Nothing is more annoying to me than trying to find a YOUTUBE review of a trail knife only to find tabletop videos shot indoors discussing the blade's specifications and what the knife could and/or should be capable of. I suspect these people will never get into the out-of-doors and test the blade against mud, rain, and hacking through hardwoods to make kindling for a fire. Blades are tools and as ...such were intended to be used.
The other thing that grates me is "knife snobbery"...extolling the virtues of some custom, handmade, or high-end knife, but again, never actually stepping outdoors to woods-test it's serviceability. You know these folk when they hand over their blade with pride for your inspection and you find no scratches, wear, or dents upon it.
Last weekend I twisted the blade of the large Bowie shown here in a piece of hardwood, causing a dent in the hollow-ground blade. It will remain there, for it is a badge of hard use and a tangible reminder of a great outing with good friends.
I recall having once seen a video by Ron Hood [Survival.com] in which he was batoning a piece of hardwood to make a sun compass using a clearly well-used Randall knife ...a $500.00 hand-forged blade with a 5-year wait for delivery. Now THAT I ADMIRE!
I have huge respect for the serious individual with poor kit [inexpensive gear] who actually sets foot to trail and goes,and none for the armchair adventurer with the best high-end gear who only speaks of what they might do, could do, want to do, or intend to do...AND NEVER DO.
I think Theodore Roosevelt said it best: "It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed."
© 2013, MANNY SILVA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
© 2013, MANNY SILVA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
No comments:
Post a Comment