Survival System

[AStone]

I highly recommend the book "Deep Survival" by Lawrence Gonzales. The subtitle is "who lives, who dies, and why" and it ain't about fire, food, and shelter but it is about how easily simple things can go wrong and about what has to happen mentally to survive.

I second that strongly. And while you're at it, get his second book,
Everyday Survival: Why Smart People Do Stupid Things. (That is, how to stay out of trouble.)

Some will object to some of the other human species level aspects of the book,
and his ventures into thermodynamics, but if so, just ignore them. Worth the read for survival.

As for blades in the outback, my current kit includes:

* SAK and/or Leatherman Multi-tool
* Spyderco Manix II folder w/ 3.5" blade (my EDC, which I even use in the kitchen)
* SOG Seal Pup Elite TiNi 4.8" fixed blade w/ partial serrations with : I find the partial serrated edge useful

For a serious survival kit, I'd also like to add a small hatchet, machete or saw.

I like the looks of that little Stihl saw in post 15. Will have to look into that.

 

[GENTLEMAN OF THE CHARCOAL]

Sir, no one on this site can really tell you what kind of knife to carry. Bottom line you carry whatever kind of knife you like. Remember this; you can skin a moose with a Leatherman Super Tool if it is sharp. You can clean a fish and skin a rabbit with a Bowie as long as it is sharp. A lot of your gear will depend on what type of country you're going into and how deep into the interior. Some gear such as a good axe and a good saw (Wyoming saw for example) are very useful. Then again they could just end up being useless weight...If you look around a bit and find some good wood and build the correct type of fire, sparks flying around and burning up your gear should be the least of your worries....Have fun....