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

Thanks so far you guys!

To clear things up a bit, I'll be keeping these in my truck toolbox, but would like them light enough to take with me on longer hikes and what not.

Ouch... I hate to give cold steel my money, but that shovel looks promising. I think I'll be looking at the estwing axes since yall seem to really like em. Keep the suggestions coming, and thanks again!

Maybe thought of one more thing... any suggestions for camp saws?
 
Jake Bauer said:
Thanks so far you guys!

To clear things up a bit, I'll be keeping these in my truck toolbox, but would like them light enough to take with me on longer hikes and what not.

Maybe thought of one more thing... any suggestions for camp saws?
Click to expand...

For what it's worth I love my Trailblazer saw. Got it from L.L. Bean. It's a full-sized aluminum bucksaw that packs up into a tube. Not the very lightest option available but it's sturdy as hell. :)
 
When it comes to axes and hatchets, I really only find enough utility to justify them if they are large enough that I wouldn't want to carry them. So I would get a decent sized and somewhat heavy axe to keep in the truck and use for serious chopping, and forget about hatchets. I've got some big knives that will chop just as well as a little dinky hatchet, and are MUCH better for splitting, by using them in conjunction with a baton. They are also great for brush clearing and cutting jobs, which a hatchet sucks at.


Plus, an axe with a long enough handle puts the blade far enough from your body to help prevent injuries. A hatchet is just long enough to catch yourself in the leg if you're worn out from a day's hiking and being sloppy.
 
I've used wire saws and pocket chain saws, but I find that folding saws work better. You can get something like the silky pocket boy or some larger folding saws such as the sawvivor or the trailblazer that FortyTwoBlades mentioned. The sawvivor breaks down small enough to fit in my Camelbak HAWG. The pocket boy will fit in just about any pack.
 
+1 for the eastwing, the offer a good quality for the price!

as for a saw i think the best survival saw for the money is the "sawvivor" by trailblazer
 
I went to lowes and 2 different home depots today. The only Estwing axes that home depot had were the medium version of the Sportsmans axe, and the large campers axe. The campers axe was too long for what I'm looking for and the sportsman was not bad except I'm a little worried about the leather grip in sweaty hands (although I never had slipping problems with my old USMC kabar). Man, I wish they werent both near $40, but they do seem very well made.

Lowes didnt have Estwings. they had a no name brand camp axe that had a black fiberglass handle for $17 that felt good, but I dont know how good it might be. http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=274910-302-1216000&lpage=none

Hm, their website has these that look ok but I didnt see them at the store today. http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?acti...Id=309102-42268-HC-1 1/4H-LW 33588&lpage=none

Not Hatchets.... got it.
 
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Just IMO, I have one of Cold Steel's (I know) kukri's, whichever their cheapest model is. It was only like 18 bucks and all I did was touch up the edge a bit and now it takes most saplings in one stroke. It is light enough to strap to your pack and not really notice it, but it has enough heft to do most chopping chores and batons like a champ. As for the saw I have one of the folding gerber saws, but just about any folding or sliding one you can find weighs less than a pound and can do some serious damage.
 
The Sandvik Lapplander folding saw or a Bahco 396 are excellent tools. With a 3/4 axe all cutting and chopping bases are covered, obviously with a good fixed blade like a RC3! The
Silva Type 15 compass is very good value for a land nav compass. I have said before on this forum that a smaller knife can do anything a larger one can, (within reason of course), but I do not rate hatchets much. get a saw and a decent axe.
 
Kershaw model 2550 folding saw is another great folding saw for about $20

Kershaw 2550 Folding Saw, Santoprene Handle Features:
• Blade Detail: Saw
• Blade Length (inches): 7.00 in.
• Blade Material: Swedish Saw Steel
• Carry System: Lanyard Hole
• Handle Material: Santoprene
• Lock Style: Push Button Safety
• Overall Length (inches): 16.00 in.
• Made In: Sweden

I am pretty sure it is a Bahco.
 
I'm headed out to Cabelas soon. Probably gunna get an Estwing and the headlamp I've been looking at. It's a Princeton Tec Eos. Ive read good reviews and Cabelas has them at a good price last time I was there.
 
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