Lowest Price Swedish Firesteel- Scout Model

This thing is actually dangerous. I think it is more dangerous than matches. I love it. I can start a fire with two strikes. Just wonderful.Get more detail about Swedish Firesteel- Scout Model.

Low Price Leatherman 830846 Skeletool Multitool

-Backstory-
One of the criterion for a great multitool is versatility, and for the longest time I thought that meant more blades, attachments, and enhancements. While that's partially true, that also means a bigger, heavier footprint. When I finally upgraded to the heavyweight behemoth that is the Leatherman 830160 Surge Pocket Multitool with Leather Sheath and found myself leaving it at home more and more often because of its weight, I realized something was wrong.

The reality is most blades/tool-blades seldom see the light of day outside of camping, and the added weight and size only serve to discourage daily carry. Barring camping or novelty, when was the last time you used your pocket-knife's can-opener? Wood saw? Awl? Corkscrew?? Is there anything you absolutely need scissors for that can't be accomplished with a blade or wire cutter? Do you unconditionally NEED eyeglass-sized screwdrivers on you 24-7?

Most daily applications can be accomplished with a simple blade, a couple drivers, a good set of pliers, and a bottle opener ;). And that's exactly what the Skeletool standard and CX multitools offer.

-Carryability-
What makes the Skeletool CX great isn't the *number* of tools, it's the *versatility* of its few, well thought out tools, allowing for a 5 ounces overall weight, slim form-factor, and not one but two carry clips. The standard side-clip is removable (thought cannot be installed in any other positions on the tool) while the carabiner turns out to be far more useful than I'd imagined -- I find myself hanging it on my belt loop most of the time, keeping my belt free of pouches and my pockets comfortably empty. This negates the need for a holster, though there are versions of the tool which come with one should you desire it.

-The Blade-
Like most modern multitools, the Blade rotates open easily, one-handed, without having to open the tool itself. This is a MUST HAVE feature for an Every Day Carry tool, and feels right at home on the Skeletool. The 2.5 inch blade is a perfectly functional length for everyday use (again, this is an EDC tool, not a survival knife, and anything longer would only make it heavier). The CX model has an upgraded 154CM steel blade and is *reason enough* to choose the CX over the standard model - 154CM is a far better, more modern steel which holds is edge VERY well while providing moderate corrosion resistance and takes nothing more than a good ceramic stone to sharpen. Over the past year I've used it for everything from prying and scraping to box cutting and (in a pinch) cooking, and despite never having sharpened it once the tip is still there (which is saying a lot for my knives) and it's still plenty sharp. The blade's liner lock does a noticeably firm job of holding the blade in place with NO WOBBLE. Quality! When closed, the blade is held in place via a blade-retention bump on the liner lock that mates with one of the skeletonizing holes near the base of the blade. Both Skeletools I've used had a ramp cut into the base of the blade near the joint, automatically depressing the retention-bump and allowing safe closure of the blade. One reviewer has proven that his Skeletool CX does not have this ramp, forcing him to grind off the bump or risk placing him thumb in danger every time he closed the blade. It is yet unclear as to why his knife didn't get the ramp.

-Half Serrated vs. Full Straight Blade-
NOTE: In mid 2009, Leatherman added half-length blade serrations to standard model and REMOVED them from the CX model. Confusingly, the model numbers were not updated to match the new configurations. Some online retailers may still have the 'old version' still in inventory, but as the model numbers are the same, there's no way of knowing what you'll receive. I contacted Leatherman about this and this is the reply I received:

"Thank you for your email and your interest in Leatherman Tools. Originally our Skeletool had a "straight blade", and the Skeletool CX had a "combo blade". The Skeletool CX has a higher grade of steel in its blade and those in the `knife world' came back to us, and stated that we should not use the combo blade with 154cm material. Therefore, in mid year of last year, we made a design change. ... All Current models of the Skeletool CX now have the straight blade. All current models of the Skeletool have the combo blade. ... There are some retailers out there, who have both in inventory. We did not change the item numbers when we made the blade change. Unfortunately, you will have to just check to see who has what in stock."

-Bit Driver-
This is THE tool to replace them all and one of the reasons the Skeletool can do so much while still being so thin and light. You can carry two double-sided bits with you (one in the driver and one in the spare bit slot). I got the Leatherman 934870 40 Bit Assortment with Nylon Sheath bit kit with my Skeletool and found that the two bits I use most are the [#0 & #3] Philips bit, and the [#1-2 & 3/16] Philips & flat-blade combo bit. I can attack any pretty much any screw-head and pry at anything without risking damage to the blade. The rest of the bits are stowed in my backpack.

One word of warning: make sure your spare bit slot is tight before clipping your Skeletool onto your pack while hiking. A friend of mine had his spare bit fall out! Nothing the aforementioned Leatherman 934870 40 Bit Assortment with Nylon Sheath couldn't replace, but you still might want to bend it a little to tighten it up. Mine was fine, so this may not be a problem for you.

