This was my first go-round using Dymondwood as a grip material. Frankly, I don't like it very much. It's going to be real wood or Micarta for me from here on out.
Sure Grip Skinner
This was my first go-round using Dymondwood as a grip material. Frankly, I don't like it very much. It's going to be real wood or Micarta for me from here on out.
Thoughts on Survival and Cultural Morality
Frequently, the terms bushcraft and survival cross paths. There are some fine, legitimate differences that distinguish the two terms from each other, but being interested in both, I see a lot of common ground. Many bushcraft skills originated as means of survival. Many folks who are into survival are really practicing bushcraft until they are actually doing it to save their lives. The Cherokee were absolute experts on their environment here in this part of the southeast. They had succeeded in surviving to the point where their existence was not a pure quest for calories. They were able to pursue art, religion, education, medicine - marks of a developed culture. From my reading, I understand that they were not particularly violent. They did have conflicts with other surrounding tribes, and later with settlers, but they were not a raiding, warlike tribe.
It is my belief that most people are supportive of defensive warrior behavior. Like the Cherokee, nearly all of my friends support defending what belongs to you, whether it be property, possession, life, or family. Pretty standard stuff. That said, other tribes did not follow the Cherokee set of rules. Particularly the plains tribes engaged in frequent conflict for reasons that were logical, but not at all defensive. Their motivation was generally regarding territory, which allowed access to food and natural resources they needed. For a tribe to grow from dozens to hundreds, more resources needed to be immediately available to sustain a people with little trade ability. No one was giving those resources away, so they had to be taken.
So you have made it this far down my train of thought; we're getting to the point. Bushcraft aside, many folks who have an interest in survival find an interest in disaster preparedness, home defense, bugging out, urban or rural self reliance, and a very long list of other skills to prepare themselves for eventual societal collapse. After all, history tells us that societies don't last forever. Now, the actual point: History and primitive people groups have repeatedly shown us that the warlike tribal model, while not inevitable, is an effective survival strategy. In it's simplest form, it multiplies the chances of surviving alone through defense and by pooling skills, labor, and resources. However, as I read, I rarely see people suggest that this [forming a group and taking what belongs to others by force when the time comes that you need it] is a morally allowable survival strategy. Why? Are we more moral now that people used to be?
I can see a few different reasons why this might not be a person's plan for survival:
- First, many people would have religious compunctions that would keep them from the behaviors that would go along with this. Interestingly, those restrictions should have also restrained the Spanish in South America during it's exploration, but failed to do so. Maybe the religious beliefs that had made sense in Spain no longer held their grip or seemed as important in the jungle on their own, where the rules were tribal rather than governmental.
- While they may not hold to a set of strict religious beliefs, many people also have a moral code that would also compel them not to harm others for their own survival.
- Some may simply not have thought of the option or possibility. If a collapse scenarios happens, history provides a pretty solid statement that gangs/tribes/clans will form.
More BK14 Options
Knife of Choice: Becker BK14 'Eskabar'
Project: Custom horizontal sheath
Materials: Leather, kydex, chicago screws
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| This picture serves no actual informative purpose. I just think the effect is cool! |
Intro to Trip Planning
Having been work or homebound almost entirely for the past few weeks, I've had some indoor time to jot down a few organized thoughts regarding planning and preparation for outdoor excursions. It's a fact that I have been on trips before where the planning and anticipation was more fun that the trip itself turned out to be. I'd be lying if I said the thought had never crossed my mind, probably in the woods during some cold rain, 'Why do I like this? I should come up with some more modern interests! How is voluntarily standing here soaked and freezing satisfying, you sadist?' But then you get home hours or days later, finally dry off, and the memory begins it's transformation into an enjoyable memory of triumph over hardship. Good times...
For my own trips, I have identified the categories that require the most planning for me. This bit of planning helps me in ways that are as diverse as remembering toilet paper all the way to the other end of the spectrum, such as reviewing a topo map first to be sure there is not an enormous bog right in the middle of my route. (Be sure, both these things have happened more than once.) The use of my planning method is easy. It is composed of categorized lists and questions to help me cover my bases and ease up on my memory, which as I said, has failed me before.
Pack Contents - Living down here in the southeast, my winter vs. summer backpacking setup varies surprisingly little. Those of you that live in more severe climates will probably have more diversity in your seasonal gear.
For my own trips, I have identified the categories that require the most planning for me. This bit of planning helps me in ways that are as diverse as remembering toilet paper all the way to the other end of the spectrum, such as reviewing a topo map first to be sure there is not an enormous bog right in the middle of my route. (Be sure, both these things have happened more than once.) The use of my planning method is easy. It is composed of categorized lists and questions to help me cover my bases and ease up on my memory, which as I said, has failed me before.
