Good gear, not a lot of dough?

This may have been done in the past; if so, my apologies.

I know I'll get the "you get what you pay for" response and maybe even offend some of the guys who insist on only the very best for their kits ... but does anyone else ever look at the price of some this gear (Sebenzas, ultra-nifty flashlights, etc) and go, "Well, I'm gonna have to make do with less"?

Don't get me wrong ... my bills are paid, kitchen's got chow in it, truck's full of gas (and nearly paid for!) ... s'all good. But if I start another mondo-expensive hobby ...i may end up livin' in that truck. <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

But just for fun and to share the knowledge, what are some of the best-bang-for-not-a-lot-of bucks survival or outdoors items you guys (& gals, of course) have come across? Be specific.

Here are some of mine:
-- $20 KaBar Dozier folding hunter.
-- $10 Garrity AA flashlight with xenon bulb (its brightness kicks butt on my old AA mini-Mags and Legends.)
-- Doug's PSK at $27
--AMK Ultralight FAK kits ($15 for the .5)
--Stanley 7" Wonderbar for $5.
--Smith's two-step sharpener, $5
-- ETS site ... free!

Alternate question: Where have you found handy, dandy useful gear at a good price where you didn't expect to?

Oh certainly, frugality may be the essence of survival. For instance:

Kabar 3" folding knife with blaze orange grips - $7.00 at Smokey Mtn Knife Works.

MREs scrounged from Army camp when no one is looking - free

First Aid supplies scrounged from the Safety manager's locker while he is being distracted - free

Using the daughter's discarded, no longer stylish daypack as a bob - free (she paid for the replacement)

Grabbing 5 packs of stick matches from the hotel cleaning lady's cart - free

Requisitioning replacement AAs from supply at work because I used my flashlight a couple times when the lights went out - free

There are, of course things that must be purchased that just cost the bucks, but I will try and equip as much as possible with whatever "surplus" is available. Probably two thirds of my supplies are gratus, or at least didn't cost me anything. I've borrowed twenty feet of duct tape from a friend who had one of those huge rolls and figured he'd never miss that much.

Besides, scrounging is good practice. It raises your awareness of what is around you, so if something did happen, you would already have the mindset to be looking for such things, and a good idea maybe even where to look.

If somebody would be upset that you took it then isn't it stealing rather than scrounging? Just what my parents taught me and I teach my kids, but eveybody had to draw their own line I suppose.
My current bargains:
Swill army knife, you can pick up a new knife with two knife blades, can opener/screwdriver bottle opener screwdriver and a wonderful fit and finish for $10-15. Insanely useful, utterly reliable.
Dorcy AAA LED flaslight, this is new to me, but I'm very impressed so far, for $5 at wally world you get a nice bright EDC light that's almost so cheap as to be disposable.
Virgin mobile pay as you go phone, this is only a bargain if you are a very very seldom phone user. I call my wife on mine maybe every two weeks when I'm out and I need to ask her something. She's the only one who has my number and calls me about as often. You need to put $20 every 90 days on it and I never use that up. So it costs me $6.66 a month for an emergency phone. Good option for me since I live in the houston metro area and signal is great.
Those are my current 'bargains'

well not a place i didn't expect bargains, but i buy alot of second hand stuff from the web. Not Ebay(it is owned by ebay though!), but a diffrent kind of site that more populair in my country.

Inexpensive things are good, too expensive and i won't use them to there full potential.

-K.J. Erikson mora's, FREE ! froma friend
-Millbank filter, FREE ! from a friend.
-DP 5 compass, FREE! from a friend.
-vented supplex shirt for 10 euro a piece ( discounted, was 55 euro)
-things from discount supermarkets ( aldi, lidl )

MFG...

My take is that you throw together the cheapest kit that you can afford -- that is what I am doing... Can't afford MREs? Buy pop-tarts on sale. No sebenza? Buy the $10 knife from Wal-Mart. Better quality is, of course, better. But I would rather be stuck with a cheap knife instead of stuck with no knife and half of the money for a $300 sebenza in my pocket..

I would gather the makings of an extremely cheap kit, and then gradually upgrade over time.

I second the Mora and Swiss Army knife suggestions. My Becker Crewman is also a lot of knife for the money. I have found my Tru-Nord compass to be absolutely reliable and about 1/3 the cost of the SAS button compass (of course it's larger too.) The alcohol stove I made out of a cat food can will boil a cup of water in 4 1/2 minutes (http://zenstoves.net/Stoves.htm). My Wetterling hatchet was about 1/2 the cost of a Gransfors Bruks.

