Fall is an exciting time of year, the weather starts to cool down, we get a coloring show of leaves changing here in New England, and it’s when the Georgia Bushcraft Fall Gathering happens! The Fall Gathering is the annual event where bushcraft and wilderness survival enthusiasts get together for a 3-day camp out at the Georgia Bushcraft Property in Watkinsville Georgia.
If getting together with some like-minded bushcraft and survival enthusiasts wasn’t enough, the good folks at Georgia Bushcraft ensure there is always something to do by hosting over 100 classes throughout the weekend from many of the industry’s top instructors including, but not limited to, Craig Caudill of Nature Reliance, Joe Flowers of Bushcraft Global, Jacks Genega of Wildcard Wilderness and Dr. Mark “Merriwether” Vorderbruggen of Foraging Texas. If you want to check out some of the best bushcraft and wilderness survival gear out there, head on over to the exhibitor area where you can see, handle, and purchase a wide assortment of knives, bags, pouches and more from the 100+ different makers and manufacturers in attendance.
Find Out More About Georgia Bushcraft
Georgia Bushcraft is much more than just a Fall Gathering! They host classes and events all year long that attract both local attendees and people from all over the country.
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What is Bushcraft?
Many people mistakenly think that bushcraft and wilderness survival are the same thing. While there are common elements, bushcraft is more of the art and skill of surviving from the resources found from the land. Many bushcraft skill subsets revolve around crafting tools, shelter, and even cooking equipment from foraged materials. Ancestral skills also play a key role in bushcraft such as making friction fires. It is common to see true bushcraft experts have very minimal gear kits, with just the basics to be able to process the natural materials they need to build their entire camp.
I am far from a bushcraft expert; I continue to learn and practice bushcraft skills to enhance my wilderness survival savvy. The value of these skills are not to be underestimated in a wilderness survival scenario. Having the ability to live off the natural resources found on the land can easily make an emergency situation much more manageable.
Bushcraft Gear for the 2024 Fall Gathering
Now that we’ve talked about what the Georgia Bushcraft Fall Gathering is all about, lets dive into some of the gear I’m bringing along with me this year. I always try to bring a mix of reliable favorites and some brand-new gear I want to test out! While much of this exists in my standard wilderness survival and bushcraft kits, it has been modified for a more controlled environment. Much of the gear you see here will eventually have full reviews written, so enjoy the preview of what’s coming up!
Above: The TM Hunt M18 is an all purpose outdoor and bushcraft tool.
T.M Hunt Custom Knives M18
This handmade, beast of a knife is a new addition to my line-up that I have had my eyes on for years! Calling the M18 a knife is really an understatement; it is an all-purpose bladed wilderness tool! The M18 is capable of chopping, batoning, and shaving wood, both for wilderness tasks and general woodworking.
The shape lends itself well to digging tasks and the thick 01 high carbon steel blade will have no reservations when it comes to prying tasks. The comfortable handle, multiple jimping points and the hole at the end of the blade open a host of potential detailed work options. The T.M Hunt M18 truly presents itself as a jack of all trades outdoor and bushcraft tool!
Specs
- Overall Length: 15 3/4 Inches
- Blade Length: 9 1/4 Inches
- Blade Steel: 01 High Carbon Tool Steel
- Handle Material: Varies per blade.
- Sheath: Leather or Kydex
- Where To Get It: USA Made Blade
Above: The Knives by Nuge Primitive Wicket is a compact knife built for outdoor use.
Knives By Nuge Primitive Wicket XL
The Wicket XL is based on KBN’s best-selling Wicket. While the original Wicket is a handy neck knife the XL upsizes the design to give it a full-size handle while still being compact. The Wicket XL is compact enough that it fits perfectly in your pocket with the available Badger Claw Outfitters Sheath. Despite the small size this fixed blade is all business!
The primitive model is an excellent bushcraft knife featuring a scandi grind 80CRV2 high carbon steel blade that is ideal for all your wood processing and foraging tasks. The spine is ground to 90 degrees making it ideal for striking a ferro rod or performing scraping tasks. The Wicket XL also works well for EDC thanks to the size, ergonomics, and excellent design.
