Author Topic: Which two tools would you take (Read 15033 times)

Gray Ghost · « **Reply #90 on:** April 30, 2010, 12:26:36 PM »

ESEE 3 fixed blade knife and a bic lighter. Although, my ESEE Junglas should be here literally any minute. I may go with that after playing with it.

Matt.T · « **Reply #91 on:** February 10, 2011, 11:00:19 PM »

My short answer: having only two tools would ensure failure.

My real answer: five tools - knife, fire starter, cord, water bottle, metal cup = food/protection, fire, shelter, water

joeinwv · « **Reply #92 on:** February 10, 2011, 11:16:40 PM »

Quote from: Matt.T on February 10, 2011, 11:00:19 PM

My short answer: having only two tools would ensure failure.

My real answer: five tools - knife, fire starter, cord, water bottle, metal cup = food/protection, fire, shelter, water

Throw in a contractor's garbage bag, small first aid kit and some snacks - that's the loadout in my hunting bag. The very basics I would want in case I had to spend an unexpected night in the woods.

MacReady · « **Reply #93 on:** February 11, 2011, 05:20:36 AM »

Wow, +1 and thanks to Sister Wolf for turning me on to Trace Rinaldi knives.

I'm not too familiar with custom blades other than I know that almost all are out of my price range. As I read through the responses, I checked out the different blades and their makers. Which led me to find the Trace Rinaldi Armageddon!

WOW what a great looking blade. The second blade pictured is the TOPS version. So while I know that I'll likely never be able to afford an original Rinaldi, I can get the next best thing.

As I researched the blade, I found that Ron Hood had used and reviewed the Armageddon. A link to his review is here --> http://www.survival.com/trace.htm Ron says its great and he seems like someone who knows a good knife. Actually, I just recently saw Ron Hood in the Nutnfancy review of Buck knives at shot show. In the interview, he unveils a new Ron Hood designed Buck knife, the Hoodlum. These two knives look very similar to me. It looks as if Ron may have taken some inspiration from the Armageddon when designing his blade.

I'm going to look further into how the steel of the TOPS version is heat treated. The heat tempering of the original Armageddon and the Hoodlum is done by Paul Bos. If the TOPS version is as well, I'll probably go with it. If not, I think I'll go with the Hoodlum.

Whew... that takes care of item no. 1.

No. 2 would have to be some type of flint firestarter. Im leaning toward the blastmatch.

On a side note, can anyone elaborate on why they would choose a bushcraft style knife with a 4 or 5 inch blade over a larger blade. I understand that it is better for small or intricate tasks but a larger blade can still do these things just not as well. I can't imagine that this is worth giving up the chopping ability of a large blade.

Matt.T · « **Reply #94 on:** February 11, 2011, 08:13:08 AM »

@WV Leo - I think that it is a matter of personal preference. For me, it is also the level of skill that I have using a shorter knife. Honestly, I believe that the size of the knife matters less than the ability to use it.

The reasons I prefer a shorter length knife stems from my professional training as a soldier and also with my familiarity with it in bushcraft.

A short knife is 1) easier to conceal, 2) easier to wield, 3) less likely to be taken (and used against you) and 4) more practical in everyday tasks.

Here is a link to a video that shows how to split wood with a short knife : http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-split-wood-using-an-axe-or-a-knife

A Pirate · « **Reply #95 on:** February 11, 2011, 11:04:33 AM »

I would have to say my Tomahawk, and a recurve bow w/ flint broadheads. A tomahawk is the first multi-tool good at many things, the bow can get me food and the flint of the arrow heads can give me fire. Plus I would feel primeval as all get out.

Matt.T · « **Reply #96 on:** March 02, 2011, 10:53:30 AM »

I apologize - I responded to this post without realizing that it fell under the Primitive Skills & Earth Skills category.

The two PRIMTIVE tools I would take would be an obsidian "hand-axe" and a bow with several arrows.

The really cool thing about primitive survival is that everything that you really "need" can be found in the wild. Just the skills and knowledge of knowing how to use the items need to be "brought".

Anyway, cool thread - thanks for getting me to think along a different path.

arrowbreaker · « **Reply #97 on:** January 08, 2012, 10:47:44 PM »

Depends on your wilderness - but I'd say at minimum I'd want a good sized knife and a goodly amount of paracord. Can start making all sorts of useful items at that point (bow drill, long bow etc. etc. etc. etc.)

