Knives

Expensive to cheap

Knives are an often underestimated tool. From a cheap pocket folder to a custom fixed blade, they can all be a potential lifesaver.

Just like firearms, there is a knife for every purpose. From a machete to a scalple, the outdoorsman has a use for them all too. Here are some knives I perfer.

Marble's Woodcraft:

Webster Marble designed many knives, but the one most folks associate with him is his Woodcraft pattern. The woodcraft has a 4 1/2 inch blade and comes with a leather stack handle which Mr. Marble designed, or with any choice of exotic horn or wood handles. The design has a spot for the thumb on the back of the blade for doing precise work, or for striking matches in wet weather.

The marbles woodcraft is made from a 10 series carbon steel. It has a convex edge. The edge comes very sharp, but when it gets dull whetting it on a stone will make it a standard edge eventually. It isn't a big deal to me. This knife makes the perfect hunting knife. Chores like gutting and skinning large game are easily done. The blade is rugged enough to perform camp chores like push-splitting light kindling and cutting rope too. It comes in a heavy leather sheath. They sell for around $80, depending on the handle material.

Tomahawk No 1 Linerlock Folder:

Tomahawk knives are very inexpensive. I believe this folder cost me a total of $5. It is made from 420 stainless steel. 420 is very stain resistant, but not as good at holding edges as most other steels. It is sort of a tactical folder type knife.

The Tomahawk comes with a belt clip and thumb stud for pocket cary and fast opening. This makes it a reasonable choice for a self defense knife. The blade is a flowing clip point which makes for a good utility blade too. I prefer to keep the knife clipped to the inside of my front right pocket. It is inconspicuous and fast to depoly, and more comfortable than sitting on it. Over all, If you don't abuse this knife very much you will get plenty of years out of it.

OSS Spike Sleeve Knife:

Back in WWII the Office of Strategic Services divised several small knives for their operatives to conceal on themselves when behind enemy lines. One of them was this vicious triangular shaped spike dagger. The original daggers were slightly longer than the modern reproductions, but they are all very deadly.

Modern versions are marked FURY 6009 on the handle. They are now made in china. For a long time you could purchase a single dagger in a nylon forearm sheath. Now it seems that you can only purchase them in pairs.

This icepick type weapon is virtually useless for slashing. The triangular shaped would it creates is very nasty. It causes blood to flow freely and is very hard for a doctor to close. This is by no means a utility knife. There may be laws against carrying or concealing such knives in some places. For poking an attacker it would be very good though. If you just appreciate neat stuff from a bygone era this is a nifty wall hanger. It isn't as authentic looking as it could be, but it is still a brutally functional self defense tool.

Marble's Bird and Trout Knife:

Webster Marble came up with this slick little blade almost a century ago. It is made of stainless steel and now comes in a neck sheath. For a while United was making a bastardised copy of this knife both in plain and serrated edges, for what purpose I don't know.

What this knife was designed for is game preparation. Filleting a fish or boning out a grouse breast are easily done with such a fine delicate knife. The neck sheath currently supplied with this knife might make it also acceptable for a last ditch self defense knife. The retail price of thse knives is around $20.

Marble's Trailmaker:

Webster Marble was a prolific designer and inventor. He came up with many hatchets, axes, and this big beefy camp chore knife. Trailmakers come with a ten inch carbon steel blade. There are many handle options, stacked leather being one of the most popular. The trailmaker is built to chop through brush and kindling, while still holding a fine enough edge for more delicate work. The trailmaker sells for around $120. It is a big investment, but you do get what you pay for.