CardSharp Credit Card Folding Knife (Budget EDC)

This is a quick look at the Cardshark folding knife. Purchased this for less than $10 on sale.

Some things I like about it:
Lightweight - weighs ~14gms
Fits perfectly in your wallet due to its credit card size dimensions.
Durable (so far) - I've carried this around in my wallet/pocket and so far no damage done to it.
Easy & safe to use - it has a lock for the blade so it doesn't accidentally flip on the open position. It turns into a knife in 4 motions - unlock safety, flip blade, fold smaller portion, fold large portion over that which clicks it into place.
Price (see above) - good for the budget conscious.

Some things I don't like about it:
There's only one actually - The final fold of the large portion to the smaller one doesn't always stay in place. After a couple of times, it pops open so you end up having to readjust your grip on the handle to keep it locked.

Here's a caveat: This knife might be awkward to handle for those who have really big hands.

For what it is, it's not too bad of an investment as far as having a knife with you for general purpose only.

IKEA Cook Set (Budget Camping Gear Under $10)

 

For this video I wanted to share this great find from IKEA - a stainless steel 4-piece of cookset that can easily be integrated into anyone's camping gear. As I've mentioned on the vid, we were originally there to purchase a bookshelf for our ever-growing collection of books (we found one for a great price by the way).

I also picked up a utensil caddy that I've seen in various DIY sites and vids used as a wood stove/ fire pit. Not bad for $5.99. They did have a shorter version of the same caddy but I went with the taller piece.

I've made it a habit to seek out items that may be used or repurposed as camping/outdoors gear whenever I'm at a shop. You just never know where you'll find something useful with a matching low cost to boot.

I'll be testing both items out hopefully soon to see how it holds up and will post the results here and on YouTube, of course.

Book review: When All Hell Breaks Loose by Cody Lundin

With topics such as starting fires, purifying water, finding/catching/preparing food, first-aid, shelter, hygiene, proper burial among many other covered. It’s a very thorough book, topic-wise. It was almost too overwhelming for a noob to read. It’s my own fault for trying to read it from beginning to end as it were fiction. This is more of a reference book really and should be read as such.

I love that it’s written in a straight-forward manner that any average civilian could understand – you don’t have to be a hard-core survivalist to comprehend any of its content. His overall tone is pretty laid-back and fun which made it a quick and easy read for the most part. It’s peppered with humorous illustrations throughout as well (which was sometimes distracting). The best part about this guide is how it’s not focused on buying cool camping and survival gear. The projects he mentions are usually low-budget or no-budget at all (you may already have the materials in your home).

I came across Cody Lundin’s name after scanning for books to review for this site – he has a survival show (available on Netflix) which I’ve been meaning to watch. If I’m going to learn from someone, it might as well be from an expert who lives, breathes, and teaches this way of life.

Tons of info here for those seeking out a starting point. I actually read the e-book version of this which is perfectly fine, but I think this is one of those books that would be better off sitting in your shelf as a reference.

You’d probably get more enjoyment and use out of this if your preparedness and survivalist skillset is in the beginner or intermediate. Also good for the casual read.

Definitely a great addition to any prepper library. 4 out of 5 stars.

Harbor Freight Survival Knife (Gear Review & First Impressions)

Here's another first impressions type of review. This time it's for a survival knife I picked up at Harbor Freight.

It's definitely got the cool factor going on. It's a visually appealing knife, with a handle that has an alternating pattern/texture which improves the grip. I have small hands and it feels pretty comfortable holding on to this. It's a pretty hefty-sized knife with a sharp and serrated edge. the grip has a screw top that has a built in compass. That opens up to reveal a compartment pre-packed with a few basic supplies (fishing line, sewing kit, matchsticks, etc.). I like this feature since this will allow me to customize what's inside.

It also comes in a nylon sheath which looks pretty flimsy but as I've mentioned on the vid, it's better than nothing. All you crafty people out there can probably make your own sheath for this (or buy one).

