RAT Pack Pouch 1st. Generation

Dizwolf - Have you tried that Incredible (pocket chain) saw you have?

Myself and another forum member here Heath2 tried to use one during the Woodland Ops course. It was a flop for us.

We could never get it to cut deeper than about 3/4 of an inch before it would bind up. We are both pretty strong dudes and it would get stuck on about everything we tried.

I bought one and carried it around for a long time & was a bit disappointed when it failed in the field. :confused:
 
geek said:
Dizwolf - Have you tried that Incredible (pocket chain) saw you have?

Myself and another forum member here Heath2 tried to use one during the Woodland Ops course. It was a flop for us.

We could never get it to cut deeper than about 3/4 of an inch before it would bind up. We are both pretty strong dudes and it would get stuck on about everything we tried.

I bought one and carried it around for a long time & was a bit disappointed when it failed in the field. :confused:
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Did you try using lube:D
 
Yeah I was wondering how you get the saw to stay perpendicular to the tree (or whatever you're cutting) until it's bitten into the wood and stays in the right position.

Back on topic though - Nice kits everyone!
 
I've actually been playing with the contents of my kit for quite a while, adding and remove things, and completely starting over.

I put my Shotgunner sheath in there for my 6. It covers the handle of the knife more than it really needs to, but I like the looks and super retention. Then I just Ranger banded the sharpener on the sheath. The fire kit holder made my kit really thick so I am just sticking it in the front pocket for now.

Contents:

-RC-6
-RAT Fire Kit w/ microlight attached (this is really handy to loop around your wrist)
-Streamlight Microstream
-Mini Bic
-Leatherman Wave
-Button compass
-Marine whistle
-Removable sling made out of a single 30 foot piece of paracord
-RAT survival card
-In the wallet pocket I have a bandana

I'm going to add one of my mini FAKs and perhaps a fishing kit along with some water procurement and treatment stuff and a super striker for the fire kit. The reason I don't have it busting at the seams with gear is because most all this is backups for my main kit. Always changing contents though and thanks for the thread, it gives me some good ideas.

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This one didn't turn out, I could tell when I pushed the button!

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Going to do the TTD pin mod as well. Perhaps tomorrow.... :D
 
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geek said:
Dizwolf - Have you tried that Incredible (pocket chain) saw you have?
Click to expand...



I've used several versions of this companies saws over the last 10-12 years. I generally try to keep them oiled, but I initially used them dry. They do sometimes bind. I've liked mine.

There are a few tricks though. The biggest issue is you've got to think in reverse as far as setting up the wood for the cut. Instead of cutting outside the brace, you've got to cut inside of it so the wood opens up as you cut it.

I try to use it on smaller logs, 6 inches or less. But it does work on larger logs about 12 inches or so. It's just very, very tiring. The best pull method i've come up with is to totally drop all pressure on the falling hand, and rip up with the rising hand. This keeps a sort of loose pressure on the saw, which helps prevent binding. Takes some practice and getting used to.

My family and I have gone through a bunch of these saws, and we keep them in hiking and go bags. But as much as I like mine, I still tie a bowsaw to my pack while hiking
 
Dizwolf said:
I've used several versions of this companies saws over the last 10-12 years. I generally try to keep them oiled, but I initially used them dry. They do sometimes bind. I've liked mine.

There are a few tricks though. The biggest issue is you've got to think in reverse as far as setting up the wood for the cut. Instead of cutting outside the brace, you've got to cut inside of it so the wood opens up as you cut it.

I try to use it on smaller logs, 6 inches or less. But it does work on larger logs about 12 inches or so. It's just very, very tiring. The best pull method i've come up with is to totally drop all pressure on the falling hand, and rip up with the rising hand. This keeps a sort of loose pressure on the saw, which helps prevent binding. Takes some practice and getting used to.

My family and I have gone through a bunch of these saws, and we keep them in hiking and go bags. But as much as I like mine, I still tie a bowsaw to my pack while hiking
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You beat me to it, this is almost exactly what I was about to post when I read the initial question.
 
333rm said:
That's a great setup you put together there Adam.
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Thanks 333, it's a work in progress. I really like all the sharing of ideas we do around here.

Diz, I think you've got it right. Those saws are great to stick in a pack or whatever. If you knew you were going to need a saw, you'd pack a bowsaw. Those are great for the times you need it and maybe didn't plan to.
 
