Electrical tape on survival rig???

T

TheGent

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Aug 3, 2009
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Hope everyone is having a good new year. I see a lot of military survival knife rigs with a roll of electrical tape hanging off the sheath, usually a spec ops sheath. What do they use the elec. tape for? I usually carry a small roll of duct tape with me for fixing various things, holes in clothes, bandage supplement, etc. Same idea with the elec. tape? I also suppose there is some other military use for it. Just wondering because I just usually see duct tape in kits.

Thanks,

Print
 
Before the serious answers - I'll get in a humorous but true answer.

See what children do with stick tape (pretty much anything) - duct tape is stickytape for adults!! Like 550 paracord is an adult version of string!
 
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My grandpa (may his soul rest in peace) used electrical tape and bailing wire to repair any and everything. I am quite sure he used it in his "survival kit". Great man he was.
 
TheGent said:
Hope everyone is having a good new year. I see a lot of military survival knife rigs with a roll of electrical tape hanging off the sheath, usually a spec ops sheath. What do they use the elec. tape for? I usually carry a small roll of duct tape with me for fixing various things, holes in clothes, bandage supplement, etc. Same idea with the elec. tape? I also suppose there is some other military use for it. Just wondering because I just usually see duct tape in kits.

Thanks,

Print
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In boot camp we used "recruit tape" (hockey/athletic tape) for tons of things. Labeling items, makeshift bandaids, quieting metal-on-metal objects, etc. I imagine the electrical tape comes in handy for similar uses.
 
I've used this stuff:
snipertape.jpg

for loads of stuff. Worked very well for an improvised patch on a variety of things from my poncho to bergen to clothes. Other than that i've used it as an improvised band aid with a little gauze. Labeling stuff and aiding camo is the main two tasks for the tape though. Apart from that most guys I know use it for the same jobs in the military as it's used in civilian life.
 
Electrical tape can be used for almost anything. I keep rolls of it all over the place for fixing random things. Very sticky and as long as it is dry with applied, it can be relatively waterproof. Sun rots if pretty bad though if exposed for a long time.
 
I don't know what pics you've seen, but I have some on mine for Explosives Ordnance Disposal (EOD) work. Elec tape is also good for any elec connections, vehicle wiring, improvised wiring, etc. Pretty much what you'd think. The width is handier for maneuvering around smaller spaces where duct tape is to wide. Plus, it's black, so it's hi-speed cool as well as useful.
FWIW, I was in Fairbanks, AK, last week when it was -40 deg F. It wouldn't stick to anything at that temp.
 
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gunfiter said:
FWIW, I was in Fairbanks, AK, last week when it was -40 deg F. It wouldn't stick to anything at that temp.
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+1

I left a roll in the trunk in mild ol' Kentucky, and it froze...couldn't peel it for anything, much less stick it to stuff. It worked ok when it thawed out, though.
 
Thanks, guys. I just usually carry some duct tape. I use electrical tape all the time for work. Never thought of it in a survival kit really. Turns out everyone uses elec. tape for the same things I use duct tape for in a survival situation. Elec. tape is more compact so I think I'll switch to that. Thanks again for the info.
 
if you get some elec tape, get the good stuff. good at lower temps. its sold at the big box stores. look for the " + 33 ".
 
RoyalM said:
I've used this stuff:
snipertape.jpg

for loads of stuff. Worked very well for an improvised patch on a variety of things from my poncho to bergen to clothes. Other than that i've used it as an improvised band aid with a little gauze. Labeling stuff and aiding camo is the main two tasks for the tape though. Apart from that most guys I know use it for the same jobs in the military as it's used in civilian life.
Click to expand...

What is that called and where do I get it?

Marion
 
I dont know what photos you are looking at, but keep in mind that elec tape is routinely carried by military commo or wire rats. Elec tape is available in smaller rolls and is far more flexible than duct tape.
 
Most of the electrical tape that you see at the big box stores, is a
plastic based tape that is very stretchy.

For a higher price you may see a cloth-based electrical tape which
was very common about 30 years ago.

Each has its advantages. The multi-colored plastic-based is good
for color-coding your gear, though I would prefer cloth-based, here also.
Any of the plastic stuff can fail miserably over a very short time period,
if you stretch it in a bridging fashion, where either anchor is not very
well stuck. IOW, it has a tendency to pull off of its anchors.

The cloth electrical tape does not stretch so it does not pull-back, pull-off, and fail.
The cloth tape costs much more, however, and only comes in black.

I have used what people said was hockey tape and it was roughly
similar (slightly thinner), as compared to cloth electrical tape.
A good alternative in a survival kit or tool kit.
 
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Those photos look like what military surplus stores used to describe as "100 mph tape". I've used that and comparable heavy-duty tape often described as "riggers" or "gaffers" tape. Much higher fabric content than cheap duct tape and a lot stickier. That Gorilla tape is also tough and sticky.

DancesWithKnives
 
I don't think I would carry electrical tape in my kit. It may be more compact and flexible, but I don't think it has the strength and versatility duct tape has. The hockey tape, however, is worth a try. And I'm open to better tape in general so post up links or info if you can. I have seen Gorilla tape. Looks really good. But I would prefer something more compact if I can get it.
 
Marion David Poff said:
What is that called and where do I get it?

Marion
Click to expand...

I just know it as sniper tape. I get issued it but it is found on eBay over here. I believe it originated as a tape used by painters as edging tape. It can absorb paint rather than the paint running off and onto areas you don't want painted.

Think it runs anywhere from $15-25 depending on who's selling it.

I've currently got it on my daysack's shoulder straps as the stitching is burst along the edge through wear and tear. The tape has been going 6months and still holding strong.
 
Best cycle wrench I ever knew would only cut electrical tape. Until I watched him, I had a tendency to tear it apart for my uses.

I learned.
 
I do agree on using the cloth-backed electrical tape if you opt to use any. I've carried it on my gear for several years. The smaller roles are easier to manipulate, but standard electrical tape doesn't last too long in harsh weather conditions. Probably the biggest reason I carried it was because it was small enough to snap onto a carabineer for instant access. Now with the smaller roles of Gorilla and duct-type tapes, I much prefer them for more robust repairs and use. Since the electrical tape doesn't have the longest lasting adhesive, it was great for taping down gear before a patrol...it didn't leave that bad of residue when removed afterwards, and was only temporary (unless you used the cloth-backed electrical tape which is much better at holding and staying). Of course, in my younger commo-days, we used electrical tape for fixing wire connections/breaks...now with more fiber than copper/steel strand wire, it's less of a concern, but still used for CAT-V type wire. If the wire was good and dry and it wasn't too cold, you could get a pretty good waterproof repair on a wire with electrical tape. I still think the cloth-backed duct tapes are much more versatile these days.

ROCK6
 
I don't really carry tape so I don't know what I'm missing. I can use bandaides in a pinch for a quick patch I guess. I mostly tie things together rather than tape them. I hate the look of big masses of tape on everything and the sticky ball formed when you try to untape it.
 
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