How a Failed Hike Sparked a Lightweight Gear Revolution

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A dream trail broke his knees and changed his life—Steve Evans went from hauling “light” heavy gear to engineering tools that feel like cheating on a portage. We bring you the origin story of Suluk 46, where a licensed mechanical engineer applies stress analysis and real-world testing to build ultralight, ultra-strong equipment that actually earns its place in your pack. From a titanium-and-carbon ice axe born for Nepal, to award-winning tent stakes, to a folding saw that weighs like a candy bar, Steve shows how obsession, iteration, and field time create gear that lasts.

We explore the design logic behind two very different saw families—an ultralight buck saw and slim folding pull saws built around Silky blades—plus the realities of supply, custom blade development in Sweden, and choosing performance without extra grams. You’ll hear the surprisingly relatable story of a packable grill that snaps together at camp and disappears into a small tube when you hike out, solving the “gross site grate” problem without adding bulk. We also dig into the market divide between canoe trippers and ultralight hikers, why product choices shift with terrain and portages, and how to think about comfort versus weight when you’re planning multi-day routes.

Looking ahead, Steve teases a carbon fibre, refillable fuel canister with a titanium valve assembly—a TSSA-informed answer to disposable isobutane canisters that could save weight, reduce waste, and make fuel management smarter on long trips. Along the way, we talk about building a small, family-powered company, launching products at Canadian outdoor shows, and redefining success around time outside, not just scale. If you care about backpacking gear, canoe tripping essentials, and thoughtful design that starts on the trail and ends at your workbench, this conversation will spark ideas for your next kit rebuild.

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