Specs
- Overall Length: 6.5 Inches
- Blade Length: 3 Inches
- Blade Steel: 80CRV2 High Carbon
- Handle Material: G10, Micarta, or Jute Wrap
- Sheath: Kydex of Badger Claw Outfitters Pocket Sheath
- Where To Get It: Knives by Nuge
Above: The Woods Monkey Banana Peel is a versatile friction folder
The Woods Monkey Banana Peel
The Woods Monkey is a division of LT Wright Handmade Knives that hit the scene a few years ago with the Banana Peel Modular Friction Folder. When you see the knife in a closed position the name is obvious, it looks like a banana! Don’t let the name fool you, this is a serious bushcraft tool! Being a friction folder, it is a remarkably straightforward design with no locking mechanisms.
Minimal parts means minimal risk of failure due to breakage or gunk getting inside the frame. While the knife doesn’t lock the design uses your own hand grip to keep the blade from closing during use. This design works so well, it is one of the few knives that I have never accidently cut myself using. The modular part allows you to swap out different style blades or handle scales in minutes to suit your needs!
Specs:
- Overall Length: 6.9″
- Blade Length: 2.5″
- Blade Steel: Varies
- Handle Material: Varies
- Sheath: Optional kydex neck sheath or PNWBUSHCRAFT Slip
- Where to Get It: The Woods Monkey
Above: The Tuff Possum Shackleton EDC Satchel is a versatile bag that can easily switch between outdoor and EDC duty.
Tuff Possum Shackleton EDC Satchel
The Tuff Possum Shackleton is a modular shoulder satchel style bag that is big enough to carry all your minimalist bushcraft gear and can quickly convert to double duty as an EDC gear bag if needed! The Shackleton has a single front flap that is held closed with a durable polymer cobra buckle. The buckle itself is attached by adjustable webbing so you can loosen it for a heavy gear load out or cinch it tighter when you have less in the bag.
The inside has two large pockets that can accommodate nice sized pouches. The rear wall is loop lined laser cut MOLLE webbing so you have a few different mounting options for gear organization. The outside of the bag has a deep pocket on either, which is perfect for storing gear you want quick access to. For Georgia Bushcraft this is a great bag choice because it keeps everything I need at hand and allows me to keep as little as possible in my pockets which greatly increase comfort when doing a lot of crouching a kneeling. The next few pieces of bushcraft and survival gear will cover what I plan to carry in the bag during my trip.
Specs
- Dimensions: 12 Inches wide x 9 Inches tall x 4 inches deep
- Weight: 1lb 3oz
- Material: CORDURA Nylon
- Strap: Adjustable 2-inch webbing shoulder strap
- Closure: ITW Cobra Buckle
- Where To Get It: Tuff Possum Gear
Above: The Tuff Possum PSK pouch is highly water-resistant and the bright orange material will be hard to lose!
Personal Survival Kit
My personal survival kit is stored in a bright orange Tuff Possum PSK Pouch. The pouch is made of XPAC material which is waterproof and has a highly water resistant YKK zipper. My personal survival kit is designed for emergencies, so if all my other resources are used up and some of my tools are lost or damaged, I can turn to this kit for added Bushcraft gear. The highly water-resistant nature of the pouch ensures my emergency gear is protected from the elements until I need them! For more info on what’s inside my personal survival pouch, check out my Mini Survival Kit article as it is essentially the same type of equipment just in larger quantities.
Above: the Tuff Possum Med pouch features a glow in the dark reflective cross to make it easier to locate in low visibility situations.
Tuff Possum Med Pouch
I carry basic first aid and bleed stop equipment with me. Any outdoor activity or event is bound to result in some kind of minor injury. Last Fall Gathering, I managed to clip the tip of my thumb with a hatchet within 30 minutes. I was able to keep the wound clean and dry thanks to having first aid supplies. Beyond the basics, I like to keep allergy medication, basic anti-inflammatory medication, electrolytes, burn gel, and sting relief in the pouch. For major bleeds, I keep quick clot sponges and a high-quality tourniquet in the kit just in case!
