I've been using old gear for most of 69 years. Deer & elk hunting season in very rough terrain was very successful. A 50 year old Randal hunting knife still works great. ATB from New Mexico & Southern Colorado.
@QuantumMechanic_88 I live in Southwestern Pennsylvania, and I'm going on 66 years old. And I have outdoor gear and especially some fishing equipment and tackle from when I was a kid. Like I said, it's all taking care of and maintaining your stuff. Besides back in the day, stuff was good, high quality. Not like most of the junk that is now made in China and not in the United States like it all once was.
I'm from Brazil. A Mini-Maglite 2AA saved me in the great blackout of March 11st, 1999. I was a Law student at the classroom in that moment, and the Southern half of Brazil and all Paraguay were affected by a blackout. I carried the Mini-Maglite strapped by a rubber band inside the cover of my briefcase. It allowed me to return to my home safely. Mag-Lites are very durable and has an efficient customer service here in Brazil. I already thrown away more modern and powerful flashlights (like Surefire and Fenix) due lack of spare parts in my country. But my Mag Lites (Mag Charger and a 4D) are still working. I gave the 2 AA to my daughter, while my mother has a blue 2 AAA that I changed by points of my credit card. Power is not everything in an emergency, but reliabiliy and availability of spare parts. I remain a fan of Mag-Lites due these factors.
@@mikha007 You can't carry vaseline or cotton in your head! John was on about fire lighting tinder that you never have to carry with you, until you actually need it. One of the best is Horses Hoof fungus. Once you find some, you can break a piece of it off and you can start an ember glowing on with the slightest spark, say from using a piece of flint struck against something iron to give a dull red spark (Flint & Steel). Once that has an ember on it it will last for many hours and you can carry that ember with you to light a fire anywhere you need it. Just gently transfer it to a fire bundle (shredded Silver Birch bark is good) and gently blow on it to give it oxygen and in a few moments you will have fire. The only tool you need to survive is your brain.
I’m 74 and still have, well used, camping gear I used as young teenager. Tents and backpacks have are much improved since tents that had to be trenched and mosquitoe netting. Back packs with rigid frames are much improved. The absolute best “new”camping gear is the poncho liner. Used in combination with the poncho, temperature above 50 degrees, a poncho and liner , if used properly, can keep you comfortable and dry in pouring down rain. Knowledge and mindset are the best of tools that is easily improved with practice.
What many people don't realize about the Mini Maglite, is that you can unscrew the top, and use it as a candle base for the light. It stops the light from falling over and lights up a room. You can also use a white or amber mini-led in as a replacement bulb, and that lasts several lights as an elelctric candle.
Mini mags were staples when I was playing army in the 80s. They were better than the issue angle heads. I converted at least one to LED. Had the red and blue lenses. I bought a rechargeable Surefire 9R. At 60 lumins, it was so bright…
I’ve stopped using Duracell batteries. They’ve ruined too many flashlights & remotes. One even leaked by lying flat on a wooden desk without any contact.
I gutted my mini mag light and used it to splice together my heater hose while driving through the AZ desert. I still have and use that light 20 years later
@@scottcrawford7674 even better, I had to use a dime as a flathead screwdriver, and I did it on the side of the highway with a canoe on top of my jeep. It definitely felt good to limp into town that evening!
Had a modern high lumen light in my car for last few years but I swapped it back out for my led maglite, it’s bright enough for my uses and having it as an extra baton gives it the advantage in my opinion.
Some of my gear is still from the second war, so I would say: Yes, you can survive with old gear, it doesn't really depend on the equipment. What really counts is skills and knowledge.
@@adventurersclub1 you missed my joke you said the second war not second world war so i’m jumping to conclusions that it was the second war of all time
That old canvas military surplus pack is from Czechoslovakia. It was based off of the Austro-Hungarian military pack designed in the late 1800s. I camped with one for a while when I started camping. It never let me down. You can still find them for around $30
Great reminder that old stuff is still good & relevant & newer isnt always tge best. Buy / aquire what u can afford & train / practice with it. Knowledge is the key!! Not the newest toy !
Got out of the Army in '72. First store I entered was the local sport center and bought a Camp Trails backpack, filled it with all I'd need for a summer canoeing and hiking the back country. That C-T has been portaged, flown, bussed, hitch-hiked and carried thousands of miles the last fifty-plus years. The five pound down sleeping bag has always been shy of toe room but it's kept me warm in well-below zero weather, The Hudson Bay hatchet has always split the wood cut with a Coughlan's folding saw. The Marine fighting knife always hung on my belt and a Buck folding hunter on the left hip. A Eureka tent has always been the go-to for shelter. (Funny thing: the only items ever "lost" were both knives between stops, and the tent is the only item that was actually "worn out" and replaced. Three times.) When carrying a frame pack, use the hip belt- cinch it up pretty tight and save your back and shoulders. To end this diatribe, let me admit, if I've got to bug out, I'll be carrying this same pack with all the old gear.
One thing that attracts people about older gear is that it can often be easier to get your hands on. Surplus, hand me downs, yard sales, etc. any gear is better than no gear, and the best gear is what you have
I still have all my survival gear I have bought and used on 15+ camping/hunting trips. K-Bar fixed blade knife that is second to none. Field dressed 4 deer and a wild boar, opened cans with it. Whittled tinder and chopped kindling. There are items you keep on yourself, not in your pack. Knife, flashlight, lighter, compass, small metal mirror, and of course my revolver. Backpack is plan A. You pick what items you would need to survive without your backpack and put them into practice.
I use a bayonet from a L1A1 Self Loading Rifle (SLR). Heavy enough to harvest small trees. Useful as a pry bar and easily sharpened. Lives on by belt kit.
In Scotland , in the 1950s and 60s, shipyard apprentices going out into the hills would take their blowtorches with them to heat their food and boil their water, as they couldn't afford camping stoves.
When I first started survival skills and what not, I used military surplus and the inexpensive brands like Coghlans, UST, Ozark Trail, Outdoor Products, Coleman, and regular household items. It did the job fine. Nowadays most of my gear is “higher end”
After being around for sometime, I'd say the biggest advantage we have today is the ability to purify water so quickly. The advancement of flashlights from this list would be my 2nd choice. The rest of the stuff, while being a lot better, are just convinces. In some cases a hazard ... K.I.S.S.
By the way, you are providing one of the best content with regards to prepping that is available on YT! Very informative, to the point, in a very good structured way. Love it!
We all 40+ years old guys, used to carry these back in the day!! I also still have the huge Maglight,which is a joke for todays standards!! Works like a blunt weapon though!! lol
I am 62, and between Boy Scouts, the military (Marine and Army Infantry), and being a family man I have spent a LOT of time on this very topic. I still have a few pieces from my Boy Scout days (though very few), a LOT of gear from my military time (1983-2010), and only a few pieces from since then (biggest new addition is lights). I find that all the coolest gear won't help if you don't know how to use it. Taking care of your gear, learning how to use it, teaching others, and you will go much further than someone who just "collects" the latest greatest.
