Essential minimalists gear check list for jungle trail tours

[bill]

Making a pillow out of your gear is ok and kind of works, i've found that this pillow x inflatable pillow really works well



30 bucks and helps give me a great night's sleep, compresses down to the size of a matchbox


Mountain Laurel Designs

Phil, Thx for the pillow idea.
The specs on Amazon have its packed size at 3" x 1.25"
Should work well in the hammock with a Krama wrapped around it.

 

[KTMphil]

Bill - I think you won't believe how well this thing works, very clever design, i never camp without it now.

Phil, Thx for the pillow idea.
The specs on Amazon have its packed size at 3" x 1.25"
Should work well in the hammock with a Krama wrapped around it.

 

[KTMphil]

There's some revolutionary water purification methods coming using a non pressure purification system called Aquaporin. It's basically the same method that your kidneys use filter 180 liters of circulated fluids every day, similar to reverse osmosis but no pressure.


A Danish company called Aquaporin ( Aquaporin - Home ) is at the forefront of the project


Aquaporin is dedicated to revolutionising water purification by means of industrial biotech techniques and thinking. The use of biotechnological principles in a technological context is a novel upcoming field with large commercial perspectives.

The main strategy is to develop the Aquaporin Inside™ technology capable of separating and purifying water from all other compounds. Primary market focus includes industrial water treatment, treatment of difficult waste water streams and other niche segments where the Aquaporin Inside™ technology closes a technological gap in today's water treatment.




[video=youtube_share;dpBTK_6CthQ]http://youtu.be/dpBTK_6CthQ[/video]




This could revolutionize the way we filter water out in the jungle.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquaporin

 

[bigntall]

Just checked out Phils new tarp set-up. The company Mountain Laurel Designs put's out some top notch kit. Phil had me pissing my pants laughing when he was talking about minimizing his camping kit by 5 oz. here and there whilst traveling on 450 LB. before fuel and oil, 950cc touring bike:.

When handling his Cuben Fiber tarp the upside of the material is that it feels and seems able to handle an absolute thrashing. Very stout and not fragile at all. Of course for the price it should also cook yer dinner. One thing not mentioned is the pack-ability, Cuben Fiber seems not have the trim pack-ability of traditional silicone impregnated nylon (Sil-nylon) that most tarps are comprised. Just handling it the Cuben Fiber seemed it takes up more packing space due to it not easily crumpling the way Sil-Nylond does, but that was just from my one time handling of it. Phil do you have a similar size Sil-nylon tarp to compare the pack-ability? It also crackles and crumples audibly when handling it more-so than Sil Nylon.

I looked at Tarps when looking for a jungle sleep system but hated the idea of two things. 1) Intense monsoon rains. I've had two nights out in my hammock where the water is literally two inches deep along the floor of the jungle and this concerned me a bit with the tarp shelters. Whereas i simply had to retrieve my flip flops that had floated a meter away in the morning from the monsoon rains exiting my hammock I feared what it would be like in a tarp shelter in those conditions. In Phils pic where he was camped next to the river all the water would run down the hillside right under his tarp. Then again for 8 months of the year it would not be an issue. 2) the other thing is packing a pole. Phil how long was that pole?

Do you also have a mosquito net to outfit the tarp as I did not see it in the pic. The set-up time seemed nice and quick, that means a lot at the end of day when knackered.

I also sleep in a Bivy sack at times. Mines a Bibler made out of breathable/waterpoof membrane. It's bomber as is their tents before the owner Todd Bibler sold the company. In comparison Phils Mountain Laurel Designs bivy seems to be made out of tissue paper. Very thin and packs incredibly small, probably half the size of my Bibler. I'll be curious how it holds up after a month of sleeping in it. One thing for people to keep in mind if using a Bivy sack over here in the tropics....make sure its made from a breathable material. If spending the night with a vapor barrier, non breathable material chances are you'll sweat buckets even if it's cool out. I watched BigFella cook himself like a steamed fish inside his non breathable bivy in Cambodia.

 

[KTMphil]

talking about minimizing his camping kit by 5 oz

Setup designed for trail riding to keep the bike light, as I said this was just a test.

the other thing is packing a pole. Phil how long was that pole?

Carbon Pole 3 sections, each about 40cm's

do you have a similar size Sil-nylon tarp to compare the pack-ability?

