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Post by cajunlady87 on Sept 13, 2013 11:44:26 GMT -7
This morning I took a longer walk than usual with my loyal friend, Schatzi and brought along my walking stick. My walking stick is a lightweight metal pipe of sorts about an inch round and has rubber grips on both ends. While walking I kept thinking for an idea to make it more useful. It didn't take long for the light bulb to come on. As I was walking along a wide drainage ditch I thought of the possibility of coming to an unfamiliar body of water I may need to cross yet not know how deep it was. So I decided I can mark it with a permanent marker or tape or both at six and twelve inch intervals and have a measurement source to measure many things. Plus if I do need tape it's right there on the stick. Another idea just popped up and I realized I don't need to completely mark the very top. Maybe six inches below the top I can also wrap some paracord to have extra on hand. Ya just never know when you'll need more and it's just another way to add to what you already have packed away and easy to get to in a hurry. Just wondering if any of you have done mods to any of your gear and would share it with us. 
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Post by graf on Sept 13, 2013 14:44:38 GMT -7
Great idea. On my walking stick (wood 1" hard wood broom handle) I added 12" of copper to the top to store survival items then capped with crutch tip, below that I wrapped 1" duct tape around the stick, directly below that I wrapped paracord 10" wide. I measued and marked from the bottom of the stick 12" 24" and 1 meter. The meter mark is for determining pace count for using ranger beads. The last thing I did is taper the bottom so I can quickly attached my Cold Steel Bushman spear end.
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Post by cajunlady87 on Sept 13, 2013 14:49:04 GMT -7
Great idea. On my walking stick (wood 1" hard wood broom handle) I added 12" of copper to the top to store survival items then capped with crutch tip, below that I wrapped 1" duct tape around the stick, directly below that I wrapped paracord 10" wide. I measued and marked from the bottom of the stick 12" 24" and 1 meter. The meter mark is for determining pace count for using ranger beads. The last thing I did is taper the bottom so I can quickly attached my Cold Steel Bushman spear end. Super nice graf, you've given me some more ideas.  Since mine is hollow and I do own an old oyster knife with a small round wooden handle I should be able to jam it into the end and have a spear too. The rubber tip is long so it should cover the blade and I don't have to worry about stabbing anyone accidently. Awesome idea graf, thanks for posting. |
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Post by offtrail on Sept 13, 2013 16:39:16 GMT -7
When the terrain is rough or you need something in your hands for protection, a walking stick fills the bill. But when you don't need one it can be a pain to carry and not need it. My idea is to put a shoulder strap on it and carry it at an angle over the shoulder. Most of the time i just pick one up off the ground, when i'm done with it i just drop it and go on my way. In a survival situation I would carry one and hold onto it, as in this case, it's better to have and not need, then need and not have. I think it's a great idea to put hash marks every so often for measuring whatever. Extra paracord, Duct tape even some light gauge wire would fit nicely wrapped around the walking stick.
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Post by cajunlady87 on Sept 13, 2013 16:47:06 GMT -7
I've been rethinking mine since it is hollow that's a bonus. Whatever I decide to fill in it would give it some weight which could come in handy if ya get my drift.
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Post by cajunlady87 on Sept 13, 2013 17:15:44 GMT -7
Anybody else have any great ideas for modifications to gear. It could be as simple as a footprint, your tent, hammock, stove, cooking or eating utensils, backpacks, edc's, firesteel handles, tools, anything.
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Post by cajunlady87 on Sept 13, 2013 17:29:35 GMT -7
CWI, we all know "modifications" are your middle name.  Care to chime in here and jumpstart this thing with out of the box ideas. |
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Post by offtrail on Sept 13, 2013 17:45:21 GMT -7
CWI, we all know "modifications" are your middle name. Care to chime in here and jumpstart this thing with out of the box ideas. I got one put a shoe on your walking stick, who would mess with a three legged person |
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Post by Cwi555 on Sept 13, 2013 18:05:17 GMT -7
CWI, we all know "modifications" are your middle name. Care to chime in here and jumpstart this thing with out of the box ideas. Pick a piece of gear at random, and lets brain storm it, how's that for a plan? |
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Post by cajunlady87 on Sept 13, 2013 18:25:37 GMT -7
Ooh, I like that idea, it's challenging. Kinda like falls in the category of improvisation. We were brainstorming different items but didn't really touch base on gear items. Go figure. I'm drawing a blank, all the gear I keep thinking of are simple, a digging spade, canteen, matches, etc., and of course the backpack.
