The best tool we have out there is our brain. The tools are optional and can make it easier.
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Backpacking RC-4
- Thread starter velo0826
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The best tool we have out there is our brain. The tools are optional and can make it easier.
Mistwalker
Gold Member
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- Dec 22, 2007
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I can think of several adjectives to describe the RC-4....but large doesn't exactly spring to mind. Actually it is a component in my new found approach to minimalism.....
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- Jan 16, 2005
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I want to just make a side note about how these ultralight d#@#he bags are considered to be liberal hippies. Im a Die hard liberal.
Im also a gun owner, and im active duty u.s army. I spend plenty of time outdoors with a gun and i dont put my poop in a bag.
if i said that all right wingers are stupid crazies who cant do math and screw their sisters id get alot of butt hurt, so why do i always hear this stuff?
Im not trying to stir the pot im just pointing out that there are liberals here as well, and that it gets aggravating after awhile.
Also im not trying to derail this thread.
to the OP bring what you want, the few extra ounces provided by your knife are never gonna be noticed, besides if you pack heavy and push yourself your legs will get stronger and youll be able to comfortably carry heavy loads so either way you win by taking a fixed blade knife :thumbup:
Im also a gun owner, and im active duty u.s army. I spend plenty of time outdoors with a gun and i dont put my poop in a bag.
if i said that all right wingers are stupid crazies who cant do math and screw their sisters id get alot of butt hurt, so why do i always hear this stuff?
Im not trying to stir the pot im just pointing out that there are liberals here as well, and that it gets aggravating after awhile.
Also im not trying to derail this thread.
to the OP bring what you want, the few extra ounces provided by your knife are never gonna be noticed, besides if you pack heavy and push yourself your legs will get stronger and youll be able to comfortably carry heavy loads so either way you win by taking a fixed blade knife :thumbup:
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- Apr 17, 2007
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- 181
I don't think anybody mentioned liberals in this particular thread. Hippie was mentioned, as well as nutjob, but liberals were left alone
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I don't think anybody mentioned liberals in this particular thread. Hippie was mentioned, as well as nutjob, but liberals were left alone
synonymous.
If the prof asked to see my RC-4 so he could compare it with his knife/SAK, I would be totally ok with that. If the prof just grabbed it from my sheath, he and I would have a private conversation explaining that he is never to touch my knife again without my permission.
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- Sep 21, 2010
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Funny, I'd rather be in the woods with a blade like the ESEE-4 and minimal 'other' gear, than vice versa. You can make just about anything with a good knife, but it's hard to make a good knife with back packing gear.
A lot of interesting replies, and surprisingly most I agree with for a change.
I will say some are more to one side than I tend to like but is the beauty of free expression.
As many have mentioned, the RC-4 is by no means a large or heavy knife! In fact I think it's about my minimum for a single, field/woods knife.
I do think that the first thing to consider is that this is a "backpacking" class... and sadly most packers, will spend hundreds if not thousands of dollars on titanium items that were meant for Everest expeditions for their 6-8hrs "hikes" along well traveled "trials". This is where the keychain knife would be sufficient.
If he was interested in addressing small game cleaning then there is indeed some IMPLIED survival intended in his curriculum, which is interesting.
If he isn't teacing "survival" then is he emphasizes the killing of game out side of season is a felony in most states when not done in a life and death/survival scenario. Remember a snare isn't selective about what animal it catches and the student/backpacker may be liable.
SO, just relax and wait for your moment to shine with your more than adequate blade!
For shelter making, fire making (one stick method should be a natural with the RC-4), and YES cleaning anything from squirrel to rabbit size game, would be a cinch for your RC-4. Mykel Hawke cleaned a field mouse and juvinle rattle snake with his atrocity of a "survival" knife on one episode.. so as one member stated, it's not always "the arrow" that prevails, but the Indian!
Now I personally WOULD have an issue with this guy helping himself to my blade as it were attached to my pack with out at least showing the courtesy of asking permission.
I've taken firearms class's where the instructors that were light years ahead of the class in training and experience would still ask permission to address the students weapon hands on. It's not meant to imply that you would ever DENY the permission, it's just basic courtesy, and respect for the weapon and it's owner.. I have to admit I have little patience for that kind of attitude among "professional:jerkit:" trainers, and yes, I've had a few like that.
Best of luck to you in the class.. and for god's sake DON'T show the instructor up! Just bide your time and get the grade. Keep us up today on how the class goes..
I will say some are more to one side than I tend to like but is the beauty of free expression.
As many have mentioned, the RC-4 is by no means a large or heavy knife! In fact I think it's about my minimum for a single, field/woods knife.
I do think that the first thing to consider is that this is a "backpacking" class... and sadly most packers, will spend hundreds if not thousands of dollars on titanium items that were meant for Everest expeditions for their 6-8hrs "hikes" along well traveled "trials". This is where the keychain knife would be sufficient.
If he was interested in addressing small game cleaning then there is indeed some IMPLIED survival intended in his curriculum, which is interesting.
If he isn't teacing "survival" then is he emphasizes the killing of game out side of season is a felony in most states when not done in a life and death/survival scenario. Remember a snare isn't selective about what animal it catches and the student/backpacker may be liable.