Maglights are indestructible. Still use mine from the mid 80ies. But I exchanged the bulb against an LED version. Now it runs longer and is very bright (by comparison to the light output before). It’s a 4 D cell model that now work with Eneloop AAA batteries. Eneloop offers adapters that will allow you to use their rechargeable batteries in D cell format as well. Just be creative! 😉
I used the old gear for years i was so poor, its just fine if you make sure you take care of it... re-waterproof it if it needs it, do some stitching on some of the stitches that might be coming undone add your own straps if they're missing there's many things you can do yourself by hand rivet it on their versus sewing it back on and upgrade it yourself! Mag lites are awesome dont underestimate the fact you can change battery's instead of charging in a bad situation you can swap a battery and your back in business.
I have a six d-cell Maglight that I have outfitted with LED bulb and rechargeable lithium ion batteries. Awesome flashlight but heavy compared to several different Streamlights that I have that are a fraction of the weight and at least five times brighter. I also have a couple hatchets that I inherited from my grandparents that I wouldn’t trade for any newer ones. I still have several of the original Minimag flashlights and carried one for many years including working backstage at our local theater. It was just the right amount of light for backstage and with the lanyard you never swept an area that the audience would see. Some older models were just perfect for certain jobs.
I have many multi tools. Have a leatherman, getber... both have parts that have broke... but at 20+ years and running, i have a Victornox multitool and it is an absolute beast. It survived many deployments and plenty of field ops. Its not cheap.. but its lasted like no other.
The "new hotness" is always a major temptation, but often the older gear is perfectly functional. I try to limit my new shiny items to things I use constantly, rather than some prepper items that would only be used if SHTF and would suffice in those circumstances.
Lots of old gear works just fine, Its funny I was cleaning up some gear and rotating out some stuff and came across my old maglights, its amazing how far technology has come when it comes to flashlights, no comparison to modern flashlights, but hey in their day they did their job.
A 12v 120 watt DC immersion water heater made for heating water in cups can be used with a solar power station (with 10 amp cigarette lighter port) to boil water or eggs. You can rig up a cigarette lighter port with MC4 cables and connect one directly to a 12v solar panel or two panels in parallel* for higher amps. The same thing can be done to power 12v 100w DC rice cookers or Road Pro pans...but these pans are 165 watts and can`t be used with cig ports on power stations. It can be connected directly to two solar panels in parallel to double amps for cooking directly with solar. I have several of the cheap plasma candle lighters for backup and one decent pocket one. I like the fact I can easily solar recharge.
There`s a video somewhere about cooking with solar panels. Those common fans that use D batteries sold in the big stores can be plugged into a portable 100w suitcase solar panel`s 12v port too and so can the EBL universal NiMH chargers. They have USB powered battery chargers too that work with those ports on these panels. But the best fans to use for direct solar power with the larger folding panels are the 3 speed USB fans. A 60 to 100 watt panel can power them even if it`s cloudy or under the shade of trees. But on a sunny hot day the small backpack size panels power them fine. I had to figure all this out here in Louisiana storm country. @@toastbuster9050
As a midnight patrol officer, I have spent SO much money over the years getting the latest, greatest, brightest flashlights! What you can buy now for pocket change is SOOO much better than anything I could buy as a rookie for any price!
I like that you end with a basic Case in your hand. The simplest things are what people really need. I overspend terribly on gear. But what I really have used in emergencies were the smallest Olights, the i3E and iR2, a 2 layer SAK and a Bic lighter.
Old knives use softer steel so they dull faster. However, they’ll also sharpen on basically any stone and a belt so they’re pretty great in a true survival situation. A buddy of mine carries soft steel knives on his farm because he can easily touch the blade up with his leather belt.
Great video to get us thinking..... Older gear .... So knives usually will re-sharpen better and last longer .. my older gear (EDC) has also proven themselves... I have had a multi tool for 30 years plus, proven, my belt knife (Buck) is over 30 years sharpens to a razor .. skinned countless rabbits and 18 deer... my pocket knife is an actual 1915 German folding knife, was my uncles and is now mine ... my zippo lighter (50 years old) was my Fathers. These things are carried everyday on my belt in leather pouches! However in my pack a few modern things like pocket torch..
I like my mini-pry bar. I keep one on my keychain. The main purpose is to do things with it that would abuse your blade, as a pry bar. And, you can use it to open boxes, without digging your knife out of your pocket. Plus, it can make do as a screwdriver.
Although much of the newer gear is made with better materials, the old gear was made to last a long time. I think nowadays we're living in a throwaway society and that shows in some gear. But at the end of the day, the best knive you can have is the one you're carrying. For me that's a 30 year old Victorinox Champ that I still use daily...
Older gear was made way better though/ Nowdays quality goes down everyday more and more.So it's true, they make some stuff with better materials today, but a lot of other stuff, were made way better back in the day..
I have seen, in a museum, the fixed-blade knife that Horace Kephart had made and used for many years. It was worn plenty from so much honing and sharpening but would still be usable. It was interesting to revisit some of the earlier gear. TODAY, most viewers of this video will have a selection of the types of equipment shown stowed in a closet. Our PROBLEM is to make a wise selection of what is there that might get us through this time.
Amazon has LEDs for all Maglites, big and small. I put them in all mine, and I buy old Maglites at the flea market for 2 or 3 bucks, upgrade the bulbs to LED, and have a super-bright, adjustable light. Also, the LEDs require so little power, the batteries last FOREVER. I bought an old log cabin where the owner had been dead for over 3 years, Inside there was a Maglite with very old batteries in it. Hardly any light at all. When I upgraded the bulb to LED, the old batteries make it very bright to this day, and that was a year ago I found it.
I still use a 40 year-old Skatchet, 40 year-old KaBar, 40 year-old Svea 123 R stove and a 40 year-old wool blanket. I could use my 40 year-old metal flashlight ( with Krypton bulb ) but an Olight Baton 3 is brighter, much smaller, much lighter and is rechargeable. I will sometimes bring an American made Boker 4- blade pocket knife that's 35 years old. My metal match safes are also 40 years old, but I generally carry an Exotac lighter and a blue-flame cigar lighter with triple flame that adjusts. All these items work just as well as when I bought them in the 80s.
Genius! No one has done this type of video. Many can't afford the new stuff and rely on what dad of grandpa left behind. Thank you for thinking outside the box on this video. Keep em coming. Maybe you can so a video on shelters then and now?
12:25 If the lock is part of the metal frame lining UNDER the scale it's a LINER lock. If the lock is part of the OUTSIDE scale, like your Kershaw and ZT, it's a FRAME lock !!!
Old gear is fine. Two items that have come a LONG way in the past 10-15yrs and have been game changers and must haves. Those are single wall stainless and Ti water bottles and canteens. The other is lighting technologies. Those two pieces of kit were not available or very good years ago. I run old pieces of gear but never old lighting.
