Griffith Knives

I want to know the laws reguarding pocket knives. I’ve heard if it’s smaller then your hand your fine or if it’s over 7 inches then it can’t be conceled or hiden, or if it’s bigger then your hand it has to have a clip on it. I’m not sure but I need to know, if it helps I’m in California. Thanks.

Cal law 16000 addresses knives and many of them from belt etc. A folding knife, as long as it cannot become a fixed blade knife(having a lock in mechanism when opened seems to be legal to carry as long as it is only a 4" blade? Presumably a 4" blade would carry a 4" housing to be folded into.
But section 16000 is a start and from there 171.00, 17290, etc

To go camping with a really light pack seems kind of hard or dangerous in the case that a crucial item is forgot. I think this may just seem true and that camping doesn’t require a lot to get by and so I wanna know what exactly I NEED to bring to go camping for a 2-7 days in the Eastern U.S., not including the south because of swamps.

Here’s what you NEED:

Map, compass, headlamp or flashlight, sunglasses, first aid kit, knife, matches, fire starter, water treatment (purification tablets are light)

Tent or tarp, sleeping bag, sleeping pad (cold ground sucks body heat)

Warm clothing such as a fleece sweater, hat, gloves, 1 extra pair socks, 1 extra pair underwear

Rain protection: an umbrella or rain jacket, also a rain cover for your pack

Food (you can leave the stove/fuel at home if you don’t mind cold food): energy bars, chips, tortillas, peanut butter, bagels, trail mix, granola, powdered milk, water

Misc.: sunblock, insect repellent, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, tissues, dental floss, water bottle (a 2-liter soda bottle is very light)

I think that’s a basic list. You may want to add other things like a camera, gps device, journal, or mp3 player.

Good luck!

Ok here’s the scoop…
I want to get into hiking and camping with my wife. I currently have no gear. What should I buy? I have about $800 to work with. I am planning on camping through 3 seasons, spring, summer, and fall (a little in the winter perhaps). I am going to need a two person tent, his and hers sleeping bags, and his and hers backpacks. I am looking for gear that would take me on 2-4 day hikes. Should go with internal or external backpacks. What’s the difference? Is there a good rain resistant tent within my price range? I’m thinking I would want a mummy type sleeping bag. Again, not sure though. Brand names with reasons for purchasing would be much appreciated. Thanks.

Go to www.cabelas.com and browse around, or better yet request a catalog. It’s the best outdoors outfitter I’ve ever used. First off, since you’re talking about backpacking, you need to think lightweight. Interior/Exterior just has to do with whether the frame is inside or outside the "pack" on a backpack. To decide on which type is better fo you, go to a good sporting goods store in your area and look at them/try them on. Sleeping backs should definately be the "mummy" style bags. They are around $100 each, but are very lightweight and can handle moderately cold weather (sleeping bags will have a rating in degrees to how cold it can get and you can still rely on the sleeping bag). They can also be compacted better than classic sleeping bags. Any brand in Cabela’s would be a good brand, including its own brand. Also buy you and your wife sleeping pads… they are light, compact, and your back is worth it. I like the self-inflating type, but you can also get foam ones. Again any brand in Cabela’s (this goes for all their products) is usually a good brand.

Tents are usually rated by seasons they can be used in (summer, 3-season, or all weather are popular ratings). Definately go for a dome-style tent rather than the boxier tents. Dome style tents are usually more sturdy, deflect water better, and are usually lighter. Also you’ll want one with a good rain cover that goes close to the base of the tent, and a high waterproof rating (in mms)… 1,500mm waterproof ratings are pretty good. Also, pay attention to weight. Aluminum weighs less than fiberglass, but costs more also. A two person tent probably weighs around 15 lbs, and you and your wife can split this weight (she takes tent, you poles) or you can pack it yourself, but weight is the largest factor (besides neccesities) when hiking.

Alright, now that we have the major equipment out of the way, here are some neccessities.

