Knowledge is the best tool..

KiljoyKutlery

KiljoyKutlery

KILJOY KutLery, hand made in Luling Texas
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Jun 9, 2006
Messages
5,525
I put up a thread the other day about my 3 tool or knives that I would carry if given the choice, I also posted pics of some of my collection. I recieved an overwhelming response/vibe that the knives were secondary to survival. I couldn't agree more, everytime I talk about woodcraft with anyone who has never spent a single night alone in the woods, they always ask the same questions, "why would you need to learn all that stuff" or "why do you think I should know anything like that." I always respond the same way, "nobody knows what life has in store"....anyways, here's my survival library, but I won't include some other books in my home office that I think could qualify. I have several books on construction and mechanics, blacksmithing, and even philosophy and science. I think having a well rounded base of knowledge is at the core of being self reliant. The more you know, the more confident you will be when the chips are down.
The list: The complete walker III by Colin Fletcher, Land Navigation Handbook by W.S.Kals, FM 21-76 Survival by the US military, The Complete Wilderness Paddler by Davidson & Rugge, Map, Compass, and Campfire by Ratcliff, Be Expert with Map and Compass by Bjorn Kjellstrom, The SAS Guide to Tracking by Bob Carss, The Complete Wilderness Training Book by Hugh McManners, No Such Thing As Doomsday by Phillip Hoag, The Science and Art of Tracking by T. Brown Jr., Outdoor Survival Skills by Larry Dean Olson, The Well Fed Backpacker by June Fleming, and some good reads--Into the WildJon Krakauer and Staying alive in Alaska's Wild by Andy Nault.
I think that after knowledge and tools, you have to go out and practice, just go out and live in the woods in your free time. I of course don't(work and kids) but I am looking forward to getting back out there. I am aware that there is no first aid books on my list, I am well trained in first aid, and get to plug wounds from time to time on the job site, some small and some gruesome (carpenter) I react well under the sight of blood and stress, so I figure I would do all right, my brother has my EMS book right now.
So does anyone have any recomendations, or do you have any of the books I listed, did you like it or is it lacking..ect..
 
a decent medical book (if that's what you're looking for) is Rapid EMT by debra lejeune its a bit pricey for a very small pocket sized book but it has a lot of good info I carry one in my cargo pocket all the time on the job...(i've never looked at it when on a call) but it's nice to know it's there the SAS survival guide is a good standard read for the collection....nice library by the way
 
When a man is down and spurting blood ten feet with every heart beat, it is comforting to know that you can put your finger here -> X ...and stop the bleeding instantly. Even more comforting when that man is yourself. I give a big thumbs up to a good, small EMS book. Read it before you need it, but keep it handy.

Codger
 
jh205 said:
I've never read anything by Hugh McManners, but in this recent thread its clear he's previously offered some poor advice.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=467577

I guess the lesson is that rather than just absorbing the material in all these books, keep an analytical frame of mind when reading them.
Click to expand...

You posted a link back to the same thread you were reading.
I think you meant this thread:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=467487
 
interesting, well he should know that he's wrong, we should write him a letter. ;) I think that some people well get told something by thier Daddy when they were a little kid, not knowing that Daddy used to eat lead paint chips and has soccer kicked his own brain with thousands of gallons of moonshine, and just swear that it is the gospel truth. Oh, and just pointing out, if you are in a survival situation, and blood is squirting out of you 10 feet, don't plug the hole, it will save you the struggle. JMHO. Gene
 
What I find interesting about this Forum is that is is nearly a contradiction - or perhaps a paradox.

Knowledge and experience is the best thing as far as woodcraft go - but we post mostly about gear here.

I think that people that are attracted to bullitain boards are those who cannot experience as much as they would like and post here to suppliment that experience. OR - they are collectors of this sort of gear and do not wish to have the experience but simply enjoy collecting the gear. Some I think, also like to buy the gear because they fallaciously think that it IS the expereince.

These classifications are the same in almost every pursuit in America. Golfers often buy too much, read too much, and hit too few balls at the range. In Paintball, my preferred activity, there are collectors who confuse collection with playing, posters who confuse posting with playing, and the real players never post - because they are out playing.

