Sierra Sun Wear

Winter backpacking can mean your footprints are the only ones out there. That adds to the beauty of the experience, but also to the danger. Alone and in a cold enviroment, it’s important to know what to do in an emergency. Learning a few basic cold weather survival skills can save your life.

Fire Making

Imagine slipping into a stream and soaking everything with you, when you are more than a day from the nearest road and it’s below freezing out. What would you do? Start a fire, of course, but can you?

Always carry waterproof matches, and practice starting a fire in the cold BEFORE you go winter backpacking. Learn which tinders work even when wet. Birch bark, for example, will burn when wet, and so will sap from pines and spruces. You may have only minutes before your fingers get too cold to function, so speed is of the essence.

Winter Backpacking - Survival Shelters

You’ll probably have a tent with you, but you still may want to learn shelter building using snow blocks. Sometimes you can stomp out blocks without tools, using your feet, and then liff them from beneath. Just play around in your backyard until you get the hang of it. In an emergency, or if the weather turns extremely cold, you may want to put your tent behind a wall of snow blocks, to stop the wind.

If it isn’t raining, a quick survival shelter for warmth is a pile of dry leaves, grass, braken ferns or other plants. I once collected enough dried grass from a frozen swamp in thirty minutes to make a pile several feet thick. I slept warmly in the middle of it (half the insulating grass above, half below) with just a jacket, despite below freezing temperatures.

Staying Dry

You can be wet and warm when it far below freezing, as long as you are active. The moment you stop moving, however, you start to lose your body heat. Once you get chilled through, it is difficult to get warm again. Hypothermia (a lowered body temperature) kills many people every year.

If you get wet, try to get dry before you go to sleep. Put dry clothes on if you have them, and use a fire to dry any wet clothes. Earlier in the day, you may be able to hang damp clothes on your pack to dry in the sun. Often when it is coldest, the air is dryer.

Try not to sweat. Adjust your layers, removing and adding shirts, sweaters and jackets as necessary to keep from getting too hot or too cold. Sweat, and clothes damp with sweat, will cause you to lose body heat fast once you stop moving. Stay dry to stay warm.

There are many other cold weather survival skills that you may want to learn. (You can generate heat by eating fatty foods, for example.) You don’t need to know hundreds of skills and techniques, but why not learn a few basics, like the ones above, before your next winter backpacking trip?

Steve Gillman is a long-time advocate of lightweight backpacking. Visit his website for tips, photos, gear recommendations, a free book and a new wilderness survival section:
The Ultralight Backpacking Site : http://www.The-Ultralight-Site.com

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If you are looking for Superior Camping gears then you must look at the Marmot Camping gear brand. Known and respected throughout the camping community you can be sure to have access to the right gear for any condition or season.

Marmot camping Gear offers a wide range of products:

- Camping
- Hiking
- Mountain Climbing
- And more

Whatever outdoor activities you like you can be sure to find the right equipment with them. Their whole line of clothing is designed to keep you warm, dry and comfortable. From outerwear to accessories, they have it all.

Marmot Tents

Experience campers know they can rely on Marmot camping gears for their tent needs. From severe weather, heavy rain, snow or any other critical weather condition, Marmot tents are built for superior protection. One point worth mentioning about their tent is the poles; they are known to be effective, durable and can be repaired.

On top of that you get to have deluxe ventilation system, which is important to keep the moisture out. This alone can be responsible for your comfort during your camping trip. The boot is also sold separately, but if you find yourself needing one, be aware that they are reasonably priced and are well worth the investment to keep your tent as water tight as possible.

In short you can trust Marmot Camping gears to provide you with tents that are light weight, easy to store, comfortable, reliable and even attractive to look at. The material use in the creation of the poles makes them light weight allowing most of their tents to weigh less than 10 pounds, which is a good point for hikers.

Marmot Sleeping Bags

Almost every experience campers, hikers or any other outdoor junkie knows and trust Marmot Camping gear for their sleeping bags needs. Marmot sleeping bags offers campers and the like a wide variety of choices: From regular size to long one they are rated for the most extreme temperature. They usually go from around 40 degrees to well below the freezing point.

The special thing about Marmot is that the almost exclusively offers the mummy style sleeping bags. They are:

- lighter weight
- super compact
- offered in custom size
- offers a superior padding
- warm.

Just make sure to double check the temperature rating of the bag you intend to buy to make sure it fits best the temperature you will be using it in.

