Hardcore Tools for Adventuring
A look at throwback wilderness expert Jon Berger’s must-have tools for surviving in the wildest of places.
In the world of the voyageur there were two classes of men. The mangeur de lard, or the pork eater, was of a lower status. Bold as he was, his role was that of freighter of goods from Montreal to Grand Portage on Lake Superior. He battled weather, rapids and back-breaking portages, yet still he was viewed as a lesser man. It was the homme du nord or man of the north, who was the supreme voyageur. He would go beyond the forts and settlements to wander the wilds of the far north self-reliant and free.
Like most contemporary trippers I canoe the North woods and live hard for a couple of weeks. We paddle, pole and portage rugged routes through wild country. However, those routes are well mapped, and well traveled. We know what to expect and challenging as it all is, our outcome is predictable. But what of those who make maps, not read them, and discover and blaze the portage trails for we who follow?
April 26th, 2011 at 2:40 pm
When making plans for emergency or potential survival situations, it is important to pack tools in your bug out kits that could save your bacon. The problem is, many of us plan for a multitude of emergencies that may occur. We end up stuffing our packs to the breaking point with a payload that would buckle the knees of even the best pack mule. Lessons learned. The key to preparedness or even survival is to be armed with the right tools and the right knowledge.
To accomplish a lighter pack load, most experts recommend packing multi-task tools so you can hump it to your destination with less weight. The new Crovel, a core mix between a shovel and crowbar, is the ultimate multi task tool. At first glance it looks familiar; like an e-tool, but the Crovel boasts the function of 13 additional tools. It also differentiates itself by its sheer strength. Made of 10-gauge hard steel, the Crovel crushes its fellow competitors who offer flimsy stamped steel shovel heads with wooden handles. When put through a rigid test, these competing shovels always bend and break.
The heavy duty structure of the Crovel includes a shovel head that flaunts a razor edge connected to a solid crowbar. Not only does it hold an edge, it can take the place of an ax. The handle is a harden 18inch gooseneck crow bar with a 1 inch hammer head. This makes for a formidable entry, prying or fastening tool, not to mention a fear-inducing weapon against a determined foe.
This tool will not fail, even if you do.
To check out the Crovel shovel, click: http://www.survivaloutdoorgear.com/product_info.php?products_id=54176372