In the Shadow of Nessmuk Part 4

[@wpick]

I really like this series and you can talk as long as you want Dave.

[@confidential5743]

Survival Russia also advocates for a saw over an axe, hard to argue with him when he regularly camps in -30 degree weather

[@Seancmccormick]

I wish Nessmuk could see all the modern innovations. I imagine his writings would change substantially. Great video! Your modern approach on the Nessmuk trio is note worthy. Atb Sean

[@snovak89]

You have an amazing ability to draw the audience in; you can convey vital information rapidly and with great accuracy. You were great on Dual Survival; the first two seasons were some of the best main-stream survival/outdoors television ever produced.

[@YaddaRabbit]

I agree

[@jeanniehogue4490]

Mr Canterbury no need to apologize for being “long winded”. I consider it to be a privilege to learn from your videos. I’m very grateful for all of your effort

[@kevola5739]

Long winded only applies to people who have nothing useful to say.

[@jiggity9572]

Hit the nail on the head with this one Dave. Thanks for this series and all you do!

[@johneckert1690]

Hello Dave. Being today is Veterans Day I just wanted to say THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE and thank you for being out there for us on KZbin. I have been camping ever sense I was 12 years old, and this week I will turn 62 years young so for my it's about 50 years now and I am still learning. I don’t mind getting older as long as I learn something every day and have or gain the wisdom to use what I have learned. Again, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE and GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

[@jonesey65244]

Don't apologize for long-windedness. I am sure I am not alone in that I enjoy listening and watching you explain things in detail. I appreciate all the work and effort you put into making these videos. Thank you. Keep breathin', man.

[@ReversePeople]

It’s only long-winded if it’s empty, hot air. Your content is anything but that. You provide thoughtful, valuable info so please keep these content-rich videos coming. Thanks Dave.

[@jesseherbert2585]

Fascinating! I have been pondering these things for years as well. Been ultralight backpacking since the 90s, got into woodsmanship/bushcrafting a decade later, and have been camping on my own even in homemade setups since I was a pre-teen. Couple thoughts I'd share here at the start of 2023: like one comment below, I put a firefly in my SAK and found I can still store the plastic toothpick in the knife under other fold out parts. Works on every model I've tried. Be careful to support the firefly rod on a piece of flat wood or something or it breaks. The Silky saws now come in an outback version with a slightly thicker blade, also able to saw through bone better. After breaking a Gomboy blade when a branch vibrated up in an unusually way, I'm sold on the thicker blade. In terms of a light source I use glow tape to extend headlamp battery life. The theater prop tape on Amazon is incredibly effective. I have it on all my knife handles (clean with alcohol, trim/round off corners, and don't touch sticky part when peeling backing, it stays on for years) and if charged with an LED for a few seconds one can see around obstacles in the dark for several minutes. Also allows stealth exists when hunting. With only ambient daylight charges you can still find items until dawn. I've lived outside for a month straight the past three summers in Maine and have found these things to be very helpful. I also prefer orange knife handles to make them easier to locate on cloudy days if misplaced or dropped. I love the Earth Runner sandles for mountain climbing capable grounded/lightweight/comfy footwear, though when it is wet, full coverage is key. Head bug nets are almost a must at certain times and weigh very little. Those telescoping stainless fire bellow tubes are a HUGE help when reviving a fire, and also weigh almost nothing and make for very helpful fire tending. Oh, and a double-walled camp pot is an excellent cooking tool, it can be left directly in coals or high flames and rarely/almost never burns at the base...I suspect the nesting canteen cooking kit you sell could be used this way if one put a quarter inch of punkwood or something similar between the two kidney containers. Only leaves one container to cook but it is really helpful to be able to set and forget while doing other tasks and not return to burnt food/pot bottoms. Last, those wallet and SAK size magnifying glasses are hard to light fires with on their own, even in bright sun, but work great getting an ember in char material thus saving one's rods/friction sticks/lighters for when there is no sun. Keep up the great shares!

[@TmanPlaysUncensoredGaming]

long winded is a good thing, more info.

[@PavlovsBob]

Great video. No need to apologize. I'm loving this series. I replaced the toothpick on my and my boys' SAKs with firefly strikers. I normally carry toothpicks but, if I have to carve one or use a plant stem I just use my head same as always.

