmountaineer69]

We can agree to disagree! Respectfully!!

[@johnreese0117]

Dave Canterbury is one of, “very few” individuals that refers to “woodcraft”, not bushcraft. As he’s stated in the past, the term bushcraft was brought to life by a man named Richard Graves, an Australian, military survival instructor. Dave emphatically uses the word woodcraft, not bushcraft. Bushcraft term is appealing to others, so at times, regarding some books he’s written, the term bushcraft was used. He’s recognized George Washington Sears, George Thomas Sutton & Daniel Beard, to name a few, for the term woodcraft. Plenty of other posers can be mentioned using the word “bushcraft”, Dave Canterbury ain’t one of them…

[@anarchistanonymous7873]

Dave is a fraudulent man

[@MSLBushcraftSurvival]

I don't know where to start. 3:38 Bushcraft knife better for fighting than a Tomahawk. Bushcraft knives usually don't have a finger guard, so most likely u will cut yourself badly when thrusting the knife into something. And a Tomahawk got a serious advantage in length which is important in a fight. 3:47 Shows a Rambo knife as example which is clearly not a Bushcraft knife. 4:51 Talks about "what a survival knife is" But the title of the video is "Bushcraft knives are silly" 5:53 Picks something like a mini machete from that tree to represent Bushcraft knives. Which is clearly not even close to represent a bushcraft knife (look for the Ray Mears Woodlore). 6:08 Saws are the dumbest survival tool. They are not, a saw cuts down a tree very energy and time efficient. And again, the title of this video was "Bushcraft knives are silly"! 8:12 Picks up firewood from the ground. Try this in autumn after two weeks of heavy rain! Batoning is a emergency technique to get to the hopefully dry inner core of a log. To make kindling to get a fire started. If your out in winter and you know you will need a lot of firewood, then you better bring a axe for splitting logs and/or a proper saw to cut wood in reasonable size. 10:09 Big tree "Reasonable size to cut down for a barricade in an bug out / survival situation" Again, the title of this video was... 12:00 "with a Tomahawk l would have this tree on the ground in 20min" Just use a saw for this size of tree. Thats why people bring saws in the forest... 13:10 Rant about Bowie knives are not Bushcraft knives. Yes, Bowie knives are not bushcraft knives. And again, the title of this video... Bottom line is that in this video is so much stuff mixed up that doesn't belong together, plus poor knowledge. Today's modern Bushcraft is a hobby, basically like camping. Survival is a life threatening situation and you want to get out of it. In some situations the lines might be blurred but not as messed up as it is in this video. And don't forget if somebody on KZbin shows how to get to the inner dry wood of a log, he might not have the time to wait for autumn with two weeks of rain before shooting the video...!

[@TheRevoltingMan]

Oh my, where to start on this comment, let’s start with the good stuff first. Thank you for taking the time and energy to look so thoroughly in to what I had to say. That’s flattering and humbling. When it comes to a weapon I have to point out that tomahawks don’t have finger guards either and that their big advantage in reach and power comes at the cost of very big swings and slow strikes. A knife hit lighter but it hits hard enough and much quicker and from many more angles and avenues. Obviously a very small knife doesn’t have an advantage but they don’t have to get very big before they do. Wet wood I deal with in a subsequent video where I turn a water hose on grill full of ground wood and then light it while it’s lying in the water. You don’t have to baton to get lightable wood and it isn’t even the easiest way. The saw myth is just that, a myth. It can save energy if all you’re doing is dropping a small tee but you have completely lost that advantage when you remember that you still have to carry an axe for limboing and what not. Saws are very limited tools. They only do one thing. The tooth pattern has a very big impact on how well the cut different woods and when they get dull they’re useless and can’t be easily sharpened. I know they’re popular right now and I love them for homesteading but they’re not worth their weight when it comes to most things. Thank you for the excellent comment and quite cogent thoughts.