The pros:
Price - very affordable, under $15
Build - seems solid and durable but I haven't put it through a field test yet so we'll see if it holds up.
Compartment - Nice little extra place to stash additional supplies, plus the cap has a compass

The Cons:
Sheath - flimsy material but for the price it's not bad at all
This product might be suitable to newbies (like me), casual dayhikers / campers.

Modifications I'm planning on doing to this:
I'll have to make a better paracord handle for it and use an O-ring and a carabiner to hook it up to the side. I saw someone who made that mod and I thought it was more functional than the single string paracord loop that it comes with.

Budget Mess Kit

I've been on the look out for a basic mess kit for awhile now but I didn't want to spend too much on it. I was at a local store cruising the kitchenware section, and I found the mess kit displayed next to the lunchboxes, thermos, and water bottle section. It looked like a bento box (which I have a thing for - great way to pack your lunch by the way) so I had to check it out. I was surprised to see a dish nested inside the compartment as well as a handle that attaches to the exterior of it. For $5, it was a no-brainer.

What I like about it so far:
Stainless steel
price
the main compartment is deep, even with the dish inside, there's plenty of room to stash additional supplies (fire starter kit, pocket utensil, etc.)

What I didn't like:
It had a large brand sticker on the lid which was a pain to clean up (Goo Gone did the trick).

At the very end of the video, I mentioned that I was going to test this out on a gel chafing fuel with a rack on top of it to see if it works out or if I have to make modifications to the set up. Obviously, I don't plan on cooking elaborate meals with this, just basically warm up precooked food. I'll also test boil time for water just out of curiosity. I'll post the results here of course.

Lesson learned & also a good tip for those of you who are looking to expand your camping or preparedness gear: Don't always go to the obvious places to find what you're looking for. Having a keen eye and learning to see things as having multiple purposes can help you save a few bucks.

Rothco Medium Transport Pack - EDC Part 2 UPDATE

Here's the updated review on the Rothco Medium Transport Pack.

After about a month and a half of daily use, it's been holding up well. Better than expected, actually.
Keep in mind I have this thing packed to the brim with usually a very large and heavy textbook, a binder, my lunch, several other supplies in the front pockets, and even an android tablet every so often.

The more I use it, the more broken in it gets the better it is. The padded shoulder straps have been fantastic on keeping the support alongside with the multiple compression straps. I haven't had any back and shoulder pain, and as much as I walk around and take mass transportation it's managed to keep the stress off my feet.

The waterproof factor is just a bonus. I haven't had to really purchase additional MOLLE packs to go with this. I thought I was going to need to but right now this setup is sufficient.

So overall, I'm sticking with the original 3.5 star rating out of 5 for this product.

I use this mainly for: Everyday carry (EDC) school and work.
Location: Urban / City
Cost: $40 at a local army and navy store

I would imagine this pack would also be great for weekend trips, camping, and as a primary bug out bag.

Get yours now:

Sterno ActionStation Butane Stove: First Impressions

Just posted a vid of  the latest addition to our camping / prepping gear. It's the Sterno ActionStation Butane Stove.

I've been keeping an eye out for something like this for awhile now to use for picnics, camping, and for emergencies. As always, I had to reallly figure out if this was something we needed to add on the gear/supply list.

It had to be compact, easy to use, and durable among other things. It also had to be something we can use in other situations besides emergency (due to limited storage space).
We snagged this for right under $20. The butane canisters ended up being just a little bit over $5 for a pack of 5. Each canister is supposed to last about 2 hours in maximum heat and approximately 4 hours for minimum settings.

My first impressions

The pros:
It came with a hard plastic carrrying case.
It uses piezo ignition.
stainless steel - easy to clean and it looks good
adjustable settings
the price
light and easy to stash in a closet or carry around in the trunk of your car

The cons:
none found

I'm going to test it out and do a proper video review of it (keep an eye out for that).

It's a nice addition to any household and it doesn't take up a lot of space. Having this gives us more options for cooking or heating food during outdoor excursions.

