Well DJ,

I would call your friend dedicated, not a paramilitary nut.

When you get serious about hunting, you will own more than just some hand me down camo clothing and a gun.

Hunting is all about being prepared.

Having the right equipment for you to use when you need it.

I could tell you a story about when I was 15 and shot my first whitetail buck in the game lands of Pennsylvania.

I didn't own a knife, my family was money poor and children rich. Daddy didn't believe in spending anything more than necessary on us kids and ALL the money I made in the summertime went to buy school clothes in the fall.

I hunted in an old green WW I army coat with buttons - not a zipper and also in my dad's old navy pea coat that also had buttons and not much in the way of pockets.

I shot this little buck and dad had to come up to field dress it. He forgot his hot seat and when I walked down to his stand to retrieve it for him. I ran into a 150 class B/C Buck that was not more than 40 yards from his deer stand.

If dad wouldn't have been so cheap and bought me an $8 knife, we wouldnt be having this conversation right now.

I have to agree with everyone else here, buy what ever suits your needs and carry what you need into the field with you. Spend as much time as you can in the woods and you will be more successful than the guy with some old camo and a gun and a knife.