Hunting and camping gear

[Comrade]

Hi all, I was wondering if anyone could recommend some decent quality equipment for camping and generally bushcraft. I need a good folder, a good fixed blade (capable of skinning game AND at the same time doing all the camping chores) and a hatchet or an axe.

I was thinking of getting a swamp rat knife works Camp Tramp and their hatchet and also a leatherman wave multi-tool. I own an Emerson cqc-12 so I was wondering if it should be replaced with a more appropriate knife. I myself think it would be great for the above mentioned uses though I haven't tried it in the wilderness.

So, I'm open to any suggestions, feel free to recommend ANY other important piece of equipment; all knife suggestions are welcome.

Thx

 

[Guyon]

There are tons of good folders that could be decent bushcraft knives. Something like the Benchmade Griptillian comes to mind, but there are so many others. As for the fixed blade, the Swamp Rat Camp Tramp would be a nice choice if you can find one. They've been out of production for a while.

However, if it's a skinner you want + an all around, you might want something just a bit smaller. The Camp Tramp is a 7" blade if I remember correctly. The smaller (5" blade) Busse BATAC (Badger Attach TACtical) comes to mind here because of its nice belly--a quality that most skinners have. Expensive, but a great knife that will last you a lifetime. Also out of production, but you can find them here on the Exchange at near retail.

Hatchet? I'd get a Granfors Bruks or a Wetterlings. Both are excellent and have good warranties. The Swamp Rat Crash Rat "hatchet" is more of an emergency tool than a true hatchet.

If you're going the tent route, don't skimp and get something with a full fly. No one likes to wake up wet in the middle of the night. Same goes for your pack. You'll pay more for a nice pack, but it will last longer and serve you better.

Some good sites for camping/outdoor gear on a budget:

www.sierratradingpost.com

www.campmor.com

www.rei.com/outlet/

 

[Guyon]

I was thinking of getting a swamp rat knife works Camp Tramp and their hatchet

It dawned on me that maybe you were talking about the Swamp Rat Paul's Ratchet. I'd still go with the Granfors Bruks or Wetterlings.

Here is a pic of the BATAC I mention above. Lots of fixed blades could fit into the all-around-duty / skinner category though.

 

[cutter17]

A lot of good info Guyon! Comrade, you might also want to post this on the "Survival & Wilderness" forum found under Community.

 

[mdauben]

I need a good folder, a good fixed blade (capable of skinning game AND at the same time doing all the camping chores) and a hatchet or an axe.

If you search through the forums for "trilogy" or "nesmuk" you should find a load of threads discussing that combination. Its a popular topic.

I was thinking of getting a swamp rat knife works Camp Tramp and their hatchet and also a leatherman wave multi-tool.

My personal opinion is that the Camp Tramp (w/ 7.5-inch blade) is really too large to make a good skinner. I would look for something more in the 4 to 5-inch range for myself. Plus as others have said, the Camp Tramp is OOP so it may be hard to find, anyway. Something like the D.H. Russell Canadian Belt Knife (4 inch) or the Bark River Wolf River (4.25) or Bark River Gameskeeper (4.25) might be worth a look.

As far as their hachet, I don't care for one-piece hachets like that, although that may be more a matter of personal taste than any objective flaw in the design. Aside from that, however, I generally don't care for hachets to begin with, and would prefer a small axe in the 17-19 inch range. Both Gransfors Bruks and Snow & Nealley make some quality traditional axes in that size, or if you want something more modern Gerber makes a synthetic handled Camp Axe that is very popular.

For your folder, you certainly can't go wrong with a Leatherman. It works for light cutting and any other tool related chores. I generally prefer a Swiss Army Knife but that is just personal prefernce, and because I don't feel the need for the big pliers on a Leatherman style multi-tool. There are lots of other quality folders out there that could also be used if you wanted to forgo the multi-tool aspect of your folder.

I don't care for the esthetics of the CQC-12, but that is mostly just personal taste and there is no doubt its a quality knife. It does lean towards the "tactical" in style, and I would probably prefer something like a drop-point or spear-point in the 3 to 3.5 inch range as the most useful design. There are good choices from a number of makers like Spyderco, Gerber, Benchmade, Kershaw, etc.

Just some thoughts and ideas. Hope that helps!

 

[babakanoosh45]

Buck 110 as a feild dressing knife. A Buck Nighthawk for the Camp Utility chores. And for the Axe Cold Steel has a new "Trail Boss" Camp Axe.http://www.coldsteel.com/90ta.html I have a Lee Reeves Double Bit I got here in the Exchange as well as another on order. Great Tool I got to tell ya!!!

 

[Comrade]

Thanks very much for the detailed replies and pics! I think I'll get the Granfors right away as well as the multi-tool. As for the fixed blade, I still need to think about it and find the right one.

It seems those bark river knives are quite adequate for my demands. Too bad the Camp Tramp has been discontinued. I do admit that 7" blade is kind of too big and bulky, especially for smaller game. Busse is way too expensive for me, but I'll keep an eye on good offers. BTW, what do you think of RAT knives? How do they compare to Swamp rat and Busse? Also, Fällkniven H1 and F1 have just come to my mind and I've found this site with BRKT custom fallkniven's at a VERY affordable price:

http://www.knivesshipfree.com/Fallkniven-Custom-Fallknivens/c466_501/index.html?osCsid=7d51c1c369f98f43e99012b423c16554

Well, thanks again for the feedback and great pics and please continue with the suggestions!

P.S. Why are Swamp rat and Scrap yard different companies. They seem to have very similar designs. I've found the Street Scrapper 4 to be a great knife featuring a 4" INFI blade and a nice handle. Your opinions?

