Saying "full tang knife" is pretty silly. There are several of brittle full tang knives out there that aren't nearly as strong as a partial tang Mora. Just because it's full tang doesn't always mean it's strong.
@Don Mull Well that's unfortunate for you. The bushcraft black is just as robust as those you mentioned and the garberg is full tang anyways, and probably more robust. I'll take a Swedish scandi over a flat, hollow or saber any day. If it's a quality knife the tang doesn't do anything but make it weigh more unless you're an idiot and don't know how to use a knife. Cheers!
#1) Dress for the lowest temperature/worst conditions for the next 72 hours. Dress in layers that are loose fitting and comfortable. You can always remove layers when it's warmer; but you have to have them to add them. Your top most layer should be a water barrier, your mid layer should me a wind barrier and your first layer should be moisture wicking like either silk or bamboo in warm weather or merino wool in cold weather. So this concurs with your "Shell".2) Fire making device. 3) cutting tools, plural, I believe in redundancy. A pocket knife and a multitool. For shelter building,, to process wood for fire building, processing game, cutting a seat belt if needed, and 1000 other things.
+Jordan Boyer Make it a sheet of heavy-duty plastic (6' x 8' or bigger folded up in your pocket) and you can create a simple still out of a hole in the ground / fresh plant material, or gather from a source as well as having something to cover your body
+Steve Clark Amen to that! I live in Arizona, and water is a huge issue here. Also, not only do you need to be warm (at night or in mountains), but you need to stay cool, so fire might needs pairing with other things.
+Carson Rush Im in AZ too! I choose a 40 ounce bottle as my 3rd chioce because I know how to make a container with coals from a fire, so a ferro rod was second for me. First was an SOG kukri for defense and obviously cutting.
1. Knife. I have a solid preference for my Leatherman Sidekick, and rarely leave my bed without it. However I do keep a buck knife and 8-pound axe in my car. 2. Container. Besides the regular kitchenware in my apartment, I do keep a bag packed in my car, and that includes a stainless steel mess kit. I also have a steel water bottle and water bladder in my pack. 3. Lighter. I have 5 bics, 1 zippo, a magnifying lens, and a fire steel in my pack, and a zippo in my pocket. Going past 3 4. Shelter. Despite the fact I have gone skiing in the Montana Rockies in January in t-shirt&gym shorts and even here in my hometown in North Dakota I have a reputation for ignoring cold weather with ease while walking around in January blizzard in a tshirt, I keep a heavy Carhart Arctic Shield coat in my car, and my pack has a hammock, tarp, space blanket, and 20-above rated sleeping bag. 5. Cordage. Whole lot of duct tape, gorilla tape, and paracord. 6. First Aid kit. I am a career EMT, currently studying for my paramedic, and I keep a separate backpack with a serious first aid kit. 7. Self-defense/hunting. I'm a decent shot with both bow & firearm. If I had to choose only one, I'd take my M1A rifle, though I still have a great fondness for my old recurve bow, and also have shotguns and handguns. 8. Info/Comms. My bag has field guides on edible&medicinal plants, a crank radio/flashlight, a solar cell charger, and a Bible. 9. Food/water. I keep my kitchen stocked with plenty of spare food, and I reckon I have the bacon, honey, ramen noodles, cereal, bottled water, junk food, and produce to last about a week. Basically, just find an old Oregon Trail game, I found OT 5, outfit your wagon train, and that should let you give you an idea of what you need.
Hi Don, Just wanted to send along this note of appreciation for all that you do for us by making these informative videos. Taking some time to watch the cable tv news on the Fox News Channel and they are covering the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew in Florida and its current situation in SC. When you have a chance, perhaps you send out a new video letting us all know that you & your family are safe and sound. Just a thought by means of a suggestion, since this appears to be a most likely emergency situation for those of us living on the East Coast of the USA it would make for an excellent opportunity for a real life video experience on how your preps helped you through this situation and what you may have learned from it that would make you adjust your plans accordingly going forward. As always best wishes to you and your family and we look forward to hearing back from you as soon as possible.
1. Full tang knive 2. Ferro Rod 3. Stainless steel bootle Specifically 1. Phantom 2 by PKS ,Selfrelianceoutfitters.com 2. 8 inch ferro rod, by four directions bushcraft 3. 64 oz pathfinder Pathfinder Bottle ,Selfrelianceoutfitters.com
1. Victorinox Spirit X Multitool ( I cant think of anything a folding knife can do this can't do better) 2. My Belt (made from quick deploy Survivor cord, this contains so much by itself) Never without it, also has threaded Feroserum rod along its length. Worst case fire starter AND the tinder is inside the cordage and ALWAYS dry. 3. Steel water bottle, single walled (say what you want but containers are not that easy to make if time is of value). Edit: Something to think about, most people think ahead before wandering into the woods. The most vital time to think of real survival gear is in day to day living. There are really only three true EDC items for most people: wallet, Keys, phone. By transforming something like a belt into a resource, you add functionality that is always on hand without impacting any part of your day to day. Keys are another area you can get clever with. Although there are very few good solutions that turn key carry into real functional tools.
It's mostly area specific......my Gore Tex jacket......Heavy duty Benchmade adamas pocket knife, and my high grade Navy seal lighter,my tiny pocket sized wind up flashlight.
If I had to choose the rolling papers over the satellite, then I wouldn't be a very clever stoner now would I? I can use coals from a fire to burn out a bowl for my homemade pipe but I can't MacGyver a satellite telephone from coconuts and palm leaves. Use your head Walter! ;)
I'd love to laugh at that but I find that most of my good friends that are stoners are more intelligent and more interesting people (myself included). While I've been slacking on RUclips lately, I work full time at a business incubator at a Canadian University. I'm also working on my own business on the side. A good friend of mine who actually introduced me to cannabis is just finishing school to become a commercial airline pilot. My point here is I have no idea how to use a satalite distress signal...like none..
My granddaughter is going into the Girl Scouts and I am helping her with what I'm telling her is an, "Emergency Backpack". This is entirely populated by things I purchased off of Amazon. Though she is too young to give her all of the items that I carry in my Bug Out Bag, I did tell her what I think the most important survival items are, beyond the basic shelter, fire, water and food. And they do begin with the basics: -WATER- Always carry some water with you and have a stainless steel, single wall container with a lid for carrying and boiling water. Store a water filtration straw and a small bottle of chlorine based water treatment drops inside the steel container. -SHELTER- For about $60.00 you can buy a PopUp tent for two people that will spring open in just a few seconds. Most are pretty sturdy and light and fold down to around a foot in diameter. -FIRE- Just as you mentioned a Bic lighter can't be beat. However, if you pick up a tube of Mini M&M's you can use the tube as a water tight container for the lighter and stuff some laundry lint in the bottom as fire starter. As a bonus, it will float if you drop it in water. -FOOD- in addition to survival food bars, I carry several small cans of food with pop-top lids. They contain moisture, don't need to be cooked and can be eaten on the go. Don't forget a spoon or fork. The cans can also be used to boil water or cook in. I also included: -Communication- A small walkie-talkie is cheap and if you get one that can be charged through a micro USB port there are many hand crank radio/flashlight combo's with a USB charge plug that you can recharge them with. -Light- The hand crank radio/flashlight covers this nicely. -Weapons/Tools- As you mentioned, a sturdy folding knife and a good multi-tool. Building anything else you need will be a lot simpler with these, such as a shelter or more weapons. -ENTERTAINMENT- A pack of playing cards, a paperback book or even an old smartphone which has its data card loaded with movies. This can also be recharged with the hand crank flashlight as can your primary phone. -RAINGEAR- A large army style poncho will keep you and your pack dry while allowing you to keep on the move in a light rain. A 50 foot bundle of paracord will allow you to configure it into a shelter, hammock, rain catchment system and many other things. Remember to put your electronic items or anything else that can be ruined by water, in separate zip lock bags. All of these things will easily fit into a small backpack, book bag or gym bag, then bungee cord a rolled up blanket in a clean trash bag to the backpack as well as the pop up tent. These are the Get Home Bag items that I have, I'm sure there are many more or even better ones I haven't thought of. I will be tuning in again to see what ideas you have in the future.
Erin Owl Ditch the "chlorine based water treatment drops" in favor of boiling the water to kill ALL biological hazards. Most folding knives are cute, but no cigar in a pinch. Good effort!
Hey Sootch00, I appreciate your channel and I watch all the time. If I could only take 3 items with me; 1- A military metal canteen to collect and boil water. 2- A fire steel because it will never run out of strikes. 3- A great survival knife can build you a great shelter and so much more. Good question. I've heard it said that the more survival knowledge you have, the less gear you need to carry. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and skills with us.
Disagree on the bic over a fire striking rod. If the bic gets wet it don't work that good. Also, sometimes they screw up without warning and don't work... thus less dependable than the rod.
They can also run out of fuel if something puts pressure on the button in your bag. Or explode if hit too hard. However, even then you can remove the flint and spark it like a striking rod. I'd agree though, I'm more comfortable with the rod.
Hey, I go to my magnifying glass first. It works great and easy to use. Have the rod as second stand-by for using on cloudy days and nights. That is my back up for when my bics are wet or used up. Don't bother with matches at all. It is always good to know how to do the sticks too, in case all else fails.
