Yes! In New Zealand!

I thought the 2-pack can openers sold by Coghlan's were P38s but the real one is about 2/3rds the size (at about 38x18mm). It is stamped "US Shelby Co."

I think they are rejects as the blade won't open out to 90 degrees to the body. I can see why- I will need to file off a tiny amount of excess material at the start of the curve of the hinge.

I also bought a tiny Hexamine stove, German issued, it measures 73x20x98mm, which is just over half the size of the last one I bought. Inside is a cardboard box containing heat tablets in two sealed foil packs. This is going to go into my BOB, but I'll now need to add a small billy.

To keep the stove, matches and other grubby stuff from contaminating everything else I found a small two-part aluminium box 93x182x25mm, which I can hold together with ranger bands. The stove would almost fit inside a tobacco tin, but it is fractionally too big for the one my PSK is in.

Also, I think I'll remove my stainless steel knife/fork/spoon/bottle/can opener and replace it with a polycarbonate spork. The steel set can go in the car.

It's a lot of fun putting this stuff together, but I really hope I never need it.

A

I have a bunch of P-38's, including one that I have carried for about 37 years now. Most came right out of a case of C-rats, so I doubt that they were rejects. Most open to 90 degrees, but not all. As long as you can use it I would not worry about it. It may open up more with use...

I bought two and neither of them opened past about 30 degrees, so I couldn't have started to use them. If I forced them then they started to 'unwrap' the rolled portion that forms the hinge. 10 seconds with a Dremel and they're fine. Now to test them on a tin...

Oh, and just so you know, I paid NZ$2.50 each (about US$1.72). Some things are expensive on this remote island.

A

"...Some things are expensive on this remote island..."

Yeah, but you have those great beaches!!!

Aloha Ame,

I would suggest testing your little stove. I have an Esbit, which I would bet is similar if not identical to the one you bought. And I have found it doesn't get water to a boil. I have been using a Primus kettle with a pint of water and while it gets hot, no boil.

Let me know if yours works better.

or should I have said "Kia ora"

Personally speaking, I always keep some kind of heavy duty metal spoon. It has a myriad of uses besides eating. I like the Hobo knife because of the small items that are apart of it. The plastic spork has one very light duty application only!

Surely the ability to boil is dependent on the fuel, not the stove as such? I am reluctant to open the fuel pack as it is sealed, but I did buy a packet of different fuel tablets, which are not sealed. Perhaps I will pack both types.

The larger folding stove is in the car, and I did manage to heat up a tin of tuna with curry sauce in about 4 minutes with half a tablet.

Anyway, the reason I bought the small stove was it was sooo cute. Functionality was far from my mind at the time, but in the harsh light of reality its capabilities must now be evaluated.

A

You have to try all your gear out. Sometimes you get a big unpleasant surprise. It is tempting to buy only what you need or look at "training" as a waste of money. A survival situation is not the time to find out that you can't understand the directions for your equipment.

I totally agree. I have tried most things out, and I will test this too. I really I have no idea what situation I might find myself in. I actually expect to be in a government shelter 100kms from home because home is flooded or has tipped into the dirt due to liquefaction. I do not expect to be in a field with just my bag. But then, I don't expect the Spanish Inquisition either (although in either of those situations the comfy chair would be most welcome).

The P38 test is scheduled for Monday. We only use the occasional can here, so I have had to wait, so the Coglan's can opener is what stays in the BOB for now (and yes, that was tested).

Now I need a small billy. I was thinking of a travel-sweet tin. They are about 10cm diameter and 4cm high, so should easily hold 1 cup of liquid. The lid of these tins is usually a reasonably tight fit, and I can put stuff inside it. I will have to keep the billy in something though as the outside will get blackened from the stove.

Thanks for the great comments (I'm still very excited that I was able to get hold of a genuine P38. It's really no big deal, but it helps to ground these discussions in reality and I can actually see, touch and hold the same items as you all talk about).

A