Toy collection not needed for the bush

You don't come into another man's camp and kick his dog,
but it's all right to say "That sure is an ugly dog"
as long as you do it with a manly smile :D
 
Little experience hear, but....

Living in the bush and surviving are two different things.

Living in the bush requieres the best tools for the job, not tools that you can carry easily. In this case, a good axe hands down wins. Will chop, split, and quater trees with ease.

I would like to add that Mors in his book Bushcraft, which is upper Canada- similiar to Alaska. He is an expert.

1.Axe
2. big bow saw
3. a Mora

Now, if you were on a trek you would want tools for just in case. JIC. A chopping knife, hatchet, or small axe would probably be taken as opposed to a large axe. Those tools could get you by to the next area. You would be surviving with these tools.

Later,
Scottman

Living vs. Surviving
 
Oh, please don't go raym, I'm sure anything that anyone said that you took offense to was meant "philosophically."
 
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raym,
By "growler issues" I was referring to grizzlies being attracted to your cabin- both by scent of cooked meat and sheer curiosity.

On guns, I have long been a fan of the 98 mauser in a simple round and 30-06 is at the top of the list. I am also VERY fond of Remington Rolling blocks- very few parts and those are robust enough to not fail or not get lost easily in field repair. The Remington Rolling boys rifle in .22LR is a nice take down that weighs nothing and shoots real well.

Go or stay is up to you but I would like to hear more about how you dealt with problems not having the convenience of ready supplies.

2Door
 
LOL. Now you're insulting a longstanding member here, tknife, who was trying to be a voice of reason? No wonder you had to leave society and run off into the woods. Good riddance.
 
Bro, don't go just cause some feathers got ruffled doesn't mean we can't roost in the henhouse....I'm sure we all could learn some stuff from you and you could maybe learn a thing or 2 as well..no worries...."go or stay..but do it because it is what you wish" -Khan (Star trek) I'm always glad to hear from new folks.
 
It's funny, but after silently following this thread since the OP, I still can't decide whether raym is who he claims to be or if he's some high-school wanker with no life. Personally, I'm leaning toward the latter (philosophically speaking, of course)

Raym, you've talked ABOUT your experience as much as possible without providing anything to afford you credibility. Please remember sir, that message boards are an environment in which stated credentials are irrelevant. I believe that your reticence to share your experiences is unlikely behaviour from someone who, after 30 years in conditions I envy, must have forgotten more than I'll ever learn.

I would like to hear what you've learned the hard way. Please prove that you're not a troll.
 
Meh, I'm quick with the /ignore list trigger finger.

The only proper response to trolling is....

*tumbleweeds*.

-j
 
I don't think raym is a troll.
Just an old man with something to say.
Too bad that he had to spend his time explaining what he meant after being
misunderstood, but being misunderstood is on the speakers head not the listener.

I've found out in my short time here to be careful in what you criticize because there is always somebody for what your against.:o

I can relate to the part about dreaming of one day getting back into the bush.

I know a lot more now than I did then but can't do what I could then.
Something about the advancing years I guess.
 
raym said:
I'm new here and some may take offense at my observation but it's not meant to offend.
Click to expand...
So he's going to be offensive but hopes to be spared the consequences. Hard to have it both ways.

I have been following this thread with interest and became unsure of raym's authenticity early on. His reluctance to share his experiences in the Alaskan bush undermined his credibility.

It's a shame he couldn't make his point by going into detail about the techniques and tools he employed in the wilderness. What was useful and what was not. Personally, I would have loved to hear about it.
 
raym said:
I'm new here and some may take offense at my observation but it's not meant to offend.

I'm nearly 60 years old and I detect that the average member here is closer to half that or less.In the 70's,I lived for over three years in the Alaskan bush.The nearest neighbor was about 25 miles distant.I point this out to demonstrate that I don't speak from theory.

