Twenty five years ago, I was hunting deer in southern Oregon. Left the truck in light snow that turned heavy. Had hunted there before and knew the main road, we were parked on, was east of me, another forest service road north , and another to the west. Problem was the heavy snow. Everything looked the same. Without the compass, I might still be out there somewhere. Most places that I frequent have no cell phone reception, so a compass is mandatory, as well as a map.
Before I retired I was a Chief Engineer over maintenance and operation of the most energy efficient, computer controlled, net-zero energy, smart building in the Federal Government. It doesn't matter how much electronic control I had I occasionally had to use manual override when something broke. And electro-mechanical gadgets will wear out or break. A compass is a navigational manual override. Don't go in the woods without one.
Blackie , I still carrying a compass because I am Old School and that's all I trust. Thank you for your time and teaching us the Craft. You Are The Master Woodsman and Bushcrafter. Thanks again for Passing on the knowledge. Tim L.
I have a commenga wrist compass, I really like it because it is extremely accurate, I can wear it on my wrist, and it's not liquid filled so I don't have to worry about air bubbles or freezing, but I also carry a Silva with the sighting mirror like the one you have.... Eventually I want to also get a commenga lensatic compass like the one I got used to using when I was in the army. Great and informative video as always Blackie.
I carry a pocket watch (because I hate things on my wrist, personal issue) that also has a very accurate compass on it with very similar features. Don't have anything with a sighting mirror, but I've mirror polished the "shell" of my pocket watch to function at least somewhat in the same manner.
Another great one! Just picked up a cammenga a few weeks ago, and am in the process of learning it’s use with maps. Your video reinforces my thoughts on how important the “old ways” truly are in this technological world.
An important message regarding navigation tools. Most importantly with a compass, is to understand how to use it. Many carry a compass but have no real training or experience in using one for navigation. Most manuals, books and even UA-cam videos make using a compass much to complicated. Orienteering with a map and compass can be intimidating to the beginner. The best way to learn is to have someone show you, to demonstrate the skill, then for you to repeat that skill over and over again until it is retained so that you can then demonstrate the skill to someone else. I appreciate your opinion on the necessity to carry a compass as a part of the 10 C’s, and I agree. I look forward to more of your videos in this series. - Tennessee Smoky
Another good thing about Topo maps is you can avoid places called things like "The Devils Armpit" and the like, folks must have had a perfectly good reason to call a place something like that, a warning is a warning!!!
10 days without electricity in Hurricane Ida reinforces the need to have & be able to use "non technology" gear ! My compass is a phosphorescent Cammenga... Great video as always Blackie !
I have all the super-coolio apps on my phone but the 1st thing I added to my brand new ‘Blackie’s Haversack’ (that just arrived 👍) was my old compass. I really don’t go anywhere I can get lost but I remember what it feels like when it’s dark and snowing on top of a mountain, and you are.
I carry two compasses what am I having sacked and one around my neck wherever we go camping we're going to Matt from DNR that way we know where we're at all times God bless you Blackie stay safe
"A compass represents preparation". Dead solid and practical advice, Blackie. I always carry a compass whenever in remote areas. One like yours, including a signal mirror. Topo maps too, whenever possible. Plus a GPS ... but never rely solely on it. Have had far too many electronic devices fail, at the worst possible times. Can't go wrong, with a simple analog compass and some basic orienteering knowledge. My compass sure came in handy on a hunting trip in dense northern Canadian bush some years ago, when a snow storm suddenly blew in. Visibility went down to a matter of yards, within minutes. I was at least a couple of miles from the nearest trapper trail. With no other roads or other human sign, for many miles. Before heading into the woods, I'd taken a compass bearing on the trail before heading off. Despite near zero visibility, I was able to navigate back to the trail with full confidence, despite whatever twists and turns the rough terrain threw at me. Be prepared, and you can't go wrong. Great video. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
Learned to use a compass in 5th grade. I always take one when going hiking or hunting look at it when at the truck. Then no matter where I go I know which way is back to the truck. I can't believe how many people can't use a compass. I'm 56 got friends my age they don't know how some just can't get a handle on it.. It so simple to use
Excellent vid on why you should have a compass. I carry one but in all these years I only had to use it twice. I generally perfer celestial navigation as that is the strongest card in my skill set. I would recommend atleast learning the basics of skywatching as a fallback just incase you somehow get seperated from your gear. My other advice would be not to go wandering around an unfamiliar area at night. Hunker down, sit tight, and wait till daylight. BTW, the times I used my compass was in dense fog and I had to get out of a situation. Otherwise, I would have listened to my own advice and stayed put and wait it out.
Yep, know before you go. If you understand the landmarks that create boundaries around an area (the box) then a compass becomes an easy to use navigation tool. Even if your box is many miles across. You can download topo maps and compare them to google earth and scout your area on paper at home before you go.
