Category : survival skills

Knife Recommendation

Asked in an email to Red Elk:

What length knife recommend, longer than 4″ blade?

Red Elk’s Response:

Sis, most states (all?) have a LENGTH law…as well as a TYPE law.  ASK A POLICE OFFICER of Merrit.  Or search the internet on yours and STATES YOU MAY BE GOING TO.  This INCLUDES States you’ll need  to go THROUGH to get to your “goal” state.
Here, 9 inch blade is the limit…and no Switch blade types.
My preference WOULD be a FIGHTING BOWIE…14 in Blade Length…but…sigh
Why?   I can use it as both a knife AND HATCHET.
I will NEVER buy a HARD STEEL knife…(Gerbers / etc.) as they are WAY to hard to sharpen.  (I’ve several years as a slaughter house butcher….believe me, I KNOW).
I prefer a Medium Soft blade.  Holds a good edge and easy to sharpen.
I’ve skinned small AND LARGE Game with a simple stone “Finger Knife”.  This a sharp edge STONE CHIP.  Made “on the spot” by throwing a stone at / onto another, till a sharp Edge is had (watch your EYES!).   Both were only a mere 1 inch across.  No “Knapping” needed.
Ditto on a HAND HATCHET.  Big enough to grip well and cut smaller trees. 
(Adam made AND SUCCESSFULLY USED one about 3 weeks ago…at my “LEARN” insistence.  Added a strong limb to try it as well.  Tying the stone with Paracord to hold the stone.  Did an excellent job).
My favorite is a SHERBER (I think that’s the name).  It has the CUT SHAPE I prefer.  Blade is 3 1/2 or 4 inches. Got THREE just to HAVE. Got Sky one as well. (I CANT LOCATE ANY OF THEM RIGHT NOW!)  Next time I’m at Bi-Mart I’ll get another and let you know the style and name.
I’ve bought some as  gifts as well.
I do NOT care for ANY knife with a SERRATED EDGE.  NONE would have use to ME.  Give me FULL uninterrupted KNIFE EDGE.
I want a KNIFE…not a dang  SAW!   Aho?
While on the CUT subject, look  also at HATCHETS :
i am VERY FUSSY on Knives AND Hatchets.
ALL today’s “in store” Hatchets are TO LIGHT!   Might as well take a live Beaver!
Quieter AND Edible. ( :
I’ve bought MANY…(and I MEAN many) camper hatchets.  KEPT NOT A SINGLE ONE!
I’ve looked and looked for YEARS.  Reproduction Viking to other types outside the USA.  ALL KINDS!
Then, on yet another “look for”…THERE IT WAS!
Type in (search)  CANOE HATCHET.
NOT the PILIT HATCHET  (TOO SMALL A WEIGHT).
                       CANOE HATCHET     Aho?
They run less then $50.00, shipped.
IVE NEVER BEEN SORRY!  NEVER!!!
It’s big enough to cut a REAL tree if needed.  Small enough to gut a deer with.  ALL STEEL…The RIGHT “HIT” ANGLE on the blade (not a “nibble” but a CHUNK)   Aho?
Heavy, yes, but I WANT “heavy” to REALLY “Chop”.  Aho?).
You can HAVE the others…to me, AND THE HANDEL GRIP, for ME, THIS is IT!
Bought my eldest grandson one.  He showed his other grandfather (who spends WEEKS in the Alaskan bush every year and in ALL seasons.  HE BOUGHT ONE!  
Adam has one and buying ANOTHER.
2 friends have done the same after “hefting”.
An OUTSTANDING “tool”.
Comes with a thick Leather Sheath that belt hangs.
Up to you.  Aho?
(I will add this to my blog.  Thanks for asking).  re
                        WHY?
OK, I’ve been sharing WEAR Run Kits.  WHY?
To SHOW others WHO ARE AS YET WELL ENTRENCHED in Connecting / Knowledge / Trusting.  MOST LACK THIS GREATLY.
To TELL, to SHOW…is to give each TIME ( I Hope) to do WITHOUT.  My “One more Day” thing.
THAT’S “WHY”!  
Now , START LEARNING TO “GO” WithOUT ANY kit.!     That and That ALONE will see you through!      
                                                                                                                                                                          re

Wear Run Kit

After several times of re-doing my Wear Kit, I’m finally happy with my arrangement.
It comes in 3 parts.  One worn around the neck…another 2 sections on my belt loops.  One to Left / One to Right. Just behind the front pockets.
4 Black Water “gator” Bags added.
Out of the way and Easily accessible. 
The Seat Belts are not effected as well.
I’m not bothered by peoples ‘looks’.  I’m READY…THEY aren’t.
You?  
re

My Wear Kit Medicines

My Wear Kit Medicines

Vics Vaporub
Allergy Pills
Bayer Aspirin
(Yes…very limited, but workable).

re


Would You?

Would YOU?

