Fällkniven A1x

The Fällkniven A1x is unarguably one of the best and most reliable European high-end survival-, bushcraft-, military- and expedition knives. It is precision and quality at it’s best. This no-nonsense design has all the features a proper survival knife should (imho) have, like a full tang, a convex edge, ease of sharpening, a drop point and being safe to use. A reassuring, reliable knife, that can save lives.

Ease of use: This is my go to knife. The balance and the effective grip length are spot on. This massive piece of metal has a thickness that is ideal for splitting wood and the swedge & tip are ideal for priming. The weight and sharpness allows me to do all my outdoor tasks. (together with my Silky saw.) The Thermorun handle/scales are really safe, even in wet conditions. The spine is sharp enough to ignite a fire starter.

I consider a full tang (the knife’s blade extends throughout the knife as one piece) to be a must for this type of knives. The A1x has the tang extended into a butt/pommel with lanyard hole (well out of the way of the sharp end) and the two handle scales are attached to the sides of the tang with metal screws. Full tang is the strongest way to construct a knife and can handle typical uses like chopping or batonning wood very well. The extra weight of this thick extended blade is very usefull for many survival and bushcraft tasks, luckily they have not skeletonized it to save weight.

It’s convex edge, can be sharpened razor-sharp, is very strong (HRC 60) and offers very little cutting resistance. Fällkniven makes these knives from high-end stainless laminated cobalt steel, which means that the CoS core is placed in between two layers of softer steel. This results in a tough blade, able to handle a lot of ‘abuse’ and the CoS core can still be sharpened very easily.

With regards to safety, the knife sheath is worth mentioning, because it has both a transport lock and a safety catch. The knife itself has an effective front quillion/guard and scales are mounted to both sides of the tang. These are made from Thermorun, an elastic plastic that absorbs blows and offers a lot of grip.

Victorinox Outdoor Master Micarta Large

My Victorinox Outdoor Master Micarta Large is a my smaller full tang fixed blade knife with a spine sharp enough to ignite a fire starter. It has a drop-point blade with Scandi grind and a Micarta handle and a kydex sheath with fire-rod. Full tang means that the blade runs seamlessly through the handle, giving the best strength possible. It comes with a protective Kydex sheath, compatible with the Tek-Lok System and a fire steel. The thumb grooves are good for doing more prcise/detailed tasks and the finger guard is sufficient for a knife of thi size. This is a mid sized knife with a 10 cm blade and an overall length of 22 cm, which makes it extremely easy to handle. 220 grams.
One of the really nice details is the tensioning screw on the kydex sheath, to control how firm/secure the knife is held inside.

Leatherman Tools

To me, Leatherman defines the standard. The tools I use most for climbing-, backpacking-, trekking- and kayaking activities, are the ones above, ofwhich the Skeletool Multitool is my all time favourite. I have used these since the first one came out in 2008. This is their take on functionality, minimum weight and maximum carryability, the Skeletool embodies the belief that a tool is ‘no good unless you have it with you’. The half serrated knife suites me better than the fully serrated (RX-model) or the non serrated (CX) versions.

The other must have is the Raptor Rescue. The absolute best Rescue, First Aid, do-it-all Scissors available!
Since my days as a ‘medical first responder in the army’, I have had many first aid certifications and tasks specialising in outdoor activities, so I find myself carefull and discerning about the tools I use.
The Raptor Rescue is part of my First Aid kit and accompanies me on all of my adventures, whatever they are. This will cut anything, clothes, backpack straps, but also the finest silicon tent fabric. It comes with a Lanyard Hole, a Replaceable Pocket Clip and a sturdy plastic Holster.
There is a 7 grams lighter and slightly cheaper version available, the Raptor Response: Excellent first aid bandage scissors, but they don’t come with the strap cutter and carbide glass breaker (the rescue stuff).

The Skeletool KBX is the knife blade of a Skeletool as an ultra light pocket knife. I like this because it has the correct size (small, but very adequate and very light). This should be the go to pocketknife for all of UL-fans.