Nylon would be smaller but a never have been volume-ectrically challenged in the Giant Loop Coyote bag, not an issue at all. Strong and super light in cuben fiber (buy expensive and cry only once).

I'll be curious how it holds up after a month of sleeping in it

Seems usual ML Designs high quality, we shall see - they seem to know a thing or two about synthetic fabrics! http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com/fabric.php


The Bivy fabric:

MLD 10d X 10d
MLD Endurance 10d X 10d 3xDWR Ripstop .74oz/sq/yd We looked at dozens and dozens of sub .74oz /sq/yd smaller thread (d =denier) and lighter weaves like 5d, 7d and 8d's, etc. We tried every one available from all the current sources worldwide. We found all of them to have significant drawbacks - mainly in tear strength, stitch hole elongation after only a few washings and DWR coatings. Commonsense tells you that at some point using less and less of the same type nylon in the total weave (total lower weight per sq/yd) and you drop below a certain strength and at that thinness of fabric the application of a high quality 3XDWR is currently too difficult for any plant to produce



We will only use the very best what ever the price of raw good because that adds cost effective long term value in the field.



I carry a Grand Trunk Nano 7 hammock as backup ( http://store.grandtrunkgoods.com/catalog/product/view/id/12/s/nano-7/category/4/ ) . It compresses to the size of a tennis ball and weighs only 200 grams, so I have both options, but highly prefer the tarp camping. It's all about making it an enjoyable experience for you .







If all you have is a hammock, then your constantly looking for trees or a hut to try an avoid a horrendous night in the Bivy Bag

Do you also have a mosquito net to outfit the tarp as I did not see it in the pic. The set-up time seemed nice and quick, that means a lot at the end of day when knackered.

You could rig the whole thing in 30 seconds. 3 " bug net skirt all around did not need additional bug net inside worked superbly.

.

 

[Forest]

And true the ground could be wet.check this out.

The Ultimate Hang | Hammock camping tips, reviews, and illustrations

 

[KTMphil]

And true the ground could be wet.check this out.

The Ultimate Hang | Hammock camping tips, reviews, and illustrations

Or no trees

 

[LivinLOS]

Or no trees

What kind of jungle are you riding in ??

 

[LivinLOS]

I carry a Grand Trunk Nano 7 hammock as backup ( Nano-7 ) . It compresses to the size of a tennis ball and weighs only 200 grams, so I have both options, but highly prefer the tarp camping. It's all about making it an enjoyable experience for you .

I have a favorite hammock, but has no rain or bug protection.. Adding a tarp with a bug bag or some form of mossie netting would be my ideal.

A little convoluted but but along these lines.

http://theultimatehang.com/2014/04/diy-lightweight-tube-bug-net/

 

[KTMphil]

What kind of jungle are you riding in ??

Test 2 banana trees next time you're remote, you need something with stronger roots. You pull them over when you get in the hammock.

 

[bigntall]

Questions in red.

Setup designed for trail riding to keep the bike light, as I said this was just a test.



Yes I know what you wrote, still had me laughing at the irony.


Carbon Pole 3 sections, each about 40cm's


Great, that's not too long. Do these fit along the vertical sides of the Coyote with no issues or do you carry them somewhere else?



Nylon would be smaller but a never have been volume-ectrically challenged in the Giant Loop Coyote bag, not an issue at all. Strong and super light in cuben fiber (buy expensive and cry only once).

I have a 11' X 8' Sil-Nylon tarp I use for my hammock. What were the dimensions of the MLD tarp? If they're close maybe do a comparison when I'm back.






Seems usual ML Designs high quality, we shall see - they seem to know a thing or two about synthetic fabrics! Mountain Laurel Designs - Fabric Mojo, Catenary Cut Tarps, lightweight backpacking, ultralite

Never doubted their knowledge, they're a very reputable company. They cater to ultra light weight hikers whom count every gram. Their customers are willing to tradeoff some long term durability for lightness. On the bikes i want as light as possible but with confidence that I don't have to handle the fabric like a wet tissue. I was well impressed with the stoutness of the Cuben Fiber, a bit more concerned with the Bivy sack material, not over the short term, but over time.

