RAT folk's suggestions for a few camping/survival kit tools

J

Jake Bauer

Joined
Sep 19, 2007
Messages
4,293
Hey guys,

Since yall are some of the most experienced with good knives and other good quality toys, I thought I'd ask what yall recommend as far as a few tools I want to add to my camping/survival kit. I appreciate the input. I am looking for a good and not too expensive:

Camp axe/hatchet (not a fan of the gerbers)

Wire saw/pocket chainsaw

Camp shovel

Compass

(there may be a couple other things I need that I cant remember at the current time of 3:06 in the morning. I'll put more up if I remember any). Thanks everyone!
 
Are you looking for light weight items to carry or just to have in the car when camping? And what about the compass, just to find cardinal directions or are we talking serious orienteering?
 
For the hatchet I suggest going 'round to antiques stores in your area and seeing what turns up. If you look carefully you can find some amazing axes for a song and a dance. There's a local establishment in my area called the Tool Barn that specializes in antique tools, and I was able to get a 1890's Plumb axe with handle for $15. Got my dad an amazing Keen Kutter carpenter's hatchet for his birthday for only $18. ;)
 
I have a Wetterlings hunters axe that I love, but it is a bit on the heavy side.

I'm going to say this and regret it later but I find myself wanting a Col.....Col.....Cold St...... Cold Stee.....l..... I cant say it, it hurts too much.

One of those special forces shovels. A gentleman we camped with last weekend had one and it was a really handy camp tool.
 
I don't like hatchets much myself. I prefer an axe with a long enough handle to produce momentum in the chop. A 23 or 24" handle seems like a good compromise to this. Below is a Fiskar's 17" and Snow & Neely 24" Hudson Bay Camp axe. The S&N is a far better chopper and also lighter than the fiskars!!!

fiskarssnsideview.jpg


Compass - really depends on who you use it.
 
I like my Estwing from Home Depot ,not to heavy solid construction and I have had it for 20+ years ... LOL
 
I have to second the CS shovel - a great tool and very entertaining. I prefer a smaller axe to a hatchet as I find it soooo much more versatile. The Snow & Neely above is a nice example, as well as the Gransfors Bruks Scandinavian Forest Axe - I have both and use them about equally...


blake
 
Depends, is weight a factor? if it's in a car or truck, Estwing camp axe, good U.S. made e-tool, and one of those take down buck saws.

Rat#102
 
blake g49 said:
I have to second the CS shovel - a great tool and very entertaining. I prefer a smaller axe to a hatchet as I find it soooo much more versatile. The Snow & Neely above is a nice example, as well as the Gransfors Bruks Scandinavian Forest Axe - I have both and use them about equally...


blake
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I haven't been able to make myself buy any CS stuff but I've been looking at the Bushman pretty hard. That shovel is now also added to my "might finally buy something from CS" list.

I'll have to put that on hold though...I just bought a s60v Blur, 2 Scrapper 5's, a BK2, and a Native III.

And now RAT's twisting my arm and forcing me to buy a cool RAT pack RC-3.:D
 
CS Pocket Bushman makes a great utility. 4-1/2" blade, folding action is a little weird, but bombproof. Not bad for $25.
 
Jake Bauer said:
Camp axe/hatchet (not a fan of the gerbers)
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No sh*t, an Estwing just like the Texan said. Preferably the Shingler's Hatchet with the hammer poll on the back side of it. TOTALLY legal in the trunk or behind the seat of a truck. Estwing hatchets are awesome tools. They are my favorite throwing hatchet of all time as well. The camp hatchet is a bit heavier than the Shingler's Hatchet, just FYI and, the Shingler's Hatchet is shown as a boarding weapon in an old Peterson TOmahawk book so there is not necessarily a need to carry a dedicated 'hawk.

Wire saw/pocket chainsaw
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A wire saw is an emergency tool that I would not necessarily use for every day stuff. The pocket chainsaws have good reports from people I trust on here.

Camp shovel
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I have had the Cold Steel SF Shovel which is excellent. I am looking to get one of them folding U-Dig-It Trowels soon for minor digging of fire pits and cat holes, etc.

Compass
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I just ordered two Suunto Clipper Compasses from the Compass Store. They appear to be a very tough little button compass and I chose that on the longevity and accuracy of the Suunto Compass mounted in my K&M Matchsafe.

I have a 18 year old Brunton baseplate type compass and a USGI lensatic compass but I am probably going to get the Suunto M2 or M3 something or other, I have it bookmarked ( :D ) on the recommendation of several people over in the wilderness/survival forum.
 
dbessey said:
Thought you were and didn't mean to muddy the waters. The folder makes a nice addition to a kit though.
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Dont worry about it...I was just mentioning something I might buy. No thread stays on track too long!
 
My dad burns wood for heat during the winters here in Ct. He has a wood burning stove with a blower that keeps his house 80 degrees in the winter when its 0 outside. Growing up, vacations and weekends I spent cutting and stacking wood. My dad and I would ask builders/developers if we could have the wood after they cleared areas for houses or buildings, most agreed. We got cords and cords of wood that way. So my dad & I would spend morning to night splitting wood with axes, sledge hammers and wedges. After 20 years experience of splitting wood I will say that unless your really good at hitting your mark, buy a polymer/plastic handle hatchet/axe because I have broken my share of wooden handles. I bought some $15 hatchet from Home Depot, has a yellow plastic handle (made in US) and it work great. Takes abuse, inexpensive & tough. You will just have to give it a better edge. I still help my dad with his wood, but now he has a hydraulic splitter.
 
the cs shovel is great for the money, couple minutes with a file and you can even get the edge servicable. got my mom one for mother's day.
 
otis williams said:
the cs shovel is great for the money, couple minutes with a file and you can even get the edge servicable. got my mom one for mother's day.
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Well my goodness, that is most likely the first and only time a mother has been given a special forces shovel for any holiday.

Good job.:thumbup:
 
shotgunner11 said:
Well my goodness, that is most likely the first and only time a mother has been given a special forces shovel for any holiday.

Good job.:thumbup:
Click to expand...

she loves it. great for chopping tree roots in her gardens, clearing out small brush, and it digs too.
 
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