Budget Kukri - ELK RIDGE ER-510

I'm still here! Been working full-time throughout the Pandemic, but mostly been busy over on my YOUTUBE channel and FACEBOOK pages. Thought perhaps I should circle back here and at least add something now and again and keep the blog alive. Of course, this page being dedicated to blades, bushcraft, and woods-running,  I am always interested in budget knives.

I suspect that a lot of folks who aren't interested in high-end knives or simply don't care tend toward these values-priced offerings. Or, they may simply need *something* to accomplish a task and choose the first thing they see at their favorite discount store.  Either way, I find it enjoyable and interesting to push these knives and see how they perform against the higher priced cousins.

A few days ago I was perusing the knife counter at BIG 5 [my favorite discount store] and spied this ELK RIDGE ER-510, which they bill as a "Combat Tactical" knife. 

I cannot make my mind up - is the pattern a Bolo or a Kukri? My vote goes to a Bolo. . . although I have seen it referred to as a Kukri, so we'll go with that, lol!

The ER-510 was tagged as regularly priced $32.99, but I picked it up with a BIG 5 coupon for just $9.99 + tax. . .a HUGE savings. And frankly, a much more realistic price for the money. Of course, I won't buy a knife I won't use, so I decided to get outside and put it through some carving tasks. But first, let's look at the knife's nomenclature in this video I shot.

So, I wandered off the home range and slipped into my favorite woods hidey-hole to test out this Bolo. . .er. . .Kukri. Using the ER-510, I harvested some Arroyo Willow to use for a Try Stick. It chopped with an astoundingly clean cut for a factory edge and completely surprised me. I can say with confidence, the ER-510 is an incredible chopping too. In this next video, I display some carving it performed.

I am quite sure this is the largest knife I have ever used to do fine carving tasks, and it was an interesting process. I had considered Alan Kay's use of a Kukri in the first season of the History channel series, "A L O N E", and how he had expertly used that big CONDOR Kukri to do all of his camp tasks. After an hour I found it had made my hands very tired and achy, but it was great fun to work with.

The ER-510 blade has many surfaces to use: A fine point for drilling and detail work, a broad belly for troughing, a narrow waist for spoke-shave type cuts or choking up to perform push cuts. As well the blade can be turned sideways to hammer something, such as a tent stake into the ground. As seen in the video, I managed to carve a nice Try Stick. I had a feeling Mors Kochanski might be looking down, grinning and shaking his head with amusement.

In conclusion, here are some thoughts and opinions I reached about the ER-510:

The ER-510 large Kukri knife would not be my personal first choice for a general-use bushcraft knife. It is however, an excellent chopping tool for felling saplings or harvesting other material for camp projects. I do think it would be an acceptable substitute to an axe in environments other than hardwoods, and could be carried on a pack.

The Patron Saint of bushcrafters, Nessmuk, had suggested over a century ago that the proper woods trio was an axe, a sheath knife, and a pocket folder. I believe the Kukri could fill in the axe portion of that trio, and back up a good MORA Companion and perhaps a good pocket folder for the even smaller tasks. 

So in the stepped woods tool arrangement, ER-510 Kukri would do the heavy lifting. I will also say I do think it good to practice and develop skills with all sizes and patterns of knives should need arise, such as losing your primary bushcraft knife and having no option but to use the kukri for smaller jobs. 

BTW - if you are interested in reading Nessmuk's woods tips and advice, you can find it for free on the Project Gutenberg at Woodcraft & Camping by Nessmuk.

Anyhow, that's enough for today. Thanks for stopping by stay happy & healthy, and get outdoors!

GOBLIN RANGER

[Bushcraft Woods Devil]

ESEE "Zancudo" pocket knife; an excellent EDC folder choice

Just a quick review of the RANDALLS ADVENTURE/ESEE KNIVES "Zancudo" pocket knife.

This is a very light pocket knife [about 3.3 oz] with 3" Drop-point blade, 4" closed, and O/A length of 7". They are available in both AUS-8 and D2 steel and a variety of handle scale color options.is a manually-opened [thumb stud] liner lock knife. The pocket clip can be reversed for tip-up or tip-down carry, but is only set up for right hand carry. The pocket clip side is bare steel, opposite side has a colored G-10 scale:

The spine measures 3/32" thick, and the edge is very fine. It is razor sharp and only the second knife I have that came "hair popping sharp [COLD STEEL Voyager being the other]. I personally regard this as a cutting tool only and I would be very concerned about chipping the edge were I to try to say, pry or pop chips from a Try Stick or similar wood carving project. I think it would be fine in camp for cutting-only tasks.