What a timely thread! I just got my pack in yesterday (actually, I think I bought the last one). Some great ideas in this thread. I already wanted to get a standard RC-6 sheath for it, but didn't know how I was going to implement that. TTD fixed that for me. I will definitely be doing that mod. I really like that para-cord sling too, Adam.

I will try to get some pics of it showing what I have in it so far tomorrow. It is set up for fire/first aid right now, with a little bit of etcetera. For now, here is a shot just so this post won't be picless:

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I don't know if it shows in the pics, but it is sort of a foliage/OD color. I was expecting khaki, and maybe this is LMIW khaki. Regardless, I like it. It's a nice color.
Like I said, will take some better pics tomorrow.
 
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Looking forward to the contents! It was in another thread somewhere else, but I laid the cord out for my sling like this, then braided each double strand together and secured the ends with zip ties. I've got split rings on there now so I can remove it easily, but I think I'm going to get a couple of those small caribiners for it. I can move the sling from this kit to my 10x4 bottle kit.

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adaman04 said:
Looking forward to the contents! It was in another thread somewhere else, but I laid the cord out for my sling like this, then braided each double strand together and secured the ends with zip ties. I've got split rings on there now so I can remove it easily, but I think I'm going to get a couple of those small caribiners for it. I can move the sling from this kit to my 10x4 bottle kit.
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Thanks! I was wondering the most practical way to have some para-cord along. This kills two birds with one stone, so to speak.
 
I think a sling is a great addition to this pack. On belt is ok, but the sling makes it easier to get into and out of the pack when it's on you. Doing that on belt I just wind up dumping my knife.
 
I'll have to pick one of the rat pack pouches with as my next knife/pouch purchases. They look to be very handy to have in the truck all the time. Thanks for the photos guys, they really show some great ideas.
 
some photos of the Ratpack on a recent job, not all of this gear was jammed inside though, just the fire steel, sharpener, signal mirror, Adventure Medical Pocket Survival Kit, and I think there was also a spare set of AAA Li batteries for the SPOT II.

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Alright, I didn't get this up last night. The oil spill has kept me at work past midnight every other shift, it seems.

Anyway, here are the pics.

Two of my favorite pieces of kit. These go in my truck now. The Pack Rat & the Rat Pack. Both very well made.
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I was surprised by how much this thing can comfortably hold. Granted, it is no BoB, but I do not think it was meant to be.

DSCF0636.jpg


From the top, left to right (sorta)
  • Emergency Poncho
  • Two heavy duty 30 gallon garbage bags
  • bandages etc in a loksak
  • two pair nitrile gloves
  • RC 6
  • ESEE firekit
  • Buck Hartsook (for use as a striker. Got the idea off these boards from somebody)
  • sharpening rod
  • Zebra 701
  • ITP EOS ver 2 flashlight (I love these little lights)
  • Tick Twister (great product. I have these stashed everywhere)
  • CC widgy mini prybar
  • Gerber Solstice multitool (really great scissors on these, and they're tiny)
  • Ranger banded Altoid tin
  • Snuff box

DSCF0637.jpg


The pills are for diarrhea. This is missing a few key items, but I don't want to steal from my other little FAK, so I have an order in at Redflare to fill in the spots.
The Altoid tin contains quite a bit of tinfoil at the bottom, 4 cotton balls, jute twine, and the amber vial is for petroleum jelly. There is still room for a few other things in there as well.


So there is my quick take on the fire/first aid kit I was planning for this pack. It still has quite a bit of tweaking to go (I haven't had it a week yet), and there are a few mods I know I will do soon. I got a great deal on a SAK Alox farmer and Photon Freedom microlight; these will probably go in there. I want to give the wife the ITP. I also need to pick what color para-cord to get for the sling. It isn't quite khaki, and isn't quite OD. Maybe I will just grab black.

This thread has been great for giving me ideas. Thanks to everyone for he pics and sharing your setups.
 
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Great post man. If you like the color paracord I posted above it is the khaki color from Supply Captain. They have so many colors it was a crapshoot to get close, but it is a pretty good match IMO. It was almost dark when I took the pics so the colors are a little off.
 
That looks great Tony! I like your fix for the screw! Looks like a great kit for the truck, I'll be keeping mine in the same place :)
 
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