Blackie Thomas As an old city-raised man (me), still have dreams of safely experiencing outdoor travels with justn mother nature as my travel companion. Your videos are informative and inspiring for myself and others. Best wishes for all!
I’m a huge fan of old hickory knifes I recently purchased there 14inch butcher knife to use as a machete.I’m currently in the process of molding it for that purpose. I previously owned there seven inch butcher knife I had modified as well used as my belt knife for years tell I replaced it with a Jeff White Trekker. This is were I feel a lot of the old hickory knifes and cold steel stuff shine. Great to mod and pretty cheap so you can personalize your gear, And it’s not as difficult to replace if your learning and new or if your like me and just like experimenting with new mods and ideas.
You can't go wrong with any of the Mora knives for sure. I own the Condor Bushlore and Kephart and they are great budget knives but they do have the tendency to roll or chip under hard use (especially the Bushlore). I've found that convexing the edge on the 1075 steel makes for a much stronger cutting edge and greatly improves the edge retention. You can also put a micro-bevel on the Bushlore to strengthen the scandi edge but the convexing works much better.
estima8tor1 My Bushlore chipped real bad the first time I seriously used it (making a bow) but three hours on a wet stone fixed it. I have not had any problems. I think the original temper of the edge may have been off. Maybe from grinding the edge - got too hot or something. That was four years ago. I have not had any problems since - even when my grandkids used it. It is a good inexpensive knife.
Yup, mine did the same thing but after a lot of field sharpening the edge eventually became slightly convexed which seem to solve the chipping problems. I have more expensive LT Wright & Bark River knives but the Bushlore & Kephart are still some of my favorite "go to" knives. They are fairly inexpensive so I don't worry to much about damage from hard use and they are extremely easy to sharpen which you have to do a lot, lol ....
My old man taught me that you start with an entry level tool and earn your way up to a master's quality tool when working in the trades. Same goes for the woods in my opinion. Good video.
All good information.. it really doesn't take much money to get active in the woods. For my area, a machete and large folding saw are an excellent combination. Weighs the same as an axe with more versatility. Thanks for the video...
Great video Blackie! I love your gear reviews. I would love to see more vintage gear review I loved the Boy Scout gear you were showcasing a while back!!
My traditional custom kephart is my favorite knife at this time but my mora classic 2 still goes on every trip for woodcraft around camp. The mora is just a great all around knife and an exceptional starter. My progression was similar to yours mora then condor kephart the mora companion hd condor jungle Bowie and now a couple customs and I almost always carry a Barlow style 2-3 blade BSA style knife. Cheers thanks for the video.
Once again a great video. Cost is always a factor for sure. There are a couple of things I carry/use that may be of interest. I bought 3 Mora milsurp 20 years ago, $10. They are a constant companion. I love this knife. I do recommend a folding pocket knife style shaping tool. Has a couple of offset blade made to carve and shape wood. I found the down time in camp a great time to make some interesting dingle sticks. They weigh nothing and you can carve the neatest camp tools. I also still use a military Web belt to carry my gear, with suspenders. As you get older you really notice the weight. Great subject Blackie.
Good video, Blackie. I own all of the knives that you showed. I agree with everything that you said. I own neither a Kukri nor a machete, because I live in Illinois. We might carry corn knives or sickles around here if it is needed, but it's not often needed. I am in familiar territory.
very true use what works for you in your woods.. in the far north a axe is the way to go..in the deep swamps a machete is king..use what works..thanks for the comment safe journeys
Very good information and suggestions from someone who has put the tools to use and knows what they are capable of. If you start with a budget tool and develop your skills with that, you will all the more appreciate the heirloom quality (more costly) tools. Great video Blackie.
Great talk blackie your vid will be up tonight ! Ya it just a learning curve you must do and play with over time for sure I like that Kephart ! Nice blade ! You take care brother
Hi Blackie... great video and great advice. My cousin, Judy, and I were just poor hillbilly kids when we started playing in the woods. I guess today you would call it woodscraft, but that was before it became a hobby. Our gear was mostly homemade with a few army surplus things. Grandpa had even made our belt knives. We had fun and learned with this stuff. A lot of people today might call it junk. But it was our tools for fun. Later in life I bought a lot of expensive gear. It worked and my kids and I had fun with it. However, in my old age I have gone back to using my homemade and surplus gear - some of the stuff I used 60 years ago. Why? Well, it works and it is fun to make your own gear. But, more important I want to teach my grandkids you don't have to spend a fortune to have fun in nature. It is the skill that matters. A person with $20 - $30 of homemade gear can have just as much fun as someone with $2000 worth of gear. Once again thanks for the great video.... Later....