[@TheRevoltingMan]

What the hell are these you hypocrite!?!! kzbin.info/www/bejne/oGi4fJh8dsyInpo

[@TheRevoltingMan]

I just went to your channel and saw a bunch of videos with knives bigger than the one I pulled out. Intellectual consistency is an important trait friend.

[@seanthomasdowd]

I agree with you in general, I carry a kukri with a six inch blade and thick spine along with a tomahawk these accomplish virtually all my needs, I live in the often wet UK where batoning is a useful skill to reach dry wood

[@TheRevoltingMan]

I love hearing from men in the UK. Thank you!

[@deangullberry5148]

I agree almost completely, Brother. Use the proper tool for the job. That being said, I do practice batoning on ocassion. If I'm ever separated from my axe/hatchet/ 'hawk, or even saw, and I need a fire NOW, that's not the time to try to learn a new skill.

[@TheRevoltingMan]

Makes sense,.

[@Greatlakesprepper]

but batoning isnt a 'skill' that needs practicing. it requires little brain function and little physical energy. put the sharpened steel parallel to wood grain,hit sharpening steel with dense object till wood grains sever..if i can show my 6 year old in 5 minutes and trust him to do it unsupervised and without help..does it really require 'practice'? hammering a nail,typing,shoveling and riding a bike require more 'skill' then batoning.

[@deangullberry5148]

@@Greatlakesprepper now do it at midnight, with no light, after soaking your hands in ice water to simulate a worst case scenario. Maybe then add a field splint to a thumb or finger. Now tell me it's not a skill that needs practicing. Anything you think you'll need to do, train to do it in suboptimal conditions.

[@deangullberry5148]

@Hippy Dippy Ideally, that's the idea. But sometimes it's not our choice. Murphy is a cruel bastard. It's very swampy where I live, and although snow is rare, freezing temperatures aren't.

[@Joe_Goofball]

You'd baton a piece of wood if the bark/surface were damp and unlightable with a match or butane lighter. The INSIDE surface would be dry enough to light. You need to seek help for your substance abuse...

[@deangullberry5148]

You can't get to the dry stuff with an axe? Don't get me wrong, I practice batoning. FOR EMERGENCIES. There's no reason to needlessly risk your blade just because you can.

[@deangullberry5148]

@Hippy Dippy I get the allure. Head into wild country, create everything you need with just a knife and imagination. Romanticizing history brought a lot of it about. Even the old long hunters and explorers carried an axe, or a 'hawk.

[@deangullberry5148]

And I don't knock Canterbury. He has some awesome ideas. One if my favorites was using an old single barrel shotgun as a muzzle loader.

[@TheRevoltingMan]

Petty.

[@deangullberry5148]

@Hippy Dippy you might find the video. He carries adapters that allow different cartridges to be used, then shows how he glued old school film canisters end to end. One side is for powder, the other for wadding. He reprimes the shot shell brass and throws whatever he's got on hand for projectiles, including gravel.

[@chrismayo4902]

All very good Comments and input so far here! The one thing that’s really changed my mind to ditch the Rambo knife mentality and fairy tail from reality was when my younger eyes first saw the Documentary about Richard Proennke’ and how he went alone into upper Alaska with nothing but an Axe a few chisels a belt knife and a little knowledge and not only survived but THRIVED! The only large knife I use a lot is a Condor Hudson Bay knife with quarters game like a surgical lazer’ Nothing wring with the whole bushcraft thing and it’s brought a bunch of newer people into the life we love’ my original “BushCraft” knife is an 8 Dollar Green River knife’ To me that is the American Version of a BushCraft Knife’ I can walk off my back porch with that’ a Tomahawk’ and a Fire Kit’ and thrive for ever’ it’s all about the knowledge you posses and the heart you have’ I could also state that people paying 450$ for a so called “BushCraft” knife doesn’t come with the knowledge to use it’ I’ll stick with my Green River knives and Old Hickory knives’ this is why I love watching “The Rev Man” he’s not just making shit up’ he’s living the shit! And he’s a thinker and patriot! Really good family guy as well’ we need more like him.

