Going on a Hog Hunt...with a knife

[usmccpl]

A good buddy of mine now rides a wheel chair cuz he got hung up in some barb wire with a pack of hogs too close. Slight scent of blood is all it takes for the badduns to go ballistic.The guy would have not made it at all if the the rest of us hadnt been as close as we were but not close enough to save his legs.





one shot one kill

 

[swampdog]

I agree about the finger hole. I didn't really care for the lonesomepine knife, either. I've never cared for finger grooves/holes on knife handles. I think they interfere with manipulation.

What constitutes a good hog knife? How long should the blade be? I'm sure most here remember the long daggers sold in gun mags that were toted a being "boar knives". Do you really need the extra weight and chopping ability of a bowie style blade or would you be better served with a heavy, dual edged dagger, something like a small gladius(Randall 2-8)? It sounds like you'll be using the point.

I agree about the chaps. I'd be thinking about a kevlar jockstrap or cup, too. Ouch!

From what I've read about the "sport of kings", I don't think they used catch dogs. After the dogs "bayed up" the hog, they'd get down off their horse and provoke a charge. Talk about brass, especially considering the lack of antibiotics, or doctors, for that matter.

 

[hso]

swampdog,

You don't want to be manipulating a knife in a hog hunt. You want it solidly grasped in a hammer grip.

Larry makes each knife for each hunter that goes out on the hunts. He tailors the grip to the individual for a rock solid hammer grip or saber grip. He can even make it with minimal finger grooving, something more like speed bumps.

You stab a hog and therefore heavy bladed bowies are not what's needed. A huge knife isn't needed, but a blade of 7 inches is the minimum size you'd want from what they tell me.

I’ve known folks to take hogs with Cold Steel and Timberline fighters. I’ve known folks to take hogs with customs. I even knew a fellow who killed a big boar with an old Chicago Cutlery large 8” chef’s knife (he'd wrapped the grip with friction tape).

I know at least a dozen people that have done hog hunts with knives from the Appalachians to Ozarks to Texas and Hawaii. Heck, I've been invited along on a lot of them, but never found the time to do it .

 

[pendentive]

Thanks for all the great comments, guys. "Crazy" is really too mild a term to describe the hunt...the hunters...etc.


The finger ring is for extraction (as a backup). The handle is long enough to fit your hand behind it and use the back of the ring like a guard..and still have a little extra room in front of the "bell" - which will be used as the primary extraction method.

(see attached pics below - three grip positions)


That said, I don't think using the ring would be a problem. If you have the knife in the hog long enough for it to flip around enough to break your finger...then you went in too soon...didn't have the dogs set up right...and stayed in too long. A quick in-out is enough. Sure, accidents can happen. You can also shoot a hole in your foot drawing a pistol from its holster.


Unlike the bayonets, survival knives, Cold Steel pig knife, etc. used for hog-hunting (which all do get the job done)....this one is Not a "sharpened prybar". Despite being 15 inches long and made from 1/4" barstock...it's only 15 ounces...and balances at the ring hole. A lot of thought went into the design. I'm not saying it's the "perfect hog knife"...but it will definitely get the job done.

Besides....there's only one way to find out.........hence, the Knifemakers' Wild Boar Hunt.


Zero_DgZ - a few of us will have cameras and the hunt will be written up in American Handgunner's Annual as well. Hopefully someone will bring along a video camera too...excellent suggestion.


Thanks to everyone for some great discussion. All opinions welcome!


p.s. I do plan on having kevlar snake gaiters and/or kevlar brush chaps on. And I'm sure at least one of us will be carrying a pistol should things go south.

 

[Harley Quinn]

The Knife

Seeing your hand on it helps.

How about duct tape, duct tape is the answer. Yep!

In India they have a knife that would be perfect for it.
You hold it like you are punching, you slide your wrist in to a holder and the knife is sticking out from the front, that would be good IMHO.

I saw a good one made out of a Hay hook and had a strap on it, extended up your arm sightly above the wrist made out of a heavy hide. Stabbing fool, when it is altered it can also be used for cutting. You want the blade to be going the same way the handle is, similar to a T. Hand goes here>>>D----

Wicked to say the least.

