Knowledge Weighs Nothing - Life Hacks, Bushcraft etc

[Easy 6]

Its camping season, so I figured its time for a repository for all of the cool tips and tricks to be found out there that can make your experience easier and more enjoyable... don't wanna pack a tent so you can really rough it? theres a lot of different shelter designs out there, need to start a fire but forgot the lighter? there are tricks out there for that as well.

It can also branch out into cool knowledge that's useful around the home and in life in general, which is why I threw "life hacks" in there... this thread is for outdoorsmen and everyman.

Tell us your trick for saving money around the house, building a fire, catching food, making a field expedient water filter etc.

[Megatron96]

Originally Posted by Easy 6

Heres something I currently have on order, its truly an amazing little device, its rated to handle the filtration for 100,000 gallons of water, basically a lifetime supply, for $20-25.

Its not just great for backpackers, but it would be invaluable in a natural disaster where utility services might be affected, best $25 I ever spent.

These things are great. I have one in the truck in my first aid kit, one in my fishing vest, and another in my go-bag.

A small thing to remember: 100,000 gallons is a rough estimate. If you're constantly trying to filter murky water, it won't last that long. But neither will any other filter. I can't remember if you can back-wash these things, but they're so cheap I just figure I'll toss any that start to have issues and break out a new one.

[Easy 6]

Originally Posted by Megatron96

These things are great. I have one in the truck in my first aid kit, one in my fishing vest, and another in my go-bag.

A small thing to remember: 100,000 gallons is a rough estimate. If you're constantly trying to filter murky water, it won't last that long. But neither will any other filter. I can't remember if you can back-wash these things, but they're so cheap I just figure I'll toss any that start to have issues and break out a new one.

For about $22 you absolutely can't go wrong, still have mine but would feel better off with a few more like you, or even just a bigger model

Yes on the backflush, I've done it a few times over the years with a light bleach water... to get that 100k out of it as you say, its a must

[Megatron96]

Originally Posted by Easy 6

For about $22 you absolutely can't go wrong, still have mine but would feel better off with a few more like you, or even just a bigger model

Yes on the backflush, I've done it a few times over the years with a light bleach water... to get that 100k out of it as you say, its a must

Yeah, I have 6 of them. 3 are still in plastic. They're so cheap, I just figured it's silly not to have a few spares around. Kind of like emergency matches. I would never carry just one match.

Good to know that you can backflush them though, thx.

[Easy 6]

Originally Posted by Megatron96

Yeah, I have 6 of them. 3 are still in plastic. They're so cheap, I just figured it's silly not to have a few spares around. Kind of like emergency matches. I would never carry just one match.

Good to know that you can backflush them though, thx.

Now you've got me feeling guilty and committed to getting another one

I'm bucking the old survival adage of "two is one, and one is none"... redundancy is key with survival supplies

[Megatron96]

Originally Posted by Easy 6

Now you've got me feeling guilty and committed to getting another one

I'm bucking the old survival adage of "two is one, and one is none"... redundancy is key with survival supplies

Haha, sorry about that.

But yeah, I've made the mistake of bringing just one of something, and then really regretted it later out in the woods a couple dozen miles from the truck. Lots of redundancies in my gear when I go camping/hunting/fishing/whatever. And in AZ, where water is scarce already, it just seems like the smart thing to do, making sure that you have access to clean water.

[Easy 6]

Been watching a lot of The Grey Bearded Green Beret lately, he has tons of content on his channel and as you might guess... yes, he's a former Green Beret so he definitely knows his business

Picked one of his shorter clips to introduce, because its rare for anyone here to wanna watch 30-45 minutes of something... this clocks in at 21 minutes, and the point he makes here is to show you that you don't HAVE to have high dollar gear to get out in the woods

[Megatron96]

Originally Posted by Easy 6

Been watching a lot of The Grey Bearded Green Beret lately, he has tons of content on his channel and as you might guess... yes, he's a former Green Beret so he definitely knows his business

Picked one of his shorter clips to introduce, because its rare for anyone here to wanna watch 30-45 minutes of something... this clocks in at 21 minutes, and the point he makes here is to show you that you don't HAVE to have high dollar gear to get out in the woods

Yeah, I learned a long time ago that while it's great to have top-quality stuff, you can actually have too much of it.

Gotta find ways to trim things down so they fit in your pocket or whatever. Which is why I like the LifeStraw. It literally can go right into your shirt/pants pocket, and in a pinch will keep you hydrated for a week no problem.

One example is my back-up emergency survival kit. I often receive flies in these small ziploc bags about 3 inches by 4.5 inches. In it I put a small space blanket, two honey packets (like you get from Circle K/QT), a 3 inch piece of chopstick with 10 ft. of duck tape wrapped around it, and a small Altoids tin with a half dozen emergency matches, 4 tablets of aspirin, and two small SuperGlues.

The honey is high-energy food/anti-bacterial topical, the duck tape can either be tinder or to bandage a wound or make a splint/joint wrap, the tin I glued a small piece of sandpaper to the inside of the lid for the matches, and the SuperGlue is for stopping a more serious wound.

That ziploc goes in my shirt/pants pocket, so even if I somehow get separated from my backpack/gear/boat I have enough to start a fire, dress minor wounds, protect myself from moderately bad weather. Total cost about $6-7? Add in the LifeStraw and a multi-tool/knife and I can go out in the woods reasonably certain that I can survive a few nights in the woods with nothing but the shirt on my back.