Alot of old gear can be improved to make it more comfortable or useful. If the straps on your old pack are thin and uncomfortable, add some padding to them. An old towel and some electrical tape or duct tape can do wonders. It ain't pretty but done well it can totally change the item.
I’ve maintained a mini-mag light (incandescent NOT LED) in my gear. Used for when I’m not wanting to look like a space ship walking through the woods or around an area I am familiar with (hunting areas for now). I can see other walking to their areas from over 100yards away as a 700lumen headlamp makes you very noticed from a distance in a dark environment.
Ferro rods are the modern flint and steel. Always works if you know how, with a higher spark rate and temperature. Don, I could be wrong but that CR123 you held in the video does not appear to be a rechargeable version and not all lithium batteries are rechargeable. A rechargeable version of the CR123 is usually designated as RCR123.
I will not carry anything but my Opinel knife. Carbon steel blade that locks. Razor sharp. No, it is not cool. It is a farmers knife. It is very forgiving and the carbon blade is easy to maintain!
I found a nice old Schrade (sp?) pocket knife testing a new metal detector in my new rural lot a year ago. It was three inches deep but when I got the dirt off it was still sharp! I love detecting old farms the most because of the cool old tools and axe heads and coins you can find. They have some amazing inexpensive "starter" metal detectors coming out in the past couple of years that are 100 times better and cheaper than the very best we had when I started in the 1970s.
I carry one around without the lock. I think it's the #5? No one else that I know has one or has even seen it. I buy two case knives per year with gift certificates I get at Christmas too...My deer cleaning knives are both Buck.
Thanks for the informative video. In a survival situation, you’re limited to what you have at hand in the moment of that situation. When you need to make a fire, you can’t just remember your latest fire starters, tinders, etc that you left in the car or at home. Survival is about recognizing what you have at hand, in your pockets or your bag, the resources around you within reach of you, at the moment you absolutely need what you need to get through the unexpected situation. Most people don’t really think about how to use what’s in their pockets until the “oh crap” moment actually happens. People panic and stress out easily, especially when they know they have “good gear” in the car, or at home but they don’t have it on them when they unexpectedly need it. That is why unorthodox, creative thinking is problem solving skills are so important to practice and repeat until it’s just mnemonic/instinctive. What if you’re on a fishing day trip or a short day hike, or just out camping overnight in a campground. As you venture away from your car, your camp, or start exploring for fish or your hike, your mind is focused on just what you are doing-finding an area to catch fish, or a location or scenic view on your hike or maybe when you set up camp at your campsite, you’ll take a walk around the area to see the lake or maybe find that bathroom or shower building. Survival situations happen when we are least prepared, usually we don’t have the survival gear on us, or we just take a short trip “over there” to see something interesting. Then bam! You slip or trip, possibly injuring yourself, or you become confused over the way back, so you “get lost” or something. Now that “quick day walk” or quick trip has become a scary situation, because you think you were going to wherever you had in mind, but now you question every step. So what’s in your pockets, your pack and in your fishing bag/tackle box that you can use in this survival situation? You just want to get back to safety but not get any “more lost” than you already are. And let’s not even start factoring in variables like weather, climate, possible threats like dangerous animals or why if any food and water one may have on hand or ways to process water to make it safe to drink etc at this point. Just slow down, take an inventory of what you have on you/with you and what’s available to you within reach or nearby. Just be realistic about what you’re doing, plan to do, have a small basic kit of emergency tools and items even food and water processing capabilities, on you whenever you go, wherever you go. Even in daily life, build or make some basic small kits and leave them at work, in your car(s), at places you frequent (such as friends or family’s homes, etc), that you can access when you get there, in addition to keeping a kit on you everyday everywhere. You can’t use what you don’t have available, so keep it with you!
I’ve still got my old OD green, angled, 2D-cell flashlight I got in the Air Force in the late’’90s. It now lives on top of my extra fridge in the garage. It’s amazing how much whiter & brighter the LED lights are now!
The mini mag liote you could remove the head, place the butt of the tube into it and have a candle. In the Navy, I had a mini mag and Buck 110 folding knife Never let me down. to this day I also carry a Klein electricians knife, simple pocket knife
I did a 20+ mile backpacking trip with a surplus canvas backpack, a kerosene lamp, and a cast iron skillt. I used a wool blanket as a sleeping bag, and had a tarp in case i needed it. I have since replaced all those items with lighter and higher quality ones, but that old gear worked just fine for a broke kid piecing together kit from surplus stores!
Great video on an interesting subject. As an EMT back in the late 80s, I would add something about the advances in trauma dressings available to the public, especially the Israeli bandage, compression gauze, quick clot, and the new tourniquet designs. These did not exist back in the day where we mainly relied on 4x4s, ABD 5x9 dressings, basic gauze and Kerlix for heavy bleeds.
I would make the argument.. in an SHTF event… ie emergency or whatever… battery life trumps brightness most of the time.. rule out the “tactical” muh 1000 lumens for the bad guy… 99% of the time will be spent using the light to see! Cooking, walking, etc.. all these newer lights with only 1-1.5 hrs of battery life kinda sucks In a world where batteries or chargers aren’t available. And yes, I know, lights have 22 settings blah blah.. still more to fail.. a 20-30 lumen light will do much more than one would think and last a LONG TIME doing it.. just an alternate talking point..
Good Video! I still use a lot of Mil Surplus, good quality, and reasonable. Also, I have carried a case or uncle henry trapper style pocketknife since I was in High School, I'm 62. Really enjoyed the video
Sir, I still carry and use the K bar knife that I was issued. 38 yrs ago. I believe if you take care of your older equipment, it will take care of you when you need it.
Yall remember the big assed Coleman flashlights? Whole light was big around as a loaf of bread and half as long. It had the old monster battery that costed a fortune. Is was nearly big as the light. Used it till battery died then laid around the house for a year or 2 cause I was always gonna replace the battery but never did. Now I've got one of the olight keyring batteries that puts out as much lite as 1 of those did. It's amazing how some things have changed
Remember when Gerber basically started the modern knife industry with its Zytel handled locking blades? (Kershaw and ZT both originated from Gerber designers)
@@Biomass1well over a hundred here as well. Gerber has some excellent new knives. The scandi grind "Principle " is my go to scandi worker. The "Sedulo" & the "Assert" are excellent folders. I wouldn't touch Gerber for two decades. As it currently stands they are trying to turn things around. Buy American.
A few ya missed. Water carriers, from sheep skins to canteens with cups to bottles with cups. Also cover. From animal skins to canvas tarps and tents, to nylon tarps and tents.
