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Wilderness survival choices

3/1/2015

7 Comments

 
RiverboatOn the river.
Survival choices

There are many choices we have in life. I like to think about that and control as much as I can, the direction my life goes. No one cares as much as we do about what happens to us, if we are happy, successful or not. I have lived my life as I wished, in control of it, mostly off the grid, self-sufficient, subsistence in the wilds. I call it a way of thinking. I can pass on tips, how to, lists, instructions, links, and answer personal questions on the subject of wilderness survival and self-sufficiency.  

As some background - I have spent 45 years in the wilds and around remote villages of Alaska. I lived without a bank account, no ID or any paperwork for 25 years. No drivers license. No phone, no taxes, no bills of any kind. I traveled by dog team in winter, and boat in summer, living off the land nomadically. I built my own dog sleds, made my own harnesses with hand tools. My website has a lot of pictures, my bio, books I wrote, references, magazines I have written for etc. www.milesofalaska.net

I can answer questions on most aspects of self-sufficiency. I have made my own soap by rendering my own bear fat and making my own lye. I know about shelters, emergency wild foods, wild medicines, self-defense, homesteading, cabin building. Mostly it is a matter of what it is you would like to know? If ‘everything,’ I suggest getting my books!  www.milesofalaska.net/book    But right here you  can  ask a question and I will reply. Maybe others will have the same question, and be interested in an answer! If you like, you can fill out the form and get regular tips, discounts on my products, updates. Select a category if you wish, so you do not get  bothered with information if it is of no interest. I’m involved in a lot of things. Knife making, art, writing, various raw materials others need that I offer. I can begin a discussion with



Picture
boat breaks down floated 5 days
What is the most important tool to have in a wilderness survival situation?

Let’s say your car runs out of gas. or slides off the road in a remote area you are passing through. Or your boat sinks. You are  the survivor of a plane crash, get lost on a outing? What is it you absolutely must have if you wish to stay alive? I say it is a knife! “A man with a knife is master of a thousand tasks” I read once. and now believe. With a knife and knowledge you can carve a bow drill to start a fire. Or strike the right rock to make a spark. You can carve a trigger for a deadfall that will kill small game or even a bear. You can make a shelter, carve tools of all kinds, a wood shovel, cut birch bark to make a container to cook in,  make a fish hook, cut tree roots for rope, magnetize a needle to make a compass, mark trees to make a trial, carve messages for rescuers, skin game, make items of skin. The list can go on. I think no other item you could have with you can have as many important functions. Yes it is nice if you have matches!  Many would not want to face the wilds without a gun! A set of extra dry warm cloths is dandy all right. So is a flashlight  and map! In fact when I can, and I have room, I have a whole hundred pounds of cool stuff I find handy for camping and staying safe. Even a ham radio and chair. (now that I am a senior!). Yet a knife can supply almost all those things if you know how to use it!

If anyone has a comment, disagrees, or has a question I’d be happy to reply! 

 

Who cares! We are not cave men anymore, so why bother knowing this stuff?!  

In some ways , this is true! The  chances might be so slim any of this ‘survival’ stuff would ever be useful, it is not worth bothering with. Consider a few things however. There is more and more control over us, with fewer freedoms and rights. Prices go up for essentials like food and shelter. Jobs are harder to get, insurance less affordable. Some items are scarce or expensive that used to be readily available. I say some aspects of survival knowledge might be handy just to ease the financial burden it might be nice to grow your own foods, extract your own natural medicines, or know how to stay warm without a dependency on fuel oil. There is an interest in natural herbs, teas, medicines for example. Every bit as good as processed, that you can easily make or grow yourself. There are potential changes ahead due to events like global warming, overpopulation, growing governments around the world, and what not. Our good life might be more fragile when many are willing to admit! The ability to help others in their emergency exists if we have some basic knowledge. Knowing  how to set a bone or make aspirin could mean the difference between life and death in situations any of us could find ourselves in. So who needs this knowledge, if anyone? Let me know! 


7 Comments
Jeff Lynn
3/1/2015 08:04:12 am

I have done very well with your steels. In the past I ought other steels. But your steels work in every way of performance and they have great uniqueness. Thanks for sharing all you have earned to learn

Reply
Miles link
3/4/2015 07:05:36 am

Hey Jeff
You emailed “I use a grinder for my edge grinds. Why do you use a sander instead.”
I do begin the rough edge on a forged blade with the grinder since it removes a lot of metal fast. I fine tune that edge with the sander for a couple of reasons. First, the sander has a flat plate to set the flat blade on for evenness and control. Second I can work the blade along the belt as if I were fleshing a hide and get the angle I like. Third, I can change belts fast to different grits from 80 to begin with to the last belt at 600. There are finer grit belts, but the 600 grit puts a razor edge on. I fine tune my own blades with a ceramic stone and then leather strop, but rarely need a knife sharp enough to justify an extra half an hour of work getting it past razor sharp.. The 600 grit belt does a fast 2 minute touch up. Sharp enough to shave with is sharp enough for all my jobs.

Reply
Bob Jacobson link
3/3/2015 09:03:29 am

Looking good Miles!

Reply
jeff
3/4/2015 07:16:43 am

Okay that makes sense. I'll try the sander next time I make my own blade. Sometimes the grinder does take something I'm trying.to achieve. Too far. Past what I was trying to grind.

Reply
Miles link
3/4/2015 10:20:15 am

Jeff
If there is one tool to have and low on funds or space I’d choose the sander over the grinder I think it does more. 80 grit does a good job of stock removal, maybe as good as the grinder. I have a 4x36 size. Cost about $80 from Grizzly industry.

Reply
jeff
3/4/2015 12:10:19 pm

Yes. I have a belt sander.
I can see initial grind. Shaping. Then more control and eveness. On the sander. I'll remember the 80 to 600 gritt. Thanks

Reply
jeff
3/7/2015 07:50:19 am

I can't figure a way to post pictures on here. Any ideas.

Reply



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    Miles Martin here, hi.

    My main life skill is wilderness survival. I have written several books on the subject, written for the New York Times, Geo in Europe, and Alaska Magazine. I spent 25 years alone in the Alaska wilderness as hermit, mountain man, subsistence person. Beyond just ‘off the grid.’ I was born and raised in the city, had few skills beyond what I learned watching Walt Disney and some minor family camping. I paid a pilot to drop me off in the wilds, cold turkey. I walked out a year later. I built a houseboat, lived off the land nomadically with no electricity no ID no bills with my sled dogs. I lived on $2,000 a year for many years. I’ve been an artist writer knife maker for a living, mostly in my later years. I’m a 64 year old senior now. I have spent time in my youth in the city, more years in the wilds, and some time in remote villages. I travel doing art shows so am at least familiar with a variety of situations. I feel I am in a position to comment and offer meaningful advice on a  lot of survival situations.   

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