Ideas, hints and buying tips

Sharpening a pocketknife

Q. When and how should I sharpen my pocketknives?
– Dull Dale, Colts Neck, N.J.

A. How often you sharpen your pocketknife depends mostly on how often you use it. Basically when the blade feels dull to the touch or if it starts to feel awkward cutting with your knife, it’s time to do a little sharpening.

Click here to check out our online video tutorial on how to sharpen a knife.

Carabiner’s maximum weight

Q. I have a carabiner that says it can hold 21 kN. I know that’s the amount of shock the clip can take, but what’s the maximum constant weight that could be applied to it?
– Pensive Peno, Baldwinville, Mass.

A. I asked climbing equipment expert Bill Belcourt from Black Diamond to tackle this one. Here’s what he says: kN stands for kilonewton, a measurement of force. Stamped on the side of all carabiners you’ll find a kN number that tells you how much force your climbing gear can withstand. This is important because carabiners are climbing safety equipment and they must be strong enough to handle the force (and weight) of someone falling. When an average-size man falls 60 feet, the peak force on a carabiner at an anchor point on the rock stopping his fall is going to be about 9.1 kN.

Now that we have that out of the way, let’s talk about the maximum constant weight. That’s tricky, mainly because your carabiner isn’t rated for a maximum working load. It’s designed to take forces, not lift heavy things. That said, do a little math and you can easily figure out the pound equivalent of your carabiner’s kN rating. In this case, 21 kN x 225 lbs. (equal to one kN) = 4,725 lbs. That doesn’t mean your carabiner can repeatedly lift something that weighs that much. You might be able to lift a truck once, but it would permanently damage your carabiner.

Remember, when you’re shopping for a carabiner, buy only those made by reputable companies (such as Black Diamond, Petzl, Metolius, etc.) and make sure it has a kN rating of at least 18.

Choosing a hunting knife

Q. I’m going on a camping trip with my troop, but my hunting knife broke. I see a lot of different hunting knives advertised. How do I know which one to buy?
– Knifeless Neil, Summerville, S.C.

A. The best type of knife for camping trips — and most any other outdoor activity, for that matter — is a short, fixed-blade knife with a beefy handle.

Folding pocketknives can fold up on your hand while cutting. Not fixed blades. And remember: When it comes to blades, bigger isn’t always better. Avoid blades longer than four inches. A small, sharp blade can cut just as well as a long one, but it’s safer to handle and easier to maneuver in tight spots. With a good fixed blade you’ll be set for most anything the outdoors can throw at you — whittling, cutting, notching, butchering, filleting, even speading peanut butter.

Here are two of my favorite fixed-blade knives:

• Buck Diamondback Guide ($27; http://www.buckknives.com/)
  This knife has a 3 1/8-inch-long drop-point blade with a texturized rubber handle.
• SOG Field Pup ($60; http://www.sogknives.com/)
  A four-inch stainless steel straight-edge blade with an easy-to-grip handle and nylon sheath.

Repairing a sleeping bag

Q: My dad gave me an old Marmot sleeping bag, and it has two small holes in it and some down feathers are coming out. The sleeping bag works just fine, but how do I stop the feathers from coming out?
—Cold Coleman, Reno, Nev.

A: Thanks for the question, Cold. First off, good for you for reusing your dad’s old sleeping bag. A good bag can last for decades if you take care of it.

As for your escaping feathers problem, I called my buddy George Farkas over at McNett, a company known for its gear-care and -maintenance products. Here’s what he had to say: Seam Grip ($7; www.rei.com ) makes an excellent ‘no-sew’ patch on small holes and tears.

For pinholes just use a toothpick to apply a very small dab to cover the hole and about 2 mm beyond.

For larger holes, cut a small piece of fabric (such as some nylon from the lining of an old retired jacket). Next, shape the patch with scissors to be about 3 mm bigger than the hole in all directions. Then apply Seam Grip all along the outer edge of the patch (at least 3 mm in from the edges). Apply the patch to cover the hole and leave it laying flat overnight. Once it’s good and dry, the patch will be permanent and should survive laundering when you wash the bag.

