Things that don't work...

MORIMOTOM said:
good stuff.

basic theme i am seeing, dont go cheap on gear that you may one day need to save your life.
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Yup, everything I've tried to save $$ on has failed on me when I really needed it!

Flashlights are huge, but I've never had a problem with them while camping (I usually don't use them since I'm too pooped to stay up much after sunset!) but every time I need to track a deer at night, my lights go south quick!

Worst ever invention, the fakie tactical grip-end switch. They get turned on in the pack way too easily!

J-
 
I've had all kinds of flashlights fail on me, but it's because I'm too cheap to break down and buy a Surefire or the like. Watchful, while Skin-So-Soft may not work as a mosquito repellent, it does work well as a flea bath for your dog. Kills fleas on contact.

I have one of those 'friends', too. More like an acquaintance now, but back in the day... He was a city kid, not afraid of anything, but stupid as all get out. He couldn't tell the difference between snakeberries and wild strawberries, but he thought he knew everything there was to know about the woods.

Let's see... I can't think of anything else, though I'm sure there's plenty. I'll remember later. Good thread.
 
Hey MoonShine47, Can i put my self first in line to borrow your friend for when i go backpacking??? I must admit its nice to share the adventure. But after a few times i rather do Gkruty does and go on my own.

Sasha
 
Do NOT go snow camping w/out a sleeping pad. Yes, you will warm up the area below you eventually, but that just turns the snow into ICE WATER.:D

Don't leave a cheap water bottle where it can leak all over your clothes.

Try out your alcohol stove in the wind before you take it as your only stove in high desert.

A 15 degree bag must cost more than 23.95, or someone is not going to have any fun. Especially if you combine w/ #1 above.:)

If you walk w/ someone to an impassable avalanche slide full of shale and stickers, and they say "It will be a lot easier once we get above tree line", it is going to be a long weekend.

Even if your boots are broken in, if you spend your time in the flats, they will still suck once you are doing a lot of up and down.

??? You learn by doing. Have fun, stay safe, and if things don't go your way, call it a shakedown hike and try again w/ a little more knowledge or preparation.
 
The Biggest thing to remember about flashlights is to make sure you have one and so does that friend or your girlfreind. It sucks stumbling through the woods because your chivalry made you give your primary light to your girlfriend while you try to navigate with a solitaire mini mag.

Hey moonshine Can we trade "Friends" Next time

I am just kidding my freind does have some redeeming qualities among them his pure enthusiasm to go afield in any weather any time, without his pestering i probably wouldnt go camping half as much.
 
Some good points so far!

I’ll add a few new ones:

(1) Make sure that all of your containers have quality lids. This goes for the big ones (water bottles) and the smallest ones. Never pack little vials of seasoning in cheap pop-top containers, otherwise you might find yourself in bear country with a pack full of lemon pepper seasoning ;)

(2) Don’t make space in your pack for electronic gizmos unless you’re going to make space for extra batteries as well.

(3) If you bring along ‘that friend’, don’t get into a situation where he / she attempts to make up for poor gear by ‘toughing it out’ unless there’s no alternative. I once went hiking with a friend who was using new, un-tested boots. He complained about his feet being sore in the morning of a day hike, and I didn’t think much of it. When we made camp in the evening, his feet were shredded. It required us to take the next leg of the trip slowly, and to dip into my first aid supplies. When I asked why he kept going, he mentioned something about not wanting to let his bad decision (to use new boots on a large hike) impact on my enjoyment.

- Mike
 
pict said:
Digging a large pit in a sunny place when you are short of water is a bad idea.
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yeah...the pit will end up being your grave.

CRKT M-16 knives...the liners rust out, the steel is aus-??? el-cheapo.

A buck 110 costs about the same ($30-$40), and although is isn't one handed "tacticool" opening or have a pocket clip. It is a proven workhorse, that will field dress a deer, or cut line. One of the best value priced knives IMHO.:thumbup:
 
I'll have to go with those little wire saws. They are junk. At least the couple I have had. That is why I carry a small hatchet (ie. Granfors-Bruks Wildlife hatchet) and a small folding saw.
 
My 3 cents:

Mag blocks work when you learn how to use them. See recent thread ;)

Cheap mylar blankets work and work well when used as they should under clothing around your core to trap core heat, not as a shelter or anything else tho.

