- Joined
- Feb 8, 2005
- Messages
- 1,135
Hi All, and tGif!
Was thinking this morning about all the pieces of gear that have come and gone through my hands in the search of what I thought would best meet my personal needs in the field; like many of us here, I'm a gear head, and furthermore, have high expectations about the gear I purchase, trade into etc..because it is stuff that we intend to use to help us survive/thrive in the field etc.
So, what I thought I'd add in this thread are some areas of my Kit(s) that to me, are exactly what I need for the given task..some also providing versatility outside the primary function, and once I have used and become well acquainted with them, have satisfied my personal needs in that area..and in essence have eliminated any concern that I "needed" to find something better.
I mention these few categories below because there have been *many* that I have tried and tested in the categories over the past decade in various price ranges before settling down to confidence, and satisfaction with a certain item..I am hoping that others may also chime in with their preferences..might help be a reference for others on the quest to find a specific item, and at this point, as the Stones said.."can't get no satisfaction".
To clarify, I'm not saying that I would never purchase another in these categories, only that I see no imperative "need" too..so if another passes my way that I like, great, but I won't be spending hours of research to find it, or saving up to find one because what I have suits my needs very, very well.
I also want to make clear that I don't have a lot of $..so in many of the cases below, I had to save up and plan for a purchase.
Bushcraft blade::
Rod (not Andy
) Garcia's 3V "Shookum Bush tool"..worth the cash, worth the wait, and worth trading into if necessary..based on Mors' concept of the perfect overall one stop knife for the field..ergos are amazing..not sure if it's the heat treat, or what on the 3V, but it is the only Scandi that I've had that really does great on multiple cutting mediums from wood to skinning deer, and unless I am just not paying attention when I am working with it, it rarely has taken anything more than a strop to bring back to it's full cutting potential..since I bought it a few years ago and has only been on a stone 3 times..and it has seen some pretty hard use..when skinning though, just have to be careful with that uber sharp tip..can cut through a hide quick if your not careful.
Edge retention is on par with Infi..yeah..I said that about a scandi.
Chopper:
Swamp Rat Rodent 9..this is without a doubt the most balanced large knife I have had the priveledge to use..extremely versatile in grips from chopping to choke ups, and again balance is so good on it, that it feels very natural when choking up for finer work..took a little paracord wrap on the "hump" in the handle to eliminate a hotspot..but now that's addressed, it blows away any other large knife that I have used in the area of combined versatility and chopping performance etc..
EDC Fixed Blade:
Busse Active Duty..(got to clarify this one though as for a few reasons got disillusioned with folders as EDC and so wanted a fixed blade that I could carry daily in my pocket via Kydex, with little print, comfortably).
This knife I view more as a multipurpose tool..took a LOT of work to get the edge thickness to what I wanted, bringing down to probably 15-20 degrees, but it cuts very well now for it's overall blade thickness, holds an edge, and again can be used as a prying tool if necessary..this is a blade that I feel confident in for multiple reasons as an EDC..get a used one..you'll more than likely reprofile it anyway & who cares if it's pretty?..it's an EDC meant to be hurt.
Slipjoint:
Victorinox SAK (not sure the model name I have , but has a magnifying glass, Phillips in addition to a couple of blades, saw, etc..take your pick from the models with the items that best suit your needs..solid performer, with multiple uses.
Multitool:
Leatherman Charge Ti..one hand access to saw, PE & SE blades, as well as file; Wire cutters are strong and can cut through multiple items from hangers to barbed wire on the farm, and the plier heads are still tight..been using this one since they came out.
Hatchet:
GB Wildlife hatchet..since getting the R9, this hasn't seen much use, as I feel the R9 offers more all around versatility..but, if I want to use a hatchet..this one is king..great design in every way from the handle, to the blade, to even the blade sheath.
Firestarter
LMF Army Model..big chunk of Ferro that just lasts and lasts..fits in the side of my Leatherman charge case with striker, so always on hand.
Pocket survival tube
K&M Match Case..(large), built in quality compass, and room enough for matches, needles, thread, hooks, line, sinkers, sliver of fatwood, razor blade, meds and a small fisher pen cartridge..wrapped the outside with a combo of a few feet of duck tape, and some snare wire..never leaves my pocket..seals well..and rock solid..another cool thing is the lid has a string on it, so you don't have to worry about misplacing it in the dark if you took it off for some advil etc.
Sleeping bag
Not sure the exact name but is army issue with 3 layers and a black stuff sack..outer layer Gortex, and is good year round in most average climates depending on how warm you want to be, you have options to shed or add layers..plenty of shoulder room in it, and roomy for me (5'll about 205)..wouldn't work to well for people over 6ft, I think)
BOB
Manta 25..mega comfortable and inconspicuous..holds plenty of gear and great hydration system that doesn't encroach on the primary storage compartments..frame is very ergonomical and by far the most comfortable day-pack type bag I've used.
Folding Shovel
USGI model..just tough as nails.
Hope this might help someone on their search for the right stuff..hoping others will also add their perspective.
