A Winter Wander, Compasses & Tinders

[Mistwalker]

I had a chance to get out for a while on a sunny day a few days ago. The temps had been low, so the ponds were still partially frozen, but it was nice out. So I threw a few things in my water bottle carrier and hit the trail.

A few cattails around

Lots of golden rod as well

When the golden rod is back-lit, between your eyes and the sun, it's pretty easy to spot because it seems to glow.

But when when the sun is shining on it rather than through it, it isn't as easy to see. It just blends into the background.

Robins aren't a sign of spring here the way they are up north

Not sure if these are coyote or a dog. There were only these few tracks, and no other foot prints, several miles from any houses.

A lot of horse nettle in the area

A lone crab apple skewered on a branch when it fell.

Smoked oysters for a snack

The primary gear was a water bottle, a Newt Martin knife called a Hike-Lite, a Brunton TruArc 20, and a Strike Force.

The back ups in my pocket were a Swiza Swiss Army Knife, a K&M match safe with a small ferro rod inside as well, and a container of PJCB.

I picked up the Brunton and a new Silva Ranger because the Suunto MC2G and the Silva landmark develop bubbles in the sub-freezing temps.I'll see how these do. If they develop bubbles as well I am going to pick up a Brunton pocket transit that isn't liquid dampened.

Soon it was time to head out, and with this kit packing up doesn't take long

.

 

[tknife]

Great pics Mist. That Martin is sweet, looks like the perfect size! How do you like the Swiza?

 

[TheMadIndian]

I've been trying to decide between the 426 and the 515 and was leaning towards the 515, I'm going to assume though that the 426 won't fair much better in sub freezing temps

Nice pics and trip btw

 

[SwiftDream]

If they develop bubbles as well I am going to pick up a Brunton pocket transit that isn't liquid dampened.

Also look at the K&R Sherpa or their Alpine. They are liquid damped so if you do drop it you won't damage the needle bearing and they settle down fast but the capsules are elastic so they don't get bubbles like the hard plastic capsules tend to do. I've had mine in some cold temps at altitude and so far no bubbles like my Brunton, Silva and Suunto all developed but more time will tell. I find my Cammega too heavy and though you could run it over with a tank they don't take to drops at all since they are dry, otherwise very good compass but the K&R Sherpa blows them all away.

 

[leghog]

If they develop bubbles as well I am going to pick up a Brunton pocket transit that isn't liquid dampened.

Look for induction damping. The Brunton pocket transit is induction damped (as well as the Cammenga lenstatic and baseplate compasses), but no reason to spend that kind of money on an induction damped compass.

 

[pitdog]

Great post as always buddy, does that Golden Rod have any uses ?

 

[Mistwalker]

Great pics Mist. That Martin is sweet, looks like the perfect size! How do you like the Swiza?

Thanks T, The Martin is really sweet. It has been one of my most carried knives since I got it back in the spring of 2014. It is one of Newt's integral models with the blade, bolster, and tang machined from one piece of CPM S35VN with the black G-10 press riveted on. The handle offers great purchase and has really good ergonomics. I need to take the time and post a review of it, it's one of my favorite knives.

The Swiza is really nice also. I like it better than the Vics in a couple of ways, texture and shape and I like the locking main blade, but wish it had a saw. I hope they will do one with a saw in the future.

A friend I sold one of my Tibos with custom scales to in Switzerland liked the Tibo so much he sent me these as a thank you gift.

I've been trying to decide between the 426 and the 515 and was leaning towards the 515, I'm going to assume though that the 426 won't fair much better in sub freezing temps

Nice pics and trip btw

I was looking at the Ranger when I opted for the guide due to the higher cost. I'll probably still pick up a Ranger anyway. I'm not sure any liquid dampened compass can fare any better than any other. The cheap UST sighting compass I bought my daughter has yet to develop a bubble nor did the Guide or TA20 when left over night in subfreezing temps. The Landmark is about 14 years old and the MC2G is a few years old, so that may play a part. The Landmark has developed a bubble every winter since I got it, but it goes away when warmed back up to body temperature so I can carry them on my person under my clothes and avoid the bubble. Yet left in my truck in my get home bag for days on end I suspect they will all develop bubbles. That test is currently underway for the next time we have several cold days in a row.

Also look at the K&R Sherpa or their Alpine. They are liquid damped so if you do drop it you won't damage the needle bearing and they settle down fast but the capsules are elastic so they don't get bubbles like the hard plastic capsules tend to do. I've had mine in some cold temps at altitude and so far no bubbles like my Brunton, Silva and Suunto all developed but more time will tell. I find my Cammega too heavy and though you could run it over with a tank they don't take to drops at all since they are dry, otherwise very good compass but the K&R Sherpa blows them all away.

