im a knife collector....dont really need an excuse to buy more knives....but if its a knife your gonna have in your hands for possibly hours, better hope you get the right one
Congratulations, you're right. My father taught me to survive in the woods when I was growing up in Alaska, before the Survivalists, Preppers, SHTFers, Bushcrafters. Pick a good tool, learn how to use it. The term "Bushcraft" allows a manufacturer to jack up the price.
Great observations, and you are totally correct. Knowing how to use one knife to the absolute limits of its capabilities is far more useful than carrying around a bag of knives. Funnily enough, whenever I get a new knife these days, I put it on my desk, in front of my keyboard to remind myself its there. I use it for every knife chore in the house, and whenever Im thinking, waiting for a loading screen or have nothing in my hands, I pick it up, practise taking it out of the sheath and putting it back, and get used to its form generally. I learned to open a few folders one handed this way. As much as I love knives, and love collecting them, I know a guy who served two tours of Afghanistan with his kabar. He used it for every knife job, opening fuel cans and digging holes. In this time of abundance its really seductive to purchase a new tool for every job, rather than getting better at the craft. Thanks for the thoughtful video.
Very, very sympathetic to this concept. Too many people in too many fields obsess about gear instead of working on their skills to where they can make just about anything work. That said, if you enjoy collecting knives for their own sake-which I do-I don't see a problem there. The problem is in thinking the gear will somehow substitute for discipline and effort, because it won't.
Look at the iceman Ötzi and his equipment. The cheapest, crappiest steel knife today would have been a really magical wonder tool for him. Still he managed to survive to late age (for those days) until he was murdered. It is the skill, body and mind that matters the most.
Condor knife and tool has a primitive tool series where the made an "otzi" $50 or so with a canted appendix style sheath...I want it to replace my mora eldris(blade too small for me)check it out
@@gadsenculpepper4868 :- maybe you missed the point...use what you have, don't buy another knife. Edit:- I saw that knife...very appealing for primative survival in the bush, but do you "need" it?
"Use what you got!" Good advice. "Finesse beats Brute Force." "Without the knowledge and skills, no knife will keep you alive." "The "best" knife is the one you have with you." Cliches, perhaps, but all are true as death.
In marketing, "bushcraft", "survival", and "tactical" are buzz words that get your attention. "Tactical" simply means that the knife is all black and has no glare. "Survival" knife really is the one you have with you in a survival situation, which usually cannot be predicted. People in the Amazon use one cutting tool, the machete. They can do anything they need to do with a machete because they use one on a daily basis (practice). I really like this video.
My pet peeve is knives being made for profit and that means warding off warrenty repairs and replacements. I can do things for myself in knifemaking that others won't
bushacraft, tactical, EDC, battoning, & survival, are over used and abused words. I can't stand it how all the makers are using those words to sell their stuff. Everyone thinks its cool to say them. I do not ! I grew up with a boy scout knife. I was a scout. We finally got a machette to clear brush. We did not use our knives to "baton" or " split" wood. An axe or hatchet is made for that ! That is not what a knife is for. FYI
@@triumphmanful :- You are speaking to the converted here, as most of us who think as you do clicked on this video because we do agree. Those who buy 2 lbs. knives and baton their way through the bush, they probably are not watching. Hence the controversy over batoning, thick steeled blades, torture testing and buying the next newest/greatest knife.
Fully agree. There is no end to knife buying. When I go out for some fun in the woods it is always a Gerber Strongarm, a folding saw and a small axe on a good day. Those three things do the bulk of all the work. A multitool serves as universal backup.
The best multi tool I ever had was a Gerber. You could open it with a flick of the wrist. I never wore it out but lost it. I have others including a Leatherman but none as good as that Gerber was !
There's nothing outdoors that can't be achieved with a Mora Companion Heavy Duty knife, a Gransfors Bruks Mini Hatchet and a Silky F-180 saw. I'm making camp fire and tent stove fuel, not building an ark!
This is why I carry two tools into the woods. No knife is a do all tool. Sure, you can carry a knife that is big enough to chop down a tree, but it will suck at lessor jobs. A hand ax, and a small, easy to sharpen knife will cover every cutting need. A screw driver with a hammer head on it, is not two good tools in one..... it's two bad tools. Compromise leads to failure.
You nailed it. Skills are usually what is lacking in a survival situation, not gear. Make smart selections on basic gear and then go use the heck out of it to determine strengths, weaknesses, and as you identified - workarounds. Great video sir!
Don't know your age but Im 68 and been camping my whole life. I have to say I am very impressed with your advice about learning to use one knife and use it well as opposed to keep buying other knives ! Great job !
You made good sense. pick whatever knife you feel comfortable with, and does what is needed. All knives cut, some are a little better at one thing, but give up another, so the perfect knife for all things does not exist. The knife is a tool but you are correct, learning the skills of wood-crafting, and what nature offers you, is far more important to survival.
My grandfather never owned a big knife ,he just had a jack knife but could do just about anything required on a farm with that old jack. Commercialization of bushcraft really hit hard after UA-cam came about. Just one good hunting knife is all you need.
Doing more with less and being able to do more with less is not the same. Small knifes are all kinda small. There are hunting knifes and knifes you can do the hunting with. They are not the same. Your not going to see your grandpa hamering nails with his knife because his knife is not capeable of it to begin with. You grandpa is not going to fight through mosquito forest chopping limbs off of trees on an incline on the side mountian looking for a place where the team can put in a drain field. Your going to need a machete for that stuff and an awfully specific specific construction job to be in that position even back then. Your going to need every tool now to be built to do more if your lacking the ones you need to have. If you dont got a pick mattock, a sledge hammer and a chainsaw you might be quite under equipped to do what people used to do. What if your off somewhere and need to dig a trench? Your Grandpa's Grandpa could probably get his hands on tnt or at least knows someone who could get it if he was not anywhere near a big city.
I see your point, however I don’t understand why you would pick a knife that isn’t even suited for the woods to be the one that you force yourself to learn on. Why not start with one designed for bushcraft/woods? Be blessed. John
Sorry to butt in, but I guess that demonstrates his point even better. Even without a jungle knife, the tasks and duties can still be done given you know how and what you're doing.
It’s hard to respond properly to your question without a better understanding of what you mean by “isn’t even suited for the woods”. Do you mean it isn’t a specialized knife designed for “the woods”? Of course, the first answer to that would be the usual argument about using only specialized tools. But, really, what separates “suited” from “not suited”? Is it the fact that the knife requires more skill, to at least some degree, when used in the woods? I suspect that is the essence of your question. If so, the answer is contained in the question itself. Does having that less specialized tool give you the ability to do more things well as long as you learn the necessary skills? Since that seems to be the basic point made in the video, I think we all know the answer.
Love is such a fleeting emotion, especially to those who love new and different knives. "What was once my fav, falls to the wayside when another beauty flashes by, for I fell in love again with another."
Very common sense video. Haven’t had a chance to watch you again until now. Very refreshing. The best tool you have is the one between your ears. Knives are always a compromise. All I would add is to bring backup. Can make a difference if you ever need it. Specially working over water, etc. Take care.
Wise words young man. It’s not about the gear, it’s about the skill acquired by practice and experience. Most of us will never be in a “survival” situation, man! I hope I never am. I just go to the woods and enjoy nature. Thanks for your video.
I like Ethan Beckers' philosophy on knives, carry a chopper for brush and cutting down branches, carry a smaller knife for finer tasks, and maybe a neck knife as a backup. Having only one knife with you out in the middle of nowhere is a recipe for disaster if you lost it or if it breaks. I agree you don't need to find that 'perfect' bushcraft knife, but you definitely need more than one knife if you are going somewhere far away. I have tested many knives outside my house in the woods, suppose it was that knife that failed and only that knife I took with me on a far away journey, I would be F***ed!!! So having one knife on you would be horrible advice and one I do not recommend for excursions to a distant and remote location.
It is certainly interesting feedback. While I can see your point, we must be realistic. Quality knives simply do not fail like that. I have never, in my entire time outdoors ever had a knife break to the point where I couldn't use it.
I'm not a bushcrafter and I don't want to offend anyone who really wants to do everything with one knife, but I can think of at least two examples of people who lived off the land for real, the Sami people in Scandinavia and the mountain men who practiced fur trading in 18th century North America, who had multiple bladed tools to do various jobs.
@@AlaskanFrontier1 I agree. But I think the point @ricev7071 was making was having more than 1. My grandpa always said, "two is one and one is none". I've lived by that philosophy as well. He's not arguing a quality knife shouldn't fail. But, if you lose that 1 knife, you won't have a backup. So have maybe 2 or 3 quality knives. I say the same for an axe or saw. Need more than 1.
@@mfreeman313 that was because they did it every single day so it made sense to have a tool for every job because for quality of life. But this video isn't for people who live in the wilderness day in and day out who have the skill to make sense of multiple different knives for ones simple task they in comparison.
I use an 8 inch blade parang hand made from Malaysia. I made my own sheath and got to tell you it is the only knife I use for camping, fishing, and hunting.
Knives are like guns - you only need one.....more. Having said that, good point you raise. The fewer tools you have, the better you are with them. You learn to do workarounds. You’ve raised a worthwhile point. Thanks....
Thanks for this view, I found myself buying and buying to find the perfect knife, and the same for firearms. It seems never ending because there is always something that looks or does something better. I'm going to try working with what I have for a change and see what happens. Thanks!