Bought two small BIG “pill containers” yesterday.  $2.99 each.  Filled one with VICS Vaporub.  The second with Gun Cleaning Patches.
#1 to dab onto patches AND Medicine use. (Fire Starter help and use with stopping colds).
I’ve quit a number of Fire Starters…not just the patches.  But this Kit Part packs the most in one SMALL spot.
Talked with Sky about him TOO starting such a Wear Kit.
Knife a ‘No No’ (school wouldn’t understand).
Aho?
Will talk to Matt (eldest grandson) about this too.
Remember, there can be SEVERAL reasons to have with you.
Earth Quakes / Fire / Etc.
Won’t cost you an “arm and a leg” either.
I’d LOVE to see people walking around town(s) with such.
Not FEAR…but from SMART.
Perhaps  even YOU?  ??? 
                                                   re 

A Problem

I have a problem:  WHAT AM I GOING TO DO WITH ALL THE “RUN GEAR” I’ve put together????? !
So MUCH there’s just NO WAY to take them all.
I’ve got to quit “nickel and diming” what little money I have…WHEN I have IT!
I’m “set for life”…only Really NEED One Run Kit.  And that for myself, alone.
Got several…all the way up to the FAMILY…Who I DOUBT WILL “run”.
Maybe Sky…MAYBE.  The others?  Hard to tell.
I gave Sky a BlastMatch tonight.  At least he’ll be able to start a fire, easily.
Both boys now “set” on that. And knives. About all they’ll need, to “go” rather easily.
Both too have decent “survival” skills.  Been teaching them most of their Walking life. Off and On…but consistently.
I’ve known since age 10 what lies ahead. That’s 60 years of preparing.
Our granddaughter shows no interest.  Ditto my wife and daughter.  To them, “no tomorrow”. 
sigh
Lets face it, ‘no tomorrow’ faces all of us….but still, I consider it just MIGHT be…for me / them.  Thus prepare as physically as I can.
With ‘connection’ being first and foremost. 
Aho?
I guess I’ve done all I can, now.  You? 
                                                                
sigh               
re

The Army P 38 Can Opener

All: I’ll add the P38 Army Can Opener to my WEAR kit…knowing though that the chance of HAVING a heavy can of food TO OPEN is extremely remote.
You’ll have to do or not do, at YOUR discretion.
The weight is next to zero…..its Flatness not intrusive.
Its larger size (over the original) is faster and easier too hold.  (Easier TOO to find if dropped).
Now, pray and do as YOU feel you should. 
GB  
re

Making a Pants Pack

The Making of a PANTS PACK

Using a pair of your own Jeans / Etc., this not only loads what one needs but also allows you to have a spare set pants.
Tradable with what you are wearing.
Using Paracord or strong line rope you tie off the cuffs.  huting then to hold your supplies.
The waist is TOO held closed by yet more cordage….through the belt loops.  This cordage can be doubled or tripled in length…giving a long line for ???
Heavy objects are placed at / towards the bottom legs.
The waist “fanny” section holds your sleeping bag or blankets.
The SHOULDERS hold SOFT wear….Sock / Underwear / T shirts / Etc.  This helps stop chaffing at the shoulders as well as making the pack more comfortable to carry.
If the fanny section wont easily carry your sleeping bag, tie the bag from the pants belt loops and let hang outside the waist.
This too to carry a tarp cover Lean To “tent”.
Wrap this tarp around your bag to weather protect the bag.
Pack the legs / etc. with the rest of your gear needs.
I like to use cordage, leg to leg, across the Stern.  “Locking” the pack on.
This keeps leg Slip Offs from occurring.  Especially when traversing SIDEWAYS across steep slopes.
This pack is SELF CENTERING.  The legs dangling straight down, though you may be closer to an different angle of walk.
I keep “immediate need” gear in the pockets. First aid / quick nourishment / fire kit / etc.
Make SURE the pockets are “folded” to to not lose objects with-in.
The belt loops can be utilized to tie wet washrag / damp hand towel / etc., to dry as you go about.
If carrying a rifle, make SURE the pack has a “clearing” (of gear) at your shoulder to place the butt stock to fit against your shoulder.
Wear with fanny in back / legs in front.
That’s it!
I’ve used this to carry out CORDS of firewood during deep snow times…carrying cut deer sections, etc.
I Came up with this in the mid 1960s and still use this to today.

“Wear” Run Kit Bracelet

The Snap on my bracelet broke. Shake to much to take apart the Parra-Cord and re-do.

Reason for all…right? After trying various ways, I wasn’t happy with the results. ALL Too BULKY…and looked bad as well.

Well, not NOW! I simply left it open, dangling straight down, then added four SNAP RINGS in line and NOW HAVE A KIT SECTION that’s ALSO my Pick-Up KEY CHAIN!
Hooking wanted things onto the rings as well.

I’ve it hooked to a belt loop on my jeans but CAN hang it around my neck (leather strap) and tuck it behind my shirt if I want.

Anyway, like it better this way then as a bracelet.

(For those wanting similar…look for them that are now being made as DOG/CAT COLLARS!
re

Your birth area has your best healing medicine(s).

I cant explain this, I just find it to be true.

Plants, etc., of where you were born PROVIDES the BEST plants / etc., to heal / help.

Even more so if born and RAISED there. Baby to Young Age.

ALL plants are helpers…but not KNOWING which does what…Time to pick…How to prepare….Amount to help…ALL of these factor in.

The Traditional Medicine Person spends YEARS learning by ROTE! Teacher to student . MANY trips to find / check / prepare / use….in the RIGHT AMOUNT.

Again, done by ROTE teaching.

The Inner Heyoka’ are NOT Traditionalists. OUR learning was / is centered on CREATOR CONNECTION.

Via that, we ask “how”…He then TELLS and SHOWS how.

If in tradition…HE KNOWS ALL THESE WAYS. Tells US. Then shows us the TRADITIONAL “Way”.

Ways we were Never taught.

 

Aho?

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