When you purchase a Marmot sleeping bag it will usually come with a special bag that will shrink it to the size of a football in some cases. This make’s it pretty easy to pack and to carry. On top of that you have the choice of natural fiber filling, synthetic fiber filling or even a mix of both depending on your needs.

In the end you should know that Marmot camping gear is synonym of quality in the world campers, hikers and the like. For those who enjoy being outdoor or sleeping under the stars there are no other choice when you want comfort and reliability.

If you like this article about Marmot Camping Gear and would like more information, visit our website. We provide quality information about the various aspects of camping equipment. Visit our website for the best tips and advice about camping gear.

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More common than bear attacks, moose attacks can be just as dangerous. A bull moose can weigh over 1500 pounds. Attacks in the fall, during the mating season, are most likely. Winter is the second most common time - they are just pissed off because of all the snow and lack of things to eat.

Be especially watchful during fall and winter, then to avoid an attack. When you see a moose, watch closely. Do its ears fold back, or the hair on its neck stand up? Does it clench it’s teeth? These signs show that it is upset and may attack you.

Go behind something big, like a boulder or tree. If possible, run and get into a stand of trees, but be sure they are not too bushy - you need room to maneuver, in case the moose continues the chase. The good news is that most moose attacks are “bluff attacks,” which end shortly after they begin.

Mountain Lion Attacks

These animal attacks are not normally a bluff. Fight with everything you’ve got, using rocks, your walking stick, a knife - anything. A jogger in Colorado successfully got a cougar to let go of his head (it was in the animal’s jaws) by sticking his thumb into the cat’s eye. You have to convince the mountain lion that you’re not the easy meal he thought you were.

Before an attack - when you and the cat are looking at each other - your goal is the same. Let him know you’re trouble, and look big, by standing tall with your jacket opened up. Yell, and slowly back away while looking for a weapon. Whatever you do, don’t turn and run or crouch down - behaviors that will trigger the mountain lion’s instinct to attack.

Bear Attacks

These come in two forms. The classic bluff attack is meant to scare you away, but may also kill you due to the size and strength of most bears. You can often survive by curling up on the ground and holding your hands around the back of your neck (to protect it).

The animal attacks when you surprise or threaten it - or its cubs. Bears in these circumstances make a lot of noise and may charge you repeatedly, stopping before contacting you. Avoid eye-contact and back away slowly.

The other type of bear attack is predatory. These are rare, but both black bears and grizzlies occasionally prey on humans for food. Such attacks are quieter. The bear will have its head down and come straight at you, watching you closely. He is assessing whether you are an easy meal or not.

In this case, don’t play dead or you will be. Yell, make noise, and look for a weapon. In a worst-case scenario, you might have to fight for your life. Fortunately, most adult grizzly bears can’t climb trees, so if there is a lot of space still between you (these bears are fast), you can try climbing to safety.

Various Other Animal Attacks

Ellephants may swing their trunks, kick up dirt and hold their ears out before an attack - and make noise. Get yourself behind a large rock or tree. If that isn’t an option, run downhill - elephants are slower going downhill.

Snakes usually are just warning you, so step away slowly. It is very unlikely that a snake will chase you. Avoid the problem to begin with by watching the trail carefully and probing with a walking stick before stepping over logs.

Get between mother baboon and her baby, and the whole troop may attack. Back away, while shouting and clapping. Drop any food you have in your hands, and don’t yawn or stare - these are signs of agression to baboons..

Don’t feed wild animals, or provoke them. Learn to use the zoom function on the camera instead of getting closer to wild animals. Basically, just use common sense to avoid animal attacks, and the rules above to deal with them.

Copyright Steve Gillman. To get the ebook “Ultralight Backpacking Secrets” for FREE, as well as photos, gear recommendations, and a new wilderness survival section, visit: http://www.The-Ultralight-Site.com

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Your Survival Depends on it.

The quality of your winter camping gear is very important and in some case critical. You need to be absolutely sure that it will withstand the temperature variations as well as the extreme conditions you may encounter during your camping excursions. The fact is, nobody goes on a camping trip expecting to be caught by extreme weather conditions or fall down an icy embankment and break an arm or a leg, but these things happens, so you need to be prepared for any potential situation if you want to survive.

On top of that if you would have to carry every piece of winter camping gear you might possibly need for every possible situation, you would need a truck, not a backpack. What you need to focus on is bringing the least amount of winter camping gear you need to survive any emergency situation. You won’t bring with you crutches or boards in case you break a leg, instead think about carrying heavy-duty tape that you could use combined with sticks that you can pick up on the ground. This simple trick will do the same as crutches without the excess of baggage.

