Archive for the ‘HD Videos’ Category

Produced by Cameron McKirdy

One of the most popular every day carry knives is the Kershaw Chive designed by Ken Onion.  This sly blade features the patented SpeedSafe assisted opening, giving it a remarkable feel.  In the HD video I put the knife to the test, slicing a can, plastic bottle, different types of cordage, and much more.  On Youtube I couldn’t find anyone doing a legit cut test with the Chive, so I made an extreme one.

I was genuinely surprised to see that the Kershaw didn’t dull after cutting the soda can.  I muscled through the bottom, and I was sure it would damage the blade, or at least scratch the titanium-oxide rainbow coating.  But even after that, I was able to shave off a good chunk of arm hair in a few strokes.  The knife did everything I wanted it to, making it a perfect EDC tool.  It’s ultra lightweight too, at only 1.7 ounces.  

The Chive comes in a wide variety of colors, some with different handle materials, but the Rainbow version is the most expensive.  There’s nothing girly about it.  The wild coating reminds me of an oil slick, which are always interesting to look at.  I like the stepped thumb studs, because they are rigid, making the small 1 15/16″ blade easy to open.  However, I prefer to use the flipper on the back, because I feel it’s a little safer, and there’s no chance of slicing my thumb on deployment.  It does have a solid tip-lock system for safety, so the knife won’t open when you pull it out of your pocket.  In addition, I love the long, sturdy pocket clip.  It’s not rainbow, just polished steel with the Kershaw logo etched down it.  Plus, the jimping on the top of the blade gives you more control, which is good because the Chive is small, and somewhat slick due to the coating.

At the end of the day, the Kershaw Chive is a legend.  Trust me, you want one.  It makes a great keychain knife, and if you carry it on you, you’ll use it daily.  For additional tech specs, and to view other models, visit http://kershaw.kaiusaltd.com/  Thanks for visiting and supporting Survival Bros – your emergency preparedness blog.  Comments, likes, and shares are appreciated.  What knife would you like me to test next, and what should I destroy with it?  Peace.

rainbowchive_1600vib_1The Kershaw Rainbow Chive – Model 1600VIB

My survival keychain video starring The Chive

Popping Blisters with the small knife after hiking on the PCT

Produced by Cameron McKirdy

Watch me get as many complementary samples as possible.  SPOILER ALERT: I score a free trial of sausage, cheese, lotion, cologne, ice cream, vitamins, purified water, and even ukulele entertainment.  I also considered using the mall’s power to charge my cell phone.  At a larger shopping center I’m sure you could eat the equivalent of a meal by sampling grub at all the food court’s restaurants.  This was simply a fun exercise of frugality.  Cheers!

free ice cream sampleCam poised to strike the ice cream vendor for freebies

By Cameron McKirdy

Let me start by saying Happy Holidays!  I wish you the best, and hope you give more than you get.  Having said that, my fam was in town for Thanksgiving, and Black Friday shopping/trampling.  Before my Dad and I set out to hike near Mount St. Helens, they invited me into their hotel for a free deluxe continental breakfast.  The feast was on.

The hotel had waffles to make, yogurt, fruit, hash browns, juice, coffee, cereal, eggs, sausage, everything!  I can’t say I’ve ever sneaked into a hotel for a free breakfast (before this), but I would if I was hungry.  However, when I am a legit guest I do take goodies for the road.  Trust me, my pockets get filled with honey packets, peanut butter, whatever.  My brother use to creep into fine hotels in Eugene about twice a month to get his fill before class.  Andrew blogged about it here on Survival Bros.  It’s funny.  But I’m not advising you to steal, just sharing a survival tactic for if you’re about to die and need food energy.

You can see in the HD video above I loaded up on the complementary grub, and took it back to their room.  I scarfed it, and sipped dank coffee.  Then I scoured for other freebies like shampoo, soap, packaged coffee, plus sugars, creamers, straws, napkins, and a new roll of toilet paper.  It’s not much, but it will help me get through another day.  Being a scavenger is key to survival.  Work on that skill just in case.  Please visit here regularly.  I will be blogging about my 10 mile Mt. St. Helens hike soon.  Take care of yourself, and each other.  And question authority!

hotel waffle

Produced By Cameron McKirdy

Last week I requested a free product sample from Wise Company of their emergency storable food.  I only expected one packet with four servings, but I got two entrees on the house.  So I scored six servings in all.  I will try at least one meal out, and let you know how it tastes.  Get your own sample, good for up to 25 years, by visiting this webpage:  http://wisefoodstorage.com/request-a-sample/

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Update:  The Savory Stroganoff was scrumptious.  It was 100% vegetarian, but I added Parmesan cheese and black pepper.  My sample was made on 10/30/2013, so it was super fresh.

