05-02-2012, 09:19 AM | #181 | |||
cacoethes scribendi
Posts: 5,809
Karma: 137770742
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Australia
Device: Kobo Aura One & H2Ov2, Sony PRS-650
|
Quote:
Quote:
I must tell all those computer geeks I know that they need to replace all those screwdrivers they carry with knives. Sure there is a retractable blade knife in my computer tool kit and there's a sheath-knife in my mechanical toolkit ... and I don't carry either of those kits with me everywhere I go ... and you know what? You're right, I've never realised I needed it (the knife) ... although I always put that down to not actually needing it. Silly me. Quote:
Last edited by gmw; 05-02-2012 at 09:21 AM. |
|||
05-02-2012, 11:31 AM | #182 | |
Wizard
Posts: 3,418
Karma: 35207650
Join Date: Jun 2011
Device: iPad
|
Quote:
LOL! Sorry. We just refer to the region I live in as "the south" Even if you are due west of it, (or heck even south-west) we still call it "the south" so... tend to forget in international forums not everyone knows that local label. Besides... you carry a knife, and your in the south (globally) so case rested. |
|
Advert | |
|
05-02-2012, 12:47 PM | #183 |
Wizard
Posts: 2,230
Karma: 7145404
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Southern California
Device: Kindle Voyage & iPhone 7+
|
People vary but I agree on carrying a folding knife constantly. Tools help separate us from animals (I know, some chimps use sticks yadda, yadda) and a knife is one of the most useful. You could say a hammer is just as necessary but many things can stand in for a hammer (including the butt of a Ka-Bar). Not so many for a knife.
Not everyone around me carries one so guess who always hands his over to open or cut stuff? I don't figure it is regional thing but I'm not sure what it is, exactly. Boy-Scout-ness? I love the idea of mutitools, own several, yet still carry just a knife consistently. And 440C steel is fine for my everyday do-everything blade. |
05-02-2012, 01:02 PM | #184 |
↓↓ Skirt!! Earrings!!
Posts: 3,394
Karma: 17432172
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Georgia, USA
Device: Acer netbook, JetBook Lite, Sony PRS-300, Kindle 2, Kindle Fire
|
Knitters, weavers, and handspinners often have odd pieces of string on their person, along with something to cut said string. We also carry various pointy objects around with us, not always in a pocket but close by in a bag or pouch. (Double-pointed needles, anyone?)
|
05-02-2012, 03:56 PM | #185 | |
affordable chipmunk
Posts: 1,290
Karma: 9863855
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Brazil
Device: Sony XPeria ZL, Kindle Paperwhite
|
Quote:
Something far more useful to me would be an extra mobile battery... |
|
Advert | |
|
05-02-2012, 08:39 PM | #186 | |
Wizard
Posts: 3,418
Karma: 35207650
Join Date: Jun 2011
Device: iPad
|
Quote:
|
|
05-02-2012, 09:01 PM | #187 |
cacoethes scribendi
Posts: 5,809
Karma: 137770742
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Australia
Device: Kobo Aura One & H2Ov2, Sony PRS-650
|
I think the point is that if a random person is out for a stroll, and suspects the apocalypse is going to hit while they're out, then the chances are they'll be hardly able to stand under the weight of the backpack. But if they're just out strolling, without thought for the end of the world (shame on them), then what such a random person is likely to have in their pockets is going to vary greatly.
