Survival Lore

06/18/2026

My journey with the Bob Dozier KS-7 Wilderness Knife started more than 20 years ago. As a teenager flipping through the pages of Backwoodsman magazine, I saw an advertisement for the KS-7 and immediately knew there was something special about it. Over two decades later, that knife is still one of my favorites, and Bob Dozier remains my favorite knife maker.

Bob Dozier has been making knives for over 50 years and built his reputation on a simple philosophy: make working knives for working people. While many makers chased the collector market, Dozier focused on practical hunting, outdoor, and utility knives built from premium steels and designed to be used every day. His knives aren’t flashy or covered in unnecessary gimmicks, they’re tools meant to earn their keep in the field.

The KS-7 Wilderness Knife perfectly embodies that philosophy. Designed as an all-around outdoor knife, it features a classic drop point blade, comfortable handle, and a design that excels at the tasks that matter most, processing game, camp chores, woodcraft, and general wilderness use. It’s not a “survival super knife”, It’s a practical woods knife designed by a man who understood that reliability and cutting performance matter more than marketing hype.

One of the things I’ve always appreciated about Dozier’s work is that every design feels purposeful. Nothing is there just for looks. Every curve, grind, and contour exists because it serves a function. That’s becoming increasingly rare in a world filled with tactical trends and endless gadgetry. More than twenty years after first seeing that ad, the KS-7 still represents what I believe a good knife should be: simple, effective, dependable, and built to work. Much like the man who designed it.

“A good knife doesn’t need to impress people—it needs to perform when you need it most.” That’s the lesson I’ve always taken from Bob Dozier’s work

06/17/2026

One thing I’ve learned over the years is that fire isn’t usually lost because you don’t have a way to light it, it’s lost because you don’t have options.

I recently moved my fire kit into an x pac pouch from , and it’s become a great home for one of the most important kits I carry. Inside, I try to follow a simple philosophy, multiple ignition sources, multiple tinders, and multiple fire starting aids.

Ignition Sources - Ferro rod, bic lighter in an Exotac sleeve, mini UCO matches, Fresnel lens

Tinders - fatwood, WetFire, fire plugs, tinder card, magnesium

Fire Starting Aids - pocket bellows, heavy duty aluminum foil for use as a windscreen, heat reflector, and ember platform

It’s worth noting that this kit is intentionally small and compact enough to toss into just about any pack, pouch, or haversack. In practice, this serves as my backup fire kit. Whenever conditions allow, I generally prefer using my Hudson Bay tin and flint & steel as my primary fire making setup. There’s something deeply satisfying about creating fire with traditional methods, but experience has taught me that it’s wise to have modern options available when conditions, time, or circumstances demand them.

The goal isn’t redundancy for redundancy’s sake. It’s building a system that still works when conditions aren’t ideal. A lighter can fail, matches can get wet, and natural tinder isn’t always available. Having multiple ways to create a spark or flame and multiple materials to catch it helps stack the odds in your favor. Reliability comes from having options.

What does your fire kit look like? Do you prefer traditional methods like flint & steel, modern methods, or a combination of both?

06/17/2026

06/16/2026

Greg Davenport is a former USAF survival instructor and longtime wilderness educator whose books focus on practical survival skills rather than gimmicks or gear obsession. In this volume, he covers everything from staying afloat and preventing hypothermia to signaling, navigation, water procurement, shelter, and finding food in coastal environments. It’s a reminder that survival principles remain the same even when the environment changes.

One of my favorite quotes from Davenport is that “Survival is based on three elements, knowledge, equipment, and how badly a person wants to stay alive.”

That idea lines up perfectly with my own survival philosophy. Gear matters, but knowledge matters more. And neither means much without the mindset to stay calm, adapt, and keep moving forward.

Whether you’re crossing an ocean, paddling a river, or simply navigating the challenges of everyday life, survival is often less about the situation you’re in and more about how you respond to it.

06/16/2026

Tool bag for the win.

06/15/2026

A little while back, tagged me to share my possibles pouch. The timing was funny because I was already in the middle of reworking it, so I decided to finish it before posting.

The pouch itself is a Tool Bag, and while a lot of folks would call it a survival kit or possibles pouch, I call it my Storytelling Kit. Why, because the contents are the difference between becoming a statistic and having a good story to tell later.

Inside are the basics, shelter, water treatment, fire, signaling, first aid, navigation, repairs, light, cordage, and a little food. Nothing flashy, just practical gear that helps solve problems when things don’t go according to plan.

To me, survival isn’t about carrying the most gear, it’s about carrying the right gear. Enough to handle the unexpected, buy yourself time, and stack the odds in your favor.

That’s what this kit is all about. Not surviving the apocalypse. Just making sure that when things go sideways in the woods, you make it home with a story instead of becoming one.

Thanks for the tag bushcraftkelso.

wildernessskills outdoorpreparedness campcraft woodsman bushcrafter getoutside adventureprepared everydaypreparedness

06/14/2026

Sometimes the best part of the day is simply getting out into the woods.

Snuck away for a short hike today, stretched the legs, tested a few pieces of gear, and enjoyed some time among the trees. No grand adventure just a reminder that you don’t need to go far to reconnect with the outdoors.

A few miles, a little fresh air, and a lot of perspective.

GetOutside TrailTime BushcraftGear PennsylvaniaOutdoors NatureTherapy

06/13/2026

The XL Frost River Shell Bag has become my primary carry bag during the warmer months, and that choice comes down to practicality more than anything else.

One of the biggest advantages for me is that after doing the foam cut modification, I can fit a folded sit pad inside the bag. That gives the haversack some structure, protects gear, and ensures I always have a comfortable place to sit when I’m spending long hours in the woods.

The size also hits what I consider the sweet spot. It’s large enough to carry the gear I actually need without encouraging me to bring things I don’t. I can easily fit my water bottle, fire kit, cover, navigation items, repair gear, and other essentials while still keeping the load light and comfortable.

Over the years I’ve tried larger packs, smaller bags, chest rigs, and various pouch systems. What I’ve found is that having the right amount of gear matters more than having the most gear. The XL Shell Bag allows me to carry a sustainable kit that covers my needs for a day in the woods and gives me confidence that I’m prepared without feeling overloaded.

For me, that’s what good gear should do, carry comfortably, organize efficiently, and quietly support the task at hand without getting in the way.

What’s your go to warm weather carry bag?