Victorinox Ranger wood 55, Hudson bay axe, one log fire.
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.ย. 2024
- Here I fell a dead standing tree with the Wetterlings Hudson bay axe then proceed to take a section out and light a one log fire.
The one log fire is basically getting every stage of fuel to light a successful fire from the one log, tinder through to fuel.
Seen by many as a good test of skill and tools, its definitely a skill I rate highly in a wet environment.
20:34 To pick up on your rant, I've often felt the same. Once again, I'll mention my old Scoutmaster (a-la-Mors K) and his approach, which is similar to yours. Only he had a slightly different approach. His point was that once you achieve even the tiniest flame, you must take it to the next level quickly. We were taught to have that next level ready and waiting. Now, remember this was like 50 odd years ago, and we didn't have all the fancy kit we have these days. His next stage almost always included a small candle of some sort, with the wick fluffed out a bit. As soon as there is a flame, he'd get the candle going! Then he could fiddle with the initial flame a bit to ignite the kindling. If the flame went out he'd still have the candle flame and could get things going again. Once the fire was going he'd put out the candle to save it for next time. He also always had a length of surgical tubing - he used this to blow on embers (usually early morning) so he could blow the embers into flames without getting smoke in his eyes (he was fanatical about his morning coffee!).
Just a few happy memories!.
Note: I've always been fond of axes! But, for me The big problem is bulk/weight vs benefit. When I made my bushwhacker knife, I started using that for many of the tasks I used to use the axe for (the lighter ones). I'd still split big firewood with my axe though. So, my conclusion is then, that the decision about whether to have an axe centres around how much bother it would be to get the axe to the scene of operations. If I have to backpack it in with a lot of other stuff, I might look for alternatives, like making wood wedges. If, like you, I have spare capacity and weight is not really problematic, I'd probably pack one like the one in your video. Since discovering Silky saws, however, I would never compromise on that. One of them would definitely be there, as with my belt knife.
I'm really feeling the love for larger knives again and silkys are just awesome 👍👍
Hi Rob,
I´m not a survivalist nor a woodsman. I like camping, wild camping and some pioneering (bushcrafting). I always carry a SAK in everyday life (either a Workchamp or a Handyman). Although I own a Rangerwood 55 I never bring it when camping. My 2 go-to-tools for all types of woodwork is a Cold Steel Trailhawk (tomahawk with a hammerhead) and the Victorinox Forester (m-grip, not the hard scales). The Forester, to me, feels sturdier and fits my hands better. Lately I´ve been messing around with an even smaller axe made by Gerber. I had to re-profile it to make it work better but I´m liking it more and more. It is a full tang (so the handle can´t break) and with a bit of practice, getting used to it, you can choke up on it and use it more or less like a fixed blade (everyone tries to chop and baton with a knife, so I try to cut and carve with an axe 🤣). Maybe in a real survival situation you would need those bigger tools but I think not. With those smaller tools you shock no-one, you can try to make the tools you need and they are not cumbersome when moving about (which is something you would probably have to do in a survival situation). Keep the big tools for the homestead and move around with the smaller tools is my opinion. But, let´s face it, when are we going to encounter a survival situation? We´re just grown boys having fun in the woods 😉.
Anyway, I don´t comment often but I always enjoy your videos. Great review as usual.
Take care,
Alain
Hi Alain, you are correct my friend, there's not much chance of being in a true wilderness survival situation and I'm definitely a big kid with big kid toys!
All the best Rob
Great video. Just ordered the SAK rangergrip 78 (No corkscrew). Got it for the longer saw blade. Think the SAK has a better saw than the others out there. Although I normally carry a SAK and a Leatherman together if I’m outdoors. Currently carry a SAK Hunter in my EDC. Have carried some type of a SAK for over 50 years now. Never failed me 😊
Very jealous, I'd love a good few of the wetterlings axes. Awesome tools, well made. 👍
Another brilliant video Rob!
If you want my Forrest axe you can have it , like new £150 posted.
@@RobEvansWoodsman I'll give you an email now, cheers Rob.
