Ray Mears - Rifles and Edged Weapons:

I've been watching Ray Mears " Northern Wilderness" on our 'basic' "Free to Air TV" and really enjoying it as it does seem to be full of great wild scenery and honest practical advice - not a single "You've got to eat this bowl of slugs with anteater vomit or you'll be voted-off" - moment!

I've even noted the earlier arctic explorers names and found historic free e-books for my Kindle: ' Narrative of an Expedition to the Shores of the Arctic Sea in 1846 and 1847'  and 'A Journey from Prince of Wales Fort in Hudsons Bay to the Northern Ocean in the Years 1769,1770,1771,..'

Anyway, Ray Mears TV docos are worth watching when you have more than a passing interest in overcoming difficulties to thrive - but - I did maintain my usual doubts as it all might have been passed through the political correctness filters and censored to remove any positive firearms useage.

However, now reading Rays ' MY OUTDOOR LIFE'  I can fully report that the man is real and he tells that he has designed and made knives that suit his needs, the Woodlore Knife, that he now has made in batches by artisans,

 - a specific folding saw that he lends to students - and he has had design input into an axe made by Gransfors called the Small Forest Axe.

BUT.. He uses a specific big bore rifle Blaser R8 in .416 Remington Magnum

                                                       .416 Remington Magnum

 straight pull bolt-action mounting a Schmidt-Bender Sniper Scope 3-12x50 for hunting big game - and when used for self-defence in the bush he fits the big-bore with a red dot Aimpoint sight. - And he hunts.

                                                 Blaser R8 Professional.

Now - Not for one second am I stating that anyone should rush-out and buy these afore mentioned items - as they may not suit your needs at all (what would you use a .416" Magnum against in New Zealand?), or due to balance or heft or any number of variations - But the point is that the man isn't just a TV Presenter - a "talking head celebrity" -  He has walked the walk, lived outdoors - used the tools and worked out just what he needs to do the job well. - So next time when you see a Ray Mears Documentary advertised - give it a try as it may well be the real stuff that you've been waiting to see.

Marty K
After researching & writing 1,036 blogs I've got something NEW to try .. I've signed-up to Patreon. - In over five years I've not made one cent from this .. NOW you can send me a wee support $ - starting from $1. to get all this stuff from New Zealand - over a year that's nearly the price of one Shooting magazine. - Am I worth it?

https://www.patreon.com/user?u=16618870