Bladed tools for Cashe?

ROCK6

ROCK6

Joined
Feb 8, 2004
Messages
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Alright, put your tinfoil hat on:D

I was just corresponding with a good friend of mine and he was asking about putting a cashe or two on the way from his home to his cabin in the mountains (he's in Washington State). This is all just for emergency preparation. He was asking about sticking a knife or such in a 5 gallon bucket along with other supplies.

Strictly sticking to bladed tools, my recommendations were:

1) A small hatchet (~$30.00, Gerber, Buck, Wetterling, CS Trailhawk).

2) Mora Clipper (~$10.00). Cheap insurance.

3) SAK (~$20-30.00, perferably a locking blade and one with a saw)...my recommendations were for the Rucksack or Outrider.

I have plenty of Mora Clippers and a few extra SAK's I could spare. All I would need is to pick up a cheap but functional hatchet. This is for his location, I'm sure for some, a cheap 12" machete would be a good alternative (not sure it'll fit in a 5 gallon bucket though). I figured for the price, you're going to get a much better quality SAK than Multitool...but if you get a good deal or have a few spares, a decent multitool is a good alternative.

If you shopped around on Ebay, you could easily put the above package together for under $50.00; and, it would also cover most of your needs. I also considered a small folding saw, that's another option and some pruning saws are pretty inexpensive.

So, for practicality planning (both what you have or could afford to weather-proof and leave for emergencies), what would be your bladed choices for a small emergency cashe (5 gallong bucket)? I just figured this would be a good topic for discussion since it's more geared towards your personal region, best bang-for-the-buck and nothing too expensive in case it gets damaged or stolen.

ROCK6
 
the gerber hatchet has a hollow handle which can be further stuffed with things
 
I would add some sort of cheap saw. The gerbers or fiskars saws can be had for 10 bucks. Maybe a hand chain saw.

The cold steel bushman could be considered. Very tough and cheap.

I think the other stuff is a good recommendation.

If there isn't a possibility of storying an axe, maybe just put in the axe head.

If weight is not an issue, maybe add some wedges so you can split larger wood with the hatchet?

The tomahawk is definitely easier to replace a handle on if it breaks.

Good stuff. :)
 
Since this is a small emergency cache on the way to the main gear, I'd go as cheap as possible-

1) Hatchet- I'd go to a thift shop or flea market and pick up a couple of decent used ones. I always see them for a few bucks in good working shape.

2) A Mora or simple butcher knife makes a good choice for a fixed blade.

3) I would Ebay for a few used Swiss's, there are always bulk lots of them for cheap.

4) A rod type diamond sharpener like the Ez-Lap type, they do an ugly but decent job of sharpening all types of things and are easy to use.
 
ROCK6...that "cheap, throw in a bucket" setup you suggested is a general use/emergency combo that would be hard to beat at any price!
 
bob bowie said:
1) Hatchet- I'd go to a thift shop or flea market and pick up a couple of decent used ones. I always see them for a few bucks in good working shape.

2) A Mora or simple butcher knife makes a good choice for a fixed blade.
Click to expand...

Dagnabbit, that was the first things that came to me as well. For less than ten bucks you can get a used hatchet at various places that will work just fine with some edge tuning. Butcher knife! Common, available in a wide range of sizes, and Cheap. 'Round here you could get a couple in different sizes to cover more situations and still cost less than half a Mora.
 
I would not use the bucket. You can make a safe out of pvc and burry it (posthole diggers) so the top of the cap it level with the ground. That way it is truly hidden and a more durable cache. Good way to cache a long gun too.
 
Second on the PVC idea. A 5 gallon bucket is NOT waterproof when it's buried and it has a tendency to push/cave in on the sides. You could put a screw top on the PVC, but then they always get a bit of grit in the threads and won't unscrew (maybe a good application of grease before threading on the cap).
 
Why would the bucket need to be buried? It can easily be left in a corner of the garage, closet or shelf. I think the OP is just wanting to have basic need items handy in case of emergency, Mora knives and hatchets aren't going to be high-value tools subject to theft.

You can always buy waterproof gaskets designed to seal those 5-gallon buckets. IMO, a bucket is much more practical as a storage/carry device than lengths of PVC tubing.

Heavily sealed PVC is only useful for serious long-term cacheing of things. -But be sure to have careful records of where the burial locations are -things can change alot over the years, or after a flood.
 
Thanks for the feedback. I also mentioned the PVC pipe as an alternative. The 5 gallon bucket isn't a bad idea, just not something you want to bury very deep and more suited to storing in an old barn or the garage of a family or friend's house. He has the plans for a tougher lid and using silicone sealant along with the rugger gasket.

An inexpensive knife such as a butcher's knife or the simple Mora are a great idea if you have an inexpensive hatchet for any heavy chopping/cutting. I also talked to him about putting just an inexpensive hatchet head, but he would much rather have something ready to go hence the complete hatchet.

Right now, a gun is not an option, but it may be in the future. A sharpener is a good recommendation as well. Thanks all,

ROCK6
 
Lots of good suggestions...I think he could get away with all he needs, for under 50 bucks. Gene
 
fiskars hatchet
mora
sak of your choice
one of them stanly hatchet hammer prybar dealiethings
 
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