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If you could only take one item on a wilderness adventure, what would it be?
- Thread starter Greg Davenport
- Start date
I think it has been thoroughly proven that arbitrary gear limits make for horrible trips.
Pack what you need. That changes depending on the who, what, when, where, why and how of it.
I'd bring a satellite phone so I could call in the rest of my gear.
Pack what you need. That changes depending on the who, what, when, where, why and how of it.
I'd bring a satellite phone so I could call in the rest of my gear.
- Joined
- Jul 5, 2015
- Messages
- 100
If i'm only taking one item, does that mean I'm CHOOSING to go on this seven day trip?
If I'm choosing to go, I can only assume I'm doing it as part of some sort of masochistic "spiritual cleansing through temporary suffering" endeavor. Therefore I'll take a tank of water.
If I'm NOT choosing to go, but somehow get to pick the item with me, Ima take a jetpack to fly back out of the woods, and skip the whole week
If I'm choosing to go, I can only assume I'm doing it as part of some sort of masochistic "spiritual cleansing through temporary suffering" endeavor. Therefore I'll take a tank of water.
If I'm NOT choosing to go, but somehow get to pick the item with me, Ima take a jetpack to fly back out of the woods, and skip the whole week
mewolf1
Gold Member
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- 12,345
You must be nimble, you must be quick; perhaps you'll take a candlestick.
hypothetically.
hypothetically.
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- Jun 3, 2010
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HAHA - I did not even see the date...
Back in '99 I didn't have internet... Or a decent axe.
LOL! It's all good.
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I think it has been thoroughly proven that arbitrary gear limits make for horrible trips.
Pack what you need. That changes depending on the who, what, when, where, why and how of it.
I'd bring a satellite phone so I could call in the rest of my gear.
I have done arbitrary gear limit outings which really worked out ok. I could scrounge up some pics and video if anyone is interested. Beyond playing around I do agree packing what yea need is best.
Brian Jones
Moderator
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- 7,560
Damnnn!!! Old thread! Johnnyt16, your comment really brings home just how old. Lol.
I miss Ron as well. And Greg, of course!
I miss Ron as well. And Greg, of course!
After reading this I thought Greg had passed away too and had to Google him! Glad to see it wasnt the case!
http://www.gregdavenport.com/biography/
No kidding, I started getting excited when I saw the posters....
I'd bring a bic lighter.
Gary W. Graley
“Imagination is more important than knowledge"
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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- 27,430
yah sad sometimes seeing these old threads brought back to life, but it reminds us of those days when they were around too, good memories, good to remember too...
Oh, and I'd bring a satellite phone, PLEASE COME AND GET ME !!!!
G2
Oh, and I'd bring a satellite phone, PLEASE COME AND GET ME !!!!
G2
Neeley SA9. With the proper bevel worked into it (the thing comes horribly dull and open-edged, its one and only flaw) this significantly out-chops a San Mai III Trailmaster (or anything else the same size for that matter)...
Unlike what is usually said about hollow handle capacity, the handle capacity here is just huge, with over 4" of interior length, compared to 2.5-2.75" typically...
And it's also indestructible to an extent that would put many Busse to shame, particularly the point, sheath and handle (the machined tube handle is filetted and directly screwed on a threaded solid brass cylinder fitted around the annealed tang, with all tang corners radiused, to prevent any cracking from shock)... The small diameter cord wrap is almost smooth to the touch, and this makes the handle the best to chop with of about eight knives I compared it to, including the Trailmaster, BK-9, Randall Model 12, and a few others, in addition to the fact that it actually chops better than all of these to begin with... The San Mai III Trailmaster is usually seen out-chopping Busse Battle Mistresses at less than 2/3rds their weight...
The saw actually works very well with little effort, as long as the diameter/thickness stays under 2", beyond which it doesn't work at all... The blade probably can't be broken while batoning because the saw absorbs the baton impact, without damage to the teeths... 440C steel was demonstrated to be by far the best available knife steel in edge-holding in a 1998 Blade Magazine steel test, with purpose-made precision mule blades made for the test, against CPM 3V, INFI, 154CM, D2(!), ATS34 and a slew of others... Not bad, even if it has been superceeded since...