LdMorgan · « **Reply #98 on:** January 09, 2012, 07:35:11 AM »

I'd go with a good knife such as a Ka-Bar with a 5" blade, and a 1-3 gal stainless steel cookpot with an integral bail.

Cordage is important, but the ability to cook & boil drinking water immediately would seem more critical to me.

Cordage isn't hard--even grass can be made into rope. But making a cookpot is a real chore.

That being said, anywhere on earth that people have been they have dumped their trash. So I'd be on the lookout for all kinds of expedient artifacts from the gitgo.

arrowbreaker · « **Reply #99 on:** January 10, 2012, 12:50:14 AM »

You're absolutely correct on that LdMorgan, I am yet to learn how to make cordage, but all those survival games and trivia tests always have one where if you want safe water - boil it. A good pot will have a heap of crucial uses

LdMorgan · « **Reply #100 on:** January 10, 2012, 07:35:48 AM »

Quote from: camper1979 on January 10, 2012, 12:50:14 AM

.... I am yet to learn how to make cordage...

Here ya go:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Make-rope-out-of-dead-plants----with-no-tools/?ALLSTEPS

Watch the video at the end especially. Works for any kind of fibers. One of the easiest fibers is plain old dry grass, just rip it up, cut off the roots, and soak it in water until it gets nice and pliable.

That little twist & turn winding sequence is really hard to describe in words, but the video shows how simple and easy it really is.

Minor digression from the thread, here, but it does point out that the best tools you can have in an emergency are a well-stocked brain and ready hands.

("Don't leave home without them!")

Cedar · « **Reply #101 on:** February 09, 2012, 11:31:55 PM »

Felco #2

Stainless Steel bowl

Cedar

Cedar · « **Reply #102 on:** February 09, 2012, 11:34:56 PM »

Quote from: Matt.T on March 02, 2011, 10:53:30 AM

I apologize - I responded to this post without realizing that it fell under the Primitive Skills & Earth Skills category.

Oh.. wait.. it is? I have to rethink now.

Cedar

Mr. Red Beard (UKtheBUNNY) · « **Reply #103 on:** February 09, 2012, 11:35:45 PM »

Knife and a means of starting a fire. But I'm bringing my hammock.

Cedar · « **Reply #104 on:** February 09, 2012, 11:54:06 PM »

How primative?

This is kinda middle of the road from 900AD

I want that pot

Cedar

Archer · « **Reply #105 on:** February 09, 2012, 11:56:11 PM »

Quote from: Cedar on February 09, 2012, 11:54:06 PM

This is kinda middle of the road from 900AD

that is a nice firestarter...

Cedar · « **Reply #106 on:** February 10, 2012, 12:12:15 AM »

I am used to these kind, but the other one was older. I need to make myself a couple

Cedar

Archer · « **Reply #107 on:** February 10, 2012, 09:43:43 AM »

I need to practice more with mine so i dont smack my fingers.

endurance · « **Reply #108 on:** February 10, 2012, 09:59:22 AM »

Man, just two is tough. I guess a 5" fixed-blade knife and a magnesium firestarter, but it's not going to be an easy go of it. I'll get through a few summer months, but without better tools it's going to be very hard to get enough food and have adequate shelter for winter.

If I could have a dirty dozen it might look something like this:

Pulaski
.22/20 gauge with 500 rounds of .22 and 10-20 rounds of slugs (1-2 years supply)
Bow saw
8 quart dutch oven
magnesium firestarter
25' roll of 6mm clear plastic
Cordage (as much as I can get)
Sawyer 0.1 filter
5" fixed-blade knife
seed bank designed for the area
-10F rated sleeping bag
20 pounds of Yukon Gold seed potatoes

Now that would be a decent start.

Archer · « **Reply #109 on:** February 10, 2012, 10:08:18 AM »

How about a good knife and a direct connect phone to Cedar?

endurance · « **Reply #110 on:** February 10, 2012, 10:16:55 AM »

Quote from: Archer on February 10, 2012, 10:08:18 AM

How about a good knife and a direct connect phone to Cedar?