Regards, Vince

Ben, at the hospital we call it "making the best possible use of the available resources", not scrounging. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />


As for getting low cost supplies:
Any supplies in a patients room are thrown away when discharged, so I have added some supplies to my FAK this way.
We try to save the stuff not used for medical mission trips or education if possible.
Harbor Freight and Northern Tools have tables/bins full of inexpensive chinese tools lining the aisles of the store, have found some good deals there.
Yard sales, though tools can be wildly overpriced.
Dollar stores, of course.
Big Lots, if there is one near you.

Great idea for a thread.
A Nuwai QIII flashlight is a great buy. I've seen them for as low as $20, but you'll have to search around.

As a couple of people have pointed out, a Mora carbon steel knife is the ultimate bargain, around $10.

Best deal I ever got was when I asked on BladeForums how I might carry the toolbits for a Leatherman Charge in my pocket (cause I clip it and don't wear the sheath) and someone there sent me a Sabenza leather pouch for free because he thought it would make an excellent holder. Nothing beats good people.

Also, some retailers give discounts to members of CandlePowerForums.com, which another great site you might want to check out. This thread
gives a list of them. In particular, CountyComm is a great place to find bargains, particularly on their secret CPF-only page. (Shhh, don't tell anyone! <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />)

I'll second the Ritter PSP. There is just no way I could accumulate that much first rate gear (whistle, mirror, magnifying lens, Spark-Lite, SL tinder) for just $25.

I'll also second the single-AAA Dorcy LED light from Walmart. I use mine all the time.

The Mora #748 (and its carbon-bladed relative #731) knife that Equipped.com recommends is a great bargain for just $16, +$5 for shipping. It is tougher than you'd think for the price and I really like the handle. Its at http://www.ragweedforge.com .

For whistles w/ spiral wrist bands, you can get them at http://www.orientaltrading.com for only $2.95 for 12 whistles plus $7 shipping. They're no Storm or Fox 40, but they are decently loud. They also have some smallish compasses that look interesting, but I haven't seen them in person.

For very low cost shelter, check with your local highway department for large orange trash bags - they might give them to you at no cost.

-- "-- ETS site ... free!"

There's a good one!

Dental Floss, 550 cord - both are inexpensive.
Zip Ties.
Duct Tape.
Cottonball / vasoline tinder
Film Canisters (if you find a free source)
Bic Lighters (or Brand of choice for the Bic Detractors <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> )
Stove made from a coffee can or an Alcohol stove made from a beverage can.
Inexpensive LED's
Garbage bags

$1.00 store- batteries, 1st stuff, meds, notebooks.
Thrift stores- bookpacks (right before school starts is a good time), clothes from BDU's to fleece to hats.
Dave

Just be very careful with the HF and odd/big lots stuff, sometimes you may think your saving $ but end up wasting more. I;m not saying you have to buy the most expensive gear out there but I have bought the cheap stuff too and don't have any of it left anymore. I bought a cheap multi tool and had it break on the first use, cheap (and not so cheap) flashlights and had them fall apart, cheap tools that wore out or broke in just one of a few uses. My inlaws are very into the biglots shopping so after I first got married we went there with them since we needed stuff. Bought tools, gear, household stuff and had to rebuy it all in a very short time so it ended up costing us more to rebuy all that stuff. There is a certian point where its better to not have a tool/gear than it is to buy something that won't work because the cheap (ir even expensive) piece of gear that doesn't perform its task gives a false sense of security (much like the TSA <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> ). A good example would be the coin cell LED flashlights I have bought at $5.99, $7.99 and $19.99 to replace the old maglite I carried for years. I don't have any of those coin cell lights so the $34 I paid for them just went down the drain but still have the old mag solitaire and it still works and still has its original spare bulb in the base. I paid $9.99 for it 10 years ago and they are now about $7, I'd recommend buying one of them before a cheap coin cell LED light. There is a line beteen good gear for not a lot of dough and bad gear for not a lot of dough, you have to know your gear in order to distinguish them. I'm not trying to say JoeBob is wrong but if your not an expert at telling the difference between the good and bad then stay away from the HF and biglots because you will get burned. If you are good with gear and can spot the crap and/or know you will only use something once then those places can save you a little bit of $. Last tool I bought from HF was a U joint press, the quality tool was $99, HF's was $39.99 so up front I saved $60 but knew I wasn't going to use the tool ever again because I reaplced the OEM U joints with aftermarket ones held in by c clips so I wouldn't need a press to change them again. That Cheap U joint press bent and stripped half the threads by the time I had replaced both U joints so I can't use it ever again. Same happened with the chinese multitool I bought for half the price of a leatherman, tried to cut barbed wire and it broke, so that $30 went in the trash so instead of spending $60 on a leatherman, I spent $90 on a leatherman and cheap tool but on;y have the leatherman. I have lost count at how many wrenches, sockets, etc I had to throw away because I was getting a deal or they were a gift but don't have any of them anymore.
I recommend Mag lite over coin cell led lights, slightly bigger but will last.
Shop the clearance bins of Sears or Lowes or Home depot, they usually sell better quality stuff than cheap chinese stuff (though a lot is starting to show up) but you can find discontinued items or returned items. I bought my camping grill because it was discontinued, bought most of my tools when sears discontinued that particular kit, so if you have patience you can get good deals.