And a blow torch is better than a bic. The condition for best here isn't how they perform in optimal conditions, it's how they perform in the worst conditions. Worst case scenario for a bic, it's is out of fuel and will never work again and you're left with a tiny piece of flint which won't last very long and will be very difficult to spark, even if you don't lose it upon removal or during storage. Worst case for the flint and spark rod is you might have to wait a while for things to dry out, or look for dry stuff.
fire steel is a lot better in my opinion, get a stick and make some feather sticks and boom you have easy dry tinder, don't rely on something that'll run out of fuel or stop working if it get's wet
I'm a backpacker, as well as a believer in get home bags and bug out bags. I have an enclosed shelter, sleeping bag, sleeping pad. Cooking gear, clothing, first aid, water purification etc... the bag weighs 19lbs without food and cooking fuel. Backing gear aims for light and compact, something preppers should look into. Too many worry about having 5 knives, 3 different Leatherman's and I understand redundancy but they go overboard and their packs end up being 75 lbs.
The Bic is better than the Zippo, unless you have extra fuel for the Zippo. Bic's last a long time because the gas is filled under pressure in the factory. I have refillable gas lighters the same size but filling from a gas bottle I can't get as much in. So EDC is refillable, backups in my get home bag, bug out bag etc are Bics.
1) Knife. 2) Fire (ferrocerium rod) lighters are unreliable. 3) Metal container (to boil water in). Another excellent video. Thanks for taking the time.
Sootch, I carry a pocket 6 function micro skeleton scissors made by leatherman , I keep handy. I added a neodium magnet in theopen lanyard for my 6 functions. Seems to be my go to survival tool. I also have an afordable Smith's micro tool blade sharpener i find saves me time honing my knife blades sharpest they can be that i keep in my pocket. One survival tool ....okay two other tools i think are essential to the best three on your list is a good multi combination tool and a compass. When it is overcast, I need a good compass. A good map is another. Unless I am just a few miles out of town. Another is a three mil 55 gallon carpenter's bag! Makes a great poncho over warm clothes and other uses as well. But it does add conciderable weight. Along with a bugout tool roll bag with three zippered compartments. Oh and good protective gloves, hiking boots, and extra pair of wool socks.
1) Really good Knife - Cutting tinder, Fatwood from conifer trees, etc... 2) O.P.S.E.C Poncho - Shell, Shelter, leaf hauler, catch rain water, etc... "The poncho could be swapped out for a fire starter if you know how to build a lean-to shelter." 3) A stainless steel canteen, for boiling contaminated water, cooking... A fire can be started in many ways. But how are you going to boil water in the woods with the three items mentioned in the vid, unless your near a city or residential area. Have to consider the environment your in. Lace your boots or shoes with 550 Para cord. The outer shell of the cord can be stripped leaving you with multiple strands of smaller string for setting snares, fishing & so much more. I could go on...
COVER is definitely one of the three. In intense wind/precipitation (including intense storms), sometimes you cannot start and/or maintain a fire. In some cases, you could die from hypothermia in as little as hours, without a cover. Some covers (3 mil 55-gallon liners, for example), can be used for water catchment and containment, as well as a liner for a shelter or make-shift poncho. YOU ARE RIGHT! Even without a water bottle or canteen, you can drink other-than-ideal water during a 72-hour situation (accept that you might get sick much later), and/or chew leaves & grass and/or collect morning dew off your tarp (or even from accumulation on your socks after walking dew-covered tall grass in the early morning). Three items: 1) Cover- 55-gallon liner or SOL Sport Utility Space Blanket (whose bag can be used as a canteen), 2) Lighter, 3) Knife. I concur fully.
I know everybody has their opinions, but I have a problems with this. If it is pouring rain, and/or below 40°F, that rain jacket isn't going to help too much. It can only cover your upper torso, which leaves your legs, and feet completely exposed. I agree there needs to be a waterproof covering, but, a rain jacket isn't going to cover it. No pun intended. My list: #1- Water is arguably the most important item in a survival situation. Now, assuming you can find water, you need a way to purify it. A large metal water bottle with a lid can be invaluable. It can be lowered into flames, or even better hot coals, to boil water quickly, and efficiently. As well as used to transport water along with you. #2- As you said, fire is VERY important. I totally agree with this, and think If you could only have one fire starting implement, a Bic lighter is the way to go. But, I usually carry about five ways to start a fire when I go backpacking. #3- You see, this is why it's so tricky, because you really need A knife, but also a waterproof covering of some kind. My third answer really depends. If you're going into a wet, cold environment, you NEED a tarp. Being wet in a any temperature below 50°F will be Miserable, and any temperatures below 40°F, you might get Hypothermia. A Sil-Nylon would be best because of it's durability. But, if you're in a warmer environment, and knife is also extremely helpful. A small folder is fine, but a larger fixed blade would be preferred if legality is irrelevant in your situation.
I'm absolutely a "get out, go outback" type of bloke. While I favour Canterbury's 5Cs method as the nucleus of my kit, if I had to choose only three items they would be: 1: 3in blade folding knife (brass and wood "classic" folder with robust lockback). Easy and safe to pocket while remaining a useful size, keeping a good edge and providing a robust quality of construction that mechanically cannot fail. The lockback is extremely solid and I've used this particular knife for batoning without wear or damage to the mechanism. It's not full tang, but it doesn't seem to matter too much. I just need to be aware that it's a small companion knife at heart and not a full-length hunting knife or machete. 2. 20m pf 2.5mm hootchie cord. Some people love paracord while I gravitate towards the thinner and just as tough Australian hootchie cord. It's heavier than equivalent diameter paracord, but it's tough and extremely reliable. 20m is the minimum length I'd take. Normally 50m is my go-to for bushcraft since even on a spool it takes up very little room due to its thinness. Can't go wrong with some tried and true hootchie cord. I carry 5m of it for EDC, for any purpose that requires... well, cordage. 3. Magnesium or ferrocerium firesteel. I know many people will choose a quality pocket lighter such as a Bis disposable or a Zippo, but my conditions support the simple firesteel. I won't comment on the supposed "unreliability" of a quality lighter (they've never failed on me), but a quality firesteel is always going to be more reliable simply due to its technological simplicity. With a little practice, a firesteel is just as effective as a quality pocket lighter, but that's just the thing: they require practice in a way a lighter does not. Luckily, building a fire isn't difficult in my conditions and I'm well practiced with a firesteel, so that's my pick. Under non-practiced conditions, I'd gladly take a quality pocket lighter. (Indeed, a small Bic lighter is part of my hand-out kit when taking friends or family who aren't particular well acquainted with bushcraft out on a survival or trail riding exercise) A blade is invaluable because the quality of a good steel blade will always be superior to anything you could manufacture with primitive tools and materials on hand. Cordage cannot be underestimated as it's also very difficult to construct with primitive materials (though not impossible) and cordage is something of an enabler, allowing you to more efficiently continue with other survival tasks than if you had none available. Similarly, a reliable method of starting a fire is crucial as any primitive method with available materials is slow and requires intense practice to be successful at. These three items are my Top 3 because they enable me to function more efficiently with the skills I already have than if I was to find myself in a situation without them. They give me the opportunity to reliably build shelter and prepare & obtain food. While having a reliable container is also incredibly useful, this is something which can be constructed quite easily with available primitive materials as necessary. It deserves an honourable mention, but my specific Top Three will allow me to construct a reliable container for a given situation as required.
Three items? I have no intention of bugging out, so I only need one - my home. Figure I’ll likely be safer here (a relatively known environment) than on the road or in the woods (both unknowns) and my house is already filled with pretty much everything I need and more - including plenty of firepower to defend it.
I feel exactly the same way, but (hypothetically) how do you defend your home against 50 blue helmets, a platoon of foreign mountain troops, or a gang of 60 or 70 bikers out looking for guns and food and water? Or gangs of rioters sweeping through the streets? Just asking.
To be honest, I really doubt UN forces, or a platoon of foreign mountain troops, will have any interest at all in my home. As for the rest (gangs, etc), it’s a long, fluid, story (involves the area, the neighbors, our background, etc) that wouldn’t apply to (or benefit) most others reading here. Instead, I’ll just say I’m fairly confident we can deal with any such problem.
***** I like your confidence. Good luck. Once the cities are devastated, street gangs will fan out into rural areas. I will say that the Nazis were interested in all parts of Poland, France, Russia (etc.,), that they seized. They sent goons out to capture food, guns and ammo and arrest "suspects," kidnap laborers etc. Nobody's home escaped scrutiny and searches. History does in fact repeat itself, but again, best of luck.
The Germans basically marched across Europe, only to be stopped by a narrow (roughly 21 wide mile) channel. Most of our enemies (at least any which could even pose a viable threat) would have to cross a 1500~2000 mile ocean, then met by a large military force before even stepping foot on U.S. soil. An invasion is simply not very likely. Instead, I’m more concerned about the ever increasing breakdown of law and order (general crime, riots, etc). Again, we’ve considered that in detail and are (I believe) fairly well prepared for it.
***** Aside from the fact that both Russian and Chinese (and Latin American) troops are already here, and treaties allow Canadian troops to attack Americans, we have a large, menacing army under the control of the DHS. Invasion is the least of our worries. Attack from tyrannical "authorities" seems a larger threat. I used the Nazis as an example of full totalitarian control, something we nearly have here now. If a police state puts its boot down, it will spawn a reaction: gangs, deserters from the military, people who have hungry children at home and will do anything (violent) to feed them, etc.
Yes I agree, no 1 is fire!! It will help you with the availability of food, water and shelter. Your three most basic needs in a survival situation! And of course boosts your moral too!