-First Aid Kit and maps or knowledge of area, or GPs
-Flashlight w/extra batteries and lantern would be nice
-Good all-purpose knife/survival knife
-water purification pump AND purification pills… start out with at least 1/2 gallon of water each
-Waterproof matches AND waterproof lighter (just in case)
-Lightweight stove. Sporting good store can recommend good ones for backpacking.
-Food: lightweight, non-perishables, such as top ramen, energy bars, canned food, chocolate. Fatty foods are good to have in the woods since you will be burning a lot of calaries. They say one of the best things you can eat if your lost is butter. You may burn 3,000 or more calaries a day, so don’t try to go on a diet right then. I recommend some type of powder flavoring for water… it doesn’t always taste great when used with purification pills.
-Dish soap, eating utensils and backpacking pots. They usually come in a nice kit that doesn’t take up much space. Look on Cabela’s or at a sporting goods store.
-TOILET PAPER
-Permits. You usually have to get permits to camp in public parks/Forest Service land. You go to the closest Forestry office to pick these up. These are important if for no other reason than if you don’t come back when your family expects you, they know where to start looking.
-Bear spray
-Clothes that can be layered, gloves, beanies, good hiking boots and tennis shoes if you dont mind the extra weight (for camp).

Recommended Supplies:

-Cell phone or handheld CB at least
-Camera (for obvious reasons)
-Rope(hang your food away from camp so predators dont get into it).
-Insect repellant/sunblock

There’s probably more that I am missing, but those are the most important. The most important thing to do when going camping is to tell at least two responsible people you know where you’re going, and give them a timeframe for coming back. Also I recommend you both take a First Aid Course… they are usually free and something could go wrong quickly (although unlikely) in the forests… snake bite, broken leg, heat stroke, hyperthermia, bear attack, drinking bad water (always purify or boil for five minutes… & retrieve from running water source. If impossible to purify, find area where water is "falling"… it’s usually cleanest there).

I’m not trying to scare you away and you guys will probably have a blast, but definately be prepared.

I am going camping for the first time with some friends and i was wondering what sorts of materials and food we should take? Any tips/advice helps! Thanks in advance

Here is a list of things you might need…
Oh and contrary to what somebody else said, I’d plan on having a campfire. That’s one of the best things about camping. Even if this is your 1st time camping, I’d still do a fire. Bring some old newspapers and lighter fluid to get it going. Old dry pine needles are a great fire starter if they are laying around too.

___ Tent
___ Tarp
___ Tent stakes
___ Sleeping bags/blankets/sheets
___ Pillows
___ Folding chairs
___ Old blanket for laying on ground
___Beach umbrella
___ Flashlights
___ Batteries (For flashlight and radio)
___ Clothes line/Rope ___Clothes pins
___Broom/Dustpan
___Books
___Pens ___Puzzle books ___Cards ___Games ___Frisbee ___Balls ___Radio ___CD’s
___ Camera
___ Cloth bags
___ Lighter fluid (Outside deck)
___ Matches (Packed in garage)
___ Wood unless it’s provided at the campground (Possibly an ax if you have one handy to cut your own wood).

___ Pans/Pots with lids
___ Strainer
___ Pot holders
___ Coolers
___ Water Bottles
___ Plates
___ Bowls
___ Cups
___ Silverware
___ Spatula
___ Tongs
___ Knife
___ Ladel spoon
___ Scissors
___ Can opener
___ Trash bags
___ Gallon size bags
___ Foil

___ Big buckets/Dishpans (2 for doing dishes)
___ Sponge/Scrubber
___ Dish soap

___ Towels___ washcloths ___ dish towels
___ Hand sanitizer
___ Paper towels/napkins
___ Wipes
___Disposable Gloves

___ Bandaids ___Neosporin ___Calamine Lotion
___ Sunscreen ___ Aloe ___Burn Spray
___ Meds ___Tylenol ___Motrin ___Thermometer ___Benadryl

___Bug spray ___Citronella Candles
___Raid

___ Soap ___Shampoo ___ Conditioner
___Shaving Cream ___Razors
___Pads/Tampons if needed
___Toothbrushes ___Tooth Pastes ___Mouthwashes
___Q-tips
___Laundry Detergent?