Above: The Pocket Boy is compact and functional bushcraft tool.
Silky Pocket Boy Folding Saw
Processing wood is a top bushcraft priority. The Pocket Boy is a compact and reliable folding saw. While I can use my M18 to hack away at a small log or thick branch, sometimes using a saw is easier and expends far less energy. While I’m not as concerned with energy expenditure in a controlled environment like the Fall Gathering, in a real wilderness survival situation every calorie counts!
Above: The Black Beard Fire Ferro Rod is part of a robust line-up of easy to use fire starting gear
Fire Starting Gear
Fire is a priority when camping or in any long-term wilderness survival situation. I keep a Bic Lighter, a Ferro Rod, and some Black Beard Fire Plugs in my kit. This is everything I need to get a fire started with the help of foraged natural materials.
Above: The Nite Ize T8R features a water-resistant and dust-resistant body to ensure reliability in the outdoors.
Nite Ize Inova T8R Flashlight
The T8R is one of my go-to outdoor flashlights. With 762 max lumens, an 875-foot beam throw, and the option to switch between red and white light combined with a durable water and dust resistant body makes this an ideal light. For an extended outdoor trip. The light has a max run time of 30 hours on low, with nearly 4 hours on high and can be easily recharged in the field with a battery pack.
Above: Badger Claw Outfitter produces high quality, American made leather work gloves.
Badger Claw Outfitters Leather Gloves
A good pair of leather work gloves are a life saver when doing any kind of outdoor work! keeping your hands protected from injury and reducing hand fatigue. Reduced fatigue will keep you working longer and more comfortably. Avoiding injuries can ensure that you can keep working in an emergency. It can also reduce the use of first aid supplies and prevent a costly medical bill when you get home!
Above: The Wazoo Gear Foraging Bandana can serve multiple purposes when outdoors.
Wazoo Foraging Bandana
A bandana has many potential uses from protecting your head, neck, or face from the elements to making a quick carry bag. The Wazoo Foraging Bandana has useful information on commonly found edible and medicinal plants which can be used as a quick reference guide or a teaching tool if you have more foraging experience.
Above: The ability to take notes when in the field is highly underrated!
Notebook and Pen
The ability to take notes is one of the most underrated tasks when in any off-grid situation. Sure, I could use my phone, but pen and paper doesn’t run out of battery! I carry a water resistant Field Notes book and Steel Zebra F-701 Pen.
Above: Tissues are the unsung hero of off grid excursions!
Satchel Odds and Ends
Tissues are the unsung hero of an off grid or outdoor situation, a leaf will work, but it’s not pleasant! Shop rags are always helpful for quick clean up tasks. Battery packs and charging cables can keep your small electronics going!
Above: The PNWBUSHCRAFT Foraging Pouch and EDC Travel Tray 3.0 along with a Wazoo Spark Necklace, Fenix PD25R, and Outdoor Element Sparky.
On Body Bushcraft Gear
I try to keep my pockets relatively free during an extended outdoor trip. It goes a long way for personal comfort and mobility. In a real wilderness scenario, I would aim to keep more on me. Becoming separated from your bag or unable to get back to camp is something we should always account for. In a controlled environment I am comfortable keeping it minimal, most of these items are here for redundancy.
More To Come…
This about covers my current bushcraft gear and wilderness survival kit content for the trip to the Georgia Bushcraft Fall Gathering. Next week I will cover my camp gear set up before heading off! If you happen to be in the Watkinsville, Georgia area November 8th – 10th come on down and say hello! I’m happy to show off any of this gear in person or chat about what’s going on at Recoil Offgrid. It is also a fantastic opportunity to attend a class, check out vendors, or hang out with like-minded enthusiasts. Day passes and weekend camping passes are still available!
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