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Post by Cwi555 on Sept 13, 2013 18:26:02 GMT -7
A few ideas,  If you ever use any of those pouches, don't throw the bag away. Re-purpose the bag by cleaning, drying, filling half way with dry soup mix, and either a low cc oxy absorber, or mix up some baking soda and vinegar and pour off the resulting co2 into the pack. Seal by placing a paper towel over the folded top, and heating it with a hair straightener or curling iron depending on the thickness of the bag. Alternately, you may spread it flat over a piece of cardboard, or similar (inside of the bag) so that the non print side is facing out. duct tape it as tight as you can. Poke a hole through it for sighting and use as a make shift signal mirror. (works especially well if you have a clear piece of glass to put over it, say from a wreck of some kind. ) Turn it into a mini survival kit in the same manner as an altoids tin but wrap the outside of it with duct tape so it doesn't tear up. Can be reused once the kit is in use as a water cup. There is a few to start. Edit: Capri Sun pouches work really well for this.  |
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Post by cajunlady87 on Sept 13, 2013 18:30:42 GMT -7
LoL, I thought of a Mountain House empty meal pack and didn't post it.
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Post by Cwi555 on Sept 13, 2013 18:54:59 GMT -7
canteen: A lot depends on what kind of canteen it is. Lets assume the plastic military kind. - Filled with water, it may be used as a counterweight for a small game trap
- A spare one makes a good storage container for dry grains/beans
- Empty and sealed, with a bit of fishing line attached to it, it may be used to mark a below water surface trap for fish
- Tied through the cap loop with some water in it, it can be used to start a line over a tree branch for hanging food
- lightly filled with rocks, it may be used for a rattler/noise maker
- The plastic kind makes a nasty smoke when on a fire. If that's all you have to get a smoke signal over the tree canopy for a plane or helo you hear, I say let it burn.
- Of course the obvious use for water storage
- Use it for a message in a bottle. Weight it as you would for marking a trap, but put a message inside. It should get attention floating in the middle of a creek. Letting someone know which way your heading could have benefits
- Use it to keep black powder dry while muzzle hunting. Not a good idea to drink from it afterwards though.
- Use for a micro cache. The military grade tends to keep a good seal and works well for that
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Post by Cwi555 on Sept 13, 2013 19:01:56 GMT -7
Next item, the digging spade. Who wants to take that one?
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Post by cajunlady87 on Sept 13, 2013 19:08:46 GMT -7
Empty Capri Sun Bag
1. many joined together could be used as an emergency blanket
2. many joined together could be a camp fire heat reflector
3. many joined together could be placed on the ground to lay on to maintain body core temperature
4. many joined together could be used as a shelter protector against rain or snow
5. singly or many joined together can be used for rain catchment.
6. you could join a few to put your feet in wet boots to keep them warm and dry.
7. to wrap food in to bake it near hot coals
8. you could boil water in a bag to sanitize it
9. used as a foraging bag
10. to carry hot embers to transfer a fire
11. cut into strips and attach to a fish hook as artificial bait
12. shine the inside of bag real good to use like a magnifying glass to start a fire
13. rolled up it can be used as a straw to blow on a fire or drink from
14. use one in each pocket and stick your hands in them to warm them up
15. taped to your chest for an emergency sucking chest wound
16. make various small kits
17. mix bannock ingredients in
18. hold your foraged fishing or trap bait in
19. tie a string through one corner, add bait inside, use as a bird trap
20. keep tinder in during rain and keep near your body inside your clothes so it'll stay dry
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Since mine is hollow and I do own an old oyster knife with a small round wooden handle I should be able to jam it into the end and have a spear too. The rubber tip is long so it should cover the blade and I don't have to worry about stabbing anyone accidently. Awesome idea graf, thanks for posting. 
Care to chime in here and jumpstart this thing with out of the box ideas. 