Victorinox Outdoor Knife from Venture Collection

[Bunk Tuppins]

That makes sense to me and I could even see myself using one of these like that.

I’ve never crafted bush, and the US Army spent 25 years breaking me of my youthful love of camping.

That said, I often have a 4”-ish belt knife with me as I putter around my rural property, as it comes in handy. This sheath design, which allows dirt and debris to be easily removed, is a major selling point for me.  I’m sure I’ll pick one up.

[SteveMr170]

People seem to have very different concepts of camping.  A lot of what people seem to be calling camping is what I call car-camping: parking a car within a pretty short distance of (or right up to) a campsite.  When car-camping any knife will do, since you don't have to carry it very far.  If you are going to pack your stuff 10+ miles in and 10+ miles out with significant altitude gains, you just do not have the luxury of taking quarter pound knives that only have one blade (or a swisschamp, for that matter).
As for the whole bushcraft/survival thing, I shrug my shoulders in puzzlement.  Never understood that.  I'm 70 and have camped since my late teens.  Never really needed a saw (twigs, dry pine needles etc are fine for kindling) and certainly never built shelters - I'm trying to leave as little trace of my visits as possible.  Lightweight tents are cheap nowadays.  Typically I don't make a fire anymore and cook with a small stove I pack in, so axes and all that are pointless.  Even back when I made campfires I never needed a saw or axe.

I guess maybe it's fun to pretend civilization has broken down or practice for it.  Still, in essence bushcraft seems like taking heavy duty tools and rearranging nature to my liking and needs.  The backpacking approach is to tread lightly and leave no traces.  One is reshaping nature and the other is observing it.

What an interesting view. I'm half your age. It seems we see the word bushcraft and think polar opposites.

To me bushcraft is all about respect to nature and our place in natural history. The exact opposite of an apolocalyse or societal breakdown. Our stone age ancestors crafted axes, blades and even saws. We have modern day equivalents of the exact same tools, our ancestors from tens of thousands of years ago got it right. I admire people like Will Lord who pay true respect to that time. Every time I used my hatchet I think of stone age axes. Every time I use my knife I think of flint blades. Every time I used my folding saw I think of the thousands of years mankind lived through before they invented one.

Camping is not bushcraft, survival stuff is not bushcraft, hiking is not bushcraft. But they do all have things in common. Bear grills and others are all about getting OUT of the wild. Ray Mears is all about staying IN the wild, for example.

I smoke and so always have a lighter on me. When I camp and make fire, I always get my flint, steel and char cloth out. Make feather sticks, process wood, a fire through the night is no good if you just have twigs. It keeps me humble. It takes time, teaches me patience and respect. Some say it's a waste of time. I enjoy the work.

I strongly do not agree with the idea that 'if it's easier, then it's better'.

[Bunk Tuppins]

What an interesting view. I'm half your age. It seems we see the word bushcraft and think polar opposites.

To me bushcraft is all about respect to nature and our place in natural history. The exact opposite of an apolocalyse or societal breakdown. Our stone age ancestors crafted axes, blades and even saws. We have modern day equivalents of the exact same tools, our ancestors from tens of thousands of years ago got it right. I admire people like Will Lord who pay true respect to that time. Every time I used my hatchet I think of stone age axes. Every time I use my knife I think of flint blades. Every time I used my folding saw I think of the thousands of years mankind lived through before they invented one.

Camping is not bushcraft, survival stuff is not bushcraft, hiking is not bushcraft. But they do all have things in common. Bear grills and others are all about getting OUT of the wild. Ray Mears is all about staying IN the wild, for example.

I smoke and so always have a lighter on me. When I camp and make fire, I always get my flint, steel and char cloth out. Make feather sticks, process wood, a fire through the night is no good if you just have twigs. It keeps me humble. It takes time, teaches me patience and respect. Some say it's a waste of time. I enjoy the work.

I strongly do not agree with the idea that 'if it's easier, then it's better'.

OK so I guess for you this is somewhat analogous to renaissance fair type people who try to re-enact historical cultural things.  In this case you are trying to get down to basics like making fire in the old way, using very basic or even primitive tools, etc.  I'm still trying to untangle that from an impression I had of a sort of woodland carpentry tips and tricks.  So I guess actually bushcraft has nothing to do with the bush or the wild or the forest.  It's more a species of do it yourself, but with a historic twist?

[Enginears]

it's fun to pretend civilization has broken down or practice for it.  Still, in essence bushcraft seems like taking heavy duty tools and rearranging nature to my liking and needs.  The backpacking approach is to tread lightly and leave no traces.  One is reshaping nature and the other is observing it.