Winter EDC (Everyday Carry) Clothing Basics

Clothing is just as essential as any cool gadget under the sun so I wanted to highlight some of the basics of my winter outdoor gear.

I like to keep things classic and simple. It needs to be comfortable, functional, and of course, look good. In general when I'm in the market for outerwear, I look for something that's durable with plenty of pockets. For shoes, I always go with comfort since I practically walk everywhere.

Keep in mind, my winter gear is based on my geographic location - the Northeast, in the city, where the temps can drop below freezing and we get the occasional snow/icestorm.

Here are a few essentials:

1. Vest (medium weight, waterproof) - very versatile addition to any wardrobe in my opinion. I actually use this all throughout spring and autumn seasons as well. Excellent for layering.
2. Army boots (lined, waterproof, non-skid soles) - always good to have a pair of high boots if you live in an area that gets accumulating snow. The lining definitely helps with the insulation.
3. Hiking boots (waterproof, non-skid soles) - better for trekking around the city, although a bit heavier and chunkier than I prefer.
4. knit hats - very affordable accessory, I have a good handful of these in different thicknesses and designs.
5. Heavy duty ski-gloves - very warm, weather-proof addition. These types of gloves usually come with a clip that you can use to secure on a carabiner on your coat or pack.
6. fingerless gloves - medium weight gloves that I use daily. Good for casual use. I have another pair that is more flexible - it can transform into a pair of mittens.
7. Scarf - another great accessory to have, very affordable, and it comes in various sizes.
8. NorthFace Hyvent parka - very warm. I have a 2nd pair in a different color. Plenty of pockets, hooded, with adjustable cuffs. I have other coats (wool blend - more formal, and a couple of leather ones 3/4 length)

Anther essential that I forgot to include in the vid are my thermal shirt and pants. Another excellent layering component. It provides an extra layer of warmth while keeping sweat and moisture away from your kin. And of course, you can't forget about a thicker blend of long socks.

Once you have the basics covered, it's easy to build upon that.

Rothco Medium Transport Pack (Everyday Carry)

I picked this up recently at a local army and navy store after doing some research online. I was on the market for a backpack because my messenger bag puts too much strain on my right side.

I have another backpack that's seen better days - I can haul a bunch of textbooks in it but offers very little back support. Initially I was unsure about getting this one because it seemed too tactical-ish for use around the campus but went with it as soon as I saw it at the store.

First impressions: Nice looking pack, true to its "medium" transport size. I can see why some reviews deemed it too small - I think if you're between 5'4" - 5'10" tall this backpack should be just about right.

I've only been using this a little over a week but here's what I think of it so far:

Pros:
Comfortable shoulder straps with multiple adjustments
Sternum and waist straps offer extra support
Narrow profile with the compressions straps
plenty of pockets and compartments
waterproof
has room for hydration bladder
expandable (MOLLE)
Cost - $40

Cons:
Poor stitching in one of the interior pockets.
No interior hooks where I can put my carabiner / keys
no exterior side pocket for my water bottle
zipper pulls are not ykk metal tabs

Despite its shortcomings, this backpack is holding up to my expectations. It's been easy on my back during the commute back and forth. I can easily haul a large textbook,  a binder/notebook in the main compartment. If you need to carry more than 2 textbooks, you might have problems getting that too fit in this. I haven't tried loading up my 17" laptop but I don't think it'll fit at all. I was fully aware of this when I bought the product.

Keep in mind this is my first tactical-type backpack so I'd say this is great for entry-level buyers. I use it mainly for school but this would definitely come in handy for traveling as well as dayhikes.

I'll do another update review of it after a month or so of usage but for now here's a short vid I made:

My minimalist urban EDC gear (part 2) - pocket multitool

For the second installment of my urban /city EDC (everyday carry) I've decided to briefly go over my mini multitool that I carry with me everywhere. 