[@tashadeleon8721]

that's a crock. he had a saw, dozens of other tools and a canoe full of food and other supplies

[@fredbalster3100]

I watched an episode of the "last alaskans". Hiemo shot a moose and proceeded to skin it with a leatherman blade.

[@bobbyhill5266]

I would look into the Kukri, it's a large curved blade that works great for chopping, aswell as skinning bark from trees, splitting logs with and without batoning them, making feather sticks, etc. It works great and you could use it alone to process wood among other tasks. The agawa folding bow saw also works great in combination with it. it's not needed but its just so light weight and makes clean cuts on large logs very easy and far less work than a knife or axe.

[@robbevington1754]

bushcraft knife 4-5 inch survival knife 5-8 inch

[@dustinbarmes]

When did bushcraft become bugging out

[@TheRevoltingMan]

It’s the same skill set.

[@tristansimmons510]

The Revolting Man technically speaking it is not, bugging out is the same thing as getting the hell out of dodge, that is getting away from whatever bad situation you are in, bushcraft is like survival, the difference between bushcraft and survival is that you are thriving with bushcraft and barely getting by with survival

[@DavidSmith-hc2xu]

Im glad somebody finally made this video. I dont want to blame it all on cantebury because he was on that show with cody lundin the barefoot hippie, and lundin always carried that little mora bushcrafting knife which i believe created a misconception. I carry my old framing hatchet and a machete.

[@halfcantan1208]

David Smith I have got four hatchets one is a nice wooden handle one it was a present the other one has a plastic type handle that's the one I use most what little use I have for it the other two I found in what you guys call a dumpster we call them skips here they'd been burned so I fixed them kinda one with a piece of old plastic water pipe the other with a copper pipe and don't laugh cement and water if your interested I'll tell you how that worked but here where I live there's not much use fir an axe or hatchet

[@DavidSmith-hc2xu]

@@halfcantan1208 This is what I'm talking about buddy www.amazon.com/Vaughan-28-Ounce-Builders-Hatchet-construction/dp/B00004Z2XT/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=vaughn+framing+hatchet&qid=1596947591&s=sporting-goods&sr=1-1

[@halfcantan1208]

David Smith I get you David if you've a disposable email I'll send you photos f the ones I have including the two I fixed sorta and the back story which if I'm honest is more interesting than the actual tools , mind you I enjoy finding stuff that's been discarded and making it useful again it's my built in prepper mentality here we all have since the Gorta noir

[@roguesheep1747]

You need to go watch this dude and you'll see what real bushcrafting means its not a survival thing it's a way of life...if you are going to watch someone that is a expert watch Ray Mears...its your loss if you don't..lol best regards pal

[@tashadeleon8721]

I have 3.5 lbs of shelter/sleep gear, and 1.5 lbs of "extra" clothing, besides cammies and cap, that let me sleep ok from 110F down to 10F, without a fire. It's taken me years of testing to devlope this kit. The sleep shelter gear can all be worn as clothing. This includes a couple of 1/4 lb each, full body bugnet bags, and a 1 lb net hammock, 50x10 ft, that can feed me if need bey. All of the bivvies/bags open flat if I need them to do so and all can be worn as ponchos. Almost everyone would need 10-15 or more lbs to accomplish what I do with that 5 lbs. The extra clothing consists of gloves and glove liners, sock liners, and balaclava, all of polypropylene, and a drawstring hood and booties made out of SOL''s "breathable" mylar. With concealable armor, I can get down to 0F, actually. I can go 10F colder with either rocks or water heated in a discrete Dakota fire pit, or with a mixture of the UCO lantern's beeswax candle and exercising in the bags. Both of the civvies feature a 1 ft wide strip of clear PEVA shower curtain, which will admit the heat of a fire or the sun and then trap it inside of the bag. The PEVA causes condensation when you have no outside heat-source, so I normally leave it folded outside of the bivvies, clamped at each end. When you have to carry 5-10 lbs of food and water, and 20 lbs of guns, armor, accessories, night vision, passive IR scanner, solar and Biolite chargers, you realize that you need to drastically cut weight everywhere else, or you can't "run and gun". Depending upon how much food and water I carry and the choice of ammo and guns, this BOB is 40-50 lbs.

