After dealing with the boy (lit fires inside school twice (that they know of) in the last few days....long story, its gonna involve a child psychologist at some point) today i had to get OUT of the house and into my happy place.
In other words knives and woods time! my GF's daughter (12) asked if she could come and build "a fort". I replied, "of course!"
so i loaded up the Kifaru G2 E&E pack with the FAK, knives, camera, fire kit, water etc and we headed out.
we went to the North Shore (BC Canada) mountains and tramped into the woods.
I found a suitable spot for building a shelter and we began by selecting a stout ridge pole. After that it was nothing but gathering material for the "A" frame style walls. Once again, i must highlight WHY a tarp or garbage bag or tent is SO important here on the WET Coast of BC........1 minute setup VS over 3+ hours for the debris shelter.......
that aside, the GF's daughter had a BLAST! she played with all the knives, asked LOTS of questions, got to light a fire with the RAT/ESEE firesteel, fatwood, and got to warm up inside the shelter.
A couple of times, hikers would wander by.......curious about what we were doing, yet hesitant, because of the knives strapped to me and my tomahawk in my hand. One older gent and dog, walked by and we said hello, he said hello, and then said "my god its good to see woods skills passed down to children, its so rare nowadays. Good for you Sir" he said to me. Did not blink an eye at the SOG Fast Hawk, nor the knives. Just a nod of approval.
We sorta 75% finished the shelter, it needs MUCH MORE insulation and a final covering of cedar boughs to shed rain. That being said, it was an EXCELLENT start for her, and she said (after we put a little fatwood fire in front of the shelter) how warm it was. Needs more insulation on the gorund, and another foot of roofing stuff, but it was a great start.
I had the following knives with me: Spyderco Buschcraft, ZT0121, German issue SAK, Kabar PHAT BOB folder, Kershaw "needs work", BECKER/KABAR "eskabar" and my SOG Fast Hawk. I also had a ESEE firesteel , WETFIRE TINDER and a ton of fatwood in my pack.
I will do a separate review on the knives later on. All i will say is the blades i had with me performed beyond my expectations. every time i use some of tose blades, i am in awe of how well they work.
The girl had a lot of fun today, she is more woodsy than her pyromaniac brother. I see GREAT potential in her for future woods lessons. She is definitely getting a woods kit and blade from me in the next few months.
PICS are still loading, sorry....please be patient
In other words knives and woods time! my GF's daughter (12) asked if she could come and build "a fort". I replied, "of course!"
so i loaded up the Kifaru G2 E&E pack with the FAK, knives, camera, fire kit, water etc and we headed out.
we went to the North Shore (BC Canada) mountains and tramped into the woods.
I found a suitable spot for building a shelter and we began by selecting a stout ridge pole. After that it was nothing but gathering material for the "A" frame style walls. Once again, i must highlight WHY a tarp or garbage bag or tent is SO important here on the WET Coast of BC........1 minute setup VS over 3+ hours for the debris shelter.......
that aside, the GF's daughter had a BLAST! she played with all the knives, asked LOTS of questions, got to light a fire with the RAT/ESEE firesteel, fatwood, and got to warm up inside the shelter.
A couple of times, hikers would wander by.......curious about what we were doing, yet hesitant, because of the knives strapped to me and my tomahawk in my hand. One older gent and dog, walked by and we said hello, he said hello, and then said "my god its good to see woods skills passed down to children, its so rare nowadays. Good for you Sir" he said to me. Did not blink an eye at the SOG Fast Hawk, nor the knives. Just a nod of approval.
We sorta 75% finished the shelter, it needs MUCH MORE insulation and a final covering of cedar boughs to shed rain. That being said, it was an EXCELLENT start for her, and she said (after we put a little fatwood fire in front of the shelter) how warm it was. Needs more insulation on the gorund, and another foot of roofing stuff, but it was a great start.
I had the following knives with me: Spyderco Buschcraft, ZT0121, German issue SAK, Kabar PHAT BOB folder, Kershaw "needs work", BECKER/KABAR "eskabar" and my SOG Fast Hawk. I also had a ESEE firesteel , WETFIRE TINDER and a ton of fatwood in my pack.
I will do a separate review on the knives later on. All i will say is the blades i had with me performed beyond my expectations. every time i use some of tose blades, i am in awe of how well they work.
The girl had a lot of fun today, she is more woodsy than her pyromaniac brother. I see GREAT potential in her for future woods lessons. She is definitely getting a woods kit and blade from me in the next few months.
PICS are still loading, sorry....please be patient