FOOD: (My son and I are Vegan, my daughters and DH are meat eaters; this is the food list I bring for 4 nights. You can adjust it to meet your needs better. It was just easier for me to copy and paste it from my word document I saved it on…)

___Water Gallons (3-4) ___Water bottles (Large container)
___Flavored waters
___Soda ___Juice boxes ___Crystal Lite packets/Kool-aid
___Ketchup ___Mustard ___3-4 BBQ Sauce ___Salt ___Pepper ___Seasonings
___Mayo ___Fake mayo ___Power-aid ___Sugar (Small)
___ Cereal ___Oatmeal ___Parmalat Milks ___Shelf-Stable Soy Milk
___ Protein bars
___1 box Boca Burgers ___1 pack Smart Dogs ___2 Pack Chicken patties ___1 box Boca Chicken Burgers ___Tuna 1-2 cans
___Burgers ___Hotdogs ___ (Small pack)Chicken
___ 1 Ribs ___ Pork Chops

___Cheese
___Pickles
___ Peanut butter ___Fruit spread ___Margarine
___ Hummus powder
___Bread ___Hotdog rolls ___Burger rolls
___Pretzels ___Crackers ___Fruit snacks ___Corn chips ___Sun Chips
___Popcorn (Jiffy pop in pan)
___Marshmallows
___Chocolate ___Vegan chocolate
___Graham crackers
___Noodles
___ Macaroni ___Spaghetti ___Sauce (1)
___ Cans fruit ___Applesauce ___ Dried fruit ___Watermelon
___Other fruits
___Tea ___Cocoa ___Coffee(Instant-Small)
___Nuts
___ Bagged rice
___ Lettuce ___Tomato ___Cukes with dressing
___Corn on the cob ___Onion
___ Nuts

Clothing: (How much clothing you will need depends on how long you will be camping. You will want at least a couple more outfits then you believe you’ll need. The sweaters are a good idea even if it’s planned to be hot during the day. At night for walks to the bathroom, etc it can be chilly as it can early in the mornings.

We usually go for 4 nights and this is what I bring…
___ Socks, ___ flip flops ___ underwear (8) ___Bras (3-4) ___T-shirts/tanks (5) ___ Shorts (4-5) ___bathing suits (2) ___Pants(2) ___warm pajamas ___ sweaters (2) ___Lotion
___ Lightweight jacket ___ sneakers ___ Pants ___Belt
___ Hair scrunchies/barettes ___Deoderant ___Brush

A few men are going on a camping trip. We’re planning on going to Harriman State Park in New York near New York City.
Besides the obvious: tent, sleeping bag, cooler, bug spray, food, beer; what do you recommend we bring?

Essentials
The first items on my list are what I call "Essentials." It’s possible I might not need one of these items on a particular trip, but if I do (and chances are, I will), I’ll have it. These are important things every camper will probably need sooner or later, including:

•Cash, credit cards, checks
•Required licenses and permits (for camping, hunting, fishing, etc.)
•Waterproof matches and butane lighter
•Multi-tool and/or Swiss army knife
•Toilet paper
•Flashlight, spare batteries and bulb
•Maps and compass or GPS
•Rain gear
•Extra clothing
•Insect repellent
Clothing

•Pants, shorts
•Shirts
•Underclothes
•Shoes/boots
•Socks
•Belt
•Jacket, coat
•Hat, cap, toboggan
•Gloves
•Swimwear
•Nightwear

Toiletries

•Toothbrush, paste
•Soap, shampoo
•Mirror
•Comb, brush
•Deodorant
•Washcloth, towels
Miscellaneous

•Extra prescription glasses/contacts
•Prescription medicines
•Watch, alarm clock
•Sunglasses
•Sunscreen, lip balm
Camping Gear

If you’re staying in a trailer or RV, you may not need to worry about many of the items listed below. But in this article, we’ll assume you’re going to be tent camping. That being the case, some items you may want to bring include:

