Camping Tools

Basically, there are fivetools for the camper of importance, a multi-tool, knife, shovel, axe and a saw.

 Multi-toolis a multi task tool like the famous Swiss Army Knife.  However there is a wide variety of this type of tool on the market today.  Swiss Army type is fine but check out other products, Gerber, Leatherman, and Winchester.  Your multi-tool should include pliers, a knife blade (prefer a serrated blade), a screwdriver (Phelps & regular tip), a pair of scissors have been very helpful in the past), a file, can opener, and any thing else you think is useful.

My favorite is a Gerber Fisherman.  I just snap my wrist down and my pliers snap out ready to go in a one-hand operation, great for fishing and other one-hand tasks.  If you decide on a pair of snap Gerber’s, you will need to practice to get the snap right.  First hold the pliers like your going to use them.  Then press the release buttons with your fingers and snap your hand down in an over hand motion at the same time.  This will take some practice.

Terry’s favorite is a pair of Gerber Recoils.  She just presses the release button and the pliers fly open in a snap, they are spring assisted.  I haven't seen a pair of recoils in a store or on line for a while, I think they are discontinued. She also has a Gerber Sport 400, very similar to the Fisherman.

Think about how you will be using this tool, it will be more useful than you think.  Since most multi-tools can get pricey be careful where you lay it down, they seem to disappear quickly in the environment.  I have dove more than once to retrieve my pair after dropping them overboard. At about 50 bucks a piece this can get expensive. I'm also a retired salvage diver so going down to get them may not be as much a problem as some.

 Knives, another great tool, each have their own preference, folding or fixed blade. If you choose a folding knife, pick one with a blade that does not wobble when open and one that locks open.  I use two folding knives, a good quality for fine work and a near cheap dollar store quality for abusive camp chores.  I consider this a disposal able knife. Just remember no wiggle and a locking blade

Fixed blades knives, make sure your blade does not bend, that’s its solid.  The length should be about 5” to 6” with a small hilt, and a sheath.

All knives and multi-tool should be of good steel (non rusting) and be able to hold a good edge. If your blades become dull sharpen them or take then to a person that sharpens knives. Consult your neighborhood meat cutter.

Lastly, camping knives are not weapons. If you need a knife to defend yourself in the wild, you might consider a less dangerous pastime or an alternative weapon. Remember this is supposed to be fun.  So many times I’ve seen guys with these big Bowie knives or army combat bayonets on their sides, how ridicules they look to veteran campers.

 Axes:  There are a variety of axes for camping.  Think about the type of camping you will be doing and what you’ll be using you axe fore. 

Note: Axes are not for chopping firewood. That is very time consuming and labor intensive.  Paul Bunion was a legend not a reality.  Axes are for splitting firewood and pounding or taping things like tent pegs. You cut firewood with a saw.

The back packer might choose a small lightweight, while the other campers might pick up a hatchet or up a small to med ax.

To split a med log, place on solid level ground end on end.   Next place your ax at where you want your log to split, and tap the top of your ax with an other log to get it started into the end of the log you want to split.  As your ax enters the end of your log hit harder with your pounding log until it splits.  You should pick wood to split that is not knotty or bent or too big. 

Caution:  Do not try to do a split from over head with a small ax or hatchet, as this is inviting disaster.  Always think ahead of the consequences of your actions, like where is the blade of this ax going to be if I do this or miss.  If the answer is your foot, leg or hand, you might want to rethink how you are going to accomplish this task.

Note: About defacing the woods.  So many times I seen campers set up camp, and their children go off into the woods to chop a small tree down.  While I can relate to this, as I did this when I was a kid before I knew it was wrong.  We cannot just chop or cut down trees for entertainment.  The youngins need to learn what is firewood and what is not.   Green trees are not firewood and firewood is usually on the ground.

 Saws: This is the most important tool if you are going to have a campfire and not bringing your own firewood.  For the camper I recommend folding saws as they pack smaller and lighter than conventional saws.  Gerber has two models and or there are a variety of other saws out there.  Always buy an extra blade, sometimes things happen like breaking the blade or you forgot to change an older worn out blade after your last trip.

The saw below is a 13-inch saw and is quite a cutter.

 Caution:  Saws can inflict a nasty nasty jagged deep lacerationin which bleeding will be hard to get under control. Saw blades just tear up everything.  Most saw injuries occur on the first three strokes of starting a cut or the last three finishing a cut. This doesn’t include the time I sat on my saw laying in my chair. Never put a saw on a sitting surface or walkway.  I usually hang it on a branch about eye to waist level out of the way or place it blade down on the woodpile or just put it away. Work Gloves should be worn while sawing wood just in case the blade jumps track or the grove.

 Machete another useful tool. I usually don’t carry a machete but have on occasions where there might be some brush to clear or I actually had to cut a trail to the main trail or road. Use caution, as you don’t want to go off into the wilderness hacking up the countryside without rhyme or reason.

A machete should have a handle strap for your wrist so if you lose your grip the machete doesn’t wind up stuck in your partners chest behind you.  The machete above has a hole in the handle, that’s where you put your safety strap.  It should also have a sheath to protect the edge.

The Shovel below is a tri- fold, serrated blade, with a pick.

Shovel:  A very necessary tool. One to help put out your fire, or dig out your fire pit.  Please do not just dump ashes anywhere.  Put them in a trash bag or burry them away from your campsite.  The second importance is to dig a latrine (a place to go when you have the urge). IMPORTANT: Always throw some dirt over your waste to keep flies away and the last thing you need is a latrine fly’s around your food.  Our rule is if you go to the latrine, you take the shovel. Camp shovels come in all different shapes and sizes, from a garden trowel to folding models.  In my van, I carry a small 1/2 size garden shovel in our canoe I carry a small collapsible with a spike and the blade is serrated to cut thru small roots. 

Chuck Milburn          For a Nice Selection of Camping Tools Click Here

Chuck Milburn