Equipped To Survive Equipped To Survive® Presents
The Survival Forum
Where do you want to go on ETS?

Page 1 of 3 1 2 3 >
Topic Options
#296154 - 05/18/20 11:25 PM Survival Cards
Jeanette_Isabelle Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 11/13/06
Posts: 2946
Loc: Nacogdoches, Texas
Are survival cards, such as the following, any good? The following appears to have a better design than some of the others I have seen, though there may be better.

https://www.ultimatesurvival.us/collections/tiny-survival-gear-1/products/tiny-survival-card

This company also has what seems like an interesting product, a tiny knife sharpener. Does anyone know if it is any good?

https://www.ultimatesurvival.us/collecti...-fits-in-wallet

Jeanette Isabelle
_________________________
I'm not sure whose twisted idea it was to put hundreds of adolescents in underfunded schools run by people whose dreams were crushed years ago, but I admire the sadism. -- Wednesday Adams, Wednesday

Top
#296155 - 05/19/20 12:16 AM Re: Survival Cards [Re: Jeanette_Isabelle]
hikermor Offline
Geezer in Chief
Geezer

Registered: 08/26/06
Posts: 7705
Loc: southern Cal
I would not waste money on either product
_________________________
Geezer in Chief

Top
#296156 - 05/19/20 02:11 AM Re: Survival Cards [Re: Jeanette_Isabelle]
KenK Offline
"Be Prepared"
Pooh-Bah

Registered: 06/26/04
Posts: 2208
Loc: NE Wisconsin
Save your hard earned money. Unless your purchase could be considered pure entertainment. I'll have to admit that I've done that sort of thing.

Top
#296157 - 05/19/20 04:04 AM Re: Survival Cards [Re: Jeanette_Isabelle]
Phaedrus Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 04/28/10
Posts: 3148
Loc: Big Sky Country
Mea culpa- I have not those but a couple of similar cards purchased many years ago. Even then I just thought they were neat gadgets more than serious survival tools. Some of the components are usable but realistically there's no reason to choose them over the "real" version. For example you could catch a fish on one of the supplied fish hooks BUT...you could buy a hundred high quality Japanese hooks that are razor sharp for the same money. That's pretty much every tool on the card. Sure, there's the cool factor of it fitting in your wallet but since most of the card is fluff you could easily tape some hooks to an old credit card be further ahead.

The one thing that might be handy is the card sharpener. Certainly having a flat diamond sharpener that fits in your wallet could genuinely be handy. smile
_________________________
“I'd rather have questions that cannot be answered than answers that can't be questioned.” —Richard Feynman

Top
#296159 - 05/19/20 12:34 PM Re: Survival Cards [Re: Phaedrus]
Jeanette_Isabelle Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 11/13/06
Posts: 2946
Loc: Nacogdoches, Texas
Originally Posted By: Phaedrus
The one thing that might be handy is the card sharpener. Certainly having a flat diamond sharpener that fits in your wallet could genuinely be handy. smile

Or a survival tin.

https://www.ultimatesurvival.us/collecti...n-standard-size

The survival card did look promising until I considered how I would use it. However, I wanted a second opinion. So far, we have a unanimous consensus.

The tiny sharpener appears to be a good item for a small survival kit. For those who say "no," could you give us your reason why?

I'm on the fence regarding the Pocket 30, which I think is better than the Pocket 45.

https://www.ultimatesurvival.us/collecti...ic-survival-kit

While building a compass would make for a great school science project, I rather use the button compass from the PSP than assemble one in the field. However, since the sticker is waterproof, I imagine it would be better utilized as a waterproof patch.

On the plus side, it has water purification tablets and two Tinder Quick. And, just like the PSP, the kit uses multi-purpose items.

