I was curious to see if anyone still carries a giant knife outdoors? I've been looking at some historical hunting paintings and have noticed hunting knives 500+ years ago were basically swords, I think they actually were small swords. During the flintlock age knives seemed to have blades around 10 inches. Bowie knives remained popular through the 1800s and now... now we carry 4 inch folding knives.

I suppose this could all be the result of better firearms but I suspect it has more to do with the fact most people no longer spend as much time on long remote trips were a versatile and large knife can save your life.

So anyone still packing a bowie or similar? What advantages do you find it to have?

Keep in mind that during the flintlock age a "hunting trip" might well turn into a fight with hostiles. Most early knives were back up for no time to reload.

It was probably a back up weapon to their one shot they had against people

I carry a large knife . Most guys I know do , Mines an essie Junglas . 10.5” blade.
friend of mine bought one and I loved it so I bought one the same and never go out without it now . I like it because it can do most what a hatchet can do but can still function as a knife , and I can put it on a belt . It’s really tough as well and holds a really good edge .

I have a machete that I carry occasionally. Its used to clearing a trail, though I prefer to use pruners as a machete will wear your out clearing a bunch of small brush. Machete is better for bigger trees and you dont want to carry an axe.

This is my machete:
https://www.ltwrightknives.com/overland-machete.html

I carry a Buck 120 General when deer hunting, it seems pretty big. I'm not sure why you'd need anything bigger, unless you're using it as a machete too.

https://www.buckknives.com/product/120-general-knife/0120FAM01/

If you're talking for personal defense, I wouldn't bring a knife to gun fight.

Just looked up the esee junglass, looks very similar to what German hunters in the flintlock age would carry. Awesome looking knife.

I would recommend. If you want something a little smaller , the esee junglass 2 is a little smaller but basically the same thing. Only thing I don’t like is it rusts easy , but I just wipe it down with a bit of cooking oil or something and that seems to work good enough

Any kukri knife wielders in here? I have a tourist version made in India. Soft steel and two thin along the spine, but the banana shape of the blade makes even this knife something you would not want to go up against in a hand to hand combat.
The real ones made in Nepal are forged from large truck leaf springs so they can be heat treated and tempered.
Designed for work in the bush, wood crafting, trimming your nails, and beheading.

A friend has a kukri , I tried it and it’s awesome . I wouldn’t want one just because I would cut myself lol i couldn’t get onto it really. I think it takes a bit of practice

When deer hunting i carry a puma skinner or a puma white hunter
When coon hunting just a pocket skinner and when trapping just a pocket knife
Or multi tool.

There is definitely a learning curve. You need to learn what the curve in the blade is for. Used properly, a downward thrust in a chopping manner slices rather than chops as long as you strike with the sweet spot (4 or 5 inches of the blade, halfway between the curve and to where the end of the knife begins to curve up toward the tip).

A picture would tell it better than I can describe it.

I keep a bark river golok in the truck as my beaver knife.

Or for chopping firewood/kindling.

Still waiting them to make another run of the golok in 3-V.

If you want to see hunting knives, go to Northern California and hunt with the Philippine people……. It is such a rush!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!’
And greatest people.

I have the Truck-chete a little 12 inch Machete that I well keep in the truck in it's sheath it is just the right length to reach across and unlock or lock the door , yup manual locks

I have carried a K-Bar , great for finishing off a wounded but kind of long for anything else.

I think Kephart and Nessumuk had a very good idea of knives both about 5 inches , one having more belly than the other the Kephart a spear point

I like my Green River 4 1/2 belt knife it is like a small butcher
Green river camp knife 5 inch


most of my knives fall in the 4.5 to 5.5 range it is what feels good working

I do like a 7-7 old Hickory butcher when I get to skinning

My son and cousin like their Buck 119s with 6 inch blade but those are probably the biggest knives in camp getting carried. they don't feel right in my hand

I think many are right about the old knives being a backup to a single shot muzzle loader and possible hostiles while hunting
I have no shortage of follow up shots

I carry this alot. cut up a moose with it once, but for skinning stuff a 4 inch blade is hard to beat.

For me, big knives would be something like a 5”’ish blades or less. I am very fond of the Mora series of Scandi ground blades. They just keep working.

I once watched a guy with a big (8”’ish blade) work the hide off of a moose. It was a GTFOOTW moment. He was extremely efficient with it using a overhand grip.