Crackerjacks used to have great little plastic magnifying glass' that I used to start fires as a kid in the '60's. The stuff I've seen lately is truly worthless.

So how tight do you think you can actually roll a Cuben tarp?
I have never used the stuff myself.
I only ever saw it once and that was a roll in a chandlers shop.

Please do let me know how it works out if you make a tarp.
I currently use silnylon or cheap plastic tarps.

Those little plastic lenses were doomsday devices to neighborhood ants. As I recall the lenses would cloud up quickly, but don't remember why.

My respect of God's creatures has matured a lot since then ... except for mosquitos and several other members of the order Diptera (flies).

For me its snakes... I can live with everything else in the world but snakes. Just freak me out!

I have a 3"x2"x3/4" mints tin that I have stocked with:
1 spark-lite.
1 20mm button compass.
5 Tinder-Quick.
1 6' length monofilament with hook and sinker. As a ready use fishing line.
8' 2mm braided cord. About a 75lb breaking strain.
2 MP1 tablets.
10 British Army issue chlorine tablets.
20' braided fishing line. 20lb test.
6 hooks and split shot. Assorted sizes.
1 X-acto blade,
1 sewing needle, sail-makers.
6' high grade sewing thread.

Its held closed/together by 4 rubber ranger bands that are also extra tinder.

I put it together initially as an intellectual exercise after watching Bear Grylls (Yes, He That You All Hate). As a very light weight, pocket of your water bottle pouch, suppliment to carrying a Water bottle, mug, knife paracord and flint.

Won't replace my RSK, but then it's not intended to.


Thats my take on the hollow handled knife

I would use that capsule to store fire related stuff myself. Some tinder, maybe a small striker made from a cut down hacksaw blade, "never blow out" birthday candle, matches, etc. I don't know how big that capsule is so I don't know if all that stuff would fit.

Your survival kit should be something more than just the capsule on the end of a firesteel. Store your regular sized mirror, whistle, compass, etc. in that separate kit.

"So how tight do you think you can actually roll a Cuben tarp?
I have never used the stuff myself.
I only ever saw it once and that was a roll in a chandlers shop.

Please do let me know how it works out if you make a tarp.
I currently use silnylon or cheap plastic tarps."


Pretty tight, I finished the rain coat details today. It s about 2.5 sq yards of .33 oz cuben fiber and it packs up to a small wad a little smaller than my fist. I have small hands, no way it would fit inside that capsule though.

I've found if you slowly put pressure on the folded material it will leak air and collapse down more, unlike the amk heatsheets and mylar blankets. So maybe this material is slightly breathable?

I'll post a picture of the jacket later and show you. If you call cubic tech and ask they will send you samples of the fabric to play with.

So.... what do you do between blinding the bear with the mirror and whistling 'Dixie'?

Just curious.

Sue

A jig?




I ordered one of those 19mm 4-6 wave mirrors from Edmund Optics and tested it against my Standard signal mirror. It is about 10 times less bright than the standard mirror at 20 yards. I didnt even bother testing at a mile. So that idea is out the window. Like some said, it could be used as a backup.

I threw it in the little capsule anyways after backing it with JB Weld. I figure it can be used as a backup and to help at significant angles if needed when no other additional mirror is available.