Cutting Tools

08/05/24 • 24 min

Introduction: Chris welcomes listeners and introduces the topic of essential cutting tools for camping.
Discussion Points:
- Importance of Cutting Tools: Overview of why cutting tools are crucial in camping and bushcraft.
- Axes:
  - Types of Axes: Campers axe, boys' axe, felling axes, hatchets.
  - Personal Preferences: Chris shares his experience with different axes, including the utility axe and the Eastwing camper's axe.
  - Uses of Axes: Chopping trees, splitting firewood, carving, and more.
  - Axe Maintenance: Importance of keeping axes sharp and tips for sharpening.
- Saws:
  - Types of Saws: Buck saws, bow saws, folding saws.
  - Personal Preferences: Chris discusses his preference for the Baco Laplander folding saw.
  - Uses of Saws: Cutting small and large diameter logs, making notches, and primitive cooking tools.
- Multi-Tools:
  - Versatility: Multi-tools as backup cutting tools and their various uses around the campsite.
  - Modifying Multi-Tools: Customizing multi-tool components for specific tasks.
Gear Selection:
- Budget-Friendly Options: Emphasizing the importance of practicality over brand names and expensive gear.
- Avoiding Gear Acquisition Syndrome (GAS): Encouraging listeners to focus on essential items and enjoy their time in the woods.
Conclusion:
- Teaser for Next Episode: Chris previews the next episode on different types of cordage for camping.
- Call to Action: Encouraging listeners to like, follow, and subscribe on their preferred platforms.

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Introduction: Chris welcomes listeners and introduces the topic of essential cutting tools for camping.
Discussion Points:
- Importance of Cutting Tools: Overview of why cutting tools are crucial in camping and bushcraft.
- Axes:
  - Types of Axes: Campers axe, boys' axe, felling axes, hatchets.
  - Personal Preferences: Chris shares his experience with different axes, including the utility axe and the Eastwing camper's axe.
  - Uses of Axes: Chopping trees, splitting firewood, carving, and more.
  - Axe Maintenance: Importance of keeping axes sharp and tips for sharpening.
- Saws:
  - Types of Saws: Buck saws, bow saws, folding saws.
  - Personal Preferences: Chris discusses his preference for the Baco Laplander folding saw.
  - Uses of Saws: Cutting small and large diameter logs, making notches, and primitive cooking tools.
- Multi-Tools:
  - Versatility: Multi-tools as backup cutting tools and their various uses around the campsite.
  - Modifying Multi-Tools: Customizing multi-tool components for specific tasks.
Gear Selection:
- Budget-Friendly Options: Emphasizing the importance of practicality over brand names and expensive gear.
- Avoiding Gear Acquisition Syndrome (GAS): Encouraging listeners to focus on essential items and enjoy their time in the woods.
Conclusion:
- Teaser for Next Episode: Chris previews the next episode on different types of cordage for camping.
- Call to Action: Encouraging listeners to like, follow, and subscribe on their preferred platforms.

🔥 Explore More from Speir Outdoors
All my links, gear, community, and content in one spot:
👉 links.speiroutdoors.com

Stay Connected

📖 Book: Primitive Camping & Bushcraft

☕ Coffee: Primitive Camping Roast

🎙️ Podcast Episodes

🎥 YouTube Channel

🧭 Socials, Blog, and More

Have questions or want to connect?
📩 Email: [email protected]

Previous Episode

Knife Selection

Introduction:

Host: Chris Speir
Welcome to the Primitive Camping and Bushcraft Podcast
Today's topic: Knives, the most crucial tool next to a metal pot for any outdoor adventure

Key Points Discussed:

Types of Knives:

Importance of a good sheath or belt knife
Backup knife necessity

Personal Favorites:

Morinive Garberg
BPS Bushcraft II
Uses: Cutting trees, saplings, splitting firewood, carving, cleaning game, cutting fish

Types of Steel:

Stainless Steel: Malleable, less brittle, anti-corrosive, tarnish-resistant
High Carbon Steel: Rigid, robust, prone to chipping and cracking, superior for ferro rod fire starting, more rust-prone

Knife Tangs:

Full Tang: Strong, extends through the handle
Partial Tang: Weaker, handle made around it, more affordable

Grinds:

Scandinavian (Scandi) Grind: Common, easy to sharpen
Flat Grind: Similar ease of sharpening
Hollow Grind: Sharp and precise, ideal for delicate tasks, prone to damage
Convex Grind: Robust and durable, challenging to sharpen

Spine of the Knife:

Importance of a sharp 90-degree spine for fire starting
Avoid flashy, powder-coated knives

Sharpening Techniques:

Tools: Stones, diamond plates, ceramic sharpeners, leather belts
Strop or leather belt use for maintaining sharpness

Knife Length:

Ideal length: 4-5 inches blade, total length 9-10 inches
Importance of blade thickness for durability

Personal Techniques:

Energy conservation by burning logs instead of splitting
Primary and backup knives carried by Chris

Conclusion:

Quick guide on selecting a knife
Invitation for listener questions and feedback
Mention of the book "Primitive Camping and Bushcraft"
Encouragement to follow and review the podcast

🔥 Explore More from Speir Outdoors
All my links, gear, community, and content in one spot:
👉 links.speiroutdoors.com

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📖 Book: Primitive Camping & Bushcraft

☕ Coffee: Primitive Camping Roast

🎙️ Podcast Episodes

🎥 YouTube Channel

🧭 Socials, Blog, and More

Have questions or want to connect?
📩 Email: [email protected]

Next Episode

Essential Cordage for Camping

Show Notes:

Introduction:

Welcome and introduction by Chris Speir.
Brief overview of the episode's focus on cordage.

Importance of Cordage:

Definition and significance of cordage (string or rope) in camping and bushcraft.
Discussion on the time-consuming nature of making cordage in the wild.

Types of Cordage:

Paracord:
- Description and historical background of paracord (550 cord).
- Breakdown of its structure and tensile strength.
- Various uses of paracord, including fishing line and crafting tools.
Bank Line:
- Introduction to tarred and twisted bank line.
- Comparison between paracord and bank line in terms of cost and utility.
- Common applications of bank line, such as trot lines for fishing.

Natural Cordage:

Explanation of making cordage from natural materials like palmetto stalks and yucca plants.
Techniques for processing plant fibers into cordage.
Uses of natural cordage for various tasks in the wild.

Making Cordage:

Step-by-step process of creating natural cordage using the reverse wrap and twist method.
Examples of materials and plants suitable for making cordage, including grapevines and willow bark.

Practical Tips:

Benefits of carrying both paracord and bank line during camping trips.
Recommendations for the amount and type of cordage to bring.

Conclusion:

Recap of the importance of cordage in outdoor activities.
Encouragement to practice making natural cordage.
Call to action: Follow the podcast, subscribe to the YouTube channel, and join the Primitive Camping and Bushcraft Facebook group.

🔥 Explore More from Speir Outdoors
All my links, gear, community, and content in one spot:
👉 links.speiroutdoors.com

Stay Connected

📖 Book: Primitive Camping & Bushcraft

☕ Coffee: Primitive Camping Roast

🎙️ Podcast Episodes

🎥 YouTube Channel

🧭 Socials, Blog, and More

Have questions or want to connect?
📩 Email: [email protected]