I think there is so much hype about "super steels" in knives that are very expensive that a lot of people are afraid they are making a mistake buying a budget knife, even if it is well made. Knowing how to field sharpen a knife alleviates the problem with lesser steels that don't hold an edge quite as long as say, 3v. The more you know the less you need, as the saying goes, and I agree with that statement.
Hey blackie, I grew up in my part of the south knocking around the woods with whatever hand me down knife I was gifted by my dad and uncle. Pushed mowed a lot of grass to buy my first and only kukri.... it’s been with me for over 20 years. And I’ve got to tell you, thanks for great videos. And keep up the great work. Stay safe
Blackie Thomas
As an old city-raised man (me), still have dreams of safely experiencing outdoor travels with justn mother nature as my travel companion.
Your videos are informative and inspiring for myself and others. Best wishes for all!
Excellent Presentation
I’m a huge fan of old hickory knifes I recently purchased there 14inch butcher knife to use as a machete.I’m currently in the process of molding it for that purpose. I previously owned there seven inch butcher knife I had modified as well used as my belt knife for years tell I replaced it with a Jeff White Trekker. This is were I feel a lot of the old hickory knifes and cold steel stuff shine. Great to mod and pretty cheap so you can personalize your gear, And it’s not as difficult to replace if your learning and new or if your like me and just like experimenting with new mods and ideas.
I have owned that same Cold Steel KUKRI for years, cheap priced at ACADEMY and I also did the paracord handle wrap!! Very good chopper!!
Loving your videos, finding them very helpful. I'm just getting into bushcraft/woodscaft
Great advise Blackie
Thank you Blackie, good video and information.
You can't go wrong with any of the Mora knives for sure. I own the Condor Bushlore and Kephart and they are great budget knives but they do have the tendency to roll or chip under hard use (especially the Bushlore). I've found that convexing the edge on the 1075 steel makes for a much stronger cutting edge and greatly improves the edge retention. You can also put a micro-bevel on the Bushlore to strengthen the scandi edge but the convexing works much better.
estima8tor1 My Bushlore chipped real bad the first time I seriously used it (making a bow) but three hours on a wet stone fixed it. I have not had any problems. I think the original temper of the edge may have been off. Maybe from grinding the edge - got too hot or something. That was four years ago. I have not had any problems since - even when my grandkids used it. It is a good inexpensive knife.
Yup, mine did the same thing but after a lot of field sharpening the edge eventually became slightly convexed which seem to solve the chipping problems. I have more expensive LT Wright & Bark River knives but the Bushlore & Kephart are still some of my favorite "go to" knives. They are fairly inexpensive so I don't worry to much about damage from hard use and they are extremely easy to sharpen which you have to do a lot, lol ....
Love these videos great job blackie!
My old man taught me that you start with an entry level tool and earn your way up to a master's quality tool when working in the trades. Same goes for the woods in my opinion. Good video.
Now on to the rest of kit!! Thanks.Although you've upgraded,it's good to see your older kit still has meaning/value to ya.
Great video Blackie, Though I don't do Woodscraft, I enjoy watching and learning. Thank you.
All good information.. it really doesn't take much money to get active in the woods.
For my area, a machete and large folding saw are an excellent combination. Weighs the same as an axe with more versatility.
Thanks for the video...
Real good video David...peace!...woods
Great video full of common sense, not so common these days.
Great video Blackie! I love your gear reviews. I would love to see more vintage gear review I loved the Boy Scout gear you were showcasing a while back!!
Blackie great information you can find a lot of good budget knives at flea markets
My traditional custom kephart is my favorite knife at this time but my mora classic 2 still goes on every trip for woodcraft around camp. The mora is just a great all around knife and an exceptional starter. My progression was similar to yours mora then condor kephart the mora companion hd condor jungle Bowie and now a couple customs and I almost always carry a Barlow style 2-3 blade BSA style knife. Cheers thanks for the video.
