Grant Baugh - Member - The Prepared

Discussions

Reply to: Anyone know of any good card multi-tools? Posted March 5, 2022

I carried the SE you linked to, and overall I didn’t find it useful. Like you mentioned, it’s something that I rarely even used and I kept it as a “last resort” type of thing. On the occasion I did actually end up using it, it was hard to use and highly ineffective to the point of being basically worse than not having a tool at all. The Swisscard is really interesting, I may take a look at it.

Reply to: Review: the Stanley Cook Kit is a great fit for a go-bag Posted June 27, 2021

What made you choose this over a standard mess kit?

Reply to: How long could you survive in the wilderness? Posted June 22, 2021

I’m shocked that most people think they can last 16 days. I imagine I’d only last a couple. My biggest issue would be food, as I’m no hunter or fisher and I already know that I’m no good at identifying plants to eat. I think I could figure out a shelter, maybe a fire (I need more practice though to be confident), but food is gonna be an issue.

Reply to: How long could you survive in the wilderness? Posted June 22, 2021

I recently was practicing how to start a fire with a Ferro rod and I really struggled. Eventually I got frustrated enough that I just grabbed my lighter just to have the satisfaction of actually having a fire going. Imagine my frustration when all of my tinder burnt up before any of the larger fuel could catch! I had forgotten a lot since my old scout days, and some of that was I forgot how much we used liquid fire starter. I eventually got a decent little fire going, but it was an eye opening experience.

Reply to: What do you carry with you every day? and how? Posted April 25, 2021

I’ve been carrying the Skeletool for a while now and it’s great. The article The Prepared did on multitools said it’s “less of a multitool and more of a ‘high-end pocket knife that happens to have pliers, a bit driver, and some other tools.” Which I absolutely agree with. It’s only slightly larger than other knives I’ve carried, but with much more utility. The only real downside about it is the ergonomics are not fantastic. It’s always slightly awkward to use any of the tools because the handles never quite fit right for the task each of the tools performs. For light use this isn’t a problem, but if you’re ever needing to put significant pressure behind a cut, squeeze super tight with the pliers, or crank down with the screwdriver it’s going to be uncomfortable Basically it’s the prime example of “jack of all trades, master of none”. It’s great when you want to do just about anything, and are ok with not being fantastic at any of the things.

Reply to: How to choose and mix bladed tools Posted August 23, 2020

I was recently sharpening a large knife (10 inch blade) that I had bought when I was younger, and I fully agree that it awakens something primal inside you to hold a knife that big. Even just sharpening it I felt ready to fell a tree, skin a deer, and fight a grizzly. Fortunately none of those were options for me to attempt at my kitchen table.

Reply to: Why you should use a priority bag system and ignore BOB vs. INCH Posted August 2, 2020

Unfortunately, it’s really hard to fit all of the stuff into one bag. I have a really big bag (probably too big as it would make me stick out) and I still can’t fit all my clothes, food, water, and equipment. And this is after I’ve reviewed everything three times and bringing only important stuff.

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Reply to: Anyone know of any good card multi-tools? Posted March 5, 2022

I carried the SE you linked to, and overall I didn’t find it useful. Like you mentioned, it’s something that I rarely even used and I kept it as a “last resort” type of thing. On the occasion I did actually end up using it, it was hard to use and highly ineffective to the point of being basically worse than not having a tool at all. The Swisscard is really interesting, I may take a look at it.

Reply to: Review: the Stanley Cook Kit is a great fit for a go-bag Posted June 27, 2021

What made you choose this over a standard mess kit?

Reply to: How long could you survive in the wilderness? Posted June 22, 2021

I’m shocked that most people think they can last 16 days. I imagine I’d only last a couple. My biggest issue would be food, as I’m no hunter or fisher and I already know that I’m no good at identifying plants to eat. I think I could figure out a shelter, maybe a fire (I need more practice though to be confident), but food is gonna be an issue.

Reply to: How long could you survive in the wilderness? Posted June 22, 2021

I recently was practicing how to start a fire with a Ferro rod and I really struggled. Eventually I got frustrated enough that I just grabbed my lighter just to have the satisfaction of actually having a fire going. Imagine my frustration when all of my tinder burnt up before any of the larger fuel could catch! I had forgotten a lot since my old scout days, and some of that was I forgot how much we used liquid fire starter. I eventually got a decent little fire going, but it was an eye opening experience.

Reply to: What do you carry with you every day? and how? Posted April 25, 2021

I’ve been carrying the Skeletool for a while now and it’s great. The article The Prepared did on multitools said it’s “less of a multitool and more of a ‘high-end pocket knife that happens to have pliers, a bit driver, and some other tools.” Which I absolutely agree with. It’s only slightly larger than other knives I’ve carried, but with much more utility. The only real downside about it is the ergonomics are not fantastic. It’s always slightly awkward to use any of the tools because the handles never quite fit right for the task each of the tools performs. For light use this isn’t a problem, but if you’re ever needing to put significant pressure behind a cut, squeeze super tight with the pliers, or crank down with the screwdriver it’s going to be uncomfortable Basically it’s the prime example of “jack of all trades, master of none”. It’s great when you want to do just about anything, and are ok with not being fantastic at any of the things.

Reply to: How to choose and mix bladed tools Posted August 23, 2020

I was recently sharpening a large knife (10 inch blade) that I had bought when I was younger, and I fully agree that it awakens something primal inside you to hold a knife that big. Even just sharpening it I felt ready to fell a tree, skin a deer, and fight a grizzly. Fortunately none of those were options for me to attempt at my kitchen table.

Reply to: Why you should use a priority bag system and ignore BOB vs. INCH Posted August 2, 2020

Unfortunately, it’s really hard to fit all of the stuff into one bag. I have a really big bag (probably too big as it would make me stick out) and I still can’t fit all my clothes, food, water, and equipment. And this is after I’ve reviewed everything three times and bringing only important stuff.