Some people have recommended a hatchet to pair with this knife. Either one would be appreciated but I have to agree, I think the Silky saw would be my first choice. 😀
The trick to lighting a feather stick is to cut very thin feathers and cut a lot of them. Then try to hit the feathers with a lot of sparks from the ferro rod. You may have to practice feather sticking a good bit before it becomes easy.
I am considering getting the Victorinox Venture Pro, everything it can have. I like watching your video, it seems both you and me are learning. Never say Never, so I personally like your safety. You putting your knife back in your sheath, then the next step. It seems that is something I need to work on. When going accross the grain with the size of logs you have, you could have batoned a V notch around the log till you feel it is ready to break all the way through. 🙃 I do bring an axe, but I do need to self teach, what do I do if it gets lost or left behind for what ever reason. Thanks for the video.
People here are giving you a lot of advice, mostly well intentioned, but sometimes nit-picking. I get it you are trying things, testing this knifes capabilities, practicing and learning through trial and error while having fun and getting some exercise, good on you. May I suggest in a future video you make a batoning stick with a thinner handle section (but not too thin). It's a fun, easy project in itself and you may have done so already by now. I would also recommend getting a nice size level log for a chopping block. At my age just watching you work like that gives me a sore back. 😁 When I started batoning I learnt on a longer stouter knife. You get more knife real estate to hit and the thicker blade is a better wedge. I use a Cold Steel Trail Master these days just FYI. But I get it, you are testing and showing this blades capabilities and getting a feel for it. Cheers.
Thanks! Those are all good suggestions. It turns out that making videos demonstrating a knife is much more difficult than making fountain pen videos, especially without a dedicated camera person. My camera person is away at school most of the time these days. Thanks again for the suggestions. I'm enjoying getting outside more lately. 😀
Hey Cathy, thanks for posting these. You don’t get it perfect the first time but you learn the most! Is the outdoor channel with the lady called Survival Lily? I’ve seen some of her videos too. She’s great!
No better way to learn than by your own experience. Failure is your friend and going back to try to figure out how to improve…👏. Oak is not a feather stick friendly wood but I see your point, practicing with a difficult wood will make you appreciate softer stuff. Best of luck on your learning path.
nice to see how novice approach to knife use in bush crafting, realizing that this knife is not suitable for bush crafting. yes, you can manipulate it to do the tsk at hand but there are way better and cheaper option out there that will make your life easier in the field. thank you for the nice video. also recommend using gloves.
if you cut those branches in to smaller pieces to batten them it would make it easier to spit and if you wanted to use those wedges make more lay the limb on the ground and jam them in the exposed crack you made intel it spilt this knife looked nice it didn't look like it feather stick to well i do love saks knives i have a few of them for edc if you want a real good bush craft knife i have used for years the morakniv 511 or companion heavy duty knives or the mora robust or the Marttiini Condor Timberjack or the condor basic bushcraft 6 great video miss enjoyed it much
17:21 Batoning a log laterally. Sorry, I forgot to mention this. That is something I suggest you NEVER do, EVER! That is what a saw is for! Lateral chopping/cutting/batoning is one of the worst uses of a knife. A knife is a contact tool (ie for cutting, slicing etc). It is NOT an IMPACT tool, as it is not designed to do that, especially not such a small knife. If you had a Large knife (like a Becker BK9, or Cold Steel Trail Master, or an ESEE Junglas II, etc) then it can be used that way in an emergency, but it is just so much easier to carry and use a good folding saw specifically designed for cross-cutting wood (eg a Silky Gomboy). I hope this helps.
I'm a little late to the party. You do not use a knife to chop wood; as you've discovered. A saw (there are many forms, even for bushcraft) Kathy. You most certainly can use one to batton (as you were at 4:55) going with the grain, not against it. The reason why this was so difficult is that the piece you were battoning was too long - saw it first. With a good strke to the spine (the back of the blade) it is often, but not always, enough to split it. Note for battoning, you should ensure your blade is a full tang; that is that it runs the length of the handle; if not, you'll break the handle. It's lovely to see someone practice bushcraft and that is what it is, practice. Books and videos ere great but nothing beats practicing. The more we do something, the better we become. PS. Wear gloves, I was worried for your fingers on more than one occasion.
😂 I found your video to be very entertaining. Let me state that I have carried a Swiss army knife since I was a child. And I am now 70 years old. I have found the Swiss army knife to be an excellent knife. But as a multi-purpose tool, it is only marginal.
