Ranger Bands -- Holy Rubber Band Batman!

Just cut up an old bicycle inner tube, can't get much simpler than that.

"Ranger Bands", used originally by the Army Rangers to tie down and quiet their hanging straps etc.

Loved by outdoorsmen, these have thousands of uses, can be cut to any thickness, and won't dry out and break anytime soon.

Cut them thin to stretch them out more, and thicker to increase strength.
They are wicked strong.

Great for anything you need to strap down, attach, etc. and make sure it won't come loose.  

PS. They burn very nicely and can be used to start a fire in an emergency

(they are rubber, so stay away from the smoke).

Boil water in 5 minutes with the Kelly Kettle

The Kelly Kettle was invented by an Irish fisherman to boil water for lunch in unfavorable windy and wet conditions.  It is by far, the best  and fastest way to boil water in harsh conditions that I've used yet.

It comes in 2 sections.  The bottom pan is a burner, where you can put your fine tinder and small sticks to start your fire.  The top section is basically a chimney, with double walls all around that hold water.  So when you start your fire, and drop small sticks down the top, the flames run up the inside, and heat up the water quickly in the sides.

You then grab it by the handle, and pull the chain to pour.  Works like a charm.

Takes about 5 minutes to boil 54 ounces (the large Base Camp model).

It'll burn any kind of wood, dry grass, pinecones, etc.

Note:  The Kelly Kettle will work better elevated a bit, and with the base airhole facing into the wind.

Here's a very short video of the Kelly Kettle at work.

Ultimate Around-the-House Knife!

This is the CRKT Bear Claw.  It will slice through just about anything.

Designed by Alaskan knife maker Russ Kommer to work like a bears claw.

Used by kayakers, skydivers, and emergency personnel, this won't be slipping out of your hand in wet or cold weather.  When you reach for it, your forefinger goes into the hole, locking it in your grip, as your thumb pops off the sheath.  Loop the sheath to your belt loop with paracord, and it won't get lost.

One good swipe will easily cut through most cordage, materials, nylon webbing, parachute cord, or seatbelts.  It comes in a couple of flavors.  You can get either a sharp tip, or a thick, blunt tip, so as not to poke a hole through your raft, or get an injury when doing quick cutting in an emergency situation.  Comes in both serrated and non-serrated versions.

I have the sharp tip, which excels at just about every home use need.  Rips through cardboard for recycling beautifully, and that pesky hard plastic packaging everything comes in these days.  

I like oranges and it scores the skins perfectly so they peel off easy.

At about 32 bucks, this is a fine knife for household use-- you will be reaching for it half a dozen times a day to do your various tasks.

Newspaper Firestarters

Want an easy way to start a fire?  These burn heavy, and for a long time.

The bees knees for camping, fishing, backyard firepits, or fireplace.  No need to carve tons of wood shavings etc to get your fire going.  Just light one of these, and throw your wood on top.  Here's how:


1. Cut newspaper into a strip

2. Roll it up in a circle and tie with jute string.
(leave a little extra for a wick if you like)

3. Fill 1/3 with sawdust

4. Melt some old candles or paraffin wax.  Use a double boiler method like this, with water in the bottom of the large pot for safety.

5. Pour wax until it soaks into the sawdust and stamp down to compress it with large end of screwdriver.  Repeat until filled up.

6. Dribble some wax on the seam and the jute to keep it from unraveling

Yer done!

These will burn for a long time in nasty conditions, enabling you to start a fire easily.  Try it!

PS, The bottom of your screwdriver will get a big lump of wax/sawdust on the bottom.  Wait til it dries, and it pops right off cleanly, keep it as a mini firestarter as a bonus!

Also, you can rub the end of the jute cord wick into fine little fibers, and it'll take a spark from your firesteel.

Toilet paper rolls work great as well, but if you're out, this is a really good option.