Let's Do Lunch! Testing New Gear.

If I keep all this walking up, maybe I'll be in shape by Blade. Oh well, round is a shape. I wanted to do this with the Scrap Muk. But I needed to check out some other things, too. I am so used to carrying a machete or chopper, I wanted to try and make a fire and cook a meal without a chopper, like Bear Grylls and the custom bushcraft knife owning big kids over on W&SS forum. So about lunch time I headed over to the campground I was at yesterday. After assuring the local camp commandant and other high party officials that I was an official gear testing dude from a major internet forum, I was given permission to build a fire at the primitive camp ground. Well, that's what they call it. And axes and machetes are verboten and to be used only by convicted felons under the supervision of the commandant (park supt). It rained last night, too, but I wanted to try a trick I read about. So off I went!

And after not too long a walk, I arrived at the official Horn Dog Wilderness Testing Site!

After unloading my gear, I went out in search of something dry enough to burn.

I was able to find a bit of dead wood and tender that wasn't too damp. It would have been so much easier with a BIG KNIFE! I could have had enough wood to build a bonfire if I had a chopper. So I just had to break things with my hands and leave the bigger stuff.

I prepared the tender, kindling and other wood for the fire on one table and decided to use the other one for food preparation.

I used my Bird Dog to prepare a skewer from a green palmetto frond.

Then I unpacked my shoulder bag. Check it out, I even brought a small cutting board, and some all beef franks, a bell pepper, some bread, a jar of vaseline, and some cotton balls. Been meaning to try that trick.

AND???

I built my little pile of sticks, with some dry palmetto leaf tender on the bottom and some vaseline coated cotton balls placed at the base on the upwind side.

I got it going with my official wilderness survival kit.


Then it was time for meal prep....but a crazy notion came to me. Instead of just eating the pepper and cooking a hotdog, maybe something more exotic, like a kabob sandwich.





Delicious! I split the franks with my Mountain Man. Ever wonder what 52100 steel looks like after a bit of kitchen use? Like this!

The BDLE and MM performed well in slicing and bushcraft. The cotton ball trick really worked on the damp wood. My little EOD bag was able to carry my poncho, a cutting board, the fire starting stuff, the food, and a canteen. The rest of the gear fit into my Cabella's Safari vest. It turned out to be a beautiful day after all.

But I still say a big camp knife or machete is the way to go. I'll need to sweet talk that female at the office a little more, so I can carry my new Swamp Rat M9LE and HCLE combo next time. And just for good measure, the Scrap Muk. I'll be back!

Nice Kebab Vic...reminds me of a Ray Mears episode where he does similar with Salami and peppers and tomatoes...looks tasty!!

I am interested in the point you make about having a knife able to do some chopping is a sourly missed oppertunity...especially for a fire...for me I am starting to question the value of say a Woodlore type knife...compared to something in the "meaty" 6-8 inch range which has chopping ability but is not too large and heavy and "noticeable" for that matter as this plays a part over here...seems to me those knives are much more useful because of the chopping aspect than the smaller knives...and can still do a smaller knife's tasks. You can also "walk" with them without feeling it too much of a burden...

What would you have chosen if you were picking in that range?

Where's the beef? I'm hungry.

Hey Vic, have you ever made pj straws? They work rather well. Tear up cotton balls into little pieces and saturate with petroleum jelly, then stuff it all into a short 2"-3" section of drinking straw. Now heath up the end of some pliers until they are good and hot and pinch the ends of the straw closed(melt them). They make for very nice little fire starters that aren't messy to carry around.

Maybe the ASH1 or the Sarsquatch or the SOD or CW....heck any of them would do, SF. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Huh? The all beef franks are up there in the post above you!

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> I posted before you got your last set of pic's up so edited my initial queries...nice to see your choices...with the selection you have it is always interesting to see what you would pick <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

hah! i love it, so similar to mine, sans my $6 fenix ripoff. super tactical rescue pink!

Vic, was that a Smith .357? Model? Make? Im interested to know <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I love the Smith J and K frames. That kinda looks like a K frame...both of which are hella good revolvers. You cant go wrong with Smith.

No, Tolly. I just now got around to using the cotton balls. I figured just carry the vaseline and cotton balls in a ziplock bag. Vaseline is useful for so many other things, I think it makes sense to carry it. It can sooth chapped lips, protect skin from infections, and it burns! You can even rub it on a carbon steel blade to prevent rust. But your idea does make sense.

Vic? The revolver?

No that was my little S&W model 317-1 trail gun in .22LR. It holds 8 shots and weighs just under 13 oz loaded. It's an AirLite model. J frame.

HD
That kabob sure looks good.
I'm going to try that out myself if we ever get rid of our snow. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />
Veggie version of course (to keep my wife happy <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> )

I think I actally saw some vegetable sausages at the super market. I think they are made from soy protein. Are they any good? BTW, sorry about breaking up the post but sometimes when I do a long one with lots of pics, I run out of time and have to start all over.

