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Sharp axe - no problem! :) Douglas Kakekaspan of Fort Severn hewing a new paddle on the Black Duck River Date July, 1953 Place BLACK DUCK RIVER (ONT.) Archives of Ontario Item Reference Code: C 330-14-0-0-165 I linked this from Murat's blog. I would have linked directly from the...

Here is the wonderful Ray Mears, bushcraft/woodcraft master and instructor, film and documentary maker, world traveler exploring and documenting traditional bush skills, and all around gentleman and nice guy, with another beautiful and entertaining film "Four Seasons in Britain". For our little...

One always bears the consequences of one's own decisions, doesn't one? If the decision involves others who share in the consequences, then its even more cause to think clearly and practice your skills safely. I have practiced many new skills away from home, in the bush, in training sessions...

For those who still, after all of the above discussion, do not understand that (a) knife batoning to split wood is an ancient skill as old as the knife itself, and (b) its easy, have a look at this new video of a woman batoning fine splits for her brand new woodstove first burn-in. She does a...

Hi Glenn, that BMB looks like a beautiful knife. Nice review. I sense you are bonding with it. Its just a matter of time now....:) I just placed my F1 on a straight edge to find the balance point for you. Its about 1 inch back from the front end of the handle/blade interface. In other...

Well done on your research Glenn! One comment on scandi edges and flat gorund with secondary micro bevel, if this is at all influencing your choice: You can strop these and scandi-vex them if you like. There is no risk because one session on stones and you can re-bevel it to a pure bevel if...

Hi Memaquay, Like I mentioned in my post, I do almost all my fire prep with my axe. I agree totally on the use of the axe and its incredible "makes sense" tool for canoe trips, especially in the north where routes are not manicured. Re People speaking from their own experience, suggesting that...

Hi Mike, I also completely have re-thunk my PFD so-called "rescue knife", and realized I probably had it all wrong for my needs. Originally I had a double edged diving rescue knife. But its useless, and/or dangerous at just about everything I would need it for on a canoe trip. If I ever had to...

Batoning a knife to split out dry kindling is not a fad. There is some smugness being displayed in posts above, somewhat out of ignorance. Neither is tapping with your hand to hand split small wood to split out dry kindling for a fire. Neither is tip stabbing a the knife into a split, to twist...

The Falkkniven survival knife line are one of the few production knives (to my knowledge) that are perfectly convex for the edge profile. Its only flat along the blade just down from the spine, but at a certain point down from the spine it transitions into a full parabolic convex profile. I...

Hi Glen, This topic of knives really is a wide open opinion-fest, as just about everyone has a favourite style, steel type, shape, edge profile, handle design, sheath design, etc. There is no right answer. It’s a very personal decision as to what works best for you. Based on your needs...

Great TR RL! I have not been that way in the Park for several years, so your photos brough back memories. I was up in the north and central part of the park this summer. Man the "Snowdown" was something to see!

Thanks Mihun09 and Iskweo for the TR! The fishing sounds amazing! Bacon and fish, fish and bacon....and the bears still did not get you...ha ha! Keep plugging away at the tarpolgy and soon you will be a tarpmeister! One of the secrets is to address the tarp and refuse to take "no" for an...

Hey L’oiseau, thanks for the clarification! :) Nothing wrong with burning fat and food wastes in the fire either - just as long as its totally burned up. A hot sustained fire will totally oxidize bacon fat. So tending one’s fire to ensure its all burned is an important skill and...

I agree Robin that its better when the grounds start out in the cold water, and you bring it to a boil. I will disgree with some above who say don't boil it. I like it better boiled just for a few seconds. The way I make bush coffee is to let it froth for 2-3 seconds, then remove, then place...

My pack system is not optimum, its just what I have. For down in the trees where I can rely on wood fires for most cooking other than the rainy days (where I always carry some stove fuel), I use a 3-pack system: food barrel with harness, gear pack, and day pack. For the arctic Barrenlands 30...

Thanks Robin! I really enjoyed that TR. I am also impressed with the aplomb you display for taking on big portages with no big deal, just-do-it attitude. I appreciate the extra work you had to do in order to set up the tripod and take self portraits when doing stuff. I think a human in...

I cannot believe I just read the above post on this site, or from a canoe tripper on any canoe tripping forum. Pour food waste down the pit toilet? This is a stupid thing to do. Every single authority that makes and maintains pit privies and campsites (parks, public land, or private land...

You fight back with all you have, kicking, punching, gouging, and stabbing and slashing with a knife. A fixed blade of at least 4 inches is recommended for all Ontario MNR bush workers, and needs to be strapped to your hip or other external gear so its ready to use, i.e. not buried in a pack...

Hi Mihun09, Stick with it, it will smooth out with experience. When I started backpacking, I learned some hard and lessons about packing lighter. This was good training which helped me lighten my canoe load somewhat for canoe tripping. In canoeing, everything is heavier and bulkier because...