Last but not least, I use a number of add-ons, accessories and whatnot from Leatehrman, like:
the Tool Pouch, the Blade Sharpener, the Bit Driver Extender, and the Bit Kit Set.

Skeletool Functions & Specs:

Needlenose Pliers
Regular Pliers
Hard-wire Cutters
Wire Cutters
420HC Combo Knife
Carabiner/Bottle Opener
Large Bit Driver

weight: 142 g.
closed length: 10 cm.
open length: 15,24 cm.
blade: 6,60 cm.
width: 3,15 cm.
thickness: 1,32 cm.
material: 420HC Stainless Steel

Raptor Rescue Functions & Specs:

420HC Stainless Steel Folding Shears
Strap Cutter
Ring Cutter
Ruler (5 cm)
Oxygen Tank Wrench
Carbide Glass Breaker

weight; 164 g.
closed length: 12,7 cm.
open length: 20,3 cm.
shear length: 4,8 cm.
width: 4,8 cm.
thickness: 1,7 cm.
material: 420HC Stainless Steel, Glass-filled Nylon, Carbide

Skeletool KBX Functions & Specs:

420HC Combo Knife
Bottle Opener

weight: 36,85 g.
closed length: 8,77 cm.
open length: 14,9 cm.
blade: 6,6 cm.
width: 2,0 cm.
thickness: 0,76 cm.
material: 420HC Stainless Steel, Type II Anodized Aluminum

Øyo Hatchet

The Øyo ‘Viking Axe’ is a very basic, somewhat rude hatchet, with a proven traditional design. It handles like a dream, with it’s balanced and ergonomical design. Weighing half a kilo, this very sharp hatchet can be used for hours, without fatigue due to scroll ended heft. The poll (butt) is flat and can be use for hammering, heel and toe are sharp enough for prying. A recycled felt sleeve, protects the very sharp forged C45 steel bit (blade).

But! Leave no trace! Process dead or fallen braches, driftwood or other non-invasive gathered wood.
Removal should not be noticeable, neither does your wood cutting waste.

Silky Saw

Here’s my Silky Pocketboy 170-10 saw. This is a practical and functional piece of kit and a must have on every camp site. The 17cm blade has a convenient length for sawing, whilst keeping the overall length practical. With 10 teeth per 30 mm it’s suited for both fresh and hard wood. I have an additional 20 teeth blade (suited for hard wood) for fine work like notching trees or making stuff. It takes less than a minute to change blades. It comes in a clear plastic case with belt clip.

Dianova Sharpeners

I use these, Swedish, Dianova sharpeners. Their high quality diamant sharpeners are extremely practical and effective.

top to bottom:
The Önne Strigel
The Önne
The Classic Long
The Military Badge

The Önne & Önne Strigel

The Önne Strigel is a whetstone block offering an extra fine (1200 grit) diamond whetstone side and a leather strop side.
The Önne is a whetstone block offering a with fine (600 grit) and a coarse (300 grit) side.

Together, these blocks cover all my homebase needs. They are surprising lightweight at respectively 70g & 60g and come with an anti slip pad mat and soft case. Their well proportioned dimensions (150x45x17mm) are very well chosen. It’s big enough to comfortably whet my Cold Steel SRK.
Length 150mm, Width 45, Height 17 mm.

The Classic Long

The Classic Long is a lightweight double sided diamond knife sharpener with long handle for comfort. It has a fine (600 grit) and a coarse (300) side. This my preffered field sharpener because it handles really well! It is a whole lot of sharpener at a mere 45g.
Length 170 mm, Width 20 mm, Thickness 3 mm, Diamond surfaces 75×19 mm.

The Military Badge

The Military Badge is a diamond knife sharpener with a pocket clip for easy carrying. This is the ultimate backup and/or ultralight sharpener at 22g. At has 30 micron monocrystalline Diamonds of the highest quality rating (coarse/300 grit).
Length 85 mm, Width 25 mm, Thickness 0.5mm.