Recent content by Springchicken

What did your Kephart look like?

I agree wholeheartedly. It's the main reason for carrying a cutting tool most, if not all of the time. There will be occasions when you actually  know you won't utilise it but, even so, it's good to know it's there. Perhaps it's a residual thing from Scouts and being prepared...

I think that a knife is one of those things that isn't essential for 'bushcraft', however you define it. Whenever I go to the woods, which is pretty much daily, I take mine with me. Somehow, it is like having a reassuring friend with me. For the vast majority of the time, it remains sheathed on...

Just two, eh? That's almost harder than choosing one! Still, if pushed these would be my go-to two: A Ben Orford Woodlander for the heavier tasks and the Victorinox (I can't remember which model!) for food prep. and the modest range of handy tools that comes with it.

Is this another in their range of full-tang cutting tools? I have one of the models in their first tranche, called 'Wit'. It is not particularly well finished at the handle end but the blade does what it should - much like any, more modest Mora. I'd imagine that this new iteration is much the...

I made a kitchen spoon for my daughter. The wood is cherry.

Said beasties seem to have proliferated locally and I was wondering what they do, other than bite me and nearby livestock? Are they a food source for something? Do they pollinate things or are they just a complete and utter pain in the proverbial? I would like to know before I do something...

Tarp up, adjust clothing, source water, gather firewood, light fire and, while the kettle's on for a brew/food, arrange my sleeping stuff.

How would you define 'big' and 'small'? My reason for asking is that I would consider a leuku or parang-type of knife 'big' and something like the Peltonen M23 'small'; that then leaves a large middle ground of cutting tools with a blade length of around 11cm that seems to be something of a...

I think that, for me, familiarity is key: is the knife that I'm using have that recognisable - and therefore trusted - 'feel'? Based on that, I find myself reaching for my Orford Woodlander. Though, that said, I find myself also utilising a full tang Peltonen M09 with increasing frequency. The...

I'm not sure that I'd count anything in the pockets of my trousers - an article of clothing that I wear - as part of my 'EDC'. If it is attached to a belt - something else 'worn' but whose primary use is to hold up the previously mentioned trousers - or carried (key word!) in a bag, pouch or...

I love that quirky Finnish humour. A while back, they had videos testing the strength of their gear; the best one was what they did to a closed-cell foam mat. Through tears of laughter, I pressed the 'add to cart' button. The mat has been utterly brilliant.

At long last - and heavily discounted - the PK2 has sold. I do wonder quite why it didn't appeal. I know the initial price was high but even that was massively down on the £780 you'd have to pay for a new one. Still, it's gone though I do find myself wondering...

It seems that, for bushcraft purposes, sleeve pockets are pretty useless, then. The only things that I can think of that might be suitable are snacks and a small cuts kit; however, I'd sooner keep the latter in a trouser pocket, as I'm less likely to take off my trousers when in the woods! A...

I have noticed that a good number of military or military-inspired jackets have zipped pockets on the upper arm section of the sleeves. Given that the jacket itself is usually equipped with larger, more readily accessible pockets, what are these sleeve ones for? Does anyone use them? If so, what...