SO, just relax and wait for your moment to shine with your more than adequate blade!
For shelter making, fire making (one stick method should be a natural with the RC-4), and YES cleaning anything from squirrel to rabbit size game, would be a cinch for your RC-4. Mykel Hawke cleaned a field mouse and juvinle rattle snake with his atrocity of a "survival" knife on one episode.. so as one member stated, it's not always "the arrow" that prevails, but the Indian!
Now I personally WOULD have an issue with this guy helping himself to my blade as it were attached to my pack with out at least showing the courtesy of asking permission.
I've taken firearms class's where the instructors that were light years ahead of the class in training and experience would still ask permission to address the students weapon hands on. It's not meant to imply that you would ever DENY the permission, it's just basic courtesy, and respect for the weapon and it's owner.. I have to admit I have little patience for that kind of attitude among "professional:jerkit:" trainers, and yes, I've had a few like that.
Best of luck to you in the class.. and for god's sake DON'T show the instructor up! Just bide your time and get the grade. Keep us up today on how the class goes..
Most of the places that I hike or backpack do not permit gathering wood or open fires, or there's no wood to be found (above timberline for example), so a small knife does everything that I need it to do and weighs less. Where will you be backpacking with your class?
- Joined
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Yeah, a Vic classic's blade is pretty much useless. I've never used it. I only use the tooth pick and scissors on mine.
Wear your RC4 proudly, matey. Mine's in the mail!!! Can't wait for it to arrive!
Wear your RC4 proudly, matey. Mine's in the mail!!! Can't wait for it to arrive!
- Joined
- May 9, 2010
- Messages
- 154
"I want to just make a side note about how these ultralight d#@#he bags are considered to be liberal hippies. Im a Die hard liberal.
Im also a gun owner, and im active duty u.s army. I spend plenty of time outdoors with a gun and i dont put my poop in a bag.
if i said that all right wingers are stupid crazies who cant do math and screw their sisters id get alot of butt hurt, so why do i always hear this stuff?
Im not trying to stir the pot im just pointing out that there are liberals here as well, and that it gets aggravating after awhile.
Also im not trying to derail this thread.
to the OP bring what you want, the few extra ounces provided by your knife are never gonna be noticed, besides if you pack heavy and push yourself your legs will get stronger and youll be able to comfortably carry heavy loads so either way you win by taking a fixed blade knife"
Agreed. All liberals don't want really tight gun and knife control. But that's politics, and neither party is perfect. That's the way it is. I already have a fairly nice knife collection and I plan on purchasing pistols and such when I'm 21. Does that make me a moderate? Idk.
Sorry for getting off topic.
Did I mention that the the RC4 is awesome??
Im also a gun owner, and im active duty u.s army. I spend plenty of time outdoors with a gun and i dont put my poop in a bag.
if i said that all right wingers are stupid crazies who cant do math and screw their sisters id get alot of butt hurt, so why do i always hear this stuff?
Im not trying to stir the pot im just pointing out that there are liberals here as well, and that it gets aggravating after awhile.
Also im not trying to derail this thread.
to the OP bring what you want, the few extra ounces provided by your knife are never gonna be noticed, besides if you pack heavy and push yourself your legs will get stronger and youll be able to comfortably carry heavy loads so either way you win by taking a fixed blade knife"
Agreed. All liberals don't want really tight gun and knife control. But that's politics, and neither party is perfect. That's the way it is. I already have a fairly nice knife collection and I plan on purchasing pistols and such when I'm 21. Does that make me a moderate? Idk.
Sorry for getting off topic.
Did I mention that the the RC4 is awesome??
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I generally pack my poop out of wherever I go. Work, restaurants, family outings, the mall... I just don't want other people to have to deal with it, so I just poop in a little bag, throw it in my pocket or pack, and take it home!
Ok, seriously, it's the woods. Animals (including humans) poop in the woods. Just don't poop on a trail or near a water source and that is respectful enough for me!
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- Mar 4, 2009
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I find this interesting as a cousin of mine was over the other day and saw my pack with my RC3 in it. He went on with the Rambo jokes and what am I trying to do chop down a tree. The funny thing is when I asked him for a better solution or what did he think was more appropriate he said all he ever carries is a spyderco endura. Be went on about how small and light it was and how it could do e everything my mini machete could do. I smiled and asked did he have it so I could see it. He proudly retrieves it from his pocket. I said let me try this thing out, he said sure. I took it to the kitchen he follows and I begin to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for me. I then go back and get my rc3 and begin to make another for him. I go to the sink rinse no soap just water and fingers on the rc3 I rinse on his endura and close it with peanut butter still all in the handle. I then smuggly say hmmmm, and reopen the knife there is peanut butter smearedd on the blade and still inside the handle I lay it on the counter and put the rc3 down in front of it. In astonishment I say man this thing is huge look it's bigger than my mini machete, it holds food and bacteria in the handles and is inherently weaker than my rc3. I tell him I really like your endura but for outdoor task I will stick with my rats. Before he left I said oh by the way that looks like one of my knives and I showed him my endura 4. He called me later to ask where could he get him one of those rat knives.
