Beckerheads outdoor tips and tricks

tradewater

tradewater

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A place to share the goodies the Beckerheads have learned in their outdoor experiences that make it easier, safer, more convenient and fun to get out there and get some dirt time with our beloved blades. Just a place to share and learn. So let’s see your favorite tidbit. Might be routine stuff to you, but somebody will think it’s a damn good idea. Bushcraft, camping, hiking, paddling, etc. tips that enhance your Becker time. Pics should include your Becker of choice for the related activity.
 
Always leave a plan with someone! Two someones if possible! You never know when you are going to get stuck, lost, injured, etc... and if no one knows where you are, no one can come looking for you when you don't come back.
 
Have a saw handy when you need it. If your pack has stays, you've got a perfect place to slide a bowsaw blade. A 21 inch blade fits perfectly. Be sure to leave it in the cardboard cover, use your BK7 to cut a green limb and you've got a bowsaw.
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1 is none, 2 is one, 3 is best.
If you don't have a plan "B", then you don't really have a plan "A".
Fire and knives are awesomely useful, and often needed, but without a solid and safe way to acquire and transport/store potable water you are DEAD in short order.
When the chips are down, never forget the "Donner option" :)
 
Practice, Practice, Practice. All the fancy gadgets in the world won't help, if you don't know how to use them.
Get out there and sweat. Deal with the blisters and the bugs.
See how you react to different things. (Diff. water, diff. food, etc.) You ain't going far if you got the runs (just sayin')

Plan for the worst, expect the best. Translation: be prepared and try and keep/stay positive. Remember my old tag line ?
"If you think you can you're right, if you think you can't you're right"

My pearls of wisdom :D
 
Never, ever leave home without chocolate , or at least have the option to get some on your way .

Edit : If the weather is gonna be warm/hot , substitute with chocolate spread. it's already melted .
 
Here are some gems.

1) I love firestraws. Quick catalyst. Good burn. Easy to make and store.
2) Prepare your campsite for rain even if the sky is clear.
3) Slow down and think, even if you're tired and in a hurry. You'll avoid rework and possible injury.
4) Marksmanship is critical when the bear charges. You'll need to take down your hiking companion even if s/he's already started running.
5) If you can stand the gas emissions, eat a tiny bit of powdered sulfur. Bugs will leave you alone. But so will your wife/girlfriend.
6) Take care of your feet on long hikes. Pack moleskin and duct tape. And spare socks.
7) Use a check list. Put using a check list on your check list.
8) Always have some instant coffee and/or tea bags in your pack. Nothing soothes jangled nerves or a tired body like a nice cup of joe or tea.
9) If you're hiking with kids, you better have snacks and plenty to drink. Mark my words.
10) Hiking poles are great when you're packing weight. You get an arm workout and you reduce a ton of stress on your knees.

Those are ten nuggets off the top of my head. Number four is only semi-serious. ;)
 
I was going to mention firestraws as my first post in this thread, but guyon beat me to it. If you are for soem reasonunfamilar with firestrws here is a good video showing you how to make one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08Auhly_tRw

If you use a sytandard issue GI canteen, cup, and cover like I do. Take a lipton cup of soup packet and put it in a sandwich ziplock (this will pretty much waterproof it.), zip and fold the bag so it is the size of the cup of soup packet. This will slide neatly between your canteen cup and canteen cover. This way if you are out for what you expect to be a short day hike and get hungry you have a snack.
 
I got alot. I'll start with a couple and bounce back to this thread when it gets low on the list. I like this thread and think its important to keep it aloft. I don't really want to stick it, I would rather it stay at the top, gathering information as it grows.

Always gather 3x the amount of firewood you THINK you will need. That should be close.

Never stick to a plan, as most plans fail, you will find yourself trying to make your plan succeed and wasting time and energy, have a strategy.

Unless you are competing in a challenge or competition, there is no cheating when it comes to woodland skills. The Men of Old would use the most modern stuff they could get their hands on. No mountainman from 100yrs ago would turn down a Bic lighter.

