I prefer smaller knives for general use, but I have a few which are quite large as well. Anything in between fits into the "neither fish nor fowl" category for me - too big to be handy and too small (short) to chop (effectively.
Left to right: USMC Corpsman's Knife, Terrava Skramma, Tramontina Short Machete
The Corpsman's knife was a childhood toy of mine, passed to me by my dad, who got it from his dad, who found one evening that a couple of them had followed him home from the Clyde Cutlery, where he worked. This was after WWII, so no Marine Corpsman went without. If my history is correct, the Army came up with this for Medics in the Philippines for chopping bamboo to make litters and shelters. It weighs TWO POUNDS and is a quarter-inch thick at the spine. To this day, I split my kindling with this beast.
The Skramma is a Finnish knife. It's a fair bit lighter that the Corpsman's knife and more versatile, but still one serious chunk of steel. I much prefer it over a golok and it has become a much-used and favored knife. It will take a shaving-sharp edge and hold it through many beatings. Very impressive design as it is easy to handle - easy to control and does not fatigue you like the Corpsman's knife.
The Tram' was a gift from Reuben Boliue, who writes for a few of the knife magazines. He brought it back from Peru for me for having made some sheaths for him to take along for jungle training.
Left to right: USMC Corpsman's Knife, Terrava Skramma, Tramontina Short Machete
The Corpsman's knife was a childhood toy of mine, passed to me by my dad, who got it from his dad, who found one evening that a couple of them had followed him home from the Clyde Cutlery, where he worked. This was after WWII, so no Marine Corpsman went without. If my history is correct, the Army came up with this for Medics in the Philippines for chopping bamboo to make litters and shelters. It weighs TWO POUNDS and is a quarter-inch thick at the spine. To this day, I split my kindling with this beast.
The Skramma is a Finnish knife. It's a fair bit lighter that the Corpsman's knife and more versatile, but still one serious chunk of steel. I much prefer it over a golok and it has become a much-used and favored knife. It will take a shaving-sharp edge and hold it through many beatings. Very impressive design as it is easy to handle - easy to control and does not fatigue you like the Corpsman's knife.
The Tram' was a gift from Reuben Boliue, who writes for a few of the knife magazines. He brought it back from Peru for me for having made some sheaths for him to take along for jungle training.