For the sewn seams, apply a very minimal amount of Seam Grip in a thin line along the stitching and that’ll provide an easy and permanent fix.

Buying a surfboard

Q. Our family takes a vacation to the beach every summer. I’ve been boogie-boarding for the past several years, but now I want to try surfing. I know you can rent surfboards, but I want one of my own. Any advice?
– Stoked Stephen, Raleigh, N.C

A. Gnarly question, dude. Surfboard rentals at most beaches typically cost about $25 to $30 a day. So it might make more sense to buy one since you should be able to get a good used surfboard for about $200 either in a surf shop or online at eBay or craigslist.org.

Here’s what to look for in a starter board: The longer, wider and thicker the board, the easier it’ll be to stand up on. Surfboards in the seven- to nine-foot-long range are perfect for the average teen.

Unless you’re an advanced surfer, try the INT Semi-Long (intsoftboards.com). This eight-footer is covered on the top and sides with soft foam so you can’t ding it (or your head). Best of all, the bottom of the board is made of hard fiberglass resin so it’s fast and rides almost exactly like a regular hard-shell fiberglass surfboard. A new one runs about $450, but it’s super durable so you can expect to be surfing it for many years to come.

Avoiding mosquito attacks

Q. I feel like a mosquito magnet. Seems like every time I go on outings with my troop, I’m the only one who gets bitten. What can I do? Help!
– Badly Bitten Ben, Smyrna, Ga.

A. Luckily there are some things you can do. First, wear long pants, a long-sleeve shirt and a hat. If the mosquitoes can’t find your skin, then it’s harder for them to bite you. There’s even clothing with a built-in mosquito repellent called permethrin. Try Ex Officio’s Buzz Off long-sleeve tee ($34; boyslife.org/links/exofficio) and Buzz Off Air Strip pants ($75). I tested this stuff in the Yukon during an expedition recently where the mosquitoes were big enough to carry off a housecat — and it works!

Wear light colors, too, as mosquitoes seem more attracted to dark colors, and lay off scented shampoos and soaps because some bugs love the smell.

As for insect repellents, look for products that contain either DEET or picaridin as the active ingredient.

Mountain bike gears are wrong

Q. My mountain bike is totally off gear. I put it on gear number 4 and it is on number 6. What do I do?
– Rollin’ Ryan, Reno, Nev.

A. Does it shift through all the gears? If it does, then don’t worry about the numbers aligning. A real mountain biker doesn’t have time to pay attention to the numbers. It’s all about the “feel” in his legs.

In other words, let the strain on your legs guide your shifting, not what you think is the right gear number. You should shift to maintain a cadence of around 80-100 revolutions per minute (count the number of times your right knee goes up).

If the bike doesn’t shift easily thru all the gears, that’s another story. Click here to see our online derailleur adjustment.

If the adjustment barrel doesn’t work, take your bike to a bike shop soon.

Contents of a bike emergency kit

Q. I go biking with my friends to the beach all the time and I always keep a repair kit and a cell phone handy, but is there anything else I should be carrying, like a Swiss army knife or the like?
– Christian the Cyclist, Bronx, N.Y.

A. Way to think ahead, Christian. That’s the first step to making sure that your bike ride doesn’t turn into a long hike home. To fill you in on the best stuff to carry I called up my buddy Adam Craig, nine-time national champion mountain biker. Here’s his advice for you: “I never head out on a bike ride — even if I’m just riding down to the beach — without three key pieces of equipment: a spare inner tube, a mini-pump to use on the tube, and a bike-specific combo wrench. The wrench should include allen keys, screwdriver and a chain repair tool. You can get a seat-bag to hold all of these things or just put them in your pocket like I do.”

Best place to buy a bike

Q. Where is the best place to get a bike?
– Jack B., Bowling Green, Ky.

A. In my opinion, J.B., the only place to buy a new bicycle is at a local bike shop. These are places that specialize in bikes and have knowledgeable sales people, great quality stuff and generally excellent support. If you go to an LBS — as local bike shops are known in the cycling world — you know you’ll get the best bike for your size, riding style and budget. It might not be the cheapest bike, but in the long run it will be a better value. Sure, you could go to the local superstore and pick up a cheap bike off the rack. But it won’t last nearly as long or be nearly as enjoyable as a custom fit from your LBS.