The Bivy fabric:

MLD 10d X 10d
MLD Endurance 10d X 10d 3xDWR Ripstop .74oz/sq/yd We looked at dozens and dozens of sub .74oz /sq/yd smaller thread (d =denier) and lighter weaves like 5d, 7d and 8d's, etc. We tried every one available from all the current sources worldwide. We found all of them to have significant drawbacks - mainly in tear strength, stitch hole elongation after only a few washings and DWR coatings. Commonsense tells you that at some point using less and less of the same type nylon in the total weave (total lower weight per sq/yd) and you drop below a certain strength and at that thinness of fabric the application of a high quality 3XDWR is currently too difficult for any plant to produce



We will only use the very best what ever the price of raw good because that adds cost effective long term value in the field.



I carry a Grand Trunk Nano 7 hammock as backup ( Nano-7 ) . It compresses to the size of a tennis ball and weighs only 200 grams, so I have both options, but highly prefer the tarp camping. It's all about making it an enjoyable experience for you .


Gotcha, though hope the mosquitoes don't get to you too bad with no mozzie net.


View attachment 28698



If all you have is a hammock, then your constantly looking for trees or a hut to try an avoid a horrendous night in the Bivy Bag



Phil you're kidding right? I've yet to find a place here where there are no tree's for my hammock in Thailand, Lao and Cambodia. Also what's with the comment: "Horrendous night in the Bivy"???? Were you not in your preferred Bivy on the ground in this test? Unless I'm misunderstanding I thought you preferred the Bivy to the hammock?






You could rig the whole thing in 30 seconds. 3 " bug net skirt all around did not need additional bug net inside worked superbly.

Whoops missed the bug net skirt. Good stuff. How about where you have overlapped the "doors", is it a fixed closure or just the tarp overlapped? Is that a bug net sealing the "doors"?

.

 

[KTMphil]

Yes I know what you wrote, still had me laughing at the irony.

Cut the handle off the toothbrush as well to increase the paradox

Great, that's not too long. Do these fit along the vertical sides of the Coyote with no issues or do you carry them somewhere else?

Will strap on the top of the Coyote easy.




This trip had the Wolfman saddlebags, just wrapped them under the top roll enclosure

I have a 11' X 8' Sil-Nylon tarp I use for my hammock. What were the dimensions of the MLD tarp?If they're close maybe do a comparison when I'm back.

8' 8" Long
3' 6" Wide
48-52" Tall varies with pitch height.

Never doubted their knowledge, they're a very reputable company. They cater to ultra light weight hikers whom count every gram. Their customers are willing to tradeoff some long term durability for lightness. On the bikes i want as light as possible but with confidence that I don't have to handle the fabric like a wet tissue.I was well impressed with the stoutness of the Cuben Fiber, a bit more concerned with the Bivy sack material, not over the short term, but over time.

I'm sure they were also concerned about the bivy sack material and tested many fabrics (they are probably the best in the world in this specialized situation)

Gotcha, though hope the mosquitoes don't get to you too bad with no mozzie net.

Had one with me didn't even come close to thinking about rigging it

Phil you're kidding right? I've yet to find a place here where there are no tree's for my hammock in Thailand, Lao and Cambodia.Also what's with the comment: "Horrendous night in the Bivy"???? Were you not in your preferred Bivy on the ground in this test?Unless I'm misunderstanding I thought you preferred the Bivy to the hammock?

Justin, you're kidding arn't you? (you need get off that computer and get out there more!)


I've had this situation several times so I don't think your argument here holds merit

More on that trip in the link below:


http://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-...ietnam-through-phongsali-border-finger-2.html






Obviously not explaining the bivy very well, will try again.



- Bivy for emergency unexpected camping

- Tried the bivy as a sleeping bag as it fold up to the size of a cigarette packet and breathes, was a huge success

Whoops missed the bug net skirt. Good stuff. How about where you have overlapped the "doors", is it a fixed closure or just the tarp overlapped? Is that a bug net sealing the "doors"?

No problem, easy to miss things. Door is a zip with flap closure over the zip with a center press stud, all works very well.




Hopefully covered everything

 

[KTMphil]

Cooking


At the end of a long, hot day, nothing beats warm food. Here where its hot, some kind of soup with noodles even Mama noodles from a plastic pot hits the spot.
That means, if away from a village you're going to need to make some hot water. If you're lucky with some dried grass and some dry sticks you can make a fire, if you're unlucky you're going to need your own fuel to make a fire. Alcohol is easy to buy anywhere, one of the best small alcohol stoves is the Swedish Army version shown below (you can make your own out of a coke can).