Thank you Keith! I would agree with your assessment. The jobs I do around the house are usually pretty lightweight and my Swiss Army Knifes are suitable for those types of tasks, making them some of my most prized tools. 😀
14:40 Some ideas that might help: firstly your wedge needs to be MUCH thicker, and shorter, to give it strength. Then, the log you're splitting is too long (best length is fingertip to elbow) - more manageable. Also, make yourself a decent baton before you start, with a handle comfortable to your hand. I'd suggest a bit more work on your batoning technique around the basics. 15:24 Ask yourself the question - "Why am I splitting this log?" If it is for featherticks, then why such a knotty log? Why do you need feathersticks? Also, the log needs to be knot-free. Making feathersticks IS a difficult skill to master, and you need to get the basics right, including the right kind of wood, its condition, and correct length. It needs a HUGE amount of practice. Making feathersticks is in fact a last ditch desperation application when ALL else has failed and it's the only way to find some dry material to start a fire. If the wood is for fire-making, why split it further? It's pretty thin anyway. Why can't you find smaller sticks/branches of the right size? It's a lot of work and unnecessary if there is an abundant source all around you. Lastly, remember the Venture is a BUSHCRAFTING knife, NOT a survival knife. If I could offer a suggestion: look up a bloke named Felix Immler, who is employed by Victorinox in various capacities, one of which is teaching BUSHCRAFT skills. He has a UA-cam channel and has written several books. I urge you to read what he says, and demonstrates. He was in fact the leader of the design team that designed your Venture, and he has huge credibility in the field. Good luck with your new Victorinox Venture! I hope to be obtaining one as soon as they become available again here in the UK. Currently sold out! Cheers!
Thanks for the advice, Dennis! You've provided me with some good information. I'm familiar with Felix. I found out about the Venture by watching his UA-cam channel, and recently he's been teaching techniques specifically tailored to this knife. His channel has been a valuable resource.
Fair enough in an thg shit scenairo you could chop wood, but for me your just going to have a dull or broken knife fast. More importantly consumed calories you may not be able to replace... small Axe or silky saw and look for smaller twigs etc. Pick dry stick if possible, pine or softwood is easier to feather! Hardwood great for burning or handles. The grey matter in a shgth scenairo is your best tool so use that even more. Keep it up , this had me sweating watching but your learning now rather then whe your life depends on it...metal pencil sharpener on twigs can make shavings too!
The designer of the knife said he didn't intend for it to be a survival knife. He's into bushcraft, which I guess is more of a hobby, but you've given me some good advice. Thanks! 😀
Nice video!! 😊👍🏼 Have you ever checked out the “Dutch Bushcraft Knives” channel? Those guys are great. They’ll show you some great ways to test stuff and you’ll laugh a lot while they’re doing it! They are also super duper knowledgeable about Bushcraft knives and survival knives! 😊
I've seen a few of their videos - ones where they were sitting at a table just talking about knives. I need to watch some of their actual bushcrafting stuff. 😀
nice skills ,but no idea about techniques..sorry(shorter wedge, tinder has to be finer, knocking wood straight, and a base for splitting...earth absorbs the blows)
Thanks for the tips, Oliver. I'm new to all this, and I know I'm overlooking or haven't thought of lots of little details. I know the suggestions you've made will make a big difference.
The Venture is an excellent thick kitchen knife, like the ColdSteel Slock Master, but with a marginally better steel, man-sized handle, and 3x the price. I think practice will make you a lot better at these tasks.
Thank you! This is my first experience with a knife of this sort and I'm very happy with it. I probably won't start collecting or accumulating knives since the ones I have now meet all my needs. Now I'm just looking forward to practicing more of these tasks. 😀
This knife is not meant for batoning, as it has a real fine edge. It will bend. Sorry for telling.that.sorty you don't have much experience in physics. Not offending.
Fun watching you learn these techniques. Good job. You’re not a quitter.
Thank you! Recently I've been using this knife in the kitchen and cutting up sweet potatoes has been much easier. 😀
I think a Silky saw is a great compliment to a knife this size. Cutting branches and processing wood is a snap when you use the two together.
Some people have recommended a hatchet to pair with this knife. Either one would be appreciated but I have to agree, I think the Silky saw would be my first choice. 😀
Fun video and helpful too. I'd love to see more as you practice.
Thanks, Theresa! 😀
Despite the fact that I "broke a sweat" (😅) just watching you, this was very cool! 👍😎
Thanks, Dave! 😂
Thanks a lot for your hard work!! 😆
You're welcome, Felix! This is a very rewarding hobby and I'm really enjoying this knife. 😀
The trick to lighting a feather stick is to cut very thin feathers and cut a lot of them. Then try to hit the feathers with a lot of sparks from the ferro rod. You may have to practice feather sticking a good bit before it becomes easy.