•Tent, tent fly, poles, stakes and ropes (set up the tent before leaving to be sure everything is there and you know how to put it up)
•Hammer or hatchet (for driving tent stakes; keep it in the tent bag)
•Ground cloth (to go under the tent and keep it clean and dry)
•Sleeping bags
•Ground pads, mattresses and/or cots
•Pillows
•Tarp (has many uses)
•Lantern(s) (including fuel, mantles, funnel, batteries as necessary)
•Folding chairs, stools, tables
•Extension cords (for camps with electric hookups)
•Ice chest
•Beverage/water jugs
•Camping shower
•Ax, hatchet and/or shovel
•Broom
Food

Plan your meals before leaving home, and make a list of all food items you’ll need using your menus as a guide. Some campers like to have elaborate outdoor meals, while others prefer not to cook at all. Either way, here’s a list to help you remember some of what you might need:

•Meats (hamburger, hot dogs, steaks, bacon, sausage, chicken, etc.)
•Dairy products (milk, cheese, etc.)
•Eggs
•Bread, buns, biscuits, crackers
•Vegetables (potatoes, beans, corn, tomatoes, onions, peppers, mushrooms, etc.)
•Condiments (ketchup, mustard, mayo, relish, salad dressings, syrup, BBQ sauce, etc.)
•Drinks (coffee, tea, sodas, Kool-aid, juice, etc.)
•Staples (flour, corn meal, sugar, salt, pepper, herbs, spices, butter, cooking oil, etc.)
•Snack foods, dessert ingredients

Plan your meals before leaving home, and make a list of all food items you’ll need using your menus as a guide.

Cooking, Food Service and Cleanup

The items you’ll need for preparing meals, serving them and cleaning up will once again vary greatly according to your own preferences. Here are some to consider for your list:

•Camp stove, fuel
•Charcoal, lighter fluid
•Firewood
•Grill, cooking grate
•Reflector oven
•Skillet, pots and pans
•Carving/cutting knives
•Spatula, tongs, serving fork and spoon
•Can opener
•Measuring cups and spoons
•Aluminum foil
•Plates, cups, bowls
•Flatware (forks, spoons, knives)
•Scouring pads, detergent
•Zip-loc bags
•Garbage bags
•Paper towels, dish towels
•Oven mitt, pot holder
Emergency Gear

"Plan for the worse and hope for the best." That old saying has merit when you’re camping. Always be prepared just in case something unexpected happens by having on hand a tool kit that includes a hammer, screwdrivers, pliers and wrenches; a repair kit that contains such things as duct tape, wire, nylon twine, superglue and rope; and a first aid kit that includes all or some of the following basic items:

•Band-Aids
•Gauze pads
•Adhesive tape
•Aspirin
•Tweezers
•Needle
•Moleskin
•Single-edge razor blade
•Antacid
•Ace bandage
•Diarrhea medication
•Cold medication
•Laxative
•Bandages
•Sunburn relief
•Thermometer
•Sting kill swabs
•Eye drops
•Scissors
•Cortisone (anti-itch) cream
•Antibiotic cream
•Antihistamine such as Benad

My friend and I want to go camping up north in Michigan by taking out my two quads and just driving around and setting up camp anywhere right off the DNR trails. What kind of food should we bring so it will still be good after two or three days? Also what other supplies might we need to take? Thanks for the help!
Also without breaking the bank, were college kids and don’t have tons to spend.

Its always a fantastic adventure to explore the great outdoors. Since you’re taking quads you can take any foods you want in an ice chest and be ok. Just be sure to safeguard it from the critters.

As for cooking its a matter of personal preferences. If you cook over a fire it takes longer before you’re ready to eat as you will have to let the fire burn down and get some good coals going for your grill. You can literally cook anything over a fire. Just like you use a barbeque grill at home. You can also put pots on the grill and cook just like you would your stove at home. So if you’re wanting to save some money in the beginning, you really don’t have to invest in a stove and stove equipment at this time.
You’ll be much warmer and drier in a sleeping bag with a sleeping pad underneath you than blankets on an air mattress. If you want extra cush or your’e snow camping use two sleeping pads underneath you. Besides your tent, your sleeping bag is the most important piece of camping equipment. If you spend a sleepless night shivering away, your trip is going to be miserable. Check out 3-season-sleeping-bags.com for information on all different types of sleeping bags. Click on any of the pictures to learn more about that particular sleeping bag.
You probably already have a lot of stuff that you can use for camping in your house.

