The Survival Kit

Fiskars folding saw?

feeds@yuku.com (jrg) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 13:01:29 GMT

On another forum, there was a good discussion on folding saws. I was wondering if anyone had any experience with the Fiskars Woodzig saw, a folding 10" blade saw that appears to be darn nice for $15 (Loews). What I really like is that the handle is generously sized enought for two handed use, but with wood handle, probably would be a good idea to bring some gloves as well - blisters are no fun. More quiet than an axe or hatchet, maybe adding a saw to your ruck might be an idea.
...

The versatile scarf

feeds@yuku.com (Lee1959) — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 20:15:23 GMT

Such a simple thing, but yet so very versatile. I wear a scarf in winter, and keep several in my kits. Few things are quite as versatile. It can be used as:

Neck wrap for warmth
head wrap for warmth
face wrap for warmth
camoflage the face
sling
bandage
nose and mouth filter

The uses are as varied as the imagination. Do you wear a scarf? What uses have you put them to, or can you think of?

Windproof Lighter

feeds@yuku.com (mehender) — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 09:16:35 GMT

For a while I carried a Bunton Stormproof lighter. Some of you may remember it didn't work at all after Hurricane Katrina. It didn't stand up to being submerged in sea water for three hours. Brunton never responded to four communication attempts. I then bought a Solo. That was the metal cased model supposedly issued by the USMC. It worked well for three years. First the screen fell our reducing the efficiency of the flame and then it quit sparking. They have been discontinued....

Personal lighting comparison 1999 - 2009

feeds@yuku.com (Lee1959) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 12:44:13 GMT

At least in my memory there has not been a bigger advance in personal lighting than in the decade between 1999 and 2009. I think I was fairly representative in those years in my flashlight usage. Perhaps even a bit ahead of most people. To show what I mean let's look at what I personally used in 1999 and 2009, it should show a fair representation of the advancements. In a word the biggest single advancement is the advancement of LEDS. They do not break easily like the old bulbs, can last...

Making a small PSK

feeds@yuku.com (jrg) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 07:37:51 GMT

Starting with a small leather belt pouch (about the size of a 15 round M1 carbine magazine). Added a folding knife, magnesium / sparking rod and a bobbin of military trip wire approximately 60 feet long. Not much room left.

Two items I'm thinking of adding: 1) turkey cooking bag for possible tranpiration bag. 2) Capri Sun 10 oz. folded empty container. Great for carrying a drink...

Extremely compact / lightweight fish net?

feeds@yuku.com (jrg) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 12:16:15 GMT

Has anyone considered adding a synthetic hair net into their kit as a small 'panfish / bait' net? I had the chance to inspect one and that thing can be compacted and made really tiny, as in marble sized.

A useful item, or totally crazy thought?

Lost in the wilderness...Long term planning!

feeds@yuku.com (Plainsman) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 22:22:38 GMT

We talk a lot about what to do immediately after an incident that puts somebody into a survival situation, but what about when that turns into a long term situation? What is the game plan for a long term situation?

Let's assume the incident occurred 7-10 days earlier and we have a nice little campsite organized during this time period. We have been signaling and have neither seen nor heard any human activity during the entire time. Whether it be weather, terrain, etc. we can...

Suggestions for EDC items/foreign travel?

feeds@yuku.com (hornfrog) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 13:52:01 GMT

This may not be the right section to put this in so y'all can move it if you wish! Your suggestions are welcome to help me make up mind about what to take on this trip that I am planning for right now. It is my first time to India. And I'll be there almost a month. I do not want to be ill equipped while there but air travel and particularly foreign travel does not allow knives and other pointy things in pockets or in carry on bags. However, I have known of some who have carried a...

Pocket Stuff

feeds@yuku.com (mehender) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:45:18 GMT

I got an inpromto lesson the other day while visiting with a friend at our hunting camp. We were talking about field expediant weapons for securing food and discussing the merits of bows vs. spear/gigs. He asked me what I'd use for a spear or arrow point. I hemmed and hawed a bit when he pulled a ring of keys from his pocket. He took an old key, just like you don't have any on your ring, and in fifteen minutes using the file on his Leatherman made a very acceptable arrow head/ gig...

Pump-And-Seal VS 'Alvin'

feeds@yuku.com (plodder) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 04:42:02 GMT

We've always kept quite a bit of food on hand but recently we decided to increase our food storage/rotation program. Living in the humid subtropics we had pretty much 'hit the wall' on food storage and in order to go any further we were going to have to make some changes if storing additional food was going to make any sense.