Thanks,
Was thinking this morning about all the pieces of gear that have come and gone through my hands in the search of what I thought would best meet my personal needs in the field; like many of us here, I'm a gear head, and furthermore, have high expectations about the gear I purchase, trade into etc..because it is stuff that we intend to use to help us survive/thrive in the field etc.
So, what I thought I'd add in this thread are some areas of my Kit(s) that to me, are exactly what I need for the given task..some also providing versatility outside the primary function, and once I have used and become well acquainted with them, have satisfied my personal needs in that area..and in essence have eliminated any concern that I "needed" to find something better.
I mention these few categories below because there have been *many* that I have tried and tested in the categories over the past decade in various price ranges before settling down to confidence, and satisfaction with a certain item..I am hoping that others may also chime in with their preferences..might help be a reference for others on the quest to find a specific item, and at this point, as the Stones said.."can't get no satisfaction".
To clarify, I'm not saying that I would never purchase another in these categories, only that I see no imperative "need" too..so if another passes my way that I like, great, but I won't be spending hours of research to find it, or saving up to find one because what I have suits my needs very, very well.
I also want to make clear that I don't have a lot of $..so in many of the cases below, I had to save up and plan for a purchase.
Bushcraft blade::
Rod (not Andy
) Garcia's 3V "Shookum Bush tool"..worth the cash, worth the wait, and worth trading into if necessary..based on Mors' concept of the perfect overall one stop knife for the field..ergos are amazing..not sure if it's the heat treat, or what on the 3V, but it is the only Scandi that I've had that really does great on multiple cutting mediums from wood to skinning deer, and unless I am just not paying attention when I am working with it, it rarely has taken anything more than a strop to bring back to it's full cutting potential..since I bought it a few years ago and has only been on a stone 3 times..and it has seen some pretty hard use..when skinning though, just have to be careful with that uber sharp tip..can cut through a hide quick if your not careful.Edge retention is on par with Infi..yeah..I said that about a scandi.
Chopper:
Swamp Rat Rodent 9..this is without a doubt the most balanced large knife I have had the priveledge to use..extremely versatile in grips from chopping to choke ups, and again balance is so good on it, that it feels very natural when choking up for finer work..took a little paracord wrap on the "hump" in the handle to eliminate a hotspot..but now that's addressed, it blows away any other large knife that I have used in the area of combined versatility and chopping performance etc..
EDC Fixed Blade:
Busse Active Duty..(got to clarify this one though as for a few reasons got disillusioned with folders as EDC and so wanted a fixed blade that I could carry daily in my pocket via Kydex, with little print, comfortably).
This knife I view more as a multipurpose tool..took a LOT of work to get the edge thickness to what I wanted, bringing down to probably 15-20 degrees, but it cuts very well now for it's overall blade thickness, holds an edge, and again can be used as a prying tool if necessary..this is a blade that I feel confident in for multiple reasons as an EDC..get a used one..you'll more than likely reprofile it anyway & who cares if it's pretty?..it's an EDC meant to be hurt.
Slipjoint:
Victorinox SAK (not sure the model name I have , but has a magnifying glass, Phillips in addition to a couple of blades, saw, etc..take your pick from the models with the items that best suit your needs..solid performer, with multiple uses.
Multitool:
Leatherman Charge Ti..one hand access to saw, PE & SE blades, as well as file; Wire cutters are strong and can cut through multiple items from hangers to barbed wire on the farm, and the plier heads are still tight..been using this one since they came out.
Hatchet:
GB Wildlife hatchet..since getting the R9, this hasn't seen much use, as I feel the R9 offers more all around versatility..but, if I want to use a hatchet..this one is king..great design in every way from the handle, to the blade, to even the blade sheath.
Firestarter
LMF Army Model..big chunk of Ferro that just lasts and lasts..fits in the side of my Leatherman charge case with striker, so always on hand.
Pocket survival tube
K&M Match Case..(large), built in quality compass, and room enough for matches, needles, thread, hooks, line, sinkers, sliver of fatwood, razor blade, meds and a small fisher pen cartridge..wrapped the outside with a combo of a few feet of duck tape, and some snare wire..never leaves my pocket..seals well..and rock solid..another cool thing is the lid has a string on it, so you don't have to worry about misplacing it in the dark if you took it off for some advil etc.
Sleeping bag
Not sure the exact name but is army issue with 3 layers and a black stuff sack..outer layer Gortex, and is good year round in most average climates depending on how warm you want to be, you have options to shed or add layers..plenty of shoulder room in it, and roomy for me (5'll about 205)..wouldn't work to well for people over 6ft, I think)
BOB
Manta 25..mega comfortable and inconspicuous..holds plenty of gear and great hydration system that doesn't encroach on the primary storage compartments..frame is very ergonomical and by far the most comfortable day-pack type bag I've used.
Folding Shovel
USGI model..just tough as nails.
Hope this might help someone on their search for the right stuff..hoping others will also add their perspective.
Thanks,
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