Jeanette Isabelle
_________________________
I'm not sure whose twisted idea it was to put hundreds of adolescents in underfunded schools run by people whose dreams were crushed years ago, but I admire the sadism. -- Wednesday Adams, Wednesday

Top
#296160 - 05/19/20 01:13 PM Re: Survival Cards [Re: Jeanette_Isabelle]
hikermor Offline
Geezer in Chief
Geezer

Registered: 08/26/06
Posts: 7705
Loc: southern Cal
Obviously, the proper course of action is for one of us to step up to the plate, buy some of these products, evaluate, and report back to the forum.

You want to pay five bucks for an empty altoids tin? Be my guest.

Phaedrus has a good point about the card sharpener. The only thing is that the grits are rather fine - great for finishing, but not very useful in bringing a dull edge to a workable state. For that, grab a handy, suitable rock.

I note that they mention two double "finishing" hooks. What in the world is a "finishing hook"? Is this a typo for fishing hook? Just an example of the careful thought which has gone into the production of this mess.....
_________________________
Geezer in Chief

Top
#296161 - 05/19/20 03:11 PM Re: Survival Cards [Re: Jeanette_Isabelle]
Tjin Offline
Pooh-Bah

Registered: 04/08/02
Posts: 1821
The tin and kit, seems expensive for what it is. Contents don't look that great either.

Nothing like actually using the stuff and figuring out what works for you. I like to miniaturise my things to reduce bulk and weight. However, when it goes too far, it just becomes barely useable. These tin size survival kits; I'm happy to carry a little more and have far more useful things.
_________________________


Top
#296162 - 05/19/20 03:16 PM Re: Survival Cards [Re: Jeanette_Isabelle]
M_a_x Offline
Veteran

Registered: 08/16/02
Posts: 1203
Loc: Germany
The survival card is an item you should skip. The fishing hooks cannot be sharp and if they are not too thick the twist and release your fish. The needles are too bulky for most uses. The harpoons have too small barbs and are probably not stable enough for any decently sized animal. I would prefer a decent knife, even a folder. As far as fishing hooks are corncerned I admit that I am a snob. For me it´s Gamakatsu all the way.
The sharpeners seem to be decent but small. I do not go under 4" and that is small for some knives. I use a Fallkniven DC4 and I am happy with it.
_________________________
If it isn´t broken, it doesn´t have enough features yet.

Top
#296163 - 05/19/20 03:26 PM Re: Survival Cards [Re: Jeanette_Isabelle]
nursemike Offline
Old Hand

Registered: 11/09/06
Posts: 870
Loc: wellington, fl
Survival cards are very useful, indeed. I use a standard pack of Bicycle cards, but remove the jokers to save weight.

When lost, I immediately find a a flat space and lay out a spread of Solitaire. This short circuits the fight-or-flight catecholamine storm described in DR's excellent post above.

And soon enough, a stranger will walk up and tell me to play the red three on the black four. Then I follow the stranger to safety.

No matter how remote the site, there is something about a Solitaire game that attracts kibitzers.
_________________________
Dance like you have never been hurt, work like no one is watching,love like you don't need the money.

Top
#296166 - 05/19/20 05:12 PM Re: Survival Cards [Re: Tjin]
Jeanette_Isabelle Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 11/13/06
Posts: 2946
Loc: Nacogdoches, Texas
Originally Posted By: Tjin
Nothing like actually using the stuff and figuring out what works for you.

Everyone keeps telling me to build a bug-out bag myself. I did. My DIY kit was more than $200 down the drain. I learned a hard lesson. I'm not going there again.

I later bought the Seventy2, money well-spent. The only thing I can say against it is that it is incomplete. Adding the PSP fills in several gaps though not all. It's because of the remaining gaps that I'm searching for additional lightweight solutions.

Jeanette Isabelle
_________________________
I'm not sure whose twisted idea it was to put hundreds of adolescents in underfunded schools run by people whose dreams were crushed years ago, but I admire the sadism. -- Wednesday Adams, Wednesday

Top
#296167 - 05/19/20 05:28 PM Re: Survival Cards [Re: Jeanette_Isabelle]
Herman30 Offline
Addict

Registered: 08/08/06
Posts: 495
Loc: Finland
I like to go the route of thinking about how to fullfill the biggest necessitys whicch in my opinnion is shelter from the elements, warmth, water, food. In that order.

