As is our custom as the day winds down, last night Deb and I took in a few videos — politics, prepping, homesteading and the like. The last one we watched documented three years’ work as a 30-something couple renovated a decrepit Indiana school building (much like those I attended as a grade-schooler) into their forever home.
It was exhaustive, involved dozens of contractors, and clearly cost more money than I can fathom. The result was admirable and extremely well done. Most of all, it was grand.
When the video was over, we turned off the TV. I volunteered to take the dogs out, Smudge first. The happy Heeler and I stood in the driveway between the camper and our cabin-in-progress, where the air was pleasantly cool and a soft breeze rustled the treetops.
I heard the call of a night bird.
And in that moment, wrapped in the quiet of The Mountain, surrounded by overgrowth and clutter and the simple dream we’re slowly bringing to life, I was overwhelmed by a single thought:
“I’ll take this over ‘grand’ any day.”
This morning I went into town to mail a package, delivered a flat of doughnuts to Deb and her co-workers, and then came Home. I took the dogs out before moving on to other things, Scout and then Smudge.
Once again, an inescapable sense of rightness washed over me.
Miss Smudge and I watched a wandering whitetail fawn at the edge of the woods near the road. The pup was fascinated by the buzz and dart of a hummingbird nearby.
Perfect.
Lately I’ve noticed that lots of folks who practice preparedness seem to be shying away from the label “preppers.” It reminds me of people who ride motorcycles wincing when they’re called “bikers” — oh, excuse me, you’re “motorcyclists.”
That’s just a little bit precious, if you ask me.
I never minded being called a biker. And Deb and I are preppers. As rational adults, we don’t much care what we’re called or how we’re perceived, so we don’t mind the tag.
It’s what we do that matters. And the truth is that prepping will look different for each of us — location and threats, ability and skill, age and other factors are bound to affect our preps.
The mindset, however, remains the same.
Homesteading is a process. Off-grid is a matter of degrees. Prepping is an attitude that informs action.
Having a hangup about a label is stupid.
I was glad to be able to start toting my Benchmade 556 Mini-Griptilian again last month, one of the knives I liberated from storage. It’s an old favorite of mine and hard to beat as an everyday-carry (EDC) folder.
The more I used it, the more it begged to be compared to another Benchmade, a knife I already had with me on The Mountain — a 535 Bugout. I swapped-out the knives last weekend and began carrying the Bugout, just to refresh my memory.
Benchmade introduced the full-size Griptilian in 2001, and the Mini-Grip followed in early 2002. My 556 is handled in black Grivory (glass-filled nylon), with an Axis lock and a blade of 154CM stainless steel. According to the specs, it weighs 2.8 ounces.
The Bugout was released in 2017, accompanied by claims that it was a featherweight EDC workhorse. My 535BK-2, at a mere 1.8 ounces, is even lighter than the original, thanks to handles of CF-Elite (nylon infused with carbon fiber). Like the Mini-Grip, it has an Axis lock. Blade steel is CPM S30V stainless.
The Bugout is slightly longer than the Mini-Grip, maybe a half-inch, as well as wider, and the one-ounce difference in weight between the two knives is noticeable. The older, heavier design feels more substantial, though the Bugout never comes across as flimsy.
In fact, Benchmade brags that CF-Elite is 50% stronger (stiffer, less prone to flex) than Grivory.
Both knives carry well and are a pleasure to use. The Bugout feels a bit “slicier” and gets points for its deep-carry pocket clip.
As far as the steels go, I’ve long been a fan of Benchmade’s 154CM — tough, holds an edge, easy to sharpen. I haven’t had an issue with the S30V on this Bugout, other than it being slightly “toothier” than I’d like.
Unfortunately, Benchmade no longer makes the Griptilian line in 154CM — it’s been replaced by S30V. I’m not a convert yet.
In the end, I tilt toward what I know well, the 556 Mini-Griptilian (current street price $135, versus $171 for the 535BK-2 Bugout). That said, you can’t go wrong with either of these knives.
Take care of yourselves, Patriots. Stay calm. Stay sharp. Stay free.
#WiseUp #LibertyOrDeath #Ungovernable
#LetsGoBrandon #FJB