Better still, I see this as an excellent choice for an urban EDC carry pocket folder. The 3" blade [2.75" actual cutting edge] makes it lawful for carry in many jurisdictions, 3" seeming to be a standard for maximum permitted blade length [of course check your own state/local ordinances before carry].

HAPPY HIKING!

Goblin Ranger

[Bushcraft Woods Devil]

"Bushcraft Kubaton"

Well, 2020 has certainly been a nasty year so far. I have managed to do a few local hikes and day outings which you can find on my YOUTUBE channel but the COVID 19 has certainly inhibited travel or adventuring outside of my home county. We have had a bit of re-opening in the past week, so maybe things will get better. Wife and I are already talking about possible outings for next year.

Over these past 7 months or so I've run into some mean people and seen some near fistfights over persons failing to wear the facemask in public places.  Add to that we are in the midst of a very tense and contentious election season and the potential for a self-defense situation becomes a potentiality. Of course, situational awareness and avoidance should always be our first defense, but one should know how to defend if necessary. 

I like to think of personal safety preparation/response in these terms, "DO NO HARM [avoidance/don't provoke a confrontation], DO KNOW HARM [[know First Aid/Stop the Bleed], DO KNOW HOW TO HARM [Defend - Speed, Surprise - Violence of Action]."

I did a hike a few days ago and harvested a branch that had been pruned by Park staff. Pondering on it, I thought to make a field-expedient "Kubaton". What is a Kubaton you ask? Well, essentially, it is a little self defense tool used for impact strikes and pressure point applications. It takes it's name from the inventor, Sensei Takayuki Kubota, who developed it in the 1970's for the Los Angeles Police Department's use. The "Kubotan" as it was called, was constructed of a tough polycarbonate plastic, but is also made in aircraft-grade aluminum as well, and is lawful to possess in California.

The history of the Kubotan is far older than the 1970's however. The Japanese Samurai carried a similar device called a Yawara during the feudal era, and were masterful at applying joint locks and control holds with it.. Filipino combatants have long carried a version called a Dulo-Dulo,  sometimes fashioned from attractive Buffalo Horn. 

But we are talking about survival skills here so, In a pinch, the ability to craft a simple, functional pocket stick can be fashioned from a piece of branch, preferably a hardwood, might be a useful skill. Lacking a knife, one could be manufactured with a sharp-edged rock and a coarse stone to sand the roughed out shape into a smooth finish. Thus, a means of delivering a focused and painful strike that would be more difficult to deliver with the bare hand.

In this video, I display a "Bushcraft Kubaton" made from a harvested branch while on a leisurely hike. This is a fun way to spend an afternoon. Challenge your bushcrafting friends or survival students to craft a pocket stick, then partner up to practice strikes and pressure point applications. There are many books and video's available for instruction if you cannot find a skilled instructor.

Happy Hiking!

GOBLIN RANGER

[Bushcraft Woods Devil]

Frontier Shuriken

Ask someone what a "Shuriken" is and most likely they will describe the classic "Throwing Stars" seen on the old TV series "Kung Fu" and countless Ninja movies. Thrown with unerring accuracy, skilled Ninja's often made head shots with their throwing stars, sinking them deep into an opponents skull. And while it is true Ninja used Shuriken, it should be noted they were mostly used by Samurai soldiers on the battlefield.

Shu-ri-ken, Japanese for, "Hidden Hand Blade", were a tactical tool used by Samurai to distract or misdirect an opponent. Not at all intended as a primary weapon, these little tools were used to be thrown at the face and eyes of an enemy combatant to cause them to look away and thus present an opening to be exploited. They could also be held in the hand and used as a contact distance combative aid for delivering strikes and jabs to vulnerable targets. 

Shu-ri-ken were produced in various shapes and sizes, one being the "Bo" Shu-ri-ken, Bo meaning stick. A reference to it's shape, the Bo shu-ri-ken was likely formed from a large nail or spike. It was held in the palm, blunt end against the palm heel and fingers straight trapping and guiding it for a no-spin throw.

In the 2003 action film, THE HUNTED, there is a scene in the end battle between actors Benicio Del Toro and Tommy Lee Jones involving a primitive form of a Bo shu-ri-ken. Del Toro draws a wooden stick with both ends sharpened. The stick is lashed to his calf by means of primitive cordage. He throws the stick at Tommy Lee Jones who narrowly dodges and avoids it. Nonetheless, the attack does rattle Jones and add to his stress and need to be cautious.

It is worth noting that renown survival instructor Tom Brown Jr. [trackerschool.com] was a technical advisor for the film and his training staff crafted the knapped chert knives used in the film. Del Toro relies on a knife fashioned after a model designed by Tom Brown Jr.