Thanks for that info, I just looked those up, and I will get a Sherpa next to give it a go. Living on a mountain, though Signal isn't high like the Rockies, the altitude may also play a role in it. I have had S&Y and Cammenga compasses as well and also find them heavier and bulkier than I want.

Look for induction damping. The Brunton pocket transit is induction damped (as well as the Cammenga lenstatic and baseplate compasses), but no reason to spend that kind of money on an induction damped compass.

I am looking for an induction dampened mirrored sighting compass. I like the larger mirror of the Suunto not just for sighting, or even signaling if needs be, but because I am far sighted and I find the larger mirror awesome for things like getting suicidal gnats and mosquitoes out of my eyes. I have not found another mirrored compass besides the pocket transit that is induction dampened that has a good mirror and I don't mind paying for what I really want if it will work. Though the K&R Sherpa may well suit my needs, do you know of any induction dampened compasses with larger mirrors?

Great post as always buddy, does that Golden Rod have any uses ?

Thanks Pit. Around here it is one of the best winter tinder materials for use with a ferro rod. The small fibers take a spark very well, and being up on top of the long stalks blowing in the wind they dry back out fast after a rain, which is very important here in the East Appalachian Temperate Rain Forest where it rains a lot other than the very driest weeks of summer.

 

[jmh33]

Always enjoy your posts/pics!! Thanks!!:thumbup: John

 

[tknife]

i didn't realize the Swiza's had locking blades, that is awesome! If they do add a saw in, that will really be a champ! My dream pocket knife would be a SAK Farmer with a locking blade (even though it's just fine as is)

 

[22-rimfire]

Yeah, I just noticed the robins in the last few days here. Nice pictures as usual. I like the Brunton. The Martin Hike-Lite looks like a great woods knife. You have definitely been moving toward smaller knifes in the woods. Goes to show you that you really don't need to carry a lot of stuff on a dayhike or just wandering around and exploring comfortable places.

 

[Mistwalker]

Always enjoy your posts/pics!! Thanks!!:thumbup: John

Thanks John, I'm glad you enjoy them!

Brian

i didn't realize the Swiza's had locking blades, that is awesome! If they do add a saw in, that will really be a champ! My dream pocket knife would be a SAK Farmer with a locking blade (even though it's just fine as is)

Yes, much like the Wenger Ranger, you push on the white cross to release the lock. I would buy two with saws immediately if they were available.

Yeah, I just noticed the robins in the last few days here. Nice pictures as usual. I like the Brunton. The Martin Hike-Lite looks like a great woods knife. You have definitely been moving toward smaller knifes in the woods. Goes to show you that you really don't need to carry a lot of stuff on a dayhike or just wandering around and exploring comfortable places.

I'm liking the Brunton so far. The Hike Lite is a fine knife, handles very well. I haven't moved to smaller knives all together, mainly I have just gotten pickier on the types of larger knives and how they perform. I do prefer them thinner and lighter these days, and have been designing some of my own to be made to suit my needs. This one made by Dylan Fletcher is his rendition of one of my designs. It has a 10 inch blade, but is made of 3/16 stock so quicker in the hand than with thicker steels. It has excellent weight distribution and inertia development for my needs, and still handles well in finer tasks. I just haven't had time to go out for long or too deep in lately, so it hasn't popped up in pics lately. That will change soon.

 

[22-rimfire]

"Now, That's a knife!" It did really well on the oak.

 

[leghog]

I was looking at the Ranger when I opted for the guide due to the higher cost. I'll probably still pick up a Ranger anyway.

Just understand Silva sold in the USA aren't Swiss made any longer.

I am looking for an induction dampened mirrored sighting compass.

You'll probably have to buy vintage. Not sure of any induction damened mirror sighting compass is available new excepting for the Brunton Pocket Transit/M2 which you already mentioned. It's a heavy compass to tote on the trail and cumbersome to use with a map on the trail if you really don't need the features a pocket transit offers. I have an inexpensive not induction dampened air filled compass (Brunton TruArc3) that settles much faster than my new (Cammenga) or vintage (Silva) induction dampened compasses.

 

[Mistwalker]

"Now, That's a knife!" It did really well on the oak.

Dylan asked me to draw out three knives that I would want in an apocalyptic world. This is one of them I'm 6'-2" tall and weigh nearly 300 pounds so I probably get more bite with it than someone smaller and lighter, but mostly I use speed more than power with it. I am really liking it so far, just what I wanted when I drew it out. Dylan does some amazing grind work, and his heat treat is most excellent. The egos are sublime. I am very well pleased with the end result, so more pics of it to come soon.