Best catfishing gear

Q. What’s the best gear for fishing in rivers for catfish?
— Adam the Angler, Fox River Grove, Ill.

A. Now that’s the perfect summertime question. To answer it, I called my buddy Jimbo Meador, a legendary fishing guide from Point Clear, Ala. Here’s what he had to say:

“I grew up catching catfish on limb lines. Just find some low hanging tree limbs that hang right out over the river. Tie one or more lines on the limb and bait the hooks with cut bait. Cut up fish, eel, crawfish, or even cheese will work.

“If there’s current in the river put a little weight on your line, like some splitshot. Then let it sit. When you see the limb shaking you know you’ve got a catfish.

“I’ve caught plenty of catfish on a pole and line but you catch them way better at night, and with the limb line you can set your lines then be off doing something else while you’re catching fish — like maybe even sleeping. Then you can wake up to catfish and grits!”

Where can I find this camera?

Q: I want to get a Olympus SP-500 Ultra Zoom but whatever website that I look at they are always to expensive or I can’t find them.
— Two-Tone Travis, West Point, Va.

A: Your choice for a camera is a good one, Triple T. The SP-500 has a 10X zoom and a feature few non-pro digital cameras have: raw mode. The camera creates a “raw” file that is similar to the “negative” that film cameras produce. These raw images have to be processed in photo software, so it’s not always convenient and quick if you’re looking for speedy uploads.

Part of the reason you’re having problems finding your camera is that it’s no longer made. Cameras, like computers, are constantly being improved and updated. The updated version is the SP-550 Ultra Zoom, about $350.

An excellent camera that is similar is the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8. It has a “street” cost of $240. If you’re looking for a smaller point-and-shoot type digital you might look at the Canon PowerShot SX100 IS at $220 or the Nikon Coolpix P60 at $230. The Panasonic model has raw mode; the Canon and Nikon models do not.

A good website for researching digital cameras is Digital Photography Review, www.dpreview.com.

I prefer to buy my digital equipment from on-line camera stores that have been in business for many years and that treat the customer right if there are any questions, problems or returns. Buying from cheap on-line sources may or may not work. Sometimes the prices are quite low but such items as lens caps, instruction manuals and even batteries don’t come with the camera. Be extra aware when shopping online.

Inexpensive outdoor equipment

Last weekend my dad took me to the local outdoors store, but we both couldn’t believe how expensive camping stuff is. Please help! Where can I get good outdoor equipment without paying huge prices?
- Sticker-Shocked Steve, San Diego, Calif.

Dear Sticker, we sympathize. Outdoor gear can indeed be really expensive. Luckily you have options.

On the Web, there are a handful of stores that sell quality brand-name camping gear and outdoor clothing at reduced prices. Basically these sites buy discontinued gear and overstocks from manufacturers then sell it direct to you at super-cheap prices. The color and size choices are often limited an you don’t get the face-to-face advice you do from your local outdoors store, but if you look around you should be able to find what you need.

Here are a few of the most well-established online stores:

• Sierra Trading Post
• Northern Mountain Supply
• Campmor
• REI Outlet
• Steep and Cheap

Also, instead of always sticking with brand-name stuff, consider buying the “house brand” from these companies.

Much of the gear from the big brand names is made with the exact same fabrics and materials in the very same factories. Often the main difference is simply the trendy label that’s slapped on the thing.

• REI
• L.L. Bean
• Eastern Mountain Sports

And, as always, a great source for BSA-approved gear and clothing is the BSA’s own supply catalog, found at www.boyslife.org/links/scoutstuff.

Finally, check out eBay. There’s plenty of gently used outdoor gear up for auction there.

Happy bargain hunting.

Internal or external frame?

I need a new backpack. What’s better: Internal or external frame?
- Confused Carl, Aptos, Calif.

