Thoughts of a Modern-Day Mountain Man:A Field Guide to Leadership in the Great Outdoors Chapter 16

This is the sixteenth of a weekly blog series that will focus on leadership in the outdoors and how to get the most from the least. Even though the title is called, “Thoughts of a Modern-Day Mountain Man”, it will hopefully cover topics that are useful to everyone.

Chapter 16: A knifeless man is a lifeless man.

“Dominus Providebit.” -God will Provide.

In the mountain man’s time of yesteryear there was not a more important tool than his or her knife. The knife was sometimes used as a last resort weapon, but more often than not, it was used as the most essential and valuable tool to complete both mundane and lifesaving tasks.

I have had people ask me many times if I teach “survival skills.” To me, this term or phrase is a misnomer. Several camps and facilities where I have worked even offered a class by this name, sometimes even calling it “wilderness survival.” I find this to be a very novel notion, and primarily this turn of phrase is simply jumping on the bandwagon of marketing hype around this subject over the past 20 years. There have been so many books, magazine articles, television shows and movies made about this topic. It seems the American public can’t get enough, and are mostly living vicariously through these mediums instead of just going outside and having their own experience. Most of the things I have read or watched have just been wrong, or the drama was so contrived that it wasn’t believable to anyone who knows even the basic of outdoor skills. Instead, I would refer to things along these lines as “skills,” or perhaps “outdoor skills.” Remember, what is “wilderness” to one person, is or has been someone else's home. Just because you don’t know much about it, doesn’t mean that it is inherently dangerous or wild. What is now considered “wilderness survival” was simply referred to as everyday life just a few hundred years ago. What is “wilderness” anyway? It is not like you step across a magical line or point of demarcation that grants you admission into the “wilderness.” In a previous chapter I referred to the need to get into God’s Wilderness, but don’t take this out of context. I was stating the need for getting away from the civilized conveniences that take away from our direct relationship with God’s great creation, and the subsequent human need for exploration and knowledge. If you can learn how to do a few simple tasks and how to build or utilize a few simple tools, you can thrive anywhere.

It is always important to remember the great outdoors are neither benevolent or malevolent. God’s creation is designed to be enjoyed, it simply requires some knowledge and probably a dependable knife.

The most important of all the tools that mankind has developed is, of course, the knife. I do teach, and possibly even preach the importance of carrying the 10 essentials when venturing off the beaten path. When I am guiding a group I adhere to this advice very closely. However, when heading out on my own I rarely carry anything but my preferred knife. With a good quality knife and some knowledge gained through experience, you can craft the other 9 essentials if need be. It is even possible to make a high quality blade using the all natural materials God provides, thus my quote for this chapter “Dominus Providebit.” Mankind utilized and maintained these skills through history, it is in the recent past that we have lost this connection. Obsidian, a volcanic glass, is one of, if not the sharpest material knives can be made of. Obsidian blades are still used today by some surgeons, as their sharpness is unmatched by man-made steels and the incision the obsidian makes is cleaner and requires less healing. God truly does provide.

In chapter 15, I discuss always buying quality and staying away from cheap, watered down products. This is especially true in the modern-day mountain man’s knife selection. Purchase from craftsmen, the first time, everytime. Your life and the lives of those you are leading may very well depend on this choice. A quality blade will also serve you for a life-time and will be a welcomed companion on all of your adventures. This modern-day mountain man’s first choice in knives is by the famed Swiss maker of cutlery, Victorinox. I love the quality, dependability and usability of their knives. You can even see a rough homage to a knife by Victorinox in the Raven Adventures and Training logo. Additionally for me, a knife from Victoriox is also a constant reminder every time I take it out of my pocket or sheath what I represent in my business, my character and my faith when I see the ever-present cross and shield on the scale (handle). I have never had a Victorinox knife come out of a package or box with a flaw. There is no telling how many of these knives I have handled over the years, as they are frequent gifts and giveaways to friends and family members. The same cannot be said of most other knives and tools I have had over the years. Does this mean that they don’t break? Of course not. Everything man-made is susceptible to breakage, but with care and maintenance the knife will deliver on the company's promise of being a companion for life. The knives I have had break are always repaired or replaced at no charge, utilizing their life-time warranty. No matter which knife or knife company you choose, do some research and make sure they will stand behind their product.

The Swiss are known for their ability to craft high quality, intricate mechanisms and tools, and the Victorinox Officer’s Knife is no exception. After 9-11, when knives were no longer allowed to be carried on planes or purchased at the airports, Victorinox was forced to diversify their products. Being a Christian family owned and operated business, their ethics prevented them from laying off their employees when the knife business went belly-up overnight. It was important that all of the products they made carry this same quality to properly reflect the brand, they succeeded in spades. When Mr. Elsener first patented his Swiss Army Knife in 1891, and begin delivering on orders to the Swiss Army it established a level of quality and reliability unmatched today. A company story tells of the process by which knives, tools and weapons are received by the military and stamped with a WK, which represents it has passed quality control by the receiver. Since 1891 until just a few short years ago when this practice was no longer adhered to, the Swiss Army never returned a knife to the factory for a defect or blemish. While I have not received nearly as many knives as the Swiss government over the last 100 plus years, my experience has shown me that you will get what you pay for. Mr Elsener didn’t invent the multi-blade camp style knife, but he certainly perfected it. In some respects Victorinox’s story parallels what Henry Ford did with the assembly line and constant quality control. This little red wonder has been copied and emulated by so many inferior companies over the years, the old saying that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery certainly applies here.

I roughly remember the first time I laid eyes on one of these little red beauties, I was around 4 years old. I distinctly remember asking for one, which I received as a gift shortly thereafter, though I cannot remember who exactly gave it to me. I carried that knife everywhere, the picture for this chapter was my first day of Kindergarten. You can see the knife and sheath on my belt. Different times for sure. It went along faithfully on more adventures than I can count or remember. I am certain I would still have that knife if not for our house burning to the ground when I was in 6th grade. Very similar to Raven Adventures and Training being named after my mother’s maiden name, Mr. Elsener named his cutlery company after his mother’s first name, Victoria. These knives certainly have a family connection for me. It is always important to honor and acknowledge those who pave the way for our success. It has become a running joke in the modern-day mountain man’s family that if you aren’t sure what dad is getting you for a present, it is probably a knife. I do greatly enjoy sharing my adulation and love for a well made tool.

The Modern-day Mountain Man's Journey to Kindergarten with his first real knife.

I have used and owned many knives and multi-tools over the years. There are many great manufacturers, the modern-day mountain should do research and get as much experience as possible to make the best choice for himself. Sometimes the job at hand calls for something different, perhaps a stout fixed blade design, a robust locking blade or full size pair of pliers. In this case there are many choices. ESEE knives is another manufacturer that I prefer. They make a great hard-use knife, that to date, has done all the I have needed from a fixed blade.

While the mountain man of yesteryear leaned heavily on his skinning knife,usually some variation of the Green River Trade Knife for his or her everyday use and tasks, this may not be the greatest option for the modern-day mountain man to carry with him everywhere. However, it should become a daily ritual and habit to carry a high quality knife, and give the knife the service and care it requires, maybe just not a large fixed-blade sheath knife. A sharp, well oiled and well designed tool should live on the modern-day mountain man’s belt or in his pocket. You will never know when that knife will be called into action, possibly to help another knifeless man not become a lifeless man.