Twenty Bucks

Mundele

Mundele

Joined
Aug 5, 2000
Messages
403
Okay, Here's the idea. You have $20 to spend on a small, practical, lightweight survival kit. The kit should be small enough to keep in a coat pocket, and should contain as many practical, usable items as possible. What do you buy? (try to stay within budget...)

Thanks...

--Matt

 
Before I spent any of the twenty bucks I would first try togather some items from home that I could use. My first step would probably be to find or buy a small tin to keep it all in. I like the Dunhill tobacco tins for around $7. Once you clean them out they are pretty useful.
 
I agree the biggest problem is the container, pocket sized, usable fro reflector, and to boil water in, is difficult to find.

lots of the other stuff we have in the home.
 
I've got to agree with the other fellas on this one, let's look around the house first before we go spending that $20 spot. $20 isn't going to buy a heck of a lot, so I want to make every penny count.

My question becomes this, are you looking at short term exposure resistance / attract rescue until help arrives, or are you taking this as a do all kit?

------------------
It's not the pace of life that concerns me, It's the sudden stop at the end.

[This message has been edited by sgtmike88 (edited 03-02-2001).]
 
Hi

Looking around the house first is a very wise
idea. For you can save a lot of money.

candle stubs ( fire )

real cotton balls from pill containers(tinder)

0000 steel wool ( tinder )

Fishing line

altoids mints box

ziplock bags

fishing hooks

sinkers

bic lighter

Trash Bags

These are just a few items that most people have around the house. They may not be perfect but they help.

Knifesmith
 
I guess I should have been clearer. My purpose in asking was to determine what things were the most important, when cost was considered. This is a hypothetical, 'if you only had $20' kind of question.
So, if you only had $20 to spend on items to go in a small kit, how would you spend your money?

Sorry for the confusion...

--Matt
 
Empty soup can with hanger handle (Free)
This will hold everything else and double as a small pot.
Matches (Free)

Steel wool (~$1)
30' paracord (.10/foot = $3)
Metal Match ($3 from Simply Survival)
Opinal 6 or Frost Mora (~$10)
Industrial strength trash bags (Not sure on $ for just 2 or 3)
Fishing hooks (pennies)
Maybe some fishing line
And what the heck, some duct tape?

Of course, everything could change depending on where you're going, but it's probably a good start for $20 or so...

cj
 
good post, Mundele

s002cjs has a good plan there. the cheap plastic trash bags would give a "good bang for the buck".
smile.gif


I like his metal match, but would take a cheap disposable butane lighter instead of the steel wool.

If I was really gonna do this for $20, I would shop for used items. yard sales and flea markets would be a good place to start.

a metal cup or bowl should be very cheap in the used dishes area: ~$1

a used pocketknife or fixed blade hunting knife: ~$5

a used sock cap: ~$1

************************************

this would be an interesting shopping challenge, getting the best kit for $20
 
Interesting suggestion about the sock cap (we called them Toboggans where I grew up in Tennessee...) I've always heard that if your feet are cold, put on your hat. I guess something as simple as a sock cap could be a big help if you're cold...
 
gotta have a sock cap.

imagine going hiking when it's 80 degrees and sunny. you get stuck out overnight and it rains. now you're tired, wet, and it's 60 degrees and windy. that sockcap would be worth its weight in gold.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top