I am a Canadian and we have a big problem carrying guns with us but there are other method's. You can carry a knife with you (which I have had ALL my life) with which you can cut sticks and sharpen them to a point. 1. Fire 2. Knife 3. emergency Blanket. You can buy them at many camping out fit store, all they are is a thin sheet of plastic with a reflective (it looks like a big sheet of tin foil) keeps you dry and the wind out. As well you can use it to signal for help.
Don; like the video, I do have one comment. The shell ......I struggled with this while putting together my 15 Cs kit. And since it needed to be as light as possible. I decided that ,depending on where you live and climate, you would be dressed appropriately. So I went with a grabber heat sheet, and an sol one man space blanket. Those in addition to a fire should, hopefully, make it possible to survive 3 days in the woods. Keep posting these vids, doing a lot of good work. be well Shelter fire Knife ( KA-BAR Army version )
Totally agree, a good quality protein bar is a much better and nutritious option than many survival foods. I would go even further, as a nutritionist i recommend having a store of sprouted grains with you. Sprouted grains are more than 10 times more nutritious than sprouted grains, they can store for a very long time if sealed properly (preferably vacuum sealed) they are virtually wholly digestible (only about 5-10% of processed and cooked foods are usable by the body) and they are very filling.
problem with a multi tool is you cant baton wood to help get a fire started. sure there's other stuff but you don't really need any of that when you have a good fixed blade knife
id rather have a bic lighter than a firesteel.. if im not rescued IN A MONTH OR TWO>.. wow. Just keep the one fire going. You only really need to use the bic ONCE ... stay put. Make smoke, make noise. Keep the fire going, this isn't the zombie apocalypse.
Loaded.22 magnum (lightweight and small), Berkey Bottle filled with clean safe water & torch lighter. Thanks for getting us thinking about this subject.
If you talking about 24 hours. A knife would be last in my list. In 24 hours. I want to be comfortable and keep my sanity to be rescue. Knife would be awesome with long term but for short term. I want to stay in 1 place and be comfortable and keep my mind focused. I know you can live a long time without food or water, but for 24 hours. They are the main thing that keep you focused and comfortable. You can always find broken tree branches around to start a fire. No need to waste energy in 24 hours with a knife. Lighter Easy to buy. Easy to start. Easy to carry. Cheap. Keep you warm. Water Keep you hydrated. More to comfort. Food Gives you energy. More to comfort. I know a lot of you guys are experience outdoor. You can do a lot of things with a knife. For us city folks. It's just a piece of metal. We are not Rambo. Knowing our limitations can increase our survival chances. If we try to be Rambo and get hurt for unnecessary things. It will decrease our chances of survival.
Poncho tarp Fire steel Knife I wouldn't rely on a butane lighter. Unless you use one every day (smoker etc.) you will need it and it will be out of fuel. Learn to use a fire steel without fail.
I have smoked (quit a year ago) my whole life and and can count on one hand the amount of times a bic lighter ran out of gas. The other brands will leak fuel, but a bic will last years.
I carry a small bic a lot but the ones I put it a "safe secure spot" in my traveling bag, no doubt will be out of fuel. Because it's not in a pocket and not covered and not used all the time. It's tucked away "safely" ? Happened a few times, so I carry a zippo unless I don't want the weight, then I'll carry a small bic. But never rely on it !!
Will Ouellette agreed, pot/cig smokers best freind is a bic. they are extremely reliable. for as much space/weight they take up, and i knew i was going to be in the bush for more than a day, besides petroleum jelly cotton balls and a ferro rod, i would stash at least 3 full size bic lighters one in my pants one in my pack where i wont even realize its there, and another one with the rest of my fire kit
I don't smoke but do use a lighter very often, a bic is fine for your pocket if you use it frequently. How ever for some thing you stuff in a bag and hope it works when you don't have anything else, you are going to be in trouble. Yes you can use the flint but that's not like a firesteel. You would be better off knowing how to use a firesteel really well than hoping you didn't let the gas out of your bic then having to use it as a sparkie. I don't even trust my $30 waterproof, covered, butane lighter made just for the purpose to stash in your bag. Another concern is how hot a bic or equivalent gets when you have them lit for a few seconds. I've went to a zippo for edc, it has it's place, shrink wrapping wires A+, starting camp stoves C, doesn't burn the crap out of you when lit for 30sec A++.
You must have too much money not to bother with cottonballs or duct tape. Fire paste only has one use, pretty much the same for the wetfire unless you use it for cooking fuel like an esbit tab. I carry two kinds of duct tape and a magnesium fire starter every day, along with a zippo. Not a smoker nor a pyro either.
1. Combustion - Swedish firesteel 2. Cutting - Hultafors mini hatchet 3. Cover - Wool blanket A lighter has moving parts, and can easily fail. Firesteel is bomb-proof and good for thousands of strikes, even if wet. I appreciate the difficulties of carrying a fixed blade. I nearly chose my Mora knife, but the axe is small enough to carry but heavy enough to use for many tasks. (chop, baton, hammer, carve) Wool blanket will stay warm even when wet and has many uses too. PS I live in the UK
I would choose a fixed blade knife, a water purifier or distillation kit and a fire starter. Although a waterproof tarp would be nice to place on wet ground, to provide shade or shelter from wind and rain. I think people can get by with just a few items, but even a fanny pack can hold a variety of useful gear, enough to get us by for a few days. My choices would depend on my location. In the wild I can find water or collect it, but if only rains twice a year and it's months away then I need to purify what is available. And in the suburbs, one can take cover in abandoned buildings or stay in their home. Many factors to consider... HARD to pick only 3 items :)
Great Video! After reading a lot of the comments, I realized that people are quick to criticize each other, and forget that many of us live in different settings. I live AND work in a more Urban area, so shelter from the elements would not be hard to obtain. So for that reason, I'd replace the Shell with a decent hand held 2 way radio. My items would be: 1. Fire Starter (I prefer a flint steel); 2. Good Knife; 3. 2 way radio. Thanks for getting us to think on this!
Hello, Great video. My greatest survival item is - my intelligence. It's with me everywhere I go. With this tool I have a motto. Equality For All. Kind Regards: Robbie, England, UK.
really depends on the location and climate, i live in PA so in spring or summer id go with a fixed blade knife, ferro rod, steel container to boil and collect water in in fall or winter id choose a fixed blade knife, ferro rod and good sleeping bag. when you sleep your body temperature naturally drops because you're not active so hypothermia is a very serious risk when going to sleep
1. A high quality knife: Busse, Benchmade, Cold Steel, or other good reliable knife. 2. Waterproof tarp - Can be wrapped around you or used for shelter 3. Quality lighter or ferro rod.
A poncho, multi-tool and mess kit. First, I like a multi-tool because It has a knife, pliers w/wire cutters, even screw drivers. Second, a poncho (my shell). I can wear it or use it for shelter. And third, a mess kit (my other multi-tool from army surplus or Wal-Mart). In it I carry a lighter, matches, water treatment tablets, and a magnifying glass. The mess kit also works for cooking and boiling water.
Oh for sure I totally agree. But shade can be accomplished in different ways that a "shell" so I was just wondering if he had a specific mindset because of location. for about 75% of the year where I live night time temps are above 50 deg F. My choice here would be a small tarp for shade and maybe a hammock. if not even a small back pack tent.
1. Kukri 2.Ferro Rod 3. 40 ounce Klean Kanteen These are my top 3. I put the ferro rod at 2 because i saw a way to make a container out of wood with hot coals from Creek Stuart. From there you can stone boil. I still put the container there for transportation of water, as well as for better tasting water. Water from stone boiling tastes terrible. I use an SOG kukri which works well for me. Only big complaint is the saw back. The kukri is also a great defense tool against animals. I am in Arizona and even in the woods here the temperature is pretty mild even in the winter.
1 multitool- my multitool is the leatherman sidekick. it has a KNIFE, a sawblade, a serrated blade, phillips & flathead screwdriver, pliers(needlenose & regular), wirecutter, boltcutter, wire stripper, wood/metal file, lanyard ring(i keep some cord on it in case i drop it or need the cord) and some other things 2 red bandanna- pretty much a makeshift first aide kit, uses for signalling, and water filtration 3 firesteel- firesteel + leaves + wood = instant fire
1.Goretex bivy bag sleep system 2.gun 3.metal water container 4.maybe a friend (dosnt count as item) if you need a knife to skin an animal you could use a rock your friend will most likely share camp fire with you so long as you give them food/ boiled water your friend would need 1. a bivy of there own 2.a lighter 3.what ever they felt they needed (probably a knife) tip makes friends,stay loyal,dont put yourself in situations where you might get lost by yourself otherwise your screwed/fireless
Dude, the strength in the USA is the same strength you have...it's the people, never the leaders. The USA is made up of people just like you and millions of others from all over the world who love God and their freedom and that's what makes America great!
OH, and one more thing, we would never give up our freedoms for safety! We will defend it until our death. When a rat gets elected and tries to remove them, we vote them out.
Good video! A good warm rainjacket is the absolute number one item to have! Or at least a poncho as you mentioned in your video! Thank you and take care!
Thanks Sensible, for helping U$ learn to cope. My number one survival tool is the space between my ears. Experience is number two. Flexibility - adaptability is three.
I totally agree with your 3 most important items to carry, if given only 3 choices. I also carry 550 cords in my pockets at all times because I love to work on my knotting skill. I believe the most important in survival is preparation in knowledge and expect the unexpected. Another word, thinking ahead by being proactive instead being reactive. My father always said to me, when you are proactive, you are a step ahead of the situation; while reactive, you are one step behind and you lose.
