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Thursday, 27 February 2014

Review - Dmt Double Sided Sharpener.

This is the DMT Diamond Whetstone a folding multi grits sharpening tool with a difference.

It is very a very portable tool that can be used wherever.

With a multi sided sharpening diamond coated plate on this particular one from (600 x 1200 grits)

It is incased in a folding polycarbonate handle that is very hard wearing.

With this I had a new Svord pheasant knife that I had just received and it was so blunt you couldn't even cut butter.

Well as a challenge I used the new sharpener and at first decided to use it as a person who had no ability or understand of sharpening knives on the 600 side. In this case forwards and backwards like using a file and to be honest I was highly impressed. From the five minutes I've used it I've taken the blunt edge and have turned it into a very sharp edge.

Bold Patch

And then decided to give it the next five minutes on the opposite 1200 side. This had then added that extra Wham and turned out to be razor-sharp edge. So much so I shave the hairs off my arm with it.

My opinion of this tool is highly recommended someone has no ability on how to use a sharpening stone as all it requires is 10 minutes of your time and a cup of water to dip the sharpener into. It is highly portable and weighs almost nothing. So you can carry it in your pocket.

OVERALL RATING: 10/10

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Thursday, 13 February 2014

Review - Bushbox Outdoor Pocket Stove.

This is the famous multi-fuel hobo stove. It can be used with wood, other organic material, a standard Trangia burner or Esbit. Comes with two trivets for any pot size.

It looked flimsy at first but once mine arrived in the post I was shocked by its weight. Coming in at 272g and made of full stainless steel.

It's made in Germany so you know it will last the age of time, and is designed and build to a fantastic standard.

The downfall I find with this product is the shody cotton pouch that is issued with it. Trying to put the stove away into this cotton bag was a nightmare.

But once you have used the stove, then try's to put it back into the white cotton pouch, it then becomes a black pouch due the ash from the stove and your hands.

The pouch is 4mm smaller than the actual stove. And I have come to the conclusion that I will have to make a leather pouch for mine.

(I will post a blog on how to make at later date).

Back to the stove, It comes in peaces but in under a minute it's up and ready to use.

With all the plates lazer cut to size. They easily slot together to create a sturdy and solid locking base.

With all that great engineering and design it has given it alot of air circulation holes from underneath the stove including all sides and showing off that awesome camp fire logo.

The other thing I like is that it has a ash tray built in underneath to save all those hot ashes damaging the forest floor.

I tested mine using a full mug of water and that got to the boiling in under 5 minuets. I plan to test my zebra tin on it shortley.

But in overall this is a great item and a great space and weight saving product.

OVERALL RATING: 9/10

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For a larger version have a look at our Bushbox XL

Wednesday, 12 February 2014

Review & Alterations To Fire-Steel

Reviews & Alterations to Fire-Steel

When buying a fire-steel make sure it has a good rating or you know of someone who has brought from them before. With this place I have purchased from here before.

About this item

Features:

High grade.

Produces a 3000°C (5,500°F) spark.

Lightweight, safe and fireproof.

Applicable at anywhere, anytime and any condition, including moist weather or low temperature.

Sparks easily -- ignite paper, dry grass or bark.

Durable -- Every flint can be used for more than one thousand times.

Material: flint (magnesium), scraper (iron).

It took a while to come through as they are posted from China but at £4.99 you can't argue.

This is how they look when they arrive.

These one tend to come apart pretty easy and then it is easy to make a proper handle.

With a peace of dead standing wood I cut it down to recommended size then cut the bark off.

I rounded the ends and started to shape it slowly not putting to much pressure on the knife as it is easy to slip.

With a bit more shaping and defining.

Give it some shape to it so it fits your hand well.

Start to sand it down (I used P80) so it gets nice and smooth.

Then I drilled the holes re sanded the area then a few coats of bees wax and Arodited the steel into the handle and leave to dry in a warm place.

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Sunday, 9 February 2014

Review - Banco Laplander Folding Saw

This is the Banco Laplander Folding Saw. If truth be told when I ordered this I was expecting a half thrown together peace of kit. BUT when it arrived I was firstly shocked by its size, it is a great size and small enough to pack away in your rucksack.

Secondly the way it's constructed is brilliant allowing you to change the blade once it becomes blunt or damaged. The blade itself is made of heavy gauge steel and is coated with a anti rust coating but also has XT thoothing, that is very fine and allows for a faster smoother cut every time.

This saw had health and safety written all over it with its handle is made of a neoprene rubber allowing a firm grip in the wettest of conditions, to the safety button on the hinge keeping it fully locked open or closed ensuring it doesn't close up on your fingers or open when not in use.

With this said I would of liked to of see it come with a sheath of some sorts but the leather wrist cord is a nice touch tho.

OVERALL RATING: 9/10

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Saturday, 8 February 2014

Review - Condor Bushlore Knife

CONDOR BUSHCRAFT KNIFE - REVIEW

This knife is from the Condor range and I have to say I'm Very impressed! Now I've had this knife for about a year know and I have given it a proper beating. I've used it in survival days, doing everything from chopping small deadwood that's like steel to carving and even using it to start my fire with the spine of the knife. That solid hardwood handle has held fast and not come lose but I did keep loosing that razor sharp edge. However after adding a micro bevel it now holds that great sharp edge thanks to that carbon steel full tang blade.

Blade Length: 107mm (4¼in)

Blade Material: Carbon Steel

Handle Material: Wood

Overall Length: 241mm (9½in)

Sheath: Leather

I had problems with the Condor Bushlore Mini with regards to the handle size and fit. But you can see in this photo that isn't the problem with this knife.