Another great video , thankyou ,I always use map and compass , could please show us how to use a gps as my son thinks I am not with the technology, You nailed it ,thank you.
Cartograph (map) = the 11th "C" ???? Joking aside, the concepts of 1) *consciously* "putting yourself in a box before you go", and, 2) "I'm not lost, I'm in the box" are both really great tips for navigating all manner of surroundings. Nice. Thanks.
Using a compass is a lost art especially with a map and reading terrain features . Everyone wants GPS coordinates but they usually can’t transfer that to a paper map.
my first class on land nav was from my uncle who was a WW2 marine he taught me to use the butt of a kabar knife to tell time and to land nav to where i needed to go.. set me on a life long path to woods wandering
Compass on a phone is only good in the city or in a car. In a survival situation or in the wild, you do not waste your battery. I mean might as well use an electric razor and waste you flashlight batteries...
i often tell people if you are in such a situation send a few txt to people who will help you tell them i will contact you back in 4 hrs or when i get out turn ph off till then and focus on getting out save the battery
here is another video in the 10 C's series hope you find it useful..safe journeys
Twenty five years ago, I was hunting deer in southern Oregon. Left the truck in light snow that turned heavy. Had hunted there before and knew the main road, we were parked on, was east of me, another forest service road north , and another to the west. Problem was the heavy snow. Everything looked the same. Without the compass, I might still be out there somewhere. Most places that I frequent have no cell phone reception, so a compass is mandatory, as well as a map.
Before I retired I was a Chief Engineer over maintenance and operation of the most energy efficient, computer controlled, net-zero energy, smart building in the Federal Government. It doesn't matter how much electronic control I had I occasionally had to use manual override when something broke. And electro-mechanical gadgets will wear out or break. A compass is a navigational manual override. Don't go in the woods without one.
Blackie , I still carrying a compass because I am Old School and that's all I trust. Thank you for your time and teaching us the Craft. You Are The Master Woodsman and Bushcrafter. Thanks again for Passing on the knowledge. Tim L.
I appreciate that
I have a commenga wrist compass, I really like it because it is extremely accurate, I can wear it on my wrist, and it's not liquid filled so I don't have to worry about air bubbles or freezing, but I also carry a Silva with the sighting mirror like the one you have.... Eventually I want to also get a commenga lensatic compass like the one I got used to using when I was in the army. Great and informative video as always Blackie.
i have used commenga for land nav many times ..good gear
I carry a pocket watch (because I hate things on my wrist, personal issue) that also has a very accurate compass on it with very similar features. Don't have anything with a sighting mirror, but I've mirror polished the "shell" of my pocket watch to function at least somewhat in the same manner.
Topo maps and a compass are how I learn new hunting areas,it's amazing how many people don't know how to read a map or basics of a compass.
Another great one!
Just picked up a cammenga a few weeks ago, and am in the process of learning it’s use with maps.
Your video reinforces my thoughts on how important the “old ways” truly are in this technological world.
Awesome, thank you!
Cammenga 3H/27 is excellent. Great choice.
An important message regarding navigation tools. Most importantly with a compass, is to understand how to use it. Many carry a compass but have no real training or experience in using one for navigation. Most manuals, books and even UA-cam videos make using a compass much to complicated. Orienteering with a map and compass can be intimidating to the beginner. The best way to learn is to have someone show you, to demonstrate the skill, then for you to repeat that skill over and over again until it is retained so that you can then demonstrate the skill to someone else. I appreciate your opinion on the necessity to carry a compass as a part of the 10 C’s, and I agree. I look forward to more of your videos in this series. - Tennessee Smoky
well said
Another good thing about Topo maps is you can avoid places called things like "The Devils Armpit" and the like, folks must have had a perfectly good reason to call a place something like that, a warning is a warning!!!
lol i hear ya
Outstanding video
Thank you so much 😀
Cracking video, very informative and enjoyable, good health and safe travels, cheers craig
10 days without electricity in Hurricane Ida reinforces the need to have & be able to use "non technology" gear ! My compass is a phosphorescent Cammenga... Great video as always Blackie !
Thanks for sharing
I have all the super-coolio apps on my phone but the 1st thing I added to my brand new ‘Blackie’s Haversack’ (that just arrived 👍) was my old compass. I really don’t go anywhere I can get lost but I remember what it feels like when it’s dark and snowing on top of a mountain, and you are.
hope you enjoy your haversack and have many adventures with it
Great discussion Blackie. I guess I'm old school, I would take a good topo map and compass any day over electronics and sat photos.
thats me but the younger crowd will always go for the phone if they have a chance
I carry two compasses what am I having sacked and one around my neck wherever we go camping we're going to Matt from DNR that way we know where we're at all times God bless you Blackie stay safe
Thanks!
