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Post by Besttracker on Nov 28, 2013 17:22:04 GMT -7
  The paracord myth Genuine 550 paracord (emphasis on the word GENUINE) is wonderful cordage . It has the reputation for having a tensile LOAD strength of 550 pounds . The "snap strength" is debatable - depending on ambient temperature and the application of this paracord . When one is in an actual survival situation , do you really want to take the time to pull out the inner threads for use as fishing line ? - other applications ? One scenario of many possible scenarios - You are freezing cold and have two broken fingers . You need to lash tree branches together and make a shelter . The inner threads of paracord are perfect for fishing line if one has the dexterity to tie them together . The outer sheath is very strong for lashing - making shelters - many other application's , but do you have the time and the dexterity to use this resource which has been touted by the "experts" ? Do you have a "cordage kit" ? -- Fishing line with fish hooks - Usable cordage for making shelters , which is easily accessed and requires no prep ? Flint and steel using a knife . It does not work worth a darn -> PERIOD / or very rarely . Use your favorite folder or fixed blade knife for flint and steel fire making . The vast majority of high carbon folding or fixed blade knives do not work for flint and steel fire making. Stainless steel knives and flint or quartz stones have NO chance for making a fire . The " Do not travel at night scenario" Pure BS As hard as it may be to get your head around this - You may be faced with travelling at night . In hot climates ,one is better off staying down and conserving precious body H20 content during the day . You are far more likely to see lights and civilization at night . Get your bearings / via celestial points and potential sources of human existence at night . You will be amazed at how well your night vision works in a survival situation . Solar stills They don't work worth a darn and are the bane of all true instructors of survival . If you are fortunate enough to have the plastic sheet in a genuine survival situation - please try the solar still method . They don't work in the desert and don't work very well in the Midwest U.S. - Europe or Africa at the best of times. One can loose precious body fluids / sweat while digging a solar still . You will lose more sweat than you will gain ... as you dig your solar still . Try the solar still method in your back yard - under perfect conditions - get back with me and let me know what you EXPERIENCED first hand . Can you spot the fake paracord ? The bailing twine is far better cordage to have on hand and is far less expensive . It has excellent tensile strength and is far more versatile . The flint striker is made from a common file . The tiny knife is made from common materials and is perfect as a flint and steel tool . The folding knives are good knives , but worthless for flint and steel fire starting . Try out this stuff on your home turf . Don't take my word for this info . Experience conquers theory and theory can get you killed |
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Post by offtrail on Nov 28, 2013 23:38:36 GMT -7
Paracord or bailing twine? My choice is paracord. Using a knife as a striker for flint will work if the knife is high carbon steel. I never use this technique because it scars the spine of the blade. Traveling at night does have it's advantages but you could pass a valuable resource and never see it in the dark. Solar stills are labor intensive to make, the pay back may be an ounce or two if your lucky. I agree that solar stills not worth the trouble. Unless you go big and have lots of plastic sheeting and the right kind of land. The fake paracord to my thinking would be the shiny stuff on the right. Thanks for posting your thoughts, you made some good observations.
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Post by graf on Nov 29, 2013 4:24:04 GMT -7
I disagree about knifes not working with firesteels I have had success many times. I do agree solar stills produce very limited water. Travel at night would depend on terrain, familiarity of terrain, security day vs. night, natural lighting conditions,urgency to reach a destination, alot of factors to consider.
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Post by crashdive123 on Nov 29, 2013 4:32:28 GMT -7
I disagree with a couple of things you have posted.
First is the knife and flint (not firesteel). I have done it many, many times.
Second is the solar still. While not perfect, and not suited for all climates/weather conditions it does contribute to water collection. This is something I have done as well.