Another item you might consider bringing along is a small hatchet or o folding saw. Since you won’t be carrying firewood with you, it is a good idea to have the tools that can allow you to cut some easily. Sure you won’t need to have a fire in every situation, but after a couple of days in the cold, having the equipment to prepare hot meals and keep you warm is highly recommended.

You Need To Be Prepared For Your Everyday Needs.

Below are some small tips to help you pack the required winter camping gear. We don’t usually fell thirsty during the winter but your winter camping gear must absolutely include an item to purify water. Some campers use iodine drops or tablet to that effect, you also need to filter the water. Then comes the eating part, most campers bring some dehydrated pouches which are very tasty, but they get old after a couple of days. Always try to have a couple of simple recipes for cooking over an open fire with food items to cook is always something you should consider having in your winter camping gear.

If you are going for a long camping trip you should always plan on a mean to relieve yourself. Also your winter camping gear should also contain hygiene items to make sure you remain healthy during your excursion. Inexperienced campers are often not aware of that, but maintaining your cleanliness is just as important as when you are at home. To that effect you should also plan on having some waterless sanitizing solution so you can wash your hands for time to time. Always make sure you remain healthy and comfortable during your camping trip.

If you liked this article about winter camping gear you should visit my website. We provide useful information and tips about camping gear.

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I need simple backpacking recipes because there is never a stove in my backpack, even on week-long trips in the wilderness. I often backpack with less than fifteen pounds total pack weight, and total means all food, water - everything. It’s often in a daypack, so I don’t have much room for a stove and fuel canisters.

I also don’t want the extra weight. I don’t want the extra trouble of cooking either. I prefer to spend my time to hiking and exploring and picking wild berries. I leave the stove home. If you’ve considered doing the same, try some of the following simple backpacking recipes to add a little variety to that diet of crackers, nuts and granola.

Peanut Butter And Wild Fruit

Peanut butter is a great backpacking food because it is so high in calories for the weight. Put some on a wheat cracker and top it with a few wild strawberries or raspberries for a healthy treat. My wife and I have eaten as many as nine different kinds of berries on one day hike, so you can have quite a variety of taste sensations with this plan.

If it isn’t the season for wild fruit, you can bring along a handful of jelly packets borrowed from your favorite restaurant. If you bring jam or jelly from home, ditch the heavy glass jar, of course. Jelly in a small plastic tub will be lighter and safer, and should stay fresh for at least a few days.

Trail Mixes

A good trail mix is one of the most convenient backpacking foods. Here’s my recipe for a good one: Mix peanuts, sunflower seeds, chocolate chips, and raisins in any proportions you like. Taste and adjust the quantities. Add whatever else you can think of and taste it again. Is that simple enough?

A Full Dinner Backpacking Recipe

Want a delicious dinner in the middle of the wilderness without cooking? Pack whole wheat crackers and two types of cheese. Hard cheeses, like a good smoked gouda last longest. Bring a foil pouch of tuna. These don’t have to be refrigerated. Put a few olives in a zippered plastic bag with a small handful of baby carrots. Then get a boxed wine, drink all but about four glasses, remove the bag from the box and pack that.

Have this special meal on your first or second night out, while the carrots and cheese are still good. Prepare crackers with tuna on then. If you come across some wild onions, sprinkle some chopped up leaves or bulbs on these. Prepare crackers with the two types of cheeses and top these with the olives. The baby carrots will be ready to eat as is, and will have been flavored by the olive juices.

Enjoy it all with a water bottle half full of wine (I never carry a cup). The wine bag, by the way, can then be used to carry up to six quarts of water, or can be blown up and used (wrap in a sweater) as a pillow. These bags weigh less than three ounces and are very tough.

Salad Recipe

Backpacking doesn’t have to mean giving up fresh foods, not even if you go really light. Throw a few carrots and radishes in a plastic bag and they’re usually good for at least several days. Add some edible wild greens, like dandelion leaves, and some wild onion or peeled and chopped young thistle stalks, and you have a salad. Carry you veggies in a large zippered plastic bag, for easy mixing.

For dressing, get one of those eight-ounce plastic water bottles. These weigh less than an ounce and don’t take too much room. Put a few ounces of olive oil in it (a great high-calorie backpacking food), an ounce of wine vinegar (or any other vinegar), and a pinch of salt, pepper and oregano. Add a touch of honey if you like it sweet, and a bit of cayenne pepper if you like it hot.

