Any avid outdoorsman knows that one should never be out in the woods without the proper tools. At the very least, anyone who is going to be spending time in the woods should have a good knife, which is one of the most important elements in any survival kit.
A good survival knife is extremely versatile, and there are many things you can do with it. A knife can be used for a lot more than simply cutting things. Today we are going to take a look at how to survive in the woods with just a knife.
Recommended Uses
While many survival knives have specific uses that are recommended, there are many other knives that are quite versatile. The following are some of the ways that you can use most modern models of survival knives.
Self-Defense
Sure, you might not have to worry about being mugged while out in the woods camping, hunting, fishing, etc., but that doesn’t mean that you don’t have to worry about self-defense. If you are hunting, obviously, you likely do have a gun with you.
But, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t also have a good knife as well. In fact, local gun laws may not allow you to use a gun in self-defense, especially if you are out in the wild and it isn’t hunting season.
There may also be local knife laws, so it is important that you do check on this before heading out into the wild with this type of weapon. Also, it is a good idea to become very familiar with your knife, and learn how to use it properly for anything that it may be needed for, including self-defense.
Clearing Paths
There may be times when it will be necessary for you to clear a path while you are out in the wild. A good quality knife is the best tool you can use for this. It will let you easily clear a path through small trees, bushes, thickets, and other vegetation.
Unless you are hiking where there are already well-marked trails, chances are you are going to end up having to make your own trails at some point. One of the best types of survival knives you can use for this purpose is a kukri, and it can also be used for a variety of other applications.
Cutting Firewood
One of the most important skills anyone must have while out in the wild is the knowledge of how to build a fire. A fire is needed for more than just warmth. You need it to purify water if you must drink from a lake or stream in the event of an emergency.
You need fire in order to be able to cook meals. Most people would suggest carrying an axe, but there are times when this is just not possible. For instance, you may be just going on a day hike, and it would be a real pain to carry an axe or even a hatchet. A knife is smaller and lighter, making it much easier to carry around.
Again, a kukri is often recommended for preparing firewood. A knife may not be any good for cutting down trees or chopping up logs, but you can use it to cut smaller limbs and branches to use for a fire. Most survival knives are plenty sharp enough for this purpose. It is best to use a single-edged knife for this purpose.
Digging
Chances are that you aren’t going to have to do a lot of digging while out in the wilderness. But, there may be times when there is an emergency. For instance, you may have to leave a campsite, and another one may not have a fire pit. In such a case, a knife can be used to help you dig a new one fairly quickly.
Then, there is the case of waste disposal. If you have to get rid of biodegradable waste, you may need to dig a hole for it. Again, you can use your survival knife to dig with if you don’t have access to a spade or shovel.
Hunting
Okay, so you are outdoors, and you are hungry. You have no food with you. What are you going to do? Hunting for food is likely going to be your only option, and there are many foods you can get simply by using a good knife, including some game.
You can turn a survival knife into a spear for hunting. All you need to do is attach it to a long rod or pole, or in a pinch, a strong, straight tree limb or branch. The pole is basically the spear handle, and with a bit of practice, you will be able to target an animal from a distance and still be able to hit it with the blade.
Field Dressing
Once you have killed a game animal, you will have to prepare it before you can cook and eat the meat. In order to do this, you will need to dress it. This is basically removing the skin and internal organ, so all that is left is the good muscle meat. While you can use your hands for this, a knife will make the job a whole lot easier, and safer.
You can use just about any type of survival knife for field dressing your game. But, pretty much any knife will do the trick. When choosing your survival knife, it is a good idea to look for one that has the features that will allow you to do field dressing.
Cooking
Whether you are cooking at home or in the wilderness, you are going to need a knife at some point. Obviously, you won’t have a set of kitchen knives with you when you are camping, hiking, hunting, etc., but a good survival knife can do pretty much everything your kitchen knives can do.
You can use your knife for chopping up meat, cutting fruit and vegetables, etc. You can even use a knife as a can opener in a pinch.
First Aid
One of the most important reasons to carry a knife in the wilderness is for first aid. You should always have a first aid kit in your survival pack, and even if you are just day hiking, it is good to carry one in your backpack.
For instance, if you absolutely needed to cut something from your body (a rock, a branch, etc.) as long as the blade is sharp enough, it can be used as a makeshift scalpel.
Obviously, this is not recommended unless it is absolutely necessary. If you do end up needing a knife for this purpose, make sure that you sterilize it with boiling water first (which goes back to using the knife to cut small firewood).
Conclusion
Whether you are planning on spending an afternoon or a week in the woods, it is important to always be prepared for anything. Having a good survival knife with you at all times will ensure that you are prepared for most emergencies that could crop up, and it can be used for many mundane tasks as well.