I used to use the cheap plastic flashlights, wasn't much to choose from except some super expensive headlamps made for cycling and night orienteering and way too large for just in case use. Then Tekna brought out a small but much higher quality flashlight using Lithium batteries in the early eighties. I got mine in 1983, still not super bright, but much better than anything else I had tried and good battery life for the time. The problem though was batteries which couldn't be send by mail and was only available in a few places. Which led me to the next phase - never buy flashlights that can't run on "standard" batteries. For many years that meant double AA Maglites like the oldest one in the video. Worked great too but of course limited light output. Enough for my main use though, around camp activities when backpacking and when my headlamp ran out of power - cross country skiing (the snow makes a huge difference with low lumen lights). Started using AA lithium when they became available for longer life, better cold performance in the cold and slightly lighter batteries. That wasn't completely without problems. A new set of lithium AAs would burn out the bulb in the Maglite, then work fine until the next battery replacement. Anyone tried to switch bulbs in a Maglite in complete darkness? Not fun. For the last 15 years or so I've used mostly light headlamps with rechargeable batteries. First rechargeable AAs, but now integrated batteries. Solves a lot of problems, smaller, lighter and recharging in the headlamp. Still, not completely happy with the reliance on proprietary tech that basically can't be fixed but both the LEDs and the batteries will likely last much longer than the headlamp will be used.
The oldschool backpack is Czechoslovakian from the 1950's. Has some foreign straps added, as originally it was either attached to your Y-harness, or you could use the separate harness to create more conventional straps, but it didn't really work well in that configuration (at least for me). The bag itself it fine.
I have a few 6volt lights and I changed the bulb to led. Talk about made a big difference. Been having the same battery for a while and haven't had to change it yet
The biggest change with the lithium (specifically the CR123A which you are displaying) is that they are 3Volts, which is twice the voltage of the AA, AAA, C or D cells. Twice the voltage is basically twice the brightness out of any specific bulb, so you’re doubling your performance right out for the gate. (this is an over-simplification, but you get the idea…)
“Be strong. Be of good courage. God bless America. Long live the republic.” LOVED the video on preparedness equipment. Wonderful information and visual! Examples. But that ending made me so happy to see and hear your support for this great country!’Thank you for the excellent video, and God bless you as well.
Where is the old stuff? Coleman stoves, canvas tents... Almost all of my backpacking gear was purchased in the late 970s & 1980s, when I was a Boy Scout, and we had a crew that went backpacking every month, and to Philmont Scout Ranch in NM in the summer. Every bit is still very well-kept, and there is some new things, like the wood gas stove, a penny stove, and a lightweight groundcloth.
I was actually just working on an article and video of this exact topic this week and should have them both posted in the near future. Pretty cool to see that I'm not the only person thinking about this.
I remember in the late 80's when one of my friends got a AA powered maglite for Christmas. We used it a lot backpacking it was pretty awesome. I dont even know if they had invented LED lightbulbs yet I have probably gone through at least twenty of them one a year at work. I have so many parts and colored parts mixed up its awesome. I mostly use headlamps away from work just to free up my hands for stuff like night fishing.
One thing you really have to watch with new backpacks is the zippers after a while they will start to tear out and another thing with Leatherman and Gerber multi-tools is don't get the ones that have the little screws that hold everything together because after a while they will loosen up and fall apart
I have gear that's close to 80 years old and gear I got a few months ago. I use it all, but it depends on what I'm doing as to what gear I'm carrying. Just regular camping, bushcraft camping, hiking or whatever, I carry different stuff. Quality runs about the same way. It depends on what it's for.
In my humble opinion, look how long that old gear held up. Its cheaper( most of the time) so if your new to this, get the older stuff first, learn how to use it. Then upgrade when you can if you want. My stepdad gave me a buck folder with a black leather sheath. It was on me at all times. Even in school. He told me that this is a tool NOT A WEAPON!! If he caught me trying to use it as a weapon or not using it safely, he'd stick it up my rear end. He taught me how to use it safely, also how to sharpen it. I carried on my belt from 83-87 . I gave it to my foster brother when i went to bootcamp in '87. Of course, he lost it!!! I loved that knife!! Did alot with it. I wasnt that good at sharpening it. It was sharp enough for what i did. Anyway, good video. I thought i was subscribed to ya and here i wasnt. I am now so look foward to mire vids.
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Old gear works great no matter how old it is. As long as it's taken care of and maintained properly.
Actually in our days the older the gear is, the better! Quality goes down every single day...
Quality gear works great. Crap gimmicks are crap gimmicks. Age doesn't improve quality.
I've been using old gear for most of 69 years. Deer & elk hunting season in very rough terrain was very successful. A 50 year old Randal hunting knife still works great. ATB from New Mexico & Southern Colorado.
@QuantumMechanic_88 I live in Southwestern Pennsylvania, and I'm going on 66 years old. And I have outdoor gear and especially some fishing equipment and tackle from when I was a kid. Like I said, it's all taking care of and maintaining your stuff. Besides back in the day, stuff was good, high quality. Not like most of the junk that is now made in China and not in the United States like it all once was.
@@midknightrider58 years ago I waited through three encores to hear that song at an Allman bros concert.
I'm from Brazil. A Mini-Maglite 2AA saved me in the great blackout of March 11st, 1999. I was a Law student at the classroom in that moment, and the Southern half of Brazil and all Paraguay were affected by a blackout.
I carried the Mini-Maglite strapped by a rubber band inside the cover of my briefcase. It allowed me to return to my home safely.
Mag-Lites are very durable and has an efficient customer service here in Brazil. I already thrown away more modern and powerful flashlights (like Surefire and Fenix) due lack of spare parts in my country. But my Mag Lites (Mag Charger and a 4D) are still working. I gave the 2 AA to my daughter, while my mother has a blue 2 AAA that I changed by points of my credit card.
Power is not everything in an emergency, but reliabiliy and availability of spare parts. I remain a fan of Mag-Lites due these factors.
The most important "gear" you can have is knowledge and skills. They weigh nothing and take no room in your pack!
and vaseline cotton balls...they can be lit in so many ways
True
@@mikha007 You can't carry vaseline or cotton in your head! John was on about fire lighting tinder that you never have to carry with you, until you actually need it. One of the best is Horses Hoof fungus. Once you find some, you can break a piece of it off and you can start an ember glowing on with the slightest spark, say from using a piece of flint struck against something iron to give a dull red spark (Flint & Steel). Once that has an ember on it it will last for many hours and you can carry that ember with you to light a fire anywhere you need it. Just gently transfer it to a fire bundle (shredded Silver Birch bark is good) and gently blow on it to give it oxygen and in a few moments you will have fire. The only tool you need to survive is your brain.
I’m 74 and still have, well used, camping gear I used as young teenager.
Tents and backpacks have are much improved since tents that had to be trenched and mosquitoe netting. Back packs with rigid frames are much improved.
The absolute best “new”camping gear is the poncho liner. Used in combination with the poncho, temperature above 50 degrees, a poncho and liner , if used properly, can keep you comfortable and dry in pouring down rain.
Knowledge and mindset are the best of tools that is easily improved with practice.
Ya, new tents MUCH better than the "Classics" I used as a kid! LOL.
What many people don't realize about the Mini Maglite, is that you can unscrew the top, and use it as a candle base for the light. It stops the light from falling over and lights up a room.
You can also use a white or amber mini-led in as a replacement bulb, and that lasts several lights as an elelctric candle.
I used one for many years as an EMT and used to think that trick was so cool, haha.
