Thread: Little Things that work BIG

I thought I would list four items that have really been helpful to me in my work and in life in general. They have saved me time, avoided trouble and generally made life a little easier. Perhaps you might want to add to this list.

1. Photon LED light. I don't know how many times I have needed a flashlight and not had one in reach. These little lights on a key chain or used as a zipper pull work great.

2. KGB Spy Scope. I bought one of these from Russian Optics. They are 2.5 power and fit in the palm of your hand. When I worked in law enforcement I did a lot of surveillance work and would be in situations where I could not walk around with a pair of binoculars. This little monocular works all out of proportion to its size.

3. Bic mini lighter. I have been forced to stop smoking but I still carry one of these little lighters around because my Grandfather told me a man should always be able to cut, shoot and start a fire. Makes sense to me.

4. Case 048 pocket knife. Thanks to Jimmy HAD for this. I have always carried a folding knife for tactical reasons. After seeing post on these little case knives I bought one and it is a very useful utility item. It cuts well and is eary to carry. Nice lilttle knife. Thanks Jimmy!

I did not mention WD40, paracord, duct tape or a a hammer. These go without saying.

Anyone else have a favorite item.

I always carry in teh car:

1.benchmade lock blade (great knife)
2. Leatherman in the Explorer. (great tool)
3. E-tool Army shovel. Compact and useful in the mountains
4. First-aid kit.
5. Candle. You can warm anything with a candle. I used to pull it out for the quick fire and to warm.

Anything else is a luxury.

Originally Posted by Wintchase

I always carry in teh car:

1.benchmade lock blade (great knife)
2. Leatherman in the Explorer. (great tool)
3. E-tool Army shovel. Compact and useful in the mountains
4. First-aid kit.
5. Candle. You can warm anything with a candle. I used to pull it out for the quick fire and to warm.

Anything else is a luxury.

An Alaska State trooper told me to carry a couple of cans of dog food in the winter. The logic is that if you get stranded in a remote area the dog food will keep you alive, but if the cupboard is bare at home you'll never be tempted to dip into it. You might with a can of soup, stew, tuna etc. I can't argue with that...but I didn't do it.

Multi-tool, used to be a LM pulse, now its a SOG powerlock
light, even a mini-mag solitare is better than nothing
micro-fiber towel, because you always need to have a towel handy
tight leather work gloves, because sometimes my hands are not tough enough.

Some of my most useful items are variations on the original list.

A little LED headlamp my daughter gave me. Immeasurably useful. And as it's from REI, it effectively has a lifetime guarantee.

Pocketknife of course--I'm never without one when dressed, unless I'm traveling by air. Currently I carry a beat-up old Swiss Army knife on weekends, a knockoff stockman at work--I'm still hoping to upgrade to this Case in the next few months.

A Tool Logic credit card tool--an older version of the black one. My brother-in-law and sister-in-law gave it to me for my birthday at least a decade ago. Any time I'm wearing a suit or sportcoat--again, unless I'm flying--it's in a pocket.

A pen, of course, and a couple of 3x5 cards. We failed writer types always want to be prepared to write something down.

I still smoke a pipe, so a Zippo lighter, almost always.

And a Czech tool. This is invaluable for a pipe smoker, but is useful for so many other things as well that I give one to each of my kids when they go off to college.

I carry a Leatherman knockoff in my briefcase; I don't use it often, but it saves the day when pliers or a screwdriver is needed and no one else has the tool at hand.

Something I don't carry routinely, but unfastened and put in my bag at the last minute when we went to Scotland last month, is the little compass and thermometer from the zipper pull of my down jacket. I only used it a few times, but when I did use it, it saved my shaky reputation as a navigator in unfamiliar towns, and more importantly, kept us from wasting time haring off in the wrong direction.

I'll have to check out that KGB scope, and definitely need to pick up some paracord.

~Rich

On my person:
1) TOPS fixed blade
2) LED flashlight
3) Pen
4) Sharpie
5) CRKT M16-13SF
6) BIC lighter

In car:
1) 3 D cell Maglight
2) 3 day emergency pack
3) Jumper cables

Um... keys to my apt... cell phone... straight razor... barber hone... debit card... some quarters...

I always have a cheap pocket knife with me. Quite often people tell me a teacher shouldn't carry a knife, but it is an extremely usefull tool that doubles as a great key ring.

A teacher should always carry a knife.

Preferably a big scary one.

~Rich

In my pockets just walking around:

ARC AAA LED light on keyring.

Pen.

Case Peanut single blade pocket knife.

Handkerchief.

In the truck:

Sig 230.

Surefire 6P LED.

Chainsaw, Axe, GI entrenching tool, Hi-lift jack. (really, the chainsaw has saved me more than once in the woods).

Zippo lighter. (Bic doesn't work in the cold)