Esential Gear vs. Crap

[Out a here~]

How about some references- what do you take out into the wilderness with you because you know it won't let you down and what did you buy that turned out to be junk?

Those little wire 'pocket saws' is the first thing comes to my mind- JUNK! not worth 1/2 ounce of wt it takes to carry them.

[mulekick]

Yeah, those saws are junk! When I go into wilderness areas I always have a good fixed blade knife and leatherman tool on my belt. I also carry a couple of firestarters. A bic lighter, a small magnifying glass and a magnesium/striker bar. I also carry some dry tinder in a ziploc bag and two rifle scruds(gun powder). I carry these, along with a few other items such as cordage (550 para cord), couple of fish hooks, etc. in a small fanny type pack on my waist in case I should become seperated from my pack or other gear.

[mulekick]

Test: Scruds

[mulekick]

Okay...I guess it didn't like my term for rifle ammo! LOL! I used a word that rhymed with bells.

[Out a here~]

You been filtered you poddy mouth! LOL
Has anybody tested out the bivy or space blankets- do they keep you warm?

[Brutus]

a hatchet, mechete, survival hunting knife, and the coon skin hat. thats how I roll.

[mulekick]

It is funny that you would bring up those "space blankets". I did try one out once, though not in a survival situation. When I was young and first seen one I was like, "Wow! Gotta have one of those!" I bought one and that winter I decided that I would just go ahead and give her a test. It was dead winter and about 18" of snow on the ground. I went out on the porch and climbed in. At first, I thought, Man, this thing really works good! What I didn't realize at the time was I only thought that because it cut the wind off of me. Within a half hour or so I was totally dejected and back inside thawing out by the fireplace! I think that they MIGHT work if a guy had an additional blanket or something, but I know I sure would hate to be caught out with only that item. Now, that being said, I have one included in the mentioned fanny pack along with two of those cheap plastic rain parkas!

[large1]

I won't go without my gps and an extra set of batteries. My compass also.

[Out a here~]

So the space blamkets can be added to the crap list.

Has anybody tried the pocket chainsaw or chainsaws in a can?

[barewire]

I know of two types of space blankets one is very thin plastic with a reflective coating on the inside. It will fit in your shirt pocket. Kind of a one time use thing. Is this the blanket you tested? Or was it the heavy duty one that is made to be used multiple times and is about 1/8 " thick with a reflective coating on the in side and a second layer of a blue or red color on the out side. The last one I mentioned I have use while fighting fires for the forest service. It worked pretty well down to about freezing. My main complaint was the size, to small . I'm 6' 1" tall and it just wasn't long enough for me to stretch out. Now they are to bulky to fit in a fanny pack.

[barewire]

I'll list what I carried while following my hounds after bear and lion. A back pack Matches in a air tight container, a bic lighter, some pine pitch sticks 3 or 4 pencil size great fire starters. Next is water one Army canteen with cup now this canteen is the old wwII style. About 4 bottle waters. For food I carried tuna fish in foil packets. Crackers, salt and pepper in those packets that come from fast food places. 2or3 packs of peanuts,instant oat meal Sugar in zip lock bag instant coffee. Some hard candy and a couple of those small containers of fruit. A sandwich for lunch the first day and hope I don't have to spend more than one night out. For shelter from the wind and rain I carry a couple of those large heavy duty leaf bags. You can cut a hole in the top for your head to go threw and it makes a good poncho. A hooded sweat shirt and stocking cap. Flash light with spear bat. and a head lamp. Now with these items I have spent the night out and have done well but would hate to have to stay another night without resupplying

[mulekick]

Barewire, the spaceblanket that I used was the thin, one-use variety. I was about 14 and seen them on display at a sporting goods store and thought it was amazing. Like I said, I still have one in my survival gear, even though it didn't seem to work that well. Go figure.

Leftlane, I have seen those saws but have never tried one yet. For a saw, I use a folding branch saw. It is fairly compact and I have had no problem cutting with it. Very fast on anything up to 4" or so in diameter.

I am going to inventory my "survival pack" and list everything in it. I already listed some of the things, but there are a few other odds and ends as well.

[barewire]

mulekick Your space blanket dose have several uses it'll keep the rain off or a dew or turn the wind and I'm sure there is some value to the reflective heat. So don't throw it away .

[mulekick]

No, I keep it in there. Rather have it and not need it. Many uses as you said.