Here’s a short list of camping equipment:

Shelter – Tent, poles, stakes, ground sheet
Sleeping – Sleeping bag, sleeping pad
Essentials – Water bottles, waterproof matches/lighter, map & compass, basic first aid kit, whistle and/or signal mirror, nylon cord-50′, pocket knife, emergency blanket, extra food, extra clothing, sunglasses, sunscreen, water purification, headlamp or flashlight and extra batteries. Keep these items in your day pack when you go hiking or quading and exploring.
Cooking – Cook set, spoon/knife/fork set, biodegradable soap, scrub pad, food
Base camp accessories – Cooler/ice chest, water bag or large jug, dish pan, paper towels, lantern, storage containers for food, Ziploc bags, large spoon, knife, spatula, can opener, small whisk, small grater, hot pad holders, plate/bowl, cup, cutting board, aluminum foil, spice kit.
Miscellaneous – bandana, camera, binoculars, repair/sewing kit, fishing gear, journal/pen or pencil, reading material, nature guides, trail games, trowel, toilet paper, personal toiletries, lip balm, bug repellant, towel, day pack.

Make sure you take clothing appropriate for the climate you expect to encounter.
Inner Layer – wicking layer: long underwear top & bottom, liner socks, outer socks, t-shirt, shorts
Insulation Layer – Wool, synthetic or fleece shirt/sweater down/fiberfill jacket, wool or fleece pants, gloves, wool or fleece hat.
Protective layer – Rain/windproof jacket & pants, gaiters, hiking boots waterproofed, camp shoes, sun hat.
Happy Trails to you!

Me and bout 6 of my girlfriends are going camping soon. We are all 16-17 and we will be going for 3 days. We are bringing a big truck so we don’t have to worry about not having enough room in a vehicle, and we are planning on using tents. Some of us have been camping before, and some of us haven’t. I already have some things on the list to pack, but I’m not sure if I’m missing anything. Also if you have any ideas of fun things to do let me know!

This is the most detailed list i have ever created, its actually not so much stuff when u read through it…

Stuff To Pack (Group):

*Basic/General*
-Tents
-Sleeping bags/ Air mattresses
-Repair kit for tent/Air mattress
-pump for air mattress
-Pillows
-chairs/table
-headlamps and flashlights (spare batteries)
-lanterns (with bags)
-Propane Canisters
-Stove
-Lighter and matches
-Ax
-Stove top Utensils (pans, spatula, etc.)
-table cloth and clips
-marsh mellow sticks
-food containers (leftovers)
-trash bags
-Cooler
-ice
-cups, plates, bowls, utensils
-Sponge
-towels
-blankets
-Toilet paper
-Sunscreen
-Lip balm
-Insect repellent
-Hand sanitizer
-Alcohol or antiseptic wipes
-Prescription medications
-Toothbrush, toiletry kit
-Cosmetics
-Brush/comb
-Duct Tape
-Sewing Kit
-Camera
-Rope Lights
-Extension cord/Power strip
-Lighter Fluid
-Fishing Kit
-Bikes
-

*First Aid Kit*
-Antiseptic wipes (BZK-based wipes preferred; alcohol-based OK)
-Antibacterial ointment (e.g., bacitracin)
-Tincture of benzoin (bandage adhesive)
-Assorted adhesive bandages (fabric preferred)
-Butterfly bandages/adhesive wound-closure strips
-Gauze pads (various sizes)
-Nonstick sterile pads
-Medical adhesive tape (10-yd. roll, min. 1" width)
-Blister treatment (e.g., Moleskin, 2nd Skin, Glacier Gel)
-Ibuprofen/other pain-relief medication
-Insect-sting relief treatment (e.g., AfterBite)
-Antihistamine to treat allergic reactions
-Splinter (fine-point) tweezers
-Safety pins
-Comprehensive first-aid manual or information cards
-Rolled gauze
-Aloe vera gel
-Aspirin (Advil)
-Poison ivy/poison oak treatment
-Knife (or multi-tool with knife)
-Duct Tape