Lest you think such weapons are exclusive to Japan, note that primitive throwing weapons and tools are nothing new. Most of the world's aboriginal peoples have used such tools at one time or another. The Australian boomerang and the North American Rabbit Stick and Apache Star come to mind. Lacking a knife, such tools can be formed by using a chipped sharp micro-crystalline stone as a cutting tool and sanding the weapon smooth against a cobble from a creek.

As well, small palm sticks for use as impact weapons in close quarters combatives have been around quite awhile as well. Kubaton's, Koga sticks, and tactical pens are modern derivatives of the traditional Filipino Dulo-Dulo or Palm Stick, and the Samurai's Yawara pocket stick. Directed against sensitive, vulnerable targets they can deliver pain, great injury, even death to vital areas such as spine, groin, temple, throat, and eye socket. Of course, such use would only be permissible were one defending themselves against great bodily injury or death.

As I was testing some new knives I had received for Christmas to judge their efficacy as carving tools, I decided to craft some of these primitive throwers and practice this skill. Using some pieces of pruned branches I had harvested, I carved some throwers 12" in length and about 3/4" in diameter. I would recommend this length because they will quickly become dulled and the points need be re-sharpened. Possibly you could fire-harden the points or even coat them with Pine resin to prevent splitting and toughen them. I would also recommend the points be carved concave so the soft pith center does not form the point

As I see it, these primitive throwers would be a useful tool for defensive purposes as a "Last Ditch" weapon for persons who have been disarmed or are lacking a weapon and are in a SERE [Survive Escape resist Evade] situation, such as military personnel or civilians fleeing kidnappers/hostage takers.

If you'd care to try this. begin by carving a thrower as I have described. A discarded pizza box makes a good target to throw against. If you decided to train with it as an impact weapon, blunt/round the ends and then carefully and slowly practice strikes with a training partner. your focus should be on building muscle memory and precision, not speed. Be sure to use padded clothing, gloves, and eye and head protective gear to avoid injury.

Happy Hiking!

GOBLIN RANGER

[Bushcraft Woods Devil]  

Merry Christmas 2019! Lets talk about slipjoint pocket knives!

Merry Christmas 2019 my friends! I send my kind regards and sincere holiday wishes to all of you and your families. 

Below you will find a video, in which I show some of my classic slip joint pocketknives. These were the pocketknives of our fathers and grandfathers and many will have fond memories of them being used by them, perhaps to slice and share an apple with us when we were young. 

In the past couple of decades, large tactical folders came to the fore and became de rigeur and these little folders became somewhat forgotten. I even see ladies with tactical folders clipped to a pocket, boot, or belt.

However, I do think that slip joints are making a comeback, as people discover their light weight, portability, and aesthetic qualities. Unlike a large tactical folder, these benign little tools may be more socially acceptable and less likely to draw complaints in a workplace or public setting. As well, many have sub-3" blades and are non-locking. Many jurisdictions prohibit locking blades and blades exceeding 3". Of course, always do your due diligence and review local laws and ordinances to ensure compliance.

They are very useful for small tasks, such as slicing fruit, opening packages, sharpening a pencil, and so on. Thus, they may be very well suited for EDC carry in less-permissive environments where a tac folder might raise alarm. 

Slip joints were used by the woodsmen of the "Golden Age of Camping [1890-1930], such as Nessmuk, Kephart, and even early car camper Henry Ford. Some patterns, such as the Moose, are a bit stouter and can perform camp chores and wood whittling and carving tasks.

I believe that one company has done much to restore these little knives to the public conscience, and that is Smoky Mountain Knife Works [SMKW.com]. They have models available from Schrade, Imperial, and Case that are priced for any budget. As well, they carry a line of traditional pocket knives manufactured in China under the name ROUGH RYDER [recent brand name change from ROUGH RIDER].  

In my estimation, ROUGH RYDER knives are well made, extremely inexpensive, and offer excellent quality at little cost. But more than that, their line is incredibly diverse in terms of materials and features, and are wonderfully attractive. I have one of their BACKWOODS BUSHCRAFTER Trapper pattern knives, and I could not be more pleased. It would have been right at home in a classic camp with wool blankets, a canvas shelter, candle lantern, and a Dutch oven warming over a wood campfire.

If you are interested in learning more about classic slip joint pocket knives I highly recommend that you visit TOBIAS GIBSON Channel on YOUTUBE. This gentleman has an amazing collection and his depth of knowledge of knives, patterns and history, is truly amazing.
I hope you will enjoy this video, and again, Happy Holidays!

Happy Hiking!