An enthusiast of whatever (knives,guns)is usually emotionally wrapped up in toy collecting,whether one is aware of it or not.As long as one is AWARE of that fact and therefore does not take it too seriously,everything is fine.However,I get the sense that many do take it quite seriously,hence my remarks.

When I lived in the bush,I kept things very simple and every experienced bushman I've known has done likewise.As far as edged tools are concerned,a couple of decent knives along with a couple of axes,splitting maul and saw was all I ever needed and I LIVED in raw wilderness.

I get the distinct sense that many are not happy unless they are on a shopping spree which inevitably leads to more repetition and complexity.To those who believe this to be neccesary,I suggest that falling back to basics will prove to be superior.

Regards,
raym
Click to expand...

Yup I understand the K.I.S.S. philosophy and sometimes have these little internal debates such as: I have all the cutting/chopping tools that I need, so just use them and stop buying....... However, I find different cutting tools (primarily knives) that I am attracted to for one reason or another, or possibly no real reason at all. I have accepted within myself that I am past the point of practical need for cutting tools and associated paraphenalia. Knives are simply another small, quiet, harmless hobby of mine as I have many interests. Hell, I give some of these knives away after a bit. The practical side of me says "you have enough". The hobbyist in me says "never enough". Considering the incredibly diverse selection of knives/outdoor tools available today, the hobbyist in me will be quite content to buy/sell/use/give away for the rest of my life.:thumbup: Oh ya. I have also experienced hunting in the far north all winter etc. I know what -40 feels like. I don't really care less if a fellow knife enthusiast is in Alaska, California or the deep inner city of Toronto.
 
Man, there's enough guys who have spent serious time in the bush to talk to without having to put up with the condescending ones.

My dad was a prospector for a good long while in remote parts of BC. I told him recently that there are guys who will pay close to a thousand bucks for a knife, and he couldn't believe it. But at the same time, I was showing him my $200 Gene Ingram, and he loved it. Of course I only have two "expensive" knives, so I am a pretty ineffective collector myself. What was my point again?

I remember: I know other guys who've lived in the bush, and who don't own expensive stuff. But none of them come to my house, and lecture me on what I do and don't understand. They just tell me what the did do and didn't do, and how well (or poorly) it worked.

So a guy lived in the bush in Alaska for a few years? That's terrific, he probably knows some things. Now he's gone? Gee. Where will we ever find such a fountain of information again?
 
1whitefoot said:
You don't come into another man's camp and kick his dog,
but it's all right to say "That sure is an ugly dog"
as long as you do it with a manly smile :D
Click to expand...
Well said. I was going to say something like "You don't say you like women and they say someones wife is ugly" but it never came out right.
 
Just stumbled on this thread. I don't take offense to the guy's opinion. It's what he feels. What I feel is that I like many things...one of which is knives. I like to camp, hike, play music, surf, and snowboard among other hobbies. I like these things so I have multiple pairs of boots, more than one kind of the same gear, more than one guitar, more than one surfboard, more than one snowboard, and so on. I also have WAY more than one knife. I like knives. I like using them, I like buying them, I like trading them. They don't define me, and I don't rely on them. I DO however enjoy them which is why I have around 20 different ones. It's entertainment of a sort for me. I grew up wanting things that I couldn't have, and if there's something I want within reason and I can afford it....I get it. Call it wasteful, maybe it is, maybe it isn't....when it come to it, I can live without....I did before. I just prefer to live with ;) because I can.

Even though I love the bush....I don't think I could ever live there. I'd go crazy....I'd miss friends, family, and GF (or just something to pound on that isn't a bear). I can only simplify my life so much :D

To each his own :p
 
I'm just catching up on things after being away for a while.
We've had these "philosophical" discussions before. All sides have their merit, but, one is no more correct than the other.

To underscore the minimalist approach, I made a tongue-in-cheek reply to Doc's post about a small PSK, saying "A knife, a flint and a water bottle".
A compass would be nice too? right?
And some Paracord?
and some.....beef jerky! :D

As some may remember, during the winter, I was trying to fit a good amount of items into a small PSK, Doc's topic was along those same lines and a good springboard for discussion. There is right way to "suggest" something, and a not-so-right way.