Coastal Central California: 1) Leatherman Wave 2) Sawyer Water Filter. 3) Zippo lighter if it's cold and wet. Otherwise, a 1-gallon water bladder. Mobility is key. It's complete bullcrap to think you're going to boil all of your water unless you're dealing with snow, which I'm not. The Sawyer water filter lets you drink from water sources while you're on the move. Good luck starting a fire every time you're running low on water and getting thirsty. You're going to end up drinking from questionable sources and getting the squirts or worse. The Zippo lighter is for those screwed up situations where you can't find good tinder and you need a big, constant flame to dry the small stuff out a bit. If it's warm and dry, you probably don't need a fire. If you do, there's always the bow drill and hand drill, both of which I know how to do and have done from scratch with the Leatherman. In those dry situations a way to store water on your back is vital, hence the water bladder. Also, the saw on the multitool will allow you to build a rudimentary shelter somewhat quickly if needed.
Hi... I'd like to change the question to 3 groups of ten. with your question though I like your list... though water might be on that list as well. so in the 3 groups of 10... 1 ten most important 2 ten second most important 3 ten third most important any thoughts on weight /space limitations?
1) Gransfors Bruks Small Forest Axe 2) 5" Review outdoor gear Firesteel 3) Lifestraw Waterbottle. Filter and container. Close on the list would be a Spyderco bushcraft knife and a metal container. Gun and Fishing gear come in after that. I could honestly do way more with a fishing rod than a gun. After that a tarp. I think at that point you start to get pretty comfortable
Along with fishing gear in my small pack, I carry a tin can (3 cup cap.), inside of which is a solid folding knife, 2 lighters, simple fire starters (e.g. alcohol pads), tea bags, sugar packets. This gives me fire, boiled water and hot drinks. Also a mylar emergency blanket, bright yellow rain poncho, and a pealess whistle. The last two can be used to draw attention from SAR. All items together weigh virtually nothing.
physical items 1) knife 2) fire starting equipment 3) bb gun/.22 Switching out the bb gun/.22 for the shelter (in the midwest where I spend time) would be a valuable way to also get food. Shelter would be a must in really rainy/snowy climates, but here a knife and fire can let you build a shelter with ease.
When I first started, I guessed your three was fire, water, and knife. I can see your point about the shell. Could go either way. Thanks for the video.
I live in the tropics, so my priorities are: #1 Water filter or pump (staying hydrated is the biggest issue to deal with here) #2 Fire (I use a strong little torch that puts out a blue flame. The container is clear so I know how much fuel in available). I always carry a fire striker as backup. #3 Folding Saw (about 8" blade) - fire, water containers, shelter, etc can be obtained using bamboo. A saw works much better than a knife when dealing with bamboo. A knife would be my #4 item.
Great video this kit would great where I grew up in the Pacific Northwest. I would like to hear your top three pick for a desert area like southern Nevada, were today it was a 118. Keep the videos coming.
I'm not going to win the coolest gear award for this, but I like to utilize budget friendly preps whenever possible. I like the Ozark Trail Tan Flip Knife ($3.87 + tax), Coleman Match Case with 25 waterproof matches and striker ($1 + tax), and a disposable poncho ($1.29 + tax). With these three affordable items, I can keep water and wind off of me, make a fire (this skill takes some practice to be efficient) and I can even make a short term shelter using just the poncho and some saplings. The one statement that I will make is, it takes time to practice. Thanks for a good video, I enjoyed this because it made me think. Hopefully others will as well.
THANK YOU FOR THIS! It's very difficult for those of us who didn't grow up camping or roughing it, scouting, etc., to know what we need bare minimum. I'm small and can't carry much weight anyway, so this video is really helpful! I conceal carry at all times and already have my gun on-body. I would also want my cell phone or a way to call for help. Thanks again, sootch00 aka SensiblePrepper.
Good video!!! My three are different than yours. First: a good high quality fixed blade knife. In most cities and places of employment you need to keep it in a bag or briefcase but you need to carry it at all times. Second: A dependable fire starter. I don't recommend a lighter or matches. Those will give out or run out to quickly. I carry a flint and steel set in a small tin can. The kind I carry can also be used in a bow drill set up. You will most likely be wearing something made from cotten which can be made into char cloth using the can you have the fire kit in. Third: A cooking vessel anything you can use to purify water and cook your food in. As for shelter you can build that with what is on hand at your camp site.
Good basic rule, but enviroment can change the big 3. I've lived in Phoenix all my life and have spent more then a little time in the desert, and I can tell you, the only water you can count on is the water you bring with you. Also, desert might skew my view on this, but I find bush shelters easy, while improvising a container good enough to boil water in is extremely bothersome. I'd choose a container capable of boiling water over a prefab shelter, especially if it starts off with water in it.
Hey there, love your videos. You say that containers are easily created, but in the Eastern Woodlands, I'm not sure thats the case. Sure, long term you can fashion basic clay cups, but can you provide us a list of a few easily created containers? Because frankly, this was a challenge for me to come up with anything (disregarding trash, like old tin cans) Thanks again, and keep those great videos coming! Best wishes from Canada!
I would go with a good knife, a fire steel or other flint striker, and a steel or aluminum water bottle or canteen. The knife can make you an improvised shelter for insulation and getting out of rain, the fire can provide you warmth and so can the water you boil in the container. Just be sure you have the ability to do in a short amount of time... or that "shell" would start looking pretty warm.
For 72 hours I'll stick with the exact same kit as you Sootch. However for longer term and not EDC, I would have to go with hatchet, big ass firesteel, and stainless steel water container. As much as I would prefer a 6-10inch fixed blade knife for long term survival, I think that a blade is more susceptible to damage than an axe(all batoning aside). I admit this eventhough my axe skills generally suck atm.
1. Knife 2. weather shell 3. water container(pref metal). in my experience a bow drill isn't that hard, and if you bring a shell and work under it rain becomes almost a non-issue for fire starting. once you have fire you can boil water, or use the charcoal to filter. ALL of these can be replicated in the wild, so I chose the one's that give me the most trouble in doing so.
It would be so hard without-.357-3", small hatchet( I can clean game, not very well, and prep wood-Gransfor Bruks that I would thin out to be sharper), good lighter, plastic fiberized light weight tarp, Swiss stove that comes with fuel, Al. bottle and fire box)...thats 5 items. All those are in my car trunk (plus more). A big knife like EESE/Junglas, backpack.....etc. To hard to decide! great vid, I have watched it once a month for a long time...
I'd keep my ''fire kit'' in a stainless steel canteen cup for boiling water in, cooking in, etc. Bic lighters however are great they are small tough and last a long time. I used one for starting my woodstove this winter. And its not even half used up.
I'm a small woman and having trouble closing closing a larger folding knife (something larger than a pocket knife but not too large) could I get some suggestions on what kind to get please
![Chris Langan - The Interview THEY Didn't Want You To See - CTMU [Full Version; Timestamps]](/img/1.gif)
1: full tang knife
2: fire steel
3: stainless water bottle
1. Single item bug out buy able
2. House
3. Porn
+Theofizan Sweq lololo69696942042069420
Eat-Sleep-Prep same dude
Saying "full tang knife" is pretty silly. There are several of brittle full tang knives out there that aren't nearly as strong as a partial tang Mora. Just because it's full tang doesn't always mean it's strong.
@Don Mull Well that's unfortunate for you. The bushcraft black is just as robust as those you mentioned and the garberg is full tang anyways, and probably more robust. I'll take a Swedish scandi over a flat, hollow or saber any day. If it's a quality knife the tang doesn't do anything but make it weigh more unless you're an idiot and don't know how to use a knife. Cheers!
#1) Dress for the lowest temperature/worst conditions for the next 72 hours. Dress in layers that are loose fitting and comfortable. You can always remove layers when it's warmer; but you have to have them to add them. Your top most layer should be a water barrier, your mid layer should me a wind barrier and your first layer should be moisture wicking like either silk or bamboo in warm weather or merino wool in cold weather. So this concurs with your "Shell".2) Fire making device.
3) cutting tools, plural, I believe in redundancy. A pocket knife and a multitool. For shelter building,, to process wood for fire building, processing game, cutting a seat belt if needed, and 1000 other things.
+hoosierarcher wise!
1. Water Container
2. Knife
2. Fire starter of some sort
Young1Bloodz Make that water container a Lifesaver Bottle and you're good to go.
+Jordan Boyer Could alsobe the life saver straw .
+Jordan Boyer Make it a sheet of heavy-duty plastic (6' x 8' or bigger folded up in your pocket) and you can create a simple still out of a hole in the ground / fresh plant material, or gather from a source as well as having something to cover your body
Did
1.water filter straw
2.knife
3.firesteel
A lot depends on where in the world you are, if out in the outback of Australia for example, water would be my number one.
+Steve Clark Amen to that! I live in Arizona, and water is a huge issue here. Also, not only do you need to be warm (at night or in mountains), but you need to stay cool, so fire might needs pairing with other things.
+Carson Rush same I'm in az to
+Carson Rush Im in AZ too! I choose a 40 ounce bottle as my 3rd chioce because I know how to make a container with coals from a fire, so a ferro rod was second for me. First was an SOG kukri for defense and obviously cutting.
I live in the outback too I'd probably add a first aid kit cause one snake bite and you're gone out here
1. Large Knife
2. Ferro Rod
3. Metal Bottle/Container (for boiling water)
1. Knife. I have a solid preference for my Leatherman Sidekick, and rarely leave my bed without it. However I do keep a buck knife and 8-pound axe in my car.
