Winter Camping Trip Feb. 16-18, 2008 with the Wilderness Learning Center

That is one of Marty's. I'll try and find out for you next time we talk.
 
Kev,


That's right I forgot that you'll be away the PEACE weekend. Either way, if we can't do a wilderness trip before PEACE, we're both in CT, so we can go shooting and grab ab beer afterward.
 
k estela, How did the Eswing sportsman's ax fair? Did the lower portion of the handle, the rubber part inhibit the motion for chopping since it is raised higher than the metal shaft protion-- Like if one were to use a full swing holding the ax then sliding the hand back to the handle. Or did the rubber handle help at all? I recently bought one but have not had a chance to seriously use it. It did however make short work of my old Christmas tree. I noticed it may inhibit the formentioned way of swinging an ax but like I said I have not used it real hard yet. Thanks Kev.
 
The sportsman's axe handled well but it wasn't everyone's favorite. Everyone commented the vibration felt was the most severe with it probably because of the one piece head and shaft. The rubberized grip wasn't too much of a hinderance but it did have a different feel to it than the al wood handles. This being said, the Estwing was able to split sections of wood fine. It didn't have the weight of the other axes but it held its own for the use it got. It is not a felling axe by any means and is better suited for limbing which requires a different swing than a splitter or felling axe.

I personally don't like this particular model. I do like Estwing's stacked leather hatchets though. I've always thought they were attractive even though they aren't known for edge holding ability.
 
Thanks Kevin. I used mind for limbing the branches and I felt it would be akward to use for say felling a tree. But if it did alright for splitting sections of wood I guess it would work for me. Anyway it is already bought:)
 
ajcz,
That pot you asked about came from Campmor many years ago. It is about a 2-1/2 gallon pot. It came as a set with about 8 nesting pots and lids inside. It makes a great water pot. We keep a pot of melted snow (water) going all the time during our winter trips for what ever anyone needs water for.
Oldman/Marty Simon
 
Brian,
I would like to add one thing to what Kevin said, the highlight of every trip is the camp comraderie. You can't find a better bunch of friends and in the future we would like to add some bladeforum guys to the group.
Oldman/Marty Simon
 
k_estela said:
The sportsman's axe handled well but it wasn't everyone's favorite. Everyone commented the vibration felt was the most severe with it probably because of the one piece head and shaft.
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I've always been skeptical of those sort of full tang so to speak hatchets. Having played a lot with khukuris I find on extended chopping that full tang wears my arm and gets my carpal tunnel going really bad.:rolleyes:
 
Brian Jones said:
Kevin,

Unfortunately, this flu had gotten the best of me - a little relapse over the weekend confirmed for me that it was best to stay home and finish recuperating. Today is the first day I feel my full energy again. This particular bug seemed to be hitting everyone else the same way. If the trip was this coming weekend, I'd be set! I'll see you guys at the PEACE gahtering though. If you're going up that way meantime and want a carpool mate, let me know.
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I had a flue shot this year and ended up getting sick first of Jan. I never had anything hold on so long and my bronchial tubes are still recovering and I'll cough like up in the barn carrying hay around snd stuff.

I was really bummed because I used to never get a flue shot and got sick all the time. Then I hadn't got sick once since I got the flue shot.

However I read an article where the strains they used in the flu shot this year weren't the ones that were circulating. Explains why both the wife and I got sick I guess:confused:
 
That looks like SO much fun! (Even though it looks damn cold!) I keep meaning to rent a pair of snowshoes to see how they work, I've always been interested in them. Nice collection of knives in that pic, I notice a pattern there ;)
 
Kev/Marty sure missed being with you guys and the rest of the "crew". :thumbup:
Scott
 
oldman/Marty said:
ajcz,
That pot you asked about came from Campmor many years ago. It is about a 2-1/2 gallon pot. It came as a set with about 8 nesting pots and lids inside. It makes a great water pot. We keep a pot of melted snow (water) going all the time during our winter trips for what ever anyone needs water for.
Oldman/Marty Simon
Click to expand...

thanks it just looks like a good pot plus i like nesting things
 
Gossman Knives said:
Kev/Marty sure missed being with you guys and the rest of the "crew". :thumbup:
Scott
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Scott,
You were also missed my friend. Wish I could get you and Ed to move up here so we could go camping more often. Ground Zero on the Hoods forum is planning a trip in Va in May that we are going to, ask your wife if you can go to.
Oldman/Marty
 
Marty, if we all lived close, that's about all that would get done. With some hunting and shooting in for good measure. As soon as the details of GZ's trip are known I'll see about heading down, can't be more than a couple hrs. for us. Take care, Ed.
 
oldman/Marty said:
Brian,
I would like to add one thing to what Kevin said, the highlight of every trip is the camp comraderie. You can't find a better bunch of friends and in the future we would like to add some bladeforum guys to the group.
Oldman/Marty Simon
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Marty and Kevin,

Thanks - I'm looking forward to when I can share a fire with you guys.

I'm going to look into the Va thing in May. Scott, if your wife won't let you go, we'll arrange a kidnapping, and you can ride down with me. Just blame me for being taken "against your will." :D

We'll throw some dust on you when we return you so she's sure you got roughed up and did NOT enjoy yourself in any way, shape, or form. :D
 
ground zero was telling me about that trip when he was at the shop picking up his Kephart. :thumbup:
Scott
 
This trip as on all others was a blast! As Kevin noted the weather did what it wanted to do but it's hard to dampen the high spirits, camaraderie, opportunity to share and practice skills, the natural beauty, the sheer enjoyment of being out there, the stories, the antics....I could go on.

A recurrent topic was how people in our lives would comment; "you're crazy" or "Are you sure you want to do this?" Well, despite little shivering when I first got in my bag, some boot stomping that first night, ....and having to use hot water to separate our hands from the exposed tangs of our knives ;), the reasons kept making themselves clear, to us at least. An unforgettable experience. The thing is to get out there and do it. You need not be an expert, I'm not, but it does help to educate yourself as much as possible and to go with people who know what they're doing. You don't need the best gear; I used a Coleman Peak 1 40º bag inside an EMS 30º bag and that worked just fine.

BTW I don't know how Kev managed to photoshop this picture but this is how he really started that fire:
100_0274.jpg
 
Diamond Dog said:
k estela, How did the Eswing sportsman's ax fair? Did the lower portion of the handle, the rubber part inhibit the motion for chopping since it is raised higher than the metal shaft portion-- Like if one were to use a full swing holding the ax then sliding the hand back to the handle. Or did the rubber handle help at all? I recently bought one but have not had a chance to seriously use it. It did however make short work of my old Christmas tree. I noticed it may inhibit the aforementioned way of swinging an ax but like I said I have not used it real hard yet. Thanks Kev.
Click to expand...

I brought the Estwing. On the hard plum it transferred a LOT of vibration to my hands, but it bit well and the edge suffered no damage. Splitting was a breeze. It doesn't have the heft of other axes in this size range but it's relative light weight and length made it quite easy to power it through your swing and had enough leverage for fast chops without much fatigue. For me the selling point was that it is easy to carry, not weighing that much more than a hatchet. I do think I have to loosen my grip a bit with this one so as not to end up with swollen hands, but with the very grippy rubber handle that might work out.
 
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