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Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
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Opinions wanted on US Ultimate Survival kit.
- Thread starter Yojimbo
- Start date
Just my two cents worth. They had them in modified form at the NRA Convention here in Charlotte a few years ago. The fire starter is the best on the market. The whistle isn't loud enough to get my dog's attention. They didn't have the saw chain in the pack I got so I can't really judge it. Signaling mirror isn't bad at all. The storage box is great but a little bulky for what it does. All in all, I put the fire starter in my pack along with the mirror and put the case aside for use on something else in the future. The whistle found a home in the trash can. I would suggest buying the fire starter and mirror by themselves and saving a good bit of cash.
- Joined
- May 10, 2001
- Messages
- 853
The one-handed fire starter is great if you only have the use of one hand. Although the device is constructed well, there are more parts to fail. I would still supplement with a good, inexpensive firesteel like this one: http://www.light-my-fire.com/
Not sure if you can still use the parts of this starter if the springs fail. I wonder if you can improvise?
And like Terrill said, the whole package is rather bulky.
Just my thoughts.
Cheers!
Burton
Not sure if you can still use the parts of this starter if the springs fail. I wonder if you can improvise?
And like Terrill said, the whole package is rather bulky.
Just my thoughts.
Cheers!
Burton
edmoses
Usual Suspect
- Joined
- Apr 28, 2000
- Messages
- 1,095
1. The case is a small Otter box (2000 series?) and can be repacked with additional bits if you remove the nice display packing.
2. The firestarter can be used as a normal firesteel if the spring or other elements break.
3. Forget the whistle - good bin fodder!
4. The signal mirror does its job and has some instructions printed on it.
5. The pocket chainsaw works okay, but can be considered bulky (compare to the UK military version), but it depends what you are cutting!!
Just my thoughts - I have had mine for a couple of years after buying it from TAD.
Regards,
Ed
2. The firestarter can be used as a normal firesteel if the spring or other elements break.
3. Forget the whistle - good bin fodder!
4. The signal mirror does its job and has some instructions printed on it.
5. The pocket chainsaw works okay, but can be considered bulky (compare to the UK military version), but it depends what you are cutting!!
Just my thoughts - I have had mine for a couple of years after buying it from TAD.
Regards,
Ed
I keep a whistle on the strap of each backpack I own, and usually toss a firestarter in the bottom before I go out. I'm personally of the opinion that a saw could be displaced with something more useful, maybe water stuff.
But what about plastic signal mirrors? How do you guys keep yours without scratching up the front surface? It would be nice to have a way to keep it protected, but readily useable for other things.
Scott
But what about plastic signal mirrors? How do you guys keep yours without scratching up the front surface? It would be nice to have a way to keep it protected, but readily useable for other things.
Scott
Scott, I'm all for a "good" whistel in the gear, but the one in the kit wasn't that good. As for the mirror, I normally have a small plastic bag with a washcloth, soap, toothbrush, etc. in the main compartment of my pack (no telling when you might come across a supermodel in the wilderness). I wrap the mirror up in the wash cloth to protect it's surface until I need it.
- Joined
- May 4, 2000
- Messages
- 228
We were at the same show! No big surprise as you live in the Charlotte area. I also got my kit at the show. I was very impressed with the firestarter and the tinder that came with it. You are correct the whistle was a bit disappointing, but the mirror is well made and very user friendly.
Incidently I purchased a kit from Jeff Randall which comes in the same box and has many more useful goodies in it. I comes with a Swedish fire steel along with a fishing kit, bandaids, water treatment, etc. I really like those little "pelican" boxes.
I have tried various pocket chainsaws in the past (but not US Survivals) and while they do cut up a storm, I have found the amount of energy expended for the end product (not to mention the weight of the saw itself) was rarely worth it. Unless I were to need to build a log cabin (instead of a lean-to) for shelter I guess it would have utility, but a good axe, or a good chopping blade will do just as well, with more uses to boot (hard to clean a fish with a pocket chainsaw).
Incidently I purchased a kit from Jeff Randall which comes in the same box and has many more useful goodies in it. I comes with a Swedish fire steel along with a fishing kit, bandaids, water treatment, etc. I really like those little "pelican" boxes.
I have tried various pocket chainsaws in the past (but not US Survivals) and while they do cut up a storm, I have found the amount of energy expended for the end product (not to mention the weight of the saw itself) was rarely worth it. Unless I were to need to build a log cabin (instead of a lean-to) for shelter I guess it would have utility, but a good axe, or a good chopping blade will do just as well, with more uses to boot (hard to clean a fish with a pocket chainsaw).