Part One: Binoculars
I may be a simple Hillbilly from Appalachia but it seems to me you can get 90% of the result with 10% of the cost – if you use your noodle... especially when it comes to weaponry and gear.
Binoculars, I like a medium sized pair that will give me a good field of view and not reflect light (or a little as possible).
These are Nikon 8x40 – very robust and have lasted 3 years without any problems.
http://www.opticsplanet.net/nikon-8x40-action-extreme-binoculars-7238.html
http://www.chuckhawks.com/binocular_basics.htm
Note: I take off my lower (Objective) lens caps but leave on the upper (Pupil) lens caps – which seem to gather dirt, gunk, and water.
Part 2: Knives – Mr. Pointy to you.
I have had dozens of knives – since I usually pay between $50 and $100 for knives I have never been let down... truly a wise man who said “Only the rich can afford to buy cheap stuff.” I cannot afford to keep buying stuff so I have finally found all the edged goodness that I will need.
I have very large hands – though I stand only 5'-10” at 220# with an honest 34” waist I have been blessed with great huge bones – edged weapons that fit me are rare... I would look until I found something that would suit me and then give it to my latest 1st Class Scout after I found the next thing that would work better for me... now I am having to buy knives for my Scouts for I am keeping what I have.
What I have... My Helle Lapplander – Available from Dryad Bows out of Texas. This knife fits my hand – it was meant for me... and I use it 90% of the time in the field – I would use it as a combat knife to as did the Finns in WWII... can't argue with a 40 to 1 kill ratio.
http://www.dryadbows.com/helleknives/KNIVES/images/Knives_large/70_Lappland.jpg
Cold Steel Vietnam Tomahawk – with the silly stock handle replaced with an old sledgehammer handle - hickory... pinned in place with two (2) wedges and soaked in linseed oil for about two weeks... 20” handle works better for me – especially since I am not foolish enough to throw away a weapon that is useful. The stock (13”) handle is way too short IMNSHO...
http://www.coldsteel.com/vito.html
I am a fan of the weapon-not-seen is the best one to use. So my fighting knives tend to be folders... I gifted (to my last Eagle Scout) my Gerber Mark II after I got my Ti-lite 6” folder.
It easily fits into my jeans pocket.
http://www.coldsteel.com/tilite.html
CRKT M-16 is a nice small utility knife... that opens like a charm and has a double locking mechanism... this is in the nature of sgian duhb and very useful... see “Quigley Down Under” for how this works.
http://www.crkt.com/M16-01-EDC-ZytelHandle-AutoLAWKS-Razor-Sharp-Edge
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sgian_dubh
I also have two multi-tools and a Swiss army pocket knife (note: mine has a locking blade and a locking screwdriver... how cool is that). One of these tools is in either the pocket of my Flight Jacket, or my pants pocket.
http://www.gerber-tools.com/
http://www.multitool.org/miscellaneous-tools/large-tools/schrade-st1.html
http://www.swissarmy.com/MultiTools/Pages/Product.aspx?category=lockblades&product=54865&
One last little Item at top right of below pic is a 25 year old Remington hunting knife – and it has served me well – with this full plate I am set for edged weapons.
Note: the little took kit just by my Helle's sheath... magnesium block, hot spark, whetstone, P38, and sundries.
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