Number of Products & Number Of Hours Expert Has Tested: 100+ products, 1,000+ hours
Experience & Certifications
Years of Writing: 10+
Certifications: EMT-B, United States Army Intelligence Training
Previous Publications: Scientific American, Popular Science, Nature, and Men’s Journal
A Word From Ian Graber-Stiehl
I got into bushcraft at around 7 years of age watching Survivorman. By the time I was 9, I had gotten my first hatchet. I would make lean-tos along old logging access roads in Louisiana longleaf pine forests. In high school, I got into foraging and bass fishing.
When I joined the Army, I got into camping, hiking, and mountain biking. After my exit, I got into bikepacking (before I ever knew the name for it) and backpacking. As of today, I am a backpacker, bikepacker, bushcrafter, angler (spinning and baitcasting, with some fly fishing and bowfishing experience), archer, forager, canoer, and hammock devotee.
I am also a former amateur bladesmith of 2 years and have been a professional sharpener of knives, swords, axes, chainsaws, and more for nearly 10 years. I have also gone through EMT-B training, and intend to work on a Wildland Firefighter crew.
I’m a gear obsessive. I spent at least 60 days afield annually, and have hiked everywhere from Sedona to the Ozarks, in Missouri, Lousiana, and Illinois.
Founded in 2001. 15,000 products reviewed. Live the outdoors.Founded in 2001. 15,000 products reviewed. Live the outdoors.Founded in 2001. 15,000 products reviewed. Live the outdoors.Founded in 2001. 15,000 products reviewed. Live the outdoors.
