Just thinking out loud here, I'm not even going to spell check! so HA
I keep seeing these threads asking which knife if you were stranded on a desert island, or in the deep woods, or whathaveyou. And a lot of folks usually pick their biggest baddest blade. But nobody really talks about what'd they'd actually do with their knife.
Chopping firewood? Ever look around in the woods? the ground is covered with wood out there! Much if it is quite small to begin with. Raining? Look up in the trees, theres lots of dry dead wood up there! There's plenty of wood for many many weeks.
Make weapons/hunting tools? I could see this. A small knife can do this.
Making traps? Again a small knife is easier to use.
Making fire making tools? Once again a small knife is perfect.
Skinning any game that you can scare up? Small knife.
Starting to catch my drift?
Anyway, here's what I'd do. I'd first pick up as much dryish fire wood as possible and stack it up by wherever it is I decided to sleep/camp. I'd make some of it into tinder using my knife, much of the wood will already be kindling sized. Then I'd start a fire either by using my matches, lighter, ferro rod, or by rubbing two sticks together
Then I'd find a log about the right length and diameter, break off or whittle off the branches with my knife and make it into a ridge pole with the help of two handy trees. Or just one if that's all I can find. Then whittle some smaller logs/sticks to hold up my roofing. I'd cover the shelter with pine boughs, leaves, pine needles, moss, lichen whatever is handy until it's wind/water proof and then transfer my fire to a place in front of my house.
Then while I'm sitting by my fire in my dry warm home, waiting for death
I'd whittle up a spear for fish or a trap for squirrels. And if I caught anything I'd skin it with my sharp little knife.
There's not a ton of work for the knife and pretty much none that requires a large or thick knife.
Now, if I were out to just have some fun, I might bring a saw or axe as to cut down a few saplings and not have to hunt for the right wood on the ground. But then again, a small sharp knife has no trouble push cutting through a wrist thick sapling. Anybody read WoodCraft by Nessmuk? He got along fine in the woods for more than 50 years with a small belt knife and a small 'pocket axe' And could get along fine without the pocket axe.
I know I know, I'm spoiling everyones fun
