Minimalist camping without a fixed blade

GREENJACKET said:
What a load of bickering, some of you guys should get out there and get some fresh air.
Click to expand...

I will, when you send me that truck! :D
And some money for gas and insurance, that would be great. :thumbup:

This thread is more tantalizing lately because it's more fun than transcribing this damned interview I have to get done.
It drags on even more than this discussion/argument. ;)
 
GREENJACKET said:
Kids, leaving home, just ensure they leave a bread crumb trail (all grown up now):
IMG_0577.jpg


The shooting truck... it was cheap, doesn't look quite so clean now. Full mud terrains, goes pretty much anywhere. (I have a normal car too.)
IMG_4549_1.jpg
Click to expand...

Oh, stabby's post reminded me. This looks super fun! Kids look like they are going to have some fun as well. Good work!
 
pinnah said:
Sorry. Missed it.

Painters tack cloth. Fire starter.

It's not needed. 😉
Click to expand...

I was gonna bet: orange that got sat on, but saved in a ziplock bag for later. After all, one doesn't let precious citrusy nutrients go to waste having UL hiked those ounces deep into the wilderness.
 
craytab said:
Irony. Some knife nuts on a knife forum like fixed blade knives even. Want to talk about what is "needed" when UL backpacking? I'm sure there is a forum dedicated to that.
Click to expand...

The OP asked about minimalist camping with no fixed blade in the General forum. General includes multi-tools and folders. If you believe a discussion of minimalist camping without a fixed blade doesn't belong in the general forum, contact the mods and ask that it be moved to either the Wilderness or Outdoors sub-forums.
 
Last edited:
Minimalist Truck then. The kids learnt to drive in it too. Its used for rabbit shooting at night and leaves a light footprint; pulled out a few "proper" trucks that got stuck in the mud from having the wrong tires. I'm a volunteer deer warden for deer related RTA's so wanted something cheap for that. Looks a lot rougher now.

Have Kids camping as early as you dare and they never look back. No bears here, so it got to the stage that once they had the basics, I just sent them off to the woods with the dog (they all have mobile phones). Anyway they always come home when hungry... they still do. Son somewhere in India the other year:
image-9.jpg



Its all fun at the end of the day..... even BladeForums.
 
At the end of the day, Carrying a mora and a leatherman(or SAK) is pretty minimalist and adds so little weight that there would be no reason to permanently have a set in every pack. A few ounces of insurance that could save your life.
 
GREENJACKET said:
Minimalist Truck then. The kids learnt to drive in it too. Its used for rabbit shooting at night and leaves a light footprint; pulled out a few "proper" trucks that got stuck in the mud from having the wrong tires. I'm a volunteer deer warden for deer related RTA's so wanted something cheap for that. Looks a lot rougher now.

Have Kids camping as early as you dare and they never look back. No bears here, so it got to the stage that once they had the basics, I just sent them off to the woods with the dog (they all have mobile phones). Anyway they always come home when hungry... they still do. Son somewhere in India the other year:
image-9.jpg



Its all fun at the end of the day..... even BladeForums.
Click to expand...

Yup!!
 
It's funny to me that something like a SAK or leatherman can be viewed as more minimal than a small fixed blade to some folks. Surprisingly, I don't consider backpacking with extra tweezers, screwdriver, toy saw blade, and fingernail scissors "minimal." :D
 
Cobalt said:
At the end of the day, Carrying a mora and a leatherman(or SAK) is pretty minimalist and adds so little weight that there would be no reason to permanently have a set in every pack. A few ounces of insurance that could save your life.
Click to expand...

I'm sympathetic to the weight issue. Moras and their like, are pretty light and hard to argue against other than lack of convenience of carry (some folks find folders a lot easier to manage).

But the closing bit seems overstated to me.

Can you describe a scenario in which having a fixed blade instead of just have a multi-tool or SAK or small folder would be the difference between life and death, assuming the person is carrying and knows how to use standard, alpine style LNT equipment (e.g. stove, shelter, pad, modern clothing)?
 
Technically you are right.
The SAK is for personal admin, try cutting a broken toe nail with your whopper chopper. Toy saw bade, don't think so, but then its not for cutting down trees.
How useful are Multi-tools? They have their limitations for sure, but to me they are very useful. A huge subject.
 
pinnah, some people are never going to be convinced. I can think up more dangers by carrying a knife than not, and even more for too big a blade thats not needed. We like knives, but which ones are a personal choice. How much knife is personal again, you pack it you carry it. I know what I like, think we both think similarly.

Next time I'm looking over some panoramic view at the top of some alpine mountain, having a hot chocolate, and a freshly cut piece of orange cut with a little folder, I'll think of those bushcraft campers below.
In the mean time I'll take the dog for a walk and cut some hazel sticks with my Skrama.

(Lastly, the picture of my son. I can handle the hat, but not so sure of the dodgy beard. Thats a cold beer he is drinking. They were two days into the desert and some bloke came along with cold beers for tourists. Just when you think you have got away from the rat race, civilisation turns up. Can't win today, the world is full).
 
Last edited:
Park Swan said:
It's funny to me that something like a SAK or leatherman can be viewed as more minimal than a small fixed blade to some folks. Surprisingly, I don't consider backpacking with extra tweezers, screwdriver, toy saw blade, and fingernail scissors "minimal." :D
Click to expand...

This may be explained by having different goals.

Here is a gear list by somebody who's done both the PCT and CDT. Her preferred pocket knife is a Victorinox Classic. She discusses axes toward the end, but <spoiler alert> she's talking about an ice axe.

http://gossamergear.com/wp/wireds-three-season-gear-list

And another guy's take:
http://andrewskurka.com/2016/gear-list-backpacking-field-repair-kit-broken-torn-worn-out-gear/

This packing lists are pretty easy to find.
 
I read almost all the many posts and maybe can add another perspective?

Most of my hiking I did in the military (compulsory) which is basically only a year long hiking adventure interrupted by driving around in tanks, shooting, first aid training, digging of trenches and what not.

I observed our heavy backpacks where full of mostly stuff we never needed. But they also didn't slow us down if we were motivated properly. 4 hours for 20 miles in forest and hills in freaking combat boots.
During week long trips, we never needed a knife or made a fire, even in snow. Sure there was some shivering once in a while but once you get moving again in the morning it's all good.

To summarize, carrying more than you need isn't necessarily slowing you down much and carrying less than what you think you need will also not kill you, that fast.
:-p
Personally I like challenge and training and will always carry more than my buddies even though I know I can make due without most of the conviniences like cookers and changing cloths.
I'd carry a reasonable big knife. Because I can and because I like it! I don't have to make up fake reasons and imagine far fetched scenarios that I actually ever really need it ;-)
 
Jens Schuetz said:
...Personally I like challenge and training and will always carry more than my buddies even though I know I can make due without most of the conveniences like cookers and changing cloths.
I'd carry a reasonable big knife. Because I can and because I like it! I don't have to make up fake reasons and imagine far fetched scenarios that I actually ever really need it ;-)
Click to expand...

Pretty much the way I see it. We all do what we like and what we want to carry based on our experience, what stuff we have, and "fears" as mentioned before. Some might even carry a cold beer or flask of Wild Turkey. Some might even carry canned goods instead of freeze dried stuff or some weinies to roast over the fire or mix into something cooking. It's a choice.

I consider a modest sized SAK pretty minimalist and the tools can come in handy. I carry a fixed blade in the woods because I want to and seldom ever use it. But that is still a personal choice.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top