Anyway that's what I would choose. It looks like a First Blood, but it really is in another league completely... Most hollow handles make the mistake of cord wrap that is too aggressive (feels nicer for small tasks), a disaster for an emergency chopper, which the Neeley is pratically the only one to avoid...
Or you could choose a backpack full of stuff, including this...
Gaston
Last edited:
I would bring my laptop. I could learn anything I needed just from reading on the net, On how to survive anywhere.
depends on where I'm going from only one item it would be anywhere from a 4in knife to a large 12in knife.
But really the one item thread was done way too many times. Depends on where you end up that item might change and sometimes it would only prolong on how long you stay alive by some time before you die.
In realty I would like to have a small pack with some basics. Anywhere from starting a fire to boiling some water and get some food, With some instant shelter covered in there as well. At the very basic I always carry a way to start a fire some para cord a knife or two a fire steel and a large 55 gallon drum liner. There are always some other adds and ends in there as well that I could find a use for. I know I'm not the best at survival so I need some extras to help me along.
depends on where I'm going from only one item it would be anywhere from a 4in knife to a large 12in knife.
But really the one item thread was done way too many times. Depends on where you end up that item might change and sometimes it would only prolong on how long you stay alive by some time before you die.
In realty I would like to have a small pack with some basics. Anywhere from starting a fire to boiling some water and get some food, With some instant shelter covered in there as well. At the very basic I always carry a way to start a fire some para cord a knife or two a fire steel and a large 55 gallon drum liner. There are always some other adds and ends in there as well that I could find a use for. I know I'm not the best at survival so I need some extras to help me along.
Neeley SA9. With the proper bevel worked into it (the thing comes horribly dull and open-edged, its one and only flaw) this significantly out-chops a San Mai III Trailmaster (or anything else the same size for that matter)...
Unlike what is usually said about hollow handle capacity, the handle capacity here is just huge, with over 4" of interior length, compared to 2.5-2.75" typically...
And it's also indestructible to an extent that would put many Busse to shame, particularly the point, sheath and handle (the machined tube handle is filetted and directly screwed on a threaded solid brass cylinder fitted around the annealed tang, with all tang corners radiused, to prevent any cracking from shock)... The small diameter cord wrap is almost smooth to the touch, and this makes the handle the best to chop with of about eight knives I compared it to, including the Trailmaster, BK-9, Randall Model 12, and a few others, in addition to the fact that it actually chops better than all of these to begin with... The San Mai III Trailmaster is usually seen out-chopping Busse Battle Mistresses at less than 2/3rds their weight...
The saw actually works very well with little effort, as long as the diameter/thickness stays under 2", beyond which it doesn't work at all... The blade probably can't be broken while batoning because the saw absorbs the baton impact, without damage to the teeths... 440C steel was demonstrated to be by far the best available knife steel in edge-holding in a 1998 Blade Magazine steel test, with purpose-made precision mule blades made for the test, against CPM 3V, INFI, 154CM, D2(!), ATS34 and a slew of others... Not bad, even if it has been superceeded since...
Anyway that's what I would choose. It looks like a First Blood, but it really is in another league completely... Most hollow handles make the mistake of cord wrap that is too aggressive (feels nicer for small tasks), a disaster for an emergency chopper, which the Neeley is pratically the only one to avoid...
Or you could choose a backpack full of stuff, including this...
Gaston
I have to take that back... I just tested it extensively on wood, and the thinned edge I put on it, (15° per side or so) crumbles on wood within 80 wacks: Did so twice in row, so no wire edge here (I know how to check for wire edges, nail grabbing trick, shining light etc, and do so every time obsessively)... Other knives I tested besides it on the same wood, including some also in 440, look nothing like the big chunks falling out of its edge... The heat treat on this thing is a complete failure in my book... My favourite knife design of all times, out-chopped a San Mai III Trailmaster easily, crumbling edge and all, and this is what it comes down to... Ironically, the Farid First Blood has impeccable edge holding in comparison...
Sorry about that...