[@ROE1300]

Good clear and concise explanation of today’s “Nessmuk Trio”. If my memory serves Nessmuk primarily used his belt knife for game processing and food prep, doing the “bushcrafty” chores with his hatchet and folding knife. Videos and books by Felix Immler and videos on the Vinnies Day Off KZbin channel demonstrate how affective a folding knife (particularly an SAK style) can be. Through practice I see the merit in what these guys say. I agree with your recommendation that in the 21st Century for most of the year a good folding saw is an excellent substitution for a hatchet. As you point out Mr. Sears used what was available to him in mostly the late 19 Century.

[@toneyjohnson8910]

I am enjoying how you are staying in the shadow of Nessmuk but updating it for today.

[@okiebrave1932]

You were the best woodsman of them all! Wish you were back on TV.

[@garageliving3658]

Leather wave+ 100% all the time. Put an edge on can opener for carving and make heavy screwdriver into a chisel. Made a spoon on my last full day hunt.

[@DrAdrianTodd]

As a lightweight walker who switched to bushcraft, and a great fan of Nessmuk, I am enjoying the thinking process. Thanks for sharing your journey.

[@redflag2613]

I do really agree with your choice, sir.. my set-up for tropical jungle (my environment) also very similiar. Bahco laplander saw (440 gr) + 10" parang (350 gr) + victorinox OHT (130 gr).

[@daeholm]

Folding saws are the best innovation in bushcraft in recent times.

[@jameslemasters9792]

Dave long winded is good when expert advice is being given. Good information is as important as our tools.

[@dwaynewalker986]

I certainly agree with other comments about no need to apologize for a friendly informal chat. In my experience you have things you A) carry a lot and use a little, and B) carry a lot and use a lot. If heavier items make the work you want done easier , that's where I'll spend the weight. Chopping, hammering, prying, crushing, bashing, and breaking are difficult to do with a saw. I carry a saw, the small one in my plier tool.

[@allennundel6532]

liked your discussion on knives. I have several SAK knives, small and large. have one from 1975... keep the videos coming!

[@skipper9400]

I think your way of looking at this is great Dave...and I personally most DEFINITELY agree with you on the saw.....I'm not going to build a cabin, or going to log while I'm CAMPING ....I could see an axe if I was going to hike into the National Forest and set up a permanent elk camp, or something similar, but at my age, (76), that's not very likely....I also carry a SAK, but that's in addition to a quality modern folder, (CRK Sebenza), that is always in my pocket....great Series Dave.... thanks for doing this....20 years ago, I did a lot of backpack camping, and wound up right about where you are with the weight thing, not Thru-Hiker Superlight, but I did use some of the very best, (lightest within reason), gear to make it more fun, and less tiring.......Take care Man......OnWard........

[@timhahne3894]

I think that the fact that Nessmuk was slight in stature was a big factor in his gear selection. He was just over 5" tall and about 100 lbs. I'm 6'4" and about 220lbs. Percentage wise I can comfortably carry much more/larger/heavier gear items, I.E. larger axe ect...

[@AdventuresWithDaniel]

Good setup for sure! I like the Leatherman wingman and a plastic floss stick too but you're right about the SAK. Thanks for sharing!

[@patrickbrett66]

Always carry an SAK even when not in the outdoors, it's just so useful that it would be dumb not to which is why I believe that if Nessmuk had the option of carrying one he would have. Totally loving this series Dave, looking forward to every new episode eagerly, keep up the pace brother!

[@jeffgail99]

Best series since woodcraft on a budget. Thanks Dave!

[@marloweheredy7945]

Yes! I chose a SAK to. For the same reasons as you and, the scissors. So much easier to repair gear when you have scissors.

[@JimRodgers]

It seems like many of us mimic what others have carried into the woods, either for nostalgic reasons or just because old-fashioned gear is what we have. I really enjoy using a small axe in the woods (I've got the Council Tool Camp Carver) but for ease of use and increased safety, I always have a Silky Gomboy or Bigboy with me as well. And my EDC always includes the Swiss Army Trekker, such a useful knife. Great suggestions, Dave!

