Pencil Sharpeners, Winter Survival Kits And Neck Knife Safety
Вставка
- Опубліковано 7 лют 2025
- Can pencil sharpeners be used for making fire starting shavings? Yes but, a knife can do that and a whole lot more! I often get asked why I dont carry a pencil sharpener and in this video I pretty much show why I do not. I also show an example of a winter time minimalist survival kit and I talk about the safe way of wearing a neck knife.
The sharpener attached to the ferro rod sheath cracked me up.😂👍🏻
Lol, I thought that would be hilarious. Thanks for watching Dave
Always informative. Great video!
"Boy, I wish I had a knife." Cracked me up.
Lol, that's the scenario for some
What a hoot! Still laughing.@Reallybigmonkey1
@Reallybigmonkey1
Obviously a pencil sharpener isn't a knife substitute, but on many of the metal pencil sharpeners ,the metal body is actually made from magnesium ...
They can make very thin shavings from anything which fits in the hole , eg plastic pens , wax crayons , fatwood twigs ,they can also make cordage from drinking straws ...
The more you know , the less you carry , I CARRY A LOT .
😂
@@Reallybigmonkey1
My knife is a mora garberg carbon multi mount, my saw is the laplander ,I always carry my sak ranger. I've been trying to learn from felix immler on the sak .
I don't get to outdoor stores often and haven't seen any bivy bags. At 73 yrs. I have only bought two things online. I love the idea of filling the bivy bags with leaves, so I was thinking that two large heavy duty trash bags would work as well. Frontiersmen carried "tick bags" to fill with leaves/grass. One of the best night's sleep I've ever had ((I have insomnia) was on a winter camping trip where I was using a pop up hunting blind as a tent and had filled it with a very deep pile of leaves. I'm saving this excellent video in my survival folder.
There is rip resistant nylon you can get. I made my tarps from it and I have an8 foot by 4 foot bag made from it. It's way less noisy than trash bags.
That's a good idea, filling the ground blind with leaves and using it as a shelter. Thanks for sharing that
Those mylar bags are all over Amazon and in a lot of sporting goods stores. I've used trash bags too but the mylar bags are twice as long making them easier to use. Fantastic idea on filling that blind with leaves! Thanks for the comments and thanks for watching David
Years ago we used to use burlap sacks when they were still commonly used for things liked potatoes. If you got a couple of the better ones you could also put two holes in one end, sew it so you had two channels to put poles in and make it into a bed like a stretcher. Mors Kohanski used to do something similar with a big piece of material. I wonder if a tick bag was a burlap sack?
@@jelkel25Survival Scarf? Mors advocated a hollow tube scarf about 6-7' long. Could be used for a million and one improvised implements.
We've been using pencil sharpeners in boy scouts for a long time. Just those cheap little plastic ones that you can get a package of 20 at the dollar store. A lot of the boys don't have the knife skills (especially sharpening) to get good shavings with a knife, so the sharpeners quickly show them the value of having a sharper knife and better feathersticking skills.
Now I can see that being a good use for them. Thanks for watching Martin
Are modern Americans afraid of knives somehow?
Been a while since I've seen your videos due to all the craziness going on in the USA and world, that being said ,U remind me of all the goodness we still have to enjoy in our land, and U make me laugh my arrrsss off. Be blessed.
I agree. Dave's videos are not only informative and you can tell he puts alot of thought into his videos. He is not afraid to fail and show the failure. He is just a cool fella. I consider him a freind even though we never met.
Thanks, Im glad you like what all I do Joey! I agree, the world is way too full of drama and evil and nuts.
@@johndalessandro6433 Thank you John!
I was thinking the same thing when at the end of his video talking about rescue people finding some guy " clutching " items in his hands thinking ..." why didn't ya just bring a knife " lmao 😂 Dave's always fun to watch ... thanks
Fun fact: Daniel Boone never went on any of his wilderness adventures without a pencil sharpener and an Altoids survival kit 😉
Seriously... great video as always Dave! That bit with the sharpener attached to the sheath had me rollin' man! 🤣 Definitely gotta agree with ya too... ALWAYS carry a knife (as well as all other proper gear) when venturing into the woods 👍 Thanks for keeping it real and passing along your knowledge my friend! Be well my Brother!
Lol! I didnt think I ever saw any photos of him with a pencil sharpener. Im glad you liked it Brother John and Thanks for watching
@@Reallybigmonkey1 It was top secret, lol 😉
You're more than welcome by the way... it's always a pleasure my Brother! 👍
Dave sei sempre il solito😂
I tuoi video sono sempre i migliori sul tema bushcraft....
Ormai sono passati tanti anni in cui ho visto parecchia gente che si è arricchita facendo business su tutto quello che si poteva vendere ...
Probabilmente avrebbero venduto anche la loro madre.
Ma pochissime persone ho nel mio cuore ❤️
Come te Dave.
Buone passeggiate nei boschi
E buona vita
a te e tuo figlio..
Ti voglio bene fratello.
🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓
Grazie. Sono felice che ti piacciano i video e tutto ciò che faccio qui. Adoro realizzare video e adoro far interessare le persone alla vita all'aria aperta. Ho un lavoro regolare, quindi posso tenerlo per divertimento e non dover guadagnare soldi vendendo qualcosa qui. Grazie per i commenti e grazie per aver guardato il mio amico!
