Belt and Folder Knife Cull

As the Wilderness Gathering beckons, the time is right to scrutinize some kit with a view to ditching some excess via the ‘Bring and Buy’ stall.

The first area up for scrutiny are some knives. Many of you who may be like me, perhaps suffer the same dilemma - there is no such thing as a perfect knife! In my opinion it’s better to have a selection for the jobs you want to do - much like a handyman with a number of tools at their disposal. This is the approach I took when choosing which ones to keep.

This Puuku Leuko combo is my old favourite. If I’m not taking an axe and think I might have a bit of light chopping to do or undergrowth to cut back (perhaps when tracking) then this is the combo I take. The leuku is a 7 inch Stromeng laminated carbon and the puuku is a Jarvenpaa stainless steel. A nifty combination. I reach for this in preference to any others, especially on solo / lightweight outings where I know there’s not much heavy duty work to be done.

 

The prototype Woodlife Tracker belt knife – I certainly wouldn’t get rid of this one! It’s an absolute work-horse and potentially worthy of the Woodlife name. There’s still some testing to be done but it falls into the category of “… if there was just one knife you would take into the Wilderness, this would be it.” The micarta scales and no nonsense belt clip give it practicality and function over form and it’s as tough as old boots. At 6mm thickness, it’s not lightweight but I have carved a spoon with it. Of course, it’s incomparable for batonning jobs. I’m seeing Duncan Chandler at the Gathering. Let’s hope he’s in a position to do a production run.

 

Roger Harrington Bushcraft knife - I bought this off a friend as it came with a matching bushman’s pal neck knife. To be honest, I haven’t used this as much as I should as it’s an excellent knife. I think perhaps the lack of handle shape puts me off a bit. Having small hands, I tend to like a handle style with a bit more belly and grip. Still, it’s worthy of staying around until the next cull.

 

EKA W11 – This is a superb sub £100-00 bushcraft-style knife. In terms of form, it ticks all the boxes for me. It’s not a heavy-weight but it’s a great all round knife at the price. I didn’t like the original hollow grind with secondary bevel, so I let Chris Grant loose on it and it came back a completely different knife for the better, complete with convex grind. The sheath was the first sheath I made.

 

Frosts Clipper knife – Needless to say, I wouldn’t get a buyer for this even if I wanted to get rid of it! They are so cheap, light-weight and practical it makes sense to have a couple hanging around on a “grab and go” basis. Perhaps not the most robust of tools, but if you are just doing a few odd jobs you won’t go too far wrong. I often use it as a neck knife as it’s so light. The additional benefit is that you won’t cry too much if you lose it!

 

Gerber Profile – If I’m just out for the day, sometimes I don’t even need to take a belt knife, but it’s nice to have something in your pocket or pack which is light weight but robust enough to be worth carrying. This Gerber Profile is certainly lightweight. You don’t know you’ve got it on you. The blade locks back so it’s safe to use and the plastic scales are deceptively comfortable if you decide to do some impromptu carving. I wouldn’t baton with it though.

 

EKA Super Swede 92 – Someone recommended this to me as an unobtrusive, large-ish, folding pocket knife to go on an expedition with. It’s sturdy when locked back and the rubberised handle provides an excellent grip which won’t shrink, swell or deteriorate in damp or wet conditions. I took this to Namibia with me and it was used for kitchen duties while the EKA W11 was used for crafts. Looks like the Swedish knife-makers prevailed in Southern Africa!

 

Leatherman Charge – Funnily enough I bought this at the Gathering 2 years ago. Basically, it goes where I go, permanently affixed to my belt next to my pouch. It’s a bit heavy, but it serves so many functions it’s difficult to give any reasons why it should be left behind.

That leaves 4 knives to get rid of. The Phil Siddell Companion 2 is going as are a couple of cheap and cheerful Lapland style knives. I wonder what I’ll come back with!

Belt and Folder Knife Cull

As the Wilderness Gathering beckons, the time is right to scrutinize some kit with a view to ditching some excess via the ‘Bring and Buy’ stall.