This should be enough for two salads. Just wash your salad ingredients, put them in the bag, add some dressing, close and shake. You can eat it right from the bag. The salad dressing container can be used as an extra water bottle when it is empty. I like backpacking recipes that keep it light, and multi-use containers help with this.

Copyright Steve Gillman. To get an ebook on Lightweight Backpacking Secrets (And Wilderness Survival Tips) for FREE, as well as photos, gear recommendations, and a new wilderness survival section, visit: http://www.The-Ultralight-Site.com

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A down sleeping bag has its problems. They are usually more delicate than bags with synthetic fill, for example. They also lose almost all of their insulating ability when they are wet. Of course, you could just treat them gently. My own down bag is over ten years old now, and has no tears and no substantial loss of down. I have slept in some pretty rough conditions with it too. Pay attention to anything sharp or abrasive and even the most delicate bag can last for a decade or more.

I have also managed to keep my down sleeping bag dry during some nasty conditions. I once backpacked for seven days in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado when it was raining at some point during every day and every night. My bag never got wet, and I was sleeping under a tarp the whole time. So you can keep a bag dry if you try. That takes care of the negatives. Now for a look at the positives.

Down Sleeping Bags Are Still The Lightest

I don’t really buy equipment that often now, so I had to look at what was out there to see if the above claim was still true. It is. The synthetics are getting closer and closer in terms of warmth for the weight of the fill, but they can’t yet match down. It may not be a big difference, but for those like myself who like to backpack in the mountains with less than ten pounds in the pack, every ounce counts.

My own bag, by the way, weighs just 17 ounces. It is rated down to 40 degrees Fahrenheit, but I have used it comfortably below freezing many times. It is from Western Mountaineering.

Down Sleeping Bags - Other Advantages

Perhaps a bigger advantage than the weight savings (those synthetics are close, after all), is space savings. None of the synthetic-fill sleeping bags can pack down anywhere near as small as a down bag. Mine is the size of a loaf of bread when packed. This makes a difference when you have a small pack or a big trip. In fact, I take advantage of the space savings and do over-nighters with a day pack - something I couldn’t do with a less compressible bag.

Finally, down sleeping bags last longer. The best synthetic fills seem to start losing loft after just a year or two, and they can’t be reconditioned much. A down bag, on the other hand, can be fluffed up in the dryer and may have most of its loft even after ten years if stored properly (unstuffed).

There are certainly times and places for the synthetics. You might not want to backpack in the Olympic National Park’s rain forest with down, for example. But if you have to choose just one bag for all-round use, and you like to go light, you should seriously consider a down sleeping bag.

Copyright Steve Gillman. To get an ebook on Lightweight Backpacking And Wilderness Survival Tips for FREE, as well as photos and gear recommendations, visit: http://www.The-Ultralight-Site.com

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Mosquito control when backpacking isn’t a minor issue. At one time mosquitoes were a nuisance more than anything. If you backpacked and camped in areas that had a lot of these pesky insects, you expected to be bothered. You expected to lose sleep even. But now mosquitoes in many areas of the United States also carry diseases that are potentially deadly. You need to be prepared.

Mosquito control, then, is important, and starts with a little planning before the trip. For example, bring a mosquito head net if you will be in an area with a lot of mosquitoes. The lightest ones are about one ounce - light enough even for those of us who like to go really light. What else can you do to avoid mosquitoes or prevent their bites? Here are a few tips.

1. Always carry insect repellent with DEET in it. Others may work okay, but so far DEET has the best record for repelling mosquitoes and preventing bites. It does cause damage to nylon and other synthetic materials, however, so be careful to apply it to your skin, without getting any on that rain jacket or those synthetic shirts or pants.

2. Wear neutral colors. Mosquitoes seem to be attracted to blue and to contrasts of light and dark clothing. Stick to tan, light brown and beige colors as much as possible.

3. Cover your skin. Tuck pants into your socks and wear long-sleeved shirts in areas that have a lot of mosquitoes. Generally, they’ll have a hard time biting through nylon materials that are tightly woven. Avoid fishnet t-shirts and other easy-to-bite-through shirts.

4. Set up camp in breezy locations. Set up camp in areas that get a breeze and you’ll have a lot fewer problems with mosquitoes. Face your tent into the wind and you’ll avoid allowing insects inside when you climb in and out.

