paleoman survival kit how would you build yours?

**kyratshooter** · 10-06-2014, 01:02 PM

I'm with Crash on this subject.

Primitive skills are a learning experience, not a living experience.

I was watching an episode of NCIS the other night and they kept showing primitive skills being attempted. In each case someone came up with the item needed out of pocket and spoiled the effort. It was quite humorous.

I have more gear, and better gear, on my keychain than Otzi had.

And in practical terms, in whatever crisis might come along, there is enough scrap metal lying around to keep humans out of the stone tool business for a long, long time.

**crashdive123** · 10-06-2014, 03:45 PM

Oh, don't get me wrong - I find it interesting as well. I am fascinated by the research into topics like this.

**hunter63** · 10-06-2014, 03:49 PM

I guess I have to say that it really seems like these methods are being blown off........Kinda surprised me.....LOL

My nurse is here to take me back to assisted living now......

**Rick** · 10-06-2014, 04:21 PM

I wasn't blowing him off. I think what he is doing is commendable and I look forward to seeing what he creates. I was just concerned that he was relying on those items for a survival kit. That was what he called it. Let's face it, when you fall out of the deer stand and land on your cell phone crushing it along with your ankle it's up to you to stay alive long enough for someone to find you and not freeze to death in the process. And you probably want the best tools available to do that. My gear will let me comfortably splint that ankle, take something to take the edge off the pain and enjoy a hot cup of coffee or hot chocolate while I wait for help to finally get there. Paleo medical gear just doesn't hold a candle to today's stuff, especially if bleeding is involved.

**hunter63** · 10-06-2014, 04:51 PM

I took it as a "what if you only had.......what could you use"....rather that a literal I'm gonna depend on it......
Agreed that the new gear and methods are far superior...........
I'm done.

**your_comforting_company** · 10-09-2014, 08:35 AM

They (newfangled gadgets) are superior. That's the advantage of time always moving forward. BUT, what do you do when you Bare Grills knife falls apart because it was made by a 9 year old girl in a Chinese slave factory? Knowledge is lightweight and as compact as you'll ever get. When your gear fails, you better be able to tap that brain for ways to keep living. The alternative is not going to make anyone happy.

**fjrmurph** · 10-09-2014, 08:50 PM

Originally Posted by kyratshooter

Pyrite is a naturally occurring Iron alloy, usually found in stream beds. It will spark just like a ferro rod when struck. If you ever want to see fireworks use a piece of broken glass or a piece of flint on your ferro rod. The thing will practically explode.

A micro blade is a spall fractured from a larger core and is usually untouched or not shaped before use. Any knapper will attest that the razor sharp flakes knocked off a core will do a wide variety of cutting chores. Usually native American butchering sites are littered with these flint chips where they were used until dull, thrown away and a new flake knocked off a core to replace them. Apparently they did not stand around re-chipping dull edges if there was plenty of core material around.

A rifle or musket flint is about the size of small micro-flints but they are shaped for their specific purpose and not real useful for anything else.

And like Hunter said, we use the word "survivalist" out of context. Otzi was just another guy out in the woods, using the tools of his culture.

And less we forget,

!!! HE DID NOT SURVIVE !!!

.

He lived to a fine old age of 45 years, amazing for those times, It wasn't his survivial skills that were lacking, website says he died due to an arrow head in his left shoulder and cuts on his hand indicate he was in hand to hand combat days before he died. I's say he was one tough cat !!!!!!!!

**Graf** · 10-10-2014, 04:13 AM

Originally Posted by Rick

I'm not sure why I would want to carry a paleo survival kit when we have items available to us that are so much better. The idea is to survive so why not utilize those items that will give you the best chance of doing so? Paleo man kept their items until something better came along then they upgraded. Just like we do today.

New is not always better, being familiar (couch survivalist) and actually practicing primative skills is an asset. Knowledge and experience cannot be left at home or lost in the field. New and improved products are indeed great but without them what would you do without knowledge of primative skills. As we have all heard before "The more you know, the less you carry"
For what its worth in my opinion the true survivalist walks the line between both new and improved and primative skills.

**NightShade** · 10-13-2014, 09:59 PM

Originally Posted by your_comforting_company

They (newfangled gadgets) are superior. That's the advantage of time always moving forward. BUT, what do you do when you Bare Grills knife falls apart because it was made by a 9 year old girl in a Chinese slave factory? Knowledge is lightweight and as compact as you'll ever get. When your gear fails, you better be able to tap that brain for ways to keep living. The alternative is not going to make anyone happy.

I couldn't agree more! I always stress that having the newest gear is great, but what would you do if it were lost, stolen, or failed you? Knowledge and experience pack light and are invaluable.
(another reason I stress testing gear... good to know its limitations, rather than finding them out at a bad time)

**Rick** · 10-14-2014, 06:51 AM

I'm not certain why you think I was advocating no knowledge or skills. That's not true at all nor did I say that. I simply said I saw no reason to carry a paleo kit when today's items are so much better. For example, I carry a fero rod because it's way better than flint. It's the same knowledge and principle but a better tool.

**Tokwan** · 10-14-2014, 08:53 PM

I thi nk the only thing a paleoman would need is something sharp to protect, hunt and to help make fire. Of course the next best thing would be a staff than can be used as a spear, and a whole hide of a cattle...to be used for shelter. A goatskin water container...guess that's about it.