Mini mags were staples when I was playing army in the 80s. They were better than the issue angle heads. I converted at least one to LED. Had the red and blue lenses. I bought a rechargeable Surefire 9R. At 60 lumins, it was so bright…
I’ve stopped using Duracell batteries. They’ve ruined too many flashlights & remotes. One even leaked by lying flat on a wooden desk without any contact.
I gutted my mini mag light and used it to splice together my heater hose while driving through the AZ desert. I still have and use that light 20 years later
@@scottcrawford7674 even better, I had to use a dime as a flathead screwdriver, and I did it on the side of the highway with a canoe on top of my jeep. It definitely felt good to limp into town that evening!
My Swiss Army Knife has pliers and I have fixed F-15 aircraft with. I have carried a Swiss army knife for over 50 years.
Mine were always stolen. Amazing blades and useful tools.
I always carry a SAK on me, no matter what
I have a Gerber that I purchased in early 1994 when I started my military career. I retired after 25 years and still have said Gerber.
Had a modern high lumen light in my car for last few years but I swapped it back out for my led maglite, it’s bright enough for my uses and having it as an extra baton gives it the advantage in my opinion.
I will always choose old gear over no gear.
Old gear are just traditionally awesome & reliable just like great grandma & grandad. Have a great & safe new year, Cheers from Australia.
I have trained on a 45 acre training course for years with nothing more than an A-2 fixed sight rifle. Being in good shape was the key to success
Some people think technology makes up for not being in shape and lack of skill: *they would be wrong*
That 1st mag light also had an option to invert the cap and use it like a candle.👍
Some of my gear is still from the second war, so I would say: Yes, you can survive with old gear, it doesn't really depend on the equipment. What really counts is skills and knowledge.
the second war ever that stuff must be some real antiques
@@rumski2926 Yes, and it is not even the oldest gear i use, i have a hatchet from the First World War and a Macetti from the colonial period
@@adventurersclub1 you missed my joke you said the second war not second world war so i’m jumping to conclusions that it was the second war of all time
@@rumski2926 Well, I have a few sticks and stones as well... ;+)
@@adventurersclub1 lol yeah that hatchet and machete must be old did you mean machete if not what’s a macetti
I do still use my Old equipment and I still learning old school skills
For me this was one of those moments you realize, “oh, I am, old”.
My eye sight going was mine
That old canvas military surplus pack is from Czechoslovakia. It was based off of the Austro-Hungarian military pack designed in the late 1800s. I camped with one for a while when I started camping. It never let me down. You can still find them for around $30
I send regards from the Czech Republic. :)
Yes Sir..greetings from Czech....it is called Tlumok M60..it is Big field backpack and it is used together with its small brother bread backpack M60
@@eugenesvoboda9177 cože?Jaké tele??
@@eugenesvoboda9177 Tele is other backpag
Great reminder that old stuff is still good & relevant & newer isnt always tge best. Buy / aquire what u can afford & train / practice with it. Knowledge is the key!! Not the newest toy !
Got out of the Army in '72. First store I entered was the local sport center and bought a Camp Trails backpack, filled it with all I'd need for a summer canoeing and hiking the back country. That C-T has been portaged, flown, bussed, hitch-hiked and carried thousands of miles the last fifty-plus years. The five pound down sleeping bag has always been shy of toe room but it's kept me warm in well-below zero weather, The Hudson Bay hatchet has always split the wood cut with a Coughlan's folding saw. The Marine fighting knife always hung on my belt and a Buck folding hunter on the left hip. A Eureka tent has always been the go-to for shelter. (Funny thing: the only items ever "lost" were both knives between stops, and the tent is the only item that was actually "worn out" and replaced. Three times.) When carrying a frame pack, use the hip belt- cinch it up pretty tight and save your back and shoulders. To end this diatribe, let me admit, if I've got to bug out, I'll be carrying this same pack with all the old gear.
Talking folding knives, I've used the cheaper Cold Steel folders for over 20 years, never let me down, yet!
One thing that attracts people about older gear is that it can often be easier to get your hands on. Surplus, hand me downs, yard sales, etc. any gear is better than no gear, and the best gear is what you have
I still have all my survival gear I have bought and used on 15+ camping/hunting trips. K-Bar fixed blade knife that is second to none. Field dressed 4 deer and a wild boar, opened cans with it. Whittled tinder and chopped kindling.
There are items you keep on yourself, not in your pack. Knife, flashlight, lighter, compass, small metal mirror, and of course my revolver. Backpack is plan A. You pick what items you would need to survive without your backpack and put them into practice.
and practice in your back yard...lots of people wait till they get out in the bush
I use a bayonet from a L1A1 Self Loading Rifle (SLR). Heavy enough to harvest small trees. Useful as a pry bar and easily sharpened. Lives on by belt kit.
My dad uses his blowtorch to start fires it has a firestarter built in. That and scrap oil.
In Scotland , in the 1950s and 60s, shipyard apprentices going out into the hills would take their blowtorches with them to heat their food and boil their water, as they couldn't afford camping stoves.
Aspirin was considered a miracle drug back in the day. It still does exactly the same stuff today. so does my old knife, my old canteen, etc.
When I first started survival skills and what not, I used military surplus and the inexpensive brands like Coghlans, UST, Ozark Trail, Outdoor Products, Coleman, and regular household items. It did the job fine. Nowadays most of my gear is “higher end”
After being around for sometime, I'd say the biggest advantage we have today is the ability to purify water so quickly. The advancement of flashlights from this list would be my 2nd choice. The rest of the stuff, while being a lot better, are just convinces. In some cases a hazard ... K.I.S.S.
Can You Still Survive on Old Gear? Hell yeah!
I love finding old axe heads and other useful lost 1800s farm tools with metal detectors. Or hunting railroad spikes on old logging railroad tracks.
@@baneverything5580 Me too! I have a bad ass metal detector and have found some awesome items.
I think a lot of people who push new gear constantly are more salesmen than preppers
as they say, the best knife you can have is the one you got on you when you need it
Wise words.
Ironic isn't it? Most people carry a pocket knife daily, if their carrying a knife. Kinda puts the "Survival knife" subject in perspective.
By the way, you are providing one of the best content with regards to prepping that is available on YT! Very informative, to the point, in a very good structured way. Love it!
The exact same Maglight and Swiss Army knife that I always carried with me on FTXs back in 1986 👍🏻
We all 40+ years old guys, used to carry these back in the day!! I also still have the huge Maglight,which is a joke for todays standards!! Works like a blunt weapon though!! lol
I am 62, and between Boy Scouts, the military (Marine and Army Infantry), and being a family man I have spent a LOT of time on this very topic. I still have a few pieces from my Boy Scout days (though very few), a LOT of gear from my military time (1983-2010), and only a few pieces from since then (biggest new addition is lights). I find that all the coolest gear won't help if you don't know how to use it. Taking care of your gear, learning how to use it, teaching others, and you will go much further than someone who just "collects" the latest greatest.