5. Timing matters. Mosquitoes are more active at dawn and dusk, so avoid them by setting up camp before dusk and leaving by dawn.

6. Keep clean. Personal hygiene is an important part of mosquito control. Mosquitoes and other insects are drawn to the ammonia in your sweat, and the odor of your feet. Wash yourself regularly (in lakes and streams if necessary) and you’ll attract fewer bugs.

7. Use fire. A small fire that produces a fair amount of smoke will keep many insects away. Use a few live branches from spruce or fir trees to produce more strongly scented smoke.

Copyright Steve Gillman. To get the ebook “Ultralight Backpacking Secrets (And Wilderness Survival Tips)” for FREE, as well as photos, gear recommendations, and a new wilderness survival section, visit: http://www.The-Ultralight-Site.com

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Protecting your eyes while in the outdoors is a very important thing to do. Many times we forget how important a pair of sunglasses can be. The glare of the sun can not only harm your eyes and burn your skin, but it can also cause problems such as headaches. A decent pair of sunglasses can help alleviate most all of these problems. You can literally get a pair of sunglasses almost anywhere; just remember that you get what you pay for. If you spend five buck at the local convenience store, you’re going to get about five bucks worth of protection.
Many people say things like, “I would never spend $100 on a pair of sunglasses!” As a matter of fact, that’s exactly what I used to say. Then I got tired of the cheap sunglasses that I bought breaking and just not working properly. So I finally broke down and bought a decent pair of sunglasses for $100. They are the best sunglasses that I’ve ever had, and do you know what? I’ve had them for 10 years! If you amortize that, it’s ten bucks a year! Over time, I’ve actually spent less on $100 sunglasses, who would have thought that?
So, when it comes to protecting your eyes in the outdoors, you may want to consider spending what seems to be too much money. In the long run, it pays off and your eyes are better protected. How about polarized sun glasses? Polarization can help in any outdoor situation where there’s a lot of glare, such as hiking in snow, skiing, all water sports, and of course fishing. You see, polarization on the lenses, cuts through that glare, which not only protect your eyes, but in the case of anglers enables them to see under the water. This, of course can be a huge advantage to anglers. When it comes to polarized sun glasses, the same rule applies…you get what you pay for. Not to mention the fact that a cheap pair of polarized sunglasses can cause vicious headaches (I know this from experience as well).
The bottom line is that we all need to protect our eyes when we’re in the outdoors. Not only that, but we get what we pay for, and over time, even expensive s\sunglasses really aren’t that expensive.

Trevor Kugler is co-founder of JRWfishing.com and an avid angler. He has more than 20 years experience fishing for all types of fish, and 15 years of business and internet experience. He currently raises his three year old daughter in the heart of trout fishing country…..Montana!

Affordable Sunglasses For Anyone .

FREE Fishing Tips & Advice….

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If you have recently lost or broke a flashlight, or if you are in the market for a new, better brand, then you are probably facing a lot of decisions about what kind of flashlight to purchase, and what will work best for your various needs. LED flashlights have risen in popularity, as have batteryless flashlights. So what kind of flashlight is best for you and your family?

A traditional flashlight
These days, traditional flashlights use batteries to power light bulbs. Depending on the type, these lights can be weak or strong, with professional quality lights putting out better beams than the cheap flashlights that you might find on the racks of a home improvement or department store. The bulbs are not terribly energy efficient, meaning that they go through batteries a lot faster than LED lights, and the bulbs burn out a lot faster than LED’s as well. Overall, these are not recommended if you are buying a new flashlight. Spend a couple extra dollars on some quality gear.

Manual power flashlights
Manual power flashlights do not use batteries. Instead, they use cranks, triggers (which you squeeze repeatedly) or are simply shaken to create the power needed to run an LED light. (Usually, these flashlights do not produce enough power to get a reliable beam out of a traditional incandescent bulb.) These good for quick uses like taking a quick look at the fuse box, but require a lot of shaking, turning, or squeezing to make them continue to run. Users usually tire out quickly, so don’t plan to use them for nighttime walks or other long-term applications. On the plus side, you will never be caught without batteries again.

Flashlight Size matters
If you are looking for a light to stow in your car or emergency kit, you will want a small light that still puts out a bright beam. LED flashlights are best for this application, hands down, and manual power lights are great for emergency kits as a backup for when batteries run out. Keep both kinds of light stocked so that you will have a stronger light if you need it. Use the manual light for brief uses, like checking on your child’s skinned knee, and the battery powered light to scan for danger or signal for help.