I'm not a huge fan of carrying unnecessary liquids off-road, so have been experimenting with solid alcohol fuel cubes, the same kind they put under your fish soup at a restaurant table in Thailand to keep the soup hot.



You can buy a big bag of them in Tesco Lotus, so easy to find







Using a titanium cooking pot that takes a cup and a half of water, more than enough for the Mama Noodles









I used 2 alcohol cubes, it took about 4 minutes for steam, which would be hot enough to mix with the noodles

 

[The Bigfella]

I don't carry cooking gear in Asia, but in Oz, I use the Jetboil system. Its incredibly fast, with the fluxhead... very little gas used. Its light too... and it all packs inside the cup. Canister (non)availability in Timor-Leste stopped me bringing it over when I rode up from Oz.

I see they are available here. Touratech Thailand. Priced at about triple what I paid. Figures.

 

[KTMphil]

That jetboil is highly rated and highly efficient. The headache of finding the gas cartridges in Asia put me off.




Tool kit ideas below for Steve with the new Husky 501



http://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-...inimalist-tool-kit-extended-trail-riding.html





.

 

[The Bigfella]

Yeah... I see that Touratech sell them without the cartridge. I'd want to be damn sure that the Primus cartridges they do sell are the same dimensions, as that is the beauty of it... it all slots inside the cup. Serious pricing for the unit from them though. I'd bring one in if I could source cartridges that I could be sure would fit. Gas usage is really minimal. I used one cartridge on multiple camping trips.

 

[lakota]

The Fuel cubes are a great Idea. easy to carry a few for emergency use.

 

[bigntall]

Justin, you're kidding arn't you? (you need get off that computer and get out there more!)


I've had this situation several times so I don't think your argument here holds merit

There is no one right answer for sleeping in the jungle and whatever works for each person is fine.
The above pic shows in my eyes why the hammock wins out for me. Worse case scenario you can always use it as a bivy shelter to sleep in as phil did above. However as stated before I've never, ever found a place I could not hang over here. Walk about a bit and there are tree's. The jungle above and below Phil's bike is steep and dense with typical undergrowth however there will be tree's inside that undergrowth, maybe not right next to the bike but usually fairly close. The undergrowth blocks visibility so you need to bash about to find them but they are there. I've hung from 2" diameter tree's so you need not 12" diameter tree's with which to hang your hammock. Again not the perfect location at all for having a night out but entirely possible. The good thing with a hammock is that you can hang on a steep incline (like above and below the bike in Phil's pic), something sleeping on the ground cannot accomplish. Whats more I'd never recommend sleeping during rainy season on a trail where Phil is located on the ground. One decent rain has all the water of the hill side washing down onto the trail and turning it into a raging river. You can see just with a mild rain the trail has turned it sloppy and wet, not a fun place to spend the night.

Phil referenced banana tree's as not being good for hanging. Phil is correct in their root base is shallow and not ideal for hanging. The only place I've seen dense banana tree's and nothing else is on a banana plantation, not in the natural jungle canopy. As seen in Phil s pic there are tree's to hang on the other side of the trail. In other words I would not avoid hammocks for fear of only having banana tree's to hang from.


Phil the fuel cubes look interesting. Good find.

 

[crs]

Just did a quick search of the tread for 'machete' - didn't see it mentioned - maybe I missed it... For pitching prep' in this kind of environment - and for lots of other stuff - they can come in rather handy. Maybe not minimalist but I'd say pretty essential.

 

[lakota]

CRS is right of course about the machete. but finding one here where the handle is permanently attached isn't easy.
would be interesting to see what you Guys carry, I noticed bsacbob's machete seems to have done a lot of hardwork recently and cut's almost like a Chainsaw :?

 

[crs]

CRS is right of course about the machete. but finding one here where the handle is permanently attached isn't easy.
would be interesting to see what you Guys carry, I noticed bsacbob's machete seems to have done a lot of hardwork recently and cut's almost like a Chainsaw :?

You mean the tang is short and fixed poorly to the handle?

Could try find a knife stall and have a route around to see if you can get a blade with a good length tang that can be fitted securely. The small one I used the other day didn't fall to bits - will go inspect...

