A place to chat about gear and the philosphy of ultralight. Ultralight bushwalking or backpacking focuses on carrying the lightest and simplest kit. There is still a good focus on safety and skill.
Forum rules
Ultralight Bushwalking/backpacking is about more than just gear lists. Ultralight walkers carefully consider gear based on the environment they are entering, the weather forecast, their own skill, other people in the group. Gear and systems are tested and tweaked.
If you are new to this area then welcome - Please remember that although the same ultralight philosophy can be used in all environments that the specific gear and skill required will vary greatly. It is very dangerous to assume that you can just copy someone else's gear list, but you are encouraged to ask questions, learn and start reducing the pack weight and enjoying the freedom that comes.
Common words
Base pack backpacking the mass of the backpack and the gear inside - not including consumables such as food, water and fuel
light backpacking base weight less than 9.1kg
ultralight backpacking base weight less than 4.5kg
super-ultralight backpacking base weight less than 2.3kg
extreme-ultralight backpacking base weight less than 1.4kg
Sat 23 Aug, 2014 6:26 pm
Can anyone out there recommend/have a really light axe or similar multi tool?
Just got back from a 2 week trip to the Kimberly's, met a bloke with a cool little axe/saw combi thing, but didn't get a brand name off it.
Suprisingly useful little thing.
Thanks in advance.
Mainly used to kill Zombies......like I needed to tell you that.
Sat 23 Aug, 2014 7:31 pm
I use a fiskars x7 a bit, great little hatchet. Also got the x15 which I use on longer vehicle based trips when I leave the chainsaw at home.
Travis.
Sat 23 Aug, 2014 7:41 pm
for flat out durability, the fiskers are pretty solid. you do need to keep them very sharp, but a bit of sandpaper makes that easy. They did have, and may still have one that housed a small saw in the handle, but they very often fell out at in-opportune times. A better combo would be a proper small saw, and a hatchet. There is one fiskars hatchet which has a very short handle, and its little more than a splitting wedge with a handle, you don't swing it as such, just hit it with another stick. Works for some, and is probably safer than swinging a hatchet around.
A hatchet is a pretty heavy bit of kit to carry, given the limited uses in most areas, but to each their own. For any time weight isn't a concern, a full size ax is far safer and effective.
Sat 23 Aug, 2014 8:02 pm
Have a look here:
http://www.cuttingedgeknives.com.au/pro ... egories=18Look in the tomahawk and axes section. Some interesting products and you might just find what you need.
Sat 23 Aug, 2014 8:19 pm
Thats interesting ice. Wonder how it performs
Sat 23 Aug, 2014 8:22 pm
Gadgetgeek wrote:for flat out durability, the fiskers are pretty solid. you do need to keep them very sharp, but a bit of sandpaper makes that easy. They did have, and may still have one that housed a small saw in the handle, but they very often fell out at in-opportune times. A better combo would be a proper small saw, and a hatchet. There is one fiskars hatchet which has a very short handle, and its little more than a splitting wedge with a handle, you don't swing it as such, just hit it with another stick. Works for some, and is probably safer than swinging a hatchet around.
A hatchet is a pretty heavy bit of kit to carry, given the limited uses in most areas, but to each their own. For any time weight isn't a concern, a full size ax is far safer and effective.
For the price and chopping ability they are second to none IMO.
I always carry an Ezy-lap super fine diamond stone with my axe/ hatchet and keep them shaving sharp.
For splitting I usually Baton the X7 anyways as opposed to swinging it around, I think the head size / weight is much better then that on the X5 (tiny one hand hatchet).
There are lots of 'tacticool' tomahawks / hatchets etc out there these days but unless the zombies attack the fiskars axes/hatchets walk all over them for chopping wood.
Travis.
Tue 26 Aug, 2014 7:15 pm
Have to agree with Travis. I also have the X7, but don't hike with it.
It's an awesome little hatchet.
Tue 26 Aug, 2014 10:49 pm
Wed 27 Aug, 2014 5:01 pm
What in the *&%$#! blue blazes is 'thumb jimping'?
Wed 27 Aug, 2014 5:35 pm
$550 USD plus shipping. Jeepers. My shout who wants one.
Wed 27 Aug, 2014 5:38 pm
north-north-west wrote:What in the *&%$#! blue blazes is 'thumb jimping'?
I had to look it up myself:
Wed 27 Aug, 2014 5:40 pm
Lol.
Speed bumps for your knife
Wed 27 Aug, 2014 5:56 pm
thumb jimping is the fastest way to a flame war on any knife related forum. But knife forum guys are nuts.... present company included.
Wed 27 Aug, 2014 9:26 pm
Jimping works well. I like it on my folding knife.
Fri 05 Sep, 2014 5:27 pm
Gadgetgeek wrote: But knife forum guys are nuts.... present company included.
Yes. Why else would I have a whole collection of spydercos, bark rivers and others when I barely use a knife while hiking as it is. ..
Fri 05 Sep, 2014 7:57 pm
the subject of rescue knives came up in class today, and the asker was looking for white-water advice in a flat water paddling class. I just had to say, you don't want a knife. buy a shroud cutter, everyone will feel safer. turns out, they already had one as a kite surfer, and didn't even think about it. best I could come up with for "which knife should I buy"
Fri 05 Sep, 2014 8:10 pm
ErichFromm wrote:Yes. Why else would I have a whole collection of spydercos, bark rivers and others when I barely use a knife while hiking as it is. ..

I like my Spyderco Paramilitary 2. But still haven't had the heart to use it outdoors. This Leatherman Crater EDC is just too convenient when properly sharpened.
Sat 06 Sep, 2014 5:06 am
I've yet to take my para2 out. Normally just take a delica for food prep and a fallkniven f1 for the rest. Keep planning to sell some of my knives but never get around to it.
I did a corporate volunteer day at red cross recently. Took a Leatherman skeletool to help open boxes. My boss acted like I'd brought a crocodile dundee knife - imagine if I'd taken my para2!
Sat 06 Sep, 2014 6:33 am
Yes. That Para2 does look a bit too serious. LOL
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