I am Craig Thompson from SE Pennsylvania. I learned about ETS a few weeks ago from a gun forum where I was asking about high quality knives. Someone posted a link to ETS and the RSKs. After reading the extended write-up by Doug on the RSK Mk 1 and Mk 3 I realized how much our thought processes were alike. I ordered one of each and am very impressed with them.

In the last few weeks I have spent quite a bit of time reading the forums (got as far back as about 2 years so far) as well as all the other great information to be found in the site. So much to read, so little time…

For many years now I have felt like a freak for trying to be prepared for emergencies / disasters. It sure is good to find a community that will not make fun of me for doing so. I also realize that I am not nearly as prepared as I should be.

At the risk of overdoing my first post, here are a few photos of the snow from the storm. Talk about being prepared, we had to fire up the wood stove because the power kept going out. Was ready to get the generator going but the power did come back on.

My house






Great to meet you all.

Craig T.

Here it's cool to not be cool. Meaning, it looks strange to our friends (and some family) to have an EDC or 500 rolls of toilet paper or a year supply of food, etc, but are you not the man that people go to when they need something because "you carry everything"? Of course.

Welcome to the forum and on behalf of us all, you'll love the RSK knives.

Welcome aboard Craig. Congratulations on being prepared for the snow!

Welcome to the fire, friend!

-Blast

Welcome, grab a cup of whatever fuels your fire and stay a while.

Hi Craig, good first post. Welcome aboard.

-Doug

Craig I know exactly how you feel... im 15 and still in school and any time anyone mentions it.. i jump right up and start blabbing on and on. they look at me like i am some paranoid outlaw!!

Craig,

man, that looks a LOT like where I live - Nockamixon township. We might be neighbors!

You related to Ed Thompson or the Thompsons who live down by the old Great American Grill?

Love the pictures. Welcome

Oh, and T_co would love your opinion on the DR Mk1 handle.

Thanks for all the welcomes.

Martin, I am in Delaware County. The whole region got dumped on pretty good. Saturday we got 28.5”. Looks to me like we got about 18” yesterday, maybe more. I am sore all over from shoveling. Not related to those Thompsons to my knowledge.

Mostlyharmless, I don’t understand your second line. Who is “T_co”?

T_co is a member of this forum. Recently he asked a question about the handles of Doug Ritter RSK mod 1, of which I happen to note that you just purchased. I'm sure he'll appreciate your comments.

Post here

Oh, I see now MostlyHarmless. I somehow missed that recent thread. I will add my .02

Thanks for the welcome!

Welcome to the group.

Welcome to the fire we have a great group here.

Lee

Welcome, start a one match fire and we'll brew some tea.

Thanks for all the friendly welcomes!

Mark, um, that is one reason that I am here, to learn that skill.

Aloha Craig. E komo mai!

Aloha, aloha. Mahalo nui loa. (I just looked it up)

I honeymooned in Oahu, Hawaii, Maui & Kauai. Paradise for sure.

Craig, I'm sure that we can help you learn ANYthing about preparedness, so pull up a log and sit a spell keep your RSK's handy because whilst we're sittin here you might as well whittle a little something.

Welcome to the fire

Mike

Nice! You're due back for a visit then aren't you?

That visit is LONG overdue!!!

Mike, I will need lots of help learning all that is needed. With better than half a century on my odometer I might be able to conjure up a tidbit or two to add to the tribal knowledge.

Thanks for the welcome. I do enjoy a camp fire.

Great pictures, and welcome.

Thanks Byrd_Hunter. The ice sickle is pretty but probably is an indication that I need more insulation in the ceiling. I am a little concerned that I have some ice dams and will get water dripping into the house.

I am enjoying my visits here very much. Learning a lot also.

Craig, just ask any question. Those in the know will answer it. Those who don't know will learn something as well.

P.S. A candle in the kit helps immensely with those one match camp fires. Cheaters never prosper ... but man they sure can survive.

I need to learn primitive fire starting but I just found those Peanut and Split Pea lighters at CountyComm.com. Good for lighting those "cheater" candles.

I feel an order coming on...