Also I'm getting echos of the opening scene of Commando with you carrying that log! 🤣🤣
I've to re-watch this classic today..
I also thought he looked like Jenny from commando
Piss off Nick!
Always looking forward to your next video and I always feel a little sad when they end. I’m gonna enjoy this one later with a glass of red wine 😁
I've got another two or maybe 3 filmed.
Thanks 👍
@@RobEvansWoodsman Yeah! 🙌🤘
@@RobEvansWoodsman Who am I kidding!? I couldn’t wait. Had to watch it in one of my breaks. Oh my, the clips at the end are too funny! 😂
Interesting video Rob. I had the Hudson Bay, was in sons car when it was nicked. Don't really miss it. As you say its not great chopper though it split well enough. I've just got back from 3 days in Switzerland. While in Geneva I had to pop into the Victorinox Flagship store didn't I? Brought a Rangergrip, a walker and couple other bits-n-bobs. Enjoying working my way though your videos I missed bud. I'll watch the SAK walker review tonight 😁.
Great little knife .
Thanks rob
You should do a video of your axe/knife/saw collection. It'd make a lot of people very jealous.
I know, if probably loose people!
The knife video would be a long one.
I could do a video by brand!
Whatever subject you chose, I always learn something from your videos. Oh, and your tea consumption is impressive!
Before TH-cam it was greater!
I do like Victorinox knives and usually have a Camper or a Farmer in my pocket. I've never tried the Ranger but I find the saw on the Leatherman Charge to be a bit better than my Victorinox knives , it has a lock.
Good video, keep em coming 👍
Nice to see you watching my videos!
I love the charge, best tool on the market.
I have one in titanium and one in orange G10, I agree with you the saws are better.
@@RobEvansWoodsman Interesting. For me, my SAK saw cuts better than my Leatherman. I've never really understood the issue with the saw blade not locking. Why must it lock? The downward pressure is in the opposite direction. I'd appreciate being educated about that. ;-) Thanks guys.
@@dennisleighton2812 for me it's more about the spring if I'm using the saw back as a scraper.
Another fine mixture of informative and funny content Rob. Cheers! You remain as one of the few bushcrafters who upload content regularly these days.
As for SAK, yeap they are versatile, but somehow I can't bring myself to reach out for them on a regular basis. Of course, as a backup tool, they are just fine.
I try mate.
Nice one Rob, carrying and using a locksmith myself every day it has the best features imho, Jan Ververs did recommend it highly so i bought one a few years back, can't go without it now👍🏻
I'll check it out.
Checked it out, I'm getting one, looks excellent.
Excellent review, mate. Really enjoyed it and have since subscribed. Thanks for the tip on releasing the liner lock, I too just started using the knife without looking at any instructions, and was closing it with my nail as well. I do like this knife, but it's never going to be a replacement for any of my puukkos and a Bahco Laplander (or for bigger work, my Bob Dustrude Buck saw and Gränsfors forest axe). As you rightly mentioned, you can buy a nice trio of a scandi, saw, plus a smaller SAK and be better off financially and tool wise, especially if you go for a trusty Mora Companion. At any rate, great video.
Good job with the tools you had... I started carrying a leather belt pouch that's basically a fire kit. My intention is to always have a sheath knife as well but just in case, I have a SAK Farmer-X in the pouch as a backup and a CC4 Sharpener. The awl on the SAK is the best ferro rod scraper ever! All the best.
Yes the awl on the farmer is an excellent scraper.👍
Hell's teeth Rob, an hour and a half without tea - a lesser man would have expired long ago! I completely agree with your assessment - its a nice knife, and reasonably capable, but overall a bit of a poser! Cheers mate, keep 'em coming!
A bit of a poser, love that Pete.
Between you and me mate I'd prefer my Forrester, probably like the smaller ones better aswel.
A Fiskars X5 axe, a Bacho saw and a Hultafors OK4 knife all for the price of that Swiss Army Knife. Lovely as it is, I know what I would put my money on. Good review as always mate.
