The Skookum Bush Tool (mini review)

[leon-1]

Really, Leon? I'm sure I would be careful using the poll of an axe to knock in a few nails, but I'd weigh the possible risk and take into account that the tool wasn't really designed for the task I was putting it to. But how about something like the Estwing Universal Hatchet? That has a purpose designed hammer poll. It's probably not as balanced as a proper hammer for hammering in nails, but it would get the job done and it's got to be better than a knife pommel.

It's just a personal preference mate, I like the estwing and have cleaned up one that has been used for hammering things in, it was a swine to sort out and as a result I wouldn't want to do it to any tool I owned. I do also recall being told not to strike an axe with anything metal and as a result wouldn't want to strike anything metal with an axe.

Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with versatility. But crucial to the whole business of kit selection for survival/bushcraft/wilderness living, etc. is knowing where the sensible limits of a particular piece of equipment lie. That way, you end up with knives that function decently as knives and not with unwieldy and costly monstrosities like the WS Dartmoor knife that try too hard and don't do anything particularly well.

The SBT I've seen and handled (but not used) looks a really nice knife. I'd love to own one, but I can promise you that, if I did, I'd never use it for hammering in nails

Burnt Ash

I agree with you mate, versatility is a big thing and required of many tools, but in my case trying to drive in nails with the poll of my axe would be hazardous. My axe is the GB hunters with the flay poll, it's rounded and quite highly polished.

As you say it's knowing the limits of the tool in use. My opinion may differ once I get a chance to play with the Norlund axe, but I have never really liked the idea of pulling back a sharp edge in the direction of my head whether it has a mask on or not. It's the same as the knife butt being used as a hammer, a distraction or not paying full attention or even being tired could have nasty results.

In the end it's also knowing your own limits as well as those of the tool in use I suppose.

 

[Stuart]

I'm surprised about the attitude to nails.....

My personal approach to the ethical use of nails is that:

• It is perfectly acceptable to use them in the construction of a permanent base camp that is intended to be in use for many years.

• a collection of small nails may be carried for used in temporary structures if nothing else will do or is available, or in the construction of equipment such as pack frames, bucksaws or Roycroft snow shoes beneath the lashings, if they are to be used continually in arduous conditions which are likely to work loose almost any type of lashing if the join beneath has not been pinned to prevent movement. They are especially useful in deep winter boreal conditions where natural cordage is in short supply

• Where nails are used it should be in moderation and they should be removed and packed out when the construction (shelter or tool) is dismantled and dispersed.

• Nails should be reused as many times as possible, remember that they can always be hammered flat and resharpened.

• Nails should never be driven into living trees, nor should they ever be left sticking out like a clothes peg!

• a few small nails when used as outlined become just another tool in your possibles pouch, in the same manner as your roll of paracord, you wouldn’t create an eyesore leaving paracord tied to things in the forest and you shouldn’t do it with nails either.

 

[Burnt Ash]

It's just a personal preference mate, I like the estwing and have cleaned up one that has been used for hammering things in, it was a swine to sort out and as a result I wouldn't want to do it to any tool I owned. I do also recall being told not to strike an axe with anything metal and as a result wouldn't want to strike anything metal with an axe.

I agree with you mate, versatility is a big thing and required of many tools, but in my case trying to drive in nails with the poll of my axe would be hazardous. My axe is the GB hunters with the flay poll, it's rounded and quite highly polished.

As you say it's knowing the limits of the tool in use. My opinion may differ once I get a chance to play with the Norlund axe, but I have never really liked the idea of pulling back a sharp edge in the direction of my head whether it has a mask on or not. It's the same as the knife butt being used as a hammer, a distraction or not paying full attention or even being tired could have nasty results.

In the end it's also knowing your own limits as well as those of the tool in use I suppose.

Well, if Estwing designed the E2H carpenter's hatchet for hammering, I'm presuming that the company (well regarded for its specialist hammers) considers it okay to hammer with it. N'est ce pas?

One of the reasons I rejected the GB hunter's axe (as pretty as they are) for my own use is that I don't need one for skinning (my knuckles seem to work okay) and that rounded polished flaying poll would be less useful to me than a flat one that could be used as a hammer, at a pinch (and with care).

I completely concur with your comment about knowing the limits of both your own skills and a particular tool's capabilities.

Burnt Ash

 

[stotRE]

In the early days of America people would burn down their home before moving on just to recover all of the nails from the ashes.

The pommel of that knife could also be used for cracking nuts,tapping in wooden pegs or cracking open an animals skull to gain access to its brain for hide tanning.Good idea if you ask me.