2. Container. Besides the regular kitchenware in my apartment, I do keep a bag packed in my car, and that includes a stainless steel mess kit. I also have a steel water bottle and water bladder in my pack.
3. Lighter. I have 5 bics, 1 zippo, a magnifying lens, and a fire steel in my pack, and a zippo in my pocket.
Going past 3
4. Shelter. Despite the fact I have gone skiing in the Montana Rockies in January in t-shirt&gym shorts and even here in my hometown in North Dakota I have a reputation for ignoring cold weather with ease while walking around in January blizzard in a tshirt, I keep a heavy Carhart Arctic Shield coat in my car, and my pack has a hammock, tarp, space blanket, and 20-above rated sleeping bag.
5. Cordage. Whole lot of duct tape, gorilla tape, and paracord.
6. First Aid kit. I am a career EMT, currently studying for my paramedic, and I keep a separate backpack with a serious first aid kit.
7. Self-defense/hunting. I'm a decent shot with both bow & firearm. If I had to choose only one, I'd take my M1A rifle, though I still have a great fondness for my old recurve bow, and also have shotguns and handguns.
8. Info/Comms. My bag has field guides on edible&medicinal plants, a crank radio/flashlight, a solar cell charger, and a Bible.
9. Food/water. I keep my kitchen stocked with plenty of spare food, and I reckon I have the bacon, honey, ramen noodles, cereal, bottled water, junk food, and produce to last about a week.
Basically, just find an old Oregon Trail game, I found OT 5, outfit your wagon train, and that should let you give you an idea of what you need.
1.full tang fixed blade knife
2. Non insulated large stainless steel water bottle
3.large ferrocerium rod
Hi Don, Just wanted to send along this note of appreciation for all that you do for us by making these informative videos. Taking some time to watch the cable tv news on the Fox News Channel and they are covering the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew in Florida and its current situation in SC. When you have a chance, perhaps you send out a new video letting us all know that you & your family are safe and sound. Just a thought by means of a suggestion, since this appears to be a most likely emergency situation for those of us living on the East Coast of the USA it would make for an excellent opportunity for a real life video experience on how your preps helped you through this situation and what you may have learned from it that would make you adjust your plans accordingly going forward. As always best wishes to you and your family and we look forward to hearing back from you as soon as possible.
Nice video. My 3 items of choice
Knife
Fire steel
Stainless cup
1. Full tang knive
2. Ferro Rod
3. Stainless steel bootle
Specifically
1. Phantom 2 by PKS ,Selfrelianceoutfitters.com
2. 8 inch ferro rod, by four directions bushcraft
3. 64 oz pathfinder Pathfinder Bottle ,Selfrelianceoutfitters.com
1) Cash
2) Beer
3) Hookers
+imageaware 4, Hooters ! LOL.
1) bunch of hookers
2) cocain
3)milk
1. Victorinox Spirit X Multitool ( I cant think of anything a folding knife can do this can't do better)
2. My Belt (made from quick deploy Survivor cord, this contains so much by itself) Never without it, also has threaded Feroserum rod along its length. Worst case fire starter AND the tinder is inside the cordage and ALWAYS dry.
3. Steel water bottle, single walled (say what you want but containers are not that easy to make if time is of value).
Edit: Something to think about, most people think ahead before wandering into the woods. The most vital time to think of real survival gear is in day to day living. There are really only three true EDC items for most people: wallet, Keys, phone. By transforming something like a belt into a resource, you add functionality that is always on hand without impacting any part of your day to day. Keys are another area you can get clever with. Although there are very few good solutions that turn key carry into real functional tools.
Please tell me/us the brand name of the folding knife you showed in this video...
Thanks...
Zero Tolerance
The brand
It's mostly area specific......my Gore Tex jacket......Heavy duty Benchmade adamas pocket knife, and my high grade Navy seal lighter,my tiny pocket sized wind up flashlight.
1. metal pot
2. fire starter
3. knife
1. Knife
2. Water
3.a town
+Jack AttackGold lol
1) Cannabis
2) Lighter
3) Satellite distress device
+Project Bakery ...well done boy!!...ah. you forget the rolling paper.
+Walter Priebke paper you say? it's all about improvise
If I had to choose the rolling papers over the satellite, then I wouldn't be a very clever stoner now would I? I can use coals from a fire to burn out a bowl for my homemade pipe but I can't MacGyver a satellite telephone from coconuts and palm leaves. Use your head Walter! ;)
+Project Bakery I think you've already smoked so much cannabis to ever be able to use a satellite distress device.
I'd love to laugh at that but I find that most of my good friends that are stoners are more intelligent and more interesting people (myself included). While I've been slacking on RUclips lately, I work full time at a business incubator at a Canadian University. I'm also working on my own business on the side. A good friend of mine who actually introduced me to cannabis is just finishing school to become a commercial airline pilot. My point here is I have no idea how to use a satalite distress signal...like none..
Very nice video. Thanks for taking the time to make this! Keep up the good work.
1. good knife 2. ferro rod3. boiling pot
My granddaughter is going into the Girl Scouts and I am helping her with what I'm telling her is an, "Emergency Backpack". This is entirely populated by things I purchased off of Amazon. Though she is too young to give her all of the items that I carry in my Bug Out Bag, I did tell her what I think the most important survival items are, beyond the basic shelter, fire, water and food. And they do begin with the basics:
-WATER- Always carry some water with you and have a stainless steel, single wall container with a lid for carrying and boiling water. Store a water filtration straw and a small bottle of chlorine based water treatment drops inside the steel container.
-SHELTER- For about $60.00 you can buy a PopUp tent for two people that will spring open in just a few seconds. Most are pretty sturdy and light and fold down to around a foot in diameter.
-FIRE- Just as you mentioned a Bic lighter can't be beat. However, if you pick up a tube of Mini M&M's you can use the tube as a water tight container for the lighter and stuff some laundry lint in the bottom as fire starter. As a bonus, it will float if you drop it in water.
-FOOD- in addition to survival food bars, I carry several small cans of food with pop-top lids. They contain moisture, don't need to be cooked and can be eaten on the go. Don't forget a spoon or fork. The cans can also be used to boil water or cook in.
I also included:
-Communication- A small walkie-talkie is cheap and if you get one that can be charged through a micro USB port there are many hand crank radio/flashlight combo's with a USB charge plug that you can recharge them with.
-Light- The hand crank radio/flashlight covers this nicely.
-Weapons/Tools- As you mentioned, a sturdy folding knife and a good multi-tool. Building anything else you need will be a lot simpler with these, such as a shelter or more weapons.
-ENTERTAINMENT- A pack of playing cards, a paperback book or even an old smartphone which has its data card loaded with movies. This can also be recharged with the hand crank flashlight as can your primary phone.
-RAINGEAR- A large army style poncho will keep you and your pack dry while allowing you to keep on the move in a light rain. A 50 foot bundle of paracord will allow you to configure it into a shelter, hammock, rain catchment system and many other things.
Remember to put your electronic items or anything else that can be ruined by water, in separate zip lock bags.
All of these things will easily fit into a small backpack, book bag or gym bag, then bungee cord a rolled up blanket in a clean trash bag to the backpack as well as the pop up tent.
These are the Get Home Bag items that I have, I'm sure there are many more or even better ones I haven't thought of.
I will be tuning in again to see what ideas you have in the future.
Thanks for the great ideas
Erin Owl Ditch the "chlorine based water treatment drops" in favor of boiling the water to kill ALL biological hazards. Most folding knives are cute, but no cigar in a pinch. Good effort!
1. internet
2. xbox one
3. Doritos and mountain dew ( mlg kit )
Dahahaha! Hi five! I'm right there with ya! :-D Too bad that stuff won't be there if either of us ever ends up survival. :)
thats right... all 3 of those active MLG n0 sc0per you fucking rekt bitches that try to invade ur house
Hey Sootch00, I appreciate your channel and I watch all the time. If I could only take 3 items with me; 1- A military metal canteen to collect and boil water. 2- A fire steel because it will never run out of strikes. 3- A great survival knife can build you a great shelter and so much more. Good question. I've heard it said that the more survival knowledge you have, the less gear you need to carry. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and skills with us.
Disagree on the bic over a fire striking rod. If the bic gets wet it don't work that good. Also, sometimes they screw up without warning and don't work... thus less dependable than the rod.
They can also run out of fuel if something puts pressure on the button in your bag. Or explode if hit too hard. However, even then you can remove the flint and spark it like a striking rod.
I'd agree though, I'm more comfortable with the rod.
Hey, I go to my magnifying glass first. It works great and easy to use. Have the rod as second stand-by for using on cloudy days and nights. That is my back up for when my bics are wet or used up. Don't bother with matches at all. It is always good to know how to do the sticks too, in case all else fails.
And a blow torch is better than a bic.
The condition for best here isn't how they perform in optimal conditions, it's how they perform in the worst conditions. Worst case scenario for a bic, it's is out of fuel and will never work again and you're left with a tiny piece of flint which won't last very long and will be very difficult to spark, even if you don't lose it upon removal or during storage. Worst case for the flint and spark rod is you might have to wait a while for things to dry out, or look for dry stuff.
fire steel is a lot better in my opinion, get a stick and make some feather sticks and boom you have easy dry tinder, don't rely on something that'll run out of fuel or stop working if it get's wet
I'm a backpacker, as well as a believer in get home bags and bug out bags. I have an enclosed shelter, sleeping bag, sleeping pad. Cooking gear, clothing, first aid, water purification etc... the bag weighs 19lbs without food and cooking fuel. Backing gear aims for light and compact, something preppers should look into. Too many worry about having 5 knives, 3 different Leatherman's and I understand redundancy but they go overboard and their packs end up being 75 lbs.
high dollar: service slicker, fixed blade, zippo.
low budget: 55 gal trash bag, edc folding knife, bic.