The real woodscraft knowledgable people, I fear, do not post here - because there is no wireless connection in the woods. ;)

TF
 
One more book suggestion, How to Shit in the Woods. A small reference book for hygene, etiquette, and minimizing impact.

-Bob
 
That is funny - they are called GunWhores in paintball.

I am not saying this board is filled with people that don't know - but we do often focus on the kit more than the technique. Granted that is the purpose of the blade forum - is to talk about blades - but kit is about 10% of survival - or atleast that is what the SAS handbook told me as I read it in my air conditioned house. ;)



TF
 
...but kit is about 10% of survival - or atleast that is what the SAS handbook told me as I read it in my air conditioned house.
Click to expand...
I read an interview with a military survival expert that stuck in my mind. His thought was physical fitness is #1 factor for surviving a true emergency situation. Attitude was #2.

As far as gear, "surviving" (as apposed to "outdoor living") means making do with what you have. But in my own opinion, gear can be the difference between merely surviving and being comfortable.

-Bob
 
Euel Gibbons, Stalking the Healthful Herbs, Stalking the Wild Asparagus
June Fleming, The Outdoor Idea Book
Leon Mcdougall, Practical Outdoor Projects
Frances Densmore, How Indians Use Wild Plants for Food, Medicine & Crafts


Oh, and spent my day hiking from Clifton Gorge to Yellow Springs and back...great day!
 
I guess I don't get it, this is a GEAR forum, thats the whole point. I know that in this survival SUB forum that we discuss woodcraft and all the finer points, but to assume or make the accusation that everyone here, or just SOME of the people don't live up to your hype of what a real survivalist is, well I'm sorry to say, YOUR HERE READING THIS, so your an armchair survivalist as well. I think that this is the coolest place to come after a long day at work, and talk about something other than football, so I might be a little worked up here, but I think that I see all kinds of people posting pics and sharing stories of personal adventure....they are doing IT. I don't know if you meant just me, or anybody in particular, but I got a little riled by your high and mighty speal, so don't respond that you didn't mena it that way, you wanted to hurt somebodies feelings here, and that isn't OK with me. I have a family and a job, I bust my ass, I love to collect knives, I own survival gear....I guess I'm not privy to the mysterious world of REAL woodsman. SO Sorry...if I am TO offended, to bad. This is a place to come and talk about what we LIKE...If you don't like it, go away. Gene:cool:
 
Talfuchre said:
What I find interesting about this Forum is that is is nearly a contradiction - or perhaps a paradox.

Knowledge and experience is the best thing as far as woodcraft go - but we post mostly about gear here.

I think that people that are attracted to bullitain boards are those who cannot experience as much as they would like and post here to suppliment that experience. OR - they are collectors of this sort of gear and do not wish to have the experience but simply enjoy collecting the gear. Some I think, also like to buy the gear because they fallaciously think that it IS the expereince.

These classifications are the same in almost every pursuit in America. Golfers often buy too much, read too much, and hit too few balls at the range. In Paintball, my preferred activity, there are collectors who confuse collection with playing, posters who confuse posting with playing, and the real players never post - because they are out playing.

The real woodscraft knowledgable people, I fear, do not post here - because there is no wireless connection in the woods. ;)

TF
Click to expand...

This is what I'm going off about..sorry
 
Check your library for local or regional books on plants & animals in your area. (I thought it was strange that beavers which are so at home in the swamp here would also chose to live way up north, but a book I read said they like it up there.)
 
There was a list I compiled about books in this forum. Do a search. It is a pretty good list and others made suggestions to round it out.

TF
 
Talfuchre said:
The real woodscraft knowledgable people, I fear, do not post here - because there is no wireless connection in the woods. ;)TF
Click to expand...

haha, sorry you think that Tal. I grew up in the woods, and didnt have internet untill I was 11, by then we only had dial up, and the only reason I have high speed is because I moved out to alberta with my parents becuase there wearnt enough choices for schooling in Nova Scotia.

I know I dont claim to be able to build a house with a knife, but I class my self as a woodsman, I fish, hunt and camp every chance I get. The reason WHY knowledageable woodsman are here on this forum is because we like to share knowledge, people ask questions, and we help.

Posting here doesnt mean their are no woodsman, its means were nice enough to give anwsures to people like you.
 
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