 

[KTMphil]

Just did a quick search of the tread for 'machete' - didn't see it mentioned - maybe I missed it... For pitching prep' in this kind of environment - and for lots of other stuff - they can come in rather handy. Maybe not minimalist but I'd say pretty essential.

Something on the tool kit thread:



http://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-...imalist-tool-kit-extended-trail-riding-2.html


German made light weight hacksaw with its length modified to accept 12" bow saw wood cutting blades, great for cutting bamboo or big logs.

& this from a few pages back




Pocket Chainsaw



Pocket Chainsaw

 

[bsacbob]

This is the one i used on my trip nothing special but wish I had brought one with a blunt end and heavier blade


Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

 

[bigntall]

CRS - For cutting stuff I packed the Sven saw.

It packs into a Coyote Giantloop bag with no problem. Though in my kriega bags it would not fit. It cuts through tree limbs, branches and logs pretty well. the one downside is that it does not hack through thick finger thick growth at all. I put a bit of inner tube on the end to stop the end chaffing against the inside of the luggage.

I would like to find a small machete that fits into the bags as I see the locals chop through thick and thin with them with no issues.

Edit: I hated using the hand held chain saw links. They just did not work well for me at all.

 

[lakota]

Living out in the Sticks I use a machete almost daily around the garden. I have a few. of course it's different on a Jungle trip. These things are bloody lethal though. A curved end would make it a bit safer and safer for your Kit. and you need a good handle that won't slip when it's wet and muddy. cut yourself badly in a remote place with one of these and your ..... buggered

A small Kukri would be Ideal I think

 

[crs]

Saws are good for hard, bigger wood but not for banana, etc. vegetation, smaller stuff...



EDIT: ha - same as Bob's.

Just a small, cheap one from somewhere with the tang welded inside a bit of metal pipe and an OK wooden grip round that. Don't know how long the tang is or how well it's welded in but would guess it's quite difficult to bust on this length blade. (I wouldn't want to use one with no grip - sweaty hands on metal = nasty.)

From the machete's I've seen here, it's the bigger ones with the narrow, short tangs that can easily fly out / work loose when you use them if not fixed well - like how they often come when you first buy them. For these, you want to check tangs and find one with something decent before fixing to handle and buying.



This is another I brought over from the UK. 3/4 full tang but stainless, double bevelled blade - so shit to sharpen by hand. Will have cost far more from some 'outdoors' shop but I'd rather use/have the smaller one above...

 

[KTMphil]

This chap west of Khun Yuam cut through this hard tree in about 30 seconds. Always interesting to see what the hill tribe people choose as they work with these every day, all of them in this region had square, wide ends to the blade

 

[crs]

This is the one i used on my trip nothing special but wish I had brought one with a blunt end and heavier blade

Yeh, blade length, weight means not much good on big stuff - but a big machete isn't easy to carry. I carry this blade every time i ride in the back of my water pack bag thingy.

 

[crs]

This chap west of Khun Yuam cut through this hard tree in about 30 seconds. Always interesting to see what the hill tribe people choose as they work with these every day, all of them in this region had square, wide ends to the blade

Yeh - Thai machete. Weight at end for better swing/cut and OK tang/handle. Guess not so good for veg and small branches though. Different blades better for dif jobs.

 

[lakota]

looks like a good compromise Chris. yours I mean

 

[crs]

You get them guys taking chainsaws out on bikes with them with special bike fixings...



I like a bit of chainsawing - would be good for clearing tracks after storms... I don't imagine it helps the handling though.

 

[bigntall]

View attachment 28722

This is another I brought over from the UK. 3/4 full tang but stainless, double bevelled blade - so shit to sharpen by hand. Will have cost far more from some 'outdoors' shop but I'd rather use/have the smaller one above...

This one looks a great size that you could fit into a camlebak or such with the tang poking out a bit. Chris what the length from Tang end to blade end? The blunt end also makes it easier for packing.

Lokata brings up a great point. Most of us don't use these on a regular basis and having naive hands swinging these around, deflecting and whacking into your leg or arm in the middle of nowhere could led to an eventful afternoon.

