Dinner Knife Survival

I have had a theory for many years that I could take a common dinner knife from my kitchen drawer and be able to accomplish some fundamental bushcraft tasks with it.  However it was just that, a theory.  I finally decided to give it a whirl, and, do so on camera.  I wanted to do this because it seems that knives can be an incredibly decisive topic of discussion in the bushcraft community.

It is an obvious point that good knives can accomplish many things in a wilderness environment.   I purposely handicapped myself in this situation by choosing a knife and not sharpening it at all. Since we never use this sort of knife for cutting tasks at my house, this and our other knives like it, are dull.  I am talking duller than a three hour lecture on the merits of pudding.  (Translation, that is pretty dull).  We have better knives for the purpose of cutting up dinner.

To be as transparent with you as possible, part of the reason I did this is because of what I see happening on youtube and other social media platforms on a regular basis.  I dont watch a lot of what is out there on youtube.  Mainly because when I do, I see presentations made that are often disengenuous, sometimes spiteful, unethical, and often times, outright lies.  What I am referring to is this, Youtuber A presents his/her favorite knife, batons and makes a firestick with it and calls it the greatest thing since sliced bread.  That is until they are sent another one or present another one in their line of knives for sale.    I suppose they think we are all stupid.  I for one am not stupid.

With that in mind I took to the woods to see if this dull dinner knife could get some work done.  Watch the video below to see how it turned out.  Also, read on below the video and see some further thoughts of mine on knife companies and those that I recommend.

There are many reasons to support a knife company.   Here are a few examples of those that I like and reasoning why:

• LT Wright Handcrafted Knives – LT, hisf amily and the crew at the shop have always seemed like genuine good people to me.  They have encouraged and supported our work at Nature Reliance School.  They make good knives at affordable prices and employ hardworking Americans to make it all happen.
• Columbia River Knife and Tool – I was given a CRKT M21 folder many years ago as a gift.  It would not have been my choice but heck it was a gift so you betcha, I took it.  I lost that particular knife in a spoor pit during a mantracking class I was teaching.  I bought another one just like it and have been carrying and using it on a daily basis for over 10 years now.  It works well, and has stood the test of time.  Therefore I am a fan.  (Not to mention I am an even bigger fan of the company itself due to its support of the Forged By War program.
• Wander Tactical – Alex Wander sent me a knife several years ago to review and offer feedback.  I beat the hell out of that knife.  I have met him in person at a Mantracking class in Virginia.  He is passionate about knives.  I mean this dude is crazy passionate about knives.  So much so that he nearly took personal offense that my pocket folder did not meet his level of expectation for cleanliness and sharpness.  He took it from me and returned it better than when purchased.  We had lengthy discussion about his and other knives.  While he obviously likes his, he was also very clear that everyone should get a knife that fits them personally, even if it is not one of his.
• Bright Forest Forge – I must admit I am a sucker for hand-forged blades.  Especially those that have incredible attention to detail,  but yet there is no other like it.  I have purchased and been given several knives from Bright Forest Forge because the maker and I have been friends for many years.  As loverers of history, we both appreciate tools that have stood the test of time.

Someone reading this might say, “You like those knives because the makers have given you products.”.   Let me allow you in on a little secret.   You are correct and I am not ashamed to admit it.   These companies have supported me and my students with products, information, and assistance so I therefore continue to support them when and where I can.

I would ask you this.  What have the knife makers that you know, done for you and the community of people you train with?  If you can answer that they have offered knives to train with and try out, then by all means support them please.  If all they ever do is present another knife to you, assume you are ignorant about what they are doing, and then ask you to buy yet another style, make or model.   Then please consider another maker or brand.  They are not there to support you, they are around to support themselves.

You might be better served by sharpening up a dinner knife from the kitchen.

Craig Caudill is the Founder and Chief Instructor of Nature Reliance School. He specializes in teaching outdoor related topics to include, survival, tracking, nature awareness and more for private or public groups, and government agencies.  Craig’s first book is Extreme Wilderness Survival from Page Street Publishing, distributed by Macmillan Publishing.  Craig’s second book, Ultimate Wilderness Gear, is coming in July 2018 and can be pre-ordered now!