When I was about 8 years old or so I can remember asking my grandfather what the little thing he carried on his keychain was. He explained that is was a pocketknife and proceeded to take it off the keychain and give me a quick little safety lesson with it. He then told me I could keep it so long as I don't tell my mother.

That moment, combined with the rest of my youth spent in scouting, pretty much solidified my interest in 'survival gear' and whatnot.

It also helped that my father was a diesel mechanic, so I grew up learning the value of good tools and equipment. He was the type of person that, if a tool didn't work the way it should, he would run it over with his D6 bulldozer and then go buy a better one.