HQ

 

[pendentive]

I think you mean a Katar, right?





yes...it's got potential...



...or maybe even a long push-dagger?



as long as you could get a stable grip on it.



The bars on the katar are there to mount to your armor...or at least go inside your gauntlet...probably not a bad idea either...

 

[jeepmor]

Still nuts

I'm not that bored with my firearms yet. Or that brave around a hog without them...yikes. Reading an account of someone losing a leg trying this stunt.... Well, you know the consequences going in now, best of luck.

Me, I'd be thinking...hmmm, 10mm, shoots flat out to 50 yards, yeah 50 yards. I think I could stop it before it got to me if it was that wound up and frothing at the tusks....maybe. Best pack another magazine, just in case.

Plus, my two lab mixes would just turn and run anyway, leaving me to take care of business...back to my firearms approach

jeepmor

 

[LAK]

I do not think it is an insane practice as long as the hunter knows what he is up against - and is pursuing this activity with likeminded and dependable people.

What HSO said.

And I would personally prefer a bigger knife. Not so large as to be sluggish, but with a heavy spearpoint or tanto. I do not know how big a pig you plan on sticking, but any upset stuck pig with the blade firmly embedded might put some phenomenal torque on the blade/handleand one with a more significant guard so as to positively prevent the fingers getting severed should a hard thrust hit a hard object - like bone or gristle - bringing the blade to a sudden stop.

Samuel Baker engaged in this pursuit (as has many a British officer in Asia and other places) in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). There is a short intro in this book chapter (towards the end): Note, I have no relationship with the hosting website ......

http://lakdiva.org/riflehound/chap02.html

------------------------------

http://ussliberty.org
http://ssunitedstates.org

 

[Zero_DgZ]

What constitutes a good hog knife?

I'm leaning towards a Scottish claymore. But that's just me.

 

[Harley Quinn]

Katar

Thats the one.

The one I was describing, very similar to the old made with metal for the wrist, it incased the wrist more and had some more protection going up the forearm, similar to what the old vaqueros used to protect their wrists.

You see them in Western movies. The one I saw was very similar to the old calvary glove and arm guard combination.

Thanks for the name. Katar Hmmm. Sounds like a good name for a "Pitbull"
Katar! Kill!... Boy, I am getting into that name.

HQ

 

[Steve 48]

I have to say your nuts but brave. I would still bring a gun. There very smart and mean. Steve 48

 

[Tom Krein]

Guys, this is not as crazy as it sounds! Don't tell Josh Graham though...

We will be hunting with a guide who does this on a regular basis. He has some great dogs! He uses Argentine Dogo's, American Bulldogs, and American Pitbull Terriers for catch dogs and Black Mouth Currs for bay dogs!


Here is a picture of my "Ultimate Boar Knife" and the .45 Colt Bisley that I will be carrying for snakes and back-up on the hogs.

I have handled Dan's Knife and it is very light, quick and pointy!! It should get the job done!

Many have mentioned spears and while they will work they are hard to manuver in the tight confines. Pigs go for the thickest brush around. You also have to remember that there are going to be 3+ dogs all around on this hog and he is going to be fighting so you really need the extra control you have with a knife vs a spear.

Blade length is also an issue. Bigger is not better! A knife with a 7-9" blade is ideal! Shorter and you will not have enough length to kill the big hogs, longer and you can go through a small pig and get a dog or hunter.


Tom

 

[50 Freak]

I'm leaning towards a Scottish claymore. But that's just me.

I second that motion.....

P.S. start the hunt by saying "TODAY IS GOOD DAY TO DIE"

And have someone back you up with a 50 cal at 100 yards away.

 

[Rem700]

Yep not a custom the bayonet works well, I was always more concerned about the guy with a back up gun then the hog when SHTF. A hog may cripple you but a 45 to the head would just suck.

 

[Harley Quinn]

Rem 700

Boy you said it. Watch out for the back up guy, the life he takes may be yours.

Been said more then once, around the guys I use to hang with, and now only visit occasionally.

If it is a head shot no problem, but the others really hurt. Spear into the leg while skin diving is fun also.