Dont work?

Cheap compass
Cheap knives
Ill fitting backpacks

The worst "CHEAPO FOOTWEAR" your feet are critical. A $200 knife is useless if your feet are packed up.

Maglights

Spray on waterproofing of any kind.

Butane stoves in cold

Canvas tents

lots more I have to think about.

Skam
 
What doesn't work?
YOUR BRAIN when you are thirsty, hungry, cold, tired, upset, etc. etc.

Take care of yourself, stop and take a water break as needed, get into the shade for a while on a hot sunny day, do all the things to maintain body temperature in cold climates, eat some calories, and your BRAIN won't fail on you.
 
Im going to have to go with the spray on waterproofing. Learned that in my first year of the army in germany. tried waterproofing my jungle boots. not. spray on silicone is just about worthless.
Now I know im going to take a lashing for this but, surefire flashlights for non tactical situations. a waste of money. for the money you spend on the novelty of '65 lumens in just 4 inches of flashlight' you could have gotten a maglight, and extra batteries. Ive never ever had a maglight fail, and theyre durable as heck. sure, theyre quite a bit longer, and heavier, but i dont mind, as their batteries give me about the same lumen, for 8 TRILLION times longer than any surefire flashlight could ever dream of giving me. they dont overheat themselves, you wont readily lose one, and they double as a beatdown rod in a pinch. plus their beam is adjustable. and you can find their batteries ANYwhere. and each battery doesnt cost SIX BUCKS either. I have two surefires, but theyre for tactical, quick use scenarios. not long term light, as in for camping or hiking.
the little wire saws? they dont work, cuz theyre not camping saws. theyre last ditch saws. for down pilots, or ground personnel escaping and evading in enemy occupied territory.
the little mylar blankets tear.. cuz youre using them for which they werent intended. as a tarp. theyre blankets. you wrap one around yourself in a last ditch effort. theyre not sleeping bags.

My 'i thought it would work...in theory' was using gas as a firestarter, for when you can only find wet branches. I tried using it a long time ago when starting a fire after it snowed to no avail. nothing i did could get those soaked branches lit. so I learned my lesson there.
 
moonshine47 said:
P.s Little wire saws Suck, i almost killed myself
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Granted most wire saws blow however there are some that perform in the emergency function well.

The Brit BCB model in particular does work if you use it correctly. Not for heavy use but emergency cutting it works fine.

Anything at walmart or on regular store shelves is garbage.

Skam
 
skammer said:
Anything at walmart or on regular store shelves is garbage.
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I hate walmart...the one by my house sucks, i haven't found anything there of use other than those rubbermaid storage bins. The brand of "outdoors" line they have called ozark trails is the cheapest crap I have ever seen...I could make a better knife with a rock...:eek:

Luckily, REI is right down the street, they are pricey but I guess it evens out with shipping costs online.
 
yea i agree totally. the brit bcb 'commando' wire saw is pretty cool. its the one i carry. all the rest like varcos and such blow.
 
skammer said:
Granted most wire saws blow however there are some that perform in the emergency function well. The Brit BCB model in particular does work if you use it correctly. Not for heavy use but emergency cutting it works fine. Anything at walmart or on regular store shelves is garbage. Skam
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Got a link to that BCB saw? We're discussing saws in another thread*, I'd like to see that one. The "chainsaw" one has gotten good reports, too.

*http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=455546
 
I put together a portable self-contained wood buring stove because there's a "no open fires" rule at my local trail. It worked really well at home but it just couldn't breath out in the field.:confused: So it's back to the drawing board for me.
 
GibsonFan said:
Got a link to that BCB saw? We're discussing saws in another thread*, I'd like to see that one. The "chainsaw" one has gotten good reports, too.

*http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=455546
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YOu can find them on e-bay now and then.

They are not your regular wire saw but a decent bit of kit if you understand its emergency nature (they dont last forever and get dull over time). Do not overheat them and you have to splay your arms out when using it to avoid kinking and detempering. Other than that saw away.

This is the model.
http://www.bcbsurvivalusa.com/xcart/catalog/NEW-BCB-Commando-Wire-Saw-p-16157.html

Skam
 
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