Well if you are in a desert enviroment then warmth is something to shield you from (rather than what you need) and water is more important.

So somekind of small tarp and ability to make fire, a knife and water is more important than a a box full of small trinkets. And food is something a human can survive without for weeks.



This kit will give you a good start: poncho, fire making kit, a knife.

The poncho: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2474/6...pg?v=1581024681


Edited by Herman30 (05/19/20 05:41 PM)

Top
#296168 - 05/19/20 06:54 PM Re: Survival Cards [Re: Jeanette_Isabelle]
hikermor Offline
Geezer in Chief
Geezer

Registered: 08/26/06
Posts: 7705
Loc: southern Cal
"Well if you are in a desert enviroment then warmth is something to shield you from (rather than what you need) and water is more important."

Correct, up to a point. Many are surprised to realize that deserts can become bitterly cold - rapid diurnal swings resulting from low humidity. elevation plays a role, as well.

In Tucson, AZ,temps into the 20F range were not at all uncommon, and even colder has been endured. Of course, it does warm up and get nice and toasty during the day.

Water is indeed very important, in ways that might surprise you. In my time in SAR in southern AZ, the number two cause of death was crowning, just barely surpassed by falls. Flash floods and high wter are real killers.


Edited by hikermor (05/19/20 06:57 PM)
_________________________
Geezer in Chief

Top
#296169 - 05/19/20 10:41 PM Re: Survival Cards [Re: Jeanette_Isabelle]
Ren Offline
Addict

Registered: 11/05/07
Posts: 522
Loc: Wales, UK
If you wanted a small sharpener, then I'd suggest DMT is a better brand.

https://www.dmtsharp.com/sharpeners/pocket-models/

Top
#296170 - 05/19/20 10:51 PM Re: Survival Cards [Re: Jeanette_Isabelle]
Phaedrus Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 04/28/10
Posts: 3148
Loc: Big Sky Country
The DMTs may be better- I've never compared them directly to the card linked above- but the neat thing is the form factor of the card. I'm not a big fan of diamond sharpeners for the most part. They work phenomenally well for flattening water stones but I generally only use them for a few sharpening applications. The Japanese Atoma plates are much better for sharpening than a DMT and will outlast them by several times. Nothing wrong with a diamond sharpener though for a small kit.

That said, I don't generally see much need to sharpen a knife in the field. Maybe if you only had one knife or tool and had to use it for weeks on end or even months, it might be nice to be able to touch it up. My habit is to have multiple cutting tools and I generally favor knives with steels that will hold an edge longer (eg REX-45, 154CM, HAP40, M390, etc).
_________________________
“I'd rather have questions that cannot be answered than answers that can't be questioned.” —Richard Feynman

Top
#296173 - 05/19/20 11:04 PM Re: Survival Cards [Re: Jeanette_Isabelle]
Ren Offline
Addict

Registered: 11/05/07
Posts: 522
Loc: Wales, UK
DMT makes cards.

When was volunteering for conservation work, I'd at least sharpen tools twice a day. Whether they'd be axes, slashers or billhooks.

Just used to take an puck stone, and a canoe stone for the slasher.

Top
#296191 - 05/21/20 02:45 PM Re: Survival Cards [Re: hikermor]
Jeanette_Isabelle Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 11/13/06
Posts: 2946
Loc: Nacogdoches, Texas
Originally Posted By: hikermor
Obviously, the proper course of action is for one of us to step up to the plate, buy some of these products, evaluate, and report back to the forum.

Do you want me to review the gear I buy?