HQ

PS:Tom, nice photos. Thanks

 

[hso]

Good looking knife, Tom. Do you prefer a balance forward of the guard on a hog knife or just at the guard?

 

[Don Gwinn]

Is that intended to be a finger-ring? It looks to me like it would be a small ring. Maybe used every once in awhile, but there's a lot of grip behind it. I'd treat that ring like any other guard.

It's a beautiful knife either way. Good luck with your pig-sticking. If the pig gets you, I assume the other guys split up your gear, so somebody goes home a winner either way.

 

[Valkman]

Good to see you here Tom - I'm taking the knives if I win!

 

[Tom Krein]

HSO, the balance is right at the guard! I prefer the balance to be at the guard or behind as this makes the knife very quick. It makes if feel like a feather.

Many times I have been told that I NEED to tapper the tang on my bigger knives. Sure it will make the entire knife lighter....but it will move the balance point way out on the blade and your "lighter" knife just got slow. Same reason swords have those big round pommels made of brass or steel. Balance is everything, and all things being equal a balance point from the guard back will make for a very quick knife.

Don G. The ring is actually pretty good sized on Dan's knife. It is deceptive as it is a big mother.....of course Dans girl hands make it seem even bigger

Dan L.,
Can't believe I did not know about this place! So far really liking it! You should reconsider going on the hunt if you win....and make yourself a pig knife!!

Tom

 

[Harley Quinn]

Balance

The Phllippinos know a lot about making knives and where the balance is.

I have a board that shows about 20, that were and are made in the "Moroland of Mindanao", interesting. Each was special, to tribes and what they thought worked best.

The Barong or Balasiong, are pretty basic. The term "pig stabber" comes to mind when I see the ones here

Cutting the throat seems to be popular over there (Phillippines & Indonesia). Bleed out quick and fast. That is what I have been told anyway.

Bow and arrow have that advantage also, they get hit and then they bleed out.
It is quiet and deadly.

HQ

 

['Card]

You know... I've jumped out of airplanes, rappelled out of helicopters, raced motorcycles at 150+ mph, ran some of the continent's hairiest whitewater, done a lot of rock climbing and spelunking, stayed outside through a few hurricanes, and even criticized my wife's cooking once (once) - but there's no way you could convince me to wade in there with a knife to kill a hog.

See, what all that stuff has in common is that I was doing something inherently dangerous, but I was using the best tools available to manage the risk. With this kind of thing, you're intentionally denying yourself the best tool (a gun) in order to artificially increase the danger, and I just don't see the appeal in that.

I guess I just believe that if you look for it, there's plenty of excitement to be had from life, and plenty of chances to test your manhood, without having to fabricate a situation where danger exists.

 

[Harley Quinn]

Break's down to this

When going to the fair, which ride you want to go on. Or which event do you want to participate in at the rodeo.

This just happens to be what he wants to do. Why do we have to judge it???
It is legal and it is something that is sort of a tradition among these guy's.
They make knive's and offer prizes. Simple. He is going to try to get the prize.
HQ

 

['Card]

You're right, HQ - and I apologize if that came out sounding like I was judging him. Not my place, none of my business, and wasn't really my intent.

I have to admit, it does baffle me a bit, though. Nothing wrong with that, I guess. There are a lot of people on the planet who think my hobbies are stupid.

 

[Valkman]

If I go I'll be the guy in the back with the .44 Mag saying "Tom! Get the hell outta the way! He chewing on the arm he just ripped off of you so let me shoot him!"

 

[pendentive]

Well...I think that within every knifemaker is a burning desire to connect with the inner primitive man. That's why many of us got into knifemaking in the first place. A knife is the ultimate tool and has been around a very, very long time. The more we modernize (as a society), the more distance we place between ourselves and that primitive man.

Psycho-Analysis Hat now OFF...



I plan on having a freakin' good time....hanging with some great guys...fartin' it up till dawn (right, Tom? )...sharing knives, stories, adventures...and oh, perhaps a Trophy Hog will be in my future.


In the meantime, you guys keep thinking of me as a brass-balled, nut-job, knuckle-draggin' fool....I'm cool with that.