I figure I'll forget something and have to trade for it -- Do you pack/ store anything to trade for other items?

Teacher

That sounds like a tricky deal. Trying to anticipate what might be of value to someone else. I suppose you could pack two of everything, but of course you're doubling your load then. If that's still managable though, you could have a back up to your primary tool or you could have something to barter.

However, there are some things (matches and sewing needles spring to mind) that are cheap and light, but may be tradable with an unprepared person who happens to have something you do need. Luxuries such as cigarettes and chocolate may also be tradable items in a longer-term emergency (eg New Orleans situation), but for safety I think I'd rather pretend to have nothing of value...

eeph

You always have something of value. *pokes and prods eeph's arm, like a melon* Don't mind me, I'm check your ripeness. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Seriously, I would never pretend to have nothing. I'll pretend to have less than I have, absolutely, but I want to be able to keep things cordial. If you act like you have nothing, and you aren't naked, someone is going to introduce your head to a length of pipe and take your gear. Maybe robbed vs definantly robbed.

We had this thread in long term a few months ago. It includes a wonderful post on bartering ettiquette in area with DIY normality.

The question is, how long of a situation are looking at? At a few days, I'll trade the smokes that I keep as trade goods in my BOB. At a month, I'll trade from a stash of things like needles and fish hooks that are set aside for that purpose. At a year... I'm trading my brain. Call me Mr. Wizard: I can make black powder, including getting the nitrates from manure piles (yuck!), make a still, and tan hides, among other things.

I have to agree, I'll definately pretend to have less than i do, but there will be no doubt that I'm prepared. Any signs of vunerability may open you up to aggression from others. I don't want to be in-hospitable to those that need help, but I'm not an easy mark either. I don't want to trade anything but knowlege. If we can help each other, great, otherwise I'm not gambling my families well being.

In my kit the only thing that comes to mind is a couple of half-pints of Everclear 190 proof grain alcohol, but I'll probably end up using that myself. <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

Tampons and ammunition are the two best suggestions I've heard of for trading.

I would never trade ammunition (or worse, firearms) to someone not in my group.

Trading bricks of .22 ammo has long been suggested as coin of the realm in SHTF situations. It is a given that you would always retain superior firepower.

I've always thought that, even in the short term, knives would be something in demand as trade goods. A few swiss army knives wouldn't weigh or bulk much more that the same number of 22 bricks.
I would suspect that barter would spring up within a couple of weeks. Anyone want to trade a new mercedes benz for a SAK?

Has anyone ever read a book called "King Rat"?

Jon