The first area up for scrutiny are some knives. Many of you who may be like me, perhaps suffer the same dilemma - there is no such thing as a perfect knife! In my opinion it’s better to have a selection for the jobs you want to do - much like a handyman with a number of tools at their disposal. This is the approach I took when choosing which ones to keep.

This Puuku Leuko combo is my old favourite. If I’m not taking an axe and think I might have a bit of light chopping to do or undergrowth to cut back (perhaps when tracking) then this is the combo I take. The leuku is a 7 inch Stromeng laminated carbon and the puuku is a Jarvenpaa stainless steel. A nifty combination. I reach for this in preference to any others, especially on solo / lightweight outings where I know there’s not much heavy duty work to be done.

 

The prototype Woodlife Tracker belt knife – I certainly wouldn’t get rid of this one! It’s an absolute work-horse and potentially worthy of the Woodlife name. There’s still some testing to be done but it falls into the category of “… if there was just one knife you would take into the Wilderness, this would be it.” The micarta scales and no nonsense belt clip give it practicality and function over form and it’s as tough as old boots. At 6mm thickness, it’s not lightweight but I have carved a spoon with it. Of course, it’s incomparable for batonning jobs. I’m seeing Duncan Chandler at the Gathering. Let’s hope he’s in a position to do a production run.

 

Roger Harrington Bushcraft knife - I bought this off a friend as it came with a matching bushman’s pal neck knife. To be honest, I haven’t used this as much as I should as it’s an excellent knife. I think perhaps the lack of handle shape puts me off a bit. Having small hands, I tend to like a handle style with a bit more belly and grip. Still, it’s worthy of staying around until the next cull.

 

EKA W11 – This is a superb sub £100-00 bushcraft-style knife. In terms of form, it ticks all the boxes for me. It’s not a heavy-weight but it’s a great all round knife at the price. I didn’t like the original hollow grind with secondary bevel, so I let Chris Grant loose on it and it came back a completely different knife for the better, complete with convex grind. The sheath was the first sheath I made.

 

Frosts Clipper knife – Needless to say, I wouldn’t get a buyer for this even if I wanted to get rid of it! They are so cheap, light-weight and practical it makes sense to have a couple hanging around on a “grab and go” basis. Perhaps not the most robust of tools, but if you are just doing a few odd jobs you won’t go too far wrong. I often use it as a neck knife as it’s so light. The additional benefit is that you won’t cry too much if you lose it!

 

Gerber Profile – If I’m just out for the day, sometimes I don’t even need to take a belt knife, but it’s nice to have something in your pocket or pack which is light weight but robust enough to be worth carrying. This Gerber Profile is certainly lightweight. You don’t know you’ve got it on you. The blade locks back so it’s safe to use and the plastic scales are deceptively comfortable if you decide to do some impromptu carving. I wouldn’t baton with it though.

 

EKA Super Swede 92 – Someone recommended this to me as an unobtrusive, large-ish, folding pocket knife to go on an expedition with. It’s sturdy when locked back and the rubberised handle provides an excellent grip which won’t shrink, swell or deteriorate in damp or wet conditions. I took this to Namibia with me and it was used for kitchen duties while the EKA W11 was used for crafts. Looks like the Swedish knife-makers prevailed in Southern Africa!

 

Leatherman Charge – Funnily enough I bought this at the Gathering 2 years ago. Basically, it goes where I go, permanently affixed to my belt next to my pouch. It’s a bit heavy, but it serves so many functions it’s difficult to give any reasons why it should be left behind.

That leaves 4 knives to get rid of. The Phil Siddell Companion 2 is going as are a couple of cheap and cheerful Lapland style knives. I wonder what I’ll come back with!

Who Are We?

Woodlife Trails was established to introduce and immerse participants to woodlands, forests and the countryside, and provide them with unique nature-based Woodland awareness, Tracking and Bushcraft programmes and courses. We also provide a number of nature-based services.

