Today I got to test out some new pieces of gear, a Ranger RD6 and Ruger 22. Brought along some other items I find useful. Took a couple of photos while I was out. The weather was nice. Snow still on the ground and in the high 20's, but the sun was out which was pleasant.
First is the knife I brought with me today. My new Ranger RD6. I've been checking out some medium and large fixed blades lately to get an idea of what they're capable of. This knife felt better in hand than my Ontario RAT7, and the extra mass helped with chopping. I could go for a longer blade though. I used the knife to baton into a stump of dry, tough wood that burnt easily. It worked well splitting and prying it apart. I had a lot of fun with it. The edge still feels a bit thick, but it was hair popping sharp so it could still make usable wood curls. If I decide to keep this one I'll thin the edge out, especially near the choil for detail work.
It was my first time using 5160, and I was happy with it. No edge damage, retained it's sharpness well and no corrosion. I thought I'd get a patina started based on my experience with other carbon steels, but this one stayed shiny.
----------------
This has been my main fire starter this winter. Windmill Trekker butane lighter. It seems to last forever on one fill, and I find the button easier to work in cold temperatures than a Bic. Also much less affected by the wind, and easier to grip due to the large size and ribbed rubber case. I still keep a few bics stashed in my bag as backup, but this has replaced them for day to day use. I keep a ferro rod or two with me as well but this is less hassle.
Group shot.
The gun was fun to shoot. The heat shields look a bit over the top to me, I'm probably gonna take them off. I just got it yesterday. Shot some targets I had setup. Comfortable and accurate. Took a birds head off with it too.
The Victorinox is their Locksmith model. It rides in the sheath of the Ranger. Gives me a small blade for food prep or detail work, a saw, a file to sharpen the fixed blade with, can opener and a few other tools. I like this combination of cutting tools very much.
The bag is useful and today served as my camera bag. Also packed some food, tinder, a DMT sharpener and a Buck Hartsook in it. Could of done without it if I wasn't taking pictures. It's a nice pack for shorter trips where a backpack would be overkill.
First is the knife I brought with me today. My new Ranger RD6. I've been checking out some medium and large fixed blades lately to get an idea of what they're capable of. This knife felt better in hand than my Ontario RAT7, and the extra mass helped with chopping. I could go for a longer blade though. I used the knife to baton into a stump of dry, tough wood that burnt easily. It worked well splitting and prying it apart. I had a lot of fun with it. The edge still feels a bit thick, but it was hair popping sharp so it could still make usable wood curls. If I decide to keep this one I'll thin the edge out, especially near the choil for detail work.
It was my first time using 5160, and I was happy with it. No edge damage, retained it's sharpness well and no corrosion. I thought I'd get a patina started based on my experience with other carbon steels, but this one stayed shiny.
----------------
This has been my main fire starter this winter. Windmill Trekker butane lighter. It seems to last forever on one fill, and I find the button easier to work in cold temperatures than a Bic. Also much less affected by the wind, and easier to grip due to the large size and ribbed rubber case. I still keep a few bics stashed in my bag as backup, but this has replaced them for day to day use. I keep a ferro rod or two with me as well but this is less hassle.
Group shot.
The gun was fun to shoot. The heat shields look a bit over the top to me, I'm probably gonna take them off. I just got it yesterday. Shot some targets I had setup. Comfortable and accurate. Took a birds head off with it too.
The Victorinox is their Locksmith model. It rides in the sheath of the Ranger. Gives me a small blade for food prep or detail work, a saw, a file to sharpen the fixed blade with, can opener and a few other tools. I like this combination of cutting tools very much.
The bag is useful and today served as my camera bag. Also packed some food, tinder, a DMT sharpener and a Buck Hartsook in it. Could of done without it if I wasn't taking pictures. It's a nice pack for shorter trips where a backpack would be overkill.
Did you eat the bird after wards ? If not then Shame on you :thumbdn: A man can shoot soda or soup cans all day or pine cones even ! But to shoot an animal for no reason other than to try your new .22LR 
:thumbdn: Thats no good dude & very un-sportsman like 