When I was a kid on the farm we were lucky to have any rifle or shotgun....we molded ourselves to those guns, no customizations or alterations. We all shot well. We had saws, axes, and knives; we all used them. You are absolutely right about your philosophy that, "One must adapt, rather than adapt to us." Thank you.
@@blackoutsurvival8261 Mora Bushcraft = Nicer handle, Longer blade with same thickness as robust, better sheath, 90º Spine, durable blued steel finish. Wich is why its more expensive
I just came across this video. Man, it really made me think. I’ve always had the “three knife” philosophy. A large chopper, a medium utility, and a folding knife with a serrated blade. Thinking about which knife I would take if I could only have one, is very challenging. Of the hundreds of knives I own, there are maybe 20 that I would never leave behind. And only one of those is for sentimental reasons. Many years ago, my youngest son and I would go out with just a knife and the clothes on our back. It really gets you thinking of what is important in the bush. I need to do that again, now that I have so many more good knives from which to choose. Very much, food for thought.
@@davidhartley6232 Personally, I hate serrated blades, but they do have their use (even just for French bread). I don’t like dulling my fine edge on rope, or cardboard. Serrations on a separate knife can be a benefit to your main knife’s edge.
It is a good point you made in this video, however I can say for me I have found my perfect survival/bushcraft knife. I love the Mora Garberg! The 90° spine is more important to me for creating fine tinder than it is for just striking a ferro rod and after all most ferro rods come with a striker. The scandi grind is the easiest for me to sharpen. The rust resistance of stainless steel is more valuable to me then the ability to bang a rock against the knife to create a spark. For me the grip is awesome, I like that it's the no matter how you hold the knife. And most importantly the knife is not so big that it gets left behind. My Garberg goes everywhere I do paired with my belt pouch and a stainless steel bottle in hand.
I love this approach of training instead of relying on stuff. I've done something similar with bush food. I used "Botany in a Day" to teach me the edible families, and every time I'd get into the woods I'd identify and consume a new plant. I now day hike with no food for 3 seasons, and I'll overnight with no food this summer. Yeah, it's not as tasty as getting the best camp food, but I like that approach of teaching the mind rather than buying the latest $10 camping meal.
For the last 2 years I have been using only Mora companion heavy duty stainless steel for going to the forest. I agree with everything you said, I use a knife for everything from food preparation to wood processing. For $ 20-25 I’m not sorry if I destroy or lose it, it’s important to me to have fun enjoying nature and practicing bushcraft and survival skills. Stay safe and you have new subscriber :D
Great points! I'm with you: the saturation of videos about knives is overwhelming. I think we forget that at the end of the day it's not the tool, but the skill with the tool that wins the day. Thanks for posting!
Finally, someone to speak up and say it godamnit IMO beginners should grab a trusty inexpansive knife that can take a beating, like a Mora, a Terävä, even a folder like a Victorinox or an Opinel, or whatever as long as it's from a trusted brand and not some novelty trash Then practice the hell out of it to get a feel of what works for them and what doesn't Once they are comfortable with it, only then should just search for a knife that would work better for them with lesser shortcomings More long term solution, one can save up a crapton of money to order a custom crafter knife following their own desired specs Let's get real here : what works for someone won't work for me, and vice versa. There might be "perfect knives" out there alright, but a knife that can content everyone does not and will never exist
@@WestSyde303 n Scripture the word denotes an expanse, a wide extent; for such is the signification of the Hebrew word. The original, therefore, does not convey the sense of solidity, but of stretching, extension; the great arch of expanse over our heads, in which are placed the atmosphere and the clouds, and in which the stars appear to be placed, and are really seen. The passage about foundation does not move is a rewording in newer translations. Idioms are often hard to convey into another language. The KJV states Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever. Your interpretation is off as other verses state that the earth hangs on nothing and this is long before gravity was defined. I would reconsider where you get your information from if you have trouble understanding these concepts.
My first knife is an old, abused Marbles bowie knife with an antler handle. I found it in a $5 section at our cutlery store. It was tarnished, pitted, and chipped like hell. I had to make it work for me. I dont have much money so I had to work with what I had. I resurfaced it by hand with varying grits of sandpaper and sharpened it by glueing some of said sandpaper to wood. Ive had it for over a year now and use it from filleting fish, sharpening pencils for journaling, to prepping a duck from my flock for Christmas last year. I have yet to test it for making feathersticks or striking a firesteel, but I am confident MY knife I fixed up with my own two hands can do those tasks as well.
I agree with what you are saying. This is just for me, I know many love their "bush craft" knife, but I prefer a more general all around use knife. To each their own..if you prefer a bush crafter, then by all means, carry one. Bush craft knives are fine, and I own a few of them, but more often than not, I carry a more all around user knife with a 6-7 inch blade, and a high saber or convex grind. If you keep a good sharp edge on your knife, and use it enough to get proficient with it, you can do pretty much any task with it that a bush craft style knife can do. and some things that a smaller bush craft knife is just not so good at. Bottom line, is, regardless of what style knife you like to carry, you should practice with it and build your skills., Get to know it, and how it performs, as well as its limitations. I am digging that CRK knife you got there btw. Nice knife! Good video, and let the purists hate fest begin, LOL.
Thanks for the great points! I have gravitated toward the general purpose knives over the years! Hahahaha you are so right about the CRK, everyone is so upset, but thats okay, its a fantastic knife. and I am not preaching about how you need to buy one too.
@@AlaskanFrontier1 That's right. I watched the whole vid, and not once did I hear you say go out and get yourself one of these, lol. I have eyed that same knife up a few times, but never pulled the trigger. Kind of expensive, but then, I have 3 BRK's, all just shy of the $300 mark, and a $430 Jesee Hemphil custom, so I can;t use the price as an excuse, hahahahaha. I normally carry a bigger knife like that, and I always always always have a folder on me anyway, so if going to the woods, I just make sure that the one in my pocket is a sturdy one that I can use if I either need to do really fine work that a big knife might be awkward for, or as a back up if god forbid, I lose my main belt knife.
@@AlaskanFrontier1 BTW, I'm a collector, not just a user, that's why I have so many knives. It's not because I've been looking for that perfect knife. I just love knives. Both fixed and folders.
A Bushcraft knife. A survival knife. They have their place. I lean to slicey hunter-utility knives. Im sick to the death of black knives and sharpened pry bars. I don't wanna specialize my carry piece design-wise to past the General use arena. I don't have a primary knife bec I do not get out enough and do skills practice. I think its a cool endevor, just don't get around to it.
This is the first bushcraft/survival knife video I’ve seen that really makes this much sense. Well done! I haven’t tried to order it yet. But that Pacific is the knife I am planning to buy for camping and survival. It fits my hand really well and it is, in my opinion, a beautiful example of craftsmanship. I’m also a bit more comfortable with a bigger knife than most recommend. Because, as I learned from my father long ago, it is easier to learn how to use a larger knife (there were a number of different grips he showed me for using a larger blade to do finer work) for everything than it is to carry a second knife when you really need that larger blade. No matter how great it is, no skill can make a 3 to 4 inch knife able to do the work of a 6 inch blade. And, yeah, I think Busse knives are awesome, too. But I think they are just too big and heavy to be practical for most people’s one and only knife. Though I’ve seen people who make knives that big work. It’s just a whole different level of skill than I think I’ll ever achieve.
I am glad this video was helpful! I can really say that the CRK Pacific is very hard to beat in overall usefulness in just about any situation. Yes, there is good creedence to learning a big blade and making it perform many different tasks.
I like your idea about no perfect knife. Every tool has its purpose. A knife is not an axe, an axe can function as a knife. My knife is a weapon first and foremost. I would suggest a cheap south American machete. Also, and this is simply my opinion, I would not suggest randomly whacking limbs. If you are in a survival situation it is a needless waste of energy or if you a being tracked by someone with nefarious plans you are making the job easier for them
Spot on! Nice to get people refusing to be some kind of indirect or direct PR for gear companies and consume addicts.. Back to reality, knives are just tools and main event is everything else..
The two words bush and craft together screws us users as manufacturers pounce on the people who don’t know what to shop for. It’s the same shot with the camping scene. Now they call it overlanding . No asswipes it’s camping ⛺️ 😁
Agreed. Even though this kid is kind of annoying, he's correct. I don't have any knives less than 6.75", except some cheap stainless steel Mossy Oak knives I got at Walmart. My 7-8" blades are very good knives, and can do anything a small knife can. I always carry a Leatherman Wave anyway, because that's actually more important. If I want a small blade, I'll use that one.
I agree. At lot of people seem to be under the impression that the knife will make them a better bushcrafter when in fact it's the knowledge of how to use a knife does.
@Life In The Taiga - 1) u mentioned a few months back that u tried a CPM 3V knife and it chipped. do u remember the brand n model number/knife name? 2) Also i read that some have used stainless steel knives in freezing temperatures and the blades break. can u tell me of your experience with this with fully stainless steels and also with your reeves pacific please in severe cold weather? i know the reeves pacific is a hybrid carbon innner surrounded by stainless steel if i remember correctly.
It's really about the structure of CPM3V. But it was a BRK Bushcrafter. The weather has little to do with effecting the blades and their probability to break. No the CRK Pacific is pure CMP-S35VN
Great vid! The difference between you and others is that you are focused on the craft, and other are collecting. Nothing wrong with either, but you are right, it's hard to get good at the craft if you're just collecting and hoarding gear. Thanks for pointing out the difference!
