Hike, new pack and knife. Lots of pics

[tknife]

Got this Gerber Evader hydration pack on clearance from knifecenter for $20. It's got a 100oz reservoir and 750ci of storage space. The reservoir is made from semi rigid plastic sort of like a milk jug.

The pack itself is really well made and the perfect size for dayhikes. The bladder system sucks though, literally. The flow is terrible, I'm going to replace it with one of my Camelbaks.

Plenty of room inside for the normal stuff I carry.

Finally got to use my new NWA knife too.

The burlap scales and matching firesteel are sweet!

If you've held one of Nicks knives, you know how comfy the handles are.

He did a cool antique finish with gun blue and bleach, really gives it a great look and rust protection.

I was collecting materials to practice friction firemaking. I haven't done it in a long time and like the practice. here's some seep willow, the best I've found for the hand drill

The dead standing leaves of the mugwort plant are perfect for catching the coal.

They have soft, velvety hairs that can catch the coal and be blown into flame.

 

[tknife]

Here's more of the area I was in.

It won't be green in another few weeks. We've had a lot of rain lately though

I love the rocks around here

And the cool colored lichen

 

[SkogKniv]

I like the finish on that blade. Good post! Thanks for sharing!

 

[valcas1]

Thanks for taking us along. Nicks knives always make me drool on the keyboard, and those burlap scales... Very nice.

 

[Rockywolf]

Great pics. Nick did a fabulous job on the handle.

 

[OwenM]

Nice looking little pack. Gorgeous knife!

 

[TheGame]

The blade looks awesome! Thanks for sharing the pics of it.

 

[mtnfolk mike]

great pics T... love the looks of that NWA knife too...:thumbup:

 

[kage]

That handle looks amazingly comfortable and I really like the burlap! Which model is that?

 

[ratamahatta]

good lookin knife, great lookin country as well!!!!!

 

[PayetteRucker]

that's a cool spot-I like the NWA knife alot. His blade designs don't do much for me but the handle looks so ergo!

 

[TKAZ]

WOW! what a nice place to get outside and hike.

thanks for taking the time and post some pictures.

 

[myright]

Nice pics

I've been looking at one of those packs. How are the side pockets for holding water bottles?

 

[Bushman5]

thats a sweet looking pack, but damn that water insert needs to be tossed.....

nice looking blade too!

 

[PayetteRucker]

thanks for the heads up on the pack as well, I was able to snag one myself. Pretty excited about it... also got a eddie bauer packable daypack (collapses into the front pocket and weighs about 3 ounces) for 12 bucks, I'm using it to haul my camera and laptop gear.

 

[untamed]

Nice blade and gear! :thumbup:

 

[tknife]

Thanks for all the comments guys.

Here is more info on the knife from Nick http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=697716
I asked him to make me one from 3/16ths O1

The side pockets won't fit a 32oz Nalgene, but I have two 16oz Nalgenes that fit perfectly. They would probably also fit the taller, thinner steel bottles, but I haven't tried it. Since I will be switching to a smaller bladder (70 oz instead of 100) I will use the side pockets for water as needed. The pack is big enough that I could fit a 32oz inside as well.

The pack is really nice, it's a bummer that the bladder is no good but for the price I can't complain.

 

[tonym]

Love that burlap micarta bro! Great pics, and area by the way!

 

[Mistwalker]

Awesome pics! Looks like a great area to spend some time in, and I'll have to make a mental note about the seep willow and mug wort. Sweet knife, and I like the pack. Thanks for sharing the hike!

 

[vic2367]

great pics and great blade ,nice