[@shaunoneill7650]

What the hells' all that crap got to do with comparing bushcraft knives to this bias "Hatchet" man???

[@meeshmeeshelle6326]

All of that crap and the only gear mentioned worth stealing from you is your food & ammo. You had better go get some training & fix your mindset cause someone’s gonna steal your gear, lock you in the trunk of your car and help your daddy look for you. 🤣 🤣 🤣

[@jamesolivito4374]

Brother you kicked a hornet's nest full of bushcrafters ! It's a cult thing. A country boy don't need such things . Some people.have to make things complicated . To each his own .

[@TheRevoltingMan]

Lol, I have to admit I was surprised how vociferous they were.

[@Steelydan670]

He sure did! But honestly it’s not complicated at all, but there is a lot to know that this man finds unimportant and apparently has disdain for. You can make due with cheap tools or the wrong tool for the job, like a tomahawk, and survive pretty well, but you’ll be better off with the right tools made with quality materials suited for bushcraft and survival. Writing off someone else’s methods as stupid is really shortsighted and produces a narrow and very limited tool box as we see in this video.

[@biffteutsch3402]

I may not agree with you 100% but I respect your opinion and I feel your definitely not “ snob boy” like so many on the TUBE!!!! Will be watching just for your HONESTY sir!!!!! Thx u

[@TheRevoltingMan]

Thank you!

[@thoricdavid8174]

It’s to get to the dry wood in the middle of the log when everything is soaking wet. That’s really the only reason that I can see.

[@tashadeleon8721]

you still don't need it. use the saw to start a kerf and then baton a wooden wedge into the kerf in order to split the wood.

[@coreygeorge6989]

@@tashadeleon8721 that sounds more difficult than just using my Knife.

[@stevenwest5685]

It would really help if you recognized the difference between bushcraft and survival. Bushcraft uses saws, hatchets and axes but it’s exactly not survival. They are not relying on a bugout bag to survive. They bring the hand tools they need to do what they do. Survival is completely different and the content of a bug out bag is about getting the most out of very little in a survival situation..Going on about how bushcraft tools and techniques are “stupid” is just ignoring what bushcraft is all about. Sorry dude, I think you’re missing the point.

[@TheRevoltingMan]

Bushcraft is whatever whoever is talking about thinks it is.

[@stevenwest5685]

@@TheRevoltingMan so why are you taking swipe at what other people do. Not everyone does survival. There are other legit reason to be using tools in the woods, with different ways of getting things done for good reasons.

[@rossbrawley]

I use both. The hawk and a becker bk-7. I just like having both. Around here..... If you want dry wood.... Your gonna get it out of the middle of the log and it only take a few seconds.

[@DDDYLN]

Get yourself an Ontario SP10 Marine Raider Bowie. It's all you need for anything. Complement it with an Ontario 18" military machete. That's all you need.

[@maxwell2.2]

I agree that you dont need those huge knives. But a saw is actually a really good tool especially in a situation when you dont want to get caught, because sawing down a tree is a lot more quiet than chopping it down. Also batoning is where i am often necessary because everything that you picked up from the floor is oftentimes rotten and or wet where i am, so batoning and cutting down a tree or a piece of a fallen bigger tree to get to some dry wood is necessary to make a fire.