 

Our Services

With a blend of ancient tracking skills, old-school naturalist methods and modern wildlife observation techniques we can provide you or your organisation with a number of services. This may include wildlife consultancy, surveys and the identification of natural resources in your area.

We also provide training and education to a wide-range of organisations such as TV companies, corporate, environmental and wildlife groups and youth organisations (eg scouts and conservation groups). Our visit to your establishment could include  interactive talks and presentations with hands-on
exhibits or a local woodland walk. You may wish to work with us to design a bespoke course or session, delivered locally or at one of our wonderful locations.

All these activities centre on an interaction with nature. We assist in identifying plants, trees, insects, and tracks & signs the animals leave behind on the woodland floor. We explain how natural resources were, and still are, used to our benefit. We can demonstrate a number of primitive skills and explain some fascinating aspects of prehistory in respect of hunter gatherers and historical geography relating to sustainable woodland and forest management.

We consider the outdoors a Natural Learning Environment. There's no better place to learn not just about nature but a wide-range of personal and social issues. The outdoors is inspiring and engaging. It promotes self-awareness, self confidence and provides opportunities for the development of social and emotional skills. Participants of all ages develop a sense of well-being, self confidence and self-esteem.

Our aim is to guide you on a journey of discovery through the British woodland, heightening your awareness and enabling you to appreciate and get closer to its inhabitants.

As guides, we will quickly help you rediscover dormant skills enabling you to appreciate the woodland and potentially utilise its contents. We welcome everyone, especially if you can't get out so often to enjoy the outdoors.

Delivery - First Steps

We have developed a number of courses and educational programmes designed in stages for you to explore the nature and the outdoors. In association with the National Trust, we will, firstly, provide a gentle introduction to woodlands and forests aimed at families and young adventurers. Our Countryside & Woodland Awareness sessions at Hatfield Forest, Essex are not only suited to families and young adventurers over 6 years old but also individuals such as wildlife/bushcraft enthusiasts, wildlife photographers, naturalists, rangers and those more used to the outdoors. Whatever your previous experience you will soon start to notice things you've never seen before.

Content

On your journey you will be introduced to the natural resources (plantlore and treelore) the woodland has to offer and how they can be of use to us; skills now commonly termed as bushcraft. You will also be introduced to the ancient art of tracking and woodland awareness by enhancing the use of all your senses. These sessions are designed to introduce you to a woodland experience that will probably change your life.

Next steps...

If you decide to continue your journey with us at a later date, you will be able to develop different skills utilising these natural resources (bushcraft). As you get more comfortable with the outdoors we can develop your skills in any number of areas like Woodland Crafts, Wilderness Camping, Countryman skills, and Wilderness Awareness. We will provide you the skills, confidence and opportunity to fully immerse yourself into the natural environment with our Wilderness Immersion Course using traditional or modern methods and equipment for longer periods on many levels without being duly uncomfortable. Advanced courses include a suite of wildlife tracking and advanced bushcraft skills like our UK Indigenous Hunter Gatherer Course and our planned overseas expeditions.

Groups

Groups such as conservation groups, family and family pairs (like mother/daughter father/son), school groups, youth groups,cadet and scouts, social or work groups or corporate groups are welcome. Sessions, courses & events have been designed for those wishing to not only explore and be comfortable in our woodlands but also to maintain or develop team/group relationships with other group members. These programmes can be made challenging to enhance decision making skills and develop team work, but they will also be enjoyable and fun. Alternatively, they can be tailored to provide a purely social event in a safe woodland environment. We can tailor any course or session to your event requirements with our "pick and mix" Bespoke Courses.

Your Guides...

Your guides have a whole host of experience from qualified adult learning, armed-service & law enforcement training, counselling and countryman instructional backgrounds. We have 6 years experience each of instructing bushcraft & tracking subjects and many more years experience dealing with young people, families, adult and corporate groups. Our guidance is structured at the right level to the right audience at the right time. Woodlife Trails guides are Pablo and JP. We also have a number of associates we can call on to provide more specific skills and craft instruction (for example flint-knapping and primitive skills).