This one's just your standard stainless steel type of multitool - a gift given to me 2-3 years ago - it's monogrammed with my initials and everything...I know...fancy pants, =)

The 3 main tools on it that I use often are the screwdrivers (flathead & phillips), and of course the blade followed by the saw. Most useless feature - corkscrew. It's good to drill a small pilot hole manually but for actually opening up a bottle of wine - not so much. Second least favorite feature is the scissor. 

For all you newbie city preppers, I'd say a pocket sized multitool is a great starting point for your EDC. If you're not sure, I'd just get whatever you can afford at the moment and use it well. Keep tabs on which features you use frequently that way when it comes time to upgrade you'll have a better sense of what you're actually looking for.

Would I rely on this multitool for dayhikes? Absolutely. For longer camping/bushcraft type activities - no way.

And here's the vid I made about it.

So in the video, the messenger bag I have is by Nautica (see the link below). Pretty good for light loads but not great for when you have a couple of heavy textbooks to lug around. So yesterday I actually picked up a backpack which I'll be doing a review on shortly.





If you have a pocket multitool you'd like to share here, feel free to email me a photo - what you mainly use it for and a link to your website/blog if you have any. I'll put the content up in a future post.

Minimalist Urban EDC (everyday carry) Survival Tin

my minimalist edc survival tin - exterior

This is part of my EDC (everyday carry). Most people call this a survival tin and there's many different versions of it. My approach in preparedness (prepping) in general is a minimalistic one. So everything in this "survival tin" are items I use quite a bit except for the lighter (I don't smoke anymore).

It just doesn't make sense to lug around items that's not applicable to your environment / situation.

I carry this everywhere with me and as I've mentioned on the vid, I have enough textbooks and such to carry around for my classes so I don't need additional things to weigh me down.

my minimalist edc survival tin - interior

Contents:
Bandaids
Antibiotic ointment for minor cuts
alcohol pads
ibuprofen & advil
zantac
chapstick
eyeglass repair kit
lighter

I still need to add:
something for my allergies

Here's the brief vid I made of it:

This is just part of my EDC - minimalist style. I'll go over the other parts in future vids and blog posts. I keep everything interchangeable depending on where I'm headed but this kit remains a constant in all of them.

Do you have a survival tin? What do you carry in yours?

