How to make a spear with a folding knife

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ubuwalker31

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Jun 16, 2008
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Any opinions on the best way to secure an ordinary folding knife to a stick so that it could be used effectively as a hunting tool in a survival situation? I currently EDC a Kershaw Blur, Shallot, or CRKT M-16.

Binding materials: Paracord? Thin climbing rope? Fishing line (Braided stuff is pretty strong)? Other man made stuff? Is there anything in nature that could be gathered easily and used? (I'm thinking of tree vines).

Best method of wrapping: What sort of lashing/wrapping method should I use? Just go around the handle? String the rope threw the lanyard hole? Wrap through the hollow body of the knife?


Any other advice?
 
+1^

It's called whittling and is lotsa fun, plus saves your knife from damage

If you really need lashing material, your can strip bark from trees/branches and braid it together in various thicknesses. However, i believe the Community here will advise you to re-consider using your knife as a spear-tip - especially in a 'survival' situation (ya simply can't risk damaging such a significant, valuable tool as your knife - folder or not).
 
As far as a survival type spear, I think that splitting the end of the stick into 4 seperate points and sharpening all of them is better than a knife anyhow.

Another vote for using the knife to make a spear and put blade back into your pocket.

Doc
 
DocGP said:
As far as a survival type spear, I think that splitting the end of the stick into 4 seperate points and sharpening all of them is better than a knife anyhow.

Another vote for using the knife to make a spear and put blade back into your pocket.

Doc
Click to expand...
:thumbup:

p81000071.jpg

By pitdog2010 at 2010-08-10
 
same here. unless the only gear you have as a giant back pack filled with only knives and cordage. haha then what the heck might as well :)
 
What exactly would you be hunting with said spear? I can't think of any prey that any of your knives would be effective on. They certainly would be no good for fish or frogs. Skunks maybe?
 
Saving your knife is sound advice, specially so if the only knife you have is a folding knife. If you really need a solid, sharpen edge for your spear, find the closest river and look for dark river rocks. If you are careful you can usually break those in slivers. Use one as a spear head. Split the top of the branch you are using, place the sliver in the split0 and secure it with cordage.
 
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If all else fails and you don't have anything else for the binding, I'd suggest duct tape, but make sure you wrap it tightly. I wouldn't use it to fight off large animals, but for light / medium duty it should get the job done.
 
application: don't use your primary tool on a shaft. Damaging it outweighs the gain.

strategy: trapping
 
I carry some zip ties along with other cord which would work best for something like that.
 
ubuwalker31 said:
Any opinions on the best way to secure an ordinary folding knife to a stick so that it could be used effectively as a hunting tool in a survival situation? I currently EDC a Kershaw Blur, Shallot, or CRKT M-16.

Binding materials: Paracord? Thin climbing rope? Fishing line (Braided stuff is pretty strong)? Other man made stuff? Is there anything in nature that could be gathered easily and used? (I'm thinking of tree vines).

Best method of wrapping: What sort of lashing/wrapping method should I use? Just go around the handle? String the rope threw the lanyard hole? Wrap through the hollow body of the knife?

Any other advice?
Click to expand...

Yeah, come up and woodsbum with us up here in CT! :thumbup::D
 
Blais said:
I can't think of any prey that any of your knives would be effective on.
Click to expand...

Well, I think a spear with a 3.5 to 4 inch blade would be effective to harvest smaller game and perhaps even a deer if I could get close.

fmajor007 said:
However, i believe the Community here will advise you to re-consider using your knife as a spear-tip - especially in a 'survival' situation (ya simply can't risk damaging such a significant, valuable tool as your knife - folder or not).
Click to expand...

Under normal survival circumstances, I think that I'd agree, it would be silly. I was thinking of more unusual circumstances. I just read in this months Field and Stream about a guy who fell while fishing in Colorado, and broke his leg in 3 places. He was able to survive for about a week by the river, catching fish with his gear and slicing up fresh fish sashimi. My big fear would be that a bear or other predator would come along and see me as an easy meal...and that a spear would be a good deterrent against attack...assuming a nice stick was laying somewhere nearby.

pitdog said:
p81000071.jpg

By pitdog2010 at 2010-08-10
Click to expand...

How do I make this!! Looks great to fish with!
 
Just get a CS bushman. one piece, makes a great backup blade at about 10 ounces, and a good spear blade.
 
ubuwalker31 said:
How do I make this!! Looks great to fish with!
Click to expand...

1. Sharpen the stick.
2. Split the tip about 12 inches deep.
3. Make another split on the tip, also about 12 inches deep, so both splits divide the tip in 4 equal points.
4. Tightly wrap cordage at the base of the splits (where the splits end).
5. Wedge a short stick in the first split and secure the stick in place with cordage.
6. Wedge another short stick in the second split and secure it in place with cordage.
7. Go have fun.
 
Scottman said:
Just get a CS bushman. one piece, makes a great backup blade at about 10 ounces, and a good spear blade.
Click to expand...

That's very good advice. :thumbup:

The bushman is specifically designed to be used as a spear, mini-machete, and survival knife.
 
ubuwalker31 said:
Well, I think a spear with a 3.5 to 4 inch blade would be effective to harvest smaller game and perhaps even a deer if I could get close.



Under normal survival circumstances, I think that I'd agree, it would be silly. I was thinking of more unusual circumstances. I just read in this months Field and Stream about a guy who fell while fishing in Colorado, and broke his leg in 3 places. He was able to survive for about a week by the river, catching fish with his gear and slicing up fresh fish sashimi. My big fear would be that a bear or other predator would come along and see me as an easy meal...and that a spear would be a good deterrent against attack...assuming a nice stick was laying somewhere nearby.



How do I make this!! Looks great to fish with!
Click to expand...

First cut yourself a straight-ish shaft then batton ya knife down the centre line at the top for about 6-8 inches. Remove ya knife and repeat this the opposite way so the top 6-8 inch of the shaft is in 4 sections.
Now push a small piece of wood down one split to the bottom and another piece of wood down the other split so they hold the 4 sections apart.
Use some cordage( I used Cedar root but you can use Para cord etc )to secure the sections of wood in place.
Now all that's left is to sharpen the ends of the individual prongs.

Here is another I made with a smaller blade...

pa280007.jpg

By pitdog2010 at 2010-10-28



Hope that makes sense !!!:D

Happy hunting !;):thumbup:
 
Keep the folder in your pocket and make 10 wooden spears instead. Whittling will take your mind of your broken leg :D

Heres an uglier version of Pitdogs spear, yet almost as functional. This was my first attempt at an improvised frog gig. If i were to make one today for fishing, i would make the prongs longer and thinner. This one would great at poking curious furry animals in the snout.

4834032327_d35c89ca74_z.jpg
 
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