I've always carried a little pencil sharpener because I also carry a Rite-wet notepad and pencils for navigation or note taking. I have used the shavings as a tinder but never as my sole source of tinder. I always have a knife and sometimes a saw and machete too.
When you say "I always have a knife " I have no problems with carrying a pencil sharpener as a supplement. For me, I always have a knife and folding saw or a knife and machete. Thanks for the comments and thanks for watching
Couldn't you sharpen a pencil with your knife though? I always carry a pocket knife and have used that for decades to sharpen not just carpenters pencils but writing pencils. A belt knife isn't going to be damaged by sharpening a pencil either.
It seems like having a pencil sharpener is kind of unnecessary.
@@AclockworkPurple it sounds silly but pencils sharpened by a knife bug the heck out of me. It's worth the extra half ounce of weight to carry a sharpener.
@@punishedmatteson7108 Ok, everyone has preferences.
I'm not telling you you are wrong or anything, do what works for you.
Stay safe and have fun.
I use cedar arrow shafts and always keep the taper tool in a pocket it’s a little bigger than a pencil sharpener and has two angles to the sharpener. Cedar shavings make a quick fire for hot glue stick and reattaching a tip . Arrow will fly the same but can work if not broken too far back.
Now that I can see as beneficial to carry!
I think the pencil sharpener was to help get fine curls for people who have trouble doing it with thier knife. I don't think it was meant to replace the knife. But Dave , great video again. Ty for letting us know about the poor fella that impaled himself . I don't carry a neck knife, only cause I don't like things around my neck. I don't know if you read it but, I showed my step dad your video where you took out your survival kit and used it. I wanted him to see the importance of carrying one in his truck. Here in PA on the turnpike a few years back, hundreds of people where stranded for over 24 hours I beleive in a snow storm. Anyway, he loved the video and asked me to tell you "thank you". Also, you said you didn't carry your 2 quart canteen cause it didn't have a metal cup like the 1 quart. I suggested that with your fabricating and sewing skills, mabr you could make one. If I had the skills and tools I'd try but I don't. Anyway, ty for the video and tell Nick I said " Ayeooo" lol
I have always looked at a pencil sharpener as a tool to help with fire starting practice until you get better at feather sticks.
But if you have a knife with a sharp spine you can just scrape with it.
I can see a pencil sharpener being beneficial for some but not me. Thats great your dad loved that video! Im all about people being prepared. Thats why Im so rough on minimalist items. I still want to make a 2 quart cup one day. With a handle and a bail for a fire. Nick says hi and thanks for watching!
All logical and practical points Sir. Most of these hacks you see people try are just not solid. Tried, true and tested techniques are the way to go for sure. Beautiful 73 Forge knife Dave! She was the star of the video! Thanks for sharing with us all and always #keepitburning
Thanks! I'm glad you liked it and man it amazes me what some people think works! Lol. I love that knife. Take care and thanks for watching
You offer up so much great information. "...just bring a knife"
Accidents happen....
Buggles are better...
You are an excellent teacher.
Thanks and very well said Jerome! Thanks for watching
David
Subject: foam to sit on in your pack.
Noticed at the beginning of the pencil sharpener video you didn't pull something put of your pack to sit on.
Love your videos and my wife and I watch them as they come out. She says you normally have something out to sit on- I cant remember.
I keep a piece of closed cell foam, free stuff like packing material or something, slid inside my pack against my back. It's free, comfy, warm and dry. It also keeps stuff in the pack from poking me like a saw or hatchet. We live in NW Montana and the warm seat is great out in the snow.
Thanks for the videos, we really enjoy them and love watching you test your latest creations- very entertaining and educational. Keep up the good work.
A friend of mine always says, "Nothing is obvious to the uninformed".
Cheers, Jeff&Karen.
yes, I normally have something to sit on or have everything piled on it, especially during cooking vids. I just didnt pack one this time. Im glad you liked it. Thanks for watching
I like that you used the term "supplemental."" In my fire kit's i have a metal pencil sharpener. I always have a knife and ferro rod as well. Also, fire starters and the like. Good video!
Some things are perfect when labeled supplemental, but not the do all end all item. Im glad you liked it. Thanks for watching
I've been a subscriber for a few years and have watched almost every video. I think this is possibly your best instructional/informative video! Love the channel...
Thank you and that's fantastic to hear that!
If a pencil sharpener is made of magnesium, then it may be scraped to assist in fire making. I have used a huge pencil sharpener with branches and fat wood and found it does not compare to what a knife can do. I enjoyed this video and found a combination of useful information here within. Thank you for sharing your time and expertise.
Enjoy your weeks end! Stay lifted.
Theres a German made sharpener called Mobius that actually is magnesium! Im glad you liked it. Thanks for watching and have a happy weekend!
Just imagine how much different the Sandbar Fight woulda been if Jim Bowie had showed up with a sack full of pencil sharpeners instead of a knife
Lol!!!