Please note: Despite some people's assertions that they are qualified Bushcraft Instructors, there is no recognised national Bushcraft Instructor's qualification in the UK, although some courses may be accredited by external organisations. All our staff are trained to educate and develop people as opposed to 'instructing' them. We have a vast array of personal adult learning qualifications to match this ethos including a Master's degree in Learning and Development, Cert Ed., NVQ's in adult teaching and training, NVQ assessing and counselling skills. Every staff member has had at least 5 years experience teaching outdoor skills with other bushcraft or tracking schools or undertaken Woodlife Trails own exacting 5-year trainer programme. We are fully qualified in First Aid (HSE) and, of course, fully insured. Some of our courses have been approved by the National Trust.

What to do now...

Have a look at the rest of the items under this menu to see what we can, and have already provided. You can also follow this link to identify the scourse or session most suitable for your needs. Also feel free to contact us if you require more information.

____________________________________________________________________

Home | Terms & Conditions | Admin | Course list |

Who Are We?

Woodlife Trails was established to introduce and immerse participants to woodlands, forests and the countryside, and provide them with unique nature-based Woodland awareness, Tracking and Bushcraft programmes and courses. We also provide a number of nature-based services.

 

Our Services

With a blend of ancient tracking skills, old-school naturalist methods and modern wildlife observation techniques we can provide you or your organisation with a number of services. This may include wildlife consultancy, surveys and the identification of natural resources in your area.

We also provide training and education to a wide-range of organisations such as TV companies, corporate, environmental and wildlife groups and youth organisations (eg scouts and conservation groups). Our visit to your establishment could include  interactive talks and presentations with hands-on
exhibits or a local woodland walk. You may wish to work with us to design a bespoke course or session, delivered locally or at one of our wonderful locations.

All these activities centre on an interaction with nature. We assist in identifying plants, trees, insects, and tracks & signs the animals leave behind on the woodland floor. We explain how natural resources were, and still are, used to our benefit. We can demonstrate a number of primitive skills and explain some fascinating aspects of prehistory in respect of hunter gatherers and historical geography relating to sustainable woodland and forest management.

We consider the outdoors a Natural Learning Environment. There's no better place to learn not just about nature but a wide-range of personal and social issues. The outdoors is inspiring and engaging. It promotes self-awareness, self confidence and provides opportunities for the development of social and emotional skills. Participants of all ages develop a sense of well-being, self confidence and self-esteem.

Our aim is to guide you on a journey of discovery through the British woodland, heightening your awareness and enabling you to appreciate and get closer to its inhabitants.

As guides, we will quickly help you rediscover dormant skills enabling you to appreciate the woodland and potentially utilise its contents. We welcome everyone, especially if you can't get out so often to enjoy the outdoors.

Delivery - First Steps

We have developed a number of courses and educational programmes designed in stages for you to explore the nature and the outdoors. In association with the National Trust, we will, firstly, provide a gentle introduction to woodlands and forests aimed at families and young adventurers. Our Countryside & Woodland Awareness sessions at Hatfield Forest, Essex are not only suited to families and young adventurers over 6 years old but also individuals such as wildlife/bushcraft enthusiasts, wildlife photographers, naturalists, rangers and those more used to the outdoors. Whatever your previous experience you will soon start to notice things you've never seen before.

Content

On your journey you will be introduced to the natural resources (plantlore and treelore) the woodland has to offer and how they can be of use to us; skills now commonly termed as bushcraft. You will also be introduced to the ancient art of tracking and woodland awareness by enhancing the use of all your senses. These sessions are designed to introduce you to a woodland experience that will probably change your life.

Next steps...