GOBLIN RANGER 
[Bushcraft Woods Devil]

COGHLAN'S Multi-Function Camp Knife...it's not bad for five dollars!

Hello my friends!  Sorry I have been gone so long! It has been a busy year thus far, and I've been busy with life and other projects. Anyhow, earlier today I was shopping at RITE-AID and decided to peruse the Sporting Goods/Camping section. I noticed that COGHLAN'S had changed the handles of their traditionally red-handled camp knife to a very attractive green color:

The green color was unique and new to me...kind of the same shade as the U.S. Park Service vehicles. I decided to pick one up and add it to my collection of camp knives: 

...and, since I had the knife in packaging, I decided to go ahead and do a quick tabletop review on it. 

Basically, the COGHLAN'S  Multi-Function Camp Knife is a Chinese-made copy of the classic Swiss Army Knife [SAK] pattern or "style". It is marketed by COGHLAN'S  LTD, a well known outdoor products based in Winnipeg, Canada [coghlans.com]. If you are not familiar with COGHLAN'S, they offer a large variety of camp gear items, usually at a budget price.

This camp pocket knife measures appx. 3.5" [91mm] closed with a blade length of 2-1/8" [55mm], for an open length of 6" [15.5 cm]. The knife's tools include:

1. Spearpoint blade
2. Can Opener
3. Phillips screwdriver
4. Corkscrew
5. Combo bottle cap lifter/slotted tip screwdriver.

As well, the plastic handle scales house a toothpick and tweezer. 

The blade has a typical factory grind sharpening...not spectacular, but adequate. The blade was almost certainly stamped out on a press and then passed a couple of times over a belt grinder to achieve a working edge. This knife blade is probably constructed from a low quality stainless steel. My experience has been that these knives will take a good sharpening but won't hold an edge.

Here is a video review I shot on this pocket knife:

The profile of the pocketknife is very slender, much more so than a VICTORINOX due to the lack of tools, and it carries very comfortably in the pocket. The backsprings are good and there is no side-to-side wobble or play when the blade or tools are deployed. 

My only criticism was that the toothpick was lodged too tight in the handle and had to be pried out. I discovered some sprue from molding in the toothpick channel. I scraped it smooth, and this allowed the toothpick to be easily withdrawn and replaced.

Personally, I enjoy collecting "knock-off" copies of Swiss Army Knives. It's fun to compare them, how they differ, and also to see if they can be made better by proper sharpening and tuning up the stamped/hastily made tools, such as squaring up those rounded screwdriver tips and putting an edge to those rounded-dull can opener blades.

Price of this pocket knife as of this moment is about $4.59 USD at RITE-AID. As I see it, this little knife offers utility for the person on a budget who perhaps wants to have a pocketknife for trail and camp but cannot afford to spend more.  I also see it as having usefulness as a light EDC pocket carry folder which won't arouse concerns if observed, such as paring an apple at the office. SAK's are sold and recognized globally...there are very few people do not know what a "Swiss Army knife' is. 

I also think this would make a fine starter pocket knife for a youngster such as a Boy or Girl Scout who is just learning knife handling skills. At that price point if it becomes damaged/lost it is of no great loss, versus a better quality pocketknife.

Happy Hiking!

GOBLIN RANGER
[Bushcraft Woods Devil]

Mini-Bushbuddy Coffee...With thanks to BUSHCRAFT MY WAY Channel

Sometime back, I came across an excellent tutorial video entitled "Bushcraft tips & tricks: The modified tea-light candle (the mini-bushbuddy )... my way!" [link below].

The video was produced and shared my a bushcrafter in Romania, and details how to make an excellent tool for heating a cup of water using only a common tea-light candle.

We've been having quite a bit of rain here on the central California coast, so last night I crafted a few of these.

I decided to make a cup of coffee this morning, so I used one to heat water in my canteen cup, using the DOLLAR TREE paper clip cup as my cup-stand.

The results were outstanding. I achieved a rolling boil on over 1 cup of water in just under 6 minutes. Of course, it was assisted by a wind-sheltered location and the burner was placed very close to the bottom of the cup so heat transfer was very good.

Regardless, I think this is an excellent and low-cost means to boiling water or heating a soup or any cup-based meal or beverage on the trail. 

The mini-bushbuddy is really easy to craft and all that is required is your time, some corrugated cardboard, and inexpensive tea candles. In this case, I used DOLLAR TREE tea candles. 

If you are interested, here is the link to the BUSHCRAFTMY WAY instructional video I mentioned  "Bushcraft tips & tricks: The modified tea-light candle (the mini-bushbuddy )... my way!" 


Happy Hiking!

GOBLIN RANGER
[Bushcraft Woods Devil]