Just understand Silva sold in the USA aren't Swiss made any longer.

The Landmark is an old one and is made in Finland. I'm not sure where the Guide is made, I will have to check.

You'll probably have to buy vintage. Not sure of any induction damened mirror sighting compass is available new excepting for the Brunton Pocket Transit/M2 which you already mentioned. It's a heavy compass to tote on the trail and cumbersome to use with a map on the trail if you really don't need the features a pocket transit offers. I have an inexpensive not induction dampened air filled compass (Brunton TruArc3) that settles much faster than my new (Cammenga) or vintage (Silva) induction dampened compasses.

I'd like to see the Brunton Cadet in person, or see some better pics than I find on the web. It is a less complex, less expensive trainer version for ther pocket transit.

 

[JV3]

good stuff, brian! that bubble didn't disappear once you got it back home/warmed up again? i only have one compass (it's a county comm over-run training compass for the military) so far that develops a bubble in the cold but disappears when it's warmed up.

 

[leghog]

This Silva Type 6 is an older one (1930s or 1940s) made for the military market (likely Norwegian). The compass is Swede and the base plate Norwegian. Pivot and needle housing top graduated in angular mils (6400 in a complete circle) and bottom graduated in gradians (400 in a complete circle). Air filled but induction dampened.

This Brunton is air filled and not induction dampened. Its needle settles much faster than the Silva Type 6 and an induction dampened Cammenga.

 

[22-rimfire]

Yes, the Brunton Cadet is the training version of the regular Brunton Pocket Transit. They use them in general geology classes. I have a regular Brunton Pocket Transit too; have had it for a long time, long time. It was given to me by my first boss. Used it a lot. It is a bit bulky for just compass work on trails and so forth. My regular compass is a Brunton 8040G which I believe is not liquid filled. Has the sighting mirror and a thermometer. Probably bought it at Sportsman Warehouse just in case you are wandering around. Added: Just googled it and they are discontinued. But there are pictures and descriptions.

The Brunton pocket transits have gotten really expensive. Been a while since I looked at one in a catalog.

 

[Mistwalker]

good stuff, brian! that bubble didn't disappear once you got it back home/warmed up again? i only have one compass (it's a county comm over-run training compass for the military) so far that develops a bubble in the cold but disappears when it's warmed up.

Thanks Jay! Yeah, they do go away once the compasses warm back up, so not like I want to throw them away. I just want something different for storing in my get home bag in the truck. The more I think about it, the more I think I should just put a cammenga lensatic compass in the bag, but I am really just trying to get away from military equipment.

This Silva Type 6 is an older one (1930s or 1940s) made for the military market (likely Norwegian). The compass is Swiss and the base plate Norwegian. Pivot and needle housing top graduated in angular mils (6400 in a complete circle) and bottom graduated in gradians (400 in a complete circle). Air filled but induction dampened.

This Brunton is air filled and not induction dampened. Its needle settles much faster than the Silva Type 6 and an induction dampened Cammenga.

Thanks for the info, I really like both of those.

Yes, the Brunton Cadet is the training version of the regular Brunton Pocket Transit. They use them in general geology classes. I have a regular Brunton Pocket Transit too; have had it for a long time, long time. It was given to me by my first boss. Used it a lot. It is a bit bulky for just compass work on trails and so forth. My regular compass is a Brunton 8040G which I believe is not liquid filled. Has the sighting mirror and a thermometer. Probably bought it at Sportsman Warehouse just in case you are wandering around. Added: Just googled it and they are discontinued. But there are pictures and descriptions.

The Brunton pocket transits have gotten really expensive. Been a while since I looked at one in a catalog.

Cool. What material is the case of the cadet made from? It looks like it should be lighter than the pocket transit. I did a search on the 8040G and couldn't find them in stock anywhere or on the Brunton website, so I guess it is discontinued. Yes the pocket transits are expensive, and I get that they are heavy. The cadet is the one that really has my eye, I would just like more information on them and a better look before I order one. Hard to tell much about them from the pics and info available on the net.

 

[SwiftDream]

Thanks for that info, I just looked those up, and I will get a Sherpa next to give it a go. Living on a mountain, though Signal isn't high like the Rockies, the altitude may also play a role in it. I have had S&Y and Cammenga compasses as well and also find them heavier and bulkier than I want.

MistWalker I agree, altitude will have some to do with it so the jury is still out but it has had a good long run and looking real good so far. Here is mine, used it last week to triangulate my position and travel cross country to an objective. It is a full service compass and I have found it stellar so far. If it stays bubble free, I'll not look further. (and I really like that little Martin knife of yours)

 

[Liam Ryan]

Wow, really like that knife.
Interesting swiss knives too, never heard of them.