New Topic?

A question has been posed on the Rat forum regarding the major topic of this forum and I hope that it's not out of line to ask here. It has been suggested that since there is a "survival" forum on Rat Chat, that this forum be modified toward a different topic.

I tend to think that it's a pretty good idea and wanted to hear what you guys think. Do you want to change this forum and if so, to what? Backwoods skills? Ninja killing? Politics?

Let's hear it!

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I like backwoods skills, although how to spot and deal with a mall ninja might be a good forum.LOL

Hey, new here. Fieldcraft/backwood skills etc sounds great to me. Politics...ick.

I don’t see what the problem is with two similar forums. Not everyone will necessarily go to both forums. Those that can only afford SY may not be interested in visiting the other forum, thinking that if they can’t afford the higher prices knives, why visit the forum? For instance, I read every message every day on Rat Chat and SY Forum, but I don’t go to the Busse forums, or the forums on Blade Forums (except the for sale forums).

What first got me to join Rat Chat was the survival forum. At the time I didn’t own any rats (and didn’t think I wanted to afford to) so I wasn’t interested at Rat Chat and seeing everyone post pics of knives I desperately wanted but didn’t think I could afford. But survival was a topic I had studied intently since I was very young. I built my first survival kit when I was 9 for my school science fair and won 4th place. I still have the survival kit still fully loaded around here somewhere. If I ever find it I’ll post pics for you guys.

What I’m wondering is why are both forums limited to only 2 forum subjects each? A lot of times we post topics that are really of neither subject, but pick one of the two to post in because they’re the only two choices we have. I think having more forums would better organize the topics and make it easier for new members to find information on the subjects they’re looking for by having similar topics grouped together in several different forums.

What about a Self Sufficiency forum to be more independent? (Topics like generators, solar power, wind power, water wheels, preserving food, water treatment and storage, making jerky, composting and gardening, canning and dehydrating food, making soap and candles etc.)

Or an Emergency Preparedness forum to discuss preparing for possible future emergencies like have happened in the past with 911, Katrina, etc. Preparing to deal with emergencies and possible lawlessness that can accompany said emergencies. Scenarios that could be discussed could be things like hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes, ice storms, terrorist attacks, riots, looting, floods, etc. (Topics could include things like: 72 hour kits, food and water storage, radiation detection equipment, iodine pills, gas masks and filters, looter protection, medical kits, first aid, fallout shelters, etc.)

A Gear Review forum where people could post reviews of new items that they buy that would be of interest to everyone else. Reviews could be about things like: guns, firestarters, knife sharpeners, flashlights, saws, boots, sleeping bags, multitools, sheaths, bows, ammo, optics, etc. Many of the people that post here and rat chat are very knowledgeable about the outdoors and know quality gear when they see it. Their opinions are respected and their feedback could be very useful and save many people money, and they could alert people to quality gear that they may not know exists.

How about a Wilderness Survival forum to better focus the subject as surviving in an emergency wilderness situation. Topics could include things like: making fire with various sources, making shelter, building traps and snares, purifying water, edible and medicinal plants, tracking, making fish nets from inner 550 cord, survival firearm choices, how to alert searchers to your presence, being seen from the air, tools you can make with your knife, etc.

Primitive Skills forum with topics like: Tanning hides, making buckskin clothes, flint knapping, making cordage, making bows & arrows, spears, slings, atlatals, making pottery from clay, making fire with a bow & drill, fire from ice, etc.

I think if you have interesting and informative forums, more people will visit and stick around and tell their friends. The more useful educational discussions we have, the more people will read and post at the forums. That will help draw in people that don’t necessarily know about these good knives, and help promote “the family” companies to people that might not otherwise hear about these knives.

There may be visitors to the forum that have heard about the knives from someone, but doesn’t necessarily think they want or need one, and don’t understand its virtues or value to its owner. If you can keep them visiting the forums for related knowledgeable outdoor and emergency preparedness information that they find useful, in time they may be exposed to more posts about the knives and may eventually understand its value, status, and superiority in the fixed blade industry. Once they know what we know, they will want some cheese/slop/bones for themselves. Get the word out to get new forum visitors, and give them something to keep coming back for. In time people tell their like-minded friends about these great knives and forums, and our community will continue to grow.

I agree that there could be more than 2 forums...but what brought me here [other than the purchase of a new knife <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />] was the compact forums. The other places I visit, ar15.com and bladeforums.com, have seventy billion sections and it just makes things worse. Should be careful how much this place is subdivided...

I like the idea of bushcraft as the slant of the forum here since most of the forum participants will be duplicates from the Rat forum.

That or maybe... beer.

I thought beer was reserved for Busse on BF?

I think it's a good idea to limit the number of forums, as it is easy to go overboard. Something like Bushcraft certainly fits in the Survival forum, and if needed, a new topic can be added. Please keep it simple for us simple-minded folks ! Tom

Yeah, I don't think too many is good either, but I think 4-6 wouldn't be too many.

I would also like to see this forum aimed more at bushcraft and the outdoors, rather than just survival.

I think wilderness survival goes hand in hand with primative living, lightweight camping and outdoor skills. Those are the topics that peak my interests the most as well so Hopefully we can keep it along those lines.

Ask and ye shall receive. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Excellent move! It may not mean much to some, but I think this topic is more in line with what is most talked about anyway. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Hey, Trash Can. You are all right! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Ok, wait, wait.



Let me try once.





Ready?




Okay...







<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> May I have a Mojo, please? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Right on PM ! Trash can, may I have a 9" Scrapper (with sheath) please ?!?

Or a ninja bankrobber! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Not exactly like the ninjas in the movies...

A Greek bank robber armed with ninja throwing stars finally ran out of moves Tuesday when police arrested him after an Athens bank robbery.

Petros Onen, 49, had held up 11 small suburban bank branches making away with 50,000 euros ($63,590) in recent months, threatening to throw his razor-sharp, palm-size stars -- made famous by the Japanese ninja warriors -- at cashiers, police said.

His luck ran out when undercover policemen at the last bank he robbed followed him home and arrested him with his loot, his throwing stars, a fake gun and a list of other bank branches.

Sounds like the undercover cop was part retriever. It was good that he had the presence of mind to follow the guy and bust him.

Anyone heard from Paddling_man lately ?

Busy fellow......Probably plotting a watery route to take to Knob Creek!

Could be - he's a pretty sharp character you know !