Bushcraft Gear I DONT Regret Buying!

I found my favorite knife as a kid in the late '60s laying beside a football field. It's an early issue Ka-Bar USMC with a screw on and peened pommel. It had been used heavily by the poor soul who lost it. I continued it's use through Scouts as a kid, camping with friends as a teen and more advanced BC as an adult. It's never failed me from carving, shelter building, fish cleaning and even as a light chopper for rough carving. I've seen many pretty, temping knives, yet I passed on dozens as I only had to recall what I've accomplished with the Ka-Bar. My muscle memory knows my secondary just as well - a '70s USA made Schrade 25 OT. It was only recently that I learned it was also a favorite primary for Mors Kochanski for over a decade. A few years ago I decided to give my Ka-Bar some relief with a Cold Steel SRK. It hasn't disappointed. To finally scratch the scandi itch I bought a Marttiini. Again, a very good knife, but my BC heart still belongs to the Ka-Bar. My hatchet was a gift from my grandmother when I joined the Scouts. She pulled out a dusty old Germantown carpenters hatchet from her shed and gave it to me with a finger wag and words of caution. I treated it a couple years ago to a new 17" handle for it's approximate 100th birthday. It carries as many stories as the Ka-Bar. I have no plans to retire it or replace it.

throughout my 70 years, I have gone through tons of gear and equipment..... some great, some terrible, and much more in between. Without getting long winded, I'll just tell you what I always carry in my almost old age today, and never without them. Gransfors axe, Silky Bigboy, Terävä Skrama 240, Rob Evans Bushtool, GEC two-bladed Pioneer Trapper slip joint, Two Cherries 8 inch straight draw blade, and 1 inch Scotch Eye auger; along with a pouch with sharpening and repair items and spools of bankline. Carried or transported in my canoe or 4x4 in my Timber Cruiser pack. My cook set is an old generic three-quart with a titanium Four Dog Stove contraption that fits inside; water bladders and a Sawyer mini usually in my pants pockets. Where I live, licensed hunting of feral hogs is legal all year, so I eat a lot of bacon as well

My favorite knife/gear tends to be the gear that I have made or modify myself something about using something you put time and effort in making just increases the joy of using

Favorite knife is one my wife bought for me — she scored an absolute homerun with the Joker Bushcrafter. Handmade in Spain. Awesome steel. Holds and edge like I can’t believe. Sharpens up like a dream. Perfect balance and fits my hand like it was made for it. I retired my Randall #1 and carry the Joker instead now.

I own some very pretty Marttiini knives, several budget Mora's, a Kershaw folder, a BPS Bush knife from Ukraine, a very old Buck that I use in the kitchen and others, but my favorite is the Mora Garberg black carbon knife. I'd like a Bark River Aurora, but I'll keep dreaming of it! My favorite hatchet is my Julia Kalthoff Small Carver - absolutely gorgeous and functional.

Favorite Bushcraft knife is Condor Wayfinder.

Buy once cry once!!!! Beautiful collection of gear.

Glad to see you still using the MK1. I totally agree with you on the axe and leatherman Charge.

Joker Ember, it’s a real joy. I’ve got lots of knives, but it’s either that or my mora black!

Things that always come along on any trip: BPS Knives C1 Leatherman Skeletool Silky Gomboy Axe either Kalthoff Small Carver or a Wetterling that is older than me. And yes we want to see your knives and axes.

I used a Buck Ranger for 20 years. Did everything I needed. Then found two Moraknives at a garage sale. A SS Companion and a SS Companion Spark, both never used in original blister packs. Love them, especially the Spark. I didn’t know what I was getting but they looked like good knives and I was starting to do more camping and they were $2 each!

Those leather gloves ! Made me DROOL 🤤 NICE 👍

We all have those items we probably should have second-guessed. Sometimes you need to learn what does not work before you get what does. I have a LT Wright (custom Hill People Gear edition), a Casstrom Lars Falt special edition and recently received a Mora Lok Wilderness. All awesome knives.

My favorite knife is a Grohmann classic! Easy to sharpen to a keen edge and very useful!

Love my Condor Bushlore. Very good knife and very affordable - or at least used to be. I also have a Gransfors Small Forest Axe - traded for it.

Hi Thomas !!! I have one of those knockoff 110 with the same wobbly hinge as well. My real 110's hinge is as tight as the day I got it after 50 years of nearly daily use. It's one tough knife. My 110 was gifted to me by my wife on our first Christmas. On my 70th birthday in 2022 she got me an new engraved 110. Funny thing I used it once but it's a heirloom. I have 112 Ranger with s30v steel that I'm currently using & knife is every bit as tough as a 110. Thank You -- Joe --

I like oversized mitts with a glove inside in the cold, use the gloves without the mitts for work that needs dexterity! Mitts are warmer under cold conditions!

Well done Wade! Good stuff! Thanks for sharing!

Great video! Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the mentality and benefits of purchasing quality gear. I remember watching your review of the Frost River Isle Royals Jr. Pack over and over before I bought mine. That pack was definitely expensive. But I have zero regrets about my investment. It was a matter of intentionally putting my money towards something quality made that would serve me the rest of my life. And in my experience, all Frost River gear is exactly that. I’m a middle aged woman with a smaller frame and found that for me, the Isle Royale Jr. is a good fit, but does require some added internal structure to prevent excessive slouching of the main bucket when partially loaded. I’ve been using a small wastebasket. But I think I’ll try cutting down a US military sleep pad to roll and fit inside for some lightweight structural support. Anyway…. It’s the best pack I’ve ever owned and I’ve never regretted buying it thanks to your review. (Just had to save up for a year and a half to get it.) Blessings to you sir, from central Indiana.

This is the kind of video I like that you’re not afraid to buy quality stuff that will work well and last in the test of time.