 

[lakota]

The one chris has looks like a British Army Issue martindale . it just bounces off stuff.
The Kukri (Gurkha) type knife is awesome. It cut's through Bamboo, Banana, wood etc.. like Butter. you can see the thickness of it. It's amazing really, more than the sum of it's parts

 

[bigntall]

Lakota - I'm not a blade man at all, what is the benefit of the bowed blade of the Kukri? It looks a bit more awkward from a novices perspective to strike the sweet spot on the blade when chopping a log. What are the differences in the handling of a straight blade versus curved blade of the Kukri?

 

[crs]

This one looks a great size that you could fit into a camlebak or such with the tang poking out a bit. Chris what the length from Tang end to blade end? The blunt end also makes it easier for packing.

Lokata brings up a great point. Most of us don't use these on a regular basis and having naive hands swinging these around, deflecting and whacking into your leg or arm in the middle of nowhere could led to an eventful afternoon.

About 15" tang to tip - 16" from handle. Like i say though, I prefer the smaller one I have - it came with a sheath so no worries about the tip. The blade on this one is thicker and more end weighted so you can get a better swing, but heavier to carry and, like i said, stainless double bevelled so crap to sharpen yourself. And, although it looks good quality, the rivets holding the tang have already worked loose in the wood handle. Sometimes (often?) the pro looking stuff at the outdoors/survival shop isn't a patch on the far cheaper stuff used locally.



Yeh - you do have to be careful with using any blade - even just regarding flying shards and splinters after hits - never mind hitting yourself. But, a bowsaw, hacksaw, pocket knife, whatever can be dangerous if not used properly. It's never clever carrying kit with no idea how to use it...

Not that I'm an expert or anything - I sure can't use a machete like most locals here in the hills can - but I do have some idea. And, if you are going 'off-track' in this kind of environment, you really need some kit with you - and some of that kit - like the surroundings - can give you problems. That said, anyone just grabbing a big machete to use cos 'bigger is better' is asking for it. Using bigger blades means an exponential skill increase is required. Same with chainsaws, most similar things I guess. Know your skill/knowledge limits - don't push your luck.

 

[lakota]

It just feels right Bigntall. it has several sweet spots depending on what your cutting. I'm no expert. It just has the right feel. there's no doubt. wouldn't like to meet a Ghurka who's drawn his knife :? . it's relatively expensive but didn't someone recently say 'Buy expensive, suffer once' or something like it. maybe the Queen !?

just hold on while I collect a few more knifes

 

[The Bigfella]

I carried this one on the Super Enduro



made for me by the guys at Nu Pho refugee camp - kept the blade in greased plastic - stored under the seat.

No such easy storage solution with the 525.... so I carry a plastic handled two-piece saw

 

[crs]

The one chris has looks like a British Army Issue martindale . it just bounces off stuff.
The Kukri (Gurkha) type knife is awesome. It cut's through Bamboo, Banana, wood etc.. like Butter. you can see the thickness of it. It's amazing really, more than the sum of it's parts

Yep. Crap. Like trying to use a swiss army knife for whittling or sumat. People think they're good quality but they're shit.

Top for chopping big, solid/hard wood - middle for getting through smaller/lighter stuff. That's how I'd grab 'em... Is that how you'd use them, Mark?

The curve 'grabs' what you're cutting and keeps it in the cut/slash for longer is how I'd try to describe use of a curved blade. Different angle of cut... Better on lighter, less dense, hollow stuff that deflects/deflects the blade.

A lot of how well things work is how they are used though. Since being in Thailand I've seen a few local country girls cut through stuff far more efficiently and with less muscle power then I can. Sure most of them can - technique, innit!

 

[bigntall]

Ok that's it then. No more carrying shit. I'm simply bringing a country gal on the rides. She'll even be able to muscle the bike through the mud and bush better than me, haha. can handle making a shelter (no hammocks or tents needed), cooking and food gathering (no bringing stoves or food), clearing trail (no knives or machetes), keeping me warm (so need sleeping bag or quilt). Best 40 kilo package ever I reckon.

 

[crs]

Something on the tool kit thread:
Pocket Chainsaw

Those pocket chainsaws seemed like a good idea to carry for dealing with bigger wood - so googled. Thing is, due to their length, you couldn't really cut anything big unless there's 2 of you - one at each end. Shame - but then, even if you could get longer ones, if you're trying to cut though something big, it might require a lot of muscle to work it.

I carry one of these - think I tried one out a long time ago and seem to remember they work a bit but you aren't going to get many uses out of one.