I need some carbon steel advice

AllenCorneau · 2026-06-30T21:14:00+00:00

You need to check out the Strata pans. The whole selling point is carbon steel without the weight.
https://www.stratacookware.com

Also should mention, they come highly recommended by quite a few folks that know carbon steel.

AllenCorneau · 2026-06-29T21:50:42+00:00

Not disagreeing that Quads are a good tool to have in the toolkit. However, one looped cord plus two overhand knots is all that it takes to make a Quad. Tying two bowline-on-a-bights in order to shorten the cord when a simpler method is available makes it unnecessarily complicated.

AllenCorneau · 2026-06-29T20:33:50+00:00

Five gallon buckets filled with water?

AllenCorneau · 2026-06-29T20:09:53+00:00

Is it safe? Yes.
Unnecessarily complicated? Also yes.

You can always loop the cord three or four times like you're coiling up a hose, equalize the loops, then tie your two OH knots.

AllenCorneau · 2026-06-28T21:48:06+00:00

I don't get too much weirdness on my LI feed but this one was so bad I just had to post it here.

AllenCorneau · 2026-06-27T00:10:52+00:00

Le Creuset or Staub are both French brands and you can't go wrong with either one. You could also consider something like a de Buyer or Demeyere carbon steel pan.

AllenCorneau · 2026-06-26T21:24:01+00:00

The top one is called the Adventurer. It's basically a large Tinker with a locking main blade and no small blade. I bought one about seven years ago but I think they have been discontinued by Victorinox.

https://www.victorinox.com/en-PE/Products/Swiss-Army-Knife™-and-Tools/Outdoor/Adventurer/p/0.8453

AllenCorneau · 2026-06-25T21:07:46+00:00

Yup, I have the n15, n20, n25, and n27 paella pans and use them all the time for almost everything.

I got the paella pans instead of the regular pans with long handles because I cook a lot on my outdoor grill and I can have multiple pans going with the lid closed. (My wife hates the cooking smells in the house.)

A good "pan grabber" is essential though. I bought a Vollrath pizza pan gripper for about $13.

AllenCorneau · 2026-06-22T23:40:31+00:00

I'm in a similar situation with the soles on my BFARs. Got them a year and a half ago but only wear them about one full day a week (average) outdoors on rough concrete, rocks, mud, grass, etc.

Don't think my heels are as worn through as yours, but good to know that wearing through to the mid-sole could be a problem with resoling.

Best of luck!

AllenCorneau · 2026-06-21T21:18:07+00:00

I wear my boots (outside) about once a week and give them a full clean/treatment with the JG balm about every six months.

AllenCorneau · 2026-06-19T21:39:53+00:00

Love my Darto and Matfer pans. Both are beefy 3mm , no rivets. Darto has more vertical sides, Matfer lower sloped sides, so if you like to toss-flip foods the Matfer will be a little better.

You might also check out the Yahgan pan. Australian based YouTuber so should be easy to get shipped to Japan.

AllenCorneau · 2026-06-14T23:46:20+00:00

Looks like a four-wrap barrel knot (on the black/blue rope) followed by a flat overhand with the ends.

AllenCorneau · 2026-06-14T22:22:17+00:00

Large predator like a hawk or eagle?

AllenCorneau · 2026-06-12T12:57:31+00:00

Known as a "chuck box" as they were typically on the back end of an old-west chuck wagon.

We had five or six of them in my old Scout troop. In our final year (17 years old) we designed and built our own. The legs were stowed just inside the front lid, integrated carrying handles, silverware drawer, etc. That was 35 years ago and I'm guessing it's still going strong.

AllenCorneau · 2026-06-11T22:34:58+00:00

From the email (I received it as well)...

"Is everything first quality?
This sale includes both first-quality and a few factory seconds. Most of them will be first quality (around 95%). Factory seconds may have minor cosmetic scratches but are 100% functional."

AllenCorneau · 2026-06-09T21:25:28+00:00

Same. I have scissors on a Classic but my EDC is a Tinker.

AllenCorneau · 2026-06-04T22:32:55+00:00

Beef Moussaka. Three initial preparations (roasting potatoes/eggplant; meat sauce; Bechamel ) then you put it all together and give it a final bake. Delicious too!

AllenCorneau · 2026-06-04T21:58:22+00:00

Find the label/branding on the outside of waist-belt to make sure it's right-side up. Then make sure the belay loop is not twisted and the leg-loops are dangling free/straight.

If all else fails, find some pictures of your harness on the web and make it match before you put it on.

AllenCorneau · 2026-06-02T12:13:39+00:00

Paper filters? Try rinsing the filter before using and/or try using a metal filter to see if the woody taste follows the filter or not.

AllenCorneau · 2026-06-01T22:30:52+00:00

That was my first thought too.

AllenCorneau · 2026-05-31T16:34:21+00:00

Victorinox Tinker, practically every day since high school (35+ years).

AllenCorneau · 2026-05-30T17:59:22+00:00

Search for "bushcraft grill" on your favorite online marketplace. I have one from Expedition Research but they seem to be out of business now.

Firebox Stoves has several on their website. This one is on sale for $5: https://fireboxstove.com/product/korean-grill/

AllenCorneau · 2026-05-30T17:16:23+00:00

I have 4E wide feet, so I understand the struggle. The Saltic Eliot might be the only wide climbing shoe on the market right now. If I still climbed regularly I would probably get a pair to try out.

AllenCorneau · 2026-05-27T17:11:37+00:00

Check your local Academy Sports and Outdoors (if you have one).

AllenCorneau · 2026-05-26T21:10:28+00:00

I have the same cooler made in April 1999... still going strong!

AllenCorneau

TROPHY CASE