[@stevenfournier1933]

Really nice vid. The series is shaping into one of your best. Bushcraft does not mean you have to rub two sticks together everytime. Modern equipment and old school knowledge can be combined to make a safer and more enjoyable experience. Thanks for the effort you go to for these vids.

[@charlesmurphy7712]

Oh snap ,you could have gone on for at least an hour. I agree 💯% with what you are saying. I've been carrying a carona Saw ,SAK, and a five inc full tang fixed blade for almost thirty years now. Before that it was back in younger days and I used a Buck folder , Buck belt knife and a Bow Saw. I really appreciate the views you're talking about that in the past , a person would use the best that was available to them and today there are better and more effective tools available to us. Back in the sixties growing up,my uncle's and my dad used things they had when they were camping in thier youth and the difference between the 20s and 30s which some of them still had and used was vast in comparison to what I was using in scouting. And what's available today is even more advanced than when I was in scouting. 1960 equipment comparison to 2020 new knives and gear is remarkable and getting even cooler in what is available for Bushcrafting and camping.

[@stuartlockwood9645]

Thanks Dave, this was an interesting talk, I agree whith your choice of tool types , And when your cold ,and tired that's not the time to find out you bought ,and carried into the bush the wrong stuff, as you said if Nessmuk was alive today I'm sure he would have made use of a folding saw etc. Today we're spoiled for choice, and that's why most of us carry too much gear. Looking forward to the next one,Best wishes to you and family, Stuart uk.

[@MSnow-1967]

A site that will show you 100’s of ways to use a SAK checkout Felix Immler’s channel. An example is how to drill a hole in a branch using the saw blade. Good series Dave!

[@DavidCanterbury]

Felix is a good guy, he sent me his book soon after it was published, he posts his videos to our Pathfinder Learning Center on FB all the time, great content for sure-

[@GandalfandShadowfax]

Great video in a thoughtful series. I'd not thought about the toothpick vs. twig+splinters angle. I thought you were going to say that there is a ferrocerium replacement on the market to take the place of the plastic toothpick which sees at first like a good idea...until you just mentioned the possibility of a splinter in gums.

[@CheezeheadChris]

I bought a set of the Firefly farro rods for my SAKs. I also like the tweezers and toothpicks. So, which one do you go with out? If I had to choose, I'd do with out the toothpick. But I did come up with a solution to carry all 3 tools. I purchased a SAK Classic and attached it to my bigger SAK with a bit bigger split ring and a small carabiner. So I carry the tweezers and the farro rod in the main sak, and have an extra set of tweezers, scissors and small cutting blade if needed.

[@wildone512]

Really enjoy this series.

[@MadDogSurvival]

Absolutely love it! ..... I’m definitely glad that you have done this video! ... I’m definitely not in favour of either the axe or saw! Either or are great!!! ... But conditions definitely depict what you carry and for the reasons why!! Very nice job brother! I honestly appreciate your videos! ... I respect and appreciate your honesty and knowledge! Very best wishes friend and thank you for sharing! Have a great weekend sir 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽😎🙏🏼💙

[@jamessotherden5909]

I think most of us watching like how you explain and tell us why you choose a certain tool. I sure do. Like this series very much and cant wait for the next episode.

[@otroblogdemarcelo]

Thanks, from a fellow in Argentina!

[@lordrichard8184]

Dave I didn’t think the video was long winded. I felt like everything you said had a place and belonged in the video. Great info!!

[@YaddaRabbit]

Thanks as always

[@vincentmeeks129]

Thanks, Dave. Really good info. The manner in which you put it together very well thought out.

[@bradjohnson4787]

I completely agree. Saws are much better for processing wood. I have one hatchet for knocking off middle sized dead branches and splitting. Never used a knife for wood processing.

[@evanmohn3075]

Appreciating this series a lot. It's about time bushcraft and lightweight were one in the same.

[@texashillbilly6148]

Good video Dave. Thanks.

[@acevent5759]

Love the weatherwhool !!!

[@ryewhiskeyfan5946]

This series is not the usual, theses are the facts, or product review type They are the philosophy and discussion type. You're sharing your thought process. Thinking out loud if you will. They are going to be longer. We still learn from them. I get more from videos like this because of the insight that is shared in them. Looking forward to the rest of the series.