Moose
 
When preparing to complete a task ask yourself "Is this the safest way to accomplish this with the tools I have?" I've had trips hindered by unsafe acts, It's not fun, and in a survival situation an injury can mean death.


Bug repellent, I have a small container in every bag, tackle-box, and vehicle including my bicycle.
 
I've had great luck with Jute twine and paraffin wax. It's water proof and not as messy as the Vaseline/cotton ball combo. YMMV.
 
If you're using purification tablets of any kind, don't drink from your collection bottle. Like I did Saturday.

Put some salted spices in your emergency/every-time kit. If you've gotta eat something in the wild, the negligible weight has a big payoff.

Sheath/close your knife immediately when you're not using it.

Pack out your trash. Pack out other people's trash.

Tom's Shoes/alpargatas make great zero weight camp shoes. They're funny lookin', but so's your momma.
 
Be polite. Be professional. But have a plan to kill everyone you meet.

Just kidding - stop and evaluate your situation periodically to avoid big mistakes.
 
You don't need to cook ramen noddles to enjoy them.

Open up one end, take out the spice packet and shake into the bag. Roll the open end shut and squeeze breaking the noodles then pound it with your fist to break it up even more. Shake vigoriously to spread the spice around and enjoy.

Makes for a nice crunchy snack while on the move.
 
This is a great thread.
1. Use your compass and use it often. You can never check it too much. Having more than one can't hurt either.
2. Mind your feet and watch where you put them. A small hole, log, or unseen critter is all it takes to immobilize you.
3. Take breaks when on the move because at the end of the day a little extra energy means getting camp set up properly.
4. Have all the legal documents you need and keep them handy. IDs, maps, etc.
5. Keep it simple.
 
Paws said:
2. Mind your feet and watch where you put them. A small hole, log, or unseen critter is all it takes to immobilize you.
Click to expand...

+1. Be especially careful stepping over a downed tree.
Snakes, being cold-blooded critters, like to warm up against a log when the sun is shining.
Best to lean over and have a good look before you step and use your hiking pole to explore that area.
 
If you have to go looking for grubs, snakes, or critters, be sure to overturn the log or stone towards you. It provides a little shield between you and the potentially cranky venomous inhabitant under the rock.
 
Not sure if it really helps but every little bit of cordage helps and 550 cord is pretty light and extremely useful. I keep at least 10' in my back left pocket at all times not counting the key fob on my keys and the bracelet on my wrist. I seem to use it at least once a week if not more than that on everyday stuff. So I believe its important to pack it.
 
When I find myself crying and rocking in the fetal position when lost in the woods, then I'll at least have this. As I never go anywhere without my house\car keys.
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1) Keep It Simple Stupid. Meaning, Packs and bags with 50 pockets that you have your stuff organized in will make things 1000X harder in the bush. Single compartment packs work best with a tarp on top. If you need something, you can always lay down the tarp and dump it out. Avoid "where-the-hell-did-I-put-that?" problems.
2) Always have your 10-piece kit (Pathfinder System) See Below.
3) Make room for a small bag with a bar of soap, small crystal deo, and a good washcloth. Whether in heavy bush hiking or especially in a survival situation, the ability to clean up will A) Help you FEEL 100% better (and half of survival is psychological) B) Help ward off chafing, fungal problems, and stinkiness
4) Pack a thin pair of flip flops. when you need to air out/dry out your boots, you dont want to have to Cody Lundin it.
5) Make sure as many items you carry as possible have multiple uses.
6) Help make it easy on your blade and pack a Bahco Laplander saw. Accept no substitute.
7) Carry Aluminum foil in your fire kit, always have a way to make SURE fire.
8) If you haven't discovered bankline yet (aka tarred, twisted nylon cord), go to nylonnet.com and get a roll of 240lb test line. For a lot of uses, it is way better than paracord.

[video=youtube;ttRFIvsuf4A]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttRFIvsuf4A&feature=related[/video]
 
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