Ooh! UPS just dropped by. Maybe my new NATO survival matches!

now i really dig it.

Once again, thank you for the great pics. I am so sick to make it out to try some things and that meal looks like it was really good.

nice posts horn dog
i mean.........."official gear testing dude from a major internet forum" <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Great review HD, I am anxious to see the Muk perform. How did you use the OHT, I'm curious because I gave one away to cousin and have one on the way. I love the size but it's not necessarily light, how long have you had yours? It appears to be fairly new. Oh, and any issues with the locking liner? Mine had just a tiny bit of play and was wondering if that was an issue.

I didn't even use the OHT, Art. It stays in the knife pocket of my hiking pants, and I forget I'm even carrying it. But I could have done everything I did with the small fixed blades and more. It has a saw. Mine is old. I got it maybe 2 or 3 years ago, and yes it has blade and liner play. But for the money, it is one of the most useful knives I know of. I ground off the serrations some time ago to make it a plain edge. You know me, always messing with things.

Ha! Next thing you know you'll be convexing serrations!
Now THAT I would love to see, pic heavy preferred. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" />

Did you get your NATO survival machetes HD? What are they like?

I think I actally saw some vegetable sausages at the super market. I think they are made from soy protein. Are they any good? [/quote]NEVER!!!Avoid them they're an abomination!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" />BUY MEAT! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Vegetable sausage, please my children need shoes and I need knives. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

Great post Horn Dog. I like the part about the 'park commandant'. I am new to the yard, but have been laughing and learning from a number of your threads.

I was wondering if the YK would have been a good choice for light chopping, batoning, and cutting food. Your thoughts?

ps. I might have to bother you sometime for a price to superconvex my SOD (if I ever get back home).



_______________________________________________________________________________
It just is what it is.

Yeah but Bear would have eaten those hot dogs RAW!!!LOL.I'm sorry but whatever anyone thinks of Bear Grylls I still like the guy and still tune in to watch Mvs.W every monday.Though truth be told I enjoy Survivorman better.Les is more of an average joe.Did you notice that in the later episodes he started to carry bigger fixed blades and machetes a opposed to just the multi-tool from the earlier eps.On one he even had a Buck 119.Anyway nice pics makes me want to go out back in the cold and build a fire.

Welcome to the Yard jf007. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Uh, that was NATO Suvival Matches , SF. I didn't know UPS ran on Dead Presidents Day. But yes, they came in. 5 little containers of 20 ea. Time for more testing. They were sealed and have a striker on the lid.

They are supposed to be water proof and burn for 12 seconds.

Yep, about 12 seconds.

This bucket bottom is full of water from last night's rain. I struck one and it smoldered and fizzled for about 12 seconds, but no real flame.

Back to the Bic. The beauty of the Bic is that you can hold it lit for long enough to get the cardboard burning.

Science! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

Welcome JF, I carry a lighter as well. Cheap, easy and effective.

Yes, the YK can actually chop and baton, but the DM does a bit better. But let's get real. I wanted lunch before the sun went down. The SOD or DFLE would have really done some work. I could use a pocket knife for the rest. Certainly the YK would have done more than the Bird Dog or Mountain Man could do.

Welcome to the Yard, jf007! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Lol...I need my eyes checking...or perhaps it was "associative thought"....a delivery to you and "machetes" just came to mind...Matches I never thought of....Doh.... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/doh.gif" alt="" />. Oh...and welcome to the Yard jf007 <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

That's understandable, SF, knowing my love of machetes. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I have been testing gear (kit to you) for an upcoming trip down into the Swamps again. My little EOD bag rides too high, and I am wasting space by putting a canteen inside it. So I strapped two canteens and a knife to the outside, added modified LBE suspenders to it after cutting off the bottome Y straps. It rides much better. And my old GI canteen has a stainless steel cup I can boil water in. It does look a bit military, though. Not sheeple friendly at all.

Actually I think I know why I thought you said "Survival Machetes"....for a while I have been looking for a large light fixed blade chopper which could come in at "Machete" weight but which could do the job of a combat fighting knife...well this lead to me looking for a specific custom knife being built for what I wanted....and these just recently arrived...they have been a while in the waiting but that is what coloured my thoughts I think...really though they are perhaps something I should do a seperate post on...but they are not Bussekin knives so I have not really been able to do one...but maybe I will include some Bussekin knives in comparison...I know Ted will like them given the knife he chose as a "Grail" knife... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Awesome outdoor pics. I really like the BDLE, thought I haven't done much more than slice air with it. I could go for a dogkabob right now.
Nice RAT, too.

Cool set up HD...I could get away with something like that over here but without the knife being strapped on the outside...Sheeple over here would possibly ring the police...the whole thing is a bit restrictive and sad...but once your out in the woods it's OK...

I think the Sarsquatch is a good choice for a light chopper. Especially the one I turned into a bowie. It slices, it dices, it chops, it sticks! Now how much would you pay? Don't answer, you also get.....special forces operators are standing by.