I agree pick one and use it but we all know that we continue to get more for backups or for trade. Thinking of them also as an investment. We use the same reasoning with guns. They are all just tools. A fellow I know on a forum a long time ago said, "You can never have too many knives." Haha. Oh, the money we drop on guns and knives. Then we tell folks this is why you should not get into guns or knives. I agree we need to use what we have. Stop buying and start using. My problem is I buy and use, then buy some more and use some more. So its not like I am just buying and not using. Haha. None of them are perfect. Each one has a different role but one can be made to do it all if necessary. Thanks for sharing.
This is good practical advice for someone that doesn’t have the cash for multiple knives. I think some people feel when they get in to bushcraft or survival they need that knife that cost over 100$. So many options for good knives in the 50$ range. I have some of those knives. I have knives that cost 100$ or more but I always end up using the less expensive ones. I don’t even need those other knives. Alan Rice.
Thanks for the feedback. Learning to use one knife is a critical philosophy for sure. Regardless the price of the equipment. If you look at Mors he had a range of knife from $200+ to $10-
Yesss, about time someone shares my view on knives. I have a lot of knives too many knives and all have different handles, but I can use all of them because I always handle them even when I'm not using my knives I handle them and just have them in my hand, so much so that I swear I can juggle my knives, anyway, I hate it when you see a lot of these high subscribed youtubers that review knives telling you that the knife is good for somethings but not for others. I have expensive knives but I also have midlevel priced ones like the BK2 and some cheaper ones like shrades schf36 37 and 40 and I can use all of them because like you say I forced myself to use them, the beauty of the human body is its ability to mold itself and turn an uncomfortableness into a comfortable one. If you use a knife that feels uncomfortable keep using it and you'll see that after some practice it'll start to feel comfortable because you'll be becoming familiar with the knife and its physical attributes.
Hahaha chopping away stuff at the beginning when you could just walk through it. After 11 seconds i have seen enough, went to the comment section and it confirmed my suspicions.. ;))
Hahaha, that was just test footage to showcase the effectiveness of the knife. To think I actually walk around the forest doing this all the time is ridiculous.
I realized a loge time ago when I noticed that every time I went out, I almost always was taking the same knives with me. My main knife is my ka bar and I'm quite happy with it. After that, it just depends on what other tool/tools I may be taking with me.
Amen. I'm a knife guy that came to the same conclusion. Now I have ONE. And it's not fancy. It's the Gerber Prodigy for everything. And it's not that big of a leap either considering we have additional tools too! 1. I extensively modded an old Craftsman multitool with a saw, chisel, awl and a hacksaw razor blade 2. Shovel 3. Folding saw 4. Hatchet Having just one bushcraft survival knife like you say is reasonable considering the other list we can pick from.
you know what? i've come across myself to same conclusion.. The perfect buscraft knife or the perfect gun or the perfect tent or something else ... the answer it is always the same.. the perfect tool it will be the one you could manage to use or learn to use at your advantage... i used some knife for bushcrafting.. and the knife i'm ended with.. here in italy it is a Mora Knife.. just like that.. you nailed it man.. i'm with you .. i've got the same decision you've made..
I just spent about 2 weeks researching bushcraft knives and finally settled on one. afterwords I started looking again. I'm glad I thought the same way you did in this video. no knife is perfect if you don't perfect how you use it.
Very good point. Many of these people talk a good show....but that's all they do , talk. How many of them do more than hammer their knife through a log from the wood pile? Precious few. Many of them seem to be permanently based in their back gardens (beside the wood pile) Many of the knives they show are neither fish nor fowl. Too big and thick in the blade to be handy or good slicers yet not big enough to chop or split with authority. It would seem that they are so caught up around the axle with beating or hammering on their knives that they have forgotten how, or are unable to slice with their knives.Watch many of them scratch at a branch with their knives, it is truly pitiful.
I have a 53 year old or possibly older Bowie it 11 inches & 3/4 inches long deer bone handle & it’s fine for my bush crafting . I also have a very very old bone skinner knife that someone made for me as a Christmas gift , the metal & the bone was found around a very very old Indian mound in Kentucky on a friends land . I also carry a Buck Ghost rider folder that are all of the knifes I need when I’m out in the woods.
2nd Chance George: Not necessarily true in all cases. Yes, a great guitar player will make a cheap, poorly made guitar sound pretty good, BUT his best music will ALWAYS come from a well made guitar. The same holds true with a craftsman and his best tools. Working with the wrong tool can only be overcome to a limit. If you are planning to camp in the wilderness with a minimal number of tools, make sure they ALL are the best at the job they will be doing. Never compromise functionality or quality.
@@2ndchancegeorge There is a lot of bullshit out there. Knife manufacturers will tell you whatever makes you want their product. For the purpose of "Survival" (what ever that is), the ability to build shelter and fire, to find and prepare food provided by nature is the number one purpose of your tool selection. Knife makers want you to believe that every situation will find you with a knife as your only tool. That is what we call the Rambo Situation. It will never happen to you. 99.99% of people who are in the woods, building shelter, and fire and searching for food are doing it as a hobby. (recreation)... and they have brought with them many "survival" items. I am not, nor would I ever want to be Rambo. Let's be clear: in almost every situation, the number one and number two survival tools are a gun and a cell phone. Of all the things a knife can enable, it will not likely help you find food, or avoid being food.
@@timhallas4275 yes, i am no bushcrafter or survivalist. Just someone who enjoys the outdoors and the "freedom" it gives me. But I do need to be as prepared as possible. I did alot of searching and was overwhelmed by what is said and offered out there. Most I take with a pinch of salt. Others I heed. Personally I believe having the tools is only a part of surviving. Mental strength I believe is paramount. Tools are needed. The better tool will always be better. I simply cannot afford most. I buy what I believe is the best tool I can afford. It just seems that everyone believes thier tool to be THE TOOL. Many a novice has been led astray....including me. Oh well. But I persist. Both knowledge of the correct use and the right tool is needed to be truely effective.
What are the gloves you are wearing, if you don’t mind me asking? I like them and have been looking for a good pair for when I’m in the mountains. Thanks man.
Lol I’ve used a ka bar usmc for 16 years. I’ve had 3 of those. Then I found bushcrafting knives. I have the tops bob and the Benchcraft one. The tops to me is a hatchet/knife and the benchcraft is a skinner/bushcraft that doesn’t rust. My point is I agree with you. Tools are toys but it’s amazing what you can do with what you have.
It's all personal preference,I use a white river fc5 and the hardcore hammers survivalist hatchet. After you have the tools then all that's left is copious amounts of practice.
True !! .. I own about 25-30 knives and only really 2 (plus EDC folding knife) and one of them is one of the cheepst knives own but also one of the best its the mora bushcraft black the other knife I use a lot is my Nepalese made jungle pawalwl Kukri knife which is like half machete half knife I tend to use it in place of a hatchet. The other knives rarely see the light of day. I went through a phase of buying and collecting knives thinking I would use them one day but they just sit in my storage draws
I’ve done this too. Got sick of looking for a ‘perfect knife’ . I bought a couple in hopes of finding ‘the best’, but got sick of having to decide on which one to take with me into the Bush. So I gave them away to family and bought my last and only knife. The British Army MoD Knife. Doesn’t do one thing well but it does everything. Wanted a Jack of all trades knife. Now it’s time to practice with it
A really expensive sharp knife can look like crap in the hands of a inexperienced person but a cheap knife with decent sharpness can look really good in the hands of a experienced craftsman. Its the skills you learn that will make you survive or be the best craft man not a knife that you can boton a log with
Fantastic videos and reviews! I am wondering, a little over a year later, what is your opinion on the knife now? Do you have any new observations or differing opinions about it?
I'm still curious what knife you picked there. I've got the hogue, several of them. I think your right though, I'll probably chose the 7" ex f01 to play with. I still want to buy the jungle-ass... I'll do that before I quit buying LOL. but good advise, I kinda did that with my guns in different stages. First keeping it to a few different types of rounds, then reduced it to well rounded needs rifle, shotgun, handgun ect, you don't need ten each to have a well rounded set to fit every purpose. knives you need even fewer of, he is right here familiarity with your tool has way greater value then people realize, even with knives. I've been carrying an HK compact 45 for thirty years, I have everything you can imagine but only carry that because I know that gun so well. same pocket knife in my pocket for over 15 years, I couldn't imagine changing it. I still have all that cool crap that other then a toy, has no value to me... point well taken
Gotta agree... too many 'would be' bushcrafters get into gear and come down with 'gearitis' - a nasty affliction. lol Yes, choose a knife that you think will suit your needs, and then learn to use it, learn what it CAN do and more importantly, get to know what it's limits are and what it can NOT do... treat it like any other useful tool, treat with respect, care, and maintain it accordingly. Good video. We just got back from a wilderness adventure recording wolves here in Ontario, Canada, near Algonquin Park, and all I use is my pocket knife when it's needed.... and I've had that knife for over 35 years. Thanks for sharing your video and thoughts. Glenn & Maureen
Joe I agree ... if I see one more self proclaimed “bushcrafter “ “ survivalist “ on UA-cam making “ feathersticks “ “ batoning “ piece fucking wood goin slit my wrist..
I agree with you, buying a lot of knives are for collectors, which is fun if you have a lot of money to spend. But when you're outdoors, you don't need more than 1 knife. Many tasks which are forced upon "survival knives" are better done with a cheap axe or saw anyway.
I like buying knives. I like buying guns. Baseball cards and comic books aren't my style so those are the alternative. Weapons and tools make me smile.
You're right. I usually give the knives to a person who doesn't have one anyway, while I search for another cool knife that I dig. It's only a hobby, not a lifestyle. Have fun, we only live once.
