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Friday, November 16, 2012

What’s in your pocket?



We all like to talk about bug out bags, but what if you don’t even have that? What do you carry in your pockets during normal day to day life?

Most of us carry a wallet. Does it have any cash in it? It’s easy to get used to debit cards for most of what we buy. However, when the grid goes down and cards don’t work, cash is king.

How about your key ring? Anything extra on that? Mine has 3 tools besides my keys: metal match, P-38 can opener and a flashlight.

The metal match is used all the time for lighting propane or gas stoves and lanterns. If starting a campfire, a tinder bundle to catch the sparks works really well. Being able to put together a tinder bundle from available materials is a good skill to have and practice. I like the fact that there is almost nothing that can go wrong with this tool. Drop it into water; pick it up and it still works.

P-38 can openers are probably one of the world’s best engineered inventions. Mine gets regular use and I’ve carried the same one for a couple decades. In a pinch, the back of the can opener makes a serviceable flat headed screwdriver. Oh yeah, it does a pretty decent job of opening cans.

My flashlight is a small LED unit that uses a single AAA battery. Now I’ve got many flashlights that are much better than this one, but this one fits on my key ring. Unlike the others, this one I always have with me. It’s surprising how often it gets used.

I carry a multi-tool, my favorite is a Leatherman Skeletool. It’s a good balance between function and size. I would not want to carry anything bigger. (I’ve got all that junk on my key ring after all) Sometimes I’ll carry a micro multi-tool instead of the Skeletool.

If I’m going to conceal carry, I’d most likely carry my Ruger LCP. It’s a tiny gun, but I would not want to be shot with it. Unlike my other handguns, this one is small and light so it’s not a big deal to haul it around. Better a small gun that will be carried than a big gun that stays home.

One thing I don’t carry on me is a paracord bracelet. They are a good idea, but I’ve never been comfortable wearing something on my wrist. Even wristwatches never worked for me. All my life I’ve worked with power tools and machinery, so I avoided anything likely to get caught in the gears. Too bad, as a good bit of rope is nice to have. That way you don’t end up using your boot laces like I have to do.

My normal pocket carry certainly doesn’t provide all the goodies of a bug out bag. It does provide a lot of useful stuff without much weight and bulk.

-Sixbears

28 comments:

  1. Sounds like you carry just enuff.Have you thought about replacing your shoelaces with para cord ? my boots use 60inch laces thats 10 foot of 550 cord.

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  2. I couldnt comment on your clogged filter post.A buddy of mine uses a 5 gallon bucket with this strainer hotglued over a hole in the bottom sitting over anouther bucket like a berkley. http://www.amazon.com/Fine-Mesh-Flour-Sifter-Stainless/dp/B003N3F7CM/ref=sr_1_9?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1353044669&sr=1-9&keywords=fine+mesh+strainers It was easy and cheap




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    1. That would work and not cost much money. Thanks for the idea.

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  3. Flashlight, penknife and nail clippers. Used to carry a bigger light and a multi-tool. I should return to doing so.

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    1. I can't seem to go anywhere without having to fix something for somebody, so the multi-tool is used all the time.

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  4. If you're not comfortable with a paracord bracelet, try wearing a paracord belt.

    Generally speaking, I carry a knife, keys with compass, small fire starter, identification and one other form of protection.

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  5. Multi-tool, 5 inch folder, pen-light,Mag. fire starter, Bic lighter, NAA 22 Mag

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  6. My key ring has a BSA fire rod, a SAK Classic (scales removed for less bulk), a small magnesium rod, and a SAK Swisscard screwdriver bit. A bit bulky - yeah. My truckers wallet has a SOG Crosscut minitool with P51 can opener (P38s bigger brother).

    My wife has a Streamlight Nano flashlight, that little dude is pretty nice! Its going on a year and a half, still lights up fine and has proven to be stronger than the flatter 'photon' type of flashlights - I want one of those but keep forgetting to buy. My only complaint - the replacement batteries, even purchased on-line are as expensive as the whole flashlight! But the light itself - good.

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  7. When I arrive home it takes me several minutes to unload. I too recommend para-cord for boots but I also wear the bracelet since I make them. I keep two 'get home bags' with me at all times. A large one in the rig and my satchel which is small enough to slip over my shoulder. I normally have three handguns and a smaller fold up rifle with me at all times. Yep, kinda anal but then you never know when the democritters might decide to attack...

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    1. Don't worry about those liberals -they are unarmed. :)

      Does Batman know you are walking around with his utility belt?

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  8. Lint, gum wrapper, couple pennies :) I've always hated toting stuff around in my pockets, but since some absolute genius put a clip on a folding knife I do carry one of those. The rest of my stuff is in the truck, which is always nearby...

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  9. Pocket knife, handkerchief, 9' of 1/4" braided cord (in my pocket not on my wrist), comb, wallet with cash and plastic, lighter (I don't smoke), keys, BSA fire starter, coins, a pen, and a flash drive. Cell phone on the belt. Thanks to everyone for posting as it gave me some good ideas on what to add.

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    1. Hadn't thought about the flash drive. That could be handy.

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  10. A gerber assited open folder in pocket,has clip.Bear Gryls folder in carpenter pocket I won it last X-mas in a drawing,I thought it would be a POS it actually is a good knife. Leatherman i think wave? I have crammed mag bar in sheath it came with a great mini light 1 aaa batt.Lot of light for such small size. I do wear paracord bracelet. Kel-tec pf-9 at all times except work. If going in bad area I also bring Ruger p-89 or Glock 21. I have 3 bics at all times.Bout it.

    China
    III

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    1. If going in a bad area, I have shotguns, because I'm not going on foot.

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  11. I always carry too much stuff in my pockets.

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    1. That's the problem. Where does one draw the line?

      Anymore than what I normally carry goes in a bag.

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  12. I am often pocket deficient. Do handbags count as pockets?

    And what about paracord around the ankle, if not wearing boots? I have one wrist-sized and one ankle sized.

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  13. Handbags count. Will have to think about the ankle paracord. Might be just the thing while wearing sandals on the sailboat.

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  14. I carry a pelican box that goes to the truck w/me in the morning.Contents include:1 tenth gold,100 cash,2 bics,striker fire starter,surefire tac lite,spyderco cricket,small headlamp,S&W 340 M&P .357,1 speed loader , and a glock 17 w 1 spare mag.Out of this ,I will load my self for the mission/errand at hand.Always have one of those two pistols, and my spyderco mil.

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  15. Since I have several medical conditions that can render me helpless, I always carry a small pill container (the metal kind designed for nitroglycerine) on my keychain. Even without serious medical conditions, in an emergency situation, having Imodium or aspirin on hand can make a big difference.

    A recent addition, at MD Creekmore's suggestion (well it might have been a guest post), is a Gerber Shard micro multi-tool. I use the mini prybar several times a week on average.

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  16. My lovely wife has some emergency meds she carries with her for her conditions.

    Gerber makes some good tools. Respectable quality.

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