There are plenty of 'survival type' websites out there for folks who want to go there. Most of us here have been backpacking for many years and have built up our skills along the way. Hence, when I head out on a backpacking trip I am not thinking 'Rambo' . rather, I am already prepared in my skills and have taken sufficient actions to safeguard my return when I am due back from my trip. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

If one is'nt proficient in rudimentry knife skills for use in the backcountry, no amount of fancy, or not, fixed blade is going to save them. Knowledge 'saves' your butt in the Bush, everything you carry is utilized by that knowledge to get you home. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

Take a minute to go out in your backyard, with your swiss army knife that most of you carry. Now find a couple dry branches/pieces of dry wood, about 1" to 2" in diameter/10"-12" in length. Find a flat spot on the ground to rest one end of a piece of the wood. Wearing gloves and using the longest blade on your sak press down into the upper end of the piece of wood. Ok, you have started the wood now see if by gently pressing down if the width of the blade alone can split the length of the wood. If not then you may need to use a stout piece of wood tapping on the exposed end of the knife blade in order to 'encourage it'. No need for caveman like pounding here; you're attempting to get the wood to split naturally with the grain. ALWAYS hold the knife handle gently, not tightly, to prevent any strain from being brought upon the knife's blade joint. It should be possible depending upon wood species you've chosen to split these wee branches/ pieces of wood with your sak.

All fires need a tinder base to start, then progressively larger wood to fuel the fire. Once you have sourced the smaller wood with your hands (think pencil sized); gradually get large pieces. There is no need to split larger 4-6" diameter wood as you can dry it next to your smaller fire before adding it. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

Don't buy into the hype that you must have a certain knife, size, steel or otherwise in order make a fire or do any other tasks in camp or on the trail. Scissors work great for 75% of the tasks you'll encounter, and an average knife in knowledgable hands out works a fancy knife in less skilled hands everytime. Let's see, cavemen were using what to split their wood and start their fires <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />...not even a sak! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />
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PEPPER SPRAY AIN'T BRAINS IN A CAN!