Wilderness Learning Center Reunion Camping Trip 2007 (LOTS OF PICTURES!)

Great thanks for the info on the papoose...Looks awesome, gonna see if I can talk the wife into going this year...
 
K,

What is that black-handled folder in your pic of knives and tools -- the knife at 5 o'clock to the Leatherman..?
 
Thanks for sharing Kev. Would have loved to have been there with you guys.
Scott
 
MG,

The black handled folder in the photo is a Fallkniven U2. It is one of my favorites and it is so easy to carry due to its light weight and lack of a pocket clip. I have a diamond knot on a lanyard that hangs just outside of my pocket. Makes retrieval a snap. The U2 also has a great convex edge. You can't go wrong!

Kev
 
K estela, I see in the pics someone has a Bark River "Fox River". How does it fare as a survival knife? Does it compare with a Fallkniven or RAT? Are BRKT knives durable? Thanks.
 
Hey Kev
thank's for sharing your trip with us. I can almost smell the wood smoke, looks like good times and great friends
Mike
 
Troutfisher,

There were numerous Fox Rivers on the trip. I have carried that Fox River with the green and black lanyard for well over a year on the Jack Mountain Bushcraft Bushcraft weekend course, the WLC week long Basic Survival Course, extended winter camping trips and as a seasonal kayaking and canoeing guide all of last summer. Regardless of the situation it has never failed me. It is hands down one of the finest 4" fixed blades you can carry in the woods. The convex edge and blade geometry make quick work of any cutting task. I carry 600 and 400 grit wet/dry sandpaper and occasionally strop it to keep it hair popping sharp. I've battoned with it, cleaned fish and constructed many bushcraft tasks with it too. It is always with me and unlike many large belt knives, it rarely gets noticed until I need it. The spine is close to 90 degrees and throws a wicked spark from a Ferro rod. The extended lanyard serves a purpose too. The knot placement allows me to hold the lanyard and just the butt of the knife and use it for light chopping. It also "locks" the knife in place when tucked in your belt. Bottom line, it is a practical woods knife that checks the macho/ninja/arm chair commando b.s. at the door.

On a side note, Marty, the school owner and head instructor, found the Fox River to be the only knife he would consider putting the school logo on. His knife is even more used than mine and his blade shows signs of repeated stroppings and continual use for over 3 years now.
 
Sorry, I forgot to compare it to the RAT and Fallkniven line. Both of these companies are excellent too. I own a few Fallkniven blades and I've used but am still looking to buy a Rat 3. The Fox River has a slightly thinner edge than the Fallkniven F1. The F1 is a great knife for use in and around wet environments. The BRKT, requires a little more care with the A2 blade but I don't find much need for concern since I almost always have my gun cleaning kit with me or at least some cooking oil. The RAT 3 has one of the best feeling grips out there! The generous choil allows the user to choke up and do fine work. However, I have come to personally dislike choils on small blades as I want the most cutting area given to me in a 4" knife.

I find all of these knives to be great users and I prefer the BRKT as my personal choice. You just need to find what works for you.
 
Myakka said:
Who's hammock and what brand is it. I need to stop buying knives for awhile, and get me a hammock.
Click to expand...

I'd like to know as well. I usually travel with a nice hammock but not one as versatile as that one.

Thanks for the pics. Looks like a great time was had by all.
 
Thanks for the awesome pics and explenations! I am gonna have to try making a chair like that, that was pretty cool and I have not thought of it. Did anyone respond to what type of Hammock that was? I apolagize if I read over it and missed it.
 
Sorry, for not responding sooner. It is a Hennesy Hammock. I believe the model I purchased is the Explorer Deluxe Assymetrical. I know the capacity is 300 lbs and it weighs only a few. I really like the fact it is subdued in color too. I'm not a big fan of standing out in the woods. Visually, wearing and using bright colors in the woods is similar to screaming at the top of your lungs when you are trying to enjoy the atmosphere.
 
Very cool pics, looks like a really good time. I'd love to do that some day, and I've heard lots of good things about that group.

Another question to the pile- what is that buttpack/shoulder bag with your name tag and the Wilderness Learning Center logo on it? Looks very handy.
 
SpookeyPistolero,

The buttpack is made by Eagle Industries (www.eagleindustries.com). It is 100% codura nylon and tough as nails. It is just big enough to carry a day hike's worth of gear. It has strap attachments on the bottom and I can put my OR bivy sack on it for an overnight trip. I love this U.S. company and have many of their products. Never once have I had an issue with their gear and the customer service is top notch.

The side pockets I purchased separately from Tactical Tailor. I have two small utility pouches and two compass pouches too. In these, I can fit my PSK tin, Suunto MC-2, Assorted lengths of paracord and my firestarting gear (Army firesteel, bic lighters, container of Vaseline-Cotton balls, and just for fun a piece of english flint and a c striker).

All in all, it is a great set up and I like it a lot. I especially like to carry this in around the yoke of a canoe since it rides nicely there. I am going to pick up a set of harness straps and rig up a lumbar pack out of it soon.
 
Cool, that's great info. Looks like a very handy pack and a good size. It stinks having to lug around more than you need to!

How do you carry yours, using the harness system? Or like a satchel?

Thanks again-

PS- Do you know roughly what the measurements are? The website is lacking in this area.
 
SpookeyPistolero,

It is roughly the size of the standard USGI Buttpack. I don't recall of the top of my head but I do remember it being somewhere in the range of 800 to 1000 Cubic inches. I'm sorry I don't know the exact size. I'll keep searching.

I carry the buttpack like this. I bought some standard 2" flat webbing for a sling and rigged it up with some plastic hardware. You could use 2" tubular if you want, cut a strip of closed foam for internal padding and with some stitching and you're good to go.

16-1.jpg


Again, sorry for not providing exact details of the bag but here is an older picture of what it can carry. I've since added/dropped some gear from the pack.

med_1168311454-daypack_resized_2.jpg
 
That's very helpful! Thanks much. That looks a lot like what I've been looking for. I found a cheap model at campingsurvival that I might try out before buying the real deal. It looks like it may not have the size that yours has, though.

Thanks again-
 
k_estela said:
Troutfisher,

There were numerous Fox Rivers on the trip. I have carried that Fox River with the green and black lanyard for well over a year on the Jack Mountain Bushcraft Bushcraft weekend course, the WLC week long Basic Survival Course, extended winter camping trips and as a seasonal kayaking and canoeing guide all of last summer. Regardless of the situation it has never failed me. It is hands down one of the finest 4" fixed blades you can carry in the woods. The convex edge and blade geometry make quick work of any cutting task. I carry 600 and 400 grit wet/dry sandpaper and occasionally strop it to keep it hair popping sharp. I've battoned with it, cleaned fish and constructed many bushcraft tasks with it too. It is always with me and unlike many large belt knives, it rarely gets noticed until I need it. The spine is close to 90 degrees and throws a wicked spark from a Ferro rod. The extended lanyard serves a purpose too. The knot placement allows me to hold the lanyard and just the butt of the knife and use it for light chopping. It also "locks" the knife in place when tucked in your belt. Bottom line, it is a practical woods knife that checks the macho/ninja/arm chair commando b.s. at the door.

On a side note, Marty, the school owner and head instructor, found the Fox River to be the only knife he would consider putting the school logo on. His knife is even more used than mine and his blade shows signs of repeated stroppings and continual use for over 3 years now.
Click to expand...


Thanks!:thumbup:
 
Can somebody help me out with the different knives here?

HPIM0657.jpg
 
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