Hi Dave! As I was watching you theorize on how that poor feller impaled himself on a neck knife, I was thinking that would be an ugly way to die, but the likelyhood of it happening more than once in a generation is just slightly higher than me being grabbed up and carried off by a freakishly gigantic raptor in the North Georgia woods. Bless ya, brother!
It's definitely a rare accident but it could still happen. Lol, it sounds like being carried off by a raptor might be fun! Thanks for watching Terry
@@Reallybigmonkey1 Instead of Fun in The Woods, it would be "Fun in the Air?"
Just added pencil sharpener to my survival kit 😎 love you're videos, respect from England 🇬🇧👍😎💪🌱🌲
I'm glad you like the videos my friend!
Now that was “helpful, educational” and VERY “entertaining” ! Thanks!
Thanks Kurt! I'm glad you liked it
Dave, love it. With the paracord or shock cord- try using cord lock with only one knotted end. That way it will break free under tension, but knotted end will save your cord lock. They’re small and easily lost when they slip free.
That's a great idea Mitch! Thanks for the comments and thanks for watching brother
There is one rule that I've always practiced when it comes to what I carry with me when hikng, or even just out for a walk on a woodland trail. What I carry has to serve more than one purpose. A pencil sharpener is great for sharpening a pencil but I can do the same with a knife and that same knife can do a whole heck of a lot more. I can not imagine a survival scenario where I would happily carry a pencil sharpener over a knife. As always, a great video Dave.
Very well said and I agree! Im glad you liked it. Thanks for watching
Thank you adding another perspective to this conversation of survival. I’ve seen the pencil sharpener videos and thought there could be something to using them but decided,like you, a knife makes more sense because it can be used many more ways.
I love it when he gives his perspective on things. I learn so much from other people. It's valuable information.
You are very welcome and Im glad you liked it. Pencil sharpeners work, just not great. Thanks for watching
Dave.... I've used pencil shavings from a pencil sharpener for tinder in my fire kit for years. Once a month or so I clean out my wall mounted pencil sharpener and add the shavings to my kit if needed. Other than that, i agree with you whole heartedly. Love your vids. Best wishes. Ax.
Now thats a good use for the extra shavings. Id rather carry a bag of shavings than I would the sharpener itself. Im glad you like the videos Ax!
Outstanding video Dave lots of good ideas as usual and very entertaining thanks from sunny South East England ❤
Thanks Peter, Im glad you liked it. Thanks for watching
Hi there! Lost track of you for while, but glad you're back in 'suggestions'. I realise longtime ago, how a pencil sharpner can be useful!Now i'll watch.
Pencil shapner is easy to carry.
Thanks for stopping by and watching!
Good Morning Dave ! Another great video. Have a great weekend. TAKE CARE..
Good morning and Im glad you liked it. Thanks for watching
YOU BET ! TAKE CARE..@@Reallybigmonkey1
Yep, carried one for years Dave plus a notebook and two pencils. It's a good idea for taking notes, navigation and notification of your location/intention if lost to search parties.
Example: Name, address, phone number, I am lost, ok physically and am going to beaver pond which you can see down in valley.
Mobius & Ruppert, make solid brass sharpeners with extra blades. (Made in Germany).
Thanks for the input Richard. Someone on Bushcraft USA sent me a link to a Mobius sharpener with a magnesium case!
IF ! If i was going to use a pencil sharpener, i would use a carpenter pencil sharpener . And Dave you got a great sense of humor 👍
Oh I agree, its much larger at least. Thanks for watching Steve
Excellent, as always! Thank you David! Best regards from Atlantik Canada!
Thanks Patrick! I'm glad you liked it brother
A font of knowledge you are David, the last two minutes or so explaining the wood cutting knife angles was particularly interesting. Thank you very much for sharing these gems 😎👍
Thanks, Im glad you liked it. Thanks for watching
Always informative and fun bigmonkey catch you on the next one peace and love from 1 leg uk England
Thanks, Im glad you liked it. Thanks for watching
What a great lead-in to a bushcraft video! You just about had a 'minimalist' knife along. The two-emergency mylar bag trick is something NEW! THAT creates a bed and blanket with just about the least imaginable space/weight.
Thanks James, I'm glad you liked it. Those two mylar bags can turn a minimalist approach into quite a comfortable sleep set up. Thanks for watching brother
Hi Dave, there were originally two good reasons to bring a small sharpener to make shavings: for a survival kit you can have in places where you can't bring a knife, for example after a flight, and because the ones you should have are made out of magnesium and that is a booster for creating an initial flame. Justremove the scalpel blade and use it to scrape off some magnesium and add it to your pile, in case the wood is a little damp. You covered all other scenarios, when it really doesn't seem to make any sense.
Yep, I can see it in those scenarios. For me and the area I live in it's a knife all the way
This is a great clip! A man that knows which way works. Great Job!
Thanks!
You are more than welcome. I taught Escape/ Evasion/ Survival for the US Military for over 36 years. I am now 63 years old. You Sir, probably could have taught the Wilderness Survival. I want to thank you for all you teach @@Reallybigmonkey1
I love the bungee style cord and cord lock idea for the neck knife. You have so many fun and innovative ideas. Thanks for another great video! I think of all the hundreds of others that got excited to see a new video out from you. Thanks for the humor and smiles and laughter.