[@martinhafner2201]

The NW U.S. is way too wet. All that "firewood" that you showed would be useless. There is no dry brush for about 9 months out of the year. Sometimes the only dry wood is in the small (3-6 inches) standing dead trees. A small saw and good knife will work well in that setting. A tomahawk or hatchet will make the main splitting easier or could even replace the saw. That knife you chose is a clown knife. Using it to try to prove your point just undermines your own argument. You've seen politicians debunk a weak version of their opponent's position, right? Don't be that guy. It does not support your argument because it isn't a 4-6 inch scandi or convex grind knife with a comfortable handle (some prefer full flat grind). In the NW almost all the small wood is soaked wet. So you have to find something larger, probably vertical and get some dry wood out of the middle. A hatchet or axe will get you to that middle wood. But there is no fine small tinder that is dry. So you have to shave the dry center wood into fine tinder, which the bushcraft knife is very good at. You can also make some of the smaller kindling by doing some fine splitting of the center wood, which is easy and safe to do with the knife. Axes and most hatchets are clumsy at splitting out the fine kindling. A crafting hatchet or a fine ground tomahawk will work well. Batoning large logs with bushcraft knife is a desperation move - like when you don't really have most of your equipment with you. But desperation sometimes happens, so it is good to know how. In the end you need to pick your cutting tool set and you can only carry so much weight. You can't take everything. Every climate has different options for a full kit. You can usually make a lighter functional kit if you use a small knife in there somewhere. I can tell you like to use a tomahawk. Probably because it is lighter than most of the hatchets and it can do some fine work if you tune up the edge just right. And of course re-handling is a lot easier. But that is just one way to skin the cat. Dave Pearson would use a small knife, a heavy short machete, and a small saw. It works well for him in the south, but it probably wouldn't way up north. Then a knife and a small-medium axe would probably work better. To be honest, the bushcraft knife's top strengths are making deadfall traps, making camp shelters and furniture and shaving tinder and kindling out of larger wood. The other tasks like larger batoning are not ideal and are just things it CAN do if there is nothing else on hand. A lot of the conventional bushcraft knives have a rather thin scandi edge that does not do well on hardwoods. I live in Arizona, so the small brush is usually desert ironwood and tears the hell out of a 13 degree Mora knife. For hardwood forests, you need to add a microbevel to the scandi, or use a convex grind ending in about 20 degrees per side or a full flat grind at about 20 degrees. The 13 degree Moras and similar knives do great in softwood forests. So to build your minimum kit, you can make a good one with a knife and a few larger things. Or a big knife, a tomahawk and maybe some larger things, but then it could be hard to make deadfall triggers. Some people are trying to make a minimum weight kit for a week or two of hiking and camping. Some are setting up for long term survival at one base camp and need heavy long term tools. I've heard about special forces teams going out for a week with just a tomahawk, so they learn how to make it do everything.

[@scottbutler1561]

Demo your fire-making skills with wet wood in 35-degree rain, and I may consider your opinion.

[@TheRevoltingMan]

Watch the next video in the series. I soak the wood with a hose.

[@CrimsonSurvival]

Just use matches… Or a damn lighter… There’s your fire making skills…

[@tristansimmons510]

For bushcraft I don’t even use a big a knife, yes I have one but it’s easier to do my crafts with my knife, I find it harder to make my a Paiute deadfalls with a tomahawk, or for that matter a Mojave’s scissor snare. And I find it that more people use smaller knives for bushcraft rather than big knifes.

[@joeygutierrez5311]

Waste of time. Dude is just ranting. No explanation at all of any kind. How do you fit it in stove if it's 3ft long? All rage no logic.

[@TheRevoltingMan]

What are you blithering about?

[@jim-bob-outdoors]

All depends on your environment. Good luck finding dry wood for a fire on the floor for 6 months of the year here in the UK. I only use a saw or baton stuff if needed, but sometimes you have no option to get a fire going if its very wet.

[@TheRevoltingMan]

I would still suggest that an axe of some kind is the tool better suited to the task.

[@jim-bob-outdoors]

@@TheRevoltingMan I have one, but only need it for shelter builds etc. Most of the time I dont even take it with me. 😁

[@Trac3r.]

I completely agree with everything you said I got an auger in my kit for rockets and I’m looking to really learn outdoor builds I’m a good 23 years into all the standard shelters and make easier ones exp wise and I’m ready for big builds now haha covid made me realise I have a passion for out there and a lot to remember and re learn again cos it’s sensible and how it’s done brush ups etc so auger and pegs to join big downs I am going to need for the force to drive the pegs through though your thoughts?