 

[spamel]

I would hammer nails in with the poll of my SFA no problem. The question that would decide whether I said no though would e how big are the nails? If they are tacks or small thin nails then you aren't gonna damage the poll. I'd certainly want a round flat head on the nail, none of those wire nails. If you want to hit a six inch nail with your poll, two handed and with a great big swing then you are bound to do damage. Tapping a tack in is not gonna damage the poll.

I drive wooden pegs into the ground with my SFA and the eye hasn't deformed at all. I don't belt them in, but many small taps work just as well as one great big wallop.

 

[alco141]

the but of the bush tool is made of steel as when mors wants to chop down a tree, he hammers the blade into the tree using a baton striking the butt of the handle. driving the knife in point first then wiggling sideways, then move the blade over and repeat until you have cut all the way around the trunk.

alex

 

[Shinken]

I guess if your going on an expedition somewhere these things would be good to know, but uk bushcrafting where you can never be more than 70 miles from the coast let alone a tesco then its not something thats going to be used.

 

[ddokkum]

After reading several reviews I have ordered a Skookum bush tool for 210 dollar including shipping. With the current dollar-euro rate that is a good deal. The back order time is now 9 to 10 months so I have to be patience... Now lets hope the dollar drops even more.

 

[Stuart]

As Requested, pictures of the skookum after it returned from 2 months in Borneo, sorry for the delay in getting these up.

It hasnt been cleaned up at all, other than sharpening.

 

[Zammo]

Was seriously thinking of purchasing one of these after I checked the exchange rate. Unfortunately there seems to be a six month waiting list, as of Sept 07, so could be longer now.

Stuart was the knife delivered sharpened?

I may contact them to check on the current waiting list and also to see if theres any chance of them making it with wooden scales for me.

BTW nice review!

 

[Stuart]

Stuart was the knife delivered sharpened?

yes, Razor sharp

 

[Tiley]

Stuart was the knife delivered sharpened?

yes, Razor sharp

I'd add that they keep their edge extremely well, too! I've got one in 01 and recently received one in S30V - they are both superb! The waiting list is more like nine - ten months at the moment but, with the dollar exchange rate so good at the moment, it really is worth the wait.

 

[Celt_Ginger]

Well thanks a bunch Guys. This is the first time I've seen this knife and I think it looks fantastic and (according to the review) performs just as well. I've just placed an order for one. Now the long wait. Hopefully I'll get it for Christmas.

 

[Hoodoo]

There are some variants out there as well. This one is lacks the butt cap and is made from 3/32" S30 V

 

[Zammo]

Thats real nice, what wood are the scales?

 

[Hoodoo]

Thats real nice, what wood are the scales?

Stabilized ash burl. IIRC, it was black ash.

 

[maddave]

Ahhhemmmmm

Is that a frosts clipper I see before me?? No Skookums here LOL

 

[Stuart]

Is that a frosts clipper I see before me?? No Skookums here LOL

Thats probably because the Skookum didnt exist in 2006.

But that said, Mors still teaches with the Mora now, since it’s what his students are using.

Otherwise it might lead to the student believing that the instructor can do what he himself cannot, not because he is more practiced in knife control, but because he has a better knife. This leads students to trying to substitute skill and experience with an expensive knife.

If the instructor accomplishes amazing tasks with the same £5 knife the student has in his hand, there can be no question that knife skills are the fundamental aspect, not the knife itself.

 

[maddave]

Thats probably because the Skookum didnt exist in 2006.

But that said, Mors still teaches with the Mora now, since it’s what his students are using.

Otherwise it might lead to the student believing that the instructor can do what he himself cannot, not because he is more practiced in knife control, but because he has a better knife. This leads students to trying to substitute skill and experience with an expensive knife.

If the instructor accomplishes amazing tasks with the same £5 knife the student has in his hand, there can be no question that knife skills are the fundamental aspect, not the knife itself.

I quite agree Stuart... I'm only pulling yer chain......It's my job !! I can't let you have it too easy on here, what would the others think?? I have my reputation to think of y'know !!

Back to the thread however, I think the Skookum looks a great tool for the job. Definately not a drawer queen, it has "user" written all over it !!

 

[bushtuckerman]

That knife does look close to perfect, I would just have some wooden scales for posterity. It will annoy some to mention it here I'm sure, but the Skookum makes the 16 year old Woodlore knife all the more impressive, when you consider Mors and not Ray the 'Father' of bushcraft. It begs the question, why didn't he..sorry, He produce such a knife when he needed one? Strikes me as slightly daft when he had the design down since '87. I have respect for him, obviously, hence the bafflement.

edit: but don't get me wrong, this knife looks superior in at least one aspect, that it has a butt plate gives it the edge over the woodlore in my opinion, (although there are far better hammers than this one found in the bush) and I would use it for lengthways batoning with some woods. I think if your knife is more likely to be on your person than an axe in an emergency, then being able to baton securely is very reassuring.