Let’s just say sparks flew when I tried it.
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Like a lot of people, I oscillate between two types of camping. Car camping allows me to bring along all the creature comforts and gear I’d like (regardless of the weight), while backpacking requires me to count ounces and get a little creative.
Both are enjoyable pursuits, but I’ve found the challenge of lightweight camping — and what to bring along — more stimulating for my problem-solving skills. Then I came across Gerber’s Camp Setup Kit.
GerberGerber Camp Setup Kit
Pros
- Great for campers that don’t already have a hatchet or multi-tool
- Light and easy to pack
Cons
- Hatchet chips easily and the ergonomics take some getting used to
For $100, I could get a small hatchet, multi-tool and fire starter that were all small enough to carry in my pack or bike bags. It struck a chord with me; it was affordable, easy to pack and above all, useful. Plus, hatchets are pretty cool, right?
I assumed that would be my favorite piece — but I was wrong. It was something else entirely.
The fire starter is surprisingly awesome … and fun!
I anticipated the eye-catching multi-tool or hatchet to win my affection, but no, it was the humble fire starter that blew me away. You can fix it to your backpack or a keychain, and its storage container is rated at IPX4 water-resistance.
The attached emergency whistle, which gets up to 100 decibels, is great to have on-hand and attached to the tool — I wouldn’t normally remember to bring one, so I found the integration to be particularly useful. The ferro rod and striker are easy to use, and I liked the black coating on the rod itself; it’s easy to see how much I’ve used it before.
Frankly, Fire Starter is unique and useful enough to buy on its own. At $20, it has a value way beyond its price tag.
The Hatchet is handy … to a point
There’s a lot to like about this pint-sized hatchet, and a few key drawbacks, to boot. At 20.6 ounces, the Pack Hatchet is easy to stow away in a backpack and forget about. I appreciate the exaggerated finger grooves — they allowed me to choke up on the handle when I was chipping away at kindling, and also provided a nice, sturdy grip for true chopping.
However, the ergonomics of the blade threw me off: the hatchet didn’t want to bite into the wood in the center of the axe head, and instead, it would end up with the heel caught in the wood I was trying to split. (The corner of the bit where the cutting edge begins is the toe, the corner where it ends is the heel.)
The Pack Hatchet held its edge decently, but after a few rounds of heavy chopping, it did start to show a few chips. Gerber notes on its site that the Pack Hatchet is made with “stainless steel construction,” but the brand doesn’t get into specifics about the steel itself; I’m sure the hatchet would respond to a sharpening just fine but if you’ve already got a small hatchet you’re using, I wouldn’t spring for the full kit.
The multi-tool has more than you need
The Stake Out multi tool features 11 tools designed for setting up and breaking down camp, and all of the minor tasks in between. I appreciated details like the stake puller and integrated tweezers — campsite splinters are the worst — and found that overall, the Stake Out was pretty darn useful to have around. The carabiner allows for hands-free carry, and at 3.32 ounces, it’s the perfect size for lightweight adventures.
While I appreciated the Stake Out’s versatility, there were aspects I don’t love. The stake puller is a nifty little tool, but it’s hard to pull out and engage — you actually have to lift it away from the tool to get it around the screw, and I was worried I’d snap it off as I yanked on it. The plain edge blade with frame lock is great for whittling and small jobs, the tweezers and the bottle opener are obviously useful, but I didn’t find myself using the ruler, file or saw all that often. While it’s oftentimes the case that you’ll need a tool as soon as you don’t have it with you, and it’s better to have a multi-tool than not, I found myself using my pocket knife more than my Stake Out.
Gerber Camp Setup Kit: The Bottom Line
Overall, the Camp Setup Kit is as useful as it promises — with some caveats. The ergonomics of the Pack Hatchet take some getting used to, and the steel chipped after a few uses.
The Stake-Out Camp multi-tool is useful, but I have other multi-tools I already own and prefer. Overall, it’s a great lightweight kit, but if I had to do it over again, I would probably just get the Fire Starter on its own.
GerberGerber Fire Starter
Pros
- Fun to use
- Lightweight, waterproof and effective
Cons
- You’ll wish you had more reasons to use it