If you are looking for something good for hunting or camping, you will likely want a more powerful light that will illuminate a good area brightly or present a focused beam on whatever you want to see. These lights work great for signaling at a distance, or even better for late night walks or treks to the toilet hole. LED is, again, hands down the best choice, but only if you can find a professional quality light that presents the features (broad vs. narrow beam) that you need.

All in all, it is almost impossible to beat an LED light for applications ranging from pen lights to LED camping lanterns. There are many features available, so choose your LED flashlight with care, and be prepared to use it for many years to come. You too will soon find that these LED flashlights are made to last.

-Ben Anton 2007

Ben writes for DLK, and invites you to read more about the latest in LED flashlight and light bulb technology at our quality LED Lights and Knives website.

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Sharpening a knife is not difficult to do, but some practice is required to obtain the very sharpest edge your knife is capable of. Putting a keen edge on a knife is a process affected by a number of variables. Some of these variables include the sharpening system being used, the blade steel, the condition of the knife and the experience of the user.

Personally, I recommend using one of the sharpening systems that clamps and holds the knife blade in a fixed position while a hone is moved across the blade at a predefined angle. The Lansky sharpener is the most well known of these systems, although there are numerous variations available. The benefit of this system is in the consistent angle that may be obtained for each stroke of the hone and allows a novice to sharpen a blade to a very fine edge.

Typically these systems will have at least 3 angles of cut to choose from. Your choice would depend on the type of knife or tool being sharpened. The Blade Master system I use has 4 angles: 15, 19, 24 and 29 degrees. As the number increases the angle becomes more shallow and cuts a finer, although thinner, edge. The thinner the edge the sharper the blade will be. However an angle of 29 degrees is so shallow that it should be used only for fine kitchen knives with very thin blades. As the number decreases the angle becomes steeper and sharpens the blade to more of a chopping point. Obviously a thin edge will not stand up to rough use such as chopping or aggressive cutting and the smaller angles should be used here. In general, a daily carry knife will be best sharpened at a 19 degree angle or thereabouts.

To sharpen, the user clamps the knife in the holding device and beginning with a coarse hone, strokes are made on each side of the blade to remove enough material to reset the edge. Finer hones are then used in the same way to refine and polish the edge.

Another popular knife sharpener is exemplified in the many “pocket sharpeners” that are on the market today. These sharpeners will often have a pair of sharpening rods, usually made of ceramic or similar material, that are fixed into a handle at a predetermined angle to form a “V”. There is no angle selection possible with these systems. To sharpen, the user simply holds the sharpener in one hand, puts the knife blade into the “V” shaped slot made at the cross section of the two sharpening rods and pulls rearward in a reverse stroke. As the blade moves along the bottom of the V, the rods sharpen the blade to the angle at which they are set. These systems are useful for a quick touch up in the field, but I would not use them as a mainstay for blade care as the angle can change according to how the knife is held while stroking, the sharpening rods cannot be adjusted, nor is there any choice in the grit of the hone.

Wetstones have been used longer than any other method and do work well, although they require practice if sharpening freehand. In this method there is no assist with the cutting angle or maintaining the angle through the sharpening motion, the sharpening surface is the only offering. Here, a user must hold the blade at an angle believed to be correct and moves the blade across the hone in a forward shaving motion, as if trying to shave off a thin slice of the stone. Swirling movements are sometimes employed and once sharpened the blade is turned over to repeat the process for the other side. The danger here is twofold. Firstly, the angle being sharpened may not be the ideal angle, nor is it likely this angle can be consistently maintained through the freehand movements of sharpening. In the end, the knife will usually be sharper, but will not have the consistency of a clamp system. Doing a poor job with a wetstone can actually make the blade worse, which is why this method is best reserved for experienced users. Sometimes a wetstone system will come with a clamp device that holds the blade at a consistent angle while moving across the stone. This helps greatly in achieving a proper edge.

The blade steel will also have an impact on the edge sharpness and retention. As a general rule of thumb, chromium is added to steel to increase the stainless properties but this can also have a detrimental effect on the ability to achieve a top flight edge. The higher the Carbon content of the steel, the better the edge it will take, but is also more susceptible to discoloration. Premium knife steels such as the Sandvik steel, ATS-34 and 154CM are formulated for the best of both worlds. Other lesser steels will experience trade off between these two extremes.

Bob Holder is the owner of Knives Town, an online knife retailer of high quality hunting knives, pocket knives and folding knives. http://www.knivestown.com

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