Projects while it's cold!

[Terrill]

Since I already have too many kids, I had to find something else to keep myself busy during the cold weather. I thought I would work on a never ending project of getting together the perfect "walk-around" rifle. The rifle itself is a Ruger 7mm-08 lightweight. But I have been busy doing some leatherwork for the project and thought I'd show it off a bit.
The main items finished are the sling and sheath. I wanted to be able to store a few items that one should always have with them. It would seem that I have a bad habit of going out for a short walk only to find myself gone for hours. Then I kick myself for leaving behind the items I know I should take with me.
The sheath holds a Hossom Hunter/Killer which has proven to be about perfect for a general duty knife. For a production knife, the Simonich "Raven" fits the "will do anything" requirement. Added to the front of the sheath is a small pouch for an Arc light. The sling carries even more. Along the bottom portion, I've wrapped 15' of paracord that can be described as the "always needed" item. Pull the strands out of the middle and that ends up being over 100 feet of string! Just above that I've attached a small compass. Now I don't get lost! But every now and then I can find myself misplaced. The pouch above the compass holds a firesteel along with a small vial of asprin. At the top I have added an attachment point for small clip-on items. Right now it is a Inova LED light.
Above the sling is the next part of the project. It's a buttstock cover that will hold a few extra rounds and a "Harpoon". (The one in the shot is a prototype. Jerry has taken this idea to a new level and I should have one to show off shortly.)
NOW GUYS, I'm wanting to know what you would add! What can be included that I must have?

 

[Sharptooth]

Now if you could just figure out a way to make the sheath hold the firesteel and a sharpener of some sort......

By the way the sling is awesome, but on the buttstock cover you might consider making individual loops for the cartridges, or were you going to put a lid on the pouch? The better designs that I have used have a strip that covers around the base of the cartridges and a strip that goes over the protruding bullet. Hence the double friction fit. Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[RokJok]

Originally posted by Terrill
I'm wanting to know what you would add! What can be included that I must have?

Hi Terrill,
Very sweet design and EXCELLENT leathercraft!!! It looks like you could fit another little pouch between the mini-LED light clip & the pouch that is there now. I suspect you didn't include one there already because that looks like the section of sling that curves over your shoulder and the rigidity of another pouch would dig into your shoulder or collarbone.

You might look at including the very small vial of Potable Aqua as recommended here by Doug Ritter at Equipped.com and some vitamin C tablets to counteract the iodine taste as outlined in this recent thread. This assumes that you will have a canteen, sierra cup, or other water container with you. The vendor contact info for the smaller Potable Aqua bottles is linked from the Equipped.com page above.

If you had even more space, maybe look at trying to fit in a plastic bag or some heavy aluminum foil. Supplemental cordage could be some dental floss, mason's line, or preferably braided nylon fishing line.

Just my quick $0.02, -- Greg --