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Post by pathwinder14 on Oct 10, 2012 14:16:13 GMT -7
So, you got all your gear and tools. You got 5 million feet of 550. You got your Bacho Land buster super saw. You got your BCUSAAAA super tarp 1000. You got your ultimate Bushcraft pack. Now what?
Don't use them. Why? Only use what you HAVE to. All these tools are great to have don't get me wrong. I even have a few and practice using them. But what I practice more is not using them. By that I mean I practice having them on standby yet using natural tools.
I carry 100' of 550 but try to use natural cordage when I have it. I have a hatchet wiht a hammer on one end, but prefer using a large rock or log as a hammer. I have a folding saw but prefer using a tree fork to break long logs.
Why? Because when SHTF, SEARS ain't just around the corner. Only use tools when you HAVE to. If I break a log using it as a hammer, I'm not out anything. If I break my hammer I cannot just go get a new one.
My two cents.
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Post by angelhelp on Oct 10, 2012 16:28:48 GMT -7
Good point, pathwinder. I've wondered about folks abusing their supposedly durable gear -- did they have bottomless wallets? I sure don't, so when I use something, I try to take excellent care of it.
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Post by missj on Oct 11, 2012 21:15:39 GMT -7
great point that I never thought of before. I'd like to think the thrifty, reasonable person inside of me would have come up with this plan on my own to make my resources "stretch" farther...but who really knows? I do agree with you....but since I like to be a little pain in the butt....I'll play devil's advocate:  What if we are now living in SHTF and trying so hard to preserve our "good" tools that we are trying to "get by" with more primitive tools and so I use a rock as a hammer and end up injuring myself? also, you don't want to cause yourself unnecessary strain, time, or frustration; those can be taxing on the mind, or detract from your other priorities (time). Saving your energy will be important as well when we are living on limited calories and we don't know if our next harvest or hunt will work in our favor...so limiting exertion by using a more appropriate tool may well be a good survival strategy... but using an expensive hammer to open beer bottles or knock down a shed would be wasteful and abusive to the tool. the point being balance....I wouldn't say "Use it only as a last resort" I'd say "Use when it is the most appropriate tool for the job" |
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Post by jmarshnh on Oct 12, 2012 5:43:24 GMT -7
.... I wouldn't say "Use it only as a last resort" I'd say "Use when it is the most appropriate tool for the job" Excellent point missj If we use the right tool for the job we should not break them. It is nice to know a Becker will cut down a tree but at my age I will use an axe, less energy too. ;D pathwinder14; I understand your reasoning and if it works for you then great. My thinking is if I spent money for a hammer I ain't gonna look at it and use a rock instead. Besides I have hit my thumb and fingers enough with a hammer why would I want to hit them with a big old rock?  Thought provoking posts are always useful. Jim |
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Post by missasip on Oct 12, 2012 7:30:13 GMT -7
I have to go with MissJ on this. When is one suppose to use there "modern tools" then? I have more than one hammer, probably 10. My tools are very redundant. I have a bunch of the same tools. Always have. Now if your talking about being stranded in a short term shtf and you have no tools, then there's no chose. But if my ax, hammer, saw is there I'm gonna use it. SHTF is gonna be tough enough without intentionally adding more stress. Better IMHO, to practice "fixing" broken tools...  ;D Jimmy |
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Post by pathwinder14 on Oct 12, 2012 10:23:39 GMT -7
Great comments all. Keep 'em commin. When is one suppose to use there "modern tools" then? When one can easily repair/replace them.  Better IMHO, to practice "fixing" broken tools... ;D True... |
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Post by geauxfish on Oct 12, 2012 12:02:03 GMT -7
I absolutely agree on knowing how to use natural tools/materials. In addition though, you probably want to practice with your Batman toolbelt ahead of time so that you know how to use it before SHTF.
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Post by offtrail on Oct 12, 2012 16:09:20 GMT -7
lets face it tools made in the field will do the job but not near as good as modern made tools. Even Indians traded there furs for our better made tools,once used it changed them forever. What is the lesson here, it's never abuse or lose your tools. If you do life in a survival s h t f situation will be made much harder. And that my friends is something we need to avoid.
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Post by hunter63 on Oct 13, 2012 11:46:00 GMT -7
I think it's important to "know" how to get by with out modern tools, and practice the breaking of logs, hammering with a rock even knapping out a knife blade to cut with......For the time when you might not have the proper tool
But my rule is, use the best tool you can afford, use it correctly for the job, ....learn how to sharpen and repair what ever it is.
JMHO
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;D