If you decide to continue your journey with us at a later date, you will be able to develop different skills utilising these natural resources (bushcraft). As you get more comfortable with the outdoors we can develop your skills in any number of areas like Woodland Crafts, Wilderness Camping, Countryman skills, and Wilderness Awareness. We will provide you the skills, confidence and opportunity to fully immerse yourself into the natural environment with our Wilderness Immersion Course using traditional or modern methods and equipment for longer periods on many levels without being duly uncomfortable. Advanced courses include a suite of wildlife tracking and advanced bushcraft skills like our UK Indigenous Hunter Gatherer Course and our planned overseas expeditions.

Groups

Groups such as conservation groups, family and family pairs (like mother/daughter father/son), school groups, youth groups,cadet and scouts, social or work groups or corporate groups are welcome. Sessions, courses & events have been designed for those wishing to not only explore and be comfortable in our woodlands but also to maintain or develop team/group relationships with other group members. These programmes can be made challenging to enhance decision making skills and develop team work, but they will also be enjoyable and fun. Alternatively, they can be tailored to provide a purely social event in a safe woodland environment. We can tailor any course or session to your event requirements with our "pick and mix" Bespoke Courses.

Your Guides...

Your guides have a whole host of experience from qualified adult learning, armed-service & law enforcement training, counselling and countryman instructional backgrounds. We have 6 years experience each of instructing bushcraft & tracking subjects and many more years experience dealing with young people, families, adult and corporate groups. Our guidance is structured at the right level to the right audience at the right time. Woodlife Trails guides are Pablo and JP. We also have a number of associates we can call on to provide more specific skills and craft instruction (for example flint-knapping and primitive skills).

Please note: Despite some people's assertions that they are qualified Bushcraft Instructors, there is no recognised national Bushcraft Instructor's qualification in the UK, although some courses may be accredited by external organisations. All our staff are trained to educate and develop people as opposed to 'instructing' them. We have a vast array of personal adult learning qualifications to match this ethos including a Master's degree in Learning and Development, Cert Ed., NVQ's in adult teaching and training, NVQ assessing and counselling skills. Every staff member has had at least 5 years experience teaching outdoor skills with other bushcraft or tracking schools or undertaken Woodlife Trails own exacting 5-year trainer programme. We are fully qualified in First Aid (HSE) and, of course, fully insured. Some of our courses have been approved by the National Trust.

What to do now...

Have a look at the rest of the items under this menu to see what we can, and have already provided. You can also follow this link to identify the scourse or session most suitable for your needs. Also feel free to contact us if you require more information.

____________________________________________________________________

Home | Terms & Conditions | Admin | Course list |

Last Botany Walk

Last night was the last botany walk with Dr Ken Adams. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed his input although it’s difficult to follow his academic lines on occasion. As for the study of grasses! Forget it!

I’m assured he’s coming back to do some fungi ID in the Autumn which will be great.

This is some slime-fungus, the exact type of which not even the good Doc could identify.

Calamint

Viper’s bugloss

Water chickweed

Weld (Dyer’s Rocket)

Mellilot

Scentless mayweed

Here’s a few random things I’ve learnt over the last 6 weeks about botany:

• Purple coloured comfrey is Russian. Native comfrey is pale yellow.
• English elm is in fact Atinian elm from Italy. The Romans brought it over to grow vines on.
• Early herbalists thought that every plant bore an outward sign of it’s value to mankind (Doctrine of Signatures)
• Most plants with “wort” in the name implies that there’s a medicinal value.
• Sainfoin was grown as fodder. It means Holy hay.
• Latin is difficult to learn in a day.
• Pink campion is a hybrid of Red and white campion (surprise, surprise)
• Most botanists wear socks and sandals Sorry Ken. Had to get that in!
• Hogweed smells – hence the name hog.
• The pink pigment in most plants is an ultra violet protection mechanism from the sun. (more plants are pink nearer the coast)
• Many plants are now hybrids.

Ladies bedstraw

Hemp nettle

Mignonette

Agrimony

Thanks for the visit.

Last Botany Walk

Last night was the last botany walk with Dr Ken Adams. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed his input although it’s difficult to follow his academic lines on occasion. As for the study of grasses! Forget it!