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Post by Besttracker on Nov 29, 2013 8:47:40 GMT -7
Paracord or bailing twine? My choice is paracord. Using a knife as a striker for flint will work if the knife is high carbon steel. I never use this technique because it scars the spine of the blade. Traveling at night does have it's advantages but you could pass a valuable resource and never see it in the dark. Solar stills are labor intensive to make, the pay back may be an ounce or two if your lucky. I agree that solar stills not worth the trouble. Unless you go big and have lots of plastic sheeting and the right kind of land. The fake paracord to my thinking would be the shiny stuff on the right. Thanks for posting your thoughts, you made some good observations. " you could pass a valuable resource and never see it in the dark " - excellent input and thanks . My remark is in regard to teachers who say one should NEVER travel at night . Sometimes there is no option under certain circumstances . Am glad you have had better luck than myself with the folding HC knife and flint . The pc of flint shown is Dover flint / gun flint from Dover England . The folder on the far right has a high carbon blade . The two of them in combo do not work worth a darn.... and not just by me .Not saying this never works . Am saying I have had very limited success with this method and have seen many others have the same results . This is why I carry a decent striker and a good pc of flint in my fire kit - backed up with a ferro rod and life boat matches. The shiny "paracord" was marked "550 type paracord" and is not remotely the real thing . |
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Post by offtrail on Nov 29, 2013 9:36:31 GMT -7
Paracord or bailing twine? My choice is paracord. Using a knife as a striker for flint will work if the knife is high carbon steel. I never use this technique because it scars the spine of the blade. Traveling at night does have it's advantages but you could pass a valuable resource and never see it in the dark. Solar stills are labor intensive to make, the pay back may be an ounce or two if your lucky. I agree that solar stills not worth the trouble. Unless you go big and have lots of plastic sheeting and the right kind of land. The fake paracord to my thinking would be the shiny stuff on the right. Thanks for posting your thoughts, you made some good observations. " you could pass a valuable resource and never see it in the dark " - excellent input and thanks . My remark is in regard to teachers who say one should NEVER travel at night . Sometimes there is no option under certain circumstances . Am glad you have had better luck than myself with the folding HC knife and flint . The pc of flint shown is Dover flint / gun flint from Dover England . The folder on the far right has a high carbon blade . The two of them in combo do not work worth a darn.... and not just by me .Not saying this never works . Am saying I have had very limited success with this method and have seen many others have the same results . This is why I carry a decent striker and a good pc of flint in my fire kit - backed up with a ferro rod and life boat matches. The shiny "paracord" was marked "550 type paracord" and is not remotely the real thing . I agree, the folder would only be used in a pinch and the only choice I had. Never felt comfortable smacking a rock on my knife.Sure there will be times when travel at night is the only option,but it is best to travel while you can see where your going. Some nights are so black you can't see anything, stepping off a cliff or falling in a hole is a real threat. If in the open and the moon was at least half full then travel at night would be an option. If I had to travel at night it would only be with the aid of a walking stick, slow and steady be the rule. I don't carry matches but I believe ill buy some and put them in my pack. |
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Post by Besttracker on Nov 29, 2013 11:37:27 GMT -7
I disagree with a couple of things you have posted. First is the knife and flint (not firesteel). I have done it many, many times. Second is the solar still. While not perfect, and not suited for all climates/weather conditions it does contribute to water collection. This is something I have done as well. Am very glad you had far better results with a HC folder and flint / chert / quartz . I have a video of 4 very capable instructors' and their students that could not produce fire using Opinel - Svord - and various other HC folders . The lith material was proven to produce sparks with a fire steel striker and the char cloth was of a proper type. This was a fun time and went on for almost 3 hours . In my BA opinion - solar stills and transpiration ( plastic bags over trees and bushes ) produce an insufficient amount of water and the loss of calories and perspiration vs the benefit is not worth the effort . Some plants will leave toxicity in the water collected during transpiration and the "survivor" has a tendency to get complacent when the real agenda should be to find a viable source of water while they are still hydrated enough to walk and function . When a solar still in Missouri / June produces less than 1/2 cup of water in 9 hours , one has to question the validity of this technique . When a solar still in Largo Canyon New Mexico or Kenya does not work ( even after adding chopped up cacti - other moisture bearing vegetation and human urine ) , the evidence speaks for itself . This old guy likes other peoples input and their experiences and THX to you once again . |
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Post by hunter63 on Nov 29, 2013 12:03:45 GMT -7
I guess the key is here.....know your gear and how to use it....practice before you "need" to.
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Post by graf on Nov 29, 2013 14:14:36 GMT -7
Something that I found taht works for firesteels or similar devices. I take one of the tools on my Leatherman usually the screwdriver and file the back side to create 90 degree sharper edges for better scraping of the steels. I also do the same with my fixed blade knives it does make it work better.
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Post by mountainmark on Nov 29, 2013 14:52:21 GMT -7
Thanks for sharing your experience BT. I have had 550 cord (the real stuff) snap on me while dragging out a 220# deer. Though this might have been due to abrasion caused by the terrain. I have not tried using flint to start fires (can't seem to find any where I'm at), but I do find that the can opener on my Wave gets great sparks out of my firesteel. Thanks again.
mark
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Post by Besttracker on Nov 29, 2013 15:19:26 GMT -7
Something that I found taht works for firesteels or similar devices. I take one of the tools on my Leatherman usually the screwdriver and file the back side to create 90 degree sharper edges for better scraping of the steels. I also do the same with my fixed blade knives it does make it work better. Cool idea and thanks for sharing |
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Post by Besttracker on Nov 29, 2013 15:22:46 GMT -7
Thanks for sharing your experience BT. I have had 550 cord (the real stuff) snap on me while dragging out a 220# deer. Though this might have been due to abrasion caused by the terrain. I have not tried using flint to start fires (can't seem to find any where I'm at), but I do find that the can opener on my Wave gets great sparks out of my firesteel. Thanks again. mark Thanks Mark My "experience" is from doing LOTS of dumb stuff and trying to sort out what in the heck happened !! Thanks for the info on the Wave and spark making . BT |
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Post by crashdive123 on Nov 29, 2013 15:34:49 GMT -7
Since we were having this discussion, I figured I may as well demonstrate the technique I use.
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Post by Besttracker on Nov 29, 2013 15:54:26 GMT -7
Since we were having this discussion, I figured I may as well demonstrate the technique I use. The back porch is the perfect environment . Great vid and thanks . |
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Post by hunter63 on Nov 29, 2013 16:14:11 GMT -7
LOL.....Yeah well now That was funny......Never say never.
Good one Crash.....
BTW DW clothes line is the traditional deer drag....LOL....extra points for getting a piece off with out getting caught.
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