A little excessive?

E

evbouret

Joined
Aug 1, 2007
Messages
283
I am not trying to target anyone in particular, but does anyone else on here think that some people are a bit excessive? I can understand a small ferro rod on your keychain and a pocket knife. But some people here carry multiple knives, fishing hooks, water purification tablets, condoms for water etc... around at all times. Under what circumstances would you need to make a fire, purify water, or catch fish while dropping your kids off at the pool or buying groceries.

I understand the concept of the BOB. But under what circumstances would you possibly have to require grabbing a bag full of ammunition and 7 different knives without having a few minutes to pack a bag. You that live in flood zones, I understand your need.

I hunt and hike once or twice a week and always have a bark river woodland, machete, emergency blanket, iodine and some means to start a fire (usually 2 bic lighters). On hikes over 3 or 4 hours into the bush I'll throw a small 6x8 silnylon tarp. Those that hunt, hike, fish, go logging, shrooming or are exposed to the outdoors away from any help should all carry the bare minimum to at least spend one night. But when you're driving around in your truck do you really need a 3 knives? Educate me, this is coming from someone who spends a lot of time deep in the jungle and has only used a rusty ontario machete and a naturally well patina'd 3.5" blade.

Im not trying to be harsh or combative...but if I'm in the wrong can somebody educate me?
 
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I think a lot of people on this forum carry multiple knives so they can take pics of them for the rest of us. I know if I have posted several threads all containing the same knife , I will sometimes switch it up just for you guys !
Another reason is because if something can go wrong at the worst time, chances are it will !!!! That trusty pocket knife will break or you will become seperated from your pack which contains your knife and so will rely on that back-up knife on your belt/around your neck etc !!!!!
And yeah some on here are excessive which is good for me cos I can show the Mrs and say " See, and you think I'm bad !!!!"
 
I have a PSK in my bag, a folder at least but more often a fixed blade, a small flashlight, a leatherman and a lighter with me just about all the time.

I don't think my daily carry is really overboard but I do feel nekkid without it.
 
This is a survival forum, and by definition a survival situation is something unplanned and unexpected. If it is planned and expected then it is a camping trip.
 
Yes, there is some excessiveness, but keep in mind that survival/bushcraft/edc/etc. is more than a matter of preparedness for a lot of people here - it's also a HOBBY that people do for fun and for the love of gizmos and gadgets.
 
I have a simple PSK based around a medium-sized camera case. It attaches to my pack when I'm backpacking, my belt when I'm out for a short jaunt, or my satchel when I'm in the city. It doesn't weigh much, and it looks like a camera case. It contains some first aid items, fire-starting items, a Swiss Army Knife, and a few other odds and ends. Many of the items have only been used a handful of times, but they are always there, just in case. I suppose you could consider it 'excessive' to carry this kit around all the time, but it doesn't require much energy or thought on my part.

As for packing far too many knives around, I think that many of us are searching for a 'combo' of tools that we feel comfortable with. Of course, this requires active experimentation in the field. Also, I would note that this is a W&SS subforum of a knife forum, and many of us are simply sufficiently enthusiastic about sharp things that we knowingly pack too many. No harm, no foul though, right?

All the best,

- Mike
 
2 is 1, 1is NONE, and 3 is even better!

I use 2 weapon mounted lights and carry a backup on my fighting rig, and another in my pocket. I keep a multi tool and fixed blade on the rig, a folder, SAK, and fixed on my belt.

Ammo on the rig, ammo on the belt, I carry a spare bolt, batteries, eye pro, rounds

I live this way, it isn't a "work" thing. I do my best to never be caught without at least 2 blades, 2 ways of starting a fire, etc. etc. This is who I am, not a way I choose to be, I check my gear and then I double and tripple check it, then have a buddy it for me.

I layer gear, so if I'm carrying a pack, I keep a backup PSK and FAK on my body, same with knives.

Murphy follows us all, there is no way to stop him, you can only take precautions to nuetralize his cunning.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murphy's_law
S/F
 
......as well as the practical aspect of preparation for a disaster most of us are here as a hobby.....and enjoy the company of each other, sharing and learning. I could probably get by the rest of my life with just my SAK and an old Mini Maglight as an EDC. But what fun is that ? ;) We're on a path...to who knows where ? :)

- regards
 
Well I carry a leatherman and a torch with spare batteries in my bag all the time and a micra with a tiny torch on my keys, I prefer to have and not need than need and not have, if you know what I mean, however I do not carry tent or fishing line with me to work - so its a balance.
 
Guilty as charged! :p I like to feel that if I were in on the way to work, and a UFO came along, picked up and deposited my car in the middle of Siberia, I'd be good to go. For a little while, at least.

In all seriousness, it's a hobby. I can't speak for anyone else, but I just like the gear, and practicing with it. Having a survival kit is sort of like having a security blanket, toybox, and toolkit all in one.
 
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I live in the city (unfortunately) my edc is taylored to things encountered in my environment

Leatherman
lighter
flashlight
string
extra cash

I do however spend a great deal of time in the woods and than taylor my kit accordingly
 
RescueRiley said:
I live in the city (unfortunately) my edc is taylored to things encountered in my environment

Leatherman
lighter
flashlight
string
extra cash

I do however spend a great deal of time in the woods and than taylor my kit accordingly
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Same here. I work in the city and have to plan accordingly. I guess I'm a bit excessive becuase I have a set up for EDC/Urban environment and a setup for the Wilderness.
 
