$125 Challenge

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RWT

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The $125.00 Challenge. I am interested to hear the opinions and list of items. Assume you only have $125.00 and are on your lunch break at Cabelas, Bass Pro or Sportsmans Wharehouse and are notified you will be picked up and dropped in the woods with any 5 items you can purchase with your $125.00 in the store, the clothes on your back(assume you are dressed semi-appropriately for the season) and items in your pocket. You have no idea how long you will be out. No shoplifting allowed and only one item on sale or from the bargin cave. You may assume you have your EDC, and no I can't accept you stating you work for the postoffice and carry a Busse FBM fulltime. Use their internet sites to shop, all 5 items must come from same store. Mine are below.

Gerber® Profile™ II Knives - Fixed Blade $24.99
Light My Fire 2.0 FireSteel® $19.99
Trekker™ Water Bottle Day Pack $39.99
Cabela's Stainless Steel Bottles $7.98
Lifeline Survivor $14.99
•A bottle that doubles as a survival kit
•High-strength Lexan construction
•Includes life-saving supplies


MODS if I cannot mention a store please notify me or make any changes necessary
 
Here is mine:

Coghlan's Magnesium Fire Starter Price: $7.99
Green Poly Tarp 8’X10’ Price: $9.99
American Trails Cascade Sleeping Bag Price: $19.99
Cold Steel Kukri Machete Price: $22.99
Stainless Steel Camping Cook Sets Price: $14.99
Camo 550 Cord 100’ Price: $10.99
4L. Platypus Platy Water Tanks Price: $29.99
Silva Pin-On Compass Price: $4.99
Coghlan's Waterproof Matches Price: $2.99
Total: $124.91
 
ok! How about this?

1. Coghlan's Magnesium Fire Starter Price: $7.99
2. Kelty Noah's Tarp 9ft Price: $59.99
3. Cold Steel Kukri Machete Price: $22.99
4. Stainless Steel Camping Cook Sets Price: $14.99
5. Camo 550 Cord 100’ Price: $10.99
Total $116.95 all at Cabelas

Plus, my EDC is a Leatherman Charge TTi.
 
Great Thread!
I EDC a flashlight (some times two), a Vic Farmer, a strong one hand opening knife and a lighter already and if I was coming from work I'd probably from a pair of Lineman's pliers a 12" crescent wrench and a sure-lite striker for lighting my cutting torch.

Here's my list from Cabelas.
Stainless steel cook set $14.95
100' of Reflective para cord $12.95
Trekker Mummy Bag $49.99
Cabela Tradition's Hydration Pack $19.99
Orion First Aid Kit $19.99

I think that covers everything. I should be able to make a shelter, boil water, and maybe catch an animal in a trap.
 
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I edc an Izula (amongst other things, but let's just say that :))

I "shopped" at Sportsman, five items makes it a little tough

for $29 I got a 64 oz Klean Kanteen
for $20 Strike Force fire starter (essentially a big firesteel)
for $38 Gerber Axe
for $29 7x9 tarp
for $6 100' of 550

$122 total

can build a decent shelter, get a fire going and treat/carry water
 
Cabelas:
Cricket Single Shot Rifle $99
Winchester 525ct .22lr box $21.99

Shoot the buggers who want to drag you out in the woods, go home and relax!
 
All the following at Cabelas. Prices are regular price unless parenthetically noted.

The safe option:

Cold Steel Bushman $29.99
Magnesium Fire Starter $7.99
Lifeline Disaster Kit $44.99 (bargain cave)
Stainless bottle $12.99
High Sierra Curve Day Pack $24.99
Total: $120.95

The fun option:
Becker BK9 $99.99
Magnesium Fire Starter $7.99
Stainless bottle $7.99 (bargain cave)
Space Blanket $4.99
Coghlan's Lightweight Poncho $3.99
Total: $124.86

Also, I EDC a Kershaw Skyline, an LED Mini Maglite, a CCW pistol, and a keychain pill bottle with ibuprofen and antihistamines.
 
Interesting...... I expected to see similarities. I see more emphasis on a tarp or blanket so I may be reassessing my kit I keep in the truck. I have a difficult time with the Coogans $7.99 firestarter. Always been difficult to get a fires started with it, maybe it is my tinder. I did not see what I expected.... buy the SPOT system and hit the get my a$$ outta here button. My EDC would be an issue a mini KBAR Dozier so I had to ahave a decent size blade. I am always in slacks and on a plane so it is difficult to actually have an EDC be an EDC.
 
I have a difficult time with the Coogans $7.99 firestarter...
Click to expand...

