2011 give away WE HAVE A WINNER

The "gross" one I've been told when I've mentioned it: Never underestimate the strength of human hair, especially if you are a dirty hippy or travel with a beautiful woman. A small amount of hair on a brush can make emergency string, and can make very strong rope. If in a true survival state it can be cut off of the head and is already in parallel lengths which make it easier for layering in when lengthening. It also rolls along pants/in hands very well if that is your chosen technique- but some moisture in the palms is wanted.
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The fun answer:
Find a 1" or so willow branch/tree. Cut off a 6" or so chunk. Score around the circumference about 2" away from one nicely trimmed end. Cut perpendicular to the length about 1 1/2 away from the nicely trimmed end (keep the end smooth). Cut at a 45˚ angle into the bottom of the perpendicular cut from the near side. Gently beat the stick with another from the nicely trimmed end to the cut along the circumference to free the fibers. Gently twist the stick to free the bark and outer fibers at the depth of the score. Pull apart and make a small chamber behind the 45˚ cut on the long piece. cut toward the tip on the top parallel to the length to create the opening to the mouthpiece. Gently push the pieces back together and blow.

Pictures are really worth a thousand words (it took me longer to write it than it did the first time I ever did it):
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A great tip for those who fish. Not having an anchor can be a pain and you are defintiley not going to carry one canoeing, especially if you have to get out and carry your canoe over rough or impassable spots. Instead carry a basketball net and paracord. Find some heavy rocks, tie it up and chuck it over. Works great and weighs next to nothing.

Think I read that in F and S. Great idea.

Another great thing is to put all of your gear in large contractors bags when canoeing. You be surprised how much water will get into the canoe and seep into your bags lying on the bottom of the boat. Even on the calmest of days. I also will cut 2-3" log into into several ~2 ft. sections. Lay them on the floor of the boat to keep your gear off the floor. With a canoe, you can cut them so they wedge tight.

Always carry a glue stick. The hot glue sticks. Great for repairing everything. I also carry a few nails. Great for hanging things and clothes lines. Use a rock to hammer them in.
 
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I don't need to be in the drawing but I have 2 ideas,

1. I have used the lightweight gardener's kneepad to sit on during cold wet seasons to keep me insulated from tree stumps and logs.

2. I used the hard wood savings (read saw dust) from my wood working jointer for keeping fires going in wet weather until the larger tender catches. I keep it in a coffee can and pack a cup worth when I head out in colder weather and sprinkle is on in small amounts.
 
I read a nice tip here once and tried it - works beautifully!

Using a small pencil sharpener (one of those cheap one-blade things), shave small sticks into fine curls for tinder. :D
 
scout_77 said:
I don't need to be in the drawing but I have 2 ideas,

1. I have used the lightweight gardener's kneepad to sit on during cold wet seasons to keep me insulated from tree stumps and logs.

2. I used the hard wood savings (read saw dust) from my wood working jointer for keeping fires going in wet weather until the larger tender catches. I keep it in a coffee can and pack a cup worth when I head out in colder weather and sprinkle is on in small amounts.
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Those backside-size foam gardening pads are great for hunting, especially when you have to sit on some snow for awhile. I carry one frequently.

The knee pads about which I was thinking when I made my earlier post are the ones that slip on to your knee and are held there with elastic. If you generally kneel on your right knee, you can keep one there and protect it from gravel/twigs when working at campfire level.

Glad you mentioned the larger pads as well!

DancesWithKnives
 
lord_of_laziness said:
Thanks for the contest!

Gut some paracord and square-sinnet-braid it into a 2-3 inch braid with a loop on the end. Attach it to your knife. Then you always have paracord (at least the outer sheath), as long as you have your knife.

Here's mine:
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taking the square-sinnet one step further- I add a small firesteel inside it, now you have cordage and a firesteel :)

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I feel too many people use knives solely to chop. I think it'd be much easier if they just got a nice lightweight hatchet and a smaller more utilitarian knife. but that's just me
 
Simple, but I wrap my flashlight handles in para-cord. Keeps them comfy in your hand and in a pinch....para-cord nicely wound around a MagLite.
 
DWK2 said:
Those backside-size foam gardening pads are great for hunting, especially when you have to sit on some snow for awhile. I carry one frequently.

The knee pads about which I was thinking when I made my earlier post are the ones that slip on to your knee and are held there with elastic. If you generally kneel on your right knee, you can keep one there and protect it from gravel/twigs when working at campfire level.

Glad you mentioned the larger pads as well!

DancesWithKnives
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Yes I was thinking the $2-5 one that are say 7" by 12", I some times trim them down to fit. This last hunting season I made one from a piece of 1000 D cordura and 4 layers of fleece, it folds and fits into a cargo pocket of BDUs very well, but that is a different story.
 
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Unfortunately, I'm well fed enough that I wouldn't have to "trim them down" to fit!:o

DancesWithKnives
 
On a January camping trip in New York's Adirondack Park I kept my boots from freezing overnight by heating water, filling a couple Nalgene bottles and putting one in each boot upside down. When I had to take a leak in the middle of the night, my boots were still warm and because the bottles were put in upside down, there was little chance for the threads to freeze up.

I also heated a couple more Nalgene bottles and used them inside my sleeping bag for a very cozy night's sleep in sub-zero temps.

Thanks for the giveaway!
 
A simple Mora sheath mod...

Take a small piece of bicycle (MTB) inner tube and pull it up the sheath so that it's past the opening. I used around 2.5 inches worth. Once it's past the opening, double over the top 1/3 or so.

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That's it. When you insert the knife in the sheath the rubber goes inside as well and holds the knife tight. You have to push harder than normal to get it to seat all the way in and once in it's very solid. It'd probably be wise to carry along a spare piece or two in case you accidentally cut the one on the sheath.

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Thanks for the chance!

- store small food items inside jacket during winter to prevent freezing
- old blue closed cell foam matresses make good impromptu rubber boot soles
- ranger band on multi-tool for quickie vise grips
- thick outer socks make good gloves

Cheers
 
Thanks for the giveaway. Well This was mentioned by someone else on the forum awhile back. I have not tried it yet, but sounds very promising and sound. On the Mora 2000 sheath, there are two tiny holes on the bottom, probably to drain moisture. But someone here said, when you are trying to get a fire going you can blow through the top and it focuses the air through the two tiny holes helping to get your fire going. And keeping your head further away from the smoke. Unfortunately this is the only pic I have and it does not show the holes:o

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If it hasn't been mentioned yet..
The old melted-wax-dryer lint-in a paperboard-egg carton trick: fire starter.

Mods I haven't tried:

Pre-soak lint in super-saturated solution of salt peter, air dry that, and CAREFULLY mix the melted wax (do this outside) in your paperboard egg carton.

Instead of the salt peter, try mixing small fluffed pieces of "0000" steel wool (I find it at the dollar store) in with the lint. Should burn with some extra heat.
 
:D My favorite tip is to carry some old dryer lint in a small container like a film canister or blood glucose strips canister. Their makeup is enough to start a fire w/o vaseline or fatwood or maya dust. :D
 
This is a great thread! I've gotten lots of good tips so far.


When I ordered a bunch of stuff recently I bought one of those stainless nesting cups with the fold out handles but somehow forgot to order a nalgene to nest it with.

I found that a 32oz Powerade bottle nests great and doesn't cost $10.
 
Thanks for the chance!

I always carry a roll of bright colored Vet Wrap for emergency first aid. You can find it at any Grange Co-op or store that sells large animal (horse) medical supplies.

They come in some very bright colors, so it can do double duty for increased visiblity.

It's very inexpensive and works great to wrap an injured joint.
 
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