People sometimes tend to paint with broad brush strokes, very broad.
Example: assuming everyone in here is 30 yrs. old or younger, grew up in cities, have no male role model, only have their cell phones, yadda. yadda, is a perfect example of how we tend to over-generalize. Do it enough, hear it enough, and you start believing it.

One of the younger members that comes to mind is Matt, who has shared many pictures and stories of his wilderness outings, sleeping in the snow covered country, exploring, rock climbing....yup, from his posts I cannot conjur up a city kid with no male role model? huh? :confused:
(Sorry Matt, didn't mean to single you out , but your pics and stories are great, and shows us oldsters that there is a young crowd not afraid to "rough it").

What makes this WSS forum great are all of the people from various backgrounds. Military, EMS, Rescue, wilderness teachers, etc. etc. etc.
The geographic spread is also pretty impressive, Australia, New Zealand, Scandinavia, France, Britain, Canada, the US and many other places are all represented. There is wealth of knowledge here, for sure.

I don't ever want to reflect back on someone asking a naive question, ever.
Whether they are young or old, from the city or from the country, if they have enough good sense to ask a question, then good for them!
It's what we are here for, to learn, share an interest, and have a little fun.
Observing some of the question asked in the past, as being naive, or using it as a tool to show someone's youthful ignorance, or draw assumptions about that person, is counter-productive. If we all knew everything this would be a very dull place.

At almost 47 yrs old, I have worked hard throughout my life, and also been fortunate enough to have gotten to the point that I can afford a few nice things. No, I don't necessarily NEED them, but as has been pointed to already, we only really need Air, Shelter, Water, Fire, Food.....everything else is just an improvement on basic living conditions.

A $200 knife? What is it? Well, when I look back to the 1970's, a $200 knife would have been about a $75 knife back then.....and far out of the reach of my wallet at the time. The point here, is, money is not worth as much as it once was. If someone wants to buy a $200 knife, and can afford it, and it will make them happy, I say "Go For It" ...and of course, you MUST post pics!
:thumbup:

I have to keep reminding myself that $100 is no longer a big-wad of money.
I could go to the beach for a weekend on $100, back in the day. Now, gas alone will eat that up. I'm not saying be frivolous with your hard-earned money, but, also, enjoy it a little.

Collecting? What is that? Totally unecessary! ;) :D

I have to confess, I own 'at least' 8 to 10 splitting wedges. All shapes and sizes. Do i use them? Not much anymore, the gas pwoered log splitter does just fine. I acquired them from my grandfather, father, uncles, etc etc.
Whenever a shed was being cleaned out, and an axe or wedge was offered, I'd take it! :thumbup: Do I need 8 splitting wedges? Nope.

The moral of this story, and it's a topic we have been round-n-round on, is that it's all like Fonzi says, "Cool".

I don't have much interest in bows and arrows, but I read and learn as Doc and others, discussing fletchings, what type of wood to use, etc. I may not run out and make a bow, but, I gain something from what they, and all others share with us.

Most WSS topics, questions and answers are very constructive, when I read the opening post in this thread, it did not come across as constructive, it was one of those "Hear is what I think with no middle ground" posts.

Sharing ideas is what it's all about, and for that, I thank most everyone for their ideas, thoughts, and openess. I've learned a lot from this place. :thumbup:

and, lastly, to WhiteFoot,
"That's one ugly looking foot you got there!" :D :D :D
 
there's few things more provocative than philosophical, theological, or moral musings. could it have been the point? either an experienced senior has hurt feelings, or perhaps a creative user has generated an emotional distraction that has alleviated boredom, caused the individual re-examinations of our beliefs and practices, and further entrenched us in the defense of them. enjoyed the distraction. thanks. & appreciate this forum.
 
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