You are so right. I have 2 knives just a scandi grind Garberg and a Esee PR4 for the finer tasks. thats it. And i will use them until they fall apart..The more knifes you own the less special they are for you. I tend to really like my favorite knife and have 1 backup thats it and it works for me. Good vid! 👍🏼 dont like that its made commercial and now they make thousends of bushcraft knives just for the money.
Good on you! I agree ... Work with what you have... Learn all of what your tools can do n practice until the tools are an extension of your hand/ fingers... Thanks for sharing! ATB from sunny Wintergarden,Florida👍🌴😎🌴👍!
The edge of that "ROUND EDGE" does strike sparks off a ferro rod and will scrape fatwood, bark etc Try it you will be supprised!!! I have one and its an awesome knife for the price.
Yeah but theres worse things you can spend money on, like crack. So whenever your significant other says something just be like atleast im not buying crack. Perfect excuse for everything you buy
I agree & appreciate your point, however I might rephrase it as "there's no ultimate bushcraft / survival knife. Some knife designers & companies do put a lot of thought and work into making a very good knife for bushcrafting and wilderness survival and that shouldn't be discounted. Especially if you're unskilled, inexperienced and not knowledgeable about knives and how to use them safely, effectively and efficiently. Also, as the Grey Bearded Green Beret likes to say, "If you 1 of something, you've none of something.", as it may get lost, stolen or damaged. Lastly, one of the winners of 'Naked & Alone' chose the Leatherman P2 as their best survival tool over any brand or type of bushcraft survival knife.
Good video, there is no single knife to rule them all, what works for some will not work for others, You should try using only an axe, hatchet or tomahawk, Then try a kukri,
Oh, I have used only an axe, and only a tomahawk. I do agree, and that is why I did not say, this CRK Pacific is the best knife to exist, I know it is not for everyone.
His statements are the most intelligent approach to any knife you choose. As he says, don’t be sucked into spending all your money trying to find a better design. I survived for years with a Buck #119 for camp chores & processed all my deer with just a Buck #110 stainless folding knife. Keep them shaving sharp & learn to become proficient, is the best advice you’ll ever get.
I was seeing all these reviews on tools and thought i had to by them but i ended up making the tools i want out of what i have. I restored an old rusted axe, changed the grinds of my knifes for my needs and customized wooden handles by carving them in to the right form for my hand etc. It is very satisfying to give an object the shape you imagine and make it yours. I also started to use them with more care.
@@AlaskanFrontier1 I stumbled upon your video now for the second time and both times i watched it, it inspired me. You really addressed an important point here. Well done, bud. You definitely had an impact on me.
Bruce Lee once said (paraphrased): “I don’t fear the man who practiced 10,000 kicks one time. But, I do fear the man who practiced one kick 10,000 times.” That philosophy doesn’t just apply to martial arts. Great vid. On point.
For decades I've done everything I or others needed with what I carried, a Victorinox Swiss Champ, later joined by a Leatherman Super Tool. The Swiss Champ hacksaw and woodsaw have saved the day on more occasions than I can remember! Becoming skillful with what you have is wonderful. A Victorinox Huntsman, a Mora Companion Heavy Duty knife and a Silky F-180 Saw make a wonderfully capable set that's inexpensive, and which the user can learn great skills.
Great video. Train around what you have and you will be surprised what you can do and it seems you have proven that. It’s about training and not gear. Good job 👍
I hear you guys and I get it. BUT the flip side to this is I'm in it for more than the "make what you have work" philosophy lol. I love the chase of a knives' artistic design/ smart engineering that accomplishes many tasks creatively. I study and research, ad nauseum, before I buy a tool because there are improvements on tech, designs, features/sheaths and steels. Knife designs repeat, so I grab what I believe are the best in specialties/ specs: bushcraft knives, EDC folders and multitools(SAK). I'm working to have one for each such as: Scandi, convex, saber, flat, lengths (4-6 in.), 1095, 1075, supersteels, laminates, handles (carbon fiber, micarta, etc.) folders, locking mechanisms, blade shape (drop point, wharncliffe, leaf etc)and the combinations created lol...
I like thinking of BK 7 & 9. Then I think of 3V and then I think 3V is more and extra I may never use enough to appriciate. Well for all the overthinking I do not have a BK .
That's so true!! This whole bushcrafting trans vent overboard, and is irealistic!! I got fought in it too, and also end up with stupid purchases like knifes designed by Chris Tanner from Preperedmind101 oh goshhhh!! It's embarrassing!! Verry good point you made with this video
He's a great UA-camr, but some of the designs are so dialed in and specialized. That's an effective approach, just want to do more than emulate videos: enjoy the outdoors in a wise manner with as much safety as possible. I think Prepared Mind 101 has an over arching perspective of being safe and wise, while providing for fun and entertainment. Just don't be like the late Roman period and entertain yourself to death and loss of core values
My first fixed blade was a $5 knife advertised as a boot knife. Then I bought a Mora Companion. Following that, I recieved a Terava Jaakaripuukko 110 as a gift, and I've decided to pretty much use it exclusively unless I someday accrue a lot of disposable income.
Searching for the perfect bushcraft knife is just an excuse to buy more knives
stale meme Don’t give away all our secrets.... geesh!!
Exactly! Shhhhh!!!
Yep.
im a knife collector....dont really need an excuse to buy more knives....but if its a knife your gonna have in your hands for possibly hours, better hope you get the right one
metoo!!
Congratulations, you're right. My father taught me to survive in the woods when I was growing up in Alaska, before the Survivalists, Preppers, SHTFers, Bushcrafters. Pick a good tool, learn how to use it. The term "Bushcraft" allows a manufacturer to jack up the price.
Or you can learn where the term bushcraft originated from..
Great observations, and you are totally correct. Knowing how to use one knife to the absolute limits of its capabilities is far more useful than carrying around a bag of knives.
Funnily enough, whenever I get a new knife these days, I put it on my desk, in front of my keyboard to remind myself its there. I use it for every knife chore in the house, and whenever Im thinking, waiting for a loading screen or have nothing in my hands, I pick it up, practise taking it out of the sheath and putting it back, and get used to its form generally. I learned to open a few folders one handed this way.
As much as I love knives, and love collecting them, I know a guy who served two tours of Afghanistan with his kabar. He used it for every knife job, opening fuel cans and digging holes. In this time of abundance its really seductive to purchase a new tool for every job, rather than getting better at the craft.
Thanks for the thoughtful video.
Thank you for the feedback and insight!
Very, very sympathetic to this concept. Too many people in too many fields obsess about gear instead of working on their skills to where they can make just about anything work. That said, if you enjoy collecting knives for their own sake-which I do-I don't see a problem there. The problem is in thinking the gear will somehow substitute for discipline and effort, because it won't.
I am glad to hear that! Absolutely, I am a knife collector too so I don't think there is anything wrong with owning and using many knives.
Look at the iceman Ötzi and his equipment. The cheapest, crappiest steel knife today would have been a really magical wonder tool for him. Still he managed to survive to late age (for those days) until he was murdered. It is the skill, body and mind that matters the most.
That is a very good point!
An EXCELLENT point!
Yeah. But look at him now....
Condor knife and tool has a primitive tool series where the made an "otzi" $50 or so with a canted appendix style sheath...I want it to replace my mora eldris(blade too small for me)check it out
@@gadsenculpepper4868 :- maybe you missed the point...use what you have, don't buy another knife.
Edit:- I saw that knife...very appealing for primative survival in the bush, but do you "need" it?
Just like firearms: “Beware the man with only one gun/knife. He probably knows how to use it.”
that was very bruce lee "esque"
That is true
2 is 1, 1 is none. Cops are gonna take your sd gun if you use it for what it's for or it might go down mechanically so always have a spare...
best advice: "Start practicing and stop designing"
Mhm. That's why I started with it!
No such thing as the perfect knife you will always be looking it's an addiction .
Mhm!
Even for EDC, This is very true.
The perfect knife is the knife you can use properly, can take what you ask of it and is at your side when you need it.
The perfect knife is the one that worked when you needed it most.
So true.
"Use what you got!" Good advice.
"Finesse beats Brute Force."
"Without the knowledge and skills, no knife will keep you alive."
"The "best" knife is the one you have with you."
Cliches, perhaps, but all are true as death.
That is spot on!!
Cliches are cliches because they are true in most cases.
In marketing, "bushcraft", "survival", and "tactical" are buzz words that get your attention. "Tactical" simply means that the knife is all black and has no glare. "Survival" knife really is the one you have with you in a survival situation, which usually cannot be predicted. People in the Amazon use one cutting tool, the machete. They can do anything they need to do with a machete because they use one on a daily basis (practice). I really like this video.
Thanks, and you are right!
well said I get tired of hearing those words... a backpack is a backpack and a knife if a knife... nothing tactical or so about it.
My pet peeve is knives being made for profit and that means warding off warrenty repairs and replacements. I can do things for myself in knifemaking that others won't
bushacraft, tactical, EDC, battoning, & survival, are over used and abused words. I can't stand it how all the makers are using those words to sell their stuff. Everyone thinks its cool to say them. I do not ! I grew up with a boy scout knife. I was a scout. We finally got a machette to clear brush. We did not use our knives to "baton" or " split" wood. An axe or hatchet is made for that ! That is not what a knife is for. FYI
@@triumphmanful :- You are speaking to the converted here, as most of us who think as you do clicked on this video because we do agree. Those who buy 2 lbs. knives and baton their way through the bush, they probably are not watching. Hence the controversy over batoning, thick steeled blades, torture testing and buying the next newest/greatest knife.