Once again a great video. Cost is always a factor for sure. There are a couple of things I carry/use that may be of interest. I bought 3 Mora milsurp 20 years ago, $10. They are a constant companion. I love this knife. I do recommend a folding pocket knife style shaping tool. Has a couple of offset blade made to carve and shape wood. I found the down time in camp a great time to make some interesting dingle sticks. They weigh nothing and you can carve the neatest camp tools. I also still use a military Web belt to carry my gear, with suspenders. As you get older you really notice the weight. Great subject Blackie.
I bought one of those Pakistani kukri’s for 25$ years ago & I still use it.. I had to modify the handle but all & all it was a great buy..
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experience !
I was wondering if you could do a series on percussion rifles. I learned a lot in your revolver series & used a lot of it.
i have thought of it..i may do so in the future if so i will announce it
Good video, Blackie.
I own all of the knives that you showed. I agree with everything that you said.
I own neither a Kukri nor a machete, because I live in Illinois.
We might carry corn knives or sickles around here if it is needed, but it's not often needed. I am in familiar territory.
very true use what works for you in your woods.. in the far north a axe is the way to go..in the deep swamps a machete is king..use what works..thanks for the comment safe journeys
Very good information and suggestions from someone who has put the tools to use and knows what they are capable of. If you start with a budget tool and develop your skills with that, you will all the more appreciate the heirloom quality (more costly) tools. Great video Blackie.
Any suggestions on a folding saw, I was thinking about a laplander?
Great talk blackie your vid will be up tonight ! Ya it just a learning curve you must do and play with over time for sure I like that Kephart ! Nice blade ! You take care brother
Hi Blackie... great video and great advice. My cousin, Judy, and I were just poor hillbilly kids when we started playing in the woods. I guess today you would call it woodscraft, but that was before it became a hobby. Our gear was mostly homemade with a few army surplus things. Grandpa had even made our belt knives. We had fun and learned with this stuff. A lot of people today might call it junk. But it was our tools for fun.
Later in life I bought a lot of expensive gear. It worked and my kids and I had fun with it. However, in my old age I have gone back to using my homemade and surplus gear - some of the stuff I used 60 years ago. Why? Well, it works and it is fun to make your own gear. But, more important I want to teach my grandkids you don't have to spend a fortune to have fun in nature. It is the skill that matters. A person with $20 - $30 of homemade gear can have just as much fun as someone with $2000 worth of gear.
Once again thanks for the great video....
Later....
so Levi is that when your cousin Judy was tote'n your gear through the "jungles" of ??? was it Cleveland or Cincinnati? Oh - HI - Oh
I've got a condor bushlore that hasn't left the sheath. I need to fix that and get it dirty.
I think there is so much hype about "super steels" in knives that are very expensive that a lot of people are afraid they are making a mistake buying a budget knife, even if it is well made. Knowing how to field sharpen a knife alleviates the problem with lesser steels that don't hold an edge quite as long as say, 3v. The more you know the less you need, as the saying goes, and I agree with that statement.
GREAT VIDEO BROTHER. IAM EXTREAMELY GRATEFUL FOR ALL THE KNOWLEDGE THAT YOU PASS DOWN TO US. THANK YOU PEACE&SAFE JOURNEYS UNTO YOU SIR.
What are your opinions on a Sak or leatherman as a woodcraft knife
gabriel
The Leatherman wave, ferro rod, and bic are always in my pocket no matter what else I carry.
I use to carry a surge then I got the swiss champ that's what I carry now
gabriel THAT'S JUST FINE TO CARRY. AS FOR ME I CARRY THE LEATHERMAN WAVE. FOR MY EDC.
Going to get a higher end kukuri .....can you give any suggestions on a particular one
Hey blackie, I grew up in my part of the south knocking around the woods with whatever hand me down knife I was gifted by my dad and uncle. Pushed mowed a lot of grass to buy my first and only kukri.... it’s been with me for over 20 years. And I’ve got to tell you, thanks for great videos. And keep up the great work. Stay safe
I figure if you carry that long, covered knife, a hatchet and a belt knife, your already in 35 lb range
Tag vid is up and staying this time !
Instead of learning the tricks of the trade, learn the trade.
changed the name?
YEP ITS EASIER FOR PEOPLE TO FIND ME ON UA-cam