Duncs

Wow!

They look fantastic! Really like the look of the sheaths too with the different holding/locking mechanisms ?

That hunters element deal that stubob put up would be hard to go past if you have the spare funds... Add some blaze to it and it looks like a great fair weather kit for the price

There’s a couple of threads on here about this - there’s a pretty recent one from memory. Do a quick search and you should get some more info. Best advice is make sure you get one!

Lensers are definitely over priced - they rely on their marketing to get away with it. There are plenty of cheaper and better options out there. Take a look at the Fenix HP25R. I’ve been using the same one for a a few years now. Multiple brightness modes, spot and spread, red reading light, std 18650 battery that can be easily swapped out or recharged while in the light (or externally obviously). I regularly use it for chainsawing, etc.

That looks really nice! A work of art as much as a knife. I've always wondered how these little skinners go - looking forward to a report from doing a moose!

Maybe take some gear for emergency repairs, just in case if you're worried about buckles and such? Cable ties sound like they might do the job.

There’s a reason that Ridgeline stuff is cheap Samhuntvic and Stony Creek stuff is much better quality IMHO

Shonky maps. Free and work fine!

Thanks Rifletuner! I’ll keep your offer in my pocket for now if that’s ok. I’m keen to see how I go with the file to start off.

I don’t have a heap to take off so a file will probably do the job. Here’s what I’m thinking. If I take it back to the yellow line it should be useable. Still looking for suggestions on sharpening the serrated part?

The more I think about it, the more I think Ben’s suggestion to use a file is the way to go for me. I don’t have a heap of metal to remove and it’ll stop me getting accidentally carried away

Thanks for the tips guys - I’ll take a shot at it and see how I go. Any recommendation on which grit sandpaper or wheel that I should use to reshape it? Its supposedly a “rescue knife” and the plan was to use it for road crash call outs but, like you’ve all said, the blade design is rubbish. I’ve taken a closer look at the seatbelt cutter and I’m not going to bother with it. Its never going to work and if I can get the blade right then it won’t matter anyway.

I’ve got a Bench Mark Rescue knife and it’s bloody terrible. So much for buying by brand name... The blade shape is pretty useless and both the blade (straight and serrated parts) and the seatbelt cutter are as blunt as a butter knife. So rather than chuck it in the cupboard (or bin) I thought I’d see if I can make it useful. If I stuff it up I haven’t lost anything. Sharpening the seatbelt cutter shouldn’t be hard - I just need to get the right bit to pull it apart. For the blade, I want to give it a continuous curve like a skinner rather than two straight edges with an angle between them like it does now. Do any of you blade makers have any suggestions on what to do and not to do to change the shape? Do I need to avoid heating it? Should I be quenching it in something if I do? Or should I just chuck it in the bin and save my time? And suggestions on sharpening the serrated part would be great. I’ve got a bench grinder with a paper wheel on it. I can stick other standard wheels on it too as long as I know what to use. Thanks! Duncs

Onya Dutchy!! Or was it Christopher a? ?

ps For all practical purposes, you'd be very unlucky to get in any trouble if you follow these pointers: - put your knife in your checked-in baggage - if you get questioned, tell them that you've come over to go hunting/fishing (ie, you have a legitimate purpose for it) - don't put it on show on your belt unless you're actually hunting or fishing at the time - don't carry it when around nightclubs in the city or if you go into a bar (you could get in big strife then, even if it never left your pocket) If you don't have it on your belt, the reality is the only questions you *might* get would be at the airport. But who wants to have a holiday spoilt by some overzealous law enforcement dude?

I just checked the Victorian regulations. One handed opening knives are now ok (they were banned for a short time but that has been lifted) as long as you need to manually open them all the way (ie, spring loaded "switch blades" are definitely still out). However a knife that "opens by centrifugal force" is a no-no. ie you start it opening with your thumb but a flick of the wrist will open it the rest of the way. I'm guessing all the three in the pic would fit that banned category? One way around it is to slightly over-tighten the screws so that it won't "flick". You can loosen them when you get home Note that this is only for Victoria. Other states might have different rules. Here's the link for Vic: https://www.police.vic.gov.au/weapons-definitions

It just lights easily and burns for a long time - helps get a fire started, especially if it’s wet. No magic there

I hate having binos swinging around. They upset your balance, make noise, and get tangled up. A bino harness (whichever you decide on) stops all that ?

S4 for me. Partnered up with a SamHuntVic jacket to hold the GPS, range finder and phone/camera, they’re a great pair

Water!!! It’s heavy but still take more than what you think you’ll use. EPIRB. GPS/compass/map/pencil. Torch, camera. CB radio. Snacks. Basic first aid kit (enough for a rudimentary patch up until you can get back to your car plus compression bandages for snake bite) Fire starting stuff - assume wet wood so some rubber bike inner tube is a must. Long pants will take care of most snake strikes in Aus but gators will help and will also keep grass seeds out of your boots. Mozzies & flies are less of an issue in winter Knife, small sharpening steel, pillowcases (aka meat bags). Gun & ammo Remember bolts and magazines! (we all do it once...) Long clothes (long legs & sleeves). Lightweight in summer, layers in winter. Hat/beenie. Some rope/cord & something light and waterproof (poncho?). After that, pack to your conditions. Eg up north you’d probably want to pack a Lifestraw or something similar. Down south not so much unless you’re on a multi day hike. This is all assuming a full day walk. If you’re just going 50m from the car and sitting then obviously a lot of this can be left in the car so you can grab it if you get lucky ?? Everyone is different - I usually carry too much (accepting that I’ll never use 90% of it - especially the meat bags ?). Others carry so little that I think they’re nuts Experience and knowledge come into it of course - the aboriginals didn’t carry anything like this and they did pretty well for a bloody long time! I did a review of my stalking daypack over Christmas and, based on new experience and knowledge, I’ve lightened it a bit - but it’s still got too much in it

That’s a great looking knife, Basil!

These guys are always worth a look https://www.solarforceflashlight-sales.com/

I think Mick uses one as well and has good things to say about them

Arseholes the both of you...