100 Items to Disappear First During a SHTF scenario

1. Generators (Good ones cost dearly. Gas storage, risky. Noisy...target of thieves; maintenance etc.)
2. Water Filters/Purifiers
3. Portable Toilets
4. Seasoned Firewood. Wood takes about 6 - 12 months to become dried, for home uses.
5. Lamp Oil, Wicks, Lamps (First Choice: Buy CLEAR oil. If scarce, stockpile ANY!)
6. Coleman Fuel. Impossible to stockpile too much.
7. Guns, Ammunition, Pepper Spray, Knives, Clubs, Bats & Slingshots.
8. Hand-can openers, & hand egg beaters, whisks.
9. Honey/Syrups/white, brown sugar
10. Rice - Beans - Wheat
11. Vegetable Oil (for cooking) Without it food burns/must be boiled etc.,)
12. Charcoal, Lighter Fluid (Will become scarce suddenly)
13. Water Containers (Urgent Item to obtain.) Any size. Small: HARD CLEAR PLASTIC ONLY - note - food grade if for drinking.
14. Mini Heater head (Propane) (Without this item, propane won't heat a room.)
15. Grain Grinder (Non-electric)
16. Propane Cylinders (Urgent: Definite shortages will occur.
17. Survival Guide Book.
18. Mantles: Aladdin, Coleman, etc. (Without this item, longer-term lighting is difficult.)
19. Baby Supplies: Diapers/formula. ointments/aspirin, etc.
20. Washboards, Mop Bucket w/wringer (for Laundry)
21. Cookstoves (Propane, Coleman & Kerosene)
22. Vitamins
23. Propane Cylinder Handle-Holder (Urgent: Small canister use is dangerous without this item)
24. Feminine Hygiene/Haircare/Skin products.
25. Thermal underwear (Tops & Bottoms)
26. Bow saws, axes and hatchets, Wedges (also, honing oil)
27. Aluminum Foil Reg. & Heavy Duty (Great Cooking and Barter Item)
28. Gasoline Containers (Plastic & Metal)
29. Garbage Bags (Impossible To Have Too Many).
30. Toilet Paper, Kleenex, Paper Towels
31. Milk - Powdered & Condensed (Shake Liquid every 3 to 4 months)
32. Garden Seeds (Non-Hybrid) (A MUST)
33. Clothes pins/line/hangers (A MUST)
34. Coleman's Pump Repair Kit
35. Tuna Fish (in oil)
36. Fire Extinguishers (or..large box of Baking Soda in every room)
37. First aid kits
38. Batteries (all sizes...buy furthest-out for Expiration Dates)
39. Garlic, spices & vinegar, baking supplies
40. Big Dogs (and plenty of dog food)
41. Flour, yeast & salt
42. Matches. {"Strike Anywhere" preferred.) Boxed, wooden matches will go first
43. Writing paper/pads/pencils, solar calculators
44. Insulated ice chests (good for keeping items from freezing in Wintertime.)
45. Workboots, belts, Levis & durable shirts
46. Flashlights/LIGHTSTICKS & torches, "No. 76 Dietz" Lanterns
47. Journals, Diaries & Scrapbooks (jot down ideas, feelings, experience; Historic Times)
48. Garbage cans Plastic (great for storage, water, transporting - if with wheels)
49. Men's Hygiene: Shampoo, Toothbrush/paste, Mouthwash/floss, nail clippers, etc
50. Cast iron cookware (sturdy, efficient)
51. Fishing supplies/tools
52. Mosquito coils/repellent, sprays/creams
53. Duct Tape
54. Tarps/stakes/twine/nails/rope/spikes
55. Candles
56. Laundry Detergent (liquid)
57. Backpacks, Duffel Bags
58. Garden tools & supplies
59. Scissors, fabrics & sewing supplies
60. Canned Fruits, Veggies, Soups, stews, etc.
61. Bleach (plain, NOT scented: 4 to 6% sodium hypochlorite)
62. Canning supplies, (Jars/lids/wax)
63. Knives & Sharpening tools: files, stones, steel
64. Bicycles...Tires/tubes/pumps/chains, etc
65. Sleeping Bags & blankets/pillows/mats
66. Carbon Monoxide Alarm (battery powered)
67. Board Games, Cards, Dice
68. d-con Rat poison, MOUSE PRUFE II, Roach Killer
69. Mousetraps, Ant traps & cockroach magnets
70. Paper plates/cups/utensils (stock up, folks)
71. Baby wipes, oils, waterless & Antibacterial soap (saves a lot of water)
72. Rain gear, rubberized boots, etc.
73. Shaving supplies (razors & creams, talc, after shave)
74. Hand pumps & siphons (for water and for fuels)
75. Soysauce, vinegar, bullions/gravy/soupbase
76. Reading glasses
77. Chocolate/Cocoa/Tang/Punch (water enhancers)
78. "Survival-in-a-Can"
79. Woolen clothing, scarves/ear-muffs/mittens
80. Boy Scout Handbook, / also Leaders Catalog
81. Roll-on Window Insulation Kit (MANCO)
82. Graham crackers, saltines, pretzels, Trail mix/Jerky
83. Popcorn, Peanut Butter, Nuts
84. Socks, Underwear, T-shirts, etc. (extras)
85. Lumber (all types)
86. Wagons & carts (for transport to and from)
87. Cots & Inflatable mattress's
88. Gloves: Work/warming/gardening, etc.
89. Lantern Hangers
90. Screen Patches, glue, nails, screws,, nuts & bolts
91. Teas
92. Coffee
93. Cigarettes
94. Wine/Liquors (for bribes, medicinal, etc,)
95. Paraffin wax
96. Glue, nails, nuts, bolts, screws, etc.
97. Chewing gum/candies
98. Atomizers (for cooling/bathing)
99. Hats & cotton neckerchiefs
100. Goats/chickens



Editor's note: This is in no order of importance as far as I know. What I like about this list is that it gives new preppers a starting point. Almost everything on the list cost very little money to purchase.


