The reason I do these vids is to help those who want a little extra knowledge on bushcraft and the outdoors. I am not selling anything, trying to promote myself, nor do I have a hidden motive. Most of my skills were taught to me for free, so I would like pass on the knowledge. If you have any questions please ask.
I had several people ask me to start teaching again. So a few years ago I started the Midwest School of Bushcraft. I only teach about 10 classes or so a year. I have had some great experiences and met so many great people. Recently I have started instructing with 88 Tactical.They are a great group of professionals. I will continue to put out as many videos as I can.
My current survival-oriented sheath for my knife is a custom JRE leather sheath with: 1.) My knife itself, a Buck 662 Alpha Scout Elite in Magnacut 2.) A Brunton TruArc 3 global compass 3.) Large Bic EZ-Reach lighter 4.) A 6”x3/8” custom ferro rod I made, with a dedicated ceramic striker attached to its lanyard. 5.) about twelve feet of jute twine for tinder 6.) plastic zip-loc bag to transport water and contain the jute twine while not in use, keeping it protected from the elements 7.) about 25 feet of black 550 paracord 8.) short graphite pencil, which I use while whittling, my favorite hobby 9.) collapsable stainless steel pocket bellows 10.) Forestry / utility road access key, don’t ask how I got it 😂 11.) 4” long steel pin, which I use mainly as a fid but it sees a variety of applications (most recently I used it to hit the small reset button on our thermostat lol) 12.) pea-less storm whistle 13.) protective leather finger sleeve, which I use while whittling 14.) rechargeable waterproof 500 lumen light that also functions as a red safety blinker and lamp.
I drilled all the way through the head, drilled through the handle 1/6" higher. After getting the head as far up the handle as possible. Then hammer a piece of brass bar through which pulls the head a touch higher on the handle. Then domed the bar. Ot has been like this for years! Never comes loose!
That is an understatement. It’s a shame though because the knives are good I just won’t ever give him a dime of my money. I will only buy them on the secondary market.
This is outstanding use of an already excellent tool! The Special Forces Shovel, in my view, shares the DNA of the Bushman knives, as you can so easily modify them in the bush to do SO many things. Excellent, excellent video!
12 + years later, still the best video on this seriosly "main workhorse tool" survival bushcraft option. Seriously cuts weight from your load by being an excellent hatchet, machete, personal defense and shovel!
For winding cords and twine, get a mason, as in an actual working brick and stone mason to show you how we roll up our line, It's done in an alternating figure 8 pattern , on a stick, an old table knife, a wall tie, or some such similarly proportioned material, crossing in the centre and flipping it around from time to time so it unloads evenly, easily and quickly, with no tangles or knots. Production is the rule of law in the bricklaying business. A knotted or tangled line is a sure fire way to not blast in the 6 or 800 bricks the boss expects from everyone daily, and it will piss off your mates if they have to stand around waiting for you, and for that they will taunt you mercilessly all day, every day, unto the ages of ages, amen, until you learn how to do it right. Depending on how badly tangled it is, the offending shoemaker will often have to cut his line,, in an effort to keep up, which is wasteful and costs money, something masons of Scottish descent find particularly distasteful. This has been the tried and true way since before the time of Christ. It might take a bit of practice to get the hang of it, but once you have it down, you will never want to wind any string line, twine or small gauge cordage any other way.
To be honest, this is a really bad job of sewing. I've been sewing repairs/making my own gear for YEARS, and this shows just enough skill to barely get by. And on top of that, it really does look like the buckle is installed "backassward". Sorry man, but hells bells. Now if it was WWIII, and Chi-Com Paras 6:25 were hot on your trail and you really needed a belt buckle sewn on a length of webbing, (wrong by the way) by all means go for it. But a more secure job can be had with just a little more practice.
My brother passed away last year, and of the two of us, he was much more the outdoorsman. I was always the athlete who picked the gym over the woods. I guess being outdoors has given me a way to stay close to my brother after his passing. Appreciate the tip. It'll be used on my hammock next time I'm camping.
I made one of those, based on this video, just like you have there but the balance just isn't right. With the exception of digging I find a small quality hatchet more useful. I tossed it in the trunk of my car where it might be handy sometime. Thanks for sharing the video!
Excellent video, not only explaining, but showing how its done! I recently bought one of these and it came sharpened on three edges - razor sharp. I was so very impressed with the quality and practicality of it that I ordered the Cold Steel Spetznaz Trench Shovel which has a larger shovel and handle. It too arrived razor sharp on three edges and is immensely more practical than the smaller original Special Forces Shovel. Funnily enough I'd been thinking that a limb like the one you used would make a hoe, its good to see that it works. . The Cold Steel Shovels are immensely practical tools, though I have absolutely no intention of ever throwing them.