The Bic is better than the Zippo, unless you have extra fuel for the Zippo. Bic's last a long time because the gas is filled under pressure in the factory. I have refillable gas lighters the same size but filling from a gas bottle I can't get as much in. So EDC is refillable, backups in my get home bag, bug out bag etc are Bics.
1) Knife.
2) Fire (ferrocerium rod) lighters are unreliable.
3) Metal container (to boil water in).
Another excellent video. Thanks for taking the time.
1) Father 2) Son 3) Holy Spirit !!
Amen!
Yes 😊
Sootch, I carry a pocket 6 function micro skeleton scissors made by leatherman , I keep handy. I added a neodium magnet in theopen lanyard for my 6 functions. Seems to be my go to survival tool. I also
have an afordable Smith's micro tool blade sharpener i find saves me time honing my knife blades sharpest they can be that i keep in my pocket. One survival tool ....okay two other tools i think are essential to the best three on your list is a good multi combination tool and a compass. When it is overcast, I need a good compass. A good map is another. Unless I am just a few miles out of town. Another is a three mil 55 gallon carpenter's bag!
Makes a great poncho over warm clothes and other uses as well. But it does add conciderable weight. Along with a bugout tool roll bag with three zippered compartments. Oh and good protective gloves, hiking boots, and extra pair of wool socks.
Great basic survival tips! The bug out bag doesn't need to be 60 pounds...
1) Really good Knife - Cutting tinder, Fatwood from conifer trees, etc...
2) O.P.S.E.C Poncho - Shell, Shelter, leaf hauler, catch rain water, etc...
"The poncho could be swapped out for a fire starter if you know how to build a lean-to shelter."
3) A stainless steel canteen, for boiling contaminated water, cooking... A fire can be started in many ways. But how are you going to boil water in the woods with the three items mentioned in the vid, unless your near a city or residential area. Have to consider the environment your in.
Lace your boots or shoes with 550 Para cord. The outer shell of the cord can be stripped leaving you with multiple strands of smaller string for setting snares, fishing & so much more. I could go on...
1: Water filter
2: Good knife
3: Magnesium flint fire starter.
4: Maybe duct tape
COVER is definitely one of the three. In intense wind/precipitation (including intense storms), sometimes you cannot start and/or maintain a fire. In some cases, you could die from hypothermia in as little as hours, without a cover. Some covers (3 mil 55-gallon liners, for example), can be used for water catchment and containment, as well as a liner for a shelter or make-shift poncho. YOU ARE RIGHT! Even without a water bottle or canteen, you can drink other-than-ideal water during a 72-hour situation (accept that you might get sick much later), and/or chew leaves & grass and/or collect morning dew off your tarp (or even from accumulation on your socks after walking dew-covered tall grass in the early morning). Three items: 1) Cover- 55-gallon liner or SOL Sport Utility Space Blanket (whose bag can be used as a canteen), 2) Lighter, 3) Knife. I concur fully.
You certainly have the voice for this!
I know everybody has their opinions, but I have a problems with this. If it is pouring rain, and/or below 40°F, that rain jacket isn't going to help too much. It can only cover your upper torso, which leaves your legs, and feet completely exposed. I agree there needs to be a waterproof covering, but, a rain jacket isn't going to cover it. No pun intended.
My list:
#1- Water is arguably the most important item in a survival situation. Now, assuming you can find water, you need a way to purify it. A large metal water bottle with a lid can be invaluable. It can be lowered into flames, or even better hot coals, to boil water quickly, and efficiently. As well as used to transport water along with you.
#2- As you said, fire is VERY important. I totally agree with this, and think If you could only have one fire starting implement, a Bic lighter is the way to go. But, I usually carry about five ways to start a fire when I go backpacking.
#3- You see, this is why it's so tricky, because you really need A knife, but also a waterproof covering of some kind. My third answer really depends. If you're going into a wet, cold environment, you NEED a tarp. Being wet in a any temperature below 50°F will be Miserable, and any temperatures below 40°F, you might get Hypothermia. A Sil-Nylon would be best because of it's durability. But, if you're in a warmer environment, and knife is also extremely helpful. A small folder is fine, but a larger fixed blade would be preferred if legality is irrelevant in your situation.
Eight essentials: Fire, Water, Shelter, First Aid, Signal, Food, Tools, and Navigation.
Now from those eight choose 3 to bring thats the purpose of this exercise.
Cuz everyone knows about the 8 essentials.
I'm absolutely a "get out, go outback" type of bloke.
While I favour Canterbury's 5Cs method as the nucleus of my kit, if I had to choose only three items they would be:
1: 3in blade folding knife (brass and wood "classic" folder with robust lockback). Easy and safe to pocket while remaining a useful size, keeping a good edge and providing a robust quality of construction that mechanically cannot fail. The lockback is extremely solid and I've used this particular knife for batoning without wear or damage to the mechanism. It's not full tang, but it doesn't seem to matter too much. I just need to be aware that it's a small companion knife at heart and not a full-length hunting knife or machete.
2. 20m pf 2.5mm hootchie cord. Some people love paracord while I gravitate towards the thinner and just as tough Australian hootchie cord. It's heavier than equivalent diameter paracord, but it's tough and extremely reliable. 20m is the minimum length I'd take. Normally 50m is my go-to for bushcraft since even on a spool it takes up very little room due to its thinness. Can't go wrong with some tried and true hootchie cord. I carry 5m of it for EDC, for any purpose that requires... well, cordage.
3. Magnesium or ferrocerium firesteel. I know many people will choose a quality pocket lighter such as a Bis disposable or a Zippo, but my conditions support the simple firesteel. I won't comment on the supposed "unreliability" of a quality lighter (they've never failed on me), but a quality firesteel is always going to be more reliable simply due to its technological simplicity. With a little practice, a firesteel is just as effective as a quality pocket lighter, but that's just the thing: they require practice in a way a lighter does not. Luckily, building a fire isn't difficult in my conditions and I'm well practiced with a firesteel, so that's my pick. Under non-practiced conditions, I'd gladly take a quality pocket lighter. (Indeed, a small Bic lighter is part of my hand-out kit when taking friends or family who aren't particular well acquainted with bushcraft out on a survival or trail riding exercise)
A blade is invaluable because the quality of a good steel blade will always be superior to anything you could manufacture with primitive tools and materials on hand. Cordage cannot be underestimated as it's also very difficult to construct with primitive materials (though not impossible) and cordage is something of an enabler, allowing you to more efficiently continue with other survival tasks than if you had none available. Similarly, a reliable method of starting a fire is crucial as any primitive method with available materials is slow and requires intense practice to be successful at.
These three items are my Top 3 because they enable me to function more efficiently with the skills I already have than if I was to find myself in a situation without them. They give me the opportunity to reliably build shelter and prepare & obtain food.
While having a reliable container is also incredibly useful, this is something which can be constructed quite easily with available primitive materials as necessary. It deserves an honourable mention, but my specific Top Three will allow me to construct a reliable container for a given situation as required.
Three items? I have no intention of bugging out, so I only need one - my home. Figure I’ll likely be safer here (a relatively known environment) than on the road or in the woods (both unknowns) and my house is already filled with pretty much everything I need and more - including plenty of firepower to defend it.
I feel exactly the same way, but (hypothetically) how do you defend your home against 50 blue helmets, a platoon of foreign mountain troops, or a gang of 60 or 70 bikers out looking for guns and food and water? Or gangs of rioters sweeping through the streets? Just asking.
To be honest, I really doubt UN forces, or a platoon of foreign mountain troops, will have any interest at all in my home. As for the rest (gangs, etc), it’s a long, fluid, story (involves the area, the neighbors, our background, etc) that wouldn’t apply to (or benefit) most others reading here. Instead, I’ll just say I’m fairly confident we can deal with any such problem.
***** I like your confidence. Good luck. Once the cities are devastated, street gangs will fan out into rural areas. I will say that the Nazis were interested in all parts of Poland, France, Russia (etc.,), that they seized. They sent goons out to capture food, guns and ammo and arrest "suspects," kidnap laborers etc. Nobody's home escaped scrutiny and searches. History does in fact repeat itself, but again, best of luck.
The Germans basically marched across Europe, only to be stopped by a narrow (roughly 21 wide mile) channel. Most of our enemies (at least any which could even pose a viable threat) would have to cross a 1500~2000 mile ocean, then met by a large military force before even stepping foot on U.S. soil.
An invasion is simply not very likely. Instead, I’m more concerned about the ever increasing breakdown of law and order (general crime, riots, etc). Again, we’ve considered that in detail and are (I believe) fairly well prepared for it.
***** Aside from the fact that both Russian and Chinese (and Latin American) troops are already here, and treaties allow Canadian troops to attack Americans, we have a large, menacing army under the control of the DHS. Invasion is the least of our worries. Attack from tyrannical "authorities" seems a larger threat. I used the Nazis as an example of full totalitarian control, something we nearly have here now. If a police state puts its boot down, it will spawn a reaction: gangs, deserters from the military, people who have hungry children at home and will do anything (violent) to feed them, etc.
Yes I agree, no 1 is fire!! It will help you with the availability of food, water and shelter. Your three most basic needs in a survival situation! And of course boosts your moral too!
