Well it's it's been a little while since I posted last, and MY, how things have changed. I have spent the majority of this winter training my ECWS (Extreme Cold Weather Survival Skills) under some excellent instructors. The things I've picked up are just an awesome addition to my skill set. My confidence levels making fire with cold hands and no matches or lighter are through the roof. I am also very glad I had this opportunity to try out some equipment and really put it through it's paces. Basically I just ran the hell out of it and actually tried to break it! I've also met up with some interesting people with loads of knowledge to offer along the way. I will try and prioritize the gear but please don't crucify me if I jump out of order. So let's begin in earnest shall we?

    I think most of the experts I've come across, will agree the #1 piece of equipment you should have is your knife. Not just any crazy 2 pronged squiggly bat-shaped knife out of the "cheaper than shit" catalog:

Looks really cool huh?

Looks Really tough huh?

In all seriousness DO NOT bet your life, on either of these types of knives! I had the privilege of running the so called "zombie hunter" this winter. I stick to the rule of "the quality of your tools MUST be the absolute PRIORITY if you intend to survive!"

CLEARLY...not so tough.

Your survival knife must be a relatively high quality carbon or stainless steel. It must be "full tang"

meaning it should be one solid piece of quality steel like the knife in the bottom example.

The Zombie knife was a "rat tail" like the upper example. You can see why it broke.

The very best survival knives out there are all full tang, quality steel and thick enough to withstand major abuse. In fact they are not called "survival knife, or Tactical this or that...they don't have a cool compass or hollowed out handle or any other BS thats going to break with REAL WORLD usage.

They're simply called Bushcraft Knives. Thick, one piece designs with Micarta handles, capable of splitting a log into usable pieces and also doing small detail work like carving. The same knife can make a spark to start a fire using a "ferrocerium rod" as pictured above.

Companies such as Blindhorse, Hedgehog, Norseman, etc, make these excellent knives as well as mass production companies like Esee and Nora. Average prices are about $100 and up for entry level. Good custom knives can run you as much 6 to 700 dollars.

A good quality knife should handle simple tasks like "batoning" wood for a fire.