[@TheRevoltingMan]

I hadn’t thought about an auger. It would be a useful thing.

[@Trac3r.]

@@TheRevoltingMan oh god yeah man it really is I’m in the UK so we don’t get as bad winds but we do get bad weather in general like terrible haha and it’s not heavy enough to to really worry about and don’t get one with a hole and make a stick like you I do things simple get the triangle or hex head ones and get a decent auger and a Rachet and a tough socket you’ll save the stick for firewood and a good ratchet won’t break my roll wrap is packed but still light :) and two logs at the apex of a semi solid structure to have as say a camping home ish more than a shelter straight through get that stick and tap it with the baton till you pegged in both saw off the end and wedge in the middle of the stick :) wedges are important

[@anthonykennedy6758]

I’m sorry my friend but you have no idea what I can do with a silky saw and a bushcraft knife... tomahawks are for hanging on a wall...

[@TheRevoltingMan]

I bet I know exactly what you can do with a saw and a knife, and I bet it’s far less than you think you can do. And my tomahawk is hanging on the wall during those rare periods I’m not using it.

[@aswagmanstale5278]

So batoning isn't worth while in wet conditions when you're working with marginal tinder and are in need of 'fuel' that isn't totally saturated. Hmm.....

[@chiefredbird7315]

i solved your issue! i have both! love knifes all kinds plus a ax is a great tool. good video.

[@TheRevoltingMan]

Thank you!

[@aboutmyfathersbusiness6907]

About time someone made a common sense video that you don't need to baton to start a fire, I've made plenty fires never use my knife once, I'm damn sure not about to damage it doing no batoning. I'll just get a small ax if I wanted to do that

[@mybestlifeoutdoors7077]

I'm on both sides of this fence as far as Bushcraft knife/small axe. I carry a fixed blade every day. I don't carry an axe or tomahawk every day except in my vehicle

[@fanman8102]

OK, I see where you’re going. The idea of a bushcraft knife is not only to be able to start a fire but also create camp tools from wood or bark. You baton wood so you can create shavings to use as tinder if you can’t find standing dead wood or dry material to make a bird’s nest with. So the test for a good bushcraft knife is batoning and making curls or shavings. You won’t be able to make fire using primitive methods with the stick you picked up off the ground because any wood touching the ground absorbs moisture. Also you’re comparing a tomahawk to survival knifes not a bushcraft knife. The blade of a bushcraft knife shouldn’t be longer than four inches. It’s more like the old trappers patch knife. Whether or not you baton with your knife, use a large bladed knife or tomahawk is personal preference. Finally, never bring a knife to a gun fight. If you going for a blade of any type, you’re f****d! It’s kinda like being a 50th degree black belt. I don’t care, I’m just going to shoot you!

[@TheRevoltingMan]

I am very skeptical of this idea that “ground” wood is all wet and unuseable and rotten. It’s not. We frequently cook over wood we just scavenge out of the woods. But why can’t this floating wood that’s not touching the ground not be cut with an axe?

[@fanman8102]

Hippy Dippy - maybe, to both. Knife abuse? Depends on what kind of knife you have. Knifes being better up close depends on which person is better trained. Just having a bladed weapon doesn’t make a person better skilled just like owning a pistol doesn’t make a person a gunfighter.

[@fanman8102]

The Revolting Man - please note that I said fire starting using primitive methods. If a person is in a survival situation or enjoys learning and using primitive skills, choosing a piece of wood laying on the ground reduces your chance of starting a fire because wood absorbs water. And you can use a hatchet or tomahawk or camp axe or large knife but you should also have a “bushcraft” knife for smaller chores. I prefer Moras and batoning with a Mora is not a good idea. It’s a personal choice which you choose to carry with your knife. It’s kinda like the saying “cotton kills” so you must wear wool. That’s true if you live in cold areas. If you live in the desert, the jungle or where you and I live it’s utterly ridiculous. It never gets that cold here. If yo really want to go old school then you should carry a tomahawk and an Old Hickory butchers knife. That more resembles what the long hunters and mountain men carried than these new “bushcraft” knifes.

