My birthday is in the not-too-distant future, an occasion when my wife usually produces a gift of a bit of gear I?ve resisted buying for one reason or another (it?s taken me years of conditioning to get her to this point <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> ).

While contemplating what I might campaign for this year, I got to wondering what piece of gear others might have on their wish-list ? some coveted addition or upgrade to your kit, or BOB, but because of budgetary constraints, or the likelihood of spousal wrath, you haven?t gotten around to acquiring it.

I?m not thinking on the scale of a cabin on 50 acres and a lake, with a DeHavilland DHC-2 Beaver to get you there. More like, say, a GPS, PLB, custom-made knife, Surefire, firearm, Maxpedition pack ? you get the idea.

Dan

One of the new Surefire KL4s, for my E2O, and a Benchmade 525. I find them i'm set for a while. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

From Countycomm. SW radio with light, pouch for radio, clipon LED lights.
From Diamond Back Tactical www.diamondbacktactical.com
Velcro cleaner, Grimloc locking D-rings.
From Maxpedition. Liger belt
From L.L. Bean, travel alarlm clock.

Dave

I am waiting on a Randall model 25-6" in stainless steel. It's not a custom knife but it might as well be--the ETA on mine is June, 2009. That will give me time to save up for it.

Regards, Vince

Nothing on my wish list because I ordered it all yesterday. I am now awaiting delivery of a RAT7/1095, a RAT3/D2 and a Maxpedition Vulture. Now I am trusting all of you to keep this information from leaking to the wrong sources (my wife of course)! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Dave, you know that those clip on lights and the radio are on the CPF specials page, don't you?
The radio is on my list, also.
And an RSK mini in yellow, along with a Maxpedition Fatboy.

Anything less than that doesn't stay on the wish list for very long. Some recent purchases I've been very happy with:

• HDS Ultimate 60 - Don't bother with the GT version. I'm completely satisfied with the color of the two I've purchased so far.
• Chris Reeve Sebenza Nice knife. I have a plain, but you can get wood inlays, custom engraving, etc.
• The new Arc AAA (Ok, it's on pre-order, but the reviews are great, and I love my Arc AAAs from before).

The only ETS-related wish list item currently outstanding is something from Swamp Rat Knife Works. Their stuff looks very tempting, just haven't gotten around to it yet.

For my 50th birthday (last year.... <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />), I want to get a Chris Reeve's Mnandu....
I may be able to finally order it in the next weeks... (money from parents/friends etc... is already on my account ; it's the shipping which poses some problems...)

It doesnt matter what's on my wish list since nobody ever buys me stuff I want... As a matter of fact probably the best gift I got in my life was from ETS member Skater who send me some of his spare stuff. I guess he felt bad after I wrote about my two xmases that passed and all I got was a case of motor oil.

My family: $200 flashlight? Here's 3 flashlights made by Rayovac for $10 from Home Depot.

But what I really want:
M3 flashligth from Surefire (maybe I get it soon from CPF)
Chris Reeve Aviator or Shadow III
Danner Striker Composite Boots
New thin body armor from galls since the one I got is heavy and uncomortable.
Panasonic LX1 digital camera

Not all of it is for survival but fun as well.

JoeBob, yeah I check the site all the time. They know me there. ( & my$).

Dave

I think I'd go for a nice fixed blade - maybe one of the Bark Rivers or a RAT 3. That or a piece of Maxpedition gear.

You need some kind of organisation !

Last year, for my 50th birthday, I created a web page, listing all the things I wanted (+ some extras, stupid or fantastic, just for the fun of it ..)
And each friend/parent I invited at one of the several dinners I organised, had to visit that page, choose a gift and give his share to a Master of the List (a cousin) so that I would not know who gave what or what amount.

Some itemss on my wish list got enough "donations" to be bought. And a good amount was spread on various gifts.
So, at the end, I just pooled the money and selected the most choosen (and the most interesting !) items...

I almost succeeded to avoid the usual inadequat/stupid/not desired gifts, but for one friend, who did not understand the procedure and did not visit the web page... well... she IS blond after all... <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Just got a couple things that had been on my wish list for a long time: a mini-RSK and a Maxpedition Baby Condor (khaki). I got tired of having my Fatboy stuffed with stuff, but then having to carry my lunch, and gym clothes if I was working out, and any full-size hardback books in plastic grocery bags.

The sad news is I had to sell some flashlight stuff to get the newest items (*sob*).