Maglights are indestructible. Still use mine from the mid 80ies. But I exchanged the bulb against an LED version. Now it runs longer and is very bright (by comparison to the light output before).
It’s a 4 D cell model that now work with Eneloop AAA batteries. Eneloop offers adapters that will allow you to use their rechargeable batteries in D cell format as well. Just be creative! 😉
I used the old gear for years i was so poor, its just fine if you make sure you take care of it... re-waterproof it if it needs it, do some stitching on some of the stitches that might be coming undone add your own straps if they're missing there's many things you can do yourself by hand rivet it on their versus sewing it back on and upgrade it yourself! Mag lites are awesome dont underestimate the fact you can change battery's instead of charging in a bad situation you can swap a battery and your back in business.
I have a six d-cell Maglight that I have outfitted with LED bulb and rechargeable lithium ion batteries. Awesome flashlight but heavy compared to several different Streamlights that I have that are a fraction of the weight and at least five times brighter. I also have a couple hatchets that I inherited from my grandparents that I wouldn’t trade for any newer ones. I still have several of the original Minimag flashlights and carried one for many years including working backstage at our local theater. It was just the right amount of light for backstage and with the lanyard you never swept an area that the audience would see. Some older models were just perfect for certain jobs.
I have many multi tools. Have a leatherman, getber... both have parts that have broke... but at 20+ years and running, i have a Victornox multitool and it is an absolute beast. It survived many deployments and plenty of field ops. Its not cheap.. but its lasted like no other.
The "new hotness" is always a major temptation, but often the older gear is perfectly functional. I try to limit my new shiny items to things I use constantly, rather than some prepper items that would only be used if SHTF and would suffice in those circumstances.
Lots of old gear works just fine, Its funny I was cleaning up some gear and rotating out some stuff and came across my old maglights, its amazing how far technology has come when it comes to flashlights, no comparison to modern flashlights, but hey in their day they did their job.
My dad bought me my first Maglight when I got my 1st car , in the 90’s, loved it! I always had and still have at least one flashlight in my car!👍
A 12v 120 watt DC immersion water heater made for heating water in cups can be used with a solar power station (with 10 amp cigarette lighter port) to boil water or eggs. You can rig up a cigarette lighter port with MC4 cables and connect one directly to a 12v solar panel or two panels in parallel* for higher amps. The same thing can be done to power 12v 100w DC rice cookers or Road Pro pans...but these pans are 165 watts and can`t be used with cig ports on power stations. It can be connected directly to two solar panels in parallel to double amps for cooking directly with solar. I have several of the cheap plasma candle lighters for backup and one decent pocket one. I like the fact I can easily solar recharge.
More information in this comment than in most prepper vide
There`s a video somewhere about cooking with solar panels. Those common fans that use D batteries sold in the big stores can be plugged into a portable 100w suitcase solar panel`s 12v port too and so can the EBL universal NiMH chargers. They have USB powered battery chargers too that work with those ports on these panels. But the best fans to use for direct solar power with the larger folding panels are the 3 speed USB fans. A 60 to 100 watt panel can power them even if it`s cloudy or under the shade of trees. But on a sunny hot day the small backpack size panels power them fine. I had to figure all this out here in Louisiana storm country. @@toastbuster9050
I do historic treking, all that gear is about two centuries in the future from my kit
As a midnight patrol officer, I have spent SO much money over the years getting the latest, greatest, brightest flashlights! What you can buy now for pocket change is SOOO much better than anything I could buy as a rookie for any price!
Wal-Mart lights are much better than even those rechargeable
Scorpion bad boys.
I hear ya.'
AA Maglite's bring back memories of the 90's, i used to mix and match the tail caps and barrels to make cool looking colour combo's
Og Mini mags felt better in the hand than a lot of modern flashlights do.
I like that you end with a basic Case in your hand. The simplest things are what people really need. I overspend terribly on gear. But what I really have used in emergencies were the smallest Olights, the i3E and iR2, a 2 layer SAK and a Bic lighter.
Old knives use softer steel so they dull faster. However, they’ll also sharpen on basically any stone and a belt so they’re pretty great in a true survival situation. A buddy of mine carries soft steel knives on his farm because he can easily touch the blade up with his leather belt.
Great video to get us thinking..... Older gear .... So knives usually will re-sharpen better and last longer .. my older gear (EDC) has also proven themselves... I have had a multi tool for 30 years plus, proven, my belt knife (Buck) is over 30 years sharpens to a razor .. skinned countless rabbits and 18 deer... my pocket knife is an actual 1915 German folding knife, was my uncles and is now mine ... my zippo lighter (50 years old) was my Fathers. These things are carried everyday on my belt in leather pouches!
However in my pack a few modern things like pocket torch..
I like my mini-pry bar. I keep one on my keychain. The main purpose is to do things with it that would abuse your blade, as a pry bar. And, you can use it to open boxes, without digging your knife out of your pocket. Plus, it can make do as a screwdriver.
Although much of the newer gear is made with better materials, the old gear was made to last a long time. I think nowadays we're living in a throwaway society and that shows in some gear. But at the end of the day, the best knive you can have is the one you're carrying. For me that's a 30 year old Victorinox Champ that I still use daily...
For me its the VICTORINOX Ranger and an SRK
Older gear was made way better though/ Nowdays quality goes down everyday more and more.So it's true, they make some stuff with better materials today, but a lot of other stuff, were made way better back in the day..
In what ways "better material"?
@grayssoncarl5020 ahhhhh i see. I thought you made your reference towards Canvas Ruck's.
The only real concerns you should have in old vs. new are reliability and weight. The heavier something is the more likely you are to leave it behind.
Mil surplus has never let me down 👍 all ways cheekd it over and looked at the quality 👌
I have seen, in a museum, the fixed-blade knife that Horace Kephart had made and used for many years. It was worn plenty from so much honing and sharpening but would still be usable. It was interesting to revisit some of the earlier gear. TODAY, most viewers of this video will have a selection of the types of equipment shown stowed in a closet. Our PROBLEM is to make a wise selection of what is there that might get us through this time.
Saw the title and thought...I am "old" gear.
I was in a parts store in the 90s when i had an epiphany. I saw seat belt pads. I bought two. Ive been using them on packs with cheesy straps since.
Amazon has LEDs for all Maglites, big and small. I put them in all mine, and I buy old Maglites at the flea market for 2 or 3 bucks, upgrade the bulbs to LED, and have a super-bright, adjustable light. Also, the LEDs require so little power, the batteries last FOREVER. I bought an old log cabin where the owner had been dead for over 3 years, Inside there was a Maglite with very old batteries in it. Hardly any light at all. When I upgraded the bulb to LED, the old batteries make it very bright to this day, and that was a year ago I found it.
I still use a 40 year-old Skatchet, 40 year-old KaBar, 40 year-old Svea 123 R stove and a 40 year-old wool blanket. I could use my 40 year-old metal flashlight ( with Krypton bulb ) but an Olight Baton 3 is brighter, much smaller, much lighter and is rechargeable. I will sometimes bring an American made Boker 4- blade pocket knife that's 35 years old. My metal match safes are also 40 years old, but I generally carry an Exotac lighter and a blue-flame cigar lighter with triple flame that adjusts. All these items work just as well as when I bought them in the 80s.
