The Quark series significantly outperforms the MiniMag flashlights. Also, lithium cells (Energizer Lithium AAs or CR123As) last much longer in storage or infrequent use.

The issue over the flashlight is giving me more headaches than any other gear. I mentioned in the beginning why I picked a disposable flashlight. I have since then taken cost out of the equation.

The flashlight cannot be black. I need to be able to find it in a situation where seeing it may be difficult, like dropped for example. It must comfortably fit in a pocket. The city of Carlton has reverted to a pioneer society so my player-character will be wearing that type of dress once she gets settled. A holster probably would not work and because I may be carrying other items, I cannot count on having a purse. It has to be, at the least, water-resistant in case I drop it in the water. I want something simple. I don't want to go through a menu of options to turn in on. I want to be able to push a button or twist it to turn it on and do the same to turn it off. I don't want it to turn on accidentally. I need it to work so I need a quality flashlight.

Also, I want recommendations for a field knife sharpener. I want something compact, nothing fragile and if it needs to be cleaned, it would be easy to clean as in no special supplies to clean it. After all, we will be on a trek and we need to keep our weight and space at a minimal. My player-character has a knife sharpening system, like Edge Pro or Spyderco Tri-Angle Sharpmaker, at home.

Jeanette Isabelle

Knife sharpener



I don't understand. Even with a societal reversion, I don't see work clothing changing that much. Maybe a personal preference for suspenders vs belt but otherwise I would expect belt loops.

According to the game master, society has more and less reverted to the 19th Century. I applied that to what I know about the area which was inhabited by pioneers.

Jeanette Isabelle

I can see the society regressing to go from industrial to agrarian centered society but I'd have to question the GM on the clothing styles reverting. Its simply too much easier to perform physical labor in pants vs a dress. Other than that, have the basic forms of clothes changed that much?

The pioneer dresses were an idea I had based on several factors: Not everything we have today to make clothing will be around in this setting. To be more specific, women's undergarments. Dresses would be more practical outer wear for those undergarments. It will be hot in the Summer and sunscreen will not exist. Therefore we need a way to keep cool as possible while being covered up. The pioneer women were more practical in that regard than the Victorian women.

Jeanette Isabelle

I must say that I am not into women's clothing, but I venture that if you peruse any good outdoor catalog (REI, Patagonia, Duluth Trading) you will see a good many extremely practical garments that would likely serve as the beginning point for your post apocalyptic world. The mind reels at the thought of women reverting to Mother Hubbards and sun bonnets. Will we be driving Conestoga wagons and firing flintlocks? Or should we just regress all the way back to atlatls?

I know of a couple of places where we could do cave paintings....

No. The means of making weapons, more advanced than the flintlock, still exist.

Jeanette Isabelle

Are the sterotypical gender norms reverting to 19th century as well, or will you be free to wear whatever clothes are most suitable regardless of gender?

The old rules don't apply. I chose a type of clothing I believe is the most practical for women given the circumstances. There are exceptions but even then the most practical solution for a particular situation is used.

Jeanette Isabelle