John Matrix is at it again! Nice review mate as was looking at one of those a while ago but still carry an old leatherman. I do like that Hudson Bay axe of yours too. Looking forward to the next vids mate 👍
My favourite tool is the Leatherman charge.
Heyyyy Rob!! Good review... Not as good as it looked it seems!! Loved the rant!!! " Thats Stupid!!" Rant done!!! Priceless!! Glad U are well! ATB Old John
Nice one Rob...Always enjoy your endings :-) Hope your good and enjoy a good weekend mate :-)
Nothing planned this weekend, it's meant to be wet down here.
Enjoyed that, it's always good to hear your views on kit combos and what works and what doesn't. I just bought the ranger grip 79 cause I like Saks, but haven't had much of a chance to use it. I view them as picnic/playing in the woods knives great if you are out for a wee day out and handy if you are camping. For bushcrafty stuff I'll stick with my Rob Evans Bushtool, a small axe and my bahco, but they are handy wee tools. You should contact Victorinox about your Woodsman's Sak they might be able to help you out 😁
for me one of the biggest improvements would be to replace the corkscrew with a wood auger.
My GB small hatchet and the Orange Ranger Gripp 55 are my 'light weight' (summer) bushcraft wood processing kit.
Works fine for small stuff and a quick fire.
I also own the Ranger Wood, but since it was a present and carries sentimental value, it stays home.
I agree mate , it's a summer knife.
I certainly wouldn't rely on it in the cold with my life or cup of tea depending on it!
I realy like SAK‘s but I don‘t like the grind of the Ranger 55. The saw is great and the loking of the screwdriver is an excellent safety feature.
Nice video! Stay safe.
This driver dosent lock.
@@RobEvansWoodsman If you push the srewdriver hard on a srew it moves about 1 or 2 mm in and locks.
Loved the out takes Rob👌👍😊Good little review, was possibly going to get one in plastic but will stick with Huntsman as 90% of the time I've got my pocket boy, good video that helped me decide n save dish for something else 😃😊
There's more on the locking large SAKs coming in the next video.
@@RobEvansWoodsman Nice one, looking forward to it Rob, always best to see a decent video and knowledgeable opinion on these things before forking out on something that doesn't really work too well👍
@@markjackson6742 thanks for calling me knowledgeable, one guy last year said that I sounded like a retard, another guy said that I struck a ferrorod like a bitch!
I can handle the retard comment but the ferrorod thing just upset the hell out of me!
😜😂🤭well Rob you know what they say, variety makes the world go round!😊👍
We all love the SAK's, im looking at getting the farmer alox, just can't justify the prices .
New subscriber ✌🏼
The Farmer is an excellent tool and if you treat it well it'll last a lifetime, definitely worth the cost.
Nice vid, as usual, great bloopers, some might say the best bit! Anyway, its a nice knife, I have the standard Ranger, and not lost this one! I think its a better compromise of tools, weight and street legal. This as a bushcraft tool, nah, Laplander, Companion HD (on order) and I can probably still afford a reasonable axe too (maybe). And I am with you, watch way too much youtube haha
Interesting stuff as ever Rob...it’s good to know that an SAK can get you out of a fix but agree with your preference for a scandi. I agree about the Hudson Bay too...fantastic splitter but the blade grind is a bit obtuse to be ideal for chopping. ATB 👍🍻
I do find myself reaching for that axe first, probably because it's packable and a great splitter, chopping is way down on my list of duties.
You got yourself another sub mate, great videos 👍👍
Cheers Paul
👍Good Review Rob, I agree the Ranger 55 wood is a bit pricey, and doesn't have the tweezers or place for the firefly that the standard Ranger 55 or Ranger grip 79 have at about 70% of the price. I do like the longer blades 😁. Loved the rant 👌👍🤣.
Sometimes I've got got to let it out.
@@RobEvansWoodsman 👍😎
Always keep tea incase of a survival situation
That’s a unique way to start a fire!
Rob Evans as a sak research and development consultant locking saw and inbuilt ferro rod carbon blade locking hi vis orange grip scales nice vid rob looking forward to buying you and Des a pint at the WG
Apparently Victorinox are quite open to suggestions, when I finally think of something doable I may send them an email.
