Mountain Man, I see by your website that you are an outdoor enthusiast. What would you say are the most important survival tools/equipment? Is cotton really that deadly? And the Big Question--what is the best survival knife?

Thank you for asking. The most important tools and skills depends on why you are surviving. There are two basic types of survival: 1) unintentional, and 2) intentional. To survive an unintentional situation in the wilderness, having a Satellite Phone is the most important tool. You can call for help, thus eliminating the need to survive. Of course, having the tools and skills to build a fire under any circumstances is also important. The best knife is the Swiss Army Trekker. If you are intentionally entering the wilderness to live like a mountain man, then things are very different.

Can't argue with this! However, Satellite Phones are very expensive. I wonder if it's possible to rent them, just for when you might need it (like a trip somewhere that doesn't have cell service).

As good as that may be, not many of us have or can afford a satellite phone on the off chance that we may find ourselves in a survival situation. Of course, most people have a cell phone, but they may be out of range of a tower.

Although better than nothing, the SA Trekker would not be my first choice, as I believe it has two strikes against it. 1) it is a folder, with a multitude of tools, which makes it weak, and 2) it has a serrated blade, which is difficult to maintain in the field. (Unless you go with the Trekker Black; you did not specify which model.) It does have a saw, which is useful, but sadly it is too short for any kind of serious work.

Here in Canada, that would be every trip.

A GPS location devise such as Spot might be something to look at. The transmitter and account can be operational starting around $250 - $300.00

However, Spot or Satellite Phone, if you are in a situation where you need to use them, rescue will not be immediate. Responders need time to ramp-up, and you can count on several hours before the cavalry crests the hill.

Nice.

The iSat Phone (new as of last year) doesn't cost much more than the Spot, and is less than a Smart Phone. The Swiss Army Black Trekker is my knife of choice because it has a locking blade, saw, and minimal tools. I also carry a Silky Boy folding limb saw. And, I have matches, lighter, metal match, and tinder for starting fires. Plus, I always have a signaling mirror.

I saw that iSat phone listed for about $500. Does that sound right?

Yes. And, the postpaid plans are reasonable.