New Knives, Bamboo, & Fish in the Desert

A rat (new), a hog (new), and a couple dogs (old friends. darn that wax smudge)...


Something else from the safe (not a user yet)...


A couple more bamboo rods that I do use regularly...


Finally, a spring day at my favorite desert lake (last Sunday)...


A fish rising (had the place to myself somehow... just like I like it)...


Figured I'd take a picture of one of the dozens caught and released (awesome day, but not much bladework required)...

Great pics M/S, and that lake looks BEAUTIFUL! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> Nice to see that you have some great gear and a terrific place to use it! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Mmmmm Bamboo! I've looked at a few Bamboo fly rods. However, I cannot get past the price, especially when my wife thinks I'm nuts for poping 300.00 bucks on a rod.

Never been much of a fisherman, but I have an appreciation for good gear and the rare instance of having a lake like that to yourself. Looks like you had a blast. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Could you point me to where you learned to tie the paracord like that please?

yes please do tell.

nice pics & gear!


those handle wraps look nifty

Hey hey MS looks like Potholes or Moses lake???? do tell, I'm hedding that way this weekend for a little turkey hunting and some trout fishing!!

Nice Blades, Nice Lake, NICE FISH!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Nice cord wrap on those blades too!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

That was a pretty trout. Are you not allowed to take them and eat them?

excellent pics,I really like they way you wrapped the cord on the handles.

I'm with Horn Dog - that trout looks tasty!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Cool pics. I need to go fishing.

My first thoughts too Vic! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />

I'd cut n gut that trout so fast...heat it up on the sandy shore and gobble it down greedily! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Great new steel too MtrSpeed! I also like your wrap jobs! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Looks like you had a perfect day!<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />


Peace.
<><

Figured I'd take a picture of one of the dozens caught and released...?????????????????????? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/doh.gif" alt="" />

Why? If fish like that ain't an excuse to fire up the BBQ, I don't know what is !!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Nice score and sweet job on fishing!!

How do you like the SAR and RMD?

I'm having fish for dinner tonight. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Best place to start with bamboo is used. None of the four 'users' in the picture were more than $150. And let's be serious for a second... what's more nuts: $300 for a knife or $300 for a split cane rod? There are many more hours of craftsmanship in a split cane rod than in a knife! (Note that I annoy my wife with both.) I'm not a bamboo purist (see graphite rod in the picture with the actual fish), but there is something satisfying about the classic action of cane.

Great pics. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

My key reference for all knots, lanyards, wraps, etc. is This Book, but it appears to be out of print. I'll name the key knots below in case someone else has a link to a book (or site) containing them.

The YKCG is a true ringbolt hitching tied with the two tag ends of a constrictor knot along with an extra strand of paracord bound to the handle by the same constrictor knot.

The DMLE is a false ringbolt hitching (not in the book. I was too lazy to bind in the third strand one day and kinda liked the result) tied with only the tag ends of the constrictor knot. I like this configuration better than the Moku hitching that you may have previously seen in my pictures of DFLE and DMLE.

I'll see if I can make some time this weekend to snap some 'play by play' photos. Perhaps I'll redo the YK with more cord so I can add a crown sennit lanyard capped-off with a diamond knot. I have used crowns, diamonds, bosun's knots for lanyards on folders. Perhaps I'll shoot a few of those also.

Either way, I'm not skilled enough to do complicated work. The only skill I have is applying old solutions to new problems. Any of you can easily repeat or improve on these wraps, which are basically a series of half-hitches in alternating directions.

Y. I like a trout breakfast (or lunch or dinner) as much as the next guy, but a couple problems with those particular fish:

1) The lake is a selective fishery. To quote the WDFW, "Only unscented artificial flies or lures with one single-point, barbless hook are allowed. Bait is prohibited; fish may be released until the daily limit is retained. Only knotless nets may be used to land fish."
2) Limit is 1 at this lake after obeying #1 above. I like to keep fishing rather than keep one.
3) The lake is a two-mile hike each way (down and back from the top of the cliffs you see in the pictures) carrying float tube, gear, etc. The hike back out with a fish isn't all that pleasant!

I fish there in the spring and fall. Can't say that a shore lunch mightn't happen on a cool October day when I herc in the stove, but don't tell anyone! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Good question. Let me fondle them and comment (without having 'used' them yet)...

SAR: very handle-heavy and I'm not a fan of the swedge. Fit and finish is excellent. Fit's my hand well (although the handle could be 1" shorter without any problem) and I really like the useful-blade-length to over-all-length ratio. I don't have the technical terms handy, but I love how close the blade is to the hand without giving-up safety or the ability to sharpen the full blade (all the benefits of a functional choil without the penalty of the wasteful ricasso - see DM for opposite). Overall, I'm glad I have it but I'm not sure yet when I would chose it over other options. (Note that nothing I've said here should be mistaken for criticism of the SAR, per Jerry's edict!)

RMD: just feels right. Everything seems to be just where it should be. Comfortable with every grip I put on it, and that's rare for me. Fit & finish not even close to the SAR (slabs not centered on tang, for instance). Least sharp-from-factory of any recent bussekin - not bad, but not great. Despite fears of what life in the NW might do to the SR101, I have a feeling that the RMD will be my #1 choice in the 4"-5" category, although the YKCG is a pretty tough option to beat.

Make sense? I look forward to forming some real opinions when I get them out in the field. I'm also open to any of you other owners chiming in here <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

PS - after rereading, I sound more negative on both than I actually am, but I don't fee like rewriting. I REALLY like them both. If push came to shove, the first one of the four in the picture to go would be the DMLE.

Cool,

Have you handled the RMD in G-10?

The one that I got at Blade West last year was wicked sharp (shaved hair like crazy) and the fit was actually fairly nice. The handles on the G-10 are also more radiused (verbing weirds languages <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> ) and sculpted.

I personally just love my RMD in G-10. Haven't given it as much use as my other knives though. I'm hoping this weekend that will change a bit. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

(I guess most people have said and agreed that the RMD is basically one of the most perfect knife in the medium/small fix blade category)

As far as the SAR goes, I'd probably like to try one some time in the future. However, it is a rather odd looking knife. I can't say anything about strength cause it IS INFI.

nice pics man.