Do I have the right stuff?

[Cosquet]

HI, first of all....I'm new to this world (the only knife I've had in my life was a Victorinox Hunter model)....anyway. I am now living in the mountains of Nepal (1000 meters up, nothing dramatic) and I'm in charge of a little property that I have to take care of.....this will involve making a fairly large bamboo fence, chopping wood, pruning trees, making bamboo furniture and hopefully going walkabout in the forest as much as I can ( my plan is to start to learn about buscraft little by little...again, nothing dramatic)...so.... I have been searching for some tools to help me on my everyday tasks and to use when I go to the forest. I want stuff that does not break the bank but that I will be able to use for a long time and will be "good to me" when I get (hopefully) better at it over the next few years. This is what I have decided to get:

Knife: Mora Bush-craft Forest
Machete: Condor Bolo 12"
Axe: Gransfors Small forest Axe
Saw: Silky Super Accel 21
Sharpening: Fallkniven Whetstone Diamond/Ceramic Combo DC4

So here it goes: What do you think about my choices? Is there anything else I need? Is it too much?...please be gentle.....it is after all, my first time. Thank you for you time.

 

[EChoil]

So here it goes: What do you think about my choices? Is there anything else I need? Is it too much?...please be gentle.....it is after all, my first time. Thank you for you time.

You are in the middle of khukuri land. Shouldn't that be your first choice?

It's pretty much an all-in-one of everything you mention.

 

[straitr]

If you have not been there already, google BuschraftUSA and visit it. That site is built around, and focuses on the information you seek.

 

[Cosquet]

Hi, I looked at Khukuris but they are crazy heavy. Like I said, I'm new to this and they feel very alien in my hands. I have used one to cut and split bamboo (around 8" wide at the bottom) and it was very uncomfortable, a friend lend me the axe I mentioned and it made the job a lot (for me) easier. I guess i could get a khukuri and have it around to practice.... but I'm looking for tools that I can use straight away.

 

[Cosquet]

If you have not been there already, google BuschraftUSA and visit it. That site is built around, and focuses on the information you seek.

Thanks, I'll check that out.....although what I'm looking for here is personal opinions from people that has used any (or all) of the tools I list. I have read a lot of reviews already (that's how I decided on the list) and now I'm looking for flaws and/or recommendations based on my particular conditions of experience (no much) and conditions (Nepal, Bamboo).

 

[Cosquet]

You are in the middle of khukuri land. Shouldn't that be your first choice?

It's pretty much an all-in-one of everything you mention.

...I forgot to say that the guy who lent me the axe, told me that a machete would do a much better of cutting bamboo....the axe will be mainly used for firewood.....

 

[straitr]

Thanks, I'll check that out.....although what I'm looking for here is personal opinions from people that has used any (or all) of the tools I list. I have read a lot of reviews already (that's how I decided on the list) and now I'm looking for flaws and/or recommendations based on my particular conditions of experience (no much) and conditions (Nepal, Bamboo).

I understand, and while you may find people here with experience using some of the knives you've listed, few will be using them for daily life chores in a setting comparable to Nepal. BCUSA is focused on "bushcraft" which is more of what you'll be needing your knives for, and people with above average experience tend to hang out there, while BF General Knife Discussion is largely a collection of urban and suburban knife enthusiasts.

Myself as an example, of what you listed, I have a Mora, Gransfors Bruks SFA, and a Fallkniven DC4. While I've been pleased with the quality and performance of each of them, I certainly don't have the experience to tell you that they will perform in the way that you require on a daily basis.

"The Great Outdoors" section here on BF is also another good place to poise this question, lots of knowledgable folks there too...

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/864-The-Great-Outdoors

 

[Cosquet]

It makes sense......... I'll do that then, thanks. Should I close this threat? or is it better to spread out just in case? I have just posted the question on the other group.

 

[Cosquet]

HI, first of all....I'm new to this world (the only knife I've had in my life was a Victorinox Hunter model)....anyway. I am now living in the mountains of Nepal (1000 meters up, nothing dramatic) and I'm in charge of a little property that I have to take care of.....this will involve making a fairly large bamboo fence, chopping wood, pruning trees, making bamboo furniture and hopefully going walkabout in the forest as much as I can ( my plan is to start to learn about buscraft little by little...again, nothing dramatic)...so.... I have been searching for some tools to help me on my everyday tasks and to use when I go to the forest. I want stuff that does not break the bank but that I will be able to use for a long time and will be "good to me" when I get (hopefully) better at it over the next few years. This is what I have decided to get:

Knife: Mora Bush-craft Forest
Machete: Condor Bolo 12"
Axe: Gransfors Small forest Axe
Saw: Silky Super Accel 21
Sharpening: Fallkniven Whetstone Diamond/Ceramic Combo DC4

So here it goes: What do you think about my choices? Is there anything else I need? Is it too much?...please be gentle.....it is after all, my first time. Thank you for you time.

 

[straitr]

Nah, a mod will close it if they feel it should be. It's not inappropriate, it just won't get exposed to as many people with the experience your looking for here in GND.