Thanks for the suggestions and encouragement! I'll keep working on it. 😀
The Thing is that this knife has a very thin Edge and thats why it is difficult to make feathers sticks.
Nicely done good test I like the knife
Thank you! I think it's a pretty good knife. 😀
I am considering getting the Victorinox Venture Pro, everything it can have. I like watching your video, it seems both you and me are learning. Never say Never, so I personally like your safety. You putting your knife back in your sheath, then the next step. It seems that is something I need to work on. When going accross the grain with the size of logs you have, you could have batoned a V notch around the log till you feel it is ready to break all the way through. 🙃 I do bring an axe, but I do need to self teach, what do I do if it gets lost or left behind for what ever reason. Thanks for the video.
You're welcome! Thanks for the suggestion about cutting a V when cutting across the grain. I'll have to give it a try.
People here are giving you a lot of advice, mostly well intentioned, but sometimes nit-picking.
I get it you are trying things, testing this knifes capabilities, practicing and learning through trial and error while having fun and getting some exercise, good on you.
May I suggest in a future video you make a batoning stick with a thinner handle section (but not too thin). It's a fun, easy project in itself and you may have done so already by now.
I would also recommend getting a nice size level log for a chopping block. At my age just watching you work like that gives me a sore back. 😁
When I started batoning I learnt on a longer stouter knife. You get more knife real estate to hit and the thicker blade is a better wedge. I use a Cold Steel Trail Master these days just FYI. But I get it, you are testing and showing this blades capabilities and getting a feel for it. Cheers.
Thanks! Those are all good suggestions. It turns out that making videos demonstrating a knife is much more difficult than making fountain pen videos, especially without a dedicated camera person. My camera person is away at school most of the time these days. Thanks again for the suggestions. I'm enjoying getting outside more lately. 😀
@gadgetstop321 You're doing well mate, having a go, good on you and keep it up. I look forward to your videos. Cheers.
Hi Cathy. Thanks for your reviews! I take it you enjoy the outdoors, camping, etc?
You're welcome, R! I've only been camping a couple times, but I do enjoy hiking and fishing. 😀
Hey Cathy, thanks for posting these. You don’t get it perfect the first time but you learn the most! Is the outdoor channel with the lady called Survival Lily? I’ve seen some of her videos too. She’s great!
Yes, it was Survival Lily! Thank you for the encouragement. 😀
No better way to learn than by your own experience. Failure is your friend and going back to try to figure out how to improve…👏.
Oak is not a feather stick friendly wood but I see your point, practicing with a difficult wood will make you appreciate softer stuff. Best of luck on your learning path.
nice to see how novice approach to knife use in bush crafting, realizing that this knife is not suitable for bush crafting. yes, you can manipulate it to do the tsk at hand but there are way better and cheaper option out there that will make your life easier in the field. thank you for the nice video. also recommend using gloves.
Thank you! Gloves are a good idea. Thanks for the suggestion. 😀
if you cut those branches in to smaller pieces to batten them it would make it easier to spit and if you wanted to use those wedges make more lay the limb on the ground and jam them in the exposed crack you made intel it spilt this knife looked nice it didn't look like it feather stick to well i do love saks knives i have a few of them for edc if you want a real good bush craft knife i have used for years the morakniv 511 or companion heavy duty knives or the mora robust or the Marttiini Condor Timberjack or the condor basic bushcraft 6 great video miss enjoyed it much
17:21 Batoning a log laterally. Sorry, I forgot to mention this. That is something I suggest you NEVER do, EVER! That is what a saw is for! Lateral chopping/cutting/batoning is one of the worst uses of a knife. A knife is a contact tool (ie for cutting, slicing etc). It is NOT an IMPACT tool, as it is not designed to do that, especially not such a small knife. If you had a Large knife (like a Becker BK9, or Cold Steel Trail Master, or an ESEE Junglas II, etc) then it can be used that way in an emergency, but it is just so much easier to carry and use a good folding saw specifically designed for cross-cutting wood (eg a Silky Gomboy).
I hope this helps.
I'm a little late to the party. You do not use a knife to chop wood; as you've discovered. A saw (there are many forms, even for bushcraft) Kathy. You most certainly can use one to batton (as you were at 4:55) going with the grain, not against it. The reason why this was so difficult is that the piece you were battoning was too long - saw it first. With a good strke to the spine (the back of the blade) it is often, but not always, enough to split it. Note for battoning, you should ensure your blade is a full tang; that is that it runs the length of the handle; if not, you'll break the handle.
It's lovely to see someone practice bushcraft and that is what it is, practice. Books and videos ere great but nothing beats practicing. The more we do something, the better we become.
