Posts Tagged ‘EDC’

Produced By Cameron McKirdy

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This is my new and improved EDC keychain system.  Now I have many practical items handy at all times, with little redundancy. I plan on changing out gear as I acquire smaller, higher quality tools, but this is stuff I had on hand. Everything fits easily in my pocket, since I usually wear athletic shorts, and not tight pants like a hipster.  I’ve also hooked my everyday carry survival keychain to the belt loop on my jeans, and to the outside of my tactical Bug Out Bag, for easy access.  I’d like to add a telepen, peanut lighter, USB thumb drive, glow in the dark tape, 550 paracord, bit driver, seat-belt cutter/knife sharpener, and maybe something for self defense like a kubaton, or pepper spray.  

I will update this blog post as the project develops. Tell us what’s on your keychain, and help out other Survival Bros readers. Below is the EDC Keychain items list. Thanks for visiting.

– Sharpie Mini
– CRKT Eat N’ Tool (tactical spork)
– 4 In One Tool: whistle, compass, thermometer, magnifying glass
– Gerber Shard multitool: pry bar, bottle/can opener, Phillips/Standard screw driver, nail puller
– Coast Products TX5 Night Vision Red Keychain light
– LED LENSER P3 AFS P focusing LED light with pocket clip, sheath, and carabiner included
– Leatherman Style Multitool: knife, tweezers, nail file, and scissors
– Kershaw Rainbow Chive with Tip-lock (Ken Onion Design)
– Mini Nail Clippers
– Waterproof pill container
– Lighter Leash for Bic
– Belt Loop Clasp

I left my phone in a friends car. I didn’t have their number memorized, so I messaged them on Facebook. No response. Thinking my phone was in the glovebox on silent, I called my number anyway. They picked up, and drove back. That’s why I don’t like wearing shorts without pockets.

If my phone was really lost or damaged, I’d want a list of emergency contacts on me or nearby. Also, if I was ever injured, having these numbers on my person could save my life. So I created a list of people I can trust. Then I copied it.

I rolled up one list, and put it in a small metal geocache bottle. I hung that from my backpack I use everyday. The other contact list is folded up, and tucked behind my black Magpul IPhone 4S case. I will make another list for my wallet, and then a digital copy for my laptop, and backup USB thumb drive. This is just another small preparation that could save the day.

Note: Emergency responders may look in your phone for a contact named I.C.E. (in case of emergency). Store your top contact as ICE.

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Produced by Cameron McKirdy

Today I met up with an old friend interested in trading pocket knifes, for my antique wooden chest. I’ve been packing this cool, big box around for years, but felt like swapping it out for smaller items I can potentially trade or sell later.

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I got this ornate chest in Tigard, OR at a St. Vincent De Pauls for $40 or so. I was going to restore it, but liked the rough, vintage look, and couldn’t bring myself to refinish the wood. I never cleaned the tin exterior either. It made a great shoe box for awhile, but I had my eye on a stash of Swiss Army knives my buddy acquired from an estate sale. We are both hustlers, so I felt like meeting to get some deals going.

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I picked these 18 multitools out of my friend’s collection. I will end up putting a few in small emergency caches to be buried. Some will be gifts, and others I will use for odd jobs. A couple have lights built in too. It felt good to trade for items that won’t be a burden to move. I’m always traveling, so bulk is bad. I will do more deals with this contact, and the possibilities are endless with online networking. Don’t miss out. Be social.

Yesterday I checked out the Collector’s West Gun & Knife show in PDX.  It was a big event, with tons of vendors, and people trading gear too.  I took home a few things, and learned a lot.

The show ends today, but visit www.collectorswest.com to see when it will be in your area.  It’s worth the $12 for admission, and $8 for parking.  I was able to price out stuff I’m interested in, and get my hands on it too.  There were deals galore on new and used guns.  Booths had closeouts on every style and brand of knive imaginable.  Coast Products was there.  My friend got a powerful LED keychain light from them. 

I also ran into my buddy Shawn Gregory.  He makes quality “Predator Paracord” bracelets, gun slings, lanyards, and more.  I got a few samples to test, including the badass band below.  It’s comfortable, and stands out.  You can never have too much cordage just in case.  More on Predator Paracord later, but go to www.predatorparacord.com to see all of his bold designs. 

The Girl Scouts were also in the house.  I walked quickly by them, because I was saving room for Voodoo doughnuts, but it was great to see kids at a gun show.  It was a safe enviroment, and fun for everyone.  It’s important to teach kids about preparedness early.   

I found another company with a product called 4EverLights, (www.uvpaqlite.com) with epic reusable glow-in-the-dark lights.   They have a huge variety of sizes, and styles that really do work.  I had to get some to test and review for Survival Bros.  Sunlight isn’t required, so you can quickly charge them with a flashlight, or whatever.  I like that they don’t affect my night vision either like brighter light sources would.  Ya best believe one is going on my bug out bag, and with me camping.

It was a great show.  If you missed it, there will be another soon.  Just get to one, and get prepared.  You never know when you’ll be faced with a crisis. Plus, a gun show is an excellent place to network with other serious preppers. 

predator paracord

gun show pdx

By Cameron McKirdy

Survival Bros shows you all the stuff that is half off in the back of a Safeway grocery store.

Retail is for suckers. Don’t pay full price for anything, ever again. Store owners get everything wholesale, and you can too.