Fully agree. There is no end to knife buying. When I go out for some fun in the woods it is always a Gerber Strongarm, a folding saw and a small axe on a good day. Those three things do the bulk of all the work. A multitool serves as universal backup.
Thats a great pick!
The best multi tool I ever had was a Gerber. You could open it with a flick of the wrist. I never wore it out but lost it. I have others including a Leatherman but none as good as that Gerber was !
There's nothing outdoors that can't be achieved with a Mora Companion Heavy Duty knife, a Gransfors Bruks Mini Hatchet and a Silky F-180 saw.
I'm making camp fire and tent stove fuel, not building an ark!
Prodigy here .. I carry your knifes daddy
@@felixcat9318 add a small shovel to that list😆
I know I know, you can make one out of wood. I agree lol
Great advice. The endless search for the perfect knife simply never ends.
Thanks. That is so right!
This is why I carry two tools into the woods. No knife is a do all tool. Sure, you can carry a knife that is big enough to chop down a tree, but it will suck at lessor jobs. A hand ax, and a small, easy to sharpen knife will cover every cutting need. A screw driver with a hammer head on it, is not two good tools in one..... it's two bad tools. Compromise leads to failure.
@@timhallas4275 Totally agree. Going out with just a knife and expecting it to do everything just doesn't make sense.
I have bought 5 of them already .... ad still looking for the 'right' one
I suggest making your own.
Without knowledge and skills, even the finest knife would be useless.
Yes indeed!
It's reassuring when you practice and you have that inspired moment that solves a problem.
How would it be useless? You don't have to be a master bushcrafter to cut meat or rope. What a stupid comment
@@gregkis useless in the sense that you can just replace it with a box cutter if that’s all ur using it for. The knife isn’t at fault. You are.
@@Soneoak useless means it has no use.
You nailed it. Skills are usually what is lacking in a survival situation, not gear. Make smart selections on basic gear and then go use the heck out of it to determine strengths, weaknesses, and as you identified - workarounds. Great video sir!
Exactly!
Don't know your age but Im 68 and been camping my whole life. I have to say I am very impressed with your advice about learning to use one knife and use it well as opposed to keep buying other knives ! Great job !
Thank you! I'm 21
That was the biggest voice surprise I've ever had. Great advice.
Ahahaha that happens
You made good sense. pick whatever knife you feel comfortable with, and does what is needed. All knives cut, some are a little better at one thing, but give up another, so the perfect knife for all things does not exist. The knife is a tool but you are correct, learning the skills of wood-crafting, and what nature offers you, is far more important to survival.
Thank you. I am glad you see that, and can elaborate on my points!
My grandfather never owned a big knife ,he just had a jack knife but could do just about anything required on a farm with that old jack. Commercialization of bushcraft really hit hard after UA-cam came about. Just one good hunting knife is all you need.
That is a great point.
Yes. Men in the past were able to do more than modern men with only a basic folding slip joint knife. They didn't need all the fancy gear.
Doing more with less and being able to do more with less is not the same.
Small knifes are all kinda small.
There are hunting knifes and knifes you can do the hunting with. They are not the same.
Your not going to see your grandpa hamering nails with his knife because his knife is not capeable of it to begin with. You grandpa is not going to fight through mosquito forest chopping limbs off of trees on an incline on the side mountian looking for a place where the team can put in a drain field. Your going to need a machete for that stuff and an awfully specific specific construction job to be in that position even back then.
Your going to need every tool now to be built to do more if your lacking the ones you need to have. If you dont got a pick mattock, a sledge hammer and a chainsaw you might be quite under equipped to do what people used to do.
What if your off somewhere and need to dig a trench? Your Grandpa's Grandpa could probably get his hands on tnt or at least knows someone who could get it if he was not anywhere near a big city.
I see your point, however I don’t understand why you would pick a knife that isn’t even suited for the woods to be the one that you force yourself to learn on. Why not start with one designed for bushcraft/woods? Be blessed. John
Sorry to butt in, but I guess that demonstrates his point even better. Even without a jungle knife, the tasks and duties can still be done given you know how and what you're doing.
It’s hard to respond properly to your question without a better understanding of what you mean by “isn’t even suited for the woods”. Do you mean it isn’t a specialized knife designed for “the woods”?
Of course, the first answer to that would be the usual argument about using only specialized tools.
But, really, what separates “suited” from “not suited”? Is it the fact that the knife requires more skill, to at least some degree, when used in the woods? I suspect that is the essence of your question.
If so, the answer is contained in the question itself. Does having that less specialized tool give you the ability to do more things well as long as you learn the necessary skills? Since that seems to be the basic point made in the video, I think we all know the answer.
A lot of wisdom for someone so young.
Thanks.
We live in the golden age of knives. More the merrier. Find a knife you like and use it. Never force yourself to love a knife.
I agree about the golden age, however, you should choose the best knife for yourself.
@Life In The Taiga
I'm using the Terävä Jääkäripuukos knife now and it doesn't leave my side. Heavy user, great design and low cost from Finland.
Love is such a fleeting emotion, especially to those who love new and different knives. "What was once my fav, falls to the wayside when another beauty flashes by, for I fell in love again with another."
Very common sense video. Haven’t had a chance to watch you again until now. Very refreshing. The best tool you have is the one between your ears. Knives are always a compromise. All I would add is to bring backup. Can make a difference if you ever need it. Specially working over water, etc. Take care.
Thank you for the comment! you do have a good point there.
Wise words young man. It’s not about the gear, it’s about the skill acquired by practice and experience. Most of us will never be in a “survival” situation, man! I hope I never am. I just go to the woods and enjoy nature. Thanks for your video.
Thank you! I am glad you could find this discussion useful
I like Ethan Beckers' philosophy on knives, carry a chopper for brush and cutting down branches, carry a smaller knife for finer tasks, and maybe a neck knife as a backup. Having only one knife with you out in the middle of nowhere is a recipe for disaster if you lost it or if it breaks. I agree you don't need to find that 'perfect' bushcraft knife, but you definitely need more than one knife if you are going somewhere far away. I have tested many knives outside my house in the woods, suppose it was that knife that failed and only that knife I took with me on a far away journey, I would be F***ed!!! So having one knife on you would be horrible advice and one I do not recommend for excursions to a distant and remote location.
It is certainly interesting feedback. While I can see your point, we must be realistic. Quality knives simply do not fail like that. I have never, in my entire time outdoors ever had a knife break to the point where I couldn't use it.
I'm not a bushcrafter and I don't want to offend anyone who really wants to do everything with one knife, but I can think of at least two examples of people who lived off the land for real, the Sami people in Scandinavia and the mountain men who practiced fur trading in 18th century North America, who had multiple bladed tools to do various jobs.
Just carry two identical gerber Strongarms.
@@AlaskanFrontier1 I agree. But I think the point @ricev7071 was making was having more than 1. My grandpa always said, "two is one and one is none". I've lived by that philosophy as well. He's not arguing a quality knife shouldn't fail. But, if you lose that 1 knife, you won't have a backup. So have maybe 2 or 3 quality knives. I say the same for an axe or saw. Need more than 1.
@@mfreeman313 that was because they did it every single day so it made sense to have a tool for every job because for quality of life. But this video isn't for people who live in the wilderness day in and day out who have the skill to make sense of multiple different knives for ones simple task they in comparison.
I use an 8 inch blade parang hand made from Malaysia. I made my own sheath and got to tell you it is the only knife I use for camping, fishing, and hunting.
Awesome, find what works for you!
I've had an USAF 499 since 1982 and have used it extensively . Its augmented with an old Estwing camp ax and a Bow saw . Works good enough .
Your voice and your face together confuse me
That's common.
@tuetonic dog 👌
AlaskanFrontier1 I mean I still like your vids
@@casecutlerykid2095 Thank you.
I didn’t understand this comment and then I understood.
Knives are like guns - you only need one.....more.
Having said that, good point you raise. The fewer tools you have, the better you are with them. You learn to do workarounds. You’ve raised a worthwhile point. Thanks....
Thanks, fair points!!
Thanks for this view, I found myself buying and buying to find the perfect knife, and the same for firearms. It seems never ending because there is always something that looks or does something better. I'm going to try working with what I have for a change and see what happens. Thanks!
That is awesome, I am so glad you found the video!
Good idea! May you find much joy n contentment
When I was a kid on the farm we were lucky to have any rifle or shotgun....we molded ourselves to those guns, no customizations or alterations. We all shot well. We had saws, axes, and knives; we all used them. You are absolutely right about your philosophy that, "One must adapt, rather than adapt to us." Thank you.
40€ Mora Bushcraft
40 € Victorinox pocket knife,
40€ hultafors Ax and
40€ for a silky saw...that's it.
Best investment for bushcraft
Tf you get a mora limited edition for 8€ or the robust for 15€ tf 40??????
@@blackoutsurvival8261 Mora Bushcraft = Nicer handle, Longer blade with same thickness as robust, better sheath, 90º Spine, durable blued steel finish. Wich is why its more expensive
@@AYellowPepper yeah ok
Ooooffff this is getting complicated.
I just came across this video.
Man, it really made me think.
I’ve always had the “three knife” philosophy. A large chopper, a medium utility, and a folding knife with a serrated blade.
Thinking about which knife I would take if I could only have one, is very challenging. Of the hundreds of knives I own, there are maybe 20 that I would never leave behind. And only one of those is for sentimental reasons.