1) Jessica
2) Maria
3) courtney
I am a Canadian and we have a big problem carrying guns with us but there are other method's. You can carry a knife with you (which I have had ALL my life) with which you can cut sticks and sharpen them to a point.
1. Fire 2. Knife 3. emergency Blanket.
You can buy them at many camping out fit store, all they are is a thin sheet of plastic with a reflective (it looks like a big sheet of tin foil) keeps you dry and the wind out. As well you can use it to signal for help.
Don; like the video, I do have one comment. The shell ......I struggled with this while putting together my 15 Cs kit. And since it needed to be as light as possible. I decided that ,depending on where you live and climate, you would be dressed appropriately. So I went with a grabber heat sheet, and an sol one man space blanket. Those in addition to a fire should, hopefully, make it possible to survive 3 days in the woods.
Keep posting these vids, doing a lot of good work. be well
Shelter
fire
Knife ( KA-BAR Army version )
Totally agree, a good quality protein bar is a much better and nutritious option than many survival foods. I would go even further, as a nutritionist i recommend having a store of sprouted grains with you. Sprouted grains are more than 10 times more nutritious than sprouted grains, they can store for a very long time if sealed properly (preferably vacuum sealed) they are virtually wholly digestible (only about 5-10% of processed and cooked foods are usable by the body) and they are very filling.
1.Multitool
2.Bic lighter/ fire steel
3. Bottle (hopefully the one with canteen)
1 lifestraw
2 firesteel
3 a knife
problem with a multi tool is you cant baton wood to help get a fire started. sure there's other stuff but you don't really need any of that when you have a good fixed blade knife
you doing construction out there?.. lots of screws? I bet you never use the thing
id rather have a bic lighter than a firesteel.. if im not rescued IN A MONTH OR TWO>.. wow. Just keep the one fire going. You only really need to use the bic ONCE ... stay put. Make smoke, make noise. Keep the fire going, this isn't the zombie apocalypse.
Loaded.22 magnum (lightweight and small), Berkey Bottle filled with clean safe water & torch lighter. Thanks for getting us thinking about this subject.
a tarp a machete and a LifeStraw
Good choices. People sure do overcomplicate the survival gear.
No fire starter?
If you talking about 24 hours. A knife would be last in my list. In 24 hours. I want to be comfortable and keep my sanity to be rescue. Knife would be awesome with long term but for short term. I want to stay in 1 place and be comfortable and keep my mind focused. I know you can live a long time without food or water, but for 24 hours. They are the main thing that keep you focused and comfortable. You can always find broken tree branches around to start a fire. No need to waste energy in 24 hours with a knife.
Lighter
Easy to buy. Easy to start. Easy to carry. Cheap. Keep you warm.
Water
Keep you hydrated. More to comfort.
Food
Gives you energy. More to comfort.
I know a lot of you guys are experience outdoor. You can do a lot of things with a knife. For us city folks. It's just a piece of metal. We are not Rambo. Knowing our limitations can increase our survival chances. If we try to be Rambo and get hurt for unnecessary things. It will decrease our chances of survival.
Common sense, and work with mother nature, not against her. Use what she gives you to your advantage!
👍
What is the folding knife you have? looks like it is well built and opens easy.
Poncho tarp
Fire steel
Knife
I wouldn't rely on a butane lighter. Unless you use one every day (smoker etc.) you will need it and it will be out of fuel. Learn to use a fire steel without fail.
I have smoked (quit a year ago) my whole life and and can count on one hand the amount of times a bic lighter ran out of gas. The other brands will leak fuel, but a bic will last years.
I carry a small bic a lot but the ones I put it a "safe secure spot" in my traveling bag, no doubt will be out of fuel. Because it's not in a pocket and not covered and not used all the time. It's tucked away "safely" ? Happened a few times, so I carry a zippo unless I don't want the weight, then I'll carry a small bic. But never rely on it !!
Will Ouellette agreed, pot/cig smokers best freind is a bic. they are extremely reliable. for as much space/weight they take up, and i knew i was going to be in the bush for more than a day, besides petroleum jelly cotton balls and a ferro rod, i would stash at least 3 full size bic lighters one in my pants one in my pack where i wont even realize its there, and another one with the rest of my fire kit
I don't smoke but do use a lighter very often, a bic is fine for your pocket if you use it frequently. How ever for some thing you stuff in a bag and hope it works when you don't have anything else, you are going to be in trouble.
Yes you can use the flint but that's not like a firesteel.
You would be better off knowing how to use a firesteel really well than hoping you didn't let the gas out of your bic then having to use it as a sparkie.
I don't even trust my $30 waterproof, covered, butane lighter made just for the purpose to stash in your bag.
Another concern is how hot a bic or equivalent gets when you have them lit for a few seconds. I've went to a zippo for edc, it has it's place, shrink wrapping wires A+, starting camp stoves C, doesn't burn the crap out of you when lit for 30sec A++.
You must have too much money not to bother with cottonballs or duct tape. Fire paste only has one use, pretty much the same for the wetfire unless you use it for cooking fuel like an esbit tab.
I carry two kinds of duct tape and a magnesium fire starter every day, along with a zippo. Not a smoker nor a pyro either.
1. Combustion - Swedish firesteel
2. Cutting - Hultafors mini hatchet
3. Cover - Wool blanket
A lighter has moving parts, and can easily fail. Firesteel is bomb-proof and good for thousands of strikes, even if wet.
I appreciate the difficulties of carrying a fixed blade. I nearly chose my Mora knife, but the axe is small enough to carry but heavy enough to use for many tasks. (chop, baton, hammer, carve)
Wool blanket will stay warm even when wet and has many uses too.
PS I live in the UK
My mora knife, Yorkshire tea bags and you!
I would choose a fixed blade knife, a water purifier or distillation kit and a fire starter. Although a waterproof tarp would be nice to place on wet ground, to provide shade or shelter from wind and rain.
I think people can get by with just a few items, but even a fanny pack can hold a variety of useful gear, enough to get us by for a few days. My choices would depend on my location. In the wild I can find water or collect it, but if only rains twice a year and it's months away then I need to purify what is available. And in the suburbs, one can take cover in abandoned buildings or stay in their home. Many factors to consider... HARD to pick only 3 items :)
3.a knife
2.water resistance matches
1.a trustable friend
The friend would kill n eat
+Hockey Kid16 eat the friend first
Great Video! After reading a lot of the comments, I realized that people are quick to criticize each other, and forget that many of us live in different settings. I live AND work in a more Urban area, so shelter from the elements would not be hard to obtain. So for that reason, I'd replace the Shell with a decent hand held 2 way radio. My items would be: 1. Fire Starter (I prefer a flint steel); 2. Good Knife; 3. 2 way radio.
Thanks for getting us to think on this!
Hello, Great video. My greatest survival item is - my intelligence. It's with me everywhere I go. With this tool I have a motto. Equality For All. Kind Regards: Robbie, England, UK.
really depends on the location and climate, i live in PA so in spring or summer id go with a fixed blade knife, ferro rod, steel container to boil and collect water in
in fall or winter id choose a fixed blade knife, ferro rod and good sleeping bag. when you sleep your body temperature naturally drops because you're not active so hypothermia is a very serious risk when going to sleep
KNIFE,TARP AND LIGHTER
1. A high quality knife: Busse, Benchmade, Cold Steel, or other good reliable knife. 2. Waterproof tarp - Can be wrapped around you or used for shelter 3. Quality lighter or ferro rod.
1) duct tape
2)knife
3)fire starter
King Crab 117 Out Door Games Channel
1. Nitecore EA2 Flashlight - Amazing SOS device
2. Good sharp combat/survival knife. - Necessary
3. A good brand striker/flint kit.
small hatchet
firestarter
sleeping bag
Agreed
A poncho, multi-tool and mess kit. First, I like a multi-tool because It has a knife, pliers w/wire cutters, even screw drivers. Second, a poncho (my shell). I can wear it or use it for shelter. And third, a mess kit (my other multi-tool from army surplus or Wal-Mart). In it I carry a lighter, matches, water treatment tablets, and a magnifying glass. The mess kit also works for cooking and boiling water.
I'll take a hatchet over a knife any day.
Compromise: kukri
A sob Kukari is a good brand
Oh for sure I totally agree. But shade can be accomplished in different ways that a "shell" so I was just wondering if he had a specific mindset because of location. for about 75% of the year where I live night time temps are above 50 deg F.
My choice here would be a small tarp for shade and maybe a hammock. if not even a small back pack tent.
1. Video game console
2. Video games
3. iPhone
😉
No tv= no video games. No cell service either. So that would end in you being dead or dying. Try again
repeat! ahahahahahah
1. Kukri
2.Ferro Rod
3. 40 ounce Klean Kanteen
These are my top 3. I put the ferro rod at 2 because i saw a way to make a container out of wood with hot coals from Creek Stuart. From there you can stone boil. I still put the container there for transportation of water, as well as for better tasting water. Water from stone boiling tastes terrible. I use an SOG kukri which works well for me. Only big complaint is the saw back. The kukri is also a great defense tool against animals. I am in Arizona and even in the woods here the temperature is pretty mild even in the winter.
1: stay home and be safe!
