Back Acres: Backpacking Tools that Would be Difficult to Create in the Woods
When going Backpacking or Bush-crafting in the woodlands, it's important to have the right tools. One of those tools is a strong knife for tasks like wood processing, tool making, and animal cleaning for food if necessary. It is important to have a strong primary blade tool, one that will never fail you when used and maintained properly.
A Full Tang knife is one where the blade steel extends down to the bottom of the handle - it's much stronger and less prone to failure from misuse. Steel type is also important. Many stainless steel tools can break. A stronger steel like 1095 steel when pushed too hard may bend a little, but it won't break.
It is important to learn how to properly handle and operate any tool before you use it - for the well being of You and the Tool.
In the picture below is a collection of 1095 Steel Tools.
From top to bottom is a machete, an Old Hickory chef knife, and an Ontario Knife Company Rat-3. You can see on the machete where I filed down the handle for a more comfortable grip. If I had to pick One of these tools for backpacking or bush-crafting it would be the Rat-3. A tough and stout tool like that would do well at most of the larger tasks like baton wood splitting, and at the smaller tasks like fine wood carving and cleaning animals if necessary. The larger 1095 tools I would find more difficult to use for the smaller tasks.
Another tool I've found useful for backpacking, bush-crafting, and home landscaping is the Folding Saw.
The Folding Saw is very lightweight, much lighter than an axe for backpacking. An axe also takes a lot of energy to swing, but it's usefulness would ultimately come down to your location and preference. This folding saw cuts through 3+ inch soft wood branches like butter. In the picture above you can see the Juniper branch stain on the saw from this past summer's landscaping. In the woods the folding saw would be great for building shelters and processing firewood.
In the picture below you can see the Rat-3 and his folding little brothers - the Rat-1 and the Rat-2.
The Rat-1 and Rat-2 are made with AUS-8 Steel, it's not as tough as 1095 steel, but can be sharpened razor sharp and holds that edge well. If I had one of these folding tools in my pocket while heading off into the woods, and could only pick one of the 1095 steel tools from the top photo to go with me, then it would be the Machete. The pocket tool would be used for the smaller tasks, the machete would excel at the larger ones.
No matter what the tool is, if you know it's limitations and how to properly use it, you and the tool can accomplish many tasks.
Click the picture below to watch a previous Video demonstration of using a baton to process firewood with the 1095 Chef Knife:
Be sure you know your local knife laws.
You may find a previous post about my pocket Every Day Carry items interesting:
We always have this Gransfors Bruk small forest axe with us when we go out, whether we go out in the truck, quad, argo, boat or even just snowshoeing!
Its Jays Favorite! 😆
That's awesome, I was looking into Gransfors Bruk axes when I was putting together my kit. I was torn between the camp axe or machete. If I had transport or plans to setup a long term camp, I would be definitely grabbing an axe.
My favourite knife is a short skinning knife. The bend in the blade and the curve is perfect for my hand
Hi @jackdub, that little Rat -3 looks nice. I'm vague on UK law so I only take a feeble folding pocket knife to the woods which is very limited indeed. My folding saw looks similar to yours though, it makes short work of small branches :)
Anyhoo, great post @jackdub
Ghost Of Egg(Meister)
I added a note about knowing local laws (too many discaimers in my posts to keep track of :) Do you ever watch MCQ Bushcraft on Youtube? One of my favorites, he's from the UK .. better safe than sorry, but this is his take on UK knife laws..
Cheers @jackdub, yeah I've seen a few of Mike's videos. I especially like his 'bow drill' & 'fruit leather' videos.
Thanks,
Ghost Of Egg.
As a follower of @followforupvotes this post has been randomly selected and upvoted! Enjoy your upvote and have a great day!
USA knife laws vary from state to state .. here is someone's take on Canada knife laws...