 

[Guyon]

My personal opinion is that the Camp Tramp (w/ 7.5-inch blade) is really too large to make a good skinner. I would look for something more in the 4 to 5-inch range for myself.

+1. :thumbup:

Thanks very much for the detailed replies and pics! I think I'll get the Granfors right away as well as the multi-tool. As for the fixed blade, I still need to think about it and find the right one.

Take a look at the Small Forest Axe by Granfors Bruks if you want something sort of in between a hatchet and a full sized axe. Still small enough to easily strap to a pack. In my pic above, the SFA is second from the left.

BTW, what do you think of RAT knives? How do they compare to Swamp rat and Busse? Also, Fällkniven H1 and F1 have just come to my mind and I've found this site with BRKT custom fallkniven's at a VERY affordable price:

P.S. Why are Swamp rat and Scrap yard different companies. They seem to have very similar designs. I've found the Street Scrapper 4 to be a great knife featuring a 4" INFI blade and a nice handle. Your opinions?

Both RAT and Fällkniven make a great knife. Regarding RAT, you might want to buy a current production model rather than the versions previously made by Ontario. I've read too many complaints regarding quality control with respect to the Ontario RATs.

You might also look at the Buck Vanguard. A nice general chore/skinning knife in a very affordable package. I prefer the version with the non-slip rubber grip.

Swamp Rat and Scrap Yard are sister companies run by the Busse family. Different steels and designs. Different price points.

Lots of folks like the Street Scrapper 4 (top knife in pic). It is very similar in shape to the Busse Meaner Street (third knife down) and the Buck 110 clip point. It was made with Busse's INFI steel, which is a very good steel. If you like the mudder (Res-C) handles and you can find one, it could be a very nice EDC fixed blade.

 

[Guyon]

Found a pic of the Buck Vanguard. Top knife with the rubber grips.

 

[iBlade]

OK, done a fair bit od tramping in my time, found I have refined what I carry a lot, when you drag it on your back it seems to weigh 3x what it did in the shop.

A good pack is essential-it should fit right, its all in the harness system, one that adjusts to you back is king, not too big or you will take too much!

I have tramped with a cut down axe before, great for getting firewood in a hurry - but a b*tch to carry, I no longer, a machete or kukri may serve you better, although now I just look harder...

As for blades, well I always take a wave leatherman, the knifes are ok, useful for food prep, basic cutting (do not pry-ever), scissor very useful and the pliers come in very handy as well.

Small fixed blade, I used to carry geat big whacking fighting knives, I am sure it scared hell out of the rabbits...small is better, a drop point is nice and strong, I would go for a 5-5.5 inch blade as max and a synthetic handel-G10 or Micarta, kydex or leather sheath depending on wear you are and how you treat your gear, I would reccomend a custom if you can afford it, Bob Dozier makes some great blades.

Folder, if you have the above I would not bother-remeber you are carrying it on your back, I even chop my toothbrush in half to save on weight!

Oh and tents, two ways here-go for a good one with a fly, something that you can set up in a hurry - however I reccomend toss the tent and get a hammock instead-Clark Jungle Hammock or a Claytor-both much lighter and waterproof abut you do not need flat ground to sleep on, just two trees...

Sleeping bag-go for down, serious here, with a waterproof bag-so much better.

Oh, and pack everything in a plastic bag, and then a second plastic bag, then stick it in a big rubbish bag in your pack, and fold it over so that rain stay out...

 

[Guyon]

So, I'm open to any suggestions, feel free to recommend ANY other important piece of equipment
Thx

Other items that come to mind:

A decent First-Aid kit
Camping stove
A good pot or mug
Some basic survival gear (whistle, signal mirror, fire starter, compass, etc.)
Headlamp
Some decent rain gear

 

[nemesis27]

I think Guyon covered what you'll need. However I'm kind of a freak when im in the woods so I'll list of a few oddball things I like to carry when im on my longer trips in the bush

A good fixed and leather man (usually my fixed is my chopper)
Digital compass (on my watch) and a magnetic one.
First aid supplies (small with snake/insect bite and some steri-strips)
water purifier tabs
my water bladder
water proof undergarments, socks and boots
a cap
some thin wire
gum
coffee beans
surefire lithium led flashlight
(heres the weird one) ......a 10" flare
magnesium stick/flint
zippo/water proof matches
eye dropper of glycerin and diesel mix (for that stupid hard to light stuff) another weird one
and a can of dry fuel. Sometimes more but usually never less.

It's all light stuff and most fits nicely into my vest or light pack. I also carry a map of the are I'll be in. Unless it's near a town or in a public camping area (which I hardly ever camp in or near)


Yeah I'm a freak, but a well prepared one lmao. Kind of like Burt Gummer in Tremors haha.

 

[Comrade]

OK, I've narrowed it to Scrap yard and RAT. I'm debating whether to get an RC-4 or smth like a dumpster mutt if those aren't oop. As for the folders, I'll buy a buck 110 - seems as a best buy and it won't be a big loss if I lose it or if smth happens to it. I'll also get the small forest axe from granfors, seems lightweight and very appropriate.

Thx

 

[Guyon]

OK, I've narrowed it to Scrap yard and RAT. I'm debating whether to get an RC-4 or smth like a dumpster mutt if those aren't oop. As for the folders, I'll buy a buck 110 - seems as a best buy and it won't be a big loss if I lose it or if smth happens to it. I'll also get the small forest axe from granfors, seems lightweight and very appropriate.

Thx

With an RC-4 and a Buck 110 backup plus a Small Forest Axe, you should be able to tackle just about any chore, from game prep to kitchen duties to chopping.

 

[Comrade]

OK, that's it then. Thanks for your help everyone, especially Guyon!