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Ok, well.... ummm. For hiking something like the AT, I understand the instructor's point of view. Most folks I have talked to on the AT carry a SAK Fieldmaster, Camper or Huntsman and no other blade. I always carry a fixed blade, but I rarely carry something as large as say an RD-9, ESEE-6/5. I think at the moment, my largest blade is the TAK-1.
For the AT well... it is kind of a cow path these days.... well marked, and lots of traffic. I could get by on the AT with just a SAK, no problem, especially if I was packing my own foodstuff, and trying to go ultra light. If I was doing that, I would probably add something like a KaBar Johnson Adventure Piggyback blade, or an Izula (Becker Necker).
One of the problems I have with the Ultra light packing community, it leave NO room for error, and if you have an issue, you have zero spare resources to self rescue. So if you have an injury, get lost, etc, you are most likely going to have to be rescued.
You might point out to your instructor that a classic has NO SAW, therefore a very limited ability to be useful in a self reliant scenario. Suggest he upgrade to at least a Lumberjack (adds a 1.5oz I think). Bottom line, a RC-4 can save your life, and your chances go way down if all you have is a classic.
For the AT well... it is kind of a cow path these days.... well marked, and lots of traffic. I could get by on the AT with just a SAK, no problem, especially if I was packing my own foodstuff, and trying to go ultra light. If I was doing that, I would probably add something like a KaBar Johnson Adventure Piggyback blade, or an Izula (Becker Necker).
One of the problems I have with the Ultra light packing community, it leave NO room for error, and if you have an issue, you have zero spare resources to self rescue. So if you have an injury, get lost, etc, you are most likely going to have to be rescued.
You might point out to your instructor that a classic has NO SAW, therefore a very limited ability to be useful in a self reliant scenario. Suggest he upgrade to at least a Lumberjack (adds a 1.5oz I think). Bottom line, a RC-4 can save your life, and your chances go way down if all you have is a classic.
If I were on the AT, or hiking in areas heavily traveled, I would never bring my RC-4. I'd bring the lightest knife that was still functional. Maybe the Izula, maybe the HEST.
In my case, I am hiking solo in areas miles away from civilization that may see a hiker or two or three all day. Perhaps none. I'll gladly sacrifice weight for something that will get the job done if I go down with an injury or all hell breaks loose.
I view it as a form of wilderness insurance.
In my case, I am hiking solo in areas miles away from civilization that may see a hiker or two or three all day. Perhaps none. I'll gladly sacrifice weight for something that will get the job done if I go down with an injury or all hell breaks loose.
I view it as a form of wilderness insurance.
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Yes sir whay he said!!!!
Go all out and show him whats what.....
gruntmedik
Gold Member
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- Mar 12, 2009
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...When you're camping and this dude pulls out his nail file knife, I suggest you cut it in half with the RC-4 and go on about your business...
I sprayed iced tea on my monitor at this.
To the OP, No need to show him up, just enjoy the outing, knowing you are prepared should the worst happen. Everyone has something to teach, and everyone has something to learn. Have fun. :thumbup:
Personally, i agree with the professor on this one, but thats because i was taught in a similar manner. My father and grandfather taught me a more minimalist form of bushcraft/survival. Their reason for doing this is so that i would be able to do everything needed with as little gear as possible, and id be more self reliant than gear reliant. If i happen to have the fancy gear then life will be easier, but if not then ill still be able to get by with relative ease. Personally, i think learning these skills with the best gear possible takes away from the self reliant aspect of bushcraft and survival and puts more emphasis on your gear than your brains.
To the people who are talking about batoning...i can count the amount of times ive actually had to baton anything on one hand. It isnt an extremely necessary skill to have, and there are other ways to do it than with a knife. In fact, i was taught how to baton by using a sharp rock or braided steel line. Simply find a rock thats sticking out of the ground that has a sharp angle on it, put the piece of wood against that edge, then start hammering on the other end. You might not get perfectly squared pieces of wood, but then again you dont really need that in order to do most things that youd do with a batoned piece of wood.
It all comes down to the person who is teaching you the skills and what part of the country your being taught in. Survival gear around here could be vastly different than what youd need up north, and the skillset would definitely be vastly different. If the teacher prefers to do things with a smaller knife then learn how he does it move on. Its always good to learn different types of skillsets in bushcraft and survival.
To the people who are talking about batoning...i can count the amount of times ive actually had to baton anything on one hand. It isnt an extremely necessary skill to have, and there are other ways to do it than with a knife. In fact, i was taught how to baton by using a sharp rock or braided steel line. Simply find a rock thats sticking out of the ground that has a sharp angle on it, put the piece of wood against that edge, then start hammering on the other end. You might not get perfectly squared pieces of wood, but then again you dont really need that in order to do most things that youd do with a batoned piece of wood.
It all comes down to the person who is teaching you the skills and what part of the country your being taught in. Survival gear around here could be vastly different than what youd need up north, and the skillset would definitely be vastly different. If the teacher prefers to do things with a smaller knife then learn how he does it move on. Its always good to learn different types of skillsets in bushcraft and survival.
