The boooshcraft thread

[VincentVega]

Interesting stuff. I dont quite get much of the bushcraft stuff but there are lots of good tips in there. I've been looking for a way to split small chunks of wood for kindling and found a few option in this thread, thanks!

In most of the western US campfires are a no go, and have been for a while due to drought conditions!

I found a fire to be too much work and mess but nice if going out for a night or two when you want to roast marshmallows. If practice for the zombie apocalypse thats another thing I guess.

[Geronimo '74]

Not a fan of Mora knives because they don't have a full tang. Probably not relevant if they are only used for finer work. Another thing i don't like about them is the righthanded only sheaths... I am a leftypaw.
They are razor sharp though!
And they have a very good rep.

[vash]

Originally Posted by Geronimo '74

Not a fan of Mora knives because they don't have a full tang. Probably not relevant if they are only used for finer work. Another thing i don't like about them is the righthanded only sheaths... I am a leftypaw.

They are razor sharp though!

And they have a very good rep.

I get it. But honestly I cannot imagine any knife work where my hands can fail the 2/3rd tang. Butchering the deer, I put the blade into the rectum and tried to lift. I hoped to pop thru the pelvic bone to remove the entrails easily. I was not strong enough. Next time I will add leverage and try to pry thru. I watched a rancher kid do it to a hog with a buck knife. It blew me away. I'm willing to try with such a cheap knife.

The sheath is goofy. But it washed easy. I jammed a rag in with a chopstick to clean out blood. I am cutting off the belt hook to save weight .

[futuresoptions]

The Mora knives are awesome. Probably one of the best all round knives for hunters. Great for cleaning animals and for work around the camp kitchen. If you really value your Mora and hate the dinky sheath that comes with it, there are several folks out there who will make you a custom kydex or leather sheath for them on eBay etc... even for lefties

[futuresoptions]

There was someone making a copy of a Mora knife. Can't remember who it was, I know that I was all set to purchase one but never did. It was about 3 times larger than a normal Mora. I will have to try and remember who it was...


I found it, it is a Buck Nighthawk. Here is one similar to the one I was going to purchase except the one I was going to get had an olive drab handle insert.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VTG-1994-Buck-650-Nighthawk-NAVY-SEAL-Black-Oxide-Finish-Orig-Sheath-MINT-/151402113998?pt=Collectible_Knives&hash=item234044ebce

Seems like the newer models of the Nighthawk have changed a little over the years.

[Geronimo '74]

I am still looking for a smaller knife to use next to my bulky bk2...
I know mora makes really good (and cheap) knives so maybe i should consider buying one.

Does the buck nighthawk use the same steel as the moras?

[vash]

Woodbesr.knives makes a great amped up mora

[LWJ]

I dig my Mora. Cheap. Sharp. Done.

I like my pack. A Northface 60 liter I think that I got 2nd hand on Craigslist for $50 or so. Last time I backpacked (It was Summer) - I slept under a tarp. My sleeping bag is poor but that is easy to fix. Some other stuff I like? Water filter - MSR. Camp Stove - Some $6 cheapo from Amazon. Amazing. Also LifeStraw is cool. Shoes? Keen makes very comfy, strong, waterproof shoes. They look odd but my whole family wears them. (No affiliation)

To Geronimo, have fun! I strongly recommend the Tom Brown books. That breathes Bushcraft.

Larry

[jyl]

Don't forget the video game console.

[LWJ]

Good point. Smartphone with Skytracker app. Essential!

[vash]

wood bear knives.

amped up "mora" IMHO...just dont know if it is $143 better than a Mora. the sheath is better for sure!!

[Geronimo '74]

Thats a nice blade but the cheaper Mora is only about 7 USD over here, so for that price it'll have to be a lot better....
(the handles are very nice!)


good tip on the skyracker app! but it feels counter intuitive. For me bushcraft is all about going back to basics. But I agree some electronica or battery operated stuff like a flaslight would make bushcrafting even more comfortable.
(I see bushcraft as the more comfy brother of survival, so some level of comfort may be maintained)


EDIT:
I just checked out the Wood Bear Knives site. Some really knives there!!!

[vash]

Originally Posted by Geronimo '74

EDIT:
I just checked out the Wood Bear Knives site. Some really knives there!!!

sorry...my wife catches me there always..at some point, she would be happier finding me surfing porn. hahaha.

for skills in the woods..i need to get one of those flint stick things for starting fires. a nice carbon steel knife with a angular spine would be great for using with it. the Mora is kinda rough on the spine side.

[LWJ]

My "skytracker" comment. That was sarcasm in response to JYL. It is a cool app however.

Larry

[GH85Carrera]

[Buckterrier]

Looks like this has turned into a knife thread. I'm going back to the OP's original title, (but include a knife haha).
I took a survival class this past May. It wasn't a military type school but a native american style school and was a week long. It was one of the best experiences of my life. Something that stuck out, among many was the rule that says everything you carry should have a duel purpose... A poncho that doubles as a tarp, a compass that doubles as a reflector to signal and so on.
Another thing learned is cordage can save your life. You can make traps with it, shelter with it, on & on. 50' is good 100' better.
And yes a good knife is all encompassing. Mine has at least five purposes. I can carve with it, like making traps, I can baton with it and I can also lash it to a limb to make a spear, and maybe most importantly it's made of carbon steel so I can use it to start a fire in an emergency. and of course defend myself with it.
And Geronimo, we were asked the first day to list our top five items to carry. None of us had an axe on our list but it was the instructor's #1 item to have. So good choice.
Here is my booshcraft knife...



And if I may be so bold as to give the place a plug. It is called the Midwest Native Skills Institute

http://www.survivalschool.com/

[Hydrocket]

I too have moved away from an axe. I now use an Ontario Knife Company SP8 machete.

It's a very useful piece of kit...and is pretty much indestructible. Blade itself is 1/4" thick!

FWIW, I also considered the Becker BK3

[Geronimo '74]

Mark, great that you had such a great time. That is what I am aiming for.
I did quite a bit of reading already and I knew a good knife an axe are essential, or at least very useful things to have.

Hydroket, I'm digging the machete. Looks like a good replacement for an axe.
The BK 3 is one tool in the becker line up that I have lixed feelings about. (It is a chisel grind, which I think is weird.)

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

Oh the the huge manatee!

Or no refrigerator in the room!

And the microwave... how do you guys pack a microwave into the backwoods?

[futuresoptions]

If any of you guys are looking for a classy knife that holds a good edge, I would like to recommend the Rite Edge Wilderness Hunter. For the price, you will not find a better knife. I guarantee that if you purchase one, that you will be so impressed that you will purchase more of them.

8 3 4" Wilderness Hunter Knife Rite Edge 210500 | eBay