Still on the list:
1. A Utility Hideaway Knife - FINALLY! I've been loving the look of these for a long time, and now they have a production (instead of the semi-custom) version - $69.

2. Spyderco Sharpmaker. From what I've heard, it's a sharpener even I will be able to use efficiently.

3. SpecOps mini THE wallet

4. Full-size Benchmade RSK

5. A Thermette

6. A green laser pointer from atlasnova.com

Oh man...


1. Beretta CX4 Storm
2. Wiggy's Sleeping Bag
3. 5.11 Pants
4. An ATV (Suzuki)
5. A diesel/electric hybrid pickup truck (does not exist, would like to have one anyway)

-5.11 pants ( or similair)
-new good pair of shoes
-a suit, shirt, tie, etc.
- 1 watt luxeon headlight ( EOS or tikka XP )
-a good ultra light weight tent
-swandri ranger shirt. ( or similair )

Top of my wish list is for my wife to understand my obsession with survival.

Second is an American Expedition Vehicles 112" wheelbase modified Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, or a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon.

Realistically, I'd settle for a nice Filson jacket, or a Gransfors American Felling Axe.

Cool thread.
K&M case in yellow
Cold Steel Laredo Bowie
Dual purpose motorcycle
Weather instruments
Custom sheath for my Buck 110
That is all for now.

I have a Randall Model 15 Airman with the model 18 style blade and it is awesome.

Glad to hear it will be worth waiting for!

Regards, Vince

-First Need Deluxe water purifier
-BKT Crewman
-Garmin e-Trex Vista
-Marlin 1894C
-Maxpedition FatBoy

Yep, that would about do it.

martinfocazio,

You only have to wait a few more years. When GM puts the diesel back in the Suburban in 2008 (I'm buying one of them) the next thing they are doing with diesels is trying out a hybrid diesel. Figure atleast 30mpg in a full sized 3/4 ton truck. <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

"A diesel/electric hybrid pickup truck (does not exist, would like to have one anyway) "
There is at least one driving around my town! And a SUV as well! It’s a research vehicle for the engineering dept.

1. To find a brand of cargo pants with the thigh pocket up on the thigh where it should be rather than down around my knee.

2. Columbia River Knife & took M16-01 EDC Titanium.

Actually I think I have way too much stuff already! What is on my wish list is to get the Izuzu Trooper I bought to run properly! I have a new 4WD Trailblazer and I bought the Trooper as a second vehicle I can cruise to more hazardous places with, without dinging up the Chevy. I paid cash for the Trooper, so no pain there. I think it has a blown head gasket or needs a valve job. It only has 56K miles on it, so otherwise is a great vehicle. The problem really is that there are no cheap fixes for that DOHC, 3.5 liter engine. No way that I would try to change the head gasket, I would surely get the cams out of timing and finish the thing off completely!
So, I want my Trooper fixed before the nice weather here in Arizona:)

* "The Complete Walker IV" by Colin Fletcher and Chip Rawlins.
* "Soldier" or "Farmer" SAK in Silver Alox.
* Pendleton wool blanket.

Dang, Christmas is a ways from now.

Aside from world peace, I'd also like REI and EMS to start carrying more items that aren't made of plastic, and Trangia alcohol stoves.

And I want Filson to start making their clothes in black so I can wear them in the city, and Duluth Pack to use other colors besides olive drab. How about some more outdoor clothing in Ventile cotton?

I'd also like a Brunton GEO Transit. And Fujinon 7x50 marine binoculars.


Oh...and a pony.

Great book(s). Besides Colin Fletcher's wit and sense of humor, lot's of outdoor knowledge to share.

Dan

Frenchy, I do admire your style...a unique approach, and who can argue with the results? <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I would just give them tadgear website <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />...

Pro Edge Pro Knife Sharpener

I'll probably have to settle for the Apex model though <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

You mean other than a six foot cube of non-sequencial, unmarked, crisp new hundred dollar bills that the IRS doesn't know about?

Tivo with a 500GB drive and LAN connectivity.

For the folks at 5.11 to start using denim and medium weight wool for pants. Like thier patterns, just not a big fan of nylon for pants.

For a good sports shoe manufacturer to add composite toe caps to thier line. And really good arch support. In a leather and canvas upper construction.

A handy, stainless, pump action carbine built using a minaturize Rem 870 or Ithaca 37 action in .454 Cusall. Siddesaddle loops (if using bottom eject, on both sides) and a stock holder. And it has to be able to chamber 45LC.

