"I knew that".

I know a lot of folks were concerned with scraping their good blade on a flint stick and ruining the edge....

Last weekend, I started my spark based fire using a broken piece of beer bottle to shoot sparks off my metal match. Got a lot of sparks!

Clint Hollingworth
The Wandering Ones webcomic
http://www.wanderingones.com
 
Macclint said:
I know a lot of folks were concerned with scraping their good blade on a flint stick and ruining the edge....

Last weekend, I started my spark based fire using a broken piece of beer bottle to shoot sparks off my metal match. Got a lot of sparks!

Clint Hollingworth
The Wandering Ones webcomic
http://www.wanderingones.com
Click to expand...

A short piece of a hacksaw blade works well, you can use a hey chain or paracord to attach the blade to your flint stick.
 
Macclint said:
I know a lot of folks were concerned with scraping their good blade on a flint stick and ruining the edge....

Last weekend, I started my spark based fire using a broken piece of beer bottle to shoot sparks off my metal match. Got a lot of sparks!

Clint Hollingworth
Click to expand...

A sharp piece of stone will also work.

Doc
 
When canoeing carry a mesh bag of medium size and 20-30 feet of para cord. When you want to anchor, fill the bag with rocks an "VIOLA" you have a anchor. Dump the rocks out when it's time to go:thumbup:
 
With cable ties make sure they are nylon and not cheapo Costco plastic. Stick with a name brand from the electrical parts dept of your hardware store. Any cable tie/tie wrap will degrade in the sun or ozone so rotate your stock every year or two.

Electrical tape or duck tape wrapped around a pack frame, flashlight, or some other object you always carry can save the day. Fiberglass packaging tape is super strong but the adhesive only lasts a year or so.

I vaccum pack my survival goodies to reduce volume and keep the stuff waterproof. If you do the same then also vacuum pack a zip lock bag to put the stuff in once you open the package.

A microlight attached to the zipper pull on my backpacks has saved the day several times. County Comm has them for a buck.

One of my favorite items to carry is a canteen cup that nests around a nalgene bottle. The SS version only costs a few dollars but gives me something to heat water in for afternoon tea. Longer treks and I'll carry a Vargo titanium cup.
 
To attach a Cold Steel Bushman to a stick as a spear, use a screw-eye. Any small twig placed through the hole will turn it in like a woodscrew, it eleiminates the need for a screwdriver and you can use it to tie a cord to for whatever reason. The screw eye is easily tied to the sheath for storage.

Screw-eyes are also handy for stringing up cord for shelters. I carry a small carabiner with several on it of various sizes for when I have to make shelters in rocky areas. They can be twisted into small cracks in rocks to make handy attachment points for cord. Mac
 
1) Instead of 550, camping cord, zip ties, etc., SHOELACES. Leather, cotton, nylon, whatever. They're cheap, available everywhere, come in different lengths and can often be salvaged from old shoes. I have them stashed in all my coats, bags, etc. and they get used for everything.

P.S. I am an avid fan of FFG. Both the magazine and the powder:D
 
...I have never seen toilet paper mentioned here. But I try not to venture out without it. Yes, you can use a sock, your hat, a handful of leaves or grass, but you just can't beat a small roll of TP when nature calls. My rations used to include a tiny but usable pack of TP, and for a long time I found the packs at mil-surplus stores, but not lately. I did find some mini-rolls packed at Wal-Mart in the camping section. Nice to zip-loc and keep in my hunting bag. But with just a bit of Mcguyverism, you can "roll your own". Buy the thick single ply (store or commercial brands), then lightly dampen a wood dowel or pencil, touch the end of the TP to it as you trigger your battery powered variable speed Craftsman screw gun. Wind it up nice and tight, let it dry, then slide the mini-roll off and bag it. My rolls are about the diameter of a quarter, which is more than what they cost to make.

Codger
 
Codger ? I don,t roll T:P: . Sandpaper best stores flat . L:O:L
I,ve used business cards so I know what you are talking about .
 
I have a pair of the MRE toilet papers in my belt sized kit. I seal them in a layer of clear contact paper. Sealed up like that they will last forever, just waiting their turn. The pair I have in there have been through many rainy seasons here. I also use clear contact paper to seal regular book matches. Mac
 
Ray_Gears said:
as an infrequent 550 cord user, how well does it resist abrasion from speed lacing hooks on boots? those 2 or 3 hooks are where my laces nearly always fail.

great topic btw.:thumbup:
Click to expand...


Hey Ray,

My hiking boots only have speed hooks at the top - 1 pair on each boot. I haven't had any problem with abrasion but I've only had these ones in for the last 3 months or so.

Glad you like the topic. I'm pleased with, and enjoying the response myself.

Doc
 
Just a quick word about firestarting and tinder. Has anyone ever tried dryer lint for tinder? It's even better if you use dryer sheets in the dryer. The stuff they use on dryer sheets is darn near explosive. THe stuff takes right off. The plus side is that lint is super light weight and can be smashed into small containers.
 
pict said:
I have a pair of the MRE toilet papers in my belt sized kit. I seal them in a layer of clear contact paper. Sealed up like that they will last forever, just waiting their turn. The pair I have in there have been through many rainy seasons here. I also use clear contact paper to seal regular book matches. Mac
Click to expand...


That toilet paper you find in MRE's is only used to clean the poop out from under your finger nails, who would have thought that after a week of eating MRE's that little pack of paper would clean your arse. :D

For keeping warm on cold nights out in the bush, boil some water and pour in your nalgen bottle and put the bottle in a sock and then cuddle up to it in your sleeping bag. Will stay pretty warm for most of the night.
 
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