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Our resident high altitude writer for Woods Monkey, Luke, shares some ideas on how to improvise a bit and make a pocket wax burner.

Read more: Making A Pocket Burner

How-To Articles

Modifying gear is a terrific way to spend an afternoon (or several!), and it allows for a person to tailor their mass produced gear specifically to them.  It lets them get a custom feel and performance to their kit without the custom price tag.  Some of the most common modifications are fairly simple, and include things like sewing extra webbing to packs, stripping extra webbing off, or sharpening a tool differently than it came from the factory.  Further modifications can easily become more involved, requiring more time, tools, and skills.  It’s always great fun though, and the rewards are terrific.

Read more: Creating a Folding Bushcraft Knife

General

It’s that time of year again and we all know that folks will be looking for some last minute presents and stocking stuffers.  We asked our staff to pick out one item that they’re either giving or would recommend and to give us a run down as to why they think it’d make a good gift.  We’re running the gamut from stocking stuffers to some righteous field gear, but there should be something there to tickle the fancy of the outdoors person in your life!


Stocking Stuffer from CRKT: The Pazoda

by Ian Fielder

If you’re looking for a super affordable pocketknife for around $25 dollars, then look no further than CRKT's Pazoda. Earlier this year I had the chance to review this knife and as the year comes to an end it still holds up as a great gift idea for the holiday. In that article I detailed the razor edged version but managed to get a hold one with a serrated blade. I definitely like the partially serrated blade better and while this knife looks very classy it would be quite functional whether you use it on the trail, camp kitchen or everyday carry.

The Pazoda uses quality steel and materials to produce an affordable knife. Its blade measures less than 3 inches and is extremely lightweight around 3 oz. The blade is coated in gray titanium nitride and the handle is made of stainless steel. Overall this a classy looking knife that makes a great gift.  CRKT also makes the Pazoda2, which is a bit smaller and costs around $20 dollars.  No matter what version of the Pazoda you purchase for the holidays the recipient will be very impressed.

www.crkt.com

Read more: Christmas Gift Roundup

General

iPhone Survival: Not Just for the Urban Jungle Anymore

When I think survival, I think "Rule of 3's", 3 minutes without air, 3 hours without shelter, 3 days without water, 3 weeks without food.  Next, I might think about specific items to have with me so I can get out of the situation.  Cordage and tools are two items hard to duplicate in the wild.  Not impossible, but hard.  Just having a good knife and some 550 cord might make the difference.  The knife will help you make shelter and the cordage will help hold it together (unless your building a debris shelter).  Most good survival items are multipurpose too.  The knife can be used to cut things, be an axe of sorts with the help of batoning, be the striker for a fire steel, be a signal mirror (if polished), a weapon, self defense item, etc. The cordage can help hold your shelter together, be part of a bow drill, a snare, an arm sling, etc.  Lots of uses there to say the least, and I didn't mention using the inner strands yet.  So, what if you could have the following list in a 4 5/8" X 2 5/8" X 3/4" water resistant package?

Read more: iPhone Survival Guide

General

Not too long ago, I got an inquiry to see if I would be interested in reviewing a new book by Tony Nester.  This is book is called "The Modern Hunter-Gather:  A Practical Guide To Living Off The Land."  I responded that I'd be happy to take a look at it, and it arrived on the doorstep in just a few days.  I'm always looking for more information whether it's in books or on the net, and I was curious to see if I could glean anything from the book that I didn't already know.  Before I delve into that issue too much, I think it's important to set the stage for the context of the book.  Right up front, the book says that it is intended for beginners.  I think that's important, because I've come across books that have been billed as the last word in outdoors skills and have have been disappointed with their lack of real in-depth material.  Also, context is important because a book like this should be graded based upon the audience for which it was written.  For instance, some of us here at Woods Monkey have had a few discussions about how to handle knife reviews.  Some guys don't like serrated blades, so they might be tempted to say, "This knife is awful because it has a serrated blade."  We have to remind ourselves that some folks like serrated blades and there are important uses for such blades.  So we ask them, "Based on that information and its intended purpose, how did the knife perform?"  The same thing is true here as well.

Read more: The Modern Hunter-Gatherer Book Review

General

I just got back from the local gun show and found a great little bag from Voodoo Tactical.  I have heard the name and saw their logo, a cool skull with cross hairs on the side, but didn't look at their web site until today.  I'm always on the hunt for a new gear bag and this caught my eye.  Woodland camo in color, the BIG zippers and paracord zipper pulls are what I saw first.  I hate a bag with those wimpy little zippers and this one has none of that.  All full size, easy moving zippers and just waiting for some cool Scott's Knot's zipper pulls!  Not sure if they're YKK but they look it.  I see from this guys table that it comes in OD, black, ACU Digital Camo, Multicam, and Coyote Tan too.