It's big brother in .308 using M-14 magazines, with a space for a spare magazine in the stock, up to a 20rnder.

A Ka-bar in D2 with the classic leather washered handle. And maybe serrations on the clip of the blade, rather than down by the gaurd.

Well.... I wouldn't say so...
It looks like we have never been nearer .... <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

M-6 scout rifle, Arc flash light, ruger 10/22,(always) para 550 cord, new tires, pocket organizer from county comm, and a few sparklight kits. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Mi wish list is getting so long that it's more of a wish book by now. Here are the things I plan to get whenever I have the chance (i.e. money).

Knives:
-More red alox SAKs. You can't have enough of those.
-SwissTool Spirit plus ratchet. I've been looking for a lighter version of my beloved SwissTool for a while.
-Mnandi and Sebenza from CRK. The problem isn't so much the actual knife price but the import taxes which are around 50%-60% of the knives value. I guess I'll have to wait to my next trip to the US.
-There are too many Bark River knives I want.
-Bechmade RSK (my girlfriend "borrowed" mine yesterday).

Guns
-Garand M-1. A local gunshop brought some very nice ones a couple of weeks ago and I've been wanting one since I saw them (I'm weak).
-A .357 or .44 mag lever action rifle. A coworker showed me his .44 mag Marlin last weekend and I loved it. I like the idea of having a rifle in the same calibre as my wheel guns.
-Custom muzzle loader. I got into muzzle loaders recently and I have my eyes on some beautiful cutoms guns made by a local gun smith.

I pretty much covered my gear wish-list last month, but I'm sure something will pop up eventually.

I keep wanting to get a camp stove for shelter-in-place in case the power or gas go out here during a disaster. It would be useful for camping too, of course. Most of the food I have at home requires cooking (e.g. dry rice).

Also I should get around to pouring out my several year old stored water (about a half dozen 1-gal jugs) and refilling with fresh water. Should I add anything to preserve it? I've figured on treating with iodine or bleach at the time of use.

Google for water storage. I think nearly all recommend pre treating. Better to keep stuff from growing than kill it later, I guess.

Why going thru all that hassle to store water ?
Is it a question of price ? Or a problem of container size (and then a problem of storage space) ? <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

In any supermarket, I can find 8 liter (a bit over 2 US gallons) bottles of mineral water, with a max usage date 2 years from now. I guess it's much easier and safer too to store of few of these in my cellar (eventually protected from light by an opaque garbage bag).
A 2 gallons container is easier to move around. And when opened (and then susceptible to contamination), it will be used faster than a bigger capacity container : less risk to spoil.

Buying such a "bottle" every month is not expensive and then, once the stock is at the desired capacity, it's easy to rotate, using the oldest and replacing it.

I would eventually store treated tap water in previously used containers, not for cooking/drinking, but for other usage where the potability is not such a strict requirement (washing, flushing, a.s.o....).
Tap water being already treated, is it necessary to add more bleach to keep it for a long period ?

I don't see a problem with your plan, really. But it doesn't scale well, and it can be refined a little...

I have six of these:


Each holds 7 gallons. That's 42 gallons of water in a space 1' x 3' x 3' (each container is 12" x 12" x 15", stack two rows of three). You'd need about 20 of your containers to equal the same amount of water.

The containers are very durable, stackable and have nifty little faucets that can be used by just flipping the cap over. Turn the container on its side to dispense. Very cool. The price per gallon for the first use is about what you'd pay for store bought water, then every use after that is free. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Plus, you don't have to keep them all full. Just keep the clean containers stored somewhere, then fill as needed (like, when a hurricane watch goes up, and the stores are packed with people buying water in 8l jugs. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> )

YMMV.

I've been reading the U.S. Homeland Security site on the topic:

http://www.nationalterroralert.com/readyguide/safewater.htm

It does seem the larger commercial water containers are the best bet. The site recommends rotating out commercially prepared water at least yearly.

Regarding the rice, my advice is to go with MRE's or canned food. In an emergency rice just takes too many resources to prepare (clean water, fuel). Canned food doesn't really need to be cooked (it is cooked in the canning process) and doesn't need any extra water).

The Homeland Security site for storing emergency food is at http://www.nationalterroralert.com/readyguide/foodstorage.htm

The Katrina disaster has me thinking ... those poor people aren't worrying about their knives, flashlights, or firestarters are good enough. Their primary focus is on water, food, prescription medicines, and shelter. The also are focusing on clean clothing & personal hygeine. It has been very eye-opening for me.