 

[Cosquet]

...by the way....I looked at khukuris but they are crazy heavy. Like I said, I'm new to this and they feel very alien in my hands. I have used one to cut and split bamboo (around 8" wide at the bottom) and it was very uncomfortable, a friend lend me the axe I mentioned and it made the job a lot (for me) easier.The axe will be used every day to chop wood (smallish stuff) and the machete for bamboo. I guess i could get a khukuri and have it around to practice.... but I'm looking for tools that I can use straight away....... so what I'm looking for here is personal opinions from people that has used any (or all) of the tools I list. I have read a lot of reviews already (that's how I decided on the list) and now I'm looking for flaws and/or recommendations based on my particular conditions of experience (no much) and conditions (Nepal, Bamboo).

 

[Cosquet]

If you have not been there already, google BuschraftUSA and visit it. That site is built around, and focuses on the information you seek.

Sorry to bother you.... I have become a member of Bushcraft USA but I can not find out how to post a new thread....there seems to be no button for it anywhere....any ideas?

 

[Bo T]

You might get a couple of medium files for sharpening your ax and machete. Unless weight is a consideration I'd look at a Norton combination stone crystylon(?)/India.

 

[Bo T]

Not knowing your weight space requirements, you might opt for a bow saw with multiple blades. With bamboo you could make a saw with the blades if your primary were to break. Also, you will be able to sharpen your ax, machete, and knife with practically any abrasive available but once your saw dulls it is really difficult to re sharpen it. Therefore, having multiple blades is important. Also you can get bow saws with different blade lengths. Or if you become comfortable making your own you can have blades with multiple lengths and cuts.

 

[Thomas Linton]

The tools you have listed are all well-regarded and should preform well for you. I have the knife, saw, and axe and have used them extensively. I am especially taken with the saw. An automotive "points" file (cars used to have "distributors" with "points" that occasionally needed to be dressed/smoothed and a special, small, very hard file is still made for that purpose) would be useful to sharpen the saw (and would also work on the axe and machete, if slowly)

 

[upnorth]

An automotive "points" file (cars used to have "distributors" with "points" that occasionally bneeded to be dressed/smoothed and a special, small, very hard file is still made for that purpose) would be useful to sharpen the saw (and would also work on the axe and machete, if slowly)

Good tip. I still have a points file from a motorcycle.

 

[Cosquet]

The tools you have listed are all well-regarded and should preform well for you. I have the knife, saw, and axe and have used them extensively. I am especially taken with the saw. An automotive "points" file (cars used to have "distributors" with "points" that occasionally needed to be dressed/smoothed and a special, small, very hard file is still made for that purpose) would be useful to sharpen the saw (and would also work on the axe and machete, if slowly)

Thanks! I would not have thought of that in a million years! Ill make sure to get one.

 

[Cosquet]

Not knowing your weight space requirements, you might opt for a bow saw with multiple blades. With bamboo you could make a saw with the blades if your primary were to break. Also, you will be able to sharpen your ax, machete, and knife with practically any abrasive available but once your saw dulls it is really difficult to re sharpen it. Therefore, having multiple blades is important. Also you can get bow saws with different blade lengths. Or if you become comfortable making your own you can have blades with multiple lengths and cuts.

For everyday usage, weight and space are not a problem, I will be living here for at least 5 years.... One of the thing I have to build is a tool shed...... any recommendation on a good bow saw? do you think it would be better than the Silky or should I have both?

 

[Bo T]

For bush crafting the Silky is probably better. Relatively compact and readily available for use. Also able to fit in confined spaces.
You seem to indicate more of a homesteading situation. You can get 30+inch bow saws. The larger bow saws will reduce the amount of time required for cutting wood above a certain size. Also, multiple blades allow for dedicated rip and crosscut tasks, course, medium or fine cuts.

 

[Cosquet]

For bush crafting the Silky is probably better. Relatively compact and readily available for use. Also able to fit in confined spaces.
You seem to indicate more of a homesteading situation. You can get 30+inch bow saws. The larger bow saws will reduce the amount of time required for cutting wood above a certain size. Also, multiple blades allow for dedicated rip and crosscut tasks, course, medium or fine cuts.

All the building (fences, furniture, sheds, shower rooms) will be done with bamboo because it's a lot cheaper and we don't have a lot of money, some of this bamboo is fairly thick, up to 9"( 1'5" inside wall), so far I have been using (believe it or not) my swiss army knife saw and it works very well (on the green stuff) but it is too time consuming. I tried to get decent (normal) tools but the build quality in this country is appalling, stuff breaks literally on your hands. That's when I decided (as i have a lot of experience in trekking and climbing) to look into bushcraft tools. I have always wanted to get into it and now I'm living in the middle of the "bush" so it's the perfect moment. I'm asking this question because if my list is comprehensive enough I would rather not get other stuff. Like I said I'm interested to know about the quality and durability of my choices because I may not be able to get any other equipment in the next 5 years or so. I manage a little education project(with my own money) and I should spend it wisely.
I'm very excited about learning bushcraft ( I have many books) and once we are a bit settled I will try to lure people here that can teach me all that books can't (which is a lot)....but that would be another thread for next year..........for now I just want to know if my list is adequate.......