Thanks, Im glad you liked it. That bungee cord is definitely the safest way to go. Thanks for watching
good one David. Glad i learned as a child from family and friends the craft you present. In my seventh decade i still count on these principles you expound on so often. Staying safe in the woods is not a game you want to lose.
Fantastic to hear that! Ya gotta learn young
For my neck knives I use slip knots on the ends of my neck cord. I can adjust the cord and if you pull it up a bit higher to the neck the knots slip if I snags on something and gives you a bit more space to get it off the neck. it's worked well for me so far.
..agree ... a fisherman's uni-knot is smooth and snag free to slip apart ,, could also with each end tie a tautline hitch , also a tension knot that is adjustable ..
Sounds good to me
Hello dave this is some good info this week my friend, I dont always comment but I did this week 😂. I always enjoy your videos and that pencil sharpener is an idea i never thought of just to have in your survival kit. The guy who died from the neck knife might have been in on of those areas that has a lot of bolders around and the knife got caught up as you said its really easy to beclimbingover those things and get hung up if your footing isnt sure once I got stuck my boot between 2 and had to take my boot off toget out 😂😂. Later on man and tell Nic that he is missed on these things 😅 I am sure he has a lot to do in his life.
Hello Gary and Im glad you liked it. I used to think nothing of wearing a neck knife but Im more careful now for sure. Thanks for watching and Nick says hello!
23:50 I have a sling blade almost exactly like that one (When you said minimalist winter kit). Slight difference, like the handle on top and material at back pouch section, plus the color is a tad different. Great bag!
Very cool to hear that!
Just briefly on the neck knives. Some are carried tip up. For years i carried a cheap one in that method til i dropped it and and the plastic sheath shattered. Scared me. But, that would fix your "somehow it would have to flip" scenario. A normal fall would point the tip directly at your throat. A short enough necklace would help ensure perfect alignment and aim. Another scenario that comes to mind is some knives have an exposed steal lanyard loop at the end of the handle I could see where landing with that end up could separate a ribcage. Just a couple of ideas for what it's worth. Excellent video as always.
Ah man! I could see any Of those situations you mentioned getting someone impaled. Thanks for the comments and I'm glad you liked the video!
Excellent show. Thank you, Dave.
I always like your videos and find them practical.
Some people show things that might work if everything is right. And then there are know-it-all people who say, but don't do.
Thanks, Im glad you like all the videos and very well said! Thanks for watching
Living in Dallas, I also carry a survival kit. There's times we never know when something could happen. One time the train was shut down in the tunnel, or a bus breakdown, or rail is shut down for some reason. I carry a bottle or two of water, small medicine jar of instant coffee, snack crackers or cookies, napkins, plastic spoons and forks, packs of sugar, salt and pepper, cup for instant drink mix, or instant soup mix, mini flashlight, and a small survival knife, and a large plastic zip bag.( discreetly for urination).All in my backpack.
Whether it's urban or wilderness, it pays to always be prepared! Thanks for the comments and thanks for watching!
Hey Dave, I know this will sound a little dumb, but it seems to me that making tinder with the pencil sharpener requires more kilocalories than just using the knife. The twisting motion requires practically your whole upper body and both arms, forearms, and both hands to get the shavings while the knife only requires stabilization and the use of one upper extremity. How about beating the end of a stick with a rock, a tomahawk, or a hatchet into a brush-like feathered splinter edge that you could manipulate into shape to allow more or less air flow for ignition? In any case, I really liked the demonstration. Keep warm out there in the wilderness!
Oh not dumb at all! You made perfect sense! And you are correct about smashing a stick for fire. I actually did that in my how to not baton your knife video. Thanks for the comments and Thanks for watching Doc!
Great video, Dave. Interesting idea, but I would much prefer the knife. Only reason i would carry a pencil sharpener would be to sharpen a pencil. Although i have used a knife to sharpen pencils all my life.
The idea I get from people trying or saying they can survive with something like an altoid tin, they aren't in a true survival situation.
Its fine to trane yourself with minimal equipment, just so you can learn what you've GOT to have to survive.
Surviving overnight is much different than surviving for multiple days and can all change depending on weather.
Love your channel and the ideas you come up with. I use your tips and techniques to make myself think, what do I need, what could I do with what I have.
Thank you, Dave, for all you do trying to share your knowledge and wisdom with us .
Keep doing what you do.
God bless ya'll and ya'll stay safe out in the wilderness.
Thanks Brian, Im glad you liked it. I agree man, pencil sharpeners are for sharpening pencils. Knives are for serious wood carving tasks. I got into a huge argument in this comments section about how an Altoids tin was a full survival kit because soldiers use them. Not everyone is a highly trained soldier so I like to preach be prepared and carry what you need. Thanks for watching and may God bless you too brother
If you’re out in the field and don’t have a way to sharpen your knife, and you want to save your edge, I can see using the pencil sharpener. Plus having dry shavings all ready in the container is a plus. But like you said, it’s just easier to use s knife. The little Mora Eldris is a cool fire starting knife. ✌️ Have a great weekend.