Yes I think you are onto something there, and it is certainly reflected in bushcrafts associations with some of the prepping and “bug out bag” community. I have read many discussions about the negative affects of the trend of shelter building, back country fire building and general bushcraft on public land and forests. There are also more historic reenactment types like Cimbrer Bushcraft who go out and use early viking gear.

On the flip side you have the backpacking community who for the most part preach leave no trace, but tend to utilize a lot of new style gear with microplastics, pfas etc.

I am somewhere in the middle, learning from each of those different groups. In the end we (and youtube specifically) have made specialized sub groups who want to essentially enjoy being in nature.

[comis]

Camping is not bushcraft, survival stuff is not bushcraft, hiking is not bushcraft. But they do all have things in common. Bear grills and others are all about getting OUT of the wild. Ray Mears is all about staying IN the wild, for example.

I strongly do not agree with the idea that 'if it's easier, then it's better'.

Can't say it any better, some may ask what's the point in Bushcrafting, but the similar question could be asked about why hike when there are cars.  I think sometimes we do those things not because we have to, but because we can.


Couple years back, we even ran a really successful challenge with the Nessmuk Trio, and as far as I recalled, everyone had a ton of fun using those tools for a month and it inspired us all to get out of our comfort zone, learn and do more. 

[RF52]

Ah, the Nessmuk challenge was so much fun!
Just wish I could have gotten out in the woods more during the month.

Sent fra min M2002J9G via Tapatalk

[Aloha]

As always, such great conversation. 

Lisa, that is a lovely spot you've created.  That mountain view is splendid. 

[FolderBeholder]

As always, such great conversation. 

Lisa, that is a lovely spot you've created.  That mountain view is splendid.

Thank you Aloha!  That's San Jacinto you're looking at.

[VICMAN]

I will buy one of these Venture knives.  I do like the look of it and am eager to try it. 
I like to hang out in my backyard and play bushcrafter, even had a little deck and shed built.  I just need to get one of those hammock stands for my hammock.

 

Nice view !

[VICMAN]

Yes, Jasmine climbing plants to cover the very old fence that I decided to keep there in order to save money.

 

[FolderBeholder]

Thank you Vicman. 

[ReamerPunch]

The Nessmuk Challenge was indeed tons of fun! I loved every second of it. Everyone had a great time with it.

[Enginears]

The Nessmuk Challenge was indeed tons of fun! I loved every second of it. Everyone had a great time with it.

I was just reading up about Nessmuk, I am sorry I missed that challenge.

[ReamerPunch]

What an interesting view. I'm half your age. It seems we see the word bushcraft and think polar opposites.

To me bushcraft is all about respect to nature and our place in natural history. The exact opposite of an apolocalyse or societal breakdown. Our stone age ancestors crafted axes, blades and even saws. We have modern day equivalents of the exact same tools, our ancestors from tens of thousands of years ago got it right. I admire people like Will Lord who pay true respect to that time. Every time I used my hatchet I think of stone age axes. Every time I use my knife I think of flint blades. Every time I used my folding saw I think of the thousands of years mankind lived through before they invented one.

Camping is not bushcraft, survival stuff is not bushcraft, hiking is not bushcraft. But they do all have things in common. Bear grills and others are all about getting OUT of the wild. Ray Mears is all about staying IN the wild, for example.

I smoke and so always have a lighter on me. When I camp and make fire, I always get my flint, steel and char cloth out. Make feather sticks, process wood, a fire through the night is no good if you just have twigs. It keeps me humble. It takes time, teaches me patience and respect. Some say it's a waste of time. I enjoy the work.

I strongly do not agree with the idea that 'if it's easier, then it's better'.

Very well said.

Bushcraft, survival, camping, prepping, they all overlap to a degree. I've been very interested in skills shared among all those. During the Nessmuk Challenge, I made a bowdrill set, primitive traps, knots, tripods, Billy pot, soda can stove, fish mouth spreader, tent pegs, a slingshot even. Was it bushcraft? Kind of. Was it survival? Well, the skillset would be helpful, no doubt. Was it camping? No, not really. All I know is that it was fun. I got to get out more, hike, exercise, get some fresh air, get my mind cleared. I got to practice knots, and carving, and making things with cordage, wood, coat hangers, duct tape, cans. I got to use my tools, practice with them, see what I knew they could do and improve on that. I enjoy the macgyvery of it all. What I can learn to make and use and repair. I'm not really bothered putting the skills into one category or another. But I am glad to have learned what I've learned. Will I ever actually need to make a paiute dead fall trap or make fire with a bow drill? I hope not. But I did not learn those skills expecting that I'd need them. I did it because it is fun.

[Tasky]

I think comis nailed it in his initial post.  20 mm is about ideal to make a Swedish torch.

I thought that required quartering a log and then just lopping off the internal corners to make the tinder/kindling space... Most of what I've seen had holes that looked about 4" diameter, anyway.

