The P-38 "multitool".

[powernoodle]

I was fiddling with a P-38 can opener today, trying to figure out how to keep it from opening up in my pocket.  I dawned on me that a safety pin would do the trick.  I'm probably not the first person to do this, but it sure works.  And the safety pin has its own utility.  Other folks have used a paper clip, shrink wrap or a rubberband, but I like this one the best.

If you don't know about the beloved P-38, check out them out here: http://www.georgia-outfitters.com/page52.shtml

The safety pin trick:

[enki_ck]

Interesting idea,  I just use one of the E01s spare o-rings.

[nuphoria]

The simple ideas are the best

[AimlessWanderer]

I used a piece of bicycle inner tube (pics attached) but found I never used it, so stopped carrying it 

[Mike]

I like mine quite a bit. It fits flat head screws and phillips can be tightened using the corner.
Mike

[jerseydevil]

That's a great idea, I'm going to have to find a small safety pin. My P-38 has stabbed me more times than I can count  . For such a tiny thing, it's actually useful as hell as a scraper, small prying instrument, impromptu screwdriver, hell it even opens cans!   I've carried a P-38 longer than any other tool.

[David]

That`s a swell idea PN!       

[Grant Lamontagne]

I love my P-38.  I've yet to use it though, which might be why I still like it!   

Def

[Chain Gang]

I'm very familiar with the P 38.That's all we had to open C-Rations in Viet Nam.I wish I had known about SAKs back in those days.Believe me the MRE are much better than C-Rations.Eating cold unknown greasy meat out of a can was not very appetizing.

[Teofilo]

I'm very familiar with the P 38.That's all we had to open C-Rations in Viet Nam.I wish I had known about SAKs back in those days.Believe me the MRE are much better than C-Rations.Eating cold unknown greasy meat out of a can was not very appetizing.

So youre a 'Nam Veteran, CG! The P 38 you used was similar to this one:

[Chain Gang]

Yep,I was stationed at Tuy Hoa AF Base,Viet Nam in 1970.I brought back a hand full of P-38s but misplaced every one of them over the years.

[scattergun13]

I love my P-38.  I've yet to use it though, which might be why I still like it!   

Def

I love my P-38 as well. So much so that I just bought a new P-51, on the way. Anybody have any experience with the P-51 and how it compares to the old venerable P-38.
Thanks in advance,
Stew...

[MultiMat]

Did someone say FRED(Field Ration Eating Devise)    .


The Aussie army's version ; a cap lifter , spoon & can opener, now that is a multi 

[Magumba]

I too have a P-38 I got in Vietnam, it's been my constant companion since 1968.    Showing some wear but still opens cans quickly.    I like your idea for keeping the cutter stowed.
I like the idea of the FRED a lot it would have been a big help in Vietnam as the plastic C-Ration spoons were easily broken.

[MultiMat]

I too have a P-38 I got in Vietnam, it's been my constant companion since 1968.    Showing some wear but still opens cans quickly.    I like your idea for keeping the cutter stowed.
I like the idea of the FRED a lot it would have been a big help in Vietnam as the plastic C-Ration spoons were easily broken.

A lot of Aussie Diggers/soldiers have been known to call their FREDs ; F#cking Ridiculous Eating Devices  . That said there was a huge outcry a few years ago when there was talk of ceasing production of FREDs , I am not sure if they went ahead with the phase out or not yet 

[scattergun13]

Did someone say FRED(Field Ration Eating Devise)    .

(Image removed from quote.)
The Aussie army's version ; a cap lifter , spoon & can opener, now that is a multi 

Thanks for posting that "Multi", can anyone tell me where I can get one of these. I have to have one. Thanks in advance,
Stew...

[JimShockz]

Did someone say FRED(Field Ration Eating Devise)    .

(Image removed from quote.)
The Aussie army's version ; a cap lifter , spoon & can opener, now that is a multi 

Thanks for posting that "Multi", can anyone tell me where I can get one of these. I have to have one. Thanks in advance,
Stew...

Very simple yet so effective.

-JS

[sergemaster]

Amici,
Oh yes the infamous "P38" included in every MRE meal issued and usually found on a grunts dog tag chain as well. To this day, I still have my original one on the split ring which hold my minimalist keys with the only difference being that I have applied a small amount of black electrical tape to keep the "beak" from swinging out freely and into a part of me!

Cheers,
Serge

[Sparky415]

Thanks for posting that "Multi", can anyone tell me where I can get one of these. I have to have one. Thanks in advance,
Stew...