Many years ago, my youngest son and I would go out with just a knife and the clothes on our back. It really gets you thinking of what is important in the bush.
I need to do that again, now that I have so many more good knives from which to choose.
Very much, food for thought.
Glad you found it. I think it is some of the best advice I can give.
Why a serrated edge? I've never found the need for them (outside cutting a hot and fresh crunchy shell loaf of French bread).
@@davidhartley6232
Personally, I hate serrated blades, but they do have their use (even just for French bread).
I don’t like dulling my fine edge on rope, or cardboard. Serrations on a separate knife can be a benefit to your main knife’s edge.
I totally agree with your thoughts on this subject.
"The most important tool lies between your ears." - unknown author
Hahaha that is so true. Thanks!
It is a good point you made in this video, however I can say for me I have found my perfect survival/bushcraft knife. I love the Mora Garberg! The 90° spine is more important to me for creating fine tinder than it is for just striking a ferro rod and after all most ferro rods come with a striker. The scandi grind is the easiest for me to sharpen. The rust resistance of stainless steel is more valuable to me then the ability to bang a rock against the knife to create a spark. For me the grip is awesome, I like that it's the no matter how you hold the knife. And most importantly the knife is not so big that it gets left behind. My Garberg goes everywhere I do paired with my belt pouch and a stainless steel bottle in hand.
Well, I am glad you have found one!
I love this approach of training instead of relying on stuff. I've done something similar with bush food. I used "Botany in a Day" to teach me the edible families, and every time I'd get into the woods I'd identify and consume a new plant.
I now day hike with no food for 3 seasons, and I'll overnight with no food this summer.
Yeah, it's not as tasty as getting the best camp food, but I like that approach of teaching the mind rather than buying the latest $10 camping meal.
Good points, I am glad you can see the sense in this approach.
For the last 2 years I have been using only Mora companion heavy duty stainless steel for going to the forest. I agree with everything you said, I use a knife for everything from food preparation to wood processing. For $ 20-25 I’m not sorry if I destroy or lose it, it’s important to me to have fun enjoying nature and practicing bushcraft and survival skills. Stay safe and you have new subscriber :D
I have the same knife, its an absolutely solid performer, and more capable than its owner.
Great points! I'm with you: the saturation of videos about knives is overwhelming. I think we forget that at the end of the day it's not the tool, but the skill with the tool that wins the day.
Thanks for posting!
Exactly! Thanks for watching!
Thanks for posting. :-)
Finally, someone to speak up and say it godamnit
IMO beginners should grab a trusty inexpansive knife that can take a beating, like a Mora, a Terävä, even a folder like a Victorinox or an Opinel, or whatever as long as it's from a trusted brand and not some novelty trash
Then practice the hell out of it to get a feel of what works for them and what doesn't
Once they are comfortable with it, only then should just search for a knife that would work better for them with lesser shortcomings
More long term solution, one can save up a crapton of money to order a custom crafter knife following their own desired specs
Let's get real here : what works for someone won't work for me, and vice versa. There might be "perfect knives" out there alright, but a knife that can content everyone does not and will never exist
Thank you!
I see that the KJV is part of your load-out. Good for you, my friend! It is the ultimate "survival" tool.
It absolutely is! Agreed brother!!!!
Firmament meaning? Multiple passages about how earth is set on foundations and does NOT move?
@@WestSyde303 n Scripture the word denotes an expanse, a wide extent; for such is the signification of the Hebrew word. The original, therefore, does not convey the sense of solidity, but of stretching, extension; the great arch of expanse over our heads, in which are placed the atmosphere and the clouds, and in which the stars appear to be placed, and are really seen. The passage about foundation does not move is a rewording in newer translations. Idioms are often hard to convey into another language. The KJV states Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever. Your interpretation is off as other verses state that the earth hangs on nothing and this is long before gravity was defined. I would reconsider where you get your information from if you have trouble understanding these concepts.
@@TheGfhicks Amen ..very well spoken😉
@@WestSyde303 if you read in context you'll realize it's parables
My first knife is an old, abused Marbles bowie knife with an antler handle. I found it in a $5 section at our cutlery store. It was tarnished, pitted, and chipped like hell. I had to make it work for me. I dont have much money so I had to work with what I had. I resurfaced it by hand with varying grits of sandpaper and sharpened it by glueing some of said sandpaper to wood. Ive had it for over a year now and use it from filleting fish, sharpening pencils for journaling, to prepping a duck from my flock for Christmas last year. I have yet to test it for making feathersticks or striking a firesteel, but I am confident MY knife I fixed up with my own two hands can do those tasks as well.
That is awesome!
I agree with what you are saying. This is just for me, I know many love their "bush craft" knife, but I prefer a more general all around use knife. To each their own..if you prefer a bush crafter, then by all means, carry one. Bush craft knives are fine, and I own a few of them, but more often than not, I carry a more all around user knife with a 6-7 inch blade, and a high saber or convex grind. If you keep a good sharp edge on your knife, and use it enough to get proficient with it, you can do pretty much any task with it that a bush craft style knife can do. and some things that a smaller bush craft knife is just not so good at.
Bottom line, is, regardless of what style knife you like to carry, you should practice with it and build your skills., Get to know it, and how it performs, as well as its limitations.
I am digging that CRK knife you got there btw. Nice knife!
Good video, and let the purists hate fest begin, LOL.
Thanks for the great points! I have gravitated toward the general purpose knives over the years! Hahahaha you are so right about the CRK, everyone is so upset, but thats okay, its a fantastic knife. and I am not preaching about how you need to buy one too.
@@AlaskanFrontier1 That's right. I watched the whole vid, and not once did I hear you say go out and get yourself one of these, lol. I have eyed that same knife up a few times, but never pulled the trigger. Kind of expensive, but then, I have 3 BRK's, all just shy of the $300 mark, and a $430 Jesee Hemphil custom, so I can;t use the price as an excuse, hahahahaha. I normally carry a bigger knife like that, and I always always always have a folder on me anyway, so if going to the woods, I just make sure that the one in my pocket is a sturdy one that I can use if I either need to do really fine work that a big knife might be awkward for, or as a back up if god forbid, I lose my main belt knife.
@@AlaskanFrontier1 BTW, I'm a collector, not just a user, that's why I have so many knives. It's not because I've been looking for that perfect knife. I just love knives. Both fixed and folders.
A Bushcraft knife. A survival knife. They have their place. I lean to slicey hunter-utility knives. Im sick to the death of black knives and sharpened pry bars. I don't wanna specialize my carry piece design-wise to past the General use arena. I don't have a primary knife bec I do not get out enough and do skills practice. I think its a cool endevor, just don't get around to it.
This is the first bushcraft/survival knife video I’ve seen that really makes this much sense. Well done!
I haven’t tried to order it yet. But that Pacific is the knife I am planning to buy for camping and survival. It fits my hand really well and it is, in my opinion, a beautiful example of craftsmanship.
I’m also a bit more comfortable with a bigger knife than most recommend. Because, as I learned from my father long ago, it is easier to learn how to use a larger knife (there were a number of different grips he showed me for using a larger blade to do finer work) for everything than it is to carry a second knife when you really need that larger blade. No matter how great it is, no skill can make a 3 to 4 inch knife able to do the work of a 6 inch blade.
And, yeah, I think Busse knives are awesome, too. But I think they are just too big and heavy to be practical for most people’s one and only knife. Though I’ve seen people who make knives that big work. It’s just a whole different level of skill than I think I’ll ever achieve.
I am glad this video was helpful! I can really say that the CRK Pacific is very hard to beat in overall usefulness in just about any situation. Yes, there is good creedence to learning a big blade and making it perform many different tasks.
It puts the lotion on its skin
Dead
Fuck!!!! That hurt !!! I laughed too hard
Or else it gets the hose again.
I just laughed so hard I sharted
Put the lotion in the fucking basket!
I like your idea about no perfect knife. Every tool has its purpose. A knife is not an axe, an axe can function as a knife. My knife is a weapon first and foremost. I would suggest a cheap south American machete. Also, and this is simply my opinion, I would not suggest randomly whacking limbs. If you are in a survival situation it is a needless waste of energy or if you a being tracked by someone with nefarious plans you are making the job easier for them
Spot on! Nice to get people refusing to be some kind of indirect or direct PR for gear companies and consume addicts.. Back to reality, knives are just tools and main event is everything else..
EXCELLENT
Exactly!
The two words bush and craft together screws us users as manufacturers pounce on the people who don’t know what to shop for. It’s the same shot with the camping scene. Now they call it overlanding . No asswipes it’s camping ⛺️ 😁
Agreed. Even though this kid is kind of annoying, he's correct. I don't have any knives less than 6.75", except some cheap stainless steel Mossy Oak knives I got at Walmart. My 7-8" blades are very good knives, and can do anything a small knife can. I always carry a Leatherman Wave anyway, because that's actually more important. If I want a small blade, I'll use that one.
I agree. At lot of people seem to be under the impression that the knife will make them a better bushcrafter when in fact it's the knowledge of how to use a knife does.
Thank you so much! I never expected my message to resonate so well.
@Life In The Taiga -
1) u mentioned a few months back that u tried a CPM 3V knife and it chipped. do u remember the brand n model number/knife name?
2) Also i read that some have used stainless steel knives in freezing temperatures and the blades break. can u tell me of your experience with this with fully stainless steels and also with your reeves pacific please in severe cold weather? i know the reeves pacific is a hybrid carbon innner surrounded by stainless steel if i remember correctly.
