The importance of metal in long term scenarios
I just wanted to make a contribution to the board and the new folks whom have joined since I have been absent.
Lots of talk about long term and going off into the wild as usual, which is good. Nice to see the enthusiasm. :) Some long term living in the wild things to ponder... things that we really used and wished we had more of.
Some of what I and my wife have experienced is the importance of metal... that's right, plain old metal. We were surprised at how much we relied on it. From having simple hinges and latches for doors etc. to our woodstove and stovepipe to cooking pots and pans to garden tools, not to mention saws,axes etc. It makes you more efficeint at your tasks, which saves calories and that is what it's all about!
If you go "out to the wild" for a long term scenario, think about what you will need in the metal department. It's not too easy to come upon in the wild unless you regularly forage on the outskirts of humanity. Make sure you have some quality tin snips and a punch. You can make lots of stuff with some basic tools and imagination.
On the same note... quality stainless steel stock pots. The bigger the better! We used our 5 gal stock pot (actually a turkey fryer) for cooking, doing laundry, purifying our water, canning, melting snow for water, bathing and a host of other uses. We tried aluminum because it was cheaper, but it developed really bad oxidation bumps and kept putting aluminum oxide powder into everything.
Some of the tools that were invaluable...
Bow saw, crosscut saw, rip saw, felling ax, splitting maul, froe, cant hook, splitting wedges, hatchet, carving knives, curved carving knives, brace and bit for augering holes, draw knife, skinning /hunting knife, machete, spoke shave and small hand plane, hammer and nails, screws and drivers, hoe and shovel and metal garden rake.
It sounds like alot, but it saves calories by making the job easier and allowing you to make better quality stuff.
Snare wire and fish hooks fall into this metal catagory as well, not to mention guns and ammo.
Just from our experience, your milage may vary.
