QuickHatch Knives – The Knifemakers Series
In this first installment of the Knifemakers From Around the World series, we’ll be spending some time talking with Brenton Good of QuickHatch Knives. He is a custom knifemaker out of Temecula, California specializing in handcrafted bushcraft knives. So without further adieu, let me introduce you…
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Knifemakers From Around the World
My goal for this series is to meet and talk with artisans of all kinds from bladesmiths to custom knifemakers, and related craftsmen including makers of hand-crafted sheaths and custom scales from every corner of the world. It is my hope to delve into the minds and methods of each artist as they tell their story and explore why they do what they do. Each article will show a brief glimpse into their shops, the tools of the trade, and of course some of their favorite wares…
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Schrade SCHF51 and SCHF51M Knives Reviewed
New for 2016, Schrade has just released their much anticipated SCHF51 and SCHF51M Frontier fixed-blade knives with a design profile based on their highly regarded SCHF36 that won Blade Magazine’s People’s Choice of the Year in 2015. Today I’ll be putting both of these new blades through a series of basic bushcraft tests, so let’s get on with it and see how well they fare…
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Survivor Filter Personal Water Filter Reviewed
When it comes to emergency preparedness for survival in both outdoor and urban environments, one of the most important things to consider is hydration. Clean potable water is vital to our survival, but it is not always available in an emergency situation. We may need to look to unsafe sources for that water. Today, I’ll be looking at the Survivor Filter personal water filter to see how well it can fill that need…
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GSI Outdoors Glacier Stainless Cookset Reviewed
Any good long-term survival plan considers a way to boil water and cook food. But when you think of outdoor cookware, the lightweight packable variety is probably at the top of the list. Cookware capable of sustaining a medium to large-sized family may or may not have been a consideration, unless you’ve camped out of the back of a car before. Today, I’ll be looking at the Glacier Stainless Cookset MD from GSI Outdoors to see if it would fill that niche. So let’s see how well it holds up…
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Bushcraft Essentials Bushbox Stove Set Reviewed
There are many compact multi-fuel stoves to choose from these days. Some are known to take up a lot of space in your pack, while others can be stored inside a small pot, or further broken down into a small packable kit that can easily fit inside a cargo pocket. Today, I’ll be going over the Bushbox Stove Set from Bushcraft Essentials. Read on and enjoy…
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People Socks Merino Wool Socks Reviewed
When it comes to survival footwear, some people often put a lot of thought into their boots, but do they put as much thought into their socks? Probably not if they are wearing cotton. Wool socks have a lot of advantages over cotton, especially on multi-day trips. Today I’ll be looking at Below Zero Merino Wool Socks made by People Socks, so let’s dig in…
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Condor CTK242-8 Primitive Bush Knife Reviewed
I am a big fan of Matt Graham and have been for some time. His primitive survival skills and profound connection with the land have always impressed me. I saw a video of Matt using his custom bush knife a while ago and I was blown away. He was using it like a hand drill to bore a divot in a fireboard, and then I saw him in another video boring a small hole in some kind of gourd or bamboo shoot. I’ve never seen anyone use a bush knife so gracefully before…
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Ribz Front Pack Reviewed
The concept of a front-accessible pack is nothing new, and some manufacturers have taken them to the next level. Over the last few months I’ve had the opportunity to try out the RIBZ Front Pack and integrate it into my gear rotation. Now that I’ve spent some time using it, I am finally ready to share my experience…
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Schrade SCAXE10 Hatchet Reviewed
I’ve been pretty happy with the quality and performance of Schrade’s SCAXE2 Survival Hatchet and SCAXE2L Survival Axe, each perfect for budget-strapped campers, preppers and survivalists who need a small hatchet or hand axe for processing wood. Then Schrade let me take their upcoming full-tang hatchet, the SCAXE10 for a spin…
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Hennessy Hammock Jungle Explorer Zip Reviewed
The popularity of hammock camping has really grown rapidly over the years. Especially with the advancements in durable lightweight materials. You just need some sizable trees capable of supporting the weight of a hammock and you’re good to go. Today, I’ll be going over the Jungle Explorer Zip from Hennessy Hammocks. They were designed with some of the buggiest jungles on the planet in mind, so let’s have a closer look…
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Endless Sun Solar Apollo 6 USB Solar Charger Revie...
With all of the electronics out there, there will always be a need for an efficient and cost effective method of providing renewable power in the field to run our flashlights, communication and navigation devices, GoPros, and even small tablets for reading and entertainment. Today, I’ll be looking at the Apollo 6 USB Solar Charger from Endless Sun Solar and reviewing its capabilities. So let’s dig in…
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Kurgo Baxter Dog Backpack Reviewed
When it comes to survival when SHTF, many consider planning for bugging out. However, what do you do with your dog? Alternatively, if you take your dog on trails, hunting, or just on long walks, who carries what they might need in an emergency? Just like you, your dog needs an EDC too. Today, we’ll be looking at the Baxter Dog Backpack from Kurgo…
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ThorFire LED Camp Lantern Reviewed
There are many LED camp lanterns and work lights available today, each with different features and functionality that set them apart. Today, I’ll be looking at the rechargeable LED Camp Lantern from ThorFire designed with some features that would be very attractive to preppers and those living off the grid. So let’s dig in…
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StoveTec Biomass Cookstove and Super Pot Reviewed
Lightweight packable stoves have always been an interest of mine not only for backpacking, but also for bugging out. But what about bugging-in when the gas is out or no longer available? Today I’ll be taking a look at the Biomass Cookstove and Super Pot from StoveTec to fill that need. So let’s check it out…
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Lightning Strike and Lightning Strike Mini Reviewe...
There is a plethora of fire starters available these days with a huge disparity between them and how well they work. None of them are perfect for everyone in every instance. Today I’ll be looking at the Lightning Strike and Lightning Strike Mini from Darrell Holland Shooting Supplies. What is it and why would you want one? Let’s find out…
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Fenix UC35 Flashlight Reviewed
In my EDC, I always carry at least three lights. Two of them are usually small twist-on LEDs lashed to zippers, but the third and primary light is always something with a much higher lumen rating. I recently came across the Fenix UC35 flashlight which has a USB charging interface so it can easily be recharged anytime, anywhere. Working in offices and data centers, this was quite appealing to me so I had to have a closer look. Is it EDC capable? Let’s find out…
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