[srvy]

Hey I buy a lot of camp gear at wally world. Even the high end stuff is made in China or a third world country.

I got a fiskars knockoff camp hatchet at wallys for a clearance price of 1.99 and its a winner.

[Easy 6]

Originally Posted by Megatron96

Yeah, I learned a long time ago that while it's great to have top-quality stuff, you can actually have too much of it.

Gotta find ways to trim things down so they fit in your pocket or whatever. Which is why I like the LifeStraw. It literally can go right into your shirt/pants pocket, and in a pinch will keep you hydrated for a week no problem.

One example is my back-up emergency survival kit. I often receive flies in these small ziploc bags about 3 inches by 4.5 inches. In it I put a small space blanket, two honey packets (like you get from Circle K/QT), a 3 inch piece of chopstick with 10 ft. of duck tape wrapped around it, and a small Altoids tin with a half dozen emergency matches, 4 tablets of aspirin, and two small SuperGlues.

The honey is high-energy food/anti-bacterial topical, the duck tape can either be tinder or to bandage a wound or make a splint/joint wrap, the tin I glued a small piece of sandpaper to the inside of the lid for the matches, and the SuperGlue is for stopping a more serious wound.

That ziploc goes in my shirt/pants pocket, so even if I somehow get separated from my backpack/gear/boat I have enough to start a fire, dress minor wounds, protect myself from moderately bad weather. Total cost about $6-7? Add in the LifeStraw and a multi-tool/knife and I can go out in the woods reasonably certain that I can survive a few nights in the woods with nothing but the shirt on my back.

As usual, your input into these subjects is outstanding

Speaking of Altoids survival kits, have you ever noticed the cult frenzy around those? Its like a thriving youtube cottage industry with a kajillion different versions... they're all lacking in some way or another, but its an interesting thought experiment IMO

Originally Posted by srvy

Hey I buy a lot of camp gear at wally world. Even the high end stuff is made in China or a third world country.

I got a fiskars knockoff camp hatchet at wallys for a clearance price of 1.99 and its a winner.

Definitely a slick looking little camp axe, thats a steal

[Megatron96]

Originally Posted by Easy 6

As usual, your input into these subjects is outstanding

Speaking of Altoids survival kits, have you ever noticed the cult frenzy around those? Its like a thriving youtube cottage industry with a kajillion different versions... they're all lacking in some way or another, but its an interesting thought experiment IMO





Definitely a slick looking little camp axe, thats a steal

Yeah, I've seen some pretty innovative Altoids can kits. I think I saw one where they turned it into a tiny stove. I have a tendency to run way down some of those rabbit holes, so I have to constrain myself from going crazy with that kind of thing, but I have three Altoid tin kits that I have taken with me into the woods. Not all at the same time, of course. Nice things to have with you though. I've even used an Altoids tin for just holding spare batteries for my headlight, mini-lamp, or whatever.

[Easy 6]

Originally Posted by Megatron96

Yeah, I've seen some pretty innovative Altoids can kits. I think I saw one where they turned it into a tiny stove. I have a tendency to run way down some of those rabbit holes, so I have to constrain myself from going crazy with that kind of thing, but I have three Altoid tin kits that I have taken with me into the woods. Not all at the same time, of course. Nice things to have with you though. I've even used an Altoids tin for just holding spare batteries for my headlight, mini-lamp, or whatever.

Haha yes I've seen a couple tiny stove jobs, just taking it too far ridiculousness... but its actually amazing how many useful items can be jammed into that little container

A reasonably made one would legit save someones life in an emergency

[Easy 6]

Such a rinky dink little thing, but also somehow cool at the same time



But compared to my very well used canteen cup stove, it just doesn't stack up... I've made countless meals in the field with this thing

Heating up MRE's before the advent of chemical heaters that come with them

Boiling water for Mountain House meals I took to the field

Morning coffee and hot cocoa mixes, etc... theres waaay more room for a solid twig fire or chemical heater under it

[Megatron96]

Originally Posted by Easy 6

Such a rinky dink little thing, but also somehow cool at the same time



But compared to my very well used canteen cup stove, it just doesn't stack up... I've made countless meals in the field with this thing

Heating up MRE's before the advent of chemical heaters that come with them

Boiling water for Mountain House meals I took to the field

Morning coffee and hot cocoa mixes, etc... theres waaay more room for a solid twig fire or chemical heater under it

Yeah, I wish I'd bought one of those back when I was a kid. Great piece of gear.

But I think he's not exactly using that thing correctly? Shouldn't the 'stove' be facing so the square cut-out is facing him? That way he can easily add more fuel if necessary, right? And the cup is supposed to sit on the stove 'counter-kidney- style, right?

[Hog's Gone Fishin]

On a side note ,dryer lint makes great fire starter. Every time you clean your dryer lint trap stuff it in a baggie for SHTF.

[Easy 6]

Originally Posted by Megatron96

Yeah, I wish I'd bought one of those back when I was a kid. Great piece of gear.

But I think he's not exactly using that thing correctly? Shouldn't the 'stove' be facing so the square cut-out is facing him? That way he can easily add more fuel if necessary, right? And the cup is supposed to sit on the stove 'counter-kidney- style, right?

Yeah he's not doing it the best way, that square opening is where it should be fed, keeping the cup nested

Originally Posted by Hog's Gone Fishin

On a side note ,dryer lint makes great fire starter. Every time you clean your dryer lint trap stuff it in a baggie for SHTF.

Rub some vaseline on that stuff and it will light up if you even look at it wrong