PR4470
hhhhh 😂😂😂
1 multitool- my multitool is the leatherman sidekick. it has a KNIFE, a sawblade, a serrated blade, phillips & flathead screwdriver, pliers(needlenose & regular), wirecutter, boltcutter, wire stripper, wood/metal file, lanyard ring(i keep some cord on it in case i drop it or need the cord) and some other things
2 red bandanna- pretty much a makeshift first aide kit, uses for signalling, and water filtration
3 firesteel- firesteel + leaves + wood = instant fire
1. Gun
2. Single Bullet
3. Bottle-o-Whisky
Zatcho Atcho that is pretty dark
Zatcho Atcho Wait, in that order!?....lol
Stephen Fewson
No
This tells a story
Zatcho Atcho i
1.Goretex bivy bag sleep system
2.gun
3.metal water container
4.maybe a friend (dosnt count as item)
if you need a knife to skin an animal you could use a rock
your friend will most likely share camp fire with you so long as you give them food/ boiled water
your friend would need 1. a bivy of there own
2.a lighter 3.what ever they felt they needed (probably a knife)
tip makes friends,stay loyal,dont put yourself in situations where you might get lost by yourself otherwise your screwed/fireless
Credit card with no limit
Room service
Female companion or two
great videos. 1. A good knife 2. fire steel. 3. Water container SS to boil with. Also subbed.
it was a good vid untill 7:20 .. the rest is crap..!
Long live europe!:P
Dude, the strength in the USA is the same strength you have...it's the people, never the leaders. The USA is made up of people just like you and millions of others from all over the world who love God and their freedom and that's what makes America great!
OH, and one more thing, we would never give up our freedoms for safety!
We will defend it until our death. When a rat gets elected and tries to remove them, we vote them out.
yes thats why you had bush and now obama*kills ecenomy* that's the reason why i am prepping..!
im scared like shit!
for whome!? not for europe anyway's!
(i live in holland btw) yust in case you didn't know!
2 bad it is not:(
Good video!
A good warm rainjacket is the absolute number one item to have! Or at least a poncho as you mentioned in your video! Thank you and take care!
Thanks Sensible, for helping U$ learn to cope.
My number one survival tool is the space between my ears.
Experience is number two. Flexibility - adaptability is three.
I totally agree with your 3 most important items to carry, if given only 3 choices. I also carry 550 cords in my pockets at all times because I love to work on my knotting skill. I believe the most important in survival is preparation in knowledge and expect the unexpected. Another word, thinking ahead by being proactive instead being reactive. My father always said to me, when you are proactive, you are a step ahead of the situation; while reactive, you are one step behind and you lose.
Coastal Central California:
1) Leatherman Wave
2) Sawyer Water Filter.
3) Zippo lighter if it's cold and wet. Otherwise, a 1-gallon water bladder.
Mobility is key. It's complete bullcrap to think you're going to boil all of your water unless you're dealing with snow, which I'm not. The Sawyer water filter lets you drink from water sources while you're on the move. Good luck starting a fire every time you're running low on water and getting thirsty. You're going to end up drinking from questionable sources and getting the squirts or worse. The Zippo lighter is for those screwed up situations where you can't find good tinder and you need a big, constant flame to dry the small stuff out a bit. If it's warm and dry, you probably don't need a fire. If you do, there's always the bow drill and hand drill, both of which I know how to do and have done from scratch with the Leatherman. In those dry situations a way to store water on your back is vital, hence the water bladder. Also, the saw on the multitool will allow you to build a rudimentary shelter somewhat quickly if needed.
Hi... I'd like to change the question to 3 groups of ten.
with your question though I like your list... though water might be on that list as well.
so in the 3 groups of 10...
1 ten most important
2 ten second most important
3 ten third most important
any thoughts on weight /space limitations?
1) Gransfors Bruks Small Forest Axe
2) 5" Review outdoor gear Firesteel
3) Lifestraw Waterbottle. Filter and container.
Close on the list would be a Spyderco bushcraft knife and a metal container.
Gun and Fishing gear come in after that. I could honestly do way more with a fishing rod than a gun.
After that a tarp. I think at that point you start to get pretty comfortable
Along with fishing gear in my small pack, I carry a tin can (3 cup cap.), inside of which is a solid folding knife, 2 lighters, simple fire starters (e.g. alcohol pads), tea bags, sugar packets. This gives me fire, boiled water and hot drinks. Also a mylar emergency blanket, bright yellow rain poncho, and a pealess whistle. The last two can be used to draw attention from SAR. All items together weigh virtually nothing.
physical items 1) knife 2) fire starting equipment 3) bb gun/.22 Switching out the bb gun/.22 for the shelter (in the midwest where I spend time) would be a valuable way to also get food. Shelter would be a must in really rainy/snowy climates, but here a knife and fire can let you build a shelter with ease.
1. Heavy black garbage bag
2. Fixed blade or folding utility knife
3. Fire starter or water bottle with filtration system
When I first started, I guessed your three was fire, water, and knife. I can see your point about the shell. Could go either way. Thanks for the video.
I live in the tropics, so my priorities are:
#1 Water filter or pump (staying hydrated is the biggest issue to deal with here)
#2 Fire (I use a strong little torch that puts out a blue flame. The container is clear so I know how much fuel in available). I always carry a fire striker as backup.
#3 Folding Saw (about 8" blade) - fire, water containers, shelter, etc can be obtained using bamboo. A saw works much better than a knife when dealing with bamboo. A knife would be my #4 item.
Great video this kit would great where I grew up in the Pacific Northwest. I would like to hear your top three pick for a desert area like southern Nevada, were today it was a 118. Keep the videos coming.
We have shared this video on the Tea Party Community via Preppers and Patriots of NC. Great information most are unaware of.
I'm not going to win the coolest gear award for this, but I like to utilize budget friendly preps whenever possible. I like the Ozark Trail Tan Flip Knife ($3.87 + tax), Coleman Match Case with 25 waterproof matches and striker ($1 + tax), and a disposable poncho ($1.29 + tax). With these three affordable items, I can keep water and wind off of me, make a fire (this skill takes some practice to be efficient) and I can even make a short term shelter using just the poncho and some saplings. The one statement that I will make is, it takes time to practice. Thanks for a good video, I enjoyed this because it made me think. Hopefully others will as well.
THANK YOU FOR THIS! It's very difficult for those of us who didn't grow up camping or roughing it, scouting, etc., to know what we need bare minimum. I'm small and can't carry much weight anyway, so this video is really helpful! I conceal carry at all times and already have my gun on-body. I would also want my cell phone or a way to call for help. Thanks again, sootch00 aka SensiblePrepper.
Good video!!! My three are different than yours. First: a good high quality fixed blade knife. In most cities and places of employment you need to keep it in a bag or briefcase but you need to carry it at all times. Second: A dependable fire starter. I don't recommend a lighter or matches. Those will give out or run out to quickly. I carry a flint and steel set in a small tin can. The kind I carry can also be used in a bow drill set up. You will most likely be wearing something made from cotten which can be made into char cloth using the can you have the fire kit in. Third: A cooking vessel anything you can use to purify water and cook your food in. As for shelter you can build that with what is on hand at your camp site.
Good basic rule, but enviroment can change the big 3. I've lived in Phoenix all my life and have spent more then a little time in the desert, and I can tell you, the only water you can count on is the water you bring with you.
Also, desert might skew my view on this, but I find bush shelters easy, while improvising a container good enough to boil water in is extremely bothersome. I'd choose a container capable of boiling water over a prefab shelter, especially if it starts off with water in it.
Hey there, love your videos. You say that containers are easily created, but in the Eastern Woodlands, I'm not sure thats the case. Sure, long term you can fashion basic clay cups, but can you provide us a list of a few easily created containers? Because frankly, this was a challenge for me to come up with anything (disregarding trash, like old tin cans) Thanks again, and keep those great videos coming! Best wishes from Canada!
You can make a birch bark container fairly quickly sealing it up with pine pitch glue and boil the water with hot rocks.
Mainstay high calorie,no water needed,miniature survival food bar.........
Mr. Sootch, what brand of ferro rod is that? I gotta get one of those!
I would go with a good knife, a fire steel or other flint striker, and a steel or aluminum water bottle or canteen. The knife can make you an improvised shelter for insulation and getting out of rain, the fire can provide you warmth and so can the water you boil in the container. Just be sure you have the ability to do in a short amount of time... or that "shell" would start looking pretty warm.
Go on, man! You have very articulate speech, so i use your videos to learning English. Thanx.
For 72 hours I'll stick with the exact same kit as you Sootch. However for longer term and not EDC, I would have to go with hatchet, big ass firesteel, and stainless steel water container. As much as I would prefer a 6-10inch fixed blade knife for long term survival, I think that a blade is more susceptible to damage than an axe(all batoning aside). I admit this eventhough my axe skills generally suck atm.
1. Knife
2. weather shell
3. water container(pref metal).
in my experience a bow drill isn't that hard, and if you bring a shell and work under it rain becomes almost a non-issue for fire starting. once you have fire you can boil water, or use the charcoal to filter.
ALL of these can be replicated in the wild, so I chose the one's that give me the most trouble in doing so.
It would be so hard without-.357-3", small hatchet( I can clean game, not very well, and prep wood-Gransfor Bruks that I would thin out to be sharper), good lighter, plastic fiberized light weight tarp, Swiss stove that comes with fuel, Al. bottle and fire box)...thats 5 items. All those are in my car trunk (plus more). A big knife like EESE/Junglas, backpack.....etc. To hard to decide! great vid, I have watched it once a month for a long time...
I'd keep my ''fire kit'' in a stainless steel canteen cup for boiling water in, cooking in, etc. Bic lighters however are great they are small tough and last a long time. I used one for starting my woodstove this winter. And its not even half used up.
I'm a small woman and having trouble closing closing a larger folding knife (something larger than a pocket knife but not too large) could I get some suggestions on what kind to get please