90 Degree Spine?

[cody6268]

I recently looked at a Marttiini TImberjack and noticed a low review just for the spine not having a 90" grind. I'm not into bushcraft but have taken somewhat of an interest in woodcraft/fieldcraft. And I'm not into batoning either. That's what the Marble's #3 hatchet is in my bag for. Fixed blades came into my common use as I wanted something tough, quick and easy to access, and easy to clean.

What's the big deal with 90-degree spines? I have never gotten them at all.

Quite personally, I absolutely despise knives with a 90" spine supposedly purpose-built for striking a fire steel. They dig into my thumb and are incredibly uncomfortable with extended heavy cutting. It was one reason I chose to quit carrying my Mora Eldris; and decide to look at more expensive options like an Esee. While features like striking fire steels are pretty much at the bottom of the list, I can easily strike a fire steel (I have a very nice Doan firestarter a seller included in a knife lot, made for Cabela's probably in the '70s; Doan went out of business last year, and I've been picking up a couple of extras) and scrape the magnesium off the attached bar as well well with the saw on my Swiss Army Knife or Leatherman; which almost always accompanies my fixed blade knife. Also, I broke off a piece of a used-up hacksaw blade I found in my toolbox and attached it to the dog-tag chain lanyard on the Doan. That works too. My fixed blade is a CUTTING tool. Not a hatchet, not a chisel, not a scraper.


I've practiced regularly and, if needed, can get a small fire started quickly with just the basic tools I always keep on my person camping and working. The Doan fits into the pouch of a tiny sharpening stone I broke and weighs no more than the sharpening stone originally held within (which I carry a replacement of as well). Almost all my Morakniv have the budget unfinished spine, in which the center channel provides a really secure grip. All others (including my stainless Mora Companion and several vintage American fixed blades) have the standard properly finished, slightly rounded spine.

[Colonel26]

I don’t get all the hoopla either. Don’t most fire starters come with a striker if some kind?

A zippo lighter works pretty good too if fire starting is what you need, just sayin’.

[cody6268]

I don’t get all the hoopla either. Don’t most fire starters come with a striker if some kind?

A zippo lighter works pretty good too if fire starting is what you need, just sayin’.

Most do, but Doans don't tend to for some reason. But, I believe the North Carolina-made Doan is the best on the market. Too bad they went out of business just this past year.

To me, firestarters are last-ditch. I mostly use a Bic, if that doesn't work, windproof matches, and then if not that, the firestarter. I have an old Zippo, but have been meaning to upgrade to the butane insert.

[jmh58]

A 90deg spine is handy for scraping more than just ferro rods.
John