ResQMe Tool Gone

Another gadget lost. I lost it the same way I lost my guppy knife - yanked out from the carabiner attached to my pant's belt loop. I should have learned my lesson the first time but I guess I'm so hard headed.


My car keys with the black clip that holds the ResQme tool.


How it was attached to the black clip.


The ResQMe tool. Read this post to find more about it.

Well now I will never attach a carabiner with my stuff on my belt loop ever again.

That's all folks! Thanks for reading.

EDC Upgrade

We're having a bit of unusual low temperature this fall. Its cool and winter-like at 30F-35F. In fact we just have a thin layer of snow fall about 3 weeks ago. Since early fall, I have winterized my car. Wool blanket, winter coat, sweater, space blanket, flashlight, food, I even have a stove and firewood in the trunk. Who knows when a blizzard could suddenly occur. Remember the rule of 3's? Three hours of exposure to the elements ... you die (in this case of hypothermia).


First snowfall this year.


I also checked my EDC kit and found out that some items need replacement like the petroleum coated cotton container and the leather lighter pouch. This is the kit that is in my pocket wherever I go.


The cap of the improvised container for the petroleum coated cotton is missing and need to be replaced probably with a new waterproof container.


The small leather pouch for the lighter had stretched and enlarged. The lighter is kept in the pouch by a tying a rubber band around it. This pouch needs to be replaced too. I may also replace the firesteel in preparation for the coming winter season.

That's all folks! Thanks for reading.

GATCO TRI-SEPS Serrated Edge & Point Sharpener

My main sharpening system is composed of a carpenter stone and a leather strop or instead of the stone I use a wet sanding paper in the 320, 400, 600, and 800 grit consecutively. When I'm out in the woods, I carry a small Arkansas stone and a piece of leather belt which is enough to re-sharpen my knives when I need to. However, I have some knives that have partially serrated edge and although I'm not a fan of serrations, I need to have a way of sharpening them. At first, I thought of using a small round file to sharpen the serrations and was about to buy one when I came across a video showing how to sharpen serrated knives using the sharpener in the photo below.


GATCO TRI-SEPS Serrated Edge & Point Sharpener.


It has a sharpening side for non-serrated knives.


And a side for serrated knives.


This is how the product is described in the website where I ordered it.

"Designed to be used by the armed forces, this triangular shaped, portable ceramic sharpener has a built-in angle guide to quickly restore a razor sharp edge to serrations, plain edges, entrenching tools, scissors, darts, fish hooks, ice picks, and other pointed instruments. The unique triangular design features two radius sizes and provides sharpening for large and small serrations. Includes a military-spec bead chain and clasp."

All in all, it's convenient to bring along in the field because its small and great for re-touching you knife wherever you are. But for really dull knives, in my opinion nothing will beat a carpenter stone or a wet sanding paper.

That's all folks! Thanks for reading.

A Birthday Gift

September is my birth-month and I got a birthday present that has been in my wish list for quite sometime. It might be coincidence or somebody had a peek on the wish list in my computer. Whatever the case maybe, I'm not complaining.


The Victorinox Swiss Army One-Hand Trekker Lockblade. 1 hand serrated locking blade. Includes: Phillips screwdriver, can opener, small screwdriver, bottle opener, large locking screwdriver, wire stripper, wood saw, reamer, toothpick, tweezers, and key ring.


3 1/4" partially serrated blade. This would be a great EDC, camping or hiking knife. I think I would use this mostly on my camping trips because the bottle and can opener would come in handy. I wish it had the cork screw to open a bottle of wine although it is not really that important.

I lost this knife for 3 weeks. I thought I'd never find it so I bought a cheap Coleman camping knife. My wife found it later under the bed mattress. Talk about getting old and yes, I have this knife under my pillow when I sleep.

That's all folks! Thanks for reading.

The Knife That Bit Me

I got another one of those cheap knife. At $6.24 plus free shipping on orders above $25, I just can't resist to buy.


Master USA Neck Knife.


6.75" Overall, half serrated 440 black stainless steel blade, red cord wrapped handle, hard plastic sheath. Very good sheath retention, no rattle whatsoever.


Four finger grip. Quite comfortable in the hand but I will replace lanyard and cord wrap with real 550 paracord.


I might remove the serrations on the blade too to make it look less tactical. I've really never been a fan of serrations.


Is it sharp? You bet, I cut my fingertip while I was testing the knife by making a stake. I never knew I was cut until the blood came oozing out. Just a baby cut though.

As one Youtuber always say as his closing remarks - "And remember, don't cut yourself." Well, I'd be careful next time.

That's all folks! Thanks for reading.

Mess Kit

As part of my preparation for our vacation (see post below), I bought a mess kit from Walmart. I thought it would be nice to have a bonfire and cook our food by the beach.


Mess kit by Outdoor Products. Includes a fry pan/plate , bowl, a pot with a handle and lid, and a cup with a handle. Lightweight and made of 100% aluminum.


Fry pan/plate.


Bowl.


Pot with lid.


And a cup with handle.

Unfortunately, its been very cold and nobody wants to go out and have a bonfire so I wasn't able to test my mess kit. I guess I just have to use it in the park one of these days.

That's all folks! Thanks for reading.

5 Days Vacation

After 3 months of planning and waiting, finally we're able to have a long vacation. We rented a rest house near Lake Michigan in Porter County, Indiana and had a grand time swimming (wading actually), drinking and eating. The lakeshore indeed looks like a seashore and reminds me of the beach in my home province in the Philippines.


Wading, and soaking my feet with the energy from the warm waters of the lake.


Enjoying the breeze and the cool weather.


The sunset looks like the sunset at Manila Bay too.

That's all folks! Thanks for reading.