Good point, use it as a back up. I have an Eldris, its a great knife. Thanks for the comments and you have a great weekend too!
Just a simple suggestion. Put the lid of your cup into the pot first, then the cup, then the tube tent. That keeps the lid from wandering around inside your pack. Hope this helps.
Good idea Leslie
Another Great video David.I’ve been collecting knives since I was seven and now I’m seventy nine and have a huge collection of all kinds of knives,so you know what I’m taking with me. I carry from five to eight in my pockets every where I go. I Love Knives!
Sounds like you are very well prepared! Thanks for watching Randy
Hi Dave 😊 well i guess the pencil sharpener worked, but seeing how fire, and a cutting edge are man's oldest tools , you need to be certain you have both , and a means to control them effectively, and safely to achieve a better level of comfort in your given situation. The sling bag kit was pretty comprehensive, a neet package of bare minimum gear, as for people going into the sticks whith hardly anything , I'd say at the best it's foolhardy,and and the worst could end up disastrous. As for wearing a neck knife , having a breakaway to the cord, and keeping it tucked inside your shirt, as you demonstrated is I think about as safe as you can go, some sheaths are more prone to the knife cutting through than others, some kind of metal reinforcement at the bottom of the sheath would probably stop this happening,food for thought, or a project for you Dave, lol. Thanks for another interesting video mate, stay safe, best wishe's to you and your's, Stuart UK.
Hello Stuart! Yep, the pencil sharpener worked but a knife is better. I like that sling bag because it's so easy to carry. Common knives have decent sheaths but a lot of razor sharp handmade knives have really lousy leather sheaths with no liner. Thanks for the comments and thanks for watching
AReally Fine & Important talk and excellent demo youve put together here. Showing the difference and again a better alternative ( knife & the type of grind ) if so important. Keep up your vital yet fun videos Dave.
Thanks, Im glad you liked it. Thanks for watching
Nice little collection of thoughts here Dave!
It‘s a tragedy that somelone lost his life because of empaling himself but tbh I was always aware of that. Man, I tripped and almost died in the woods without sharp pointy metal aound my neck 😂 In wintertime when the ground is frozen from snowrain,…
One thing I do want to mention though: I‘m 100% with the Dave in the „actually using a minimalist survival kit“-video where you showed a molle pack and it‘s contents. To me that‘s borderline minimum.
I don‘t consider the content of the slingbag to be a contradiction though. Just a different perspective.
Thanks for educating and entertaining us so well 😊👍🏻
Thanks, Im glad you liked it. That video was covering the bare minimum, in reality I prefer a decent backpack with normal cold weather gear. Thanks for watching
I think the best use of a pencil sharpener would be to make shavings with something like fatwood, just to have a container full of dry tinder in your pocket ready to go for later when it might be raining.
But yeah, it's not gonna beat what a knife can do most of the time.
It's ironic. I sent you an IG message this morning, then saw you put out a new video. I've seen several people swear by pencil sharpeners. I thought the same as you... use a knife. I love that you addressed this topic. You have a gift when it comes to sharing info and making it fun. Have a wonderful weekend. -Hollie
Lol, just like I said, why dont you just carry a knife. Im glad you liked it. Thanks for watching and you have a great weekend too Hollie!
I like the pencil sharpener for those in your group that can't use a knife well, like young children.
They want to help and will enjoy the experience more if they can help and it keeps them occupied.
Now I can agree with that, its great for kids.
Thanks for the video Dave. ❤
You are very welcome and thanks for watching Ian!
nice video David.
you will never convince some people because they are gone too far, " a knife will cut you".
ever seen this?
i heard of Mora on your channel and yesterday my wife and i were at a couple of consignment stores and i found a new one. it was in a case and i immediately said i want that, 10 dollars.
well its ok either way but the end was gone. it looked like the tip had been broken off and sharpened 90 degrees from the edge.
it is normal, meaning it was made that way. on it is MORAKNI and a sort of V looking like a check mark.
Thanks David, Im glad you liked it. Mora is amazing. Usually you get either cheap or good. Mora has both! I think I saw that 90 degree tipped Mora before. Was it like a carpenters type knife? Thanks for watching
@@Reallybigmonkey1 i found the site but mine wasnt there that i saw.
Once again we agree! I am already carrying a knife, I know the sharpener doesn't weigh much, but as I get older those unnecessary ounces add up to pounds! As for those little survival kits, there isn't enough items to save your life, when nature throws it at you hard. I have a hard time getting just the basics in a pack. I watch a preacher man, trying to stay warm a cool night with one of those, old style mylar blankets, that he used to make a lean-to. He was able to stay half way warm, by finally getting a fires started, after 2 - 3 hrs. Next day after a short nap, because he didn't sleep well, damp and cold, the next morning while repacking his little pack, he found his lighter in his pack. I advised him to prepare just a little more.
So far as you making a fire? I've seen you do it with a hand drill, so you using a pencil sharpener was kind of cheating! Just kidding.
73 and God Bless Dave!
Oh I agree with everything you said! Carry a knife, a decent kit and be prepared! Thanks for watching
Informative and entertaining. That’s why your channel is the best. thanks!
Thank you Gary!