[@fanman8102]

The Revolting Man - BTW I stopped listening to Nut-N-Fancy when he said no one should consider a nine pound rifle for use cause they’re too heavy. Pounds equal pain and all that. But if you’re a pilot then you’ve never experienced humping an M60 or extra ammo and batteries, or a base plate, etc. If someone is relying on him to make their decision on what they should carry they’re sucking hind tit, IMO.

[@fanman8102]

Hippy Dippy - you make a good point and I agree with you. Why not collect tinder and keep it dry, which is what I prefer. I can baton but I think it’s an overrated skill although people do baton when doing a knife review because a weak blade will break. Still it’s not an important skill in the SouthEast where I live.

[@galuyasdi]

I'm 65. I've spent a lot of time in the wilderness from Vietnam, the southern deserts, the pacific northwest, Alaska, the Carolinas and Midwest. I have never once had to baton any wood for anything in that time. Maybe it is because I'm prepared or just know what I'm doing. Typically I carry an 11" bowie and a 9" in the back country, a 7"-8" in a sheath that is part of my britches on the right leg, and a pocket knife (5" blade). No, that's not a lot. I been through Vietnam and a lot of other stuff and I will not be without. I usually take a Gerber Mk2 in my sleeping bag. Best little knife (6⁷/⁸") there is. I had to leave my first one in Vietnam. The one I have now is the same year of manufacture. So, I couldn't agree with you more. Besides, my children & grandchildren will be using them when I am no more. Spend all the money you want. I will spend once.

[@joeyjones9041]

Look at Dave Canterburys 5 tool rule video or discussing tool options through time video. I think you should see more of his videos before judging him a fool. I think you would realize that you have more in common with him than you think.

[@eddiebennetto4613]

Let's all take advice on preparedness from a guy that doesn't have enough foresight to put his socks on before making a video 🤣

[@TheRevoltingMan]

Lol, nice.

[@withoutcontext7953]

The problem is most companies try to make their knives all-in-1 products. And I believe batonning has its uses. As it's recommended to only use as a last ditch effort to process wood. So I would agree , batonning is something I would avoid doing if I don't have to.

[@enzowarren9832]

Objectively speaking, you don’t seem to know what a “bushcraft” knife actually is. The knives you show here are a mix of survival/combat knives and a machete, which you proceed to call the “closest representation” of a bushcraft knife. That is more than a stretch; it’s an outright lie. You also said that bushcraft knives “are crocodile dundee knives” which is equally false. Bushcraft knives tend to be relatively thin and short, with usually a 0.08”-0.12” blade thickness and a blade length around 4” or so. They also tend to not have much of a finger guard, which makes them terrible for fighting purposes, contrary to one of your statements. They are designed for general utility tasks and wood carving. Just so you can familiarize yourself with bushcraft knives, I’d suggest looking at pictures of a Mora Companion, Condor Bushlore, Adventure Sworn Classic, and Ray Mears Woodlore. Those are all good representations of what the trendy “bushcraft” knife is supposed to be. I really don’t know why you’d choose to make a video on a subject without first understanding even the most basic aspects of it.

[@TheRevoltingMan]

This again, you sir are not in the majority among so called “bush-crafters”.

[@brianjauch9958]

If a person had to baton let's say, making fire with wet wood what do you think about using knives like TOPS or ESEE which are made for that work?

[@TheRevoltingMan]

I just don’t think it’s ever necessary to baton.