Hey any one seen my roll of duct tape I seem to be missing a partial roll?? Bet someone swiped some of my soda straws to wrap the tape around as well!! <img src="/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

Several of the posts on this thread have hinted at the difference between cheap and inexpensive. My Mora knives are inexpensive but are made out of quality materials and thus are not cheap. Some knock off china tool no matter the price is cheap rather than inexpensive. This is an old story for me since I have a champagne taste but only a beer pocket book. The one thing that I think needs to be stressed is that the cheap knife that folds up on your hand or the tool that breaks under pressure pinching or crushing what ever part of your anatomy happens to be in the way is expensive to you in damaged body parts and emergency room visits. Buying this type of equipment makes you penny-smart but pound-foolish in that you pay a lot higher price in the end. You can get inexpensive stuff at HF and Northern but it would be wise to stick to the well made stuff that has a good price on it not the cheap throw away stuff that will hurt you.

Alternate question: Where have you found handy, dandy useful gear at a good price where you didn't expect to?

A: The grocery store and chain drug store. Many grocery stores and drug stores carry seasonal items, often at not so great prices. But, at the end of the season they try to clear it out as fast as possible. For examples, I have got great deals on light sticks by digging through the after Halloween stuff. After Christmas, the overpriced food gift boxes go on sale. Last year I caught some half pound beef sticks for a buck each that made great camping food. Just be sure to check the expriation dates. End of summer is a good time to watch for things like coolers, water bottles, outdoor cooking equipment ...

B. X-mart stores. Usually after fishing, hunting, whatever season is a good time to check clearance bins a the big box stores. Last winter I got a Gerber Multi-tool for $11 in the after holiday clearance. This weekend I picked up a box of 24 12-guage 3 inch Mags for $4. Yes, 24. One shell was missing and the "broken" box of shells wound up on the clearance shelf.

C. Mall department stores discount racks at the end of season. You can get some great deals on name brand windbreakers, fleece jackets, and such at the end of winter, especially if you are not too particular about color or style.

The trick is to watch out for gear when you are not really shopping for gear.

My local wal-mart saves the film canisters. I go there and just ask they charge me nothing and are almost seem releaved that someone wants them.

Yes, I have gotten film containers from WalMart, also, to use in Cub Scout activities. The last time I went in, I asked for 25. The lady at the desk went in the back and returned with a bag of over 100. When I said that was really more than I needed, she said please take them, they pile up faster than they can get rid of them.

I get inexpensive good stuff buy having the funds to buy it on hand at all times. What I mean is I check the bargain and discount bens often and just wait for that great deal. I check Big 5, Wal-mart, OSH, Home depot, Target, etc... as often as possible with available cash to get the good stuff cheap before it is too late. My best buy was a LM micra for $10 no tax.

The NRA Survival Tool Kit is another no-brainer:

http://www.nrastore.com/nra/products.aspx?cat=search&SearchText=tool

About $40-$50 worth of quality gear for $12.95. I bought 10 for gifts the last time they were on sale.

Regards, Vince

I wore out that damn Smith's sharpener in less than 6 months. Really disappointing.

Here's for you. I needed a large heavy knife for one of my kits, but didn't want to havean expensive knife languishing in a bag largely unused. I bought a Cold Steel throwing knife on sale for $20.00. It is 1/4" "carbon V" steel, which I think is their proprietary version of 1095, 12" overall, 6" edge. I took it home and put a good convex edge on it (if you don't know how to convex knifes, learn) A total of about 3 hours work, but well worth it. It's just a big bar of really sharp indestructable steel, no elegance to it.

A amn after my own heart. The maintenance and security folks here at my condo love me, and give me all sorts of supplies because I do a lot myself and save them the trouble.

Looka round for construction sites and talk to the hefe. Example: scrap tyvek sheeting makes great ground cloth material.