I’m assured he’s coming back to do some fungi ID in the Autumn which will be great.

This is some slime-fungus, the exact type of which not even the good Doc could identify.

Calamint

Viper’s bugloss

Water chickweed

Weld (Dyer’s Rocket)

Mellilot

Scentless mayweed

Here’s a few random things I’ve learnt over the last 6 weeks about botany:

• Purple coloured comfrey is Russian. Native comfrey is pale yellow.
• English elm is in fact Atinian elm from Italy. The Romans brought it over to grow vines on.
• Early herbalists thought that every plant bore an outward sign of it’s value to mankind (Doctrine of Signatures)
• Most plants with “wort” in the name implies that there’s a medicinal value.
• Sainfoin was grown as fodder. It means Holy hay.
• Latin is difficult to learn in a day.
• Pink campion is a hybrid of Red and white campion (surprise, surprise)
• Most botanists wear socks and sandals Sorry Ken. Had to get that in!
• Hogweed smells – hence the name hog.
• The pink pigment in most plants is an ultra violet protection mechanism from the sun. (more plants are pink nearer the coast)
• Many plants are now hybrids.

Ladies bedstraw

Hemp nettle

Mignonette

Agrimony

Thanks for the visit.

Terra Nova Jupiter

Today was the first day I’ve been able to get out for a week because of a lung infection. It’s strange that every time I don’t feel well, a parcel arrived during that week. I can’t work it out! I call it retail rehabilitation.

I’ve been looking at an alternative for the Snugpak Stratosphere for a while. The Snugpak is pretty good but there’s a couple of things I don’t like. The main thing is mossi net which, when zipped up, nearly garrottes you as it hangs straight down instead of following the sloped line of the bivi bag like its outer material and secondly, the material itself is very sweaty.

The nearest hooped bivi bag to the Snugpak is either the Highlander Falcon (which is very claustrophobic, having no vents except on the top) and the Terra Nova Jupiter , which has always been cost prohibitive. That is until now. Sports Direct has slashed nearly a hundred pounds off the Jupiter. Even so, it’s pretty expensive at £190 but I took the chance and ordered up.

When I got it out of the bag, I was amazed at how light it was. It’s actually described as 300 grammes lighter than the Snugpak. The 6 pegs are very light weight aluminium, which helps. So does the single pole for the hoop instead of two for the Snugpak.

The reviews bemoan the lack of length, and I suppose if your over 6foot you could have a bit f a squeeze, but when do you lay out straight? It’s fine if your under this height.

It’s big enough for Bill, but then again, he is a little dog.

The single pole goes through a sleeve and connects to two holes each side of the hoop. It’s surprisingly stable if you use two pegs in the provided holes next to the poles, but there are two guy lines supplied for you to peg out to the front of the Jupiter. Two further pegs secure the foot end.

Not many reviews show you how the front zipped arrangement works. Both the mossi net and the outer material have double zips, therefore you can leave an opening anywhere you choose, or, of course, do it up completely or leave one or the other down completely. This is a great arrangement and much more flexible than the Snugpak and great for watching wildlife while under cover. Even with both mossi net and outer completely zipped up, you don’t feel claustrophobic because of the gentle sloping front of the bivi.

The inside of the bivi bag is an off white colour which also helps to prevent one being claustrophobic when everything is zipped up.

This is a low profile sleeping solution and therefore, unless you bring along a very lightweight tarp, not really suitable for lengthy excursions, or if you know it’s going to hammer it down with rain. For low profile overnighters while watching wildlife it’s superb. The only bgg downside is the lack of a side entry zip, which is a big thumbs up for the Snugpak. Time will tell if it get’s more use over the years than the Snugpak, but all indications so far are positive .

All this reviewing is thirsty work! By the way, I listed all the reviews I’ve done on this blog (some are pretty old!) It’s available from the main menu at Pablo’s Area>Kit>Review Index.

Thanks for the visit.