And comparing it to the mini you can really see the difference.

You do kind of get the feeling that they just put the Condor Bushlore into a photocopier and pushed the 1/2 scale button and out pops the mini.

But saying that they really have put a lot of heart and sole in this blade. I feel the handle could be polished, as out of the box it is dry. But even the great solid leather sheath has been made with care. It has been fassened with that heavy stitching and them steel rivets top and bottom this will last the ages of time.

OVERALL RATING: 8/10

-1 due having to correct the blade

-1 due to the handle being very dry

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Review - Condor Bushlore Mini

CONDOR BUSHLORE MINI - REVIEW

This knife is from the Condor range.

The Condor range has always stood high in my books for a great build for a great price. Unfortunately this one I feel let them down. The knife itself is still to a great build and outstanding standard coming in at:

Blade Length: 76mm (3in)

Blade Material: 1075 carbon steel

Blade Thickness: 2.4mm

Handle Material: Hardwood

Overall Length: 165mm (6½in)

Sheath: Brown leather

However I haven't got the biggest hands in the world but in my case the handle still doesn't fit my hand properly.

It feels like it was designed for someone with small hands. However when using it I keep thinking my hand could slip off and onto the blade.

The hardwood handle is shaped well and made of lovely wood however the wood out of the box is very dry and does need a touch of linseed oil to help bring out that great color.

Then onto the sheath, it is VERY well made as all Condor stuff is. It has the same immaculate finish as the knife and you know it will keep hold of that razor sharp blade for many years to come. And with that heavy stitching and thick leather along with those 2 heavy duty rivets top and bottom I can't see it breaking any time soon.

OVERALL RATING: 4/10

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Friday, 7 February 2014

17-11-14 Hobo Stove Experiment

Hobo Stove Experiment

Being the type of person who will watch a video on YouTube and then have a go myself I just had to make one. So after watching plenty of how to make your own hobo stove videos on YouTube I cracked on.

Well after this trial burn I added some modifications. Now looks like this.

Air holes drilled into the top and bottom base.

What you think ?

Not bad for free and 1hour of my time.

1x drill

1x pliers

1x hacksaw

Made from a bru your own ale tin. "Thanks John"

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Thursday, 6 February 2014

26-08-13 Fire Lighting

Well after a great day out on Dartmoor (Check previous post)

The next day I received a text from John asking how my fire lighting skills are ? Well to be truthfull I haven't lit a fire in 10 years unless using matches but the knowledge was still In my mind like it was only yesterday. Well I replayed with the only response I thought was best "yeah all good, do it all the time" But after I clicked the send button it then hit me ! Ow God where is my firelighting kit ????

Well after a good hunt through my kit I found it at the bottom of my bag and still full with kinderling. Well I got all my stuff ready and left ready to be there early to get stuff prepped.

I met John and the rest of the scouts at the hut the sun was still out and warm. A perfect day to do so me firelighting John brought his car into the open area and opened the back door to then have a mountain of wood fall out with a CRASH !

Flag break was done and the wood was dishes out to each patrol. Ready to get going and being eager as ever it got my fire up and going in under 5 mins and then one done I was happy with my achievement I moved on to help some of them struggling. Well after passing on some advise and knowledge they started to pick it up pretty quick.

This point I knew that I want to do this full-time try help as many of the kids as I can.

As the evening progressed on and they started to get more familiar with the things they were doing. They started to come across with better questions like can you do other things to start fires. And how can you start one without a flint and steel, matches or even a lighter and that's when I started trying to explain the theory of a firebow. So the older ones got the idea of what I'm saying. BUT the younger ones still thought that the bow was the type being Indians used. At the end of the day it did get there heads around it. I did have to draw a couple of diagrams. But as camps turn up they do end up having the chance to practice again and see if they remember what we taught them. Well we will soon find that out.

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29-01-14 Greatest Autograph Of All Time

From a young age I can always remember watching Ray Mears on TV.

Well as I've got older and I have leaned to his bush crafting side.

I have practiced and failed and tryed again.

Then one day I received a parcel addressed to me. I hadn't ordered anything, slightly confused I opened it up and to my surprise I had a Signed Ray Mears photo.

Well I went straight onto Twitter and found Ray Mears and thanked them.

Then a day or so later they liked my post. So I take it they saw my response. Thank you.

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Tuesday, 4 February 2014

25-08-13 Heading Out Letterboxing

Dartmoor Letterboxing

Dartmoor Letterboxing FB Page

Hey all I'm slowly catching up with all these blogs. And I do apologise for any spelling mistakes, I'm kind of doing this on my mobile as my 22 month old likes to sit on my laptop when typing.

Well back to last summer the scouts was trying to find something all the scouts would enjoy and that was some form of outdoor activity. Well I brought up the idea of Letterboxing, it's fun and I described it to them as a form of treasure hunting.

Well it was 25th August 2013 and the day arrived and I was excited. My bag was packed my lunch made and the car filled up with fuel.

As we arrived a quick walk through was done with a safety brief of staying away from the bogs as they may swallow you alive and don't put your hands into dark holes as Adders are known to live up here.

Well we started as a tight nit group at first till some found boxes and then we all broke off into groups. I think it was something daft like 4 leaders to 8 kids.

Ellie relaxing for lunch.

Well as the day ended the stamps was totalled up and was amazed that we had a sub total of 30 stamps.

So just a few photo of the day.

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