Tried and True

F

fishtale

Joined
Dec 19, 2002
Messages
337
Stockman, Trappers, Barlows, SAKs, Peanuts, P-38s, and Craftsman 4-way keychain screwdrivers. Any other "old time" pocket gear you typically carry...I'm thinking about things like lighters, pens, etc. The tried and true gear that you always rely on.

My dad gave me a Kabar Little Finn and a stainless steel Parker Jotter pen during the late '70s that keep going strong. I love to carry it both. What do you rely on to do it's job every day?
 
fishtale said:
Stockman, Trappers, Barlows, SAKs, Peanuts, P-38s, and Craftsman 4-way keychain screwdrivers. Any other "old time" pocket gear you typically carry...I'm thinking about things like lighters, pens, etc. The tried and true gear that you always rely on.

My dad gave me a Kabar Little Finn and a stainless steel Parker Jotter pen during the late '70s that keep going strong. I love to carry it both. What do you rely on to do it's job every day?
Click to expand...

I have a Fenix E0 flashlight that I have on my keychain that is incredibly bright and reliable. I LOVE it.

Brett
 
fishtale said:
Stockman, Trappers, Barlows, SAKs, Peanuts, P-38s, and Craftsman 4-way keychain screwdrivers. Any other "old time" pocket gear you typically carry...I'm thinking about things like lighters, pens, etc. The tried and true gear that you always rely on.

My dad gave me a Kabar Little Finn and a stainless steel Parker Jotter pen during the late '70s that keep going strong. I love to carry it both. What do you rely on to do it's job every day?
Click to expand...

I've had th same Cross Pen since the 60's. Most of the chrome is worn off, its dented up and lookes pretty beat, but it writes good. I put a new filler in it once in a while. But it doesn't get carried alot anymore, since I retired. But I do always keep a short pencil stub in my pocket. It always writes, and I use it to jot down things on the little matchbook size pad I make up to go in my wallet. Also you can scrape the graphite tip with a sharp blade to get a fine dry lube for something sticking.

Being a pipe smoker I need a lighter on me. Not being able to get my pipe going when I want in an outdoor emergency. My Zippo in about 35 years old and about as beat up as my Cross pen, but still works. I had to send it back last year to have a new hinge put on. I'm experimenting with the Bic lighters. A little lighter weight, can see how much fuel is left in the lighter color ones. One huge drawback to the zippo is unless you top it off every morning and risk the leg burn from overfilling, they tend to run out with no warning. I really hate that.

Always carry a small knife hone. For many years now its been a cut down Eze-lap model L. It goes in my wallet zipper compartment.

A small flashlight is a handy thing to have. For at least a couple years I've been using a little single AAA Dorcy pocket light from Walmat. It goes in the right front pocket with the pocket knife of the day, be that the Buck cadet or Victoinox cadet II. For 5 bucks its a steal. Good enough light that when Pearl the wonder corgi gets her last walk of the night in the woods, I use the little Dorsy to light the path and see my way. Maybe one of these dys I'll try an ARC to see if they are worth the high cost.

Two bandanas. One is rolled up and in the back right pocket with my tobacco pouch, the other is rolled up in my side pocket. Bandanas are too handy not to have. Don't weigh much.
 
Jackknife, really interested in that pocket hone you carry! Any sources there, I want something small but useful?

As for the rest of the thread, always carry one slip joint but it depends on mood/day and one small sheath-knife in my work-bag. Always carry a micro-torch (flashlight) from Skunklights, really handy and solar powered. Like to carry a tiny pocket magnifier (10x)for appraising stuff.
 
I've got a marbles compass on my key chain that I have had for many years. I have used that little compass over and over again. Only one problem --- I have to stop and get out of the car for it to work right--- but that's ok I'm half lost anyway if I have to check my compass. Well and of course a pocket knife --it would be a Schrade, Queen or Case.
"The tried and true gear that you always rely on."
Only one other thing, a S&W 38 that has saved my life a couple of times.
 
Most of you fellows beat me to it with listing all your accessories.. Mine are about the same, real Corn Cobb Pipe, real Stag Pipe, Bandanna and old Zippo that my Dad used to carry.:cool:
 
I like to carry a small pocket-sized notebook with a tiny pen or pencil clipped inside the cover to jot things down, but it is a chore to find just the right one (most are too big or are notepads rather than books). I've tried many different ones and whenever I fond one that I like, I can never seem to find a replacement. I have a shoebox full of the ones I've filled up - I'm a little compulsive about them and I'm afraid I'll need the info. in one some day (and this does happen from time to time).

I also carry a Waterman fountain pen most days. I admit that it is a foppish affectation, but I write a lot each day, so it may as well be a pleasure.
 
At work I carry a Dayminder weekly glance book for taking notes (my analog Blackberry), a pen (usually a Dr. Grip), a small phillips/slotted Enderes pocket screwdriver, along with my glasses case in my shirt pocket. I carry my Cadet II and a Leatherman Squirt E4 in pants pockets.

