Old school or high tech ?

[ColeThornton]

With one point being understood, there is no substitute for experience, as far as the tools you use and choose to use, how has technology altered your kit?

As far as mine goes I love leather, but for most practical purposes kydex has replaced all my sheaths. My footgear is not gore-tex but leather mocs, and my firesteel will never go out of fashion, IMHO I think that things from the old school are just as good as some of the the new high-tech gadgets but there is always room for improvement but ther is a limit on what we can place on our kit, but in the end it all comes down to what is upstairs.

Just my two cents, but would like other opinions on the subject.

 

[J&J13]

If something new catches your eye it'd be a good idea to try it for fun before you really need it. Nothing wrong with progress, although oldies but goodies ain't that way because they suck, y'know? If millions of people have gotten along fine with it, then that'd be a good indicator. Here's a litmus test for your new gear: would you show it to the good old boys at the corner grocery?
I think this is the main reasoning behind using a lot of mil-surp supplies and equipment, aside from the cost and wannabe factors. Following that line of thought, you might want to check out Ranger Rick's little books http://www.therangerdigest.com/
on how to make the decent stuff better on a grunt's budget. (Good shite)
Cheers

 

[toolmaker]

I remember reading about a documentary show that wanted to trace VIking sailing routes. they got authentic boat, gear, clothing, food, etc. the camera crew and technicians wore the lastest tech gear to stay warm, the Boat crew wore traditional clothes.
By the end of the first week, the camera crew were wet, cold, tired and exhuasted. The boat crew were quite warm, dry, and tired, but strong enough to handle the filming and sound for 1-2 days to allow tech crew to rest. Thought it was a good example of how smart our ancestors actually were. it was the layers of different types of clothes and materials that the Vikings wore that kept them warm and dry. the techie clothes could not hold up to 24 hours a day abuse.

 

[jacko]

I myself like the old school ways, Though like mentioned before some high tech stuff is pretty wild! I actually still hang with the leather sheath, But I also have a Tops Swat Spike that has a kydex sheath that I use for camping and hiking on occasion. In terms of Boots,Either my Hikers or Wellco jungle boots do the trick.

ColeThornton,
QUOTE:
but in the end it all comes down to what is upstairs.

That can't be further from the truth!

 

[Sundsvall]

When it comes to tools, high-tech is usually the way to go. My GB Hunters Ax is the exception. I am having a hard time finding a high-tech version of this Ax without paying over $1000 bucks.

I like leather Jackets but I have conceded that lighter weight, more technologically advanced synthetic fiber combinations function better relative to its weight.

I like leather shoes, so that hasn't changed.

I like both new and old school steels but insist on synthetic handles and/or sheaths. IMO, cordura sheaths w/ kydex inserts are the most rugged. But I really like leather sheaths especially the ones that comes with the Chris Reeve one-piece knives.