Thanks for the video, Dave. I appreciate the ways that you showed to carry a neck knife. A pencil sharpener is not a practical survival item in my opinion. It has limited use, a survival item should be multi functionable. Cheers 🇨🇦
I'm glad you liked it Bruce and I agree with you!
First time i saw it was years ago, one of the "surviving with random stuff" episodes of some show or other. It wasnt saying you *should* carry a pencil sharpener, just said you could use one to make tinder
I can agree with that statement, you can carry one and it'll work but its definitely not a requirement
Another sharp video that solved a curly problem. You took this problem by the neck, Dave.
The pencil neck, that is.
Lol, very well said Mike!
Absolutely forget about the pencil sharpener 😊 good one Dave, and I have a little Martini too, great little knife.
I have a Martini also. A step above a Mora in my opinion.
Well said! I love Marttiini just as much as Mora, its a great knife. Thanks for watching
I am surprised you just heard of the pencil sharpener. I have been using that technique of fire starting for 15 years or more. Thumbs up though! It works!
Really? I had no idea it had been around that long. Thanks for the comments and thanks for watching David
Dave, your videos are such a nice break from all the crap going on these days! You and I have so much in common and like interests.
Thanks, Im glad you like them! Man the world is nutso! Thanks for watching
Thanks for the video Dave! At first , I thought you were going to make some stakes with the pencil sharpener😅!
Your videos are so much fun to watch. Very educational and definitely entertaining! I look forward to every other Friday!
Thanks for taking survival and outdoor emergencies seriously.
Definitely not a time to play around! See ya in a couple of weeks!
You are very welcome Ken and I'm glad you liked it! I figure camping and bushcraft is all fun and games hobby wise but, wilderness survival should be taken very seriously since lives could be at stake. Take care and thanks for watching brother
I have a magnesium pencil sharpener that I bought off of the Survival recourses website. I think I used it once and it's been in with my firemaking supplies ever since. I should break it out and try using it. Sad about that guy dying. I bet it was a leather sheath. I heard a blade can break through the stitches. Thanks for the video brother
People keep mentioning those magnesium sharpeners. Those sound cool. Someone else commented that most razor sharp custom made knives have leather sheaths with no plastic liner at all. Thanks for watching Brother Mark
Help, educate and entertain. Mission accomplished. One thing about those mylar bivvies is when you are underneath them moisture will start building up inside. I was camping this past weekend for the first time in a while and I augmented my sleeping bag with a space blanket. Had to take care of the call of nature in the middle of the night. Discovered moisture on the surface of my sleeping bag. It did not soak through and I stayed comfortable throughout the night. First time I ever used a space blanket. I thought my sleeping bag was a little suspect as I have gotten cold in it before. But that was when I didn’t know any better and did not have an insulating layer between me and the ground.
Thanks James! There's a lot to consider when using them bivies. Air temperature, wind speed, relative humidity and dewpoint. And of course your clothing. Thanks for sharing your experience and thanks for watching James
Always informative. Always interesting. Especially interesting is the neck knife information - thanks!
Thanks! Im glad you liked it. Thanks for watching
I've always used a small AG Russell bird and trout. Not the biggest, but very handy and a good accessory to my bigger belt knife.
That's definitely a good knife
thanks for demonstrating that the pencil sharpener DOES in fact work. and i'm certain NOBODY is suggesting a pencil sharpener IN LIEU of a knife, but rather as a back up to a back up to a back up. so i put one in a survival altoid in case i don't have a knife, or i lose a knife, or i break a knife, or i want to save its edge... then i can use that throwaway pencil sharpener for what it's worth to make a few shavings for me....
I used to have a hand crank pencil sharpener like the ones that hung on the wall in a school classroom. If someone was inclined to save those shavings, along with lint from the dryer, it would be good for starting a fire for a backyard bonfire. It could come in handy if there is a winter power outage. Put bricks or rocks around the fire to warm them(don't let them get too hot), then bring them inside, wrapped in old towels, to put in bed with you.
You are very welcome and I'm glad you liked it. I can see it being a back up but if I'm carrying a back up I just carry a small fire starting tinder. Thanks for watching
Now I could see a hand crank one make a lot of shavings fast!
Thanks Dave…always the voice of fair reason with evidence to back it up! Til next time…be well and stay safe 😊
You are very welcome and I'm glad you liked it! I always tell it like I see it! Lol. Thanks for watching
Pencil sharpener makes good tinder. Won't replace a good knife, but is a good accessory.
I agree with that
Great video, both entertaining as usual and to a very important point.
The hidden problem with the pencil sharpener is that, if it has been raining for long enough, you won't get dry shavings from twigs that fit in.
My personal experience with a pencil sharpener is that most twigs around here, semi to hardwood trees, are full of knots that will destroy your pencil sharpener in record time.
Despite all that, the idea is still very valid for students since they are much more likely to daily carry a pencil sharpener than a knife. Sometimes the pen IS stronger than the sword... or at least good enough.
Thanks! I'm glad you liked it. Your comments on wet twigs and knots are a very valid point! Thanks for the comments and thanks for watching
A pencil sharpener can come in handy for some things, but as a knife collector, I never go anywhere without at least one knife. And I almost always have a neck knife, as well.