Produced By Cameron McKirdy with Tactical Gypsy

Homeless.  That’s what we were.  My bro and I stayed on this boat for weeks last summer to avoid paying rent, and getting a regular job.  We were free, and so was our lodging.  But with that comes less.  We had to deal with a lot of crap.  It’s noisy in the Skipanon and Warrenton Oregon Marina.  Sleeping is challenging.  People work on boats at all hours, so there’s usually people clamoring, and trucks hauling.

skipanon marina oregon

Skipanon Warrenton Oregon Marina at Night

Once we had to stay on the boat right after our host varnished the interior.  We opened the craft up, but the stench was still awful.  I got a headache, and while grateful for the place to lay down, I was ready to split and catch the bus into town.  In the HD video above we got a solid fire going, but I didn’t film the smoke that filled the cabin, and it was horrible.  I got a headache from that too.  Again, we lifted the lid on the boat, and opened up the ceiling, but sacrificed warmth.  The Survival Bros slept on a wet mattress because the boat had recently sank.

We had a key to the shower and restroom, but that was a hike from the boat.  Plus, we didn’t want to get hassled by security, so we kept our creeping to a minimum, and laid low.  The smart move was to pee in plastic bottles to avoid detection.  However, the other fisherman on the marina were typically very helpful.  We had their assistance many times when we had to do work on the boat, or move it to another slip.  Speaking of, the rent for a spot there is only $70 per month, and our buddy paid that.  You have to pay a little more for electricity, but it’s still the cheapest place to crash in town.  In exchange for a bed, Tactical Gypsy worked on the boat, making sure the bilge was pumping out water, or whatever.  I kept him company, and learned what I could from the Maritime Scientist.  It was an adventure for sure, and I’m happy to share it with you.  More homelessness tales soon.  Thanks for supporting Survival Bros.  Peace and love.

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Selling waterlogged boat motors for cash

Produced By Cameron McKirdy

Watch Survival Bros repair Oregon Ducks Nike shoes with an officially licensed Survival Straps bracelet.  My shoelace broke, and I needed a solution ASAP so I could get back on the road.  It worked out great, because the green color matched my player edition, team issued kicks.

It was easy to unravel the tightly bound milspec 550 paracord strap, taking only a few minutes to get the cordage I needed.  As I mention in the HD video, I did have to cut off the ends so they could pass through the adjustable plastic clasp.  However, it was no problem reheating the tips so they wouldn’t come undone later.  I had plenty of cord to work with, and I cut it to length.  Luckily my new laces were able to pass through the holes as I relaced my Nikes.  Now my shoelaces are stronger than ever, and handy if I need them for another purpose.  Plus, because this was an emergency I will get a new band when I share my story with Survival Straps.  I was worried I was going to be barefoot this afternoon, but I was prepared with my paracord bracelet nearby.  The last thing I want is my shoe to come off when I bike through a busy intersection.  I’m good to go.

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They have so many cool designs, you really have to look at them for yourself.  I also like the wide double fish tail designs.  At $29.99 the Oregon Ducks Survival Straps is a deal.  You’ll get up to 15 feet of military spec super strong paracord from one bracelet.  Having a little extra cordage in an emergency situation could be the difference between life in death.  Thankfully, I wasn’t in true danger this time.

Here’s a link to my other blog post about Survival Straps.  Please visit Survival Bros again soon.  Best wishes.

Oregon Ducks Nikes RepairedMy fixed kicks with green 550 paracord laces

Produced By Cameron McKirdy

Survival Bros Founder Cameron McKirdy digs up an emergency preparedness kit, and shows the contents.

Here’s when Survival Bros buried supplies in various waterproof containers all over town at high elevations.

Building small caches in case of a tsunami, or another disaster situation.

Survival Bros Logo Cool GreyThank you for visiting and supporting Survival Bros

Produced By Cameron McKirdy

You gotta see Thompson Falls in Seaside, Oregon.  This waterfall is gorgeous, but also extremely dangerous to get to.  It’s located in the hills North of town.  Please be careful if you do hike out there.  Survival Bros will continue to bring you epic HD videos, but only if you continue to like, comment, and share these blogs.  It’s all for you.  Enjoy!

Thompson Falls Heights EstatesThe start of the 60 foot drop

Produced By Cameron McKirdy

Check out the kitty bum camp on The Columbia River in Astoria, Oregon.  Somebody is taking good care of these homeless animals, but I doubt it’s the city.  Survival Bros hasn’t seen anything like this before.  We just said hi, and didn’t disturb them.  What a view the cats have.  Lucky.

astoria oregon signThe Astoria Oregon Welcome Sign

 

survival bros logoProduced By Cameron McKirdy.

I thought it would be fun to suffer, and film the superstorm we just had on the Oregon Coast in Seaside.  I was blinded by the fierce pellets of water, and nearly perished smashing into a barricade when the brakes went out on my beach cruiser.  All is well, and I think I scored some superb footage for Survival Bros followers.  First is an HD video I filmed on September 28, 2013.  I biked around Seaside, OR and showed off all the flooding and storm damage.  I covered a lot of ground, and used my GoPro Hero 3 Black head camera to shoot the high-definition action.

On the next day, Sunday September 29th 2013 I biked into Seaside on another, much crappier bike because  I got a flat the day before.  I made it to the sand along the Pacific Ocean, right before the bicycle gave up on me.  It fell apart, and had to be ditched in a bush. This video shows me walking on the beach while the storm sand blasted my body.   Exfoliating.  

Cameron McKirdy GoPro HeadCam is ready to film.