Dear Confused, you must be a mind reader because thousands of other guys are wondering this same thing. Then again, if you really were a mind reader you wouldn’t need to ask me questions because you’d already know exactly what I was thinking, right?

I digress.

So, backpacking packs come in two types. External frames packs are those with a framework on the outside. These old-school-style packs are the best choice if you’ll be hiking mostly on groomed trails carrying lots of weight. They’re especially good at transferring the load so you can hike in a more comfortable upright stance. They’re also about half the cost of an internal frame pack, which has its support hidden inside like a skeleton.

Internal frame packs are usually more form-fitting, so they are better for guys who’ll be hiking rugged trails that require freedom of movement and balance. Most internal frame packs have one huge compartment with a couple of zippered access points, whereas external frame packs usually have lots of smaller compartments that make organization easier. You can also easily attach extra gear - such as a sleeping bag or fishing rod - to the frame.

Which type of pack is better is really up to you and your needs.

Best winter jacket for hiking

What is the best winter jacket for hiking and at the best price?
Chilly Billy, Pipersville, Pa.

Well, Chilly, the short answer is there isn’t one best jacket that does it all. Buy a layering system. That way you can bundle up when it’s cold and rainy, then peel off the layers when the sun comes out or when you’re hiking really hard.

Start with a fleece vest for warmth. Something like the Columbia Cathedral Peak is a good choice ($35; www.boyslife.org/links/columbia or 503-985-4000). This should fit snug; wear it over your long underwear top.

Next, you’ll want a softshell jacket. Softshells are made of stretchy nylon that’s windproof and water-resistant. One of the best values I know of is the REI Neo ($99; www.boyslife.org/links/rei or 1-800-426-4840). It’ll get you through 90 percent of weather conditions - everything except a full-on downpour.

For that, you’ll want to throw on your third layer: a waterproof outershell jacket like the Marmot PreCip ($99; www.boyslife.org/links/marmot or 1-888-357-3262). A poncho from www.boyslife.org/links/scoutstuff would work, too (and be cheaper), but jackets like the PreCip are breathable so you won’t get sticky and sweaty.

Stop rolling off the sleeping pad

When I go camping I often have trouble sleeping. I toss and turn and always end up rolling off my sleeping pad. What can I do to sleep better?
Ian the Insomniac, San Jose, Calif.

A. Dear Sleepless in San Jose, have you tried duct-taping yourself to your sleeping pad? That’d work, but it’s a little tricky getting out when you have to pee in the middle of the night.

Here’s some other advice:

My friends at Therm-a-Rest told me that many people tend to overinflate their sleeping pads. Blowing it up bigger will actually cause you to roll off. So once it’s inflated, your best bet is to lie on it, then open the valve briefly to let a little air out — that way the pad conforms to your body.

You can also make the top of your pad non-slip by using a tube of Seam Grip to draw lots of tiny urethane dots or a couple of big squiggles on the top of your pad. Puff paints will work fine, too.

One of my favorite solutions is the Big Agnes Encampment ($159; www.boyslife.org/links/bigagnes) — it’s a 15-degree-rated synthetic bag that comes with a built-in sleeping pad sleeve. Just slip the sleeping pad in and you can roll around all night long and never roll off your pad!

Waterproofing a tent

My tent leaks! Water runs through the rainfly! What should I do?
– Damp Dan, Simpsonville, S.C.

A. Dear Soggy Sir, there could be a couple of different things going on that could make your tent so leaky.

First, if you fail to properly stake out your rainfly, it’ll just collect the rainwater and conveniently channel it inside your tent. So always keep the rainfly tight with the guy lines taut.

Another good idea would be to re-waterproof your fly. With wear and tear and time, all tents eventually lose their ability to repel water.

Luckily it’s easy — and cheap! — to rejuvenate it. Start with a tube of Seam Grip (about $7). Put your rainfly on top of your tent inside out and carefully reseal all the seams. While you’re at it, apply Seam Grip along the inside perimeter of your tent’s floor, too. Then flip your rainfly over, pitch it properly and spray it with a silicone waterproofer like McNett’s Thunder Shield (also about $7). Do all this and you’ll be Dry Dan from here on out.

