Posted by: snoman
Asking for input on various items... - 08/31/05 02:41 AM
Hi all. I'm asking for input on various items I'm thinking of adding or changing in my kit. They are as follows:
Flashlights - I carry two of Pelican's Super Sabrelite (with a spare 'lamp module' and extra batteries for each) and am very satisfied with them. They 'throw' light quite a distance, but for around the campfire are a little too much and ya'all know the LED types are tougher and last longer. I carry some smaller LED types (I like the Princeton Tec Attitude), but I'm looking for something a little brighter and more robust. I was thinking of adding the new LED Sabrelite until I noticed the 'Recoil 2410.' It uses 4 AA's, it's waterproof to 500 feet and it's made in the US. I like the idea of it using AA's since I carry so many of them anyway (and I might change what I carry so everything uses AA's). Then it's only one type of battery to carry. Anyone have one? What do ya think of it?
Gloves - I carry a few pairs of plain leather work gloves, but I'm looking into gloves made from Kevlar. They're billed as having "outstanding cut resistance combined with intermittent heat resistance", just what ya want for 'emergencies'. Anyone try them yet? What do ya think of them?
Knives - I'm looking to add another knife to my gear. I'm looking for a tough fixed blade of 'normal' looks - nothing Rambo-esk. I've looked at BK&T's BK2 and BK10 and Cold Steel's SRK and Master Hunter. I really like the looks of Ontario's TAK 1 (though the 'Rat 3' and 'Rat 7' look cool too!). It comes in either 1095 steel or D2 steel, with micarta handles. Has anyone heard good or bad things about these knifes? Opinions on the steel types? I'm leaning towards the D2 knife with a plain (non-serrated) blade. I've already added a DMT Diafold (coarse/fine) to each of my bags.
Shelter - I carry a Eureka Backpacker tent, which is great for when it's raining and/or 'buggie', but it's hard to heat when it's cold. I also carry a few tarps and have thought about using them (with a fire by the opening) but remember the bugs making sleep almost impossible (though it was warm at that time!?). I do remember seeing a sleeping bag somewhere that had fine netting over the opening, but haven't seen it lately. I guess I could just carry the tent when it's warm and the tarps when it's cold. I'm just looking for suggestions on this one.
Storage - Has anyone ever tried 'Gamma Seal lids?' They're the ones that snap onto a 5 gallon bucket and allow you to screw the lid on and off repeatedly. I thought about getting a few for 'storage buckets.'
Also, I just found a small hardware store nearby that carries the real 'strike anywhere' matches, so I bought eight boxes! The guy behind the counter looked at me a little 'thoughtfully', but didn't say anything. I'm going to seal them up so they don't absorb any moisture.
Thanks - Dave
Flashlights - I carry two of Pelican's Super Sabrelite (with a spare 'lamp module' and extra batteries for each) and am very satisfied with them. They 'throw' light quite a distance, but for around the campfire are a little too much and ya'all know the LED types are tougher and last longer. I carry some smaller LED types (I like the Princeton Tec Attitude), but I'm looking for something a little brighter and more robust. I was thinking of adding the new LED Sabrelite until I noticed the 'Recoil 2410.' It uses 4 AA's, it's waterproof to 500 feet and it's made in the US. I like the idea of it using AA's since I carry so many of them anyway (and I might change what I carry so everything uses AA's). Then it's only one type of battery to carry. Anyone have one? What do ya think of it?
Gloves - I carry a few pairs of plain leather work gloves, but I'm looking into gloves made from Kevlar. They're billed as having "outstanding cut resistance combined with intermittent heat resistance", just what ya want for 'emergencies'. Anyone try them yet? What do ya think of them?
Knives - I'm looking to add another knife to my gear. I'm looking for a tough fixed blade of 'normal' looks - nothing Rambo-esk. I've looked at BK&T's BK2 and BK10 and Cold Steel's SRK and Master Hunter. I really like the looks of Ontario's TAK 1 (though the 'Rat 3' and 'Rat 7' look cool too!). It comes in either 1095 steel or D2 steel, with micarta handles. Has anyone heard good or bad things about these knifes? Opinions on the steel types? I'm leaning towards the D2 knife with a plain (non-serrated) blade. I've already added a DMT Diafold (coarse/fine) to each of my bags.
Shelter - I carry a Eureka Backpacker tent, which is great for when it's raining and/or 'buggie', but it's hard to heat when it's cold. I also carry a few tarps and have thought about using them (with a fire by the opening) but remember the bugs making sleep almost impossible (though it was warm at that time!?). I do remember seeing a sleeping bag somewhere that had fine netting over the opening, but haven't seen it lately. I guess I could just carry the tent when it's warm and the tarps when it's cold. I'm just looking for suggestions on this one.
Storage - Has anyone ever tried 'Gamma Seal lids?' They're the ones that snap onto a 5 gallon bucket and allow you to screw the lid on and off repeatedly. I thought about getting a few for 'storage buckets.'
Also, I just found a small hardware store nearby that carries the real 'strike anywhere' matches, so I bought eight boxes! The guy behind the counter looked at me a little 'thoughtfully', but didn't say anything. I'm going to seal them up so they don't absorb any moisture.
Thanks - Dave