[@Wopayne]

I don't get 'batoning' either. Just collect finger size sticks or pine cones for fires. Take three iron spikes with fender washers on 'em and a 3 foot 'swing set' chain to rig a plow point tent. A small knife, even a paring knife for getting supper together. I like Army duffle bags. It will double as a half sleep bag and carry your minimal stuff! That being said, what you WEAR is most important in the bush. Dress for the worst case. Wear oversize stuff. Make sure it has nice pockets. 50+ years of experience.

[@adamwright4969]

I agree hundred percent. Most of these Bushcraft folks that do the batoning, are making nice perfect pieces of firewood and then they are using that to power the fire fore their outdoor cooking show where they makeca gourmet meal. Aint no real camping. What happened to the guys like me that went camping and carried a hatchet and a buck knife and opened a can of beans with it.

[@igit_7296]

I learned about bushcraft from watching Virtuavoce’s KZbin channel. He’s a knife and bushcraft expert. I thought bushcraft was mostly about making feather sticks with special feather bushcraft knives and learning how to make fires so you can cook.

[@lancecorporalveteran0621]

I always carried 3 blades when hiking Hatchet, K-BAR, AND heavy duty pocket knife or multi-tool Never saw the reason for batoning wood with my knife If I need to split wood I use my hatchet. Saws are to me more for precise cuts and only useful long term if you have the proper sharpening tools

[@oevr37]

As an educated cityperson I think it makes sense to have a more beefy knife to process firewood to make kindling and baton to make simple wooden tools and items. Mainly because I prefer a good saw over an axe. A saw is lighter and makes straight cuts and with a good bucksaw I would easily beat you felling this 20minute tree. If you don't have an axe on you, because you find it too heavy, a beefy knife will be the next best thing to do the most essential splitting along the grain to make kindling, spatulas, whatever. Doesn't mean I spend hours and hours processing firewood with a knife. To me it makes more sense than going out in the woods with a tomahawk 'to make a palisade'. There's a way to waste calories and time. I'd rather make some kindling for the fire I am going to sit by and cook on, make sure it burns well and isn't a rotting branch you rake out of the leaf litter. Good luck sitting in the smoke trying to get it going XD. Sure thing, if you prefer a tomahawk and always have one on you, it does not add a lot to have a beefy knife. But I actually own the same Glock knife you have in the video and it served me very well. And the fact that it is designed partially by special forces of the Austrian army says a lot about its usefullness.

[@TheRevoltingMan]

You’re crazy if you think you can beat me felling a tree with a buck saw.

[@oevr37]

@@TheRevoltingMan You said 20 minutes, didn't you?

[@TheRevoltingMan]

I’m not sure to be honest. A hand saw takes a lot of time to fell a tree though.

[@oevr37]

@@TheRevoltingMan It would be an interesting challenge. I am going to watch a video of yours about felling a tree with an axe now, if you have one.

[@vinniesdayoff3968]

@@TheRevoltingMan Actually an ordinary bahco carpenters saw will take down quite a decent tree quickly and easily

[@beeamerica5024]

My Buck has a 7 and 1/2 inch blade. Jim Bowie

[@ColinNew-pf5ix]

Why I think you may have missed the point of the use of quality fixed blade knife for survival: 1/. Survival is about just getting home safe and alive - bushcraft is something very different. Survival is probably only 48 hours maximum. So it's not about building structures to chop down trees; especially living trees. 2/. The purpose for batoning is obviously to access the dry wood if it's been raining for many days and everything is saturated. 3/. To have dry wood which has square/sharp edges is ideal, as the flame takes to it faster than round twigs, branches. In difficult weather conditions this can make a huge difference. Hence why batoning is excellent. 4/. A sharp knife with a Scandi grind can produce feather sticks. I take your point by having a folding knife in your pocket - but the point is about only having one knife to do all. 5/. Most survival situations are where hikers get lost on the trail, or wonder off from camp without your kit. And if they were to have even a lightweight Mora knife, as opposed to just a folding knife they would be in a far better position .....if all the dead wood is wet in the forest. I hope this allows you to see the point about an UNPLANNED situation. Most people just are not going to carry a hatchet/axe on a hike, especially in their pocket, on their belt.