More valueable than any tool in the world!

Docwatmo · « **Reply #111 on:** February 10, 2012, 10:32:27 AM »

I'm still trying to figure out how to keep Cedar in my BOB for emergencies. Cloning is still not looking promising. I'm hoping to digitize her sometime in the next couple of years. (Hello ~~Tron~~ Ceder)

Doc

TexDaddy · « **Reply #112 on:** February 10, 2012, 02:46:21 PM »

Quote from: Archer on February 10, 2012, 10:08:18 AM

How about a good knife and a direct connect phone to Cedar?

I believe we have a winner!

Sister Wolf · « **Reply #113 on:** February 10, 2012, 08:26:53 PM »

MacReady - Ron and Trace were very, VERY good friends while Ron was alive. I know (because I've seen both the Armageddon, and the Hoodlum in person) that they're two very different knives. But it wouldn't surprise me if I were to find out that Ron and Trace talked about the Hoodlum and its design before it went into production. Not saying it happened (I've never thought to ask Trace, and Ron has been dead for almost 8 months now), but.... I'll ask him when I talk to him next.

PistolWhipped · « **Reply #114 on:** February 13, 2012, 08:08:21 PM »

2 things? A really good single barrel bourbon or single malt scotch and a box of Cohiba Maduro 5 Genios. I might as well go out in style.

And I carry more than 2 tools at a time in my pockets. If I'm wearing pants I'm better prepared than the "2-tool rule" you've set.

coldbore762 · « **Reply #115 on:** March 25, 2012, 12:00:26 AM »

Assuming I'm wearing a full set of clothes, a belt, and good boots and choosing from items I own already. I would say the 3 1/2 inch folding knife I carry everywhere and a magnesium fire starter.

If I could stop by cabellas before being stranded in the woods, I would want the very best 4-5 inch fixed blade knife I could find and a blast match.

I want to learn to be more competent making friction fires with only a knife to start with in a wide variety of climates, If I ever got to be proficient than I would swap the blast match for a SS canteen with a detachable cup for cooking/boiling

rustyknife · « **Reply #116 on:** March 25, 2012, 08:28:08 AM »

Quote from: coldbore762 on March 25, 2012, 12:00:26 AM

Assuming I'm wearing a full set of clothes, a belt, and good boots and choosing from items I own already. I would say the 3 1/2 inch folding knife I carry everywhere and a magnesium fire starter.

If I could stop by cabellas before being stranded in the woods, I would want the very best 4-5 inch fixed blade knife I could find and a blast match.

I want to learn to be more competent making friction fires with only a knife to start with in a wide variety of climates, If I ever got to be proficient than I would swap the blast match for a SS canteen with a detachable cup for cooking/boiling

Good thinking. You are starting to gain the two things I was looking for, knowledge and experience. I've handed a magnesium fire starter to people and they would ask how to use it. Remember, the best survival tool you have is your brain, after that it's adapt and overcome with what ever tool or tools you have or can find.

drick · « **Reply #117 on:** October 22, 2012, 11:53:34 PM »

a good knife, felling axe.

Alan Georges · « **Reply #118 on:** October 23, 2012, 09:01:01 AM »

(1) Berkey bottle.
(2) Pilot knife.

#1 because it's a water purification and carry device; #2 because it's a practical size all-round fixed blade with a sheath and sharpening stone. Both items do a double-duty, but it's inherent in them so I'm not exactly fudging with the rules.

And if I can squeak in a third item, it would be:
(3) Inflatable goat.
Because, like, duh. Who would want to be caught out in the wilds without his I.G.?

JohnDoel · « **Reply #119 on:** November 10, 2012, 03:21:53 AM »

Assuming I get to keep my boot laces and hat and clothes I would want my survival guidebook and a standard axe one side for chopping one for hammering. My thinking is my hat is waterproof I can boil water (and I have) in it, with the laces i can make a fire bow irritating but workable and my survival guidebook just has alot of random useful things from poisonous/edible plants in my area with pictures as well as common plants used as medicinal herbs. And an axe is what I would use to build my shelter. And if i need a something to cut with I can always try my hand at flint knapping again irritating but workable.

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Author Topic: Which two tools would you take (Read 15033 times)