Am I safe in the wood with this set?

T

tigerladie

Joined
Oct 13, 2010
Messages
3
Hi,
I am new to knife collecting & had been focussed on value to money deal.
So here is my nessmuk trio
Mora 840MC
Svord Pleasant fodler
Victoronix multitool with flint, compass, etc. attachement
a 15" Chinese made axe.
BTW, i live in HK, a city boy with just 1-2 wild camp experiences. I really don't know what i bought this for. Just buying i guess.
DSC05469.jpg
 
That's more than good enough. Only things I'd add is a good pocket sharpener, a folding saw, and some vaseline soaked cotton balls for that matchcase(or whatever tinder you prefer)

I don't know much about that hatchet. The head could be pretty good, but if the handle is solid it may jarr your arm up after a while. Try it out before you head in the woods.

Have a look around at the Wilderness & Survival Skills forum.
 
welcome tigerladle, you could have done a lot worst. try to find a friend that has experienced some hunting & fishing or even camping.they will have tips to help your trips more fun. i remember when i was a h.s. soph & we went to a private lake for easter. we did'nt take food since we thought we would catch all the fish we desired. came a 3 in. rain & we spent a wet nite in an old shack. the lake was chocolate so we finally shot a mud hen & set a trotline to catch channel cats, that was the last time i went to boonies to try & "live off the land". always carry food & water.
dennis
 
Well, it looks like a good outdoor blade set, to me. However, we live on opposite sides of the world. I've never been to China, and I have no idea about the enviroment there. To be honest, I'd say the SAK and Mora would probably be all you'd ever need... and probably a little more. :thumbup:
 
The knives and other stuff will be ok.

However tha handles on those chinese axes are prone to breaking with very little use. I would upgrade the hatchet to at least a Fiskars/Gerber. Preferably to an Estwing 24A or to their 16" Campers axe (My favorite). The Estwings give long life and durability.
 
Don't bother yourself with the question of "why" you're buying it: this sort of thing grows into a lifelong hobby... especially when you're actually out there using the stuff.

I can't really answer the question in your subject as we both know only you can. I think it's safe to say no matter what environment you find yourself in... there are the "basics" and you have those covered - now it's a matter of how deeply you want to get into the subject. Lifelong hobby. Remember? What do you want to do? And, do it.

The Mora, the Svord Peasant, the SAK - good value tools that have a good reputation. The hatchet? As others have said, you might consider upgrading to a proven Fiskars or maybe a more traditional with a wood handle design (Gransfors Bruks?). How about a multitool like a Leatherman? How about a regular lighter? It just depends on what you're going to use the stuff for.

You're a self-proclaimed "city boy" - are you looking to build a "Bug out Bag" just in case something happens in the City?

:thumbup:
 
wildmike said:
The knives and other stuff will be ok.

However tha handles on those chinese axes are prone to breaking with very little use. I would upgrade the hatchet to at least a Fiskars/Gerber. Preferably to an Estwing 24A or to their 16" Campers axe (My favorite). The Estwings give long life and durability.
Click to expand...

The handles on those axes are extremely strong. They're not fiberglass like the label says, but solid high-impact plastic -the same stuff you find on the Mora Craftsman, Ontario machetes and probably the Peasant knife aswell (mine is wood).
They are much stronger than Fiberglass handles of the Gerber/Fiskars, and probably more durable than Hickory/Ash.
The problem is they absorb shock very poorly. Chopping with one is like hitting concrete with a steel bar.
 
The tools look fine.

The question as to whether or not you will be safe in the woods depends on your experience, intuition and fortitude.

Kevin
 
Any one of those knives would be an excellent choice. The hatchet, probably won't need that unless you're at a campground and buy firewood that needs to be split. Maybe if you're winter camping and need a roaring blaze to keep warm?

Why not carry them all on your next hiking trip. Make a note of which one(s) you really needed, and next time leave the others at home. Or conversely make a note if you wished for a different style/size knife. It's a good practice to do that with all of your backpacking gear. After a few trips you'll have everything sorted out and appropriately trimmed down.

Have fun!
 
Like the Mora and the Yellow Folder, get out there and cut some dead wood, make a little camp fire and whittle out a bowl and spoon.
 
Your tropical climate is different than the area Nessmuk explored. In temperate and arctic regions an axe is important because your winter survival depends on warmth generated by burning wood. In tropical climate that's warm throughout the year, wood fire is not as important.

British SAS spent a long time in tropical regions, and the survival tool they recommend is a machete / golok / parang or whatever you call it. It's used to clear walking path in a dense tropical jungle and to quickly chop branches to build shelter. In rainy / monsoon season it is important to quickly build shelter and keep yourself dry.

I say if you trade your axe with a good parang you're good to go.
 
Sep has a valid comment about the axe, however if you were in the wilds of British Columbia, you would find yourself well equipped.
 
Sep said:
Your tropical climate is different than the area Nessmuk explored. In temperate and arctic regions an axe is important because your winter survival depends on warmth generated by burning wood. In tropical climate that's warm throughout the year, wood fire is not as important.

British SAS spent a long time in tropical regions, and the survival tool they recommend is a machete / golok / parang or whatever you call it. It's used to clear walking path in a dense tropical jungle and to quickly chop branches to build shelter. In rainy / monsoon season it is important to quickly build shelter and keep yourself dry.

I say if you trade your axe with a good parang you're good to go.
Click to expand...

What he said! +1!
 
You can get a decent wood saw by upgrading your Victorinox to one of the saw models, such as the Farmer or Rucksack.
 
It's a good start.

Don't forget about good boots, outdoor clothing, and a first aid kit.
 
Well ... if we're talking "safe," I might recommend an appropriate fire-arm.

If we're talking "prepared," I think you'll be fine. Although some folks do prefer to bring along some form of saw.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top