It's really about the structure of CPM3V. But it was a BRK Bushcrafter.
The weather has little to do with effecting the blades and their probability to break. No the CRK Pacific is pure CMP-S35VN
Great vid! The difference between you and others is that you are focused on the craft, and other are collecting. Nothing wrong with either, but you are right, it's hard to get good at the craft if you're just collecting and hoarding gear. Thanks for pointing out the difference!
Thank you!
I agree pick one and use it but we all know that we continue to get more for backups or for trade. Thinking of them also as an investment. We use the same reasoning with guns. They are all just tools. A fellow I know on a forum a long time ago said, "You can never have too many knives." Haha. Oh, the money we drop on guns and knives. Then we tell folks this is why you should not get into guns or knives. I agree we need to use what we have. Stop buying and start using. My problem is I buy and use, then buy some more and use some more. So its not like I am just buying and not using. Haha. None of them are perfect. Each one has a different role but one can be made to do it all if necessary. Thanks for sharing.
Very great points, to each their own.
This is good practical advice for someone that doesn’t have the cash for multiple knives. I think some people feel when they get in to bushcraft or survival they need that knife that cost over 100$. So many options for good knives in the 50$ range. I have some of those knives. I have knives that cost 100$ or more but I always end up using the less expensive ones. I don’t even need those other knives. Alan Rice.
Thanks for the feedback. Learning to use one knife is a critical philosophy for sure. Regardless the price of the equipment. If you look at Mors he had a range of knife from $200+ to $10-
Yesss, about time someone shares my view on knives. I have a lot of knives too many knives and all have different handles, but I can use all of them because I always handle them even when I'm not using my knives I handle them and just have them in my hand, so much so that I swear I can juggle my knives, anyway, I hate it when you see a lot of these high subscribed youtubers that review knives telling you that the knife is good for somethings but not for others. I have expensive knives but I also have midlevel priced ones like the BK2 and some cheaper ones like shrades schf36 37 and 40 and I can use all of them because like you say I forced myself to use them, the beauty of the human body is its ability to mold itself and turn an uncomfortableness into a comfortable one. If you use a knife that feels uncomfortable keep using it and you'll see that after some practice it'll start to feel comfortable because you'll be becoming familiar with the knife and its physical attributes.
Thanks for sharing!!
I agree. One knife, one axe, one saw, and one machete. Done... with buying over hyped knifes.
I like the thought you expressed
Yes!!
Thanks for the informative video. What is the model of the backpack you are using in this video? Best wishes.
That would be a Camelbak Linchpin.
Hahaha chopping away stuff at the beginning when you could just walk through it. After 11 seconds i have seen enough, went to the comment section and it confirmed my suspicions.. ;))
Hahaha, that was just test footage to showcase the effectiveness of the knife. To think I actually walk around the forest doing this all the time is ridiculous.
I've had the same knife for 35 years , I found it buried on a farm I worked at .
It always comes with me to the woods 🙂
big dead cat what knife
I realized a loge time ago when I noticed that every time I went out, I almost always was taking the same knives with me. My main knife is my ka bar and I'm quite happy with it. After that, it just depends on what other tool/tools I may be taking with me.
Exactly my point!
I see it as a primary knife that evolves to that status, then companion knives that can answer lesser occurring but needful jobs
Amen. I'm a knife guy that came to the same conclusion. Now I have ONE. And it's not fancy. It's the Gerber Prodigy for everything. And it's not that big of a leap either considering we have additional tools too!
1. I extensively modded an old Craftsman multitool with a saw, chisel, awl and a hacksaw razor blade
2. Shovel
3. Folding saw
4. Hatchet
Having just one bushcraft survival knife like you say is reasonable considering the other list we can pick from.
you know what? i've come across myself to same conclusion.. The perfect buscraft knife or the perfect gun or the perfect tent or something else ... the answer it is always the same.. the perfect tool it will be the one you could manage to use or learn to use at your advantage... i used some knife for bushcrafting.. and the knife i'm ended with.. here in italy it is a Mora Knife.. just like that.. you nailed it man.. i'm with you .. i've got the same decision you've made..
I am glad! It is a good conclusion!
You need to make your Own from leaf spring. 8” blade 3/16” thick and 1.75-2” blade depth with a finger guard and wood handle
I read this in a thick Russian accent for sure.
True, nothing and I mean nothing can beat the leaf springs in knife or machete making.
Making my own stone tool kit and using it taught me a lot. I arrived to the same conclusion as you.
That's pretty epic
I just spent about 2 weeks researching bushcraft knives and finally settled on one. afterwords I started looking again. I'm glad I thought the same way you did in this video. no knife is perfect if you don't perfect how you use it.
Exactly!
Very good point. Many of these people talk a good show....but that's all they do , talk. How many of them do more than hammer their knife through a log from the wood pile? Precious few. Many of them seem to be permanently based in their back gardens (beside the wood pile) Many of the knives they show are neither fish nor fowl. Too big and thick in the blade to be handy or good slicers yet not big enough to chop or split with authority. It would seem that they are so caught up around the axle with beating or hammering on their knives that they have forgotten how, or are unable to slice with their knives.Watch many of them scratch at a branch with their knives, it is truly pitiful.
Those are the people that inspired me to make this video.
Interesting statement bec it is a truth that feels like the elephant in the room no one wants to aknowledge
I have a 53 year old or possibly older Bowie it 11 inches & 3/4 inches long deer bone handle & it’s fine for my bush crafting . I also have a very very old bone skinner knife that someone made for me as a Christmas gift , the metal & the bone was found around a very very old Indian mound in Kentucky on a friends land . I also carry a Buck Ghost rider folder that are all of the knifes I need when I’m out in the woods.
Hmmmm. Gotta agree.very true it's the user knowledge not the tool....
Thank you! It really is!
2nd Chance George: Not necessarily true in all cases. Yes, a great guitar player will make a cheap, poorly made guitar sound pretty good, BUT his best music will ALWAYS come from a well made guitar. The same holds true with a craftsman and his best tools. Working with the wrong tool can only be overcome to a limit. If you are planning to camp in the wilderness with a minimal number of tools, make sure they ALL are the best at the job they will be doing. Never compromise functionality or quality.
@@timhallas4275 true, I just feel there is alot of excess out there....if thats the right word.
@@2ndchancegeorge There is a lot of bullshit out there. Knife manufacturers will tell you whatever makes you want their product. For the purpose of "Survival" (what ever that is), the ability to build shelter and fire, to find and prepare food provided by nature is the number one purpose of your tool selection. Knife makers want you to believe that every situation will find you with a knife as your only tool. That is what we call the Rambo Situation. It will never happen to you. 99.99% of people who are in the woods, building shelter, and fire and searching for food are doing it as a hobby. (recreation)... and they have brought with them many "survival" items. I am not, nor would I ever want to be Rambo. Let's be clear: in almost every situation, the number one and number two survival tools are a gun and a cell phone. Of all the things a knife can enable, it will not likely help you find food, or avoid being food.
@@timhallas4275 yes, i am no bushcrafter or survivalist. Just someone who enjoys the outdoors and the "freedom" it gives me. But I do need to be as prepared as possible. I did alot of searching and was overwhelmed by what is said and offered out there. Most I take with a pinch of salt. Others I heed. Personally I believe having the tools is only a part of surviving. Mental strength I believe is paramount. Tools are needed. The better tool will always be better. I simply cannot afford most. I buy what I believe is the best tool I can afford. It just seems that everyone believes thier tool to be THE TOOL. Many a novice has been led astray....including me. Oh well. But I persist. Both knowledge of the correct use and the right tool is needed to be truely effective.
What are the gloves you are wearing, if you don’t mind me asking? I like them and have been looking for a good pair for when I’m in the mountains. Thanks man.
Should be mechanix orginals
Thanks man
Lol I’ve used a ka bar usmc for 16 years. I’ve had 3 of those. Then I found bushcrafting knives. I have the tops bob and the Benchcraft one. The tops to me is a hatchet/knife and the benchcraft is a skinner/bushcraft that doesn’t rust.
My point is I agree with you. Tools are toys but it’s amazing what you can do with what you have.
Pretty awesome perspective.
It's all personal preference,I use a white river fc5 and the hardcore hammers survivalist hatchet. After you have the tools then all that's left is copious amounts of practice.
Good choices, and yes practice makes perfect
True !! .. I own about 25-30 knives and only really 2 (plus EDC folding knife) and one of them is one of the cheepst knives own but also one of the best its the mora bushcraft black the other knife I use a lot is my Nepalese made jungle pawalwl Kukri knife which is like half machete half knife I tend to use it in place of a hatchet. The other knives rarely see the light of day. I went through a phase of buying and collecting knives thinking I would use them one day but they just sit in my storage draws
Exactly!
I’ve done this too. Got sick of looking for a ‘perfect knife’ . I bought a couple in hopes of finding ‘the best’, but got sick of having to decide on which one to take with me into the Bush. So I gave them away to family and bought my last and only knife. The British Army MoD Knife. Doesn’t do one thing well but it does everything. Wanted a Jack of all trades knife. Now it’s time to practice with it
A really expensive sharp knife can look like crap in the hands of a inexperienced person but a cheap knife with decent sharpness can look really good in the hands of a experienced craftsman. Its the skills you learn that will make you survive or be the best craft man not a knife that you can boton a log with
Good points, and true.
Many would like to blame the tool for their shortcomings, hence the purchase of the next perfect knife...to fix one's own faults.
