Favorite Tool System For Backpacking?

AKC75 said:
Just curious. Do you live somewhere, where carrying a firearm against 4 legged critters is out of the question?
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I can legally carry a firearm where I will be most of the time, however I own a P226 in .40 S&W, not a reliable caliber in my opinion for black bear, maybe mountain lion. Also its a good deal of weight to carry while only serving one use, that is unlikely to be encountered. The ESEE-4 as a defensive blade will be last on the list of potential uses. Everything from General camp / cooking blade, to tinder for fires, can be used as a back up baton blade, or defensive. Does more per oz. than a firearm in other words. Also as someone mentioned above, the ESEE-4 would be on my hip in case I got seperated from my pack - not sure I wanna tote my thigh rig around for 20 miles just in case. If I had a lighter firearm then I would be more inclined - maybe a Glock 29 (sub compact 10mm).
 
Dishonor39 said:
P.S. Part of the reason I am trying to hard to justify the Junglas is because it just looks so damn sweet! It also weighs exactly the same (21.4 oz axe vs. 22 oz Junglas) as the Gerber Sport Axe I was previously going to bring.
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I find it easy to justify a knife like the Junglas in winter time. I work in Landscaping and have seen way to many folding saws break, not to mention they have limits as to how large of a tree they'll cut through.

I'm still a big fan of folding saws but wouldn't bet my life on one in the dead of winter. I have been in a situation where the temp dropped 16 degrees colder than the forecast and there was no smaller firewood left. Luckily we had a couple of large choppers and were able to chop a fallen 12" diameter tree into manageable sections to move over to our fire.
 
Consider a machete instead of the Junglas if weight is an issue. I like pliers and knives but am not huge on Leatherman tools. Also, I have found pliers are really only used on man made things. Leathermans are jacks of all trades and masters of none.

So for tools I like a simple SAK and pliers. For defense I like a Glock 19. I don't feel the need to have more that one mag. Although it couldn't hurt. For big stuff, either a saw or machete. Not both. Last but not least a sub 6" fixed blade.

Although a SAK and machete would do that all. But ymmv.
 
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One more thing to add...

Systems evolve as you get out and use them. What I use now is different from what I started out with and it's still evolving (read: addition of a Wetterlings).

Time and experience make the difference. Also, listen to all the advice you want, but don't let anyone tell you your system doesn't work. If you find success with it and are happy, who cares what other people think. :thumbup:
 
hoopster said:
...I'm still a big fan of folding saws but wouldn't bet my life on one in the dead of winter. I have been in a situation where the temp dropped 16 degrees colder than the forecast and there was no smaller firewood left. Luckily we had a couple of large choppers and were able to chop a fallen 12" diameter tree into manageable sections to move over to our fire.
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I had this same experience, coupled with arriving at my scheduled bivy-site after nightfall. The only even remotely useful fuel left in the near vicinity was some thick, dense oak logs left by previous campers who could make no use of them. I sawed/chopped a section off of one, then used that as a baton/hammer to force my fixed blade (Cattaraugus 225Q) through sections of the thicker material until I had enough to build up a bed of coals for the night. If all I'd brought was my SAK, I'd have been SOL cold. Oh, I'd have survived the night, but camping isn't about base survival, it's about enjoying nature, and fire on a cold night can certainly enhance one's joy. ;)

The lesson I learned: anticipate bad weather conditions and lack of resources, and do not assume that mother nature will provide what you need when you need it.
That said, learn to make the most out of the fewest/lightest tools possible. My tool kit: Cattaraugus 225Q, pliers, Wenger SAK, pocket chainsaw.
 
I live just next to the forest so I'm out a lot. I have two systems that change a little bit now and then but this is the base.
On casual hikes in good weather I'll just carry a Victorinox Forester. If I have my Fjallraven trousers (with lots of pockets) I might have the Izula on me as well.

For more serious wood operations I'll pack system 2 which consists of a Fallkniven F1, Gransfors Small Forest Axe and a Bacho Laplander.

A lighter alternative is the Gransfors Small Forest Axe and a Victorinox Pioneer.
 
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