I started doing research on manual vacuum sealers. Vacuum sealing does not replace traditional canning methods for wet pack, high acid foods but it...

What to put in my disaster preparation kit

feeds@yuku.com (arnoldo) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 22:40:04 GMT

My friend is part of a disaster prep group. After he talked to me about it, I realized I'm really not prepared at all.

I've decided to get supplies that would be helpful in the case of a natural disaster, or in the event of a terrorist attack or something similar. I know I should purchase canned food, bottled water, blankets, flashlights, first aid kit, etc. What are some other...

where you live and what you carry

feeds@yuku.com (southern utah) — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 13:34:40 GMT

it has been interesting at time to see where topics end up. What is in BOBs and survival kits and firearms. I don't know how to start this and Plainsman jump right in but it would seem to me the there will be a difference in what i pack here in the high desert and what some would carry in heavy forested or wet areas.
High desert main concern is water,fire,shelter then protection/food. Summers 100/120* F to 30-55*F winters. No bears and a few coyotes and cougers in mountains ....

Gear Review: CountyComm Mini Light...

feeds@yuku.com (FXDXT) — Fri, 29 May 2009 06:24:49 GMT

Don't know about you folks but I am tired of having those nice little flat keychain lights just fall apart or stop working on me. I've had the Photon, Inova and several others and they all have either fallen apart or failed...and all cost $3-5.00 each.

The small survival light from CountyComm.com is much brighter, tougher, the switch is better, it doesn't blind you with peripheral light and the switch is positve on and off. The light is SCREWED together and there is even...

At what point does redundancy become burdensome???

feeds@yuku.com (Plainsman) — Fri, 01 May 2009 19:56:41 GMT

I believe in have layers of gear, hence if a layer is lost, another layer has the need covered. However, when looking at the layers, some individual items find their way into EVERY layer! Hence, at what point does that redundancy become "burdensome" and no longer 'valuable?'

As an example, I wear a paracord bracelet with a Vic Classic and Boy Scout Sparklight attached. This is layer one, it is always on me, in theory.

Layer Two is my Becker Necker with...

Thoughts on the "Quick thought quiz" thread...Please read after that one!

feeds@yuku.com (Plainsman) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 19:01:27 GMT

So you don't ruin your own fun, please read this thread after the "Quick thought quiz" thread! Located here:
http://plainsmanscabin.yuku.com/topic/4502/master/1/

I was in the local "X" Mart tonight and looking around at camping, hunting, etc. supplies and started thinking to myself, "What if I found myself with little money and nothing else? What items should I buy to...

Quick thought quiz...

feeds@yuku.com (Plainsman) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 18:54:48 GMT

Plainsman is giving you a ride and you know that he likes to test your skills! You are expecting this today as you sit in the passenger seat wearing your favorite underwear, shirt, pants, socks and boots as well as a wool jacket. You also have a leather belt holding your pants up and that's it! Don't ask where all your daily carry stuff went to, it's a long story! You have what is just listed and that's it!...

Lost the "list"...

feeds@yuku.com (FXDXT) — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 19:08:44 GMT

My computer crashed last winter taking with it the great list of survival kits that was printed here...does anyone out there still have that link?

Thanks...Bob

Picked up some weatherproof gear

feeds@yuku.com (RovingArcher) — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 19:33:25 GMT

Ha!! You all thought I mean rain gear didn't ya? Actually, I picked up a Fisher stowaway space pen and a small weatherproof (waterproof) notebook from REI. Something I've been meaning to add to my kits and just never got around to it. The pen isn't refillable and cost me $8.00. Gonna pick up a few more for my various kits I haul around from time to time, so I don't have to transfer from bag to bag.

Also submitted one of my photos to a contest and won a...

Zip/Wire ties

feeds@yuku.com (Lee1959) — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 15:17:49 GMT

If you do not have any of these, you might consider getting some. I pick them up at the auto parts store fairly cheaply. almost anything that needs to be held together can be held by them. You can tie poles together for shelters, hold up a hanging pipe, lash a knife to a pole for a spear, field expiedient handcuffs, hold wrapped together ropes and hoses, your imagination is the limit here. I even saw a guy hold a bike that had broken its frame together to get himself home with one. They come...

Bite valves for hydration packs...any NON leakers???

feeds@yuku.com (Plainsman) — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 15:41:57 GMT

I've been using hydration packs for a while now and have tried different bite valves but keep finding one major flaw with all of them, they eventually develop leaking problems! Anybody know of a decent bite valve that doesn't develop leaks after a few uses? I understand they all will eventually need replacing, but I can't seem to make any of them last more than a few trips before soaking everything around them......