I couldn't agree more Mike!
I was like, a pencil sharpener? Lol! Gotta see this.
I showed a better version of a pencil sharpener that actually will help in situations where cold, dehydration, hunger, or exhaustion reduce your dexterity, and fine motor skills. it still does not replace a knife, but can augment your knife, and make worst case scenario fire building much faster, easier and safer. a demo on how I use it are at 14:50 in this video ua-cam.com/video/hd7lnZvDN-c/v-deo.html
Lol, it's a very popular item that people carry. Thanks for watching Robin
Well done...
Dave even your jibber jabber is informative. Love your videos.
That was a good tip on making curles and bugals or spirals and their best uses. Thanks Dave.
Thanks, Im glad you liked that
Good morning Dave! Thanks for the video!
Good morning James and Im glad you liked it. Thanks for watching
That rare time when odd subject matter actually makes for a great video. I would use my hat to catch shavings. Awesome video and best wishes for an excellent weekend. Thanks again.
Lol, pencil sharpeners are a pretty weird subject to cover. Im glad you liked it. Thanks for watching
Another excellent video, Dave. Informative and useful. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks, Im glad you liked it. Thanks for watching
Thanks for showing the different ways to make curls and bugles. You humor really.came.through on this one!!! "Why dont you just carry a knife?!!" Hilarious!! 😭😭
Lol, I try to keep em as fun as possible! I'm glad you liked it and thanks for watching
I'm personally not a neck knife person. I'm real happy reaching for my knife on my belt or pocket, as I do only use Morakniv Companion, which came with an excellent plastic sheath with a great design of a clip-on which it hold on my pock well and is better for me to reach that little bit lower than my belt height.
Neck knives arent for everyone but Ive grown to love using one.
Nice recommendations. You’re absolutely right. Those three things are definitely different camping. Brush crafting and survival. I did like the way you made the shavings with a different angles of the knife. I think we should keep the pencil sharpener for the Cub Scouts or Boy Scouts ,something they can throw in their pack. Lol.😀
Thanks, Im glad you liked it. Pencil sharpeners would be fantastic for teaching scouts about preparing tinder for fire.Thanks for watching
I must confess I am disappointed that you didn’t drag into the woods the style of pencil sharpener I had imagined when I first read about this idea. I genuinely assumed they meant the old-style school pencil sharpener with the adjustable aperture/clamping mechanism, the hand crank and the tray to catch the shavings. 😆
Surely they werent referring to one of them old fashioned things! Another commenter said those makes shavings and grinds your coffee beans. Lol.
@@Reallybigmonkey1 Dual purpose item! But I bet it would make your coffee taste funny.
I'm really happy to see you doing well, David. I don't know if you remember me. I sent you stickers and tagged you in some videos. You mentioned me in one of your videos.. that was all like 4 years ago now.
I haven't been nearly as active on YT as I once was. But I still enjoy watching these videos you put out.
My offer from years ago still stands. If you ever want to part ways with one of your homemade grill setups, I'll pay shipping and everything, haha.
You rock
Oh yes I remember you! You sent me an olive drab shirt with your logo on it. Im still plugging away making videos. Seems like this is the only fun part of life. Lol. Take care and thanks for stopping by
Dave maybe a kindergarten pencil sharpener could work, lol. As far as carrying gear, I consider myself frugal, thrifty and basically cheap. I've found that camera bags are a good cheap way to carry gear. Multiple pockets and water resistant. Got a chuckle from this one.
Lol, man I'm actually pretty cheap too. I'm glad you liked it and thanks for watching David
The sharpener in the kit has a blade that can be removed to use as a cutting tool. Great videos Uncle Dave, Frank
Maybe, some are held in by a screw and some are molded into the plastic. Thanks for watching Frank
would not want to trust my life to a pencil sharpener another outstanding video
I can agree! Im glad you liked it. Thanks for watching
I have that little knife. I always have 2 folding knives and sheath knife on me. I really enjoyed watching . Tennessee
Sounds good Jeff and Im glad you liked it. Thanks for watching
I have found that whenever I start to say “you should” do this or that, that I catch myself and realize that I am ‘spouting’. And I stop myself. Whenever someone says ‘you should’, they are acting as though they are coming from a higher place. Like a teacher or a figure of authority of greater experience and I never want to present myself as possessing any knowledge that is superior to anyone else’s knowledge or experience. It’s a constant struggle and I think that, as great as the internet and UA-cam is, that from the hidden perch of the comment section, people feel that they can spout in total anonymity and they feel empowered. It’s one of our major weaknesses, the assumption of knowledge.
Very very very well said! You totally understand human behaviors!
People just want mess with others You do a great service keep it up let the naysayers move on I have always enjoyed your video and always learn something Your one of the good guys I mean that in the bestway THANK YOU DAVE
Thanks David! Man I try to be as helpful as possible
13:25 ELIMINATED KINDLING
We have a friend who runs a lathe for his fine carpentry side hustle. Once a year or maybe 18 months he brings us 2-3 contractors bags loaded with beautiful curly q’s of shavings. We use a fire box style stove to heat 1400 sq feet of a 2200 sq ft home in
NW Washington. So we light that sucker at least once, maybe twice, per day, five months per year.