Well I often carry a number of the items you mentioned, and I agree, it seems silly in a lot of ways. But for me, it is now purely habit to always have my knives, ferro rod, flashlights, etc always within reach. If I have them, then I always have them if for some unforseen emergency. My wife carries the items too, as well as the car kits, and a number of other things.

Besides, I just happen to LIKE having a couple of nice SAKs, MTs and folders on me... :)
 
I don't doubt that we take too much into the field these days. When I hunted/camped/hiked on a regular basis, my gear was very, very sparse. I only took the stuff I would use, and a couple of emergency items. If I was only spending a night out (going for the hike itself) and was going to a state or national park, I took almost nothing.

Now I have too many gizmos. They remind me of my younger years and how much fun I had doing all the outdoor activities.

When I am packing for a short trip, I have to remind myself I was never caught in a flash flood while out, had my kit ruined by a wild animal (although in Yosemite a bear did very gently go through my detachable day pack), never had to fish or trap small animals just to survive, my waterproof matchsafe/whistle never failed me, nor was I in a severe situation without water for days. I am not Les Stroud, nor was I ever.

But I hate to leave any goodies behind simply because I don't get out like I used to, and never know when I will be able to go again. I like playing with all the "stuff", and whether I need it or not. As someone posted above, this is a hobby to many - a source of enjoyment.

Robert
 
evbouret said:
I am not trying to target anyone in particular, but does anyone else on here think that some people are a bit excessive? I can understand a small ferro rod on your keychain and a pocket knife. But some people here carry multiple knives, fishing hooks, water purification tablets, condoms for water etc... around at all times. Under what circumstances would you need to make a fire, purify water, or catch fish while dropping your kids off at the pool or buying groceries.
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Well, how nice of you to set the parameters of when someone would need something like the items you mentioned! If you really didn't mean to be "harsh or combative," perhaps you should carefully consider your words. You are the one that set the parameters of the travels of a hundred people as being so mundane as dropping the kids off at the pool or buying groceries.

On one hand, I know what you mean and I tend to agree with you, on the other hand it seems rather arrogant to word it the way you did.

In the wintertime, I carry a small pack between a messenger bag and a daypack, just in case there is bad weather as I won't sit in my car so a snowplow can kill me should I get snowed in or broken down on the highway, etc. Leave the car, walk right into the woods and start a fire. I don't care if people think this is crazy, sitting in your car on a busy highway and getting plastered by a half-asleep state highway employee is not exactly a glorious way to die.

I go lighter in the summertime.

Some people in here actually have a commute to work and that commute carries them through country that can be hostile if they are not prepared.

I think you are taking your situation and then foisting that onto other people.
 
evbouret said:
Under what circumstances would you need to make a fire, purify water, or catch fish while dropping your kids off at the pool or buying groceries?
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You don't for those things......preparedness is about the things that happen while your doing them, that you don't expect.
 
I don't doubt that we take too much into the field these days. When I hunted/camped/hiked on a regular basis, my gear was very, very sparse. I only took the stuff I would use, and a couple of emergency items. If I was only spending a night out (going for the hike itself) and was going to a state or national park, I took almost nothing.

One of my good friends is the same way. We used to throw our hunting gear in the back of his car, and anytime we could get off early from work together we would jump in his old hoopy and blast out to hunt and camp. We often forgot a few things until we made up a small bag of "stuff", and for years we were fine.

Now he loads his pickup to the gills for an overnight camp. He could survive for months with all the stuff he takes these days.

I have too many gizmos, too. They remind me of my younger years and how much fun I had doing all the outdoor activities.

When I am packing for a short trip, I have to remind myself I was never caught in a flash flood while out, had my kit ruined by a wild animal (although in Yosemite a bear did very gently go through my detachable day pack), never had to fish or trap small animals just to survive, my waterproof matchsafe/whistle never failed me, nor was I in a severe situation without water for days. I am not Les Stroud, nor was I ever.

But I hate to leave any goodies behind simply because I don't get out like I used to, and never know when I will be able to go again. I like playing with all the "stuff", and whether I need it or not. As someone posted above, this is a hobby to many - a source of enjoyment.

Robert
 
shotgunner11 said:
I have a PSK in my bag, a folder at least but more often a fixed blade, a small flashlight, a leatherman and a lighter with me just about all the time.

I don't think my daily carry is really overboard but I do feel nekkid without it.
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same here...:thumbup: i always have at least one knife, a flashlight and a lighter on me at all times.. while out in the woods, you will not find me without a fixed blade and at least 3 ways to make a fire...
 
Interesting post. This is a forum devoted to wilderness skills. It is fun to experiment, try different combos, see what works and what doesn't, post pictures and describe experiences. Knives, and most survival equipment for that matter, are small enough and light enough to pack a few extras. I get to bang around in my neighbor's woodlot several times a week. I carry a SAK, a Buck 110, a saw and a gerber back pack axe along with a PSK and FAK, rope, cord, tarp and a thermos of tea. I also take a compass, reading glasses, binocs, a fresnel lens, a file, stone and sharpening rod as well as a book or my journal or both. I am literally minutes from home.

It sounds like a lot of stuff but it really isn't. It all fits into a day pack with room to spare. I get to practice harvesting firewood, setting up (but not lighting) a fire, putting up an emergency shelter, take back bearings, drink tea, read, write, observe nature, sharpen my tools and generally spend some time outdoors.

I really do not need any of this stuff. I could leave it home and just take a walk but it would not be as much fun, as relaxing or as interesting to me.

To each his own.
 
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