[Source: Before it's news

New Prepper Series: The Bug Out Bag

The Bug Out Bag

What it is:
It's esentially a kit that  has all the essential supplies you need to get by for at least 72 hours. I've also heard of it referred to as a GoBag, a Get out of dodge (GOOD), You're on your own (YOYO) bag.

Not sure if I can even call myself a prepper at this point, maybe a prepper apprentice.

I don't have a huge stockpile of stuff. I'm not too familiar with a lot of the essential tools for survival. I don't have a military background.

But there's always a starting point.

I love watching vids, shows, and reading about preparedness and survivalism. So consider me a prepper neophyte. There are tons of info to be sifted through and it becomes overwhelming to process it all but I'm doing my best.

What I learned so far is that there are basics or essentials to consider such as water, water purification, food, shelter (tent/tarp/sleeping bag), first aid kit, toiletries, cooking supplies, fire starters, maps, cash, IDs, important docs, some extra clothes.

Then you can personalize it to your needs. Consider your environment for example. Do you live in a rural area or do you live in a city? Do you have medical conditions that need to be addressed? Do you have a vehicle? Pets? How many family members?

Regardless of the scenario you're preparing for there's always some kind of debate what needs to be in your pack.

My question is, not all scenarios are created equal - what you'd need in case of a hurricane evac is different from when you have a more extreme end of the world type situation, so how do you decide what goes in your kit?

I know some people pack two different kits based on seasons/weather condition or multiple kits for different scenarios.

For now, since I'm addressing the noob prepper (myself included) here's my take on it.
You don't have to spend a lot of money to get started, look around your house, what you need is more than likely readily available to you already.

Customize your own pack accordingly. Have one for each member of the family. And just have it stashed in a closet in your home.

So below is my personal bug out bag contents (last updated contents for Hurricane Irene). In this case we have family right outside the city that we can crash with so this isn't your rural/camping kit. Keep in mind this is just MY bag, we all have one each, including emergency supplies for the pets.

LED flashlight
water (I had more stashed in my truck)food (granola bars, beef jerky)
first aid kit (gauze, band aids, hyrdocortisone ointment, triple antibiotic cream, glucometer w/ strips, alcohol pads, liquid skin, tweezer, ibuprofen)
A small sewing kit
toiletries
extra clothes - rain coat that can be multifunction - it's waterproof
cash, ids, imprant docs in ziplock back as well as flash drive w/ the same info.
extra pair of glasses.
extra sets of batteries.
portable multipleband radio (it's battery operated) will upgrade to a handcrank/solar-powered one)
2-way radio
a small blanket
pocketknife
multitool
ducttape
playing cards
multivitamins
Phone and charger
laptop and charger
Tablet and charger

I'm currently looking into getting a few supplies to add on to my primary bug out bag, such as a portable stove, some sort of water purification system, and a survival knife.

I'm pretty sure I'm leaving stuff out, but you kind of get the idea here. Putting together your first bug out bag is a great jumping off point to get into the prepper mindset because it' a self-contained, personalized way of focusing on the essentials.

I'd love to hear from all of you new preppers out there, do share your experiences.

Next post in the new prepper series is about bugging in. Until then, be safe.

Kelly Kettle - woodburning portable stove

I scour the net for material for this site - part of it is survival/camping/outdoor gears, I came across this beauty called he Kelly Kettle. It's a woodburning portable kettle/stove. Has a unique design and boils water pretty fast based on some videos I've been watching. This is definitely on my wish list.

Here's a good video of a camp out and using the Kelly Kettle to boil water and cook. Doesn't take much to get the fire started.

 

Here's another video of a review for Kelly Kettle - he actually times how long it takes to get a rolling boil which doesn't take very long at all and he only had to use a few sticks and twigs he found in the yard to get the fire going. Good demo footage.

 

Visit the Kelly Kettle site.