A message for Alberta Ed.... Questions about Tommy Tompkins and the knives he used.

[CanadianBushman]

Hello, I read a few older posts from Alberta Ed about Tommy Tompkins. I’ve been fascinated by him since learning a little about him. But I am not able to find much information about him. You mentioned he carried a grohmann #3 in stainless during a lot of his trips? I was wondering if you could tell me more about him, and the equipment he used?
I was also wondering if you maybe had a source on his films? Thanks!

 

[Alberta Ed]

Tommy carried a Grohmann #3 boat knife when I knew him, and a backup knife in his pack (not sure what). He used a Trapper Nelson pack, wooden frame, canvas sack. He said a pack that weighed over 35 pounds was too much. That would include 10 pounds of rice on his long expeditions. He carried matches in several 35 mm. plastic film containers (I still do, too), with waterproofed matches and a striking strip inside. He would distribute them around so if he lost his pack or jacket or whatever he'd still have some. Tommy favored a single bit ax (I think a 3/4 bit Hudson Bay model); he didn't care for hatchets. He carried a pellet gun for small game like grouse. His favorite caliber was Winchester .264 magnum. Mostly he used a lightweight tarp for a tent. As far as his films and photos go, they seem to be scattered around in various archives: City of Vancouver has one of his early wolf movies. There may be others buried in CBC Archives or British Columbia archives. I don't know of any collection. He was an amazing outdoorsman. Still miss him.

 

[CanadianBushman]

Tommy carried a Grohmann #3 boat knife when I knew him, and a backup knife in his pack (not sure what). He used a Trapper Nelson pack, wooden frame, canvas sack. He said a pack that weighed over 35 pounds was too much. That would include 10 pounds of rice on his long expeditions. He carried matches in several 35 mm. plastic film containers (I still do, too), with waterproofed matches and a striking strip inside. He would distribute them around so if he lost his pack or jacket or whatever he'd still have some. Tommy favored a single bit ax (I think a 3/4 bit Hudson Bay model); he didn't care for hatchets. He carried a pellet gun for small game like grouse. His favorite caliber was Winchester .264 magnum. Mostly he used a lightweight tarp for a tent. As far as his films and photos go, they seem to be scattered around in various archives: City of Vancouver has one of his early wolf movies. There may be others buried in CBC Archives or British Columbia archives. I don't know of any collection. He was an amazing outdoorsman. Still miss him.

Thank you, that is very interesting! I've been mesmerized by the way he did things...there is not many people like that still around. I've watched all the films I could find and I'm scooping up all the information I can. I'm really surprised there isn't more talk about him, its hard to find anything about him out there so I really appreciate the knowledge coming from someone that knew him. I actually contacted CBC a few months ago about some achieved films such as Tommy Tompkins: Bushman from 1970 and The Wildlife country film series he did (Which are in the achieves) but I was told it is not possible to obtain them unless I am a family member or was featured in the film. Very silly. I'm also surprised to see we have the same taste in knives although I'm a little more partial to the Grohmann #1 and 4.