An Exercise In Selecting Gear

a reply to: rounda

A hobo reel (which is what this based upon) is a compact bit of kit. I have a brass “pill bottle” necklace that has line, hooks, sinkers, a couple swivels, a sewing needle, a 1 inch ferro rod and a washer sized striker and the necklace itself is fire cord paracord. With some minor whittling I could have a hobo reel. Or a five minute walk along any ditch line for a plastic soda bottle (30 minutes in most woods unfortunately) that just needs me to make tie one end to a small stick, place that in bottle and replace the cap for a field expedient one...since that necklace has no knife. Although the striker could be cold forged with a rock then sharpened to make a thumb knife (aka coin knife).

Kit is the least important factor for survival. That necklace despite lack of ready made knife can hold its own against SOL’s $35-$40 Origin kit.

You can spend money or just look it over and make your own.

originally posted by: Ahabstar
a reply to: rounda

A hobo reel (which is what this based upon) is a compact bit of kit. I have a brass “pill bottle” necklace that has line, hooks, sinkers, a couple swivels, a sewing needle, a 1 inch ferro rod and a washer sized striker and the necklace itself is fire cord paracord. With some minor whittling I could have a hobo reel. Or a five minute walk along any ditch line for a plastic soda bottle (30 minutes in most woods unfortunately) that just needs me to make tie one end to a small stick, place that in bottle and replace the cap for a field expedient one...since that necklace has no knife. Although the striker could be cold forged with a rock then sharpened to make a thumb knife (aka coin knife).

Kit is the least important factor for survival. That necklace despite lack of ready made knife can hold its own against SOL’s $35-$40 Origin kit.

You can spend money or just look it over and make your own.

I understand what it is, I just don't see the point.

Like, long term, a fishing rod is better.

Short term, why bother with it, when there are branches everywhere? I'd take a yoyito or cuban yoyo over a hobo reel. I'm sure an enterprising survivalist can make a yoyito out of an off-the-shelf spool of line.

www.fishingyoyito.com...

A hobo reel is the best for carry if needed. i don't even plan to use a rod as i plan to set trot lines any time i fish.

You can set a trot line at sunrise and check it a sunfall and not expose yourself to other people in the area or passing through.

For cooking over a fire with a tripod I carry a dog choke chain with an S hook and can just use to hold the three branches to make the tripod.