American Bushman

"If you would not be forgotten as soon as you are dead, either write things worth reading or do things worth writing." —Benjamin Franklin

Friday, November 13, 2009

Let's Go Cheap!

I've talked about this many times in the past but let's go cheap and see what a little extra work and very little money can put together in terms of essential gear.

I'm just getting started with the collection and here's what I've got so far:




  1. 14" Tramontina machete $5.99

  2. Ericksson 510 $9.99

  3. Doan Magnesium Fire Starter $5.25

  4. 6' X 8' blue poly tarp $5.98

  5. 100' 550 cord $7.00

  6. Coffee can pot FREE




For less than $50 we've taken care of out cutting tools, fire, shelter, and food and water. There is some work that needs to be done to the gear to get it ready for the outdoors and extended use but we can use things we (hopefully) already have laying around like a file and some sandpaper.

The cutting tools need to be cleaned up and optimized for our use and the coffee can pot needs to be seasoned like cast iron to make it more resistant to rust and to get rid of any chemical "liners" that may have been put on the can.

Why did I go with the Doan firestarter when I like the LMF firesteels so much? Cost. They're not my favorite but they'll certainly get the job done.

Thanks for reading,


B

2 Comments:

At 10:19 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

There are cheaper alternatives to the paracord. They won't be as strong, but if you're using it for normal tasks (tarp lines etc.), it will work fine.

Also, an old pot with a lid could be picked up very cheap at a flea market or garage sale in lieu of the coffee can.

Just some ideas. Keep up the great work!

 
At 2:24 PM, Blogger Challenge Staff said...

Hi AB,
Brigade Quartermasters (google it)Has 100' 550 cord for 5.99 doan blocks for 4.95 also the boyscout hotspark firestarter 2.00. also frontier water filter straw is 10.99. Micropur tabs are even cheaper.

my 2 cents,
adventureboy

 

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