Working on a survival necklace

What's the benefit of the P-38 can opener? Are you carrying cans of tuna into the backcountry?
 
CSG said:
What's the benefit of the P-38 can opener? Are you carrying cans of tuna into the backcountry?
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I believe (and I may be wrong) that people will use it for a striker on a ferro rod so you don't have to use the edge of your knife.
 
Stormstaff said:
I believe (and I may be wrong) that people will use it for a striker on a ferro rod so you don't have to use the edge of your knife.
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I've heard that works well. I may still try that, but I was thinking the SAK might cover that base in a pinch (the nail file has a square edge, and if worse came to worst, I could use the knife blade). It also serves a few other functions (pen, weak light, blade, bottle opener, scissors, and small phillips). The midnite manager might be my favorite small SAK.
 
Lots of things will spark a ferro rod other than the edge of a knife blade. Not sure carrying a P-38 as a striker makes much sense.
 
I tried something similar but ended up not being satisfied for a lot of the reasons posted earlier. I'm happier with a small "medicine bag" type thing that I made up. It's about 4x2 inches and flaps over so it's actually two pouches. Right now, it holds a spark rod, photon light, cammenga button compass, some medication, a few firestraws, and a Fallkniven U2 folder. I haven't worn it in a few months because of a C-Spine injury but was happy with it when I did. It kept the weight centered and prevented items from rattling around or (icky) getting sweaty or caught in chest hair.

Regarding the Mini-Champ, mine sometimes goes in the bag. I actually replaced the scales on a regular Mini-Champ with others that had the red LED and Pen. On my Mini,I made some small mods:

1. I sharpened the tip of the cuticle pusher thing, making a surprisingly effective little round chisel for making spoon bowls etc
2. I sharpened the inside of the hook of the orange peeler and it makes a neat little blade for all sorts of things
3. I sharpened the tip of the ruler into a straight chisel.
4. I installed a chain saw and 300 milliwatt laser (hahaha...I wish"

Anyway, just some thoughts
 
I like a pocket lanyard rather than a necklace. I loop the lanyard over my belt and drop the works in my pocket.

On the lanyard:

Small compass
Aluminum whistle
SAK Classic (or other small folder)
Fenix E01 flashlight (or other LED light)
Mini firesteel
Spy capsule with tinder

A larger knife is always in reach too-- an SAK with saw or larger fixed blade. If you can get out of the weather, stay warm and dry (fire), navigate and signal for help, you have a good start. The point is to have this stuff on your person in the event your pack gets lost crossing a river or over the cliff edge, dragged off by a bear, lifted by a two legged snake or you can't find your way back to it. Keep it simple and good, so you will have it and it will work when you need it.

As to the P-38 can opener, why not? They are light and cheap and *will* open a can.
 
task force k said:
I tried something similar but ended up not being satisfied for a lot of the reasons posted earlier. I'm happier with a small "medicine bag" type thing that I made up. It's about 4x2 inches and flaps over so it's actually two pouches. Right now, it holds a spark rod, photon light, cammenga button compass, some medication, a few firestraws, and a Fallkniven U2 folder. I haven't worn it in a few months because of a C-Spine injury but was happy with it when I did. It kept the weight centered and prevented items from rattling around or (icky) getting sweaty or caught in chest hair.

Regarding the Mini-Champ, mine sometimes goes in the bag. I actually replaced the scales on a regular Mini-Champ with others that had the red LED and Pen. On my Mini,I made some small mods:

1. I sharpened the tip of the cuticle pusher thing, making a surprisingly effective little round chisel for making spoon bowls etc
2. I sharpened the inside of the hook of the orange peeler and it makes a neat little blade for all sorts of things
3. I sharpened the tip of the ruler into a straight chisel.
4. I installed a chain saw and 300 milliwatt laser (hahaha...I wish"

Anyway, just some thoughts
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Nice ideas for modding my minichamp. I like the cuticle pusher idea, that had seemed kinda useless to me.
 
raindog101 said:
Nice ideas for modding my minichamp. I like the cuticle pusher idea, that had seemed kinda useless to me.
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It works well but be careful...it gets very sharp and the blade doesn't lock...nobody needs a crescent shaped hole through their hand. I sharpened mine with a stone then with a strop loaded with buffing compound.

Sharpening the inside hook on the orange peeler works really well for making quick shavings by drawing it towards you. It sounds awkward and counterintuitive but isn't.
 
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DaleW said:
I like a pocket lanyard rather than a necklace. I loop the lanyard over my belt and drop the works in my pocket.

On the lanyard:

Small compass
Aluminum whistle
SAK Classic (or other small folder)
Fenix E01 flashlight (or other LED light)
Mini firesteel
Spy capsule with tinder

A larger knife is always in reach too-- an SAK with saw or larger fixed blade. If you can get out of the weather, stay warm and dry (fire), navigate and signal for help, you have a good start. The point is to have this stuff on your person in the event your pack gets lost crossing a river or over the cliff edge, dragged off by a bear, lifted by a two legged snake or you can't find your way back to it. Keep it simple and good, so you will have it and it will work when you need it.

As to the P-38 can opener, why not? They are light and cheap and *will* open a can.
Click to expand...

Pocket lanyard is a great option, too.
 
I like the pocket lanyard idea. Never wore anything around my neck on a regular basis except for dogtags in the Marines. When fishing at night, a small flashlight around my neck is helpful.
 
task force k said:
Pocket lanyard is a great option, too.
Click to expand...

The pocket lanyard is a good idea. I have one of those too. Have my SAK Farmer, and firesteel on it. I just hate lots of bulky things in my pocket, so thought splitting it up between neck and pocket would make it more comfortable.
 
This is what I wear around my neck via 550 cord everyday. Simonich Bitterroot in Talonite (as it won't rust), a ferro/magnesium rod with striker, REI glow-in-the-dark zipper pull stuffed with cotton/pj tinder, a couple safety pins, and a photon II light in green. I sometimes attach a small whistle too.

I use the light all the time, especially at camp vs. using a regular light to keep my night vision. If fact, I give as gifts red or green photon lights when camping with others for the first time so they don't kill my night vision either! I keep a Fenix L01D in my pack if I need a real light for something.

SANY0004.jpg
 
Quiet Bear said:
This is what I wear around my neck via 550 cord everyday. Simonich Bitterroot in Talonite (as it won't rust), a ferro/magnesium rod with striker, REI glow-in-the-dark zipper pull stuffed with cotton/pj tinder, a couple safety pins, and a photon II light in green. I sometimes attach a small whistle too.

I use the light all the time, especially at camp vs. using a regular light to keep my night vision. If fact, I give as gifts red or green photon lights when camping with others for the first time so they don't kill my night vision either! I keep a Fenix L01D in my pack if I need a real light for something.

SANY0004.jpg
Click to expand...

Thats a great rig!!! Those Simonich bitterroots are the bee's knee's!!:cool:
 
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