There's a bit more to come on this tool.
Can't see us having any sort of large gathering this year. It's bloody awful.
Had my 81 year old recently widowed mother crying her eyes out today because she doesn't see a soul (appart from me), nobody came around to see her after my dad died because they are scared to death of co**d , but they all go shopping as frequently and to several different shops!
Sorry you got the rain, Rob! It actually stayed dry up here, for a change.
Unusually stayed dry in the Rhondda too ! That"s what you call "localised" weather , lol - good vid. as usual :)
Guys would appreciate some support
24:47 too much tea mate🤣
The rest of the outtakes have had me in stitches mate
I’ve got to agree with your rant and add why do people get twigs straight on the tiny little flame, let it get going get established a bit before loading the twigs on.
Feed a flame dry stuff, it's not brain surgery!
@@RobEvansWoodsman exactly let the flame establish then add kindling never mind good video Rob
What do you think 🤔 of victorinox steel, people seem to not be that impressed on TH-cam, main gripe seems to be its to soft .
Horse shit, it's a tiny blade on a very reasonable package, some folks just like to moan and pick faults because it makes them look like they are experts .
Yeah I’ve never had a problem with a victorinox knife, I think 🤔 they are brilliant
@@marcdee4427 me too mate
Regarding victorinox , received today a FARMER , hoping it"s as good as they say :)
Excellent tool the farmer, I'd really like the Farmer X in orange!
To make it better at feathersticks, remove the secondary bevel, and put a chisel grind on it, about 26 degrees or so, on the side of the blade that will be in contact with the wood.
Never thought of that Mark.
Great information.
@@RobEvansWoodsman Thinking on it, might be better with the secondary on the other side, as you have the whole flat bevel as the guide on the wood then. The chisel grind will still be small and low, so might not offer enough support/guide the first way i suggested.
I think the first way sounds the best mate.
@@RobEvansWoodsman You gonna try it?
@@hillbill79 I'll dig my old SAK out and try it.
Older Victorinox models, have different blades and better quality. I can make feathersticks allday long with the Rucksack and the Harvester.. but I can't do the same, with the Forester and the newer Farmer. All the older models, work much better for me. no matter how similar they look with the new ones, they just do work better.
Interesting.
Enjoyed the review and have to agree with what you said about the saw having a lock with regard to its length. Prefer my Victorinox GAK (2003 model) although believe the Ranger wood and similar models have larger saws. Have you ever reviewed the Enzo Trapper 95? Atb Malcolm 🏴
Hi Mal, never had an Enzo, probably because I can make that style knife with my eyes shut. I was toying with getting an Elver to try out as I'd heard them called the poor man's bushtool!
@@RobEvansWoodsman I've got a Enzo Trapper blanc which was scaled and sheathed by Daniel Kerr, specs are custom scans, overall length 21cms, Blade 9.5cms, African Mango scales and matching leather sheath, Steel D2
@@keepthefaith35 sounds nice.
Can you do a review of the patriot manly 154 cpm thanks
Spent out now, ask someone to send me one, you've been watching DBK haven't you😜
Piss poor firelighting effort!
@@RobEvansWoodsman IM laughing so hard i shouldve known :)
Nice little knife but if I'm spending my hard earned money I want something that I would use again if I liked it.
The patriot to me is just a fixed folder.
In south africa our shipping expenses are more than the actual item 😥
If that corkscrew was replaced by an auger. Even a small one...
is this a welsh accent?
Yes, Southern.
New sub here. Love your accent. Scottish? Good content. Will keep on eye on you. I prefer to ramble and bitch, though.
Welsh.
@@RobEvansWoodsman First Welsh man I ever encounter. Very nice 2 make your acquaintance, Rob. This is Bryan from Korea.
You didn't say "Timber!!!!"
The Swiss army knife is a multi tool that isn't the master of any , that isn't its real purpose, the people on TH-cam are notorious in making stupid mistakes through not thinking things through before doing it .
Plenty of stupid people out there mate.