- Wetterlings 26" forest axe is a killer! They may have not been designed for North American hardwoods, but they sure as phugg work on 'em like a charm. So far mine has taken down one black oak, three interior live oaks (that's some hard stuff), two ponderosa pines, and helped dismember one black walnut tree. All mature trees, some very, very large. The thing has changed my perception of axes. Screw those hardware store things that come dull and bounce off wood. A great axe will slice hair off your arm, make feather sticks, and create monster wood chips 
. I now love Axe craft. Another note on the Wetterlings- Great steel, while chopping down a tree, the axe glanced at hit this boulder I was using as a leg shield (thank god) and despite all that force, only a small dent, polished out mostly.
- I feel that there are some real bad "outdoors and hunting" themed magazines. I won't drop names, but you probably see them all the time at grocery stores, etc. The cover is always enticing. But content usually just sucks. They plug way too many products, and 90% of the mag is devoted to advertising.
- Always try out your gear and test, test, test it. I bought a certain electrical product (again won't drop names) that was highly recommended online. I actually liked it a lot. The manufacture claimed to was suitable in temps down to -40 degrees, rain or snow. I took it out in 40 plus and it wouldn't work. Luckily I was down the creek by my house to discover this, instead of driving X amount of distance, hiking X far and then discovering this. Sold it, replaced it, and lost money in the process. But hopefully it will be worth it.
- Along with 1stAid, pack a comprehensive hygiene kit. Hygiene in the field is essential for healthy living and is a huge moral booster. Fact is, hopefully you never have to use a FAK. But you'll probably use a hygiene item at least once daily. Baby wipes are man's gift to himself. Brush and toothpaste rule for 3 day old cotton mouth. But don't forget items like artificial tears eye drops, which help to wash out the nastiness that fly into your eye while chopping
. Always use unscented soaps, shampoos, lotions, foot powders, etc. Underarm deodorant is not needed, so leave it home. And stock up on good chap stick (never use the kind that requires your finger for application).
- Hollow grinds, where's the love??? Its been my experience that hollow ground blades can be excellent field tools. They make for good cutters, and are plenty strong for other tasks.
- Why the obsession with firesteels? Traditionalist aside, and those who desire to learn/refresh the skill. But IMO firesteels have become fashion accessories. Although it is fun to show off, using the method every time single time to start a fire is a step backwards. It should be lighter first, matches then firesteel for back up. Ask yourself-
"What Would George Washington Sears Do?" (WWGWSD) In todays world, would Nessmuk think that a making a fire via ferro rod is smoothing it compared to a flick of your lighter?
- Learning new skills is fun and important. Most of us here know of Dave Canterbury of youtube fame. He has like 200 plus web videos about bushcraft related topics. Search his videos by the "Most Viewed" method. The videos where he discusses skills always receive little traffic. But his videos on gear all get tons of traffic. I know we're all geardos and love tools, isn't nothing wrong w/ that. Just remember your mind and body are your sharpest tools.
Rant over
All in good fun
. I now love Axe craft. Another note on the Wetterlings- Great steel, while chopping down a tree, the axe glanced at hit this boulder I was using as a leg shield (thank god) and despite all that force, only a small dent, polished out mostly.- I feel that there are some real bad "outdoors and hunting" themed magazines. I won't drop names, but you probably see them all the time at grocery stores, etc. The cover is always enticing. But content usually just sucks. They plug way too many products, and 90% of the mag is devoted to advertising.
- Always try out your gear and test, test, test it. I bought a certain electrical product (again won't drop names) that was highly recommended online. I actually liked it a lot. The manufacture claimed to was suitable in temps down to -40 degrees, rain or snow. I took it out in 40 plus and it wouldn't work. Luckily I was down the creek by my house to discover this, instead of driving X amount of distance, hiking X far and then discovering this. Sold it, replaced it, and lost money in the process. But hopefully it will be worth it.
- Along with 1stAid, pack a comprehensive hygiene kit. Hygiene in the field is essential for healthy living and is a huge moral booster. Fact is, hopefully you never have to use a FAK. But you'll probably use a hygiene item at least once daily. Baby wipes are man's gift to himself. Brush and toothpaste rule for 3 day old cotton mouth. But don't forget items like artificial tears eye drops, which help to wash out the nastiness that fly into your eye while chopping
. Always use unscented soaps, shampoos, lotions, foot powders, etc. Underarm deodorant is not needed, so leave it home. And stock up on good chap stick (never use the kind that requires your finger for application). - Hollow grinds, where's the love??? Its been my experience that hollow ground blades can be excellent field tools. They make for good cutters, and are plenty strong for other tasks.
- Why the obsession with firesteels? Traditionalist aside, and those who desire to learn/refresh the skill. But IMO firesteels have become fashion accessories. Although it is fun to show off, using the method every time single time to start a fire is a step backwards. It should be lighter first, matches then firesteel for back up. Ask yourself-
"What Would George Washington Sears Do?" (WWGWSD) In todays world, would Nessmuk think that a making a fire via ferro rod is smoothing it compared to a flick of your lighter?
- Learning new skills is fun and important. Most of us here know of Dave Canterbury of youtube fame. He has like 200 plus web videos about bushcraft related topics. Search his videos by the "Most Viewed" method. The videos where he discusses skills always receive little traffic. But his videos on gear all get tons of traffic. I know we're all geardos and love tools, isn't nothing wrong w/ that. Just remember your mind and body are your sharpest tools.
Rant over
All in good fun
Last edited:
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