Gaston
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- 4,172
Wow! Yeah this is a blast from the past and how interesting that shows have been developed around this concept. It does make you miss Ron Hood, but its good to know his survival shadow continues to give us all a little shade..
I know these types of threads are more thought provoking than reality. What I do like is addressing the non-item of clothing. I know I could layer appropriate clothing to serve a wide range of temperatures and weather conditions this would cover shelter and insulation. My cheating would be that Sil-Poncho (or Expeds Bivy-Poncho) over my HPG Mountain Serape; both of those could shelter and insulate me down to 40 degrees somewhat comfortably. Of course, switching out your boot laces with an extra 10 feet of para-cord is another technique. And Im certain everybody here has the 24 bow saw sewn into their belt which also has a fire-steel as part of the buckle?
EDC is important to me. When Im clothed I always have a few items integrated into my clothing while Im outdoors. Not in-line with Gregs original challenge, I typically (mostly always) have a knife, whistle, Bic and flashlight on my person. Heck, I even backpack with my HPG Kit Bag and a choice selection of essentials, but since thats not the question
I would be torn between a quality pot and heavy-duty fire steel. Outside of extreme temperatures and environment, I could construct a decent enough shelter without a knife not easily, but good-enough. My primitive fire-making skills are okay, but usually under good conditions. The one item that is hardest to replicate in the outdoors is a quality, stainless pot. We all know that the elements and dehydration are the most significant threats in the first 72-hours of any serious situation, your clothing (if selected properly), can handle the first and that pot can help with the second. Purifying water via boiling is important, but less important for short term survival and you can still make some prudent risks in collecting water or fabricating improvised filters to mitigate (at least mentally) the risk of water-borne pathogens. Fire and a blade are better choices for longer term, but that pot is pretty important.
Looking at new products, I wonder if Leathermans Signal multitool wouldnt be an interesting option. As much as I love SAKs, this new multitool has a whistle and ferro-rod integrated along with your typical tools. Just a thought, although we all know that the more items you try to combine the worse you make them all.
Whats even more interesting is that we still think about this and that even our opinions from 15+years ago have changed slightly or maybe they have even been solidified?
ROCK6
I know these types of threads are more thought provoking than reality. What I do like is addressing the non-item of clothing. I know I could layer appropriate clothing to serve a wide range of temperatures and weather conditions this would cover shelter and insulation. My cheating would be that Sil-Poncho (or Expeds Bivy-Poncho) over my HPG Mountain Serape; both of those could shelter and insulate me down to 40 degrees somewhat comfortably. Of course, switching out your boot laces with an extra 10 feet of para-cord is another technique. And Im certain everybody here has the 24 bow saw sewn into their belt which also has a fire-steel as part of the buckle?
EDC is important to me. When Im clothed I always have a few items integrated into my clothing while Im outdoors. Not in-line with Gregs original challenge, I typically (mostly always) have a knife, whistle, Bic and flashlight on my person. Heck, I even backpack with my HPG Kit Bag and a choice selection of essentials, but since thats not the question
I would be torn between a quality pot and heavy-duty fire steel. Outside of extreme temperatures and environment, I could construct a decent enough shelter without a knife not easily, but good-enough. My primitive fire-making skills are okay, but usually under good conditions. The one item that is hardest to replicate in the outdoors is a quality, stainless pot. We all know that the elements and dehydration are the most significant threats in the first 72-hours of any serious situation, your clothing (if selected properly), can handle the first and that pot can help with the second. Purifying water via boiling is important, but less important for short term survival and you can still make some prudent risks in collecting water or fabricating improvised filters to mitigate (at least mentally) the risk of water-borne pathogens. Fire and a blade are better choices for longer term, but that pot is pretty important.
Looking at new products, I wonder if Leathermans Signal multitool wouldnt be an interesting option. As much as I love SAKs, this new multitool has a whistle and ferro-rod integrated along with your typical tools. Just a thought, although we all know that the more items you try to combine the worse you make them all.
Whats even more interesting is that we still think about this and that even our opinions from 15+years ago have changed slightly or maybe they have even been solidified?
ROCK6
lazy otter
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One of my tomahawks.