Old Classic Pole Structure

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Originally Posted by Alaskan Survivalist

It makes you feel like a kid again too. Now all I need to do is to get some old guys down the road to do the same and we can arm ourselves with BB guns and try to destroy each others forts... I mean BOL's (all in the name of survival training ofcoarse).

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Now that's what I'm talking about, bb gun wars, woohoo! It's been a long time.

AS, Thanks for the information. I have been thinking about building several shelters with-in a few miles of my cabin. I am thinking I could even stock them with split firewood. I could take the chainsaw on the snowmachine. I really like the idea of having spots set-up. Kind of a fall'back position.

In the area and terrain that you guys live, that is a very good idea.

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Originally Posted by Alaskan Survivalist

In my endless search for better gear I tripped across a small 16 dollar hatchet this week that looked worthy of purchase and a field test.

http://i540.photobucket.com/albums/g...o/IMG_1534.jpg

I've said before that in pursuit of lighter equipment that often it becomes useless for its purpose and this tool comes dangerously close to that. I chopped a small alder with it and as you can see the chips are rather small. In fact it is on a par with my knife for chopping larger poles. I will get the job done but not efficiently. I consider speed that I can accomplish a task with a tool as much as weight. I post these tests here so they can be put into context of how I use them. It is only in context that this tool begins to show promise. I have found that it cuts small branchs and splits small pieces of wood far better than my knife and more accurately. With pole construction removing branchs is large part of work and it is perfect for chopping the size wood I use for my Volcano stove. Chopping with my knife also dulls it quickly and this would save blade maintence.

http://i540.photobucket.com/albums/g...o/IMG_1536.jpg

My conclusion is that this tool cannot stand alone but may very well fill a nitch with lighter gear. It has earned at least a place in my kit for one long hike where aching muscles will have a say as to what I carry. It may very well earn a permanent place with my pocket shovel and saw that have proven thier worth on many trips. It is only in this context I would recommend this product.

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That small ax is like the hunting pack combo:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y13...3/DSCF0270.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y13...3/DSCF0035.jpg

I have to tell you that it's worth it's carry weight.

I'm liking the umbrella idea as well.........Hummmmmmm
Thanks!

This was from Sportsman Guide, bottom pic was with the knife it came with, not real crazy about that one, used it on a deer last year, gut hook is worthless, ended up using an old Mora blade I carry inside the pack. (yeah, I know, He who has the most knives when he dies, wins)

Top pic, knife is a Mora, forget the number, but it was too small to fit tight in existing sheath, so I cut up the plastic Mora sheath a little, shoved it in the existing sheath, one rivet to hold it in.

The para cord wrap is around the strap, so as to not lose it, not intended as a "fast draw", but more of an "old guys lose stuff, so tie it on, till needed".

Strap on fanny pack is modified w/a buckle to be able to attach the combo sheath, or not.

AS......any chance the inside diamiter is 3 3/4" I need to find a can about 5" tall and with a Inside dia. of 3 3/4" to 3 7/8"

Hunter, you knife is a 780. No longer made.

Bravo! Falling in the water in those types of temps is nothing to screw with. I absolutely love this. Practical effing survival.

Another good post, AS. I had never considered using a torch on a canister. I'm not sure why not, just hadn't. I carry one or two MSR canisters with me for my stove so the torch would be an easy and practical addition. Good job!

Interesting. I get about 5 feet for every 2 steps, but that's on fairly level terrain without heavy snow.

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Now whenever the needle is aligned with north on compass the base will be pointing the course you chose.

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You lost me a little there. Can you explain this a little better? Land nav is something that has always just come naturally to me, and I really would like to learn to use the mappers compass. TIA.

YCC - Try this:

http://www.wilderness-survival.net/f...t=read+compass

AS - Did you get some new trigger finger mitts?

Nice to see a good pic thread.

I use quite a few of those camo tarps which I buy at Harborfreight.

I also believe people should figure things out for themselves as A S said in post #19.

I have never taken a class or had anyone show me how to do things in the wild. I don't know how I have even survived without the internet either. Kidding, if people could not tell.

I have learned by trial and error. Fortunately not too many errors.

Did you get your subtract and add reversed? You did the compass correctly but I think your wording is backwards?

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Originally Posted by AS

Subtract easterly deviation and add westerly deviation by turning compass dail.

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You subtracted the deviation on your compass. You are western but your instructions say add it.

I know how to do it I was just confused on your terminology between eastern and western. I thought you meant that's where you were, which would have made it backwards. Your last post clarified it for me, however. Now I'm with you.

All that aside, it's an excellent post and I gave you some rep for it.

Tried to give you some Rep AS... said I have to "spread the Love" before I could rep you again.

That helps a lot. Thanks!!

I'll have to check the deviation for my area.. since I'm closer to the east coast, I suppose I would either add, or have very little deviation at all. I'm pretty much south of Rick.

Using your Lat/Long under your avatar I determined that you are near Doanlsonville, Ga. So... For your area I found this info.....

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DONALSONVILLE
Latitude: 31° 2' 25" N
Longitude: 84° 52' 45" W
Magnetic declination: 3° 47' WEST
Declination is NEGATIVE
Inclination: 60° 37'
Magnetic field strength: 48432.6 nT

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Info was from this site.....
http://www.magnetic-declination.com/

YCC - you don't have a lot of adjustment to make. For you - Declination = 3° 47' W changing by 0° 6' W/year