Sunday, February 13, 2011

Simple Survival Gear Mods - Sticks for Survival - Part Three

Turning your hiking stick into a survival stick doesn’t have to be complicated or difficult. Using a few of those brain cells that may have been inactive for a while is usually the only thing required. The main thing you need to do is to make your hiking stick as versatile as possible. One of the simplest ways to accomplish this goal is to add an accessory pouch. With the addition of an accessory pouch to your hiking stick, you will be well on your way to creating a “survival stick”.

The size and type of pouch isn’t a significant factor but it will need to have a belt loop and should have some sort of Velcro or snap closure mechanism to insure your accessories will remain securely in the pouch. By running several wraps of paracord (at least 4 or more) through the belt loop of the pouch as the paracord is being added to your hiking stick, it can be securely attached to your hiking stick. If you don't have any paracord, you could use 100mph tape or duct tape to attach the pouch. This provides you with numerous options to add additional items to your hiking stick.






With the addition of an accessory pouch, you can carry a multi-tool, a lighter or a firesteel, a small flashlight, water purification tablets etc. or a combination of items depending upon the size of your pouch and the size and number of additional items you wish to carry. They'll be on your hiking stick and readily accessible should the need arise. You can even attach a pocket knife (the kind with a pocket clip) to the side of the pouch or you can add a second accessory pouch if you feel the need and want to add other items that may be a priority for you.

Having a good hiking stick is great. If you turn it into a survival stick, it will be even better!

Got survival stick with pouch?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

11 comments:

Ken said...

...you sure gerber aint payin'you???

...jokin'RW...actually,the one i wrapped just a little while ago has my zippo pouch on it...i only got three firesteels,and they're all in 'bags'...i don't really use the zippo much...should'a waited for this post tho(?)now i hafta unwrap it and just wrap in one of my small pouches instead...

riverwalker said...

To: Ken

I wish Gerber was payin' me...wouldn't need to work the extra jobs to feed my "gear junkie" habit.

I just used a spare pouch that was handy...

Got a few more gear mods up my sleeve. I consider it a real challenge to take something and increase its versatility without adding a lot of cost to the item.

The ability to turn something into a multi-use, all-purpose item is good practice, especially if the fecal matter hits the air movement device.

Thanks Ken.

RW

chinasyndrome said...

RW,some great ideas there Bro!

China
III

riverwalker said...

To: China III

Thanks my friend.

I think I can come up with some other innovations that might surprise you. Stay tuned for more details...

RW

Anonymous said...

My hiking stick is a rake handle, very sturdy. In place of the rake which was forced into a hole in the bottom I placed a piece of sharpened and hardened rebar. The rebar was about 10" long sharpened to a point and hardened in a campfire (yes I tempered it as well). It is perfect for fording streams or giving support on steep slopes. It would make a formidible weapon as well, hope I never have to find out.

riverwalker said...

To: anonymous 3:38

There is an almost endless variety of things that you can do to increase the versatility of a stick...a little creativity and imagination on your part is all that is required.

Sounds like a great gear mod, although your spiked tip may be rather obvious...

Thanks anon.

RW

Tristan Benette said...

RW, you are the second RAMBO! You've shared a lot about survival, but this my friend made me draw into conclusion that you are more like him. You are the reflection of a true warrior. Always armed and ready for battle. Looking forward to those new surprises, dude!

Anonymous said...

I know I'm a day late and a dollar short here posting a reply a year after the original thread, but that's just the way my exploration is going. I was wondering the diameter and length of the shaft? It looks as if it is a closet hanger rail?
Thanks

Tim said...

Gee I should have read all the comments. Sorry. Great info. Thanks for all your experimentation!

riverwalker said...

To: Tim

It's actually an old mop handle (commercial variety) that had been discarded. It's about 64 inches.

Thanks Tim.

RW

Anonymous said...

I guess Im a hater now...
While I like the overall look, I hate the external pouch. And your staff doesnt seem to carry much(compared to some). I used an old aluminum extendable painters pole .it goes from 47 up no nearly 85 inches and on the inside i carry knife ,fire kit. Fishing kit 40 five grain silver bars,roll of duct tape 35 feet of paracord, headnet wrapped with an additional 15 feet of paracord like rope .and a sewing kit.and 8lengths of hockey tape appriximatly 9 inches each. I then have a small flashlight mounted on the top and just about a full roll of electrical tape on the outside. If needed i can boil up to 20 oz of water inside. (Though dangerous and difficult it works)

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