Once asked a thoughtful man "What's the best survival knife?" The answer "Any knife you have in your hand in a survival situation"
Genius! No one has done this type of video. Many can't afford the new stuff and rely on what dad of grandpa left behind. Thank you for thinking outside the box on this video. Keep em coming. Maybe you can so a video on shelters then and now?
12:25 If the lock is part of the metal frame lining UNDER the scale it's a LINER lock.
If the lock is part of the OUTSIDE scale, like your Kershaw and ZT, it's a FRAME lock !!!
Old gear is fine. Two items that have come a LONG way in the past 10-15yrs and have been game changers and must haves. Those are single wall stainless and Ti water bottles and canteens. The other is lighting technologies. Those two pieces of kit were not available or very good years ago. I run old pieces of gear but never old lighting.
Alot of old gear can be improved to make it more comfortable or useful. If the straps on your old pack are thin and uncomfortable, add some padding to them. An old towel and some electrical tape or duct tape can do wonders. It ain't pretty but done well it can totally change the item.
I’ve maintained a mini-mag light (incandescent NOT LED) in my gear. Used for when I’m not wanting to look like a space ship walking through the woods or around an area I am familiar with (hunting areas for now). I can see other walking to their areas from over 100yards away as a 700lumen headlamp makes you very noticed from a distance in a dark environment.
Ferro rods are the modern flint and steel. Always works if you know how, with a higher spark rate and temperature.
Don, I could be wrong but that CR123 you held in the video does not appear to be a rechargeable version and not all lithium batteries are rechargeable. A rechargeable version of the CR123 is usually designated as RCR123.
I started prepping with army surplus, good stuff and cheap. Over the years I have replaced some and some is better than store bought stuff.
I will not carry anything but my Opinel knife. Carbon steel blade that locks. Razor sharp. No, it is not cool. It is a farmers knife. It is very forgiving and the carbon blade is easy to maintain!
I found a nice old Schrade (sp?) pocket knife testing a new metal detector in my new rural lot a year ago. It was three inches deep but when I got the dirt off it was still sharp! I love detecting old farms the most because of the cool old tools and axe heads and coins you can find. They have some amazing inexpensive "starter" metal detectors coming out in the past couple of years that are 100 times better and cheaper than the very best we had when I started in the 1970s.
I carry one around without the lock. I think it's the #5? No one else that I know has one or has even seen it. I buy two case knives per year with gift certificates I get at Christmas too...My deer cleaning knives are both Buck.
Thanks for the informative video. In a survival situation, you’re limited to what you have at hand in the moment of that situation. When you need to make a fire, you can’t just remember your latest fire starters, tinders, etc that you left in the car or at home. Survival is about recognizing what you have at hand, in your pockets or your bag, the resources around you within reach of you, at the moment you absolutely need what you need to get through the unexpected situation. Most people don’t really think about how to use what’s in their pockets until the “oh crap” moment actually happens. People panic and stress out easily, especially when they know they have “good gear” in the car, or at home but they don’t have it on them when they unexpectedly need it. That is why unorthodox, creative thinking is problem solving skills are so important to practice and repeat until it’s just mnemonic/instinctive. What if you’re on a fishing day trip or a short day hike, or just out camping overnight in a campground. As you venture away from your car, your camp, or start exploring for fish or your hike, your mind is focused on just what you are doing-finding an area to catch fish, or a location or scenic view on your hike or maybe when you set up camp at your campsite, you’ll take a walk around the area to see the lake or maybe find that bathroom or shower building. Survival situations happen when we are least prepared, usually we don’t have the survival gear on us, or we just take a short trip “over there” to see something interesting. Then bam! You slip or trip, possibly injuring yourself, or you become confused over the way back, so you “get lost” or something. Now that “quick day walk” or quick trip has become a scary situation, because you think you were going to wherever you had in mind, but now you question every step. So what’s in your pockets, your pack and in your fishing bag/tackle box that you can use in this survival situation? You just want to get back to safety but not get any “more lost” than you already are. And let’s not even start factoring in variables like weather, climate, possible threats like dangerous animals or why if any food and water one may have on hand or ways to process water to make it safe to drink etc at this point. Just slow down, take an inventory of what you have on you/with you and what’s available to you within reach or nearby. Just be realistic about what you’re doing, plan to do, have a small basic kit of emergency tools and items even food and water processing capabilities, on you whenever you go, wherever you go. Even in daily life, build or make some basic small kits and leave them at work, in your car(s), at places you frequent (such as friends or family’s homes, etc), that you can access when you get there, in addition to keeping a kit on you everyday everywhere. You can’t use what you don’t have available, so keep it with you!
There is an LED replacement available for the mini maglite that makes it way brighter.
I’ve still got my old OD green, angled, 2D-cell flashlight I got in the Air Force in the late’’90s. It now lives on top of my extra fridge in the garage. It’s amazing how much whiter & brighter the LED lights are now!
You can put a led in that flashlight will be way nicer.
@@rudolfb9359 thanks! I’ll check that out!
@@rudolfb9359I upgraded my old school L shaped military flashlight with an LED bulb, what a difference!
The mini mag liote you could remove the head, place the butt of the tube into it and have a candle. In the Navy, I had a mini mag and Buck 110 folding knife Never let me down. to this day I also carry a Klein electricians knife, simple pocket knife
I did a 20+ mile backpacking trip with a surplus canvas backpack, a kerosene lamp, and a cast iron skillt. I used a wool blanket as a sleeping bag, and had a tarp in case i needed it.
I have since replaced all those items with lighter and higher quality ones, but that old gear worked just fine for a broke kid piecing together kit from surplus stores!
Great video on an interesting subject. As an EMT back in the late 80s, I would add something about the advances in trauma dressings available to the public, especially the Israeli bandage, compression gauze, quick clot, and the new tourniquet designs. These did not exist back in the day where we mainly relied on 4x4s, ABD 5x9 dressings, basic gauze and Kerlix for heavy bleeds.
I would make the argument.. in an SHTF event… ie emergency or whatever… battery life trumps brightness most of the time.. rule out the “tactical” muh 1000 lumens for the bad guy… 99% of the time will be spent using the light to see! Cooking, walking, etc.. all these newer lights with only 1-1.5 hrs of battery life kinda sucks In a world where batteries or chargers aren’t available. And yes, I know, lights have 22 settings blah blah.. still more to fail.. a 20-30 lumen light will do much more than one would think and last a LONG TIME doing it.. just an alternate talking point..
Following Sootch since 2012. Top 5 RUclipsr in this category.
Good Video! I still use a lot of Mil Surplus, good quality, and reasonable. Also, I have carried a case or uncle henry trapper style pocketknife since I was in High School, I'm 62. Really enjoyed the video
Sir, I still carry and use the K bar knife that I was issued. 38 yrs ago. I believe if you take care of your older equipment, it will take care of you when you need it.