Stew 

In the USA

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Stansport-3-1-Can-Opener-Spoon-Bottle-Opener-2-Pack-/150642388807?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2312fc6f47

Down under

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/5-X-Australian-Army-Can-Opener-Camping-Survival-Hiking-Scouts-Fishing-Hunting-/160804861014?pt=AU_Sport_Camping_Hiking_Tools&hash=item2570b77456


http://www.ozsurplus.com.au/our-products/camping/cooking/fred-field-ration-eating-device/

[n4vgm]

Did someone say FRED(Field Ration Eating Devise)    .

(Image removed from quote.)
The Aussie army's version ; a cap lifter , spoon & can opener, now that is a multi 

That spoon section looks good for modding. What could it be turned into with a bit of cutting and grinding? Thin material but at least a grooved string/strap cutter I bet.

Darn, I grew up with a small machine shop out back, wish I had that now.

[n4vgm]

I just ordered some "FRED"'s on ebay. Maybe I can mod one with the simple tools I have. The more I look at them the more I think the spoon could be flattened out and made into 1/2 tools and maybe one I'll just cut off the spoon to make it more compact.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/5-X-Australian-Army-Can-Opener-Camping-Survival-Hiking-Scouts-Fishing-Hunting-/150836534075?pt=AU_Sport_Camping_Hiking_Tools&hash=item231e8edb3b

[BIG-TARGET]

Scuttlebutt in some "circles" consider the P-38/51 and FRED as the "first multitool

If rumor is true, then MT's have come a long way!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P-38_can_opener
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Field_Ration_Eating_Device
http://olive-drab.com/od_rations_p38.php

[stealth007s]

I'm thinking that I 'NEED' that FRED. Looks like a real good conversation piece.

[Sazabi]

Scuttlebutt in some "circles" consider the P-38/51 and FRED as the "first multitool

If rumor is true, then MT's have come a long way!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P-38_can_opener
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Field_Ration_Eating_Device
http://olive-drab.com/od_rations_p38.php

Eh, folding scissors-with-knives multitools have been around since the late 1800s or earlier; there was a prototype folding pliers tool around then, too, IIRC.

[Nikos]

Probably even before that...

(Image removed from quote.)
Used for chopping, cutting, scraping and pounding it was the multi-tool of the day and essential for survival for our Neanderthal (and earlier) ancestors.
(clicky)

[Steinar]

Man has made knives for about 2.2-2.5 million years, folding knives with multiple tools were produced at least as early as by the Romans: http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/opac/search/cataloguedetail.html?_function_=xslt&_limit_=10&priref=70534

At lot of things under the sun are new, multitools aren't. Our ancestors were just as smart as ourelves, why shouldn't they make cool stuff?

OK, that's a handful of pet peeves off my chest.

[Cyclone82]

I got a bunch of those surplus FRED's dated 2007 along with some containers of military matches from an ebay seller. Kinda been a little worried about using the FRED though as thats some sort of zinc plating that surely cant be good for your health? We get motorcycle parts plated in that stuff at work.

[enki_ck]

Scuttlebutt in some "circles" consider the P-38/51 and FRED as the "first multitool

If rumor is true, then MT's have come a long way!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P-38_can_opener
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Field_Ration_Eating_Device
http://olive-drab.com/od_rations_p38.php

Eh, folding scissors-with-knives multitools have been around since the late 1800s or earlier; there was a prototype folding pliers tool around then, too, IIRC.

Bob had a couple of threads on these on BF before. I'll try. To dig up some links.

[enki_ck]

Scuttlebutt in some "circles" consider the P-38/51 and FRED as the "first multitool

If rumor is true, then MT's have come a long way!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P-38_can_opener
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Field_Ration_Eating_Device
http://olive-drab.com/od_rations_p38.php

Eh, folding scissors-with-knives multitools have been around since the late 1800s or earlier; there was a prototype folding pliers tool around then, too, IIRC.

Bob had a couple of threads on these on BF before. I'll try. To dig up some links.

Here it is: Before there was Leatherman……. chapters 1-10

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/379737-Chapter-1)

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/380463-Chapter-2)

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/381465-Chapter-3)

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/383175-Chapter-4)

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/384469-Chapter-5)

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/385623-Chapter-6)

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/387095-Chapter-7)

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/388470-Chapter-8)

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/389858-Chapter-9)

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/391182-Chapter-10)

[stealth007s]

Here it is: Before there was Leatherman……. chapters 1-10

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/379737-Chapter-1)

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/380463-Chapter-2)

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/381465-Chapter-3)

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/383175-Chapter-4)

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/384469-Chapter-5)

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/385623-Chapter-6)

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/387095-Chapter-7)

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/388470-Chapter-8)

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/389858-Chapter-9)

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/391182-Chapter-10)

Very interesting Enki