Every season after I chop 5-6 cords of fuel wood then buy a 100 count of cheap brown paper sack lunch bags. Into each sack goes 3 wadded pieces of junk mail & 3-4 handfuls of the wood shavings. Then roll the bag like a school lunch back in 1980. And pop closed w/ 1 staple. Provided I build competent “upside down fire log cabins” in the fire box, one of the paper bag tinder bundles eliminates the need for kindling. By not processing several weeks worth of fuel wood into kindling every September we save 1/4-1/2 cord of wood per year. Making 150 of the tinder bags takes me a couple hours. It’s an incredible savings on energy cost because kindling & getting the fires started uses a lot of wood (when it’s added up over 5 months) but those first 15-20 minutes of wood burn, getting the fire going, really do not emit much by way of house warming BTU’s. We save enough wood by eliminating kindling to compensate an additional 30-35 fires over the course of approximately 5 months. Electricity bills are so outrageous on the West Coast it confounds me that people aren’t tearing up the streets in anger. How is a family of four supposed to swing $900 a month electricity? It’s madness. But that’s what we get when government monopolizes utilities. You can like it. Lump it. Or freeze. It’s 2024 and just to stay warm and keep a roof over one’s head on the W. Coast is $3k-$4k per month. That’s just heat & rent/mortgage. Add double digit inflation at the grocery store and pump. And vertical health insurance costs at you can easily hit $10k per month just for the basics. Now who do we know who makes $10k per month AFTER taxes? Certainly no jobs around here. Cost of living here is almost what it was in Los Angeles 8 years ago. Except there are jobs in Southern CA. There’s barely an economy here.
🇺🇸is in BIG trouble.
Wow! Man I had no idea it was that expensive over on the coast!
Hello Dave listening I have tried both. I see it for those that cannot make feather sticks easily. One may need a little more to work with in winter than a tin kit or Mylar blanket especially in -35c (-30f). enjoy your content take CaRe ❤
Good point, Im glad you liked it. Thanks for watching
Spirals vs bugles were also informative. 'Fun in the Woods.'
I'm glad you liked that James
The gentleman who unfortunately passed due to the neck knife accident was Patrick Kenney Jr. It was ruled an accident by tripping in a parking lot outside a restaurant. The officer described it as a "lanyard style knife worn around his neck". There aren't many details on the knife or accident itself, just the tripping and sheath being around his neck. My guess is it was a small urban carry knife in a Kydex sheath that's worn tip-UP. You see them everywhere and it's easy for them to fall out into your clothes, workers carrying boxes have reported getting a surprise poke when they pick a box up because their neck knife fell out in their shirt or jacket. The cheaper it's made, the easier it'll fall out. Tip-up vs tip-down is often overlooked in neck knife safety conversation.
Thankfully, most bushcrafters carry different and larger knives tip-DOWN, with exceptions like the Mora Eldris but, the Eldris has a second leather buckle to lock it down. So the worry of impalement probably isn't necessary in a bushcrafter's case. A breakaway lanyard never hurts though, accidents can happen then you're sliding downhill hoping you don't get snagged.
Thanks for the info! I didnt know those details. I never liked the idea of wearing a knife tip up.
A good knife makes a dandy pencil sharpener---- I actually learned some good things from this video that the last dozen outdoor or bushcraft videos failed to teach me. The easy going talk of the way things are in real life is conducive to good learning if I'm paying attention. Thanks, Dave!
Fantastic to hear that my friend! I try to make the videos as informative as possible. Thanks for watching
A while back there was a product, the Pro Tool Industries MAG-NA-FIRE . A pencil sharpener, made of magnesium with ferro rod like regular magnesium block & ferrorod, and match striking surface all in one item. Supposedly designed for the US military. Think that's where the idea came from.
If just have a pencil sharpener without a knife, then either poor decisions were made, or things have gone horribly wrong.
Thanks for the comments, Ive never heard of that tool before but I have heard of Pro Tool.
This is a great video, Dave. I always enjoy seeing what's in your minimal packs and I didn't know changing the direction of the knife changed the shape of the shaving. Always learning something new and entertained. Thank you.
Thanks Bev, I'm glad you liked it! I try to throw some never talked about tips in every one. Take care and always great to hear from you!
I'll bring one of the pencil sharpeners like you had in school, attaches to the wall with a crank handle. It can possibly double as a coffee grinder! 🤣🤣🤣
Lol! Now I gotta try grinding coffee beans with one!!
I agree with you but let me comment that it wouldn't hurt to carry the pencil sharper too, as it could help preserve the edge of your knife . I think most people carry at least 1 knife if not 2. I carry 2 knives and a pocket knife along with the folding saw. My ex gf stole my machete so I need to replace that. But yea...you are spot on...all the best Dave!
I can agree with that for other people. For me I usually have a knife and a machete or folding saw. And, the first thing i throw in the bottom of my backpack before I fill it up is a Mora Companion HD just to have an extra. I'm glad you liked the video and thanks for watching Chris
Always enjoy your videos, Thanx for another informative and fun piece.
Thanks, Im glad you liked it. Thanks for watching