Things that don't work...

I now steer clear of any torches that are not LED as within an hour the batteries are dead....not a good thing in a survival scenario !!!
Also using the plastic survival bags to sleep in will result in you waking up soaked to the skin,not ideal in a cold environment !
Nearly forgot...Leatherman pulse...I know there are many Leatherman fans here but the mechanism broke on mine the first time I used the tin opener !!!
 
pit man said:
I now steer clear of any torches that are not LED as within an hour the batteries are dead....not a good thing in a survival scenario !!!
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To continue that thought, High end rechargeable lights. Fine for work, not good for survival.
I don't want to hijack the thread, but in a survival situation (especially urban), being able to recharge a light may be impossible. I agree that the LED lights have better longevity, But having extra batteries (or being able to get them) is also imperative!
 
I once took my girl friend on a weekend camping trip to the mountains.... she said she thought we were staying in a hotel......that didnt work :rolleyes:

Her idea of a "good pack" was a suitcase. I just love shopping for a trip when you arrive, having to repack everything before hitting the trail.:mad:
 
Battery powered, ultrasound mosquito repellers. Not made for the FL jungle. The bugs seem to love them, though.
 
Glad the flashlights were brought up, I forgot to add the Maglite style flashlight. I've never had one, of any size, that didn't fail right when I needed it. Also pretty heavy for the amount (and quality) of light they produce.
 
gkruty said:
This is kind of a given. When I was a kid starting to get into knives, someone gave me one of those "survival" knives. You know the one: early 80's Schwarzenegger commando knives with the hollow handle.
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I have 2 of those left.. I generally get a student who brings one to Survival Class.. I pull one of mine out.. We compare.. Then I break mine.. I generally ask if we can break theirs too, or would he like to try out one of my Busse's or Swamp Rats, or Ontario RAT's, or a Cold Steel, or one of my Beckers..

Quality over neat gimicky features boys, that's what ya want!

Works like a charm..
 
SpookyPistolero said:
Glad the flashlights were brought up, I forgot to add the Maglite style flashlight. I've never had one, of any size, that didn't fail right when I needed it. Also pretty heavy for the amount (and quality) of light they produce.
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You must've gotten your mag-lights from the same batch as me.
Did you ever try to change the bulb in one (any size) with wet,frozen hands?

I stick with surefire and fenix.
 
gkruty;4372134]You must've gotten your mag-lights from the same batch as me.
Did you ever try to change the bulb in one (any size) with wet,frozen hands?

I stick with surefire and fenix.
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I like your thinking, Its just sometimes all thats avalible Are maglites, and the variables.
I've done many things with my maglite that I figured it wouldn't work, but ended up doing so.

One of these days a surefire will come my way ;)
 
Some of these are dupes:

1. Pict's right on with the solar still

2. Wiresaws--add me to the list of folks who won't ever consider those again

3. Refrigerating batteries to make them last longer. Doesn't work--has the opposite effect!

4. Using a product like Skin-So-Soft as a smell-friendly mosquito repellent.
 
In the old days [50 years ago] you did store batteries in the refrigerator and it did work ! Modern battery technology has eliminated the need.My Pocket Chain Saw does work well. My space blankets I've had for a long time [preWal-Mart] with no deterioration...Why is it that so many people buy the cheapest Chinese Wal-mart stuff then whine when it falls apart ????
 
Add me to the list of bad flashlight experiences-especially Mag lights-they all seem to disintegrate in your hands when you need them most-on the other hand,the most reliable(and most practical)light I've owned is my old school Petzl head lamp:thumbup:
Wire saw BAD-chain saw GOOD!
"That friend"who carries that cheap a$$ backpack and complains about it the entire hike.:thumbdn:
 
To everyone that has that friend, thank you for reinforcing why I usually camp alone!!!!!
 
tarmix101 said:
For me it's anything that tries to much. To "gadgetey" (is that a word:confused: ).
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Man, you are SO right. If "gadgety" wasn't a word before, it is now, and I like it. In life in general, it's better to have two things that each do one thing very well, than one thing that does two, half-vast. (anyone want to buy a slightly used sawback survival knife? :D)

tarmix101 said:
I bought on of those whistle, match-case, compass, signal mirror, and firesteel jobbies. The whistle was OK, but not that loud, the mirror was way to small, the compass broke, and flimsy fire steel fell out after one strike. I like to keep my gear simple.
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Heh, I got one of those just for the heck of it... I ended up sawing the crappy whistle off, ignoring the tiny mirror, and didn't even bother with the flint thingy on the side. It's still a fine match case with an OK compass. About what I expect from a "button compass"...

Hmmm, gkruty and SpookyPistolero and Shawn Fu, I thought I was the only one. I had two 2-AA maglites crap the bed on me last summer... one was ten years old and the other brand new. Neither was dropped, abused or corroded, I have no clue why they puked out. Changing bulbs and batteries didn't help. I know many people love 'em but I'll never buy another.

My $14 Garrity crank-up LED flashlight has been 100% reliable, although it's kind of bulky. Not sure what kind of battery is inside, but every time I've checked it (after several weeks, sometimes) it has lit right up without having to crank it. It dims signifigantly after a couple minutes, but stays on. It can be a pain to give it a few cranks every five minutes but at least it works. I also have a crank light with a radio, forget the brand, the light works great (strobe feature and all, plus the siren works OK) but the radio BLOWS. Pulls in a station (FM only, does that seem retarded to anyone but me? I think I'd rather have AM only) for about 1 minute and dies, even if I keep cranking it. Anyone know of any crank/solar radios worth a damn? Without spending $100?

I mentioned wire saws earlier, I recommend a folding saw. Even my cheapo Coughlan's works a LOT better and weighs very little. I haven't tried a "chainsaw", but everyone here seems to like them alot.

About "that friend" or girlfriend... been there... didn't enjoy it. I thank my lucky stars that I'm now with a woman who not only enjoys being outdoors, she has common sense and can trouble-shoot a situation pretty good :)
 
good stuff.

basic theme i am seeing, dont go cheap on gear that you may one day need to save your life.
 
Ok about, That friend, i have a camping buddy who uses a WW2 issue pack and sleeping bag, they where is grandfathers, anyway ive tried his pack and its not that comfortable neither is the bag. Well this is where i have to stand up for him, cause he dose all the stuff that i do with my L.L bean back pack, North face sleeping bag, and 300 dollar boots ( he wears rubber boots)
He keeps up with me, never complains, and carries alot of gear. Hes one tough cookie. Now i know this is off topic but i felt i had to tell you all of my great camping partner, just to cheer you all up 8)


P.s Little wire saws Suck, i almost killed myself
 
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