I often start my shopping trip by going to the back of the supermarket. That’s where you can always find items 50% off, because they are discontinued, damaged, or close to their expiration date. You’d think these products are no good, but I’ve found the sale goods are usually organic, and simply not well known, so they go unsold. Don’t be too good to save money. People pass on these deals because they are too proud, and must feel like the product is inferior to what’s on the regular shelves. It’s silly.

Think about getting a membership at a wholesaler like Costco. It will save you cash, and probably pay for the card on the first trip. Be on he lookout for an asterisk on the price sign at Costco. An * means the item is being discontinued, and it’s not coming back, so the price is usually reduced. Buy more then if needed. Not that I support big box stores, but it’s worth going just for the free food samples. I will have to produce a video on that. And my friends that work there seem to be happy.

You can also compare prices online. Additionally, I like to practice patience, and use eBay auctions to save money. Plus, check out smart phone apps like ShopSavvy that get you the best deal possible. The only time I pay jacked up full retail prices is when I’m buying local. Even then I will haggle. Prices are made up. Things are worth what you pay for them.

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The clearance rack at Safeway in the back

Hey friends.  I had to show you my Swiss Army multitool.  This is a super rare traveler’s set.  I couldn’t even find a picture of it on the internet.  I bought this 10 years ago while traveling through Europe.  I saved around 50% by purchasing it in Switzerland, compared to the states.  The set cost me 127 Francs.  Which today converts to $138.99 US.  It’s one of the nicest knives Victorinox makes, and came with a compass, Maglite Solitare keychain flashlight, and leather carrying case.  The best part is, I got the side of the knife engraved with my name for free.  It’s mint, but I’m going to start using it as part of my EDC, or every day carry. 

Unfortunately, I left the batteries in the flashlight, and now I can’t get the end cap off to fix it.  So I’m sending it to Maglite for a free repair or replacement.  I just have to pay for shipping.  That’s the second flashlight I’ve found this week that had the batteries leak.  Not cool.  Lesson learned.  Take the batteries out, or keep them fresh.  You can find just the knife for sale online for about $75.  It got a 5 star rating on Amazon.  It’s no wonder, because they’ve been in business since 1884.

swiss army victorinox champ traveler's set
Produced by Cameron McKirdy

By Cameron McKirdy

What’s good? The Survival Bros Community is growing! People are sharing on our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/SurvivalBros and subscribing to Survival Bros on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/user/survivalbros My friends and I have big plans for the website.

Survival Bros is pleased to announce a new geocaching service on the site. We are currently preparing caches to hide all over the world! There will be special treasure for the first time finder. We won’t make the clues, or locations easy. You may need hiking boots. It’s going to be great. More soon.

If you live on the Oregon Coast, there will be a mushroom hunting foray at Fort Stevens in Warrenton OR this Sunday. Here’s what their website says: Fort Stevens Mysterious Mushrooms
Oct 20, 2012 at Fort Stevens State Park. 1 p.m. Meet at Picnic Shelter A at Coffenbury Lake for a program on wild mushrooms followed by a hike to hunt for fungi.

The weather outside is nasty. It’s time to mix up training routines. Personally, I’ve been doing less biking and hiking, and more indoor activities. I will be doing more body weight exercises, swimming, and lifting weights at the gym. It’s time to run too. Good luck challenging your body.

To be honest, now feels like the time to bulk up for colder months. I’ve been consuming every calorie possible. My peeps and I don’t mess around when it comes to food. After all, I am a pro eater. Look at this collection of dank eats I devoured.

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Finally, here’s a preppers quote to consider, “two is one, one is none.” That means, your tools will get lost, or fail. It’s best to have two of what you need. Look around your house and see what you really use. Get that pantry tight with essentials. That’s all for now. Best wishes. – Cam

If you live near the ocean, you should be prepared for a tsunami. NO EXCUSES. Put together a backpack with all the essentials, and have it on hand. Here’s Survival Bros example of a Go Bag, or emergency Bug-Out-Bag. You could survive at least 72 precious hours with these must-have items.

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Preppers are ready 24/7. That’s why many of us carry the same items everyday. This blog covers essential EDC items that can help tackle daily challenges.

I usually go everywhere with my tactical backpack. It looks like a regular sized black book bag, but it’s loaded with goodies. In it I have: a mace pen, a regular pen, money, my Gerber Rex Applegate folding knife, a small tactical LED flashlight with belt clip, a carabiner with bottle opener, bandana, sunglasses, paracord, small first aid kit, keys, extra clothes including a poncho and rain pants, extra socks, healthy snacks, spring water in an aluminum bottle, a small multi-tool, vitamins, pain reliever, a beanie, wet wipes, tiny compass, iPhone and charger, a good book, and variously colored and textured condoms. I feel ready.

You don’t have to carry a full backpack of course, but you should have some of these items in your pockets at all times. Survival Bros recommends you have some sort of protection on you always, just in case. Many of my bros pack a pistol, and an extra magazine.

A noise maker, like an air horn or whistle would be smart too. And try to carry something that can start a fire, such as a Bic lighter. Also, consider having a water filter handy. I have an Aquamira filter in my pack that attaches to my internal water pouch hose.

If you carry some or all these items regularly, you will be more prepared than most. Thank yourself for learning this info, and pass it on! Peace from my tent.

– Cameron McKirdy
Survival Bros President

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Another extreme Survival Bros EDC example