In some places, so I've read, there's a good chance there'll be a handgun in those pockets or handbag. Some sort of clasp knife is not unlikely, but - depending on where this person is, how they grew up etc. etc. etc. - it is far from a given. Same goes for pens, string, wire, screwdrivers. Even the apparently ubiquitous mobile phone is not guaranteed - I don't carry one when walking near my home, they don't work here. |
05-02-2012, 09:36 PM | #188 | |
Addict
Posts: 230
Karma: 2448688
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Kapolei, Oahu, HI
Device: KOBO Libra 2, Kindle PW3, Samsung 8A Tablet, Samsung S10e Phone
|
Quote:
I've carried a folding knife of one kind or another since I was about 7 years old and that was 50 years ago. The only times I don't carry one today are when I am entering Federal and State buildings (it stays in the car) and when I am entering airports (it ends up in my checked baggage to be retrieved after the flight). As for preparations ... I think the most practical bet for most people is to develop an Every Day Carry (EDC) toolset that you can keep handy at all times and a secure shelter where you can store basic supplies (food, water, medical, fire) for a reasonable period of time (a year??) in the event of an emergency without drawing the unwarranted attention of your neighbors. I think most people would find preparing for TEOTWAWKI to be just overwhelming ... |
|
05-03-2012, 04:00 AM | #189 | |
cacoethes scribendi
Posts: 5,809
Karma: 137770742
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Australia
Device: Kobo Aura One & H2Ov2, Sony PRS-650
|
Quote:
Almost by definition: * We don't know how that end will come so we don't know what sorts of things (and knowledge) we'll need. What's the point of storing food and water when there are reasonable odds that there will be a surplus in any situation we're likely to survive (not to mention knives, guns and string). * We don't know who will survive. The assumption is generally - as I read it - that for TEOTWAWKI to happen that survival will be less than 1 in a 100. Paying significant amounts of money betting that you're going to be in that group of survivors doesn't seem like great odds - especially when you consider my first point. (And bear in mind that this advice is coming from an Aussie. ) * A bit of bush knowledge (or practice at being an "outsdoorsman") is probably not a bad idea if you live near the bush/outdoors. Such skills are potentially useful even if the TEOTWAWKI doesn't happen! But, if you live in the city (which, let's face it, covers a pretty good percentage of people), then such skills are going to do you less good, come TEOTWAWKI, than say lock-picking and other burglary skills - to gain access to all those surplus items. |
|
05-03-2012, 06:32 AM | #190 |
Wizard
Posts: 3,418
Karma: 35207650
Join Date: Jun 2011
Device: iPad
|
Well kind of depends how it happens but in running through a few possibilities in my head I would guess that the cities would have the lowest survival rates. Great target for war/invasion, great place to spread super-flu, and etc.
|
05-03-2012, 07:20 AM | #191 | |||
Sci-Fi Author
Posts: 1,157
Karma: 14743509
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Michigan
Device: PC (Calibre)
|
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
I fully agree. On top of that, urban and rural survival are two whole different animals and need to be handled in uniquely different ways. Really, a fully rounded survivalist (or just an average joe) needs to know both as they can find themselves in either environment when disaster strikes. But in the end, a knife or multi-tool is ubiquitously useful in both locations. Of course, a gun doesn't hurt either, but if you can't carry that, at least have a knife. |
|||
05-04-2012, 07:29 PM | #192 |
Sci-Fi Author
Posts: 1,157
Karma: 14743509
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Michigan
Device: PC (Calibre)
|
http://news.yahoo.com/going-without-...opstories.html
You guys were talking about how the SCA people would do really good in a survival situation? Well check out this guy. He's already living the lifestyle and doing pretty good at it. |
05-04-2012, 07:44 PM | #193 |
The Dank Side of the Moon
Posts: 35,872
Karma: 118716293
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Denver, CO
Device: Kindle2; Kindle Fire
|
|
05-04-2012, 07:46 PM | #194 | |
Wizard
Posts: 3,418
Karma: 35207650
Join Date: Jun 2011
Device: iPad
|
Quote:
|
|
05-08-2012, 10:16 PM | #195 |
Sci-Fi Author
Posts: 1,157
Karma: 14743509
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Michigan
Device: PC (Calibre)
|
http://geeks.thedailywh.at/2012/05/0...of-the-day-23/
Once again my prediction that survival and apocalyptic fiction are huge right now, they just added another show this fall about a post apocalyptic world where everyone's back to living without the normal creature comforts. This includes no electricity. Lights, phones, cars, etc. Thought you guys might want to track this show as I think it'll give some good meat for any S/A writing you might be doing. |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
The Survival of Thomas Ford | John A. A. Logan | Self-Promotions by Authors and Publishers | 48 | 08-11-2019 09:57 AM |
Looking for novel about survival, castaway... | Pax | Reading Recommendations | 34 | 04-11-2012 02:26 PM |
iPad iPad Survival Guide | scottjl | Apple Devices | 5 | 05-27-2010 03:16 PM |
Unutterably Silly MARRIAGE SURVIVAL KIT | Greg Anos | Lounge | 7 | 12-11-2008 07:42 PM |