Fantastic videos and reviews! I am wondering, a little over a year later, what is your opinion on the knife now? Do you have any new observations or differing opinions about it?
Still love it.
I've heard it said multiple times.
The best knife.......
( or anything else for that matter ) is the one you have.
Yup yup!
That's not true. What if you have a Wal-Mart knife
I'm still curious what knife you picked there. I've got the hogue, several of them. I think your right though, I'll probably chose the 7" ex f01 to play with. I still want to buy the jungle-ass... I'll do that before I quit buying LOL. but good advise, I kinda did that with my guns in different stages. First keeping it to a few different types of rounds, then reduced it to well rounded needs rifle, shotgun, handgun ect, you don't need ten each to have a well rounded set to fit every purpose. knives you need even fewer of, he is right here familiarity with your tool has way greater value then people realize, even with knives. I've been carrying an HK compact 45 for thirty years, I have everything you can imagine but only carry that because I know that gun so well. same pocket knife in my pocket for over 15 years, I couldn't imagine changing it. I still have all that cool crap that other then a toy, has no value to me... point well taken
CRK Pacific
Best survival knife are like handguns. If it looks good and feels good and you love it then it's perfect for you.
True
Gotta agree... too many 'would be' bushcrafters get into gear and come down with 'gearitis' - a nasty affliction. lol Yes, choose a knife that you think will suit your needs, and then learn to use it, learn what it CAN do and more importantly, get to know what it's limits are and what it can NOT do... treat it like any other useful tool, treat with respect, care, and maintain it accordingly. Good video. We just got back from a wilderness adventure recording wolves here in Ontario, Canada, near Algonquin Park, and all I use is my pocket knife when it's needed.... and I've had that knife for over 35 years. Thanks for sharing your video and thoughts. Glenn & Maureen
Thank you for the insight!
Why use a knife for anything other than food processing and small carving tasks?
Good axe does it all and will outlast any knife lol
True.
I thought MOST....lol ....folks use a knife to avoid carrying a axe or a machete
Joe I agree ... if I see one more self proclaimed “bushcrafter “
“ survivalist “ on UA-cam making
“ feathersticks “ “ batoning “ piece fucking wood goin slit my wrist..
I agree with you, buying a lot of knives are for collectors, which is fun if you have a lot of money to spend. But when you're outdoors, you don't need more than 1 knife. Many tasks which are forced upon "survival knives" are better done with a cheap axe or saw anyway.
You got 100%
I like buying knives. I like buying guns. Baseball cards and comic books aren't my style so those are the alternative. Weapons and tools make me smile.
Good point, if you like collecting them, go for it!
I like all the above, including comic books!
@@Stucknthe80z nothing wrong with that!
nope!
You're right. I usually give the knives to a person who doesn't have one anyway, while I search for another cool knife that I dig. It's only a hobby, not a lifestyle. Have fun, we only live once.
You are so right. I have 2 knives just a scandi grind Garberg and a Esee PR4 for the finer tasks. thats it. And i will use them until they fall apart..The more knifes you own the less special they are for you. I tend to really like my favorite knife and have 1 backup thats it and it works for me. Good vid! 👍🏼 dont like that its made commercial and now they make thousends of bushcraft knives just for the money.
Awesome, I am glad you have a system
Good on you! I agree ... Work with what you have... Learn all of what your tools can do n practice until the tools are an extension of your hand/ fingers... Thanks for sharing! ATB from sunny Wintergarden,Florida👍🌴😎🌴👍!
Exactly! Thanks for the awesome comment!
The edge of that "ROUND EDGE" does strike sparks off a ferro rod and will scrape fatwood, bark etc Try it you will be supprised!!! I have one and its an awesome knife for the price.
Oh, cool! I know, not many have a Pacific but its a brilliant knife!
Its a hobby for me, i like to collect and test knives. Its expensive tho
Yeah but theres worse things you can spend money on, like crack. So whenever your significant other says something just be like atleast im not buying crack. Perfect excuse for everything you buy
Hey, there is nothing wrong with collecting knives, I do too! I made this video for the person thinking that there knife is what made them skilled.
I agree & appreciate your point, however I might rephrase it as "there's no ultimate bushcraft / survival knife. Some knife designers & companies do put a lot of thought and work into making a very good knife for bushcrafting and wilderness survival and that shouldn't be discounted. Especially if you're unskilled, inexperienced and not knowledgeable about knives and how to use them safely, effectively and efficiently. Also, as the Grey Bearded Green Beret likes to say, "If you 1 of something, you've none of something.", as it may get lost, stolen or damaged. Lastly, one of the winners of 'Naked & Alone' chose the Leatherman P2 as their best survival tool over any brand or type of bushcraft survival knife.
In survival situation is every knife the best friend.
I guess
I have one thing to say about this video. Exactly, well said. Your skill will more than make up for any flaws or short comings that a tool may have.
Wow, Thanks!! I am glad you saw the point!
Good video, there is no single knife to rule them all, what works for some will not work for others,
You should try using only an axe, hatchet or tomahawk,
Then try a kukri,
Oh, I have used only an axe, and only a tomahawk. I do agree, and that is why I did not say, this CRK Pacific is the best knife to exist, I know it is not for everyone.
His statements are the most intelligent approach to any knife you choose. As he says, don’t be sucked into spending all your money trying to find a better design. I survived for years with a Buck #119 for camp chores & processed all my deer with just a Buck #110 stainless folding knife. Keep them shaving sharp & learn to become proficient, is the best advice you’ll ever get.
Thank you!!
Those are both time tested knives and true knives , there is a reason every hunter either has or has had them 👍👍
Gerber Strongarm. That's my one tool option.
Yup or nieto knives
The Strongarm is a good all around knife. I love mine. Damn near bomb proof.
@Swamp Rat whitch ones?
@Swamp Rat
lol. Ok.....
Good to hear, I got one recently
I was seeing all these reviews on tools and thought i had to by them but i ended up making the tools i want out of what i have. I restored an old rusted axe, changed the grinds of my knifes for my needs and customized wooden handles by carving them in to the right form for my hand etc. It is very satisfying to give an object the shape you imagine and make it yours. I also started to use them with more care.
That is an awesome experience I am glad you landed on what works!
@@AlaskanFrontier1 I stumbled upon your video now for the second time and both times i watched it, it inspired me. You really addressed an important point here. Well done, bud. You definitely had an impact on me.
@@AlaskanFrontier1 Thank you!
Bruce Lee once said (paraphrased):
“I don’t fear the man who practiced 10,000 kicks one time. But, I do fear the man who practiced one kick 10,000 times.”
That philosophy doesn’t just apply to martial arts. Great vid. On point.
Well said!
For decades I've done everything I or others needed with what I carried, a Victorinox Swiss Champ, later joined by a Leatherman Super Tool.
The Swiss Champ hacksaw and woodsaw have saved the day on more occasions than I can remember!
Becoming skillful with what you have is wonderful.
A Victorinox Huntsman, a Mora Companion Heavy Duty knife and a Silky F-180 Saw make a wonderfully capable set that's inexpensive, and which the user can learn great skills.
Great video. Train around what you have and you will be surprised what you can do and it seems you have proven that. It’s about training and not gear. Good job 👍
Thanks!
I hear you guys and I get it. BUT the flip side to this is I'm in it for more than the "make what you have work" philosophy lol. I love the chase of a knives' artistic design/ smart engineering that accomplishes many tasks creatively. I study and research, ad nauseum, before I buy a tool because there are improvements on tech, designs, features/sheaths and steels. Knife designs repeat, so I grab what I believe are the best in specialties/ specs: bushcraft knives, EDC folders and multitools(SAK). I'm working to have one for each such as: Scandi, convex, saber, flat, lengths (4-6 in.), 1095, 1075, supersteels, laminates, handles (carbon fiber, micarta, etc.) folders, locking mechanisms, blade shape (drop point, wharncliffe, leaf etc)and the combinations created lol...
I have been carrying a BK 7 around now for a few years. It does most tasks well and is a well made for the money knife. Good video.
Yeah, the BK7 is an amazing knife for the price!
I like thinking of BK 7 & 9. Then I think of 3V and then I think 3V is more and extra I may never use enough to appriciate. Well for all the overthinking I do not have a BK .
I got an esee 4 and I have no experience with bush crafting. I hope I got a good knife and can learn some bush crafting skills with it
I would say so. ESEE does a good job
That's so true!! This whole bushcrafting trans vent overboard, and is irealistic!! I got fought in it too, and also end up with stupid purchases like knifes designed by Chris Tanner from Preperedmind101 oh goshhhh!! It's embarrassing!! Verry good point you made with this video
Hahahahaha Thank you! Atleast you could sell them?
He's a great UA-camr, but some of the designs are so dialed in and specialized. That's an effective approach, just want to do more than emulate videos: enjoy the outdoors in a wise manner with as much safety as possible. I think Prepared Mind 101 has an over arching perspective of being safe and wise, while providing for fun and entertainment. Just don't be like the late Roman period and entertain yourself to death and loss of core values
Schrade makes a great copy of this knife. It costs about $60.00 and they're good and solid!
My dad told this to my bro when he got into golf: "Son, buying golf clubs like the ones Tiger Woods uses doesn't make you play like tiger woods"
My first fixed blade was a $5 knife advertised as a boot knife. Then I bought a Mora Companion. Following that, I recieved a Terava Jaakaripuukko 110 as a gift, and I've decided to pretty much use it exclusively unless I someday accrue a lot of disposable income.