Jeanette Isabelle
_________________________
I'm not sure whose twisted idea it was to put hundreds of adolescents in underfunded schools run by people whose dreams were crushed years ago, but I admire the sadism. -- Wednesday Adams, Wednesday

Top
#296192 - 05/21/20 05:47 PM Re: Survival Cards [Re: Jeanette_Isabelle]
hikermor Offline
Geezer in Chief
Geezer

Registered: 08/26/06
Posts: 7705
Loc: southern Cal
I would think that one of the best functions of this forum would be for any of us to pass on information about products, procedures, etc. that function well in the conditions for which they are designed.

If you have actually purchased and used these, your insights and information are welcome, of course. I am particularly interested in the potential application of the double "finishing hooks."

If you have not purchased these, please do not bother to do so. They offer little to nothing that would be of immediate value in the initial, critical stages of a survival situation.
_________________________
Geezer in Chief

Top
#296196 - 05/21/20 09:12 PM Re: Survival Cards [Re: Jeanette_Isabelle]
Phaedrus Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 04/28/10
Posts: 3148
Loc: Big Sky Country
I do think it's very useful when we post feedback of the stuff we test. I'd trust the group here more than I trust commercial reviews from folks that get a slice of the sales of the stuff they "review".
_________________________
“I'd rather have questions that cannot be answered than answers that can't be questioned.” —Richard Feynman

Top
#296197 - 05/21/20 09:14 PM Re: Survival Cards [Re: Jeanette_Isabelle]
chaosmagnet Offline
Sheriff
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 12/03/09
Posts: 3819
Loc: USA
Yes, please, Jeanette_Isabelle. I for one would like that a lot.

Top
#296232 - 05/26/20 10:05 PM Re: Survival Cards [Re: Jeanette_Isabelle]
CJK Offline
Addict

Registered: 08/14/05
Posts: 601
Loc: FL, USA
I will echo Chaosmagnet....if you have the time and (willing money) to do so, I too would enjoy it. Do not feel compelled if it is not in the means. Thank you.

Top
#296254 - 05/27/20 08:07 PM Re: Survival Cards [Re: Jeanette_Isabelle]
TeacherRO Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 03/11/05
Posts: 2574
Even though they are cheap and easy to carry -- How often do I need a tiny, tiny saw/ or some fishhooks? I think for my more more urban needs the card with the knife, scissors, ruler etc is more useful.

Top
#296255 - 05/27/20 08:46 PM Re: Survival Cards [Re: Jeanette_Isabelle]
Ren Offline
Addict

Registered: 11/05/07
Posts: 522
Loc: Wales, UK
Think one of the better ones was needles and buttons.

Top
Page 1 of 3 1 2 3 >



Moderator:  Alan_Romania, Blast, chaosmagnet, cliff 
March
Su M Tu W Th F Sa
1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31
Who's Online
0 registered (), 429 Guests and 467 Spiders online.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
GallenR, Jeebo, NicholasMarshall, Yadav, BenFoakes
5367 Registered Users
Newest Posts
What did you do today to prepare?
by dougwalkabout
03/27/24 11:21 PM
Zippo Butane Inserts
by dougwalkabout
03/27/24 11:11 PM
Question about a "Backyard Mutitool"
by Ren
03/17/24 01:00 AM
Problem in my WhatsApp configuration
by Chisel
03/09/24 01:55 PM
New Madrid Seismic Zone
by Jeanette_Isabelle
03/04/24 02:44 PM
EDC Reduction
by EchoingLaugh
03/02/24 04:12 PM
Newest Images
Tiny knife / wrench
Handmade knives
2"x2" Glass Signal Mirror, Retroreflective Mesh
Trade School Tool Kit
My Pocket Kit
Glossary
Test

WARNING & DISCLAIMER: SELECT AND USE OUTDOORS AND SURVIVAL EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES AND TECHNIQUES AT YOUR OWN RISK. Information posted on this forum is not reviewed for accuracy and may not be reliable, use at your own risk. Please review the full WARNING & DISCLAIMER about information on this site.