As for the whole bushcraft/survival thing, I shrug my shoulders in puzzlement.  Never understood that.  I'm 70 and have camped since my late teens.  Never really needed a saw (twigs, dry pine needles etc are fine for kindling) and certainly never built shelters

Part of it is just the fun. We did the survival stuff in the cadets and I know the Scouts did something similar. All fun group activities.
There's also the challenge of taking a SAK and building a whole world with just that, essentially, even if you're first building the tools that then make that world.
For some, it's simply the skill in making a usable spoon or a serviceable chair. Kinda like carrying a Swiss Army knife so you can 'manage' in situations that would usually challenge most other people.

But mostly I think it's just boredom.
Most people who've never gone Bushcrafting as, "So what do you do out there, with no TV and no Internet?". You show them Felix Immler's book, where he builds and completely furnishes a campsite with shelving, tables, wardrobes, ladders and all that, with a SAK as his only off-the-shelf tool.
Basically, it's finding things to do, try, have fun with and keep yourself occupied... not so different to actual survival situations, where boredom is also the biggest challenge, except here you're choosing to be there and do all this.

[nate j]

I thought that required quartering a log and then just lopping off the internal corners to make the tinder/kindling space... Most of what I've seen had holes that looked about 4" diameter, anyway.

There are various styles/ways to make Swedish torches, depending on what tools and materials are available.

This guy demonstrates three options (though the video is a bit long and he makes a few mistakes):

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=d617KVXfifs

[VICMAN]

My best friend gave me this Victorinox Venture for my birthday!

It came extremely sharp.

Victorinox definitely has the right angle for the edge on the Venture. It is perfect for slicing and carving

The handle is very comfortable and it is lightweight in the hand so it is very nimble and easy to use. You could use it for a long time without getting tired or any hot spots.

The jimping at the tip of the blade works really well for the thumb of your other hand to guide it when doing fine carving.

It is the perfect weight and you would not be bothered by it being on your belt.

It is a real pleasure to use.

Disregard the dates,,,,,I never set the date and time on my camera and did not realize it was putting the date on the pictures.

[VICMAN]

A couple pictures of the Victorinox Venture handle showing the smallshields  and letters that spell Victorionx

[VICMAN]

Here are comparison pictures of the Victorinox Venture with a Mora Garberg and a Becker BK62,

[VICMAN]

Here are comparison pictures of the Victorinox Venture with a  Becker BK16, and a Russell Green River Works fish knife

[comis]

  Thank you so much for the comparison, especially with many popular knives we know!  Great job!

Personally, I love and adore the BK62, for it's perfect balance just right at the index finger, and the blade feel really nimble in hand because of that (at least to me).

Where's the balance point with the new knife?  Between index and middle finger?

[FolderBeholder]

Great photos and comparisons Vicman! 
I have one coming on Monday, can't wait!

[VICMAN]

Thank you so much for the comparison, especially with many popular knives we know!  Great job!

Personally, I love and adore the BK62, for it's perfect balance just right at the index finger, and the blade feel really nimble in hand because of that (at least to me).

Where's the balance point with the new knife?  Between index and middle finger?

You are welcome!

You are right about the balance point ....between the index and middle fingers,

[VICMAN]

Great photos and comparisons Vicman! 
I have one coming on Monday, can't wait!

Thank you FB!

I think you will love it!

[comis]

Great photos and comparisons Vicman! 
I have one coming on Monday, can't wait!

Have fun, and love to hear what you think of the knife too!

You are welcome!

You are right about the balance point ....between the index and middle fingers,

Thank you!   I gonna sit on my hands and wait until the version with bow drill divet and the spade drill...or at least I will try.

[FolderBeholder]

I gonna sit on my hands and wait until the version with bow drill divet and the spade drill...or at least I will try.

I just ordered one of those today, not sure when it is scheduled to arrive, it was hard to find it in stock.

[VICMAN]

I just ordered one of those today, not sure when it is scheduled to arrive, it was hard to find it in stock.

 

[Rich S]

Knifecenter.com has them.

[Farmer X]

Personally, I won’t be headed into the woods with nothing but a Classic.  But, everyone has to find their own balance, and carry what they are comfortable with.

on both counts. I don't believe an Executive would be the only edged tool I'd carry on an outdoor adventure, but it worked for Chuck Yeager.

        Personally I don't go out in my yard without carrying a SAK.

My yard is small, but I have an SAK with a wood saw whenever I'm doing yard work.

My best friend gave me this Victorinox Venture for my birthday!

Happy belated birthday, and thanks for the great photos!

The Venture line seems like it'll be a winner. I hope to be able to get hold of one someday.

[VICMAN]

The Venture line seems like it'll be a winner. I hope to be able to get hold of one someday.