[@jd12680]

Very great series.

[@TonyPowers_Dirtbound]

Really enjoying this series!

[@Maddteddy049]

this is exactly how the wisdom of yesterday can be applied to help guide us today.

[@kevinthewanderingwoodchuck2586]

Best series yet Dave! Love it.

[@shadomane]

I never consider your videos to be "long winded". Please keep up the great work.

[@grainplaner216]

Dave, The side of the double bit can be used to drive stakes.

[@sargintrock2538]

"Every woodsman has to do what's good for them"! Bingo!

[@WELSBYROOTS]

I didn't think it was long winded, keep them coming brother!

[@Limicola1]

Very interesting. Nice video. I've long been a fan of Nessmuk and Kephart. I scanned the Nessmuk trio years ago and posted it online and over the years I've seen it posted dozens of times in different forums. I knew it was my photo because it had an artifact in it from my scanner. I also wrote an article for Tactical Knives magazine showing how to convert an Old Hickory butcher knife into a Nessmuk style knife. I prefer the alox farmer X over the standard SAK. It is more robust and I prefer the awl that comes out at the end. For tweezers, I carry a sliver gripper and for a toothpick, I carry RotaPoint dm picks I get from my dentist, which are far superior to the SAK toothpick and the sliver gripper is better than the SAK tweezers imo. I always have one on my keychain and a second one in my FAK. For dayhikes, I leave the Silky back at my main camp and carry the Victorinox RangerGrip 79, which has a saw that will get me through an overnight if needed. The opinel saw is a good lightweight alternative to the silky as well.

[@484magnum]

Great video again Dave. I really like this series. Thanks

[@johnhenry8839]

Pretty much what I carry , a saw a leatherman and a mora but i always carry a large knife or small machete and that's what works for me

[@drcsep]

Disagreement with respect shows professionalism and leadership. Well done professor. 👍

[@IrishEagIe]

Great series

[@BigRed-oi6ky]

Love these videos

[@tomritter493]

That trio is it man I like 5 6 inch blade that's jmo. Always had a sak. On me from service days in the 80s and you've always had the folding saw as well loving the series

[@hiddenwoodsben]

i carry gomboy (just because it's the one i have, i'd prefer a pocketboy as well) , companion, then garberg and sak for years now. tried it all, always came back to these.

[@jackmaverick5481]

Your cutting trio is what I have always carried.

[@semco72057]

I have many fixed blade knives, but my favorite is the Ka-Bar brand and I have a BK2 I like. When it comes to axes I have used the double bit ax for many years while growing up, but never saw one as small as the one you have there. I have a folding saw in my backpack, and have a buck saw at home, but don't use much. I grew up using the double bit ax and buck saw to cut firewood for the stove and heater. The multi-tool you have is great and I love the brand also even though I have a Gerber brand which is nice for my needs.

[@obliviontactical7974]

Best video of this series

[@bushwhackedsurvivor9713]

Love the long knowledge vids. Keep em coming.

[@YankeeWoodcraft]

A

[@ebony5766]

Love the video, LOVE the length!

[@leganjan]

sak huntsman. really is the ultimate in my opinion. It is in my edc. I also put needle in the hole where corkscrew is.

[@shanedavis4309]

This series has been great. Keep them coming and be long winded if you have to.

[@ibmoosed]

Sometimes I baton my axe I laughed out loud when you broke out the folding saw

[@jeffrichards5106]

Great choices Dave, I agree with you.

[@charlesrock7770]

I didnt care for his fondness of the double bit axe either a small hatchet or hawk with a proper grind would be a better choice and gain a hammer poll.

[@bobswoodlandadventures5722]

Another awesome video Dave. I have the Mora Companion HD and I sometimes baton that knife hard. I saw a video of a guy who cut the handle in half and it has a rat tail tang, but the handle is tightly molded around it for a tight fit.

[@nickprague1481]

Nice video Dave. Good point on home made toothpicks that is not mentioned too often. I'm guessing you gave up the Bacho saw.

[@WayneTheSeine]

Loving it David.... keep um coming man.