Pack Contents - Living down here in the southeast, my winter vs. summer backpacking setup varies surprisingly little. Those of you that live in more severe climates will probably have more diversity in your seasonal gear.
- Sleeping bag - insulated 20° bag for fall/winter, fleece bag liner for late spring/summer
- Hammock
- Hammock suspension components
- Tarp
- Tarp suspension components
- 2 tent stakes
- 100' paracord
- Fixed blade knife
- Folding knife
- Small whetstone
- Headlamp
- Purell
- Pre-packed First Aid Kit
- Lighter and matches
- Trioxane
- Spork
- Small metal pot
- Extra batteries
- Toilet paper
- Toothbrush
- Compass
- Map of the area
- Cell phone
- Water purification tablets/method
- Gatorade powder
- Gloves
- Bandana
- Two pairs of pants
- Two shirts
- Enough socks to wear two different pair each day. I hike in very wet regions. If you're an optimist, maybe you can cut back the number of socks and hope you can dry out and reuse a pair at some point. I don't like to gamble with my foot comfort!
- Primary hiking shoes
- Camp shoes, usually cheap flip flops
- Hoodie or fleece (winter/fall)
- Thin, rain repellant jacket
- Wool hat (winter)
- Hat
- Camera
- Two water bottles, full at start
- Food
- Trash bags
- Navigation: How familiar am I with the area, and how detailed have I been with determining and documenting the route being hiked? Is the map sufficiently detailed and scaled to navigate with, should I find myself off the trail I want to be on? Particularly with routes, planning beforehand is truly helpful. Reviewing road, topo, trail, and satellite maps are all good ways to be sure you know what you are going to be encountering along the way. Google maps is great and offers all of those map types online and printable. I wouldn't navigate from a Google map, but I would certainly reference it to look for landmarks I will be running into along the way. Also a factor in navigation will be your physical fitness. Especially for beginners, don't overestimate the amount of terrain you will cover or the grade you are comfortable with.
- Self defense: Make your own custom plan, but don't forget to think about it.
- Check the weather forecast before you leave.
- Vehicle: Where am I going to park my truck? Most parks are good about having designated areas to park. Non-managed areas, not always so. Also, it is hard to tell from a map just how passable a road may be. Soooo, if you are way back in the woods, roadside assistance may not be much good if you have a flat, break down, etc. out there.
- Food and water: Have I brought enough? Bring food that doesn't spoil and is going to give you energy. If your plan is to purify water as you go, be sure that your route includes adequate access to water. It seems like common sense, but you'd be surprised just how dry the woods can seem when you forgot to plan the water intervals often enough. I bring two water bottles generally, and am cautious enough to the point where I hesitate to start on drinking the second bottle until I have re-filled and begun treatment on the first.
- SAR: Does someone know the route I am taking? That way, if I get lost, SAR will know where to look.
Self Reliance Illustrated Free Issues
Self Reliance Illustrated has made their past issues temporarily available for download for free at the Self Reliance Illustrated website.
Great magazine with lots of guest articles and relevant topics. I believe this offer is good through Christmas.
Click here for past and current issue available for download/purchase.
Great magazine with lots of guest articles and relevant topics. I believe this offer is good through Christmas.
Click here for past and current issue available for download/purchase.
Fur Trapping
This video is the introduction to an informative series on fur trapping by Ozark Mountain Preparedness. Check out the set of videos here:
I'd really like to practice and learn some of the techniques in this series, but apparently trapping is pretty restricted here in Georgia. At least out my direction, it seems to be an almost extinct skill/livelihood.
Rifle Buttstock Cover
As some know, my second son was born almost two weeks ago. Both wife and son are healthy and happy! He is a very laid back little guy so far, and we are blessed to have had an easy transition bringing him back home.
So my outdoor time has diminished for a bit with this little addition, but I have had some time to do a touch of leather work in the evenings.
There are some absolutely amazing leather buttstock covers out there. Especially the ones by 7X Leather offered an ideal to me when trying to come up with a homemade design. I made two attempts at the project using some of the leather pieces from other projects - one with cartridge loops and the second one without. I am quite pleased with the way the second one came out. I have multiple good patterns now from this and other projects, and have finally decided to invest in a some real leather-working tools for sheaths and side projects like this.
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| First design with no cartridge loops |
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| Second design with cartridge loops, a lighter stain, shorter sleeve, and rounded corners. |
Winchester 94
Picked this up today - a Winchester lever action 30-30. I have big plans for a restore job, but meanwhile, it's good to have a lever once again!
Double Tatted Bar
The double tatted bar is another easy, interesting series of knots that can be used to make the now popular "survival bracelet." This one doesn't require as much paracord, so it probably isn't as practical as a cobra stitched one should you need to untie and use the cord, but it still makes for an interesting and useful pattern.
Figure 2498, Double Tatted Bar:
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