The department of homeland security suggests having:

<>Water - 1 gallon/person/day - at least 3-10 days stored
<>Food - canned, easy-prep - don't forget the can opener <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
<>First aid kit - including any prescriptions or personal meds needed
<>Clothing - one change of clothing and footwear per person
<>Radio - battery powered, extra batteries
<>Flashlight(s) - extra batteries
<>Extra set of car keys
<>Credit card/cash/traveler's checks
<>Sanitation supplies (chlorine bleach, wet wipes)
<>Glasses - extra pair

I got the Apex for birthday present from my son. Very nice set-up.

These containers certainly look great and sturdy, and the faucet seems practical, indeed !
Their shape also is somewhat better for storage than the 8-liters bottles I had in mind. I agree they can help saving some storage space, especially if you can stack them up.

But I haven't seen such containers here ... Will have to look for some equivalent...

OTOH, handling a 8-liter bottle is easier than a 26+ liters container....

Those containers are fairly nice but quite expensive, more expensive per gallon EMPTY in fact than buying 1 gal. bottled water bottles FULL. I'm not too concerned about ruggedness since my bottles are in the cabinet under the kitchen sink, not getting bumped around. Also not concerned about opacity since it's dark in the cabinet. If I wanted to store more water I think I'd get a 60 or 110 gallon Aquaflex bladder ( www.aquaflex.net ) and put it under my bed. I'm in a small apartment and don't have space for 55 gal drums, stacks of 7-gal Aqua-tainers, etc.

One thing I ought to do is carefully scrub out the inside of my toilet tank the next time I scrub the toilet. There's at least 5 gal of fresh water there that gets "rotated out" several times a day. I wouldn't drink toilet bowl water even after treatment unless I absolutely had to (psychological reasons; pets drink the stuff all the time with no obvious ill effects) but water from the tank doesn't have that issue. Just the same, because it's in contact with the funky old fixture and flush mechanism and standpipe, I'd use it for non-drinking or last-resort drinking purposes and would treat it before drinking.

Finally, I have a typical 13 gal. PVC kitchen wastebasket and a few 8 gal wastebaskets around the apartment, so of course if there was a warning of upcoming disaster, I'd fill those with water, plus fill the bathtub. But that doesn't help in a no-warning event.

Sorry, didn't mean to hijack the thread with this. Further wish-list item: an auto cigarette lighter plug with the right connector to operate my Eveready CH15 NiMH charger in the car, so I can charge up my AA NiMH batteries in extended power outages. It's a 15 minute charger with 12 volt input, so it's just the right setup for in-car use. I don't understand why it doesn't come with a cig lighter plug.

I have one of those chargers, I checked several stores and finally had to go to walmart as is was the only place that sold them with the car plug already in the package, all the other stores had them without and you had to send in a form to get it and pay a little bit for shipping.

Not all water storage containers are created equal. I highly recommend the above mentioned aqua-tainer.

several years ago I purchased 5-6 different water storage containers as a test. I filled them up, closed up the caps and valves, then tipped them on their sides. Big surprise, nearly all leaked. For me that is not acceptable. Not only is there the problem of losing water if the container gets tipped (post earthquake or hasty retreat transportation), but there is also the risk of the water becoming contamined through access to the outside air.

I purchased several more of the aqua-tainers and all tested "good" before going into storage.

TR

I just did that test myself a couple weeks ago, and came up with the same result. Usually it was a crummy plastic bung for the vent hold that would leak. The Coleman and the Aqua-Tainer worked fine though. I prefer the 4 gallon aqua-tainer for 2 reasons- it's squat so it won't tip over on the floor of my mini-van, and it's stackable in case I decide to get more.

What is 5.11 pants?

I use the aqua-tainers as well. I've never had one leak when completely sealed, and I've only had one where the nozzle contraption leaked, and I simple traded it with one that I wasn't actively using to get water out of. THe 7 gallon ones are great, but I keep quite a few of the 4 galon ones too, simply because they're light and easy to lug and refill.

Yeah, after yours and Goatrider's posts, I'm thinking about getting some of the 4 gallon. Last summer, all I wanted was a way to store a lot of water in a small space. I would have bought a large water storage barrell if shipping wasn't so high. But now, I'm glad I didn't. The 7 gallon are fine, and I can distribute the containers around the house. The 4 gal would be good if I have to evacuate.

Here's a link:

5.11 Tactical Pants