Sometimes I carry an Inova X1 or X5 flashlight. If I'm wearing a sportscoat, which I have to wear certain times during the year, I will carry the Wiha System 4 micro screwdrivers , a slotted/phillips set and a torx set. Both come in a thin plastic pouch that fits nicely in the pocket. Not neccessarily "old time", but handy.
 
willgoy said:
Jackknife, really interested in that pocket hone you carry! Any sources there, I want something small but useful?
Click to expand...


google Eze-lap diamond hones.

I use the model L series, I think its the LF that is the fine grit. Red plastic handle that I cut all but an inch from above the diamond surface. I carry it in my wallet. I don't think its over 1/8th of an inch thick. That and the back of my belt has kept my pocket knives sharp for many years.

The MSRP of the eze-lap model L is 4.95.
 
I carried a Cross pen for thirty years or so...

Now I'm carrying either a Lamy L645 ST or a Rotring 600. An Arc AAA seems to find a way into my pocket, very handy and bright. Been carrying a Daytimer since '87, probably the only item that I can't live without.
 
Hmmm. Besides a trusty slippie in my right front pocket a worn SAK Classic rides with a handkerchief and a microfiber eyeglass cloth in the left front pocket. My keys ride on a small carabiner clip. I've packed a small, Official BSA fire steel on there for a long time. Only had to use it once or twice when I needed to light something and had cotton balls around, but couldn't find a lighter or match. It's comforting. Cell phone naturally rides the belt when out of the house. Don't use that many minutes though. Just to touch base with the rest of me.

I used to carry a Promotheus pipe lighter, but didn't for a while and now I can't find it. Jackknife, this is one you should check out. I paid $8.95 at a local tobacco shop for it. It come with a foldout tamper, has an angled flame and is refillable. It goes forever on a filling of butane. IIRC they make one that uses replaceable flints to fire it and one that is piezoelectric. It's plastic bodied, but held up well getting knocked around. I found it not only does well on pipes, but does a great job toasting and lighting the end of a cigar. A heck of a lot more reliable than a torch lighter I got when I was smoking cigars regularly. If I don't find my Promotheus soon I'll get a new one when I venture into SA again for some pipe tobacco.

One of these days I intend to add a micro light or maybe one of those Dorcey flashlights to the kit. Or just start carry my keys on the little carabiner type ring with the built in AAA mini-maglight that came with a Wenger tinker I got on clearance once.
 
jackknife said:
google Eze-lap diamond hones.

I use the model L series, I think its the LF that is the fine grit. Red plastic handle that I cut all but an inch from above the diamond surface. I carry it in my wallet. I don't think its over 1/8th of an inch thick. That and the back of my belt has kept my pocket knives sharp for many years.

The MSRP of the eze-lap model L is 4.95.
Click to expand...

Jackknife, that RED LF works well on case tru-sharp as well as it does on their CV?
 
Amos Iron Wolf said:
Or just start carry my keys on the little carabiner type ring with the built in AAA mini-maglight that came with a Wenger tinker I got on clearance once.
Click to expand...
Watch out... The end-cap of those mini-maglites comes unscrewed pretty easily when it's dangling around on your belt-loop. I've lost a couple of 'em that way.
 
okBookGuy said:
Jackknife, that RED LF works well on case tru-sharp as well as it does on their CV?
Click to expand...

Definatly.

For many years now that cut down model L has been the only sharpener I've used. Its touched up sak's, Buck Stockman, Case peanuts and sodbusters, Mora laminated blade sheath knife, Plumb hatchet, and a few Opinels, and an old Buck 102 woodsman. Sometimes I'll strop the blade, somtimes not. If you finish with feather light strokes, it will be shaving sharp right off the hone. The big thing is to remember to keep the circles small and overlaping all the way from kick to tip. And don't hold the blade at too high an angle.

Sharpening should be easy and able to do anywhere, in just a few minutes. A small pocket hone used free hand gives you freedom in the field or in every day life. In fact knife sharpening could be a metaphor for life- keep it simple. Don't over complicate it.
 
jackknife said:
Sharpening should be easy and able to do anywhere, in just a few minutes. A small pocket hone used free hand gives you freedom in the field or in every day life. In fact knife sharpening could be a metaphor for life- keep it simple. Don't over complicate it.
Click to expand...
Sound wisdom.

Wish I'd learned that years ago.
 
Foilist said:
I also carry a Waterman fountain pen most days. I admit that it is a foppish affectation, but I write a lot each day, so it may as well be a pleasure.
Click to expand...
Why is using a fountain pen a foppish affectation?
If you are going to enjoy good tools, then a good fountain pen sits up there with them.
It makes writting enjoyable.
It is another way of passing on character in your handwritting that gets lost in ballpoints.

Fountain pens are another tradition getting lost.
 
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