PS. Wear gloves, I was worried for your fingers on more than one occasion.
😂 I found your video to be very entertaining. Let me state that I have carried a Swiss army knife since I was a child. And I am now 70 years old. I have found the Swiss army knife to be an excellent knife. But as a multi-purpose tool, it is only marginal.
Thank you Keith! I would agree with your assessment. The jobs I do around the house are usually pretty lightweight and my Swiss Army Knifes are suitable for those types of tasks, making them some of my most prized tools. 😀
14:40 Some ideas that might help: firstly your wedge needs to be MUCH thicker, and shorter, to give it strength. Then, the log you're splitting is too long (best length is fingertip to elbow) - more manageable. Also, make yourself a decent baton before you start, with a handle comfortable to your hand. I'd suggest a bit more work on your batoning technique around the basics.
15:24 Ask yourself the question - "Why am I splitting this log?"
If it is for featherticks, then why such a knotty log? Why do you need feathersticks? Also, the log needs to be knot-free. Making feathersticks IS a difficult skill to master, and you need to get the basics right, including the right kind of wood, its condition, and correct length. It needs a HUGE amount of practice.
Making feathersticks is in fact a last ditch desperation application when ALL else has failed and it's the only way to find some dry material to start a fire.
If the wood is for fire-making, why split it further? It's pretty thin anyway. Why can't you find smaller sticks/branches of the right size? It's a lot of work and unnecessary if there is an abundant source all around you.
Lastly, remember the Venture is a BUSHCRAFTING knife, NOT a survival knife. If I could offer a suggestion: look up a bloke named Felix Immler, who is employed by Victorinox in various capacities, one of which is teaching BUSHCRAFT skills. He has a UA-cam channel and has written several books. I urge you to read what he says, and demonstrates. He was in fact the leader of the design team that designed your Venture, and he has huge credibility in the field.
Good luck with your new Victorinox Venture! I hope to be obtaining one as soon as they become available again here in the UK. Currently sold out!
Cheers!
Thanks for the advice, Dennis! You've provided me with some good information. I'm familiar with Felix. I found out about the Venture by watching his UA-cam channel, and recently he's been teaching techniques specifically tailored to this knife. His channel has been a valuable resource.
perhaps cutting some wedge cuts would make it easier
That's a good idea, Martin. I'll have to give it a try next time. 😀
Fair enough in an thg shit scenairo you could chop wood, but for me your just going to have a dull or broken knife fast. More importantly consumed calories you may not be able to replace... small Axe or silky saw and look for smaller twigs etc. Pick dry stick if possible, pine or softwood is easier to feather! Hardwood great for burning or handles. The grey matter in a shgth scenairo is your best tool so use that even more. Keep it up , this had me sweating watching but your learning now rather then whe your life depends on it...metal pencil sharpener on twigs can make shavings too!
The designer of the knife said he didn't intend for it to be a survival knife. He's into bushcraft, which I guess is more of a hobby, but you've given me some good advice. Thanks! 😀
Nice video!! 😊👍🏼
Have you ever checked out the “Dutch Bushcraft Knives” channel?
Those guys are great. They’ll show you some great ways to test stuff and you’ll laugh a lot while they’re doing it! They are also super duper knowledgeable about Bushcraft knives and survival knives! 😊
I've seen a few of their videos - ones where they were sitting at a table just talking about knives. I need to watch some of their actual bushcrafting stuff. 😀
easier to break
nice skills ,but no idea about techniques..sorry(shorter wedge, tinder has to be finer, knocking wood straight, and a base for splitting...earth absorbs the blows)
Thanks for the tips, Oliver. I'm new to all this, and I know I'm overlooking or haven't thought of lots of little details. I know the suggestions you've made will make a big difference.
The Venture is an excellent thick kitchen knife, like the ColdSteel Slock Master, but with a marginally better steel, man-sized handle, and 3x the price.
I think practice will make you a lot better at these tasks.
Thank you! This is my first experience with a knife of this sort and I'm very happy with it. I probably won't start collecting or accumulating knives since the ones I have now meet all my needs. Now I'm just looking forward to practicing more of these tasks. 😀
Just use a silky saw 🤦♂️ then split it 🤣
Maybe, but first I'm going to practice a little more with this setup. 😀
This knife is not meant for batoning, as it has a real fine edge. It will bend. Sorry for telling.that.sorty you don't have much experience in physics. Not offending.
Venture is kind of bush crafting knife. It is supposed to batoning at least you can use a wood wedge.
Girl Outdoors also has some really good information on her channel
😂😂😂