Yes I do love that modified Sarsquatch you did <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> Like I was saying earlier....those sort of knives are easy enough to carry and can do it all!

Here is a pic of the knives I had done with some of the big Busse's such as the NMFBM and the FBM le combat grade...



They are by Jerry Hossum and the top one weighs 19 ounces and the bottom one just 16 ounces...they handle well and are very fast knives...what do you reckon?

Here is a closer pic...



They look so good and are the first Double Cut finishes Jerry has ever done ( he actually got in a bead blasting machine to do this finish for me...the guy is really amazing in his service!) that I have'nt dared use them yet... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />...I am busy making some sheaths for them and will then decide what to do...I have been offered "crazy" money for one of them...but they are the only knives I have ever had a part in "designing"...if only by saying what I was looking for...so I cannot see me selling them. They are "one off's" and very special to me...and talk about great finishing and "sharp"...one of them nearly cut it's way out of the zipped pouches they came in...I only picked them up a few days ago and I am still in "awe"...they need better pictures to show them off fully!

Oh those Hossums are awesome! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" /> He does a lot of recurves.

Yes they are amazing...the top one has red liners and the bottom one has black...I really need to do some better photo's...I will get some clearer ones done tomorrow.

Isnt Hossum another Georgia boy??

Yes he is...Duluth GA...there is a lot of good knife talent down in Georgia!
He also has a similar look to HD as well!!! It must be a "Jedi" thing... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I am starting to hear "Duelling Banjos" again. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Is that the area where they were in Deliverance? LOL..

Bingo!!!

That river is only an hour and a half ride from Blade in Atlanta.

A Horn Dog pepper dog kabob

Franchises will be coming to town (or wooded area) near you!

I have been down the Chatooga many times. But it don't go to Aintree!

It would have been better with Grey Poupon. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

But of course!

Well...I am pretty sure I won't be free to go to Blade...but if I could I would certainly like to meet up with Jerry...a nicer guy I doubt I could meet...and the least I owe him is a "few drinks"! Just stay out of canoes!!!

dude,i just got home from work and am now even hungrier than before.

Great pics guys, Vic nice review and SF those Hossums are gorgeous. Aren't they 3V? Speaking of dueling Banjos....

Here ya go. Have a sandwich.

I thought that was West Virginia

Horn Dog that cooking is getting me hungry, nice pics <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

HD,
Those Veggie sausages are an alternative for those politically correct types who
are against eating animal flesh. They sort of have a meaty taste to them without
actually having the meat. If you put enough ketchup or bbq sauce on them, they
actually don't taste half bad.

My personal opinion though, is that if you really want to be a vegetarian, then
why would you want something that tastes like meat?
That sort of defeats the reasoning behind being a vegetarian in the first place.

EDIT: You would be better off eating beans than veggie meat substitutes. The
less processed a food is, the healthier it usually is for you.


Cheers

Well, I like Beenie Weenies, the best of both worlds!

the only problem I see with your lunch pics Vic is there is no beer

Gosh darn it Vic! You sure know how to have fun! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

That is the kind of pictorial that really puts the reader right next to you. Very well done yet again my dear friend. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" />

That was the kind of thing I have never tried yet but with your pictorial as a guide I will bring the whole fam damily to the PoP wilderness spot as soon as Winter breaks and try the tricks that you did. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Thanks again for putting so much time and effort into sharing this test with us home bound Winter prisoners. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" />

Peace.

I tried to bbq a couple of those veggie hotdogs last year.
They melted on the bbq and dripped down into the coals <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />
Now if I have them, and want them bbq'd I brush bbq sauce on them
and stick them in the microwave... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Beenie Weenies = Childhood memories.

Bier ist Verboten! No guns, alchohol, knives, axes, saws, machetes or fun allowed in Stalag BIRP! But the legislature passed a law that CCW holders could carry there and I left my hip flask at home. Now I need a Dundee machete rig I guess. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Cool test site Vic!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />



What Vic said on those Hossums!!! Nice! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Cool pics Horn Dog. Looked like a good time and good food!

Silly Horn Dog. "Waterproof matches" don't work like that. The match is waterproof, not the flame it creates. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> Now, if you want something that will actually burn IN the water, get yourself some chunks of sodium. Magnesium is another choice, but now you need an ignition source to get the magnesium going first, whereas with sodium, fire is literally a case of "just add water"! Of course the magnesium is a lot less likely to burst into flame at an inconvenient time...

By the way forumites, what's with the guy in the diaper? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

It looks like you modded that Bic Vic. I tear the child safty things off myself as does Mr. Wayne. Several guys use large o-rings to prevent the botton being pushed and loseing your butane. I like the shoulder strap set up you have rigged up for your messenger. I was thinking that exact same thing for my dispatch bag. If not certainly a way to hook it to my belt to keep it from bouncing during rigorous activity.