-Pliers-
I admit, the jaws are a little thinner than I'd like, but have so far held up to everything I've thrown at it (including an accident with a Dremmel). It also would have been nice if the integrated wire cutters were a little harder as they developed a little "bump" after nibbling through a particularly tough strip of metal. For a while there was noticeable resistance when closing the pliers, but over time it's worn itself back in. My only lasting complaint is that, despite being so thin (3/16ths" at its widest point) the tip is just a tad too blunt to fit in the AR-15's firing-pin retaining-pin recess. It would have been nice if the "needle-nose" was a bit more "needle" ;)

-Bottle Opener-
A definite nice to have. Am I ashamed to admit this alone gets as much use as the rest of the tools combined? Nah ;)

Also, when I contacted Leatherman about the mid 2009 blade change, I was lucky enough to get a full list of all Skeletool models. Maybe it'll help you, maybe not. Here it is anyway:

Skeletool (Standard) - manufactured with a combo blade after mid '09
830845: 420HC No sheath, box packaging
830846: 420HC No sheath, Clam packaging
830847: 420HC No sheath, Gift Tin packaging
830865: 420HC Nylon sheath, Gift Tin packaging
830948: 420HC Nylon sheath, Box packaging

Skeletool CX - manufactured with a straight blade after mid '09
830849: 154CM No sheath, box packaging
830850: 154CM No sheath, Clam packaging
830851: 154CM No sheath, Gift Tin packaging
830866: 154CM Nylon Sheath, Gift Tin packaging
830950: 154CM Nylon Sheath, box packaging


So that's it. Don't let the Skeletool's small size and feature list deter you; The Skeletool is an extraordinary EDC tool!


Get more detail about Leatherman 830846 Skeletool Multitool.

Save Merrell Women Pesaro Shoe j36440

This is the most comfortable walking slide/sandal I've ever owned. You can walk forever in them and from the first moment you put them on your feet you feel you're walking on air. I'm a huge fan of Merrill shoes as I find them to be the most comfortable of any brand and the one my podiatrist highly recommended when I had a foot problem. Once I put on my first pair of Merrill clogs I was addicted to Merrill's. The "Pesaro" slide I originally purchased I was so desperate to replace and found it almost impossible to do so as they don't appear to be making them anymore and I don't understand why. They are very attractive on the foot, classic in style, and unbelievably comfortable. I would definitely purchase more of these slides in different colors if they were offered. I hope someone here's this plea!Get more detail about Merrell Women Pesaro Shoe j36440.

Discount 2 Police Magnum OC-17 Keychain Red Pepper Mace Spray w/ UV Dye - 1/2oz Hard Cases

Although the price was set at a stellar level, and although it came with two pepper mace spray for the price of one, I was not satisfied with the very meager distance and force that came out of this mace spray. The range only went a meager four feet, if that, with very little force behind it.

You get what you pay for I suppose.Get more detail about 2 Police Magnum OC-17 Keychain Red Pepper Mace Spray w/ UV Dye - 1/2oz Hard Cases.

Cheap Texsport Lakeway Hammock

Very nice hammock. Nice padding. Box arrived a bit ripped up but the hammock was in tact.Get more detail about Texsport Lakeway Hammock.

Buying Wenzel South Bend Sport Dome Tent, Yellow/Black/White

We have a large cabin tent for our long car camping trips. It weighs in at 54 lbs so we purchased this tent for the nights when we want to get away for a single night or take a canoe trip and want to travel light. It was the lightest tent I could find for the size and value. We used it for the first time last night and it worked great. Set up was very quick as anticipated. I am 6'2" 225 and we fit myself, my wife and our large dog. There wasn't a ton of room for gear but we managed just fine. I must add that we use large 4" sleeping pads as well as large rectangular sleeping bags. Now that we spent a night in it, I wish we would have had two doors, but it was $38 so I can't complain. We had nice weather so I can't comment on how well it would do in rain/wind. With all three of us, our bags were against the sides of the tent and did get damp from some condensation. It wasn't enough to cause any problems and that'll happen if you're up against the walls of any tent. I plan on seam sealing and heavily waterproofing the fly and bottom portion of the tent with spray. Again, at $38, I figured I would take my chances with that. I would suggest getting some alternate tent stakes. We used the stakes that came with the tent and they bent of course even in soft ground. I just picked up some aluminum replacements that are lighter and stronger for future trips. If you're looking for a super value that is light on weight and gives a decent amount of room, I would suggest this tent. I will have to update my review once we have some experience with less favorable weather.Get more detail about Wenzel South Bend Sport Dome Tent, Yellow/Black/White.

Buy FuelBelt Helium 4 Bottle Belt

My comment is rather to the web page (marketing) than the belt itself. I was going to order the fuelbelt size large, when I saw the option "one size fits all" and I thought that would be fine for me and my wife to share the belt. I assumed that the "one size fits all" version had a longer stretch of velcro or something, but I got a standard medium belt shipped.... There aint no "one size fits all" you have to order the correct size, so I have to pay $7 in shipping and handling to return it to get the right size.Get more detail about FuelBelt Helium 4 Bottle Belt.