Cutting with the New Ranger blade
There is a difference in wood work and using the knife in the outdoors. Sometimes
you hear people mentioning finding wood that is clean without other twigs grown out from them. For example a tree branch that is clean from twigs and other abnormal growth. This depends on what you are going to use it for. Wood that has grown in all directions
and woven strong can be excellent for knife handles and such. This is usually not needed for the outdoors.
If you want to have a wood that are easier to cut then the clean grown wood
are easier to cut. It is as simple as cutting along the wood and long tiles can be removed whittling with the knife. I guess most people have experienced cutting on an area with a twig and how everything just stops and you have to more carefully cut
around that area until it is gone or you can continue whittling. The New Ranger knife works very well on soft to medium hard wood but for sure you can cut harder wood and even masur-birch, it just takes some more time. Harder wood is usually denser and therefor
it takes more time to cut the wood into the shape or tool you want as well.
With wood that is woven in different directions it will naturally only be possible to cut small bits at the time.
Using force on the masur-birch will only damage the edge and work up a sweat. Some wood are easier to cut when wet and other not. There are different woods for different jobs just like there is different knife steels. The New Ranger steel cut deep cuts in
spruce without trouble. When cutting wood that is grown in one direction (symbolically that said) you feel that when the correct angle and depth is there and hence you can follow the wood cutting of longer tiles of material. If the cut is too deep it will
only stop and you will have to use force. It is usually not much force needed to cut wood and it will save the edge and construction if you are lighter on the hand and how you cut. It is important to read the material you are going to use.
It is important to remember that it is not uncommon that people get injuries from cutting wood with twigs or abnormal knots or growth. People will use the blade in uncomfortable angles and use the blade in the
wrong direction. It is not smart to cut towards the body. At one point the place you are struggling with can slip and you may get a nasty cut. So never against the body is the rule. It is much better to turn the wood in different direction and cutting away
from the body. It may sound banal what I am explaining but it is no joke because people have died from wrong use. There are known examples of this with different knives.
It is better to use time rather that force and speed. I am not reluctant to use force on a blade for testing and sometimes it is the only way to learn the quality. Sometimes it also requires force to cut a material anyhow.
With experience you will be able to hold the blade in a direction that for some may look like you are cutting towards the body. Experienced people know that at one point depending on the material you
cut if it is wood, rope, webbing or other the edge will go through the material and into a direction. For example cutting layers of rope you will have in mind that when the edge go through the material it will go in an angle away from you and you will counter
it many times and stop the motion momentarily the edge is through the material as well. The key is a direction or an angle that will go to the side and if you should not be able to counter the swing it will go past you. When you are cutting around other people
then it is important that you do not use uncontrolled force and the edge go through the material and you swing the arm out, this can be very dangerous in deed. The New ranger knife got some serious advantages with the grip and evolution handles. It will be
possible to grip the handle even when wet with control. The shape and the design on the handles will very much influence the safety. Using folding knives in different directions and grip depends on the quality. A high quality Wenger knife can be trusted.
With experience you will be able to use the arms and the body anatomy to get the best angle and momentum. You will be able to cut in many directions away from the body.
What you can have in mind is that in knife fighting the balance is just as important as when cutting wood. If you are standing up then you must remember the balance and that if you use force and the arm swings out then you may fall. It is typical that
people cut themselves falling. The blade can fold over the fingers if you do not have a lock.
Another important factor with knives is the
grip you use. People must not forget to always have a secure grip, if not the knife may slip or turn in the hand and you get a cut.
Update
I am not interested in fighting weapons anymore but i do know that if you want a fighting knife then the SAKs
are not the correct choice. It is made in the tradition and not for violence. A fixed blade knife can be drawn faster and with a speed that is formidable. It is a completely different hand philosophy and strategy. Switchblades or illegal knives are just a
joke compared to a fixed blade.
Folding knives and Swiss Army Knives are versatile tools and they are excellent rescue and safety knives. In some cases they are better than a fixed
blade yes!