This lasts weekend seemed like a perfect time to leave it all behind and head out into the woods. Since I acquired a sage chopweiler at Blade West, I've been waiting until I got into the forest to use it for the first time. As you can see below, it looks a little... too new


I also took some artistic shots. It was a nice day, with rather weird weather. It was alternately windy, sunny, rainy, cloudy, or all of the above. Sharp, who was with me as usual, strung up a tarp to keep our gear dry. We spun up the bowdrill and had a nice fire going in no time.


The factory edge was somewhat obtuse but quite sharp. It was able to make some fine curls. I find that a longer blade affords a bit more control for making curls, but it depends on the stance.


But curls alone won't make a fine. We had lots of hemlock to split, so Sharp and I reached for our knives (the FFBM and CW respectively) and set to work.






And after all, whats a camp knife without a camp? We've been slowly furnishing ours. We made a nice bench out of a split log and lashed legs onto it with Paracord, and we added two drying racks to hold wood. Not in the picture is a small shelter that we've thatched with sword-fern to hold our good fire wood and keep the rain off. It worked well, and we didn't have to go searching for dry fuel.


Using Sharp's scandi, we made some amazing curls


We also compared the old ratweiler to the new one, and found a lot of similarities. The lower handle and ricasso areas are especially similar. They are almost exactly the same length





All things considered, it was a great day. I also got to test out my new motherlode from Camelbak, which makes a great ruck and has a very thoughtful design. I found it used but like new at a second-hand shop for $36! It MSRP's for almost $200. Only disadvantage is that its foliage green (a.k.a the world's most useless and unnatural color). But I'll live

Congrats on breaking her in!

I miss your guys posts and pictures, keep them coming. As usual, it always looks like fun to go out to a beautiful place like that, use knives, and work on survival skills. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

where di you get it

that looks like hard work. very nice.

Nice pics.

yep, got it at blade west. Try the secondary market, they go for $250+

Sweet Pics!!!

Gotta love the CWs and RWs. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

the CW is my all time favorite 7in blade and one of my all time favorite knives period.

i also have that same exact one in sage w/ tan slabs.

i hope they have some left over CW's and put'em up in the swamprat store.i regret not getting one at BLADE in atlanta

Nice pics guys - I bet camping with you two could be a great time!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Congrats on the Chopweiler, C&D. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

One of my favorite Camp Knives! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Great pics !!! Your camping trip looks like a great time.

Nice pics. The Chopweiler and Ratweiler are the cream of the camp knife crop IMO.