Lighting stoves without flare-up

What’s the best way to light a camp stove without getting too big of a flare-up? I have an MSR WhisperLite.
– Phil the Fireball, Johnstown, Pa.

A. Good question, Fireball. For this one we turned to MSR’s Michelle Vela, who spent three years in the stove repair department learning every inch of the WhisperLite. She says: “The best way to start a stove without a big flare-up has everything to do with how much fuel you initially let flow into the priming cup at the bottom of the stove.”

Here’s how:

1. Turn the control valve on the fuel pump until you can hear the sound of gas.
2. Then, shut the valve off. The fuel you heard will be enough to flow through the fuel line and into your priming cup.
3. Light the fuel to prime your stove.
4. When the flame begins to die down, slowly crank open the control valve.
5. Once the stove is heated and running, you can turn the control valve on full blast.

Best hoodie choices

I need a hoodie for our next camp-out, and I was wondering what would be the best options?
– Underdressed Eric, Elmhurst, Ill.

A. Good question, Eric. Though we’ve seen lots of guys on outings wearing all-cotton hoodies, if that kind of jacket gets wet with rain or sweat, it’ll provide you about as much warmth as a soggy paper bag. Hoodies made of 100% polyester fleece are the best choice. Unlike cotton, these materials wick sweat and moisture away from your body and keep you warm even when wet.

Here are three good choices:

• REI Hoodie, $30 kids’ sizes, $50 men’s sizes, www.boyslife.org/links/rei
• Horny Toad Joe, $76, www.boyslife.org/links/hornytoad
• Patagonia Micro D-Luxe Hoody, $75, www.boyslife.org/links/patagonia

Walking stick height

How tall should a walking stick be?
– Walking Wyatt, El Paso, Tex.

A. First thing to consider is how you’ll be using your stick. If you plan to hike with it, look for a tall and straight stick. Here’s a good rule on sizing: Standing with your arms at your side, the stick should be about 6 or 8 inches taller than your elbow. Pick a longer stick if you’ll be tackling steep terrain. If you’re really just planning on walking with your stick, a shorter one will do. Pick a stick that comes to right around your waist.

Click here to find plans to make your own walking stick.

How to keep pots clean

How do you keep pots from your mess kit from turning black when using them over a fire?
– Seared Sandi in Hamburg, N.Y.

A: Don’t cook over a fire! Just kidding — sort of. Actually, cooking over a camp stove is the best way to avoid blackened pots. Plus it’s more efficient and better for the environment. That said, we asked Mike Glavin of GSI Outdoors Inc., which makes some of the best camp pots, for tips on keeping your pots clean when cooking over campfires: “Rub bar soap on the pots before use, and try to keep your pots on a coal-bed, away from open flames. They will still get sooty, but the soap helps keep the soot from sticking — allowing for easier cleanup.

Finding a sturdy digital camera

I have been saving up for a digital camera that I can bring on camp-outs. I have been looking for a while but am not sure what to buy and what I will really need. If I were to buy a camera it would need to be capable of going underwater and capable of falling and taking a beating. I am looking forward to doing more advanced things in Scouts but want to be able to show my family and friends. I have been struggling with this for a while and came to you since I know you will point me in the right direction.
—Sean the Shutterbug, Madison, NJ

A: Hey Sean. First off, you’re not alone: There are so many cool new digital cameras on the market these days it can be overwhelming indeed.

So before you buy, start by taking a look at our Guy Gear buyers guide here.

From what you told me in your email—especially the bit about needing a camera that’s capable of going underwater—you’ve really narrowed down your choices.

A good option is the new Pentax Optio W30 ($300; 1-800-877-0155 or www.h20camera.com). It has a 7.1-megapixel resolution, lots of cool automatic photo modes, and it’ll handle a dunking down to a depth of 10 feet. It’s also small enough to tuck in your pocket while hiking, and sturdy enough to handle a beating—especially when you protect it with the optional slip-on rubber cover.

If $300 is out of your budget, check out the Optio W20—it’s basically the same camera, just an older model. One of my buddies is a professional photographer and it’s the camera he uses when he doesn’t want to lug around all of his camera gear. You can find it at sites like Amazon.com for about $240.