You Bet! Taking care of your stuff makes it last@@johnjones3208
Yall remember the big assed Coleman flashlights? Whole light was big around as a loaf of bread and half as long. It had the old monster battery that costed a fortune. Is was nearly big as the light. Used it till battery died then laid around the house for a year or 2 cause I was always gonna replace the battery but never did. Now I've got one of the olight keyring batteries that puts out as much lite as 1 of those did. It's amazing how some things have changed
Old gear is more reliable than newer gear. They’re practical, low cost and built to last. Tried, tested and true!
Remember when Gerber basically started the modern knife industry with its Zytel handled locking blades? (Kershaw and ZT both originated from Gerber designers)
Remember when Gerber had to recall the BG survival knife because it was sh1t? Gerber has become garbage.
@@RyanGr33nYes but I think they have pulled their head out of their butt on a few newish designs. They still make a bunch of garbage also.
There are soooo many better knives out there these days. I have over 100 hundred of em.
@@Biomass1well over a hundred here as well. Gerber has some excellent new knives. The scandi grind "Principle " is my go to scandi worker. The "Sedulo" & the "Assert" are excellent folders. I wouldn't touch Gerber for two decades. As it currently stands they are trying to turn things around. Buy American.
A few ya missed. Water carriers, from sheep skins to canteens with cups to bottles with cups. Also cover. From animal skins to canvas tarps and tents, to nylon tarps and tents.
Great video as always sootch! Love the longer videos
I used to use the cheap plastic flashlights, wasn't much to choose from except some super expensive headlamps made for cycling and night orienteering and way too large for just in case use. Then Tekna brought out a small but much higher quality flashlight using Lithium batteries in the early eighties. I got mine in 1983, still not super bright, but much better than anything else I had tried and good battery life for the time. The problem though was batteries which couldn't be send by mail and was only available in a few places.
Which led me to the next phase - never buy flashlights that can't run on "standard" batteries. For many years that meant double AA Maglites like the oldest one in the video. Worked great too but of course limited light output. Enough for my main use though, around camp activities when backpacking and when my headlamp ran out of power - cross country skiing (the snow makes a huge difference with low lumen lights).
Started using AA lithium when they became available for longer life, better cold performance in the cold and slightly lighter batteries. That wasn't completely without problems. A new set of lithium AAs would burn out the bulb in the Maglite, then work fine until the next battery replacement. Anyone tried to switch bulbs in a Maglite in complete darkness? Not fun.
For the last 15 years or so I've used mostly light headlamps with rechargeable batteries. First rechargeable AAs, but now integrated batteries. Solves a lot of problems, smaller, lighter and recharging in the headlamp. Still, not completely happy with the reliance on proprietary tech that basically can't be fixed but both the LEDs and the batteries will likely last much longer than the headlamp will be used.
The oldschool backpack is Czechoslovakian from the 1950's. Has some foreign straps added, as originally it was either attached to your Y-harness, or you could use the separate harness to create more conventional straps, but it didn't really work well in that configuration (at least for me). The bag itself it fine.
I never had much luck with the miniMaglites. Constantly in need of repair, or wouldn't work when I needed it.
Quite important go to the Woods with old equipments
I have a few 6volt lights and I changed the bulb to led. Talk about made a big difference. Been having the same battery for a while and haven't had to change it yet
The biggest change with the lithium (specifically the CR123A which you are displaying) is that they are 3Volts, which is twice the voltage of the AA, AAA, C or D cells. Twice the voltage is basically twice the brightness out of any specific bulb, so you’re doubling your performance right out for the gate. (this is an over-simplification, but you get the idea…)
“Be strong. Be of good courage. God bless America. Long live the republic.” LOVED the video on preparedness equipment. Wonderful information and visual! Examples. But that ending made me so happy to see and hear your support for this great country!’Thank you for the excellent video, and God bless you as well.
Carried a kellite and case folder my entire LE career😎 the new stuff didn't come into being until after I retired.
I keep steel wool in a sealed case. Just a small piece lights up hot with a spark.
Where is the old stuff? Coleman stoves, canvas tents...
Almost all of my backpacking gear was purchased in the late 970s & 1980s, when I was a Boy Scout, and we had a crew that went backpacking every month, and to Philmont Scout Ranch in NM in the summer.
Every bit is still very well-kept, and there is some new things, like the wood gas stove, a penny stove, and a lightweight groundcloth.
I was actually just working on an article and video of this exact topic this week and should have them both posted in the near future. Pretty cool to see that I'm not the only person thinking about this.
I remember in the late 80's when one of my friends got a AA powered maglite for Christmas. We used it a lot backpacking it was pretty awesome. I dont even know if they had invented LED lightbulbs yet
I have probably gone through at least twenty of them one a year at work. I have so many parts and colored parts mixed up its awesome.
I mostly use headlamps away from work just to free up my hands for stuff like night fishing.
One thing you really have to watch with new backpacks is the zippers after a while they will start to tear out and another thing with Leatherman and Gerber multi-tools is don't get the ones that have the little screws that hold everything together because after a while they will loosen up and fall apart
Great rundown on so many things. Excellent video!
I have gear that's close to 80 years old and gear I got a few months ago. I use it all, but it depends on what I'm doing as to what gear I'm carrying. Just regular camping, bushcraft camping, hiking or whatever, I carry different stuff. Quality runs about the same way. It depends on what it's for.
I would recommend a fire piston as well, pretty nifty little device to start a fire
Rechargeable batteries in the 7 cell Maglight reduces the weight considerably . . .
A lot of the old flashlights can be upgraded with a LED bulb, I did it with my old school L shaped military flashlight, what a difference!
I have a military Fulton flashlight too. Here in Brazil they are nicknamed "elbow-type flashlights" in military jargon.
Most these people couldn’t survive without the internet
That XL50 with a 1in mount ring, makes a perfect shotgun weapon light. Have them on 2. Pump hand, thumb ~ click click.
I still have a ton of old mag lights that have been upgraded with LED bulbs and LIPO batteries and have them stashed all over my house.
I like the style of the vintage gear, and I use a lot of old items, but I mix with some contemporary stuff.
In my humble opinion, look how long that old gear held up. Its cheaper( most of the time) so if your new to this, get the older stuff first, learn how to use it. Then upgrade when you can if you want. My stepdad gave me a buck folder with a black leather sheath. It was on me at all times. Even in school. He told me that this is a tool NOT A WEAPON!! If he caught me trying to use it as a weapon or not using it safely, he'd stick it up my rear end. He taught me how to use it safely, also how to sharpen it. I carried on my belt from 83-87 . I gave it to my foster brother when i went to bootcamp in '87. Of course, he lost it!!! I loved that knife!! Did alot with it. I wasnt that good at sharpening it. It was sharp enough for what i did. Anyway, good video. I thought i was subscribed to ya and here i wasnt. I am now so look foward to mire vids.