Gossman's at the PA Survival Ruck Trip

[hayseedw45]

Scott's knives got a lot of use at our recent Survival Ruck trip. Here are some pics:

Tusker

Tusker Jr.

I made one of the tent pegs with the Tusker and Jr.

Some batoning with the Tusker:

Misc. Pics

 

[Gossman Knives]

hayseed, thanks for posting. :thumbup: Great seeing everyone again. This trip was a true test of your outdoor skills. Make sure you post pics over in WSS.
Scott

 

[tonym]

Glad you guys are back safe. Good pics. So what worked and what didn't?

 

[fxrandall]

Great photograph of the Tusker Jr; like that knife!

I am assuming you used 8670 steel. If this is correct is this steel available upon request?

~Corbin

 

[Gossman Knives]

Great photograph of the Tusker Jr; like that knife!

I am assuming you used 8670 steel. If this is correct is this steel available upon request?

~Corbin

Corbin, it's 8670M steel. An alternative to L6 steel. Yes, it's available although it's 3/16" thick only. I grind it down thin at the edge and it cuts well.

Tony, what doesn't work in that wet enviroment are cotton ball/vaseline and ferro rod. A lighter or storm proof matches and one of those firestarter sticks is the way to go when everything is soaked. I'm finished with hatchets. If I don't have a full sized axe, IMO batoning with a big blade is the way to go. Trying to split firewood with a hatchet is not only dangerous but useless. Until you get the fire going, you have to split to get to the dry part of the wood. I will never go on another trip without my full size axe.
Scott

 

[fxrandall]

I'm finished with hatchets. If I don't have a full sized axe, IMO batoning with a big blade is the way to go. Trying to split firewood with a hatchet is not only dangerous but useless.
Scott

Scott, there must be a used Gransfors Bruks Small Forest Axe available for purchase?

I have never found much use around camp for such a large chopper.

Really I do not go into the back country without being prepared and generally do not need such a tool-ax or hatchet. Also I am not a fire kind of camper, I cook on a small camp stove and carry my shelter with me, so no need to harvest wood, for a shelter. I the case I do want to have a fire I can use a knife on hand (that I do not currently own) to do the trick: or scavenge for loose material. I have come to realize that a small fire allows you to stay closer and therefore stay warmer, where a large fire you have to stay to far away and there is one side cold, while the other side is burning hot!

I am currently seeking a larger knife for batoning and other chores around camp. Love your WST...also love the Tusker!

 

[SpookyPistolero]

I am currently seeking a larger knife for batoning and other chores around camp. Love your WST...also love the Tusker!

Just curious, but if you don't use wood for fire, shelter, or cooking implements, then what chores do you have for a big blade to perform?

 

[fxrandall]

Just curious, but if you don't use wood for fire, shelter, or cooking implements, then what chores do you have for a big blade to perform?

There are endless use for an edge tool while in the back country. I all ways carry a knife, while outdoors, and have found it to be the single most useful tool I carry. I would rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it!

The duration of a planed trip dictates what size knife I bring. If you will be traveling (on foot) in the remote back country for a month or more and far away from any civilization. Then I prefer to carry a Tusker that is more divers and is able to handle chopping duties and other such chores that a smaller blade would not preform well.

With short over night stays or weekend excursions a smaller knife like the Mini-Tusker, works for me.

SpookyPistolero: To answer your question directly. You never know when your camp stove just decides to stop working or you need to build a shelter because a bear destroyed your tent. The idea is to be prepared for what situations might arise. IMO