Purifying drinking water

How should I purify my drinking water when I’m on a backpacking trip? What’s the easiest and cheapest way?
–Thirsty Tom, Dallas, Tex.

A: What’s up, Tom? You mean you don’t dig slurping down protozoans and cryptosporidium? We don’t blame you. Those are just fancy names for nasty critters that can grow in water and make you very sick.

Luckily clean water isn’t too tough to ensure.

Your best bet for short day hikes is to simply bring your drinking water from home.

For longer trips, there are a few basic ways to make sure your drinking water is always good to go. Boiling water over a stove or campfire is a simple solution. Once it comes to a roiling boil (when ½-inch bubbles are rising from the bottom of the pot) then it’s clean. Good for cooking, but it takes a while and if you plan on drinking it you’ll have to wait until it cools down.

Another good option is filtering your water with a handheld portable filter. Most require you to pump the water slowly through a series of screens and filters that remove dangerous bacteria and viruses. Basically, dirty water goes in, clean water comes out—ready to drink. These filters can be expensive (from $50 to $150) but they are reliable and simple to use.

Finally, there’s chemical treatment. Listen up, Tom, because this is probably the easiest and cheapest route to safe drinking water. Just pop a tablet or two (like Potable Aqua, $6.50 for 50; or Katadyn MicroPur, 20 tabs for $9) into your jug of water and within about 20 minutes it’ll have killed all the nasty gunk and be ready to drink. Some people complain these tablets leave a bitter taste in the water but that’s nothing a little sports drink mix can’t disguise.

Want to learn more about water purification? Check out the BSA Fieldbook, pages 124-125.

Smelly hiking boots

My hiking boots smell terrible. Is there anything I can do to take care of that?
- Smelly Steve, Knoxville, Tenn.

A. Try taking a shower, Steve. No, seriously, keeping your feet clean is key. And wear only socks made of a wool and polyester blend that will wick moisture away from your feet. Powders like cornstarch and baking soda can also help keep your feet dry and less sweaty.

As for your boots, we asked Peter Sachs of LOWA Boots for some advice. Here’s what he had to say:

“Most hiking boots have removable insoles. Take those out and wash them with a mild detergent, but rinse them really well so you don’t get suds the next time you hike in the rain. Let them air dry. It’s also O.K. to fill your shoes with water and rinse them out. This will actually enhance the boot’s life by getting rid of the salts from your body’s sweat. To dry them out, stick newspaper inside. That’ll help pull moisture from the lining. Finally, borrow some dryer sheets from your mom and stuff those inside your boots overnight.”

Fix slow skateboard wheels

The wheels on my skateboard aren’t spinning well anymore. Is there anything I can do to fix them or do I have to buy new wheels?
Slow Joe, Tampa, Fla.

We feel your pain, Slow. We have the same problem, so we asked our friend Andy Macdonald, eight-time world champion skateboarder, for the lowdown on your slow down:

“New wheels are not going to help in the least if your wheels aren’t spinning. Chances are you just have to clean and lubricate your bearings. Remove your wheel and pop out the bearings with the edge of your axle. Bones Bearings pretty much set the standard in the skateboarding world as far as bearings go. They recommend picking up a Bones Bearings Cleaner Unit at your local skate shop ($15), but a clean plastic yogurt cup and a few cotton swabs will work, too.

“You’ll need to remove the bearing shields if your bearings have them. Just poke them out with a paper clip. Then soak your bearings in acetone, nail-polish remover or rubbing alcohol. Spin them dry and make sure all the dust and dirt are out. Now you’ve removed all the dirt as well as all the lubricant from your bearings. It’s important to use a silicone-based lubricant. WD40 or others like it will dry out your bearings and attract dust and dirt. You can pick up a bottle of Bones Speed Cream at the skate shop, or try some Prolong from the auto parts store. It doesn’t take much, and the excess will just spin out when you replace your shields, pop your bearings back in your wheels and start shredding. Skate safe and enjoy your new-found speed.”