Make Sure your Knife Sheath is Safe, Effective

(Illustration by C. T. Fischer)

So you’ve decided what fixed-blade knife to include in an emergency survival kit or Bug Out Bag.

But how will you safely carry it? Where is the best place to wear that knife on your belt? And what things should you look for in a sheath to make sure the knife isn’t lost?

Unfortunately, some fine knifes come with mediocre to poor sheaths. In some cases, these sheaths can be dangerous to the user!

Outdoorsman and knifemaker  C.T. Fischer explains the best ways to carry your fixed-blade knife, and things to look for in a sheath. 

Click on fixed-blade sheath safety to read the story!

Survival Knife Review: C.T. Fischer Nessmuk Knife

This Nessmuk-style knife is a winner!

Sometimes a knife just looks right, and that's what drew my eye to an ad for a "Nessmuk" knife.  It looked like a quality workhorse.

For a little background here, George Washington Sears, 1821-1890, is better known by his pen name of "Nessmuk". He wrote one of the first wilderness survival books,  "Woodcraft," in 1884 and was a regular contributor to "Forest and Stream Magazine."

So when I saw a Nessmuk-style knife  advertised by C.T. Fischer Knives, based in Elk City, Idaho, I just had to try one out . I called knife maker Christopher T. Fischer and asked about his product line.  

Here's my thoughts on the knife after testing it: click on Nessmuk knife review.

Camp Chef Remote Meat Thermometer

This remote thermometer works great - but do you need one?

Dutch oven cooks tend to fall  into two schools of thought: There are the frequent checkers (when it comes to lifting the lid and looking at the cooking food) and there are those never want to open the oven while cooking.
I am a frequent checker, since I don’t want to burn anything. My wife wants to leave the lid down. Her reasoning is that every time you lift the lid to look at the food, heat is lost. When we cook together, differences of opinion occur!
Recently, I tested the Camp Chef Remote Meat Thermometer at a Dutch oven dinner. Is this a viable tool in your Dutch oven survival kit? Read this thermometer review to decide! 

Frontier Pro Ultralight Multi-Use Water Filter

The Frontier Pro filters water well and is easy to use.

Deserts are arid. That doesn’t mean there aren’t springs or creeks – it’s just that they’re further apart than in areas with more rainfall and desert water sources may dry up during the hot months.

The other extreme might be during a flood, where  you may be in  a flood, surrounded by filthy, muddy water, with none to drink.
Wherever you are, staying hydrated is critical to survival. The preferred method of water purification might be boiling. But what if you need drinking water immediately to rehydrate a child, or don’t have the means to make a fire or a suitable water container?
Water filters that will work under these circumstance and in these situations need to effective. Most importantly, they must be light, compact and easy to carry and use or they will be left behind. That is why I was intrigued by the Frontier Pro Ultra-Light Multi-Use Water Filter.

Wondermill Wonder Junior

The Wondermill Wonder Junior sets us easily, and works well .

Does a survival-type need a grainmill? Is the bulky, heavy item practical for a bug-out situation?  Would a grainmill be worth the weight and space it takes up in a survival situation?

Those were the first questions I came up with, when asked to review the hand-powered Wondermill Wonder Junior. But since that question has come up from readers before, it seemed like a good time to address the issue!

So, with some help from the local Dutch oven club, we created a survival scenario and tried out the Wondermill. 

Here is what we found!

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Fathers Day Gifts For That Survival/Prepper Dad

Don't forget the intangibles!

Fathers Day is June 19, and here are some practical, inexpensive gift suggestions for that prepper or survival dad!
Everybody (Says me!) needs to carry a small, pocket-sized survival kit wherever they go. If an emergency happens or the Sewage Hits the Fan, the only survival tools you’ll have are the ones in your pockets, purse, briefcase or coat pocket.
Maybe Dad is already on the preparedness or survival bandwagon, and is pretty well set up. Or, maybe he doesn’t have anything, and sees no need to prepare for anything.
Either way, here are some Fathers Day gift suggestions for inexpensive, useful gifts that can come from the kids. Any Dad worthy of  the title will appreciate and carry these items, because of who gave them!