Comments on: Backpacking Gear with Multiple Uses

By: MAC

MAC — Fri, 01 Jan 2016 08:03:11 +0000

There is a lot of going back and forth here about the pros and cons of carrying a bic lighter. I’m a former Army Special Forces soldier who has always carried a bic lighter on a loop of 550 cord. Just form a half loop long enough to hang the lighter about half way down your chest and secure the loose ends around the lighter with duct tape (use extra tape for expedient fixes).
I keep that directly against my skin and I’ve had no issues getting it to light in sub-zero conditions. Yes, wind can hinder that but there are lots of ways to create an expedient wind block that will provide enough cover for you to get a flame. And yes, I always have at least three means of lighting a fire when I am out in the field.

By: Tool time Tim

Tool time Tim — Sun, 11 May 2014 18:58:43 +0000

Another good one is one of those small plastic pencil sharpeners you used in grade school. They can make arrow tips, spears, or god forbid you get a broken pencil led. You can also use the shavings for fire tinder.

By: Willybee

Willybee — Sun, 06 Apr 2014 14:22:19 +0000

Well sonny ,, Tools are nice,, but what if you don’t have tools? And the only thing you have is yourself.
Skills,, that is the ticket. Don’t get me wrong, a Doan MAG stick is my go to. But what happens in a true survival situation? And you have NO TOOLS…IF you know how to twist your own twine, nap a cutting edge from a rock, build a dead fall, and start a fire from what you can find, ( where you are at ). Then you will truly have a chance.
All of this is to say,, We should not rely on things we have, because we may not always have them. ie. planing a test, or testing a plan…

By: The Old Man

The Old Man — Tue, 17 Dec 2013 02:01:37 +0000

In reply to Alex. And surf the web.

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 26 Nov 2013 01:58:59 +0000

Waterproofing with candle wax is a good idea I hadn’t thought of, thanks.

By: Brian

Brian — Tue, 29 Oct 2013 23:17:37 +0000

CRAYONS instead of candles i carry a few crayons the paper will light easy (if dry) and each crayon (made of wax) will last about 20 mins so for the same price as small candles i can stash about 15-30 crayons in all my BOBs and vehicle

By: Joe

Joe — Fri, 26 Jul 2013 06:04:21 +0000

My first and a random post on this site. Hope all are well.

I guess in terms of other multi use items, I’m kinda being funny here but lets start.. Bring yourself a beer or beverage of choice out with a bar of chocolate. Now, all of you are thinking “Okay, a full can weighs too much and will just get shaken up in my pack.” Regardless of that thought, both of these are obvious food items. They give you calories, water content, carbs, fat and maybe some protein; so at least those are of use to you. Now, take a little piece of chocolate and the empty can from your beverage you enjoyed around your non-existent,warm,fire. Now, with the piece of chocolate, proceed to polish the cupped indentation on the bottom of the can where the “sell by” date is usually located, until you see it shine. (You may need a little wax on wax off with a shirt sleeve or something)…. This creates a nice and reflective surface that is able to aim concentrated beams of sunlight on to your tinder of choice and are in fact, capable of igniting it. Hey, have some chocolate while you’re trying! It’s the least you deserve, you must be cold if you have to use this technique! If you change camps, throw an ember with some tinder in your can and get to hiking! Oh, my can reflects. I can signal someone with the correct lighting. I can also fashion a fish hook out of the tab that opens the can. I can boil water in my can.. I can even use the sharp edge on my can as some sort of lame knife if I really need! In all, this is a humorous but somewhat practical way to gain multi uses out of two items. Haha… I hope this was funny or maybe a little useful to you. It’s fun to think of items to gain multiple uses out of. Though, with the correct and obvious gear choices made, you won’t have to walk into the wilderness on an outing and say to yourself “Damn, I forgot my can!”

By: LexingtonNC

LexingtonNC — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 05:15:29 +0000

In reply to Gunslinger357. Um, folks, if the BIC is too cold why not tuck it up under your armpits for a few minutes to warm it? While you guys are getting all wierded out about fire, I haven't seen any mention of ways to make water happen. No matter how nice the weather, a few days without water can can keep you from making it.

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 03:58:49 +0000

In reply to RpknAZ.

Posted on wrong reply…
It looks very similar to the Jansport Versteeg or Klamath

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 03:57:48 +0000

In reply to josh. It looks very similar to the Jansport Versteeg or Klamath