You can buy a big multipack of Bic lighters for less. They make fire every time unless wet. Then you have to dry them. I've never counted how many times one will light, but I've used them for years and struck them twenty times a day at the least, and replaced them monthly or so. I EDC one and keep spares around in my house, vehicles and packs.
 
Codger_64 said:
You can buy a big multipack of Bic lighters for less. They make fire every time unless wet. Then you have to dry them. I've never counted how many times one will light, but I've used them for years and struck them twenty times a day at the least, and replaced them monthly or so. I EDC one and keep spares around in my house, vehicles and packs.
Click to expand...

I got bored one day and decided to see how long a standard bic would last continuous burn. It took a while, I couldn't do it all at once because my fingers would eventually start to cook. Over all I recall it going over an hour though I can't remember exactly how long. Of course, that said, I didn't burn it out even then, just lost it. (it became somewhat of a long term project while watching movies on the interweb.)

God bless,
Adam
 
I EDC a quality folder, flashlight, and basic first aid kit on my person at all times. AND I run around in Palladium boots and merino wool shirts / socks daily... so I'm already off to a decent start.

I choose MEC as my store -- I already purchase 90% of my gear there, so it makes sense that I'd be there.

1. Gerber Gator Axe / Saw combo. ~$50
2. Stainless Water Bottle. ~$10
3. Firesteel. ~$10
4. Quality Poncho. ~$45
5. Cordage. ~$10

The biggest problem with this scenario that I see is FOOD. Shelter, fire, water, signalling, etc, are all easy with 5 items. FOOD, however, is not easy. As much as I like to call myself a "woodsman," I honestly doubt I could survive long term in this scenario, as my short term survival has already consumed my 5 items. Gotta eat eventually! I mean, I'd collect berries and try and rig up some traps and fishing line, but that ain't much.

I probably wouldn't even survive during fall and winter as well, due to exposure. Lots of rain and cold. I need a backpack with some solid layering, a sleeping bag, and a proper tarp to keep myself warm through icy nights. Fire is not always an option, and sleeping beside one (waking up every hour to stock it!) every night to stay alive is not possible. You can't do it for more than a few days of rain and ice with no food in your system.
 
Any of you guys planning on being able to sharpen the knife? The OP says that you have no idea how long you will be out there.

I'm going to choose Wal-Mart, it's the closest store to me. These are online prices

$125

Bear Grylls Ultimate Knife $40

Pack of Bic Lighters $5 (guessing?)

Stainless steel bottle $15

Bear Grylls Ultimate Survival Kit $38. (No it isn't perfect, but it would make do)

Best tarp I can find for $25.
 
First I EDC a Wenger Evo S10 SAK, a lighter, and on my keyring I have a Vic Classic and a LMF scout firesteel.

From cabella's

1. Cold Steel Kukuri $23.00
2. Stainless Steel cooking set $15
3. Aspen Lake sleeping bag (Bargin cave) $50.00
4. 10x20 poly tarp $25
5. 50' paracord $10
total $123
 
I am seeing a theme. I defintley need to consider the tarp in my BOB and truck BOB.
 
cramsey3006 said:
Any of you guys planning on being able to sharpen the knife? The OP says that you have no idea how long you will be out there.

I'm going to choose Wal-Mart, it's the closest store to me. These are online prices

$125

Bear Grylls Ultimate Knife $40

Pack of Bic Lighters $5 (guessing?)

Stainless steel bottle $15

Bear Grylls Ultimate Survival Kit $38. (No it isn't perfect, but it would make do)

Best tarp I can find for $25.
Click to expand...

You might not be able to really sharpen an edge with one, but wearing a leather belt isn't much different than having a strop with you at all times ;)
 
I used sportsman's warehouse.

Buck 102 Woodsman : $47
Coghlans Tube tent : $7
AMK heatsheets bivy : $15
Snow Peak ti mini solo: $40
AMK PSK :$30

total : $118.95

Yea I just figured out if you add it up I'm saving money somewhere but the online cart says that's my total so that's what I'm going with. Also I realize I have no convenient way to carry some of that besides in hand but hopefully buying in store I would at least have on of those plastic bags. I edc a buck 110 and vic farmer or either a leatherman wave (old model) and the 110. If I wanted to drop price I would change knives or just get a cheaper hatchet. I have day dreamed this scenario as well except it was $50 at walmart.
 
NothingCoherent said:
You might not be able to really sharpen an edge with one, but wearing a leather belt isn't much different than having a strop with you at all times ;)
Click to expand...

Absolutely correct. I touch up my EDC on my leather wallet all the time. But what if you nick or roll the edge while using it? You aren't going to strop something like that out.
 
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