"A compass represents preparation". Dead solid and practical advice, Blackie. I always carry a compass whenever in remote areas. One like yours, including a signal mirror. Topo maps too, whenever possible. Plus a GPS ... but never rely solely on it. Have had far too many electronic devices fail, at the worst possible times. Can't go wrong, with a simple analog compass and some basic orienteering knowledge.
My compass sure came in handy on a hunting trip in dense northern Canadian bush some years ago, when a snow storm suddenly blew in. Visibility went down to a matter of yards, within minutes. I was at least a couple of miles from the nearest trapper trail. With no other roads or other human sign, for many miles.
Before heading into the woods, I'd taken a compass bearing on the trail before heading off. Despite near zero visibility, I was able to navigate back to the trail with full confidence, despite whatever twists and turns the rough terrain threw at me.
Be prepared, and you can't go wrong. Great video. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
Awesome video Blackie!
Glad you enjoyed it
Blackie , good video , thanks for sharing , God bless !
Thanks 👍
Learned to use a compass in 5th grade. I always take one when going hiking or hunting look at it when at the truck. Then no matter where I go I know which way is back to the truck. I can't believe how many people can't use a compass. I'm 56 got friends my age they don't know how some just can't get a handle on it.. It so simple to use
Hello Brother Blackie! You NAILED IT :)) Good job!
Hey, thanks
Excellent information Blackie thanks
Glad it was helpful!
Awesome!!!!
Thank you! Cheers!
World is getting wierd... But I see Blackie Thomas doing his thing... Feels good... Things'll be alright... 👍
thanks i try to be a calm voice in these uncertain times
Map and compass is a must for me. If I had to give up one, it would probably be the compass....
yep you have been trained to read the terrain all ya got to do is figure where you are on the map and you can guide from there
Excellent vid on why you should have a compass. I carry one but in all these years I only had to use it twice. I generally perfer celestial navigation as that is the strongest card in my skill set. I would recommend atleast learning the basics of skywatching as a fallback just incase you somehow get seperated from your gear. My other advice would be not to go wandering around an unfamiliar area at night. Hunker down, sit tight, and wait till daylight. BTW, the times I used my compass was in dense fog and I had to get out of a situation. Otherwise, I would have listened to my own advice and stayed put and wait it out.
thats me most time i have a mental map of where i am in relation to where i began but still a compass is light to carry
Yep, know before you go. If you understand the landmarks that create boundaries around an area (the box) then a compass becomes an easy to use navigation tool. Even if your box is many miles across. You can download topo maps and compare them to google earth and scout your area on paper at home before you go.
yep i tell people to take the phone and find a topo of the area and save the pic so ya got a rough map to plot land marks
Good job Blackie.... I use a Cammenga 3H and Suunto MC2 while most of my experience is with the lensatic compass. Thanks again...👍
Good stuff!
Good stuff Blackie thanks. Do you mind making a video about squirrel cookers at some point in the future please? I sure would appreciate it.
Yes I will
Another great video , thankyou ,I always use map and compass , could please show us how to use a gps as my son thinks I am not with the technology, You nailed it ,thank you.
TO be honest i have only used gps a few times i am old school and maps are what i use to travel
Cartograph (map) = the 11th "C" ???? Joking aside, the concepts of 1) *consciously* "putting yourself in a box before you go", and, 2) "I'm not lost, I'm in the box" are both really great tips for navigating all manner of surroundings. Nice. Thanks.
Pretty much!
Cellphone isn't one of the C's? lol
Another great video. 👍
Close!
Rating
Any phone that requires signal for location info is useless where I hunt. Always have a compass, pay attention to the sun, and listen to Backie!
seems like to good hunting places dont have signal
@@BLACKIETHOMAS If you have time to text your friends, you ain't huntin'...
Old way always better
It dont matter where im at...🤣🤣 i have a natural internal inclination for cardinals and it drives my wife nuts😄
A compass will keep you out of the side of the box that's miles of swamp.
very true
Using a compass is a lost art especially with a map and reading terrain features . Everyone wants GPS coordinates but they usually can’t transfer that to a paper map.
I don't put my faith in electronics, I always have a compass, my watch has a compass also. 👍
my first class on land nav was from my uncle who was a WW2 marine he taught me to use the butt of a kabar knife to tell time and to land nav to where i needed to go.. set me on a life long path to woods wandering
@@BLACKIETHOMAS That's awesome 👌
Blackie is a WAaay better instructor than the man he's improving upon.!
(took that "course"... learned nothing )
Compass on a phone is only good in the city or in a car. In a survival situation or in the wild, you do not waste your battery. I mean might as well use an electric razor and waste you flashlight batteries...
i often tell people if you are in such a situation send a few txt to people who will help you tell them i will contact you back in 4 hrs or when i get out turn ph off till then and focus on getting out save the battery
LOL Call the map a cartograph and there's your other "C"... Cartograph definition is - map, chart; specifically : an illustrated map.
Phones fail!