*Food*
-water bottles
-soda
-juice
-milk
-instant coffee
-sugar
-creamer
-cereal
-eggs
-bread
-butter
-soup mix
-spices
-chocolate syrup
-fruit
-cooking oil
-cheese
-meat
-Chips
-marsh mellows
-chocolate bars
-crackers

Stuff To Pack (Individual):

*Clothes*
-Moisture-wicking T-shirts
-Moisture-wicking underwear
-Quick-drying pants/shorts
-Long-sleeve shirts (for sun, bugs)
-Sun-shielding hats
-Swimsuits
-Bandannas or buffs
-Boots or shoes suited to terrain
-Socks (synthetic or wool)
-Long underwear
-Sleepwear
-Insulating jacket or vest
-Insulated pants
-Gloves or mittens
-Rainwear (jacket and pants)
-Clothesline with clips
-Water sandals
-In-camp sandals or booties
-Sunglasses

*Personal Items*
-Medications
-Bathroom/Shower bag or kit
-Alarm Clock
-Notebook w/Pens
-MP3 Player w/ Headphones & Charger
-Cell Phone w/ Charger
-Deck of cards
-Other Items

My family has gone camping once (2yrs ago) and it was fun, but I found that I was not nearly organized as I thought I would be when it came to cooking meals. We tried packing lunches when we were out and about sightseeing and such, but everyone was so sick of cold cuts/sandwiches and chips…Dinners were a nightmare and breakfast a pain. We are taking another trip this summer and again we plan to camp. I hope to be better prepared this time around. Do you have any tips or meal/snack ideas for me? Thanks.

Great camp meals are one of the big items folks remember and it takes one with a heart of service and a desire to do all the planning and prep to make it happen your asking here shows you have that gift.

To start the more you can prep at home the easier it is to put a meal together in the field. Any meats you bring always taste better when marinated and that’s something you can start the process at home specially for the first dinner where fresh is best.

Another big point is the less pots and pans you use the less dishes the more time you have to enjoy and no one likes KP duty on a camp out. So think of meals you can cook by using a camp fire and tin foil. Use quality thick tin foil and paper cups and quality plastic forks spoons knives. Have plenty of paper towels on hand.

Freeze everything ahead of time so food lasts longer in the cooler those marinated steaks can be frozen after they have been marinated for an hour or two and then you can have steak another day out. And your ice will last longer too.

Drinks are important because dehydration is always an issue and you actually stay warmer at night when you have been well hydrated. Sodas fill you up with empty calories and gas with out fully satisfying your thirst. So make sun tea and lemonade, Adults can have some wine with their meal, if you partake it helps to unwind in moderation, but drinking it in a paper cup is not so romantic so get the plastic wine glasses and bring some of those little umbrellas with a cherry too add to the cup to liven up the gathering, kids can have one in the tea or lemonade and still be entertained.

Theme parties for each dinner starts the fun and if you plan ahead and your group is informed ahead of time they can bring outfits or a funny hat that adds to the fun, of course Luau’s are a common theme for camping as are cowboy and others be creative and have the kids do a skit for the dinner gathering. A real fun theme to do for a camp out is a murder mystery dinner!

http://entertaining.about.com/cs/dinnerparties/a/murdermystery.htm

here is a link for menu planning

http://www.boyscouttrail.com/boy-scouts/boy-scout-recipes.asp

!m 15 and I am wondering, Is it legal to carry a Hunting knife in a sheath on my belt in Michigan?

It’s not per age, but knives with greater than 3" are illegal for anyone to carry in most of Michigan.

At work they put fork, butter knife and large knife ontop a napkin on the butter plate on the left. What bothers me is they make the knives face left also, isn’t it right that knives should face the plate? Ideas?

On the left is the large fork and next to that is the small salad fork. On the right is the knife with the blade facing the plate and the spoon next to that. If each person has a special butter knife you can put that next to the side plate. Your glass goes above the forks and the napkin typically goes next to the knife and spoon. Some people do fancy folds with the napkin so it can be placed in the center. This is how I was raised to set a table. My mother was British.