Good point, Eugene. I should have gone into a bit more detail.
Big Lots often carries name brand gear at ridiculously low prices when it is discontinued. I saw a Coleman flourescent lantern there recently for $4 or so.
Harbor Freight has some low quality junk, for sure, but some items may be suitable for occaisional or one time use.
I use craftsman tools myself, but keep some stuff in the trunk of the car that I don't mind tearing up, giving away, or losing.

Check out this: http://www.nrastore.com/nra/product.aspx?productid=SS%2021955

$60.00 worth of Ultimatel Survival gear for $13.00 + shipping.

Randjack,

What Cold Steel model are you talking about? Is it the True Flight Thrower, the Pro Flight Thrower, or the Sure Flight Thrower? I am thinking of getting a factory second True Flight Thrower when Cold Steel comes to a Phoenix gun show this December. I think I’ll get a sheath for it at the same time. I also plan to get one of there SRK seconds. The last time they came to Phoenix I got a Master Hunter for $20. It was in great shape and is a great knife!

The camera store I frequent will give me bushels of plastic film cans for free -- check out the APS cans

The top one in your photo. How'd you do that?

I think he borrow the photo from these guys <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

that is the question

Major's Surplus 'n' Supply- a bunch of good stuff, and a bit of junk. Look it over- I should warn you that thier best buys are things like three british mess kits for 10 bucks. I pick the best one, and gift away or ebay the others. Of the best two. Ah, heck, who am I kidding, I kept all three. :P

Sportsman's Guide- As above, but more novelty stuff.

Smokey Mountain Knife Works- blades good, bad and indifferent, and real good prices.

County Comm- best price for a lot of stuff, and good customer service.

Ebay- look at the regular auctions, but also look at the seizure and state/federal surplus items. And you really want to look at the "Ebay Stores"- inventory changes, but I've saved a ton or ten that way.

One question... when is anybody here NOT looking/shopping for gear? Yes, I'm including myself <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Um, did my wife put you up to asking this question? <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

No, but it sounds like we've got a common problem, the wife's attitude, that is.

Wives always want to waste money on groceries, shoes for the kids, stuff like that. <img src="/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />
That seriously eats into my buget for firearms and equipment <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Randjack,

I used Google images to find a picture that looked good. Then I opened that image in a new window. Then I selected see full size image. Google puts just the image in a link. Then copy and paste the link in the Image option on this page.

Randjack,

Please tell us how to put a convex edge on our knives.

Thanks!

Ironsraven,
Where do you find the seizure and state/federal surplus stuff on eBay??? Pardon my ignorance, but I dont know what you are talking about. Thanks

Thank you.

I use neoprene backed mouse pads and/or heavy leather as the base, and wet/dry sandpaper. The Cold Steel had to be started out with 200 grit, then 400, 600, 1000, 1200, and finally 1500. Then, strop with red/green/black compounds. You can get the compaounds through Bark River Knives or quitea few other sources.

The technique is to lay the blade flat on the surface, and lift the spine only 10 to 15 degrees, moving the blade spine first edge trailing, naturally. Change the angle of the blade relative to direction of stroke so that every 10 strokes or so the 'scratches on the blade are at an angle to one another.

There are a lot of refinements on the technique, but that is basicly it. It is a bit of a commitment, and it takes the original finish completely off the blade, but the result should be mirror-like.

And don't do it on hollow grinds until you know what you are doing.

Yes, sometimes you can get decent tools refurbished or closeout from places like that. Its the no name chinese stuff that you usually want to avoid or you might as well just throw your money in the trash. My n laws are bad for that, I couldn't even begin to add up all the stuff they have had to rebuy over and over again because the cheap stuff they buy doesn't last more than one use. They will be the first to call me a tool snob but all the halfway decent stuff I have bought I still have and still use.

Over at http://outdoors-magazine.com they have a number of good articles about all things outdoorsy Old Jimbo has an article on convex sharpening.
http://outdoors-magazine.com

Where do you find such fine sand paper?

Use the wet and dry sand paper that they use in auto body shops. My local Lowe’s sells every thing but the 1500 if I remember correctly.

Thank you -- I was looking for that piece last night.

To get down into the 1200/1500/2000 range, look for a good old traditional harware store (yeah, I know) or a machine shop supply. The compounds are just is good when you go below 600.

Thsi si one of those knife esoterica things that starts all sorts of arguments in a real small group of people. There are only about 5 mass produced knives that are convex ground. (Bark River, Fallkniven, are the best, IMO).

You need to hunt for them, but they are worth the search. Oregon, Pennsylvania and Kentuky, and Boulder, CO, are all in my favorite's list. Sometimes thier S&H is a bit stiff, but if you can stomach buying TSA seized items....