[@southernyert7597]

Enjoyed the video & I hav always really enjoyed ur mini series videos. Thx

[@TheKimjoh560]

One could argue that even the folding saw would be redundant if the SAK was of the 130 mm variety with the 4.2" saw since its very capable. Another thing to concider is that some manufacturers have managed to sucessfully incorporate sawblades into machetes (most have failed miserablly though). Obviously they have nothing on a silky in terms of cutting performance but they would be more durable and can be field sharpened. They are also great energy saving tools for harvesting shelter materials.

[@DabyhCinacchi]

Nice job, Dave!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@benthere8051]

I really like my folding saw as well. Pocketboy - just used it yesterday.

[@jeffmcilroy7081]

I agree totally.. I go on 7 day canoe backcountry trips and on my first trip I thought a hatchet was going to be invaluable.. it was literally the first thing I dropped from my pack.. I’ve never missed it.

[@crateinvader8572]

until you break your paddle(s) and have to carve a makeshift one from wood

[@JeffMeadowsOutdoors]

I actually use my SAK for the toothpick and tweezers more often than for the blade.

[@lt.e.a.sewell6555]

Mr Canterbury, thank you for going over the trio. Correct me if I'm missing something. My trio choice is a full tang belt knife, a folding saw and a bow saw. I made my own breakdown bow saw from three pieces of bamboo and carry a couple of blades. I think my blades are 21 inches. My thinking is that a portable bow saw is more useful for processing up to 4 inch diameter logs. The folding saw for smaller fire wood and my large belt knife for splitting the bow saw logs down to smaller sizes as needed. I carried an SAK type knife in the Scouts but never used it much. Am I missing something?

[@yorickhodl-larregle8489]

Huntsman, my edc of heart ❤️ i've switch the toothpick for a pair of needles tho

[@bravojr]

impeccable camera work btw. Your refresh rate matches rather perfectly with KZbins. Good job!

[@ndubstar]

Folding saw all the way besides splitting 3 or 4 or 5 inch logs.

[@figstarotgarden3327]

Good stuff. Love the series

[@artwebb6939]

This video was not, in my opinion, long-winded It was detailed and informative Particularly from my perspective as a neophyte

[@cloudraker100]

The sak saw makes the best fat wood powder for catching sparks from a ferro rod.

[@claidemore]

Been a subscriber for a long long time, this is the most inspiring series yet IMO. In Nessmuks defence, you could use the flat of the double bit for pounding stakes. Still wouldn't be my choice either. My 3 tools for a Northern BC hunting/scouting scenario (which I did last week) are actually 4 tools, KaBar USMC knife, Fiskars folding pull cut saw, Cold steel rifleman hawk (with the silly hammer part cut off), and a 4 inch 2 blade folding/hunting knife. Used all 4. Pack was 38 lbs btw.

[@ndubstar]

My idea a double bit axe. Its much more dangerous and primarily though you cant batton your axe. With sawn mid size logs its safest to batton the head to split logs. Which is how i do it.

[@pastorpfp1]

Great job Dave! You are always welcome in Iowa. :)

[@blackhatbushcraft]

This was a brilliant video Dave. I have to say that I agree with you on all of this. The segment on the double bit axe was especially spot on. I bought one years ago but it just didn't work for me. I much prefer the option to use the poll of a single bit if I am carrying an axe. I find myself batoning my axe often because of the control an safety it offers. I do truly believe that if Nessmuk were here today, we would see a different set of tools from what he carried back then. He would have loved to have available some of the things we have available to us now. BTW, I am gonna stick out like a sore thumb with you, Shawn and Josh all wearing that lynx pattern Weatherwool!! lol.

[@SupadaiduS]

Also you can put the toothpick or the tweezers inside first aid and replace it with a mini firesteel like the ones from tortoise gear 👍

[@zoolanderfred]

Love the series Dave! Dave, you’ve been hacked on facebook, I’m sure you know this already, but just in case you didn’t know.

[@ed5042]

still love that wool coat! great video!

[@rusty7760]

Thank you Dave

[@truckerenoch8824]

I've been looking at nessmuks old trail across Michigan and trying to overlay it with current private and public properties, to see if it be worth seeing how far I could get in 2 weeks (next years vacation time).

[@erikwijngaard6172]

Very good video.