Outdoor Eating Tools and Survival Gear stored in a collection drawer.

[Chako]

I posted these on Facebook but felt I could do better on this forum. So here goes.

A bit of background for starters. My father got me my first knife when I was 6 years old. The family was going to spend the summer up in Elliot Lake Ontario, and my dad thought it would be a good idea to get me my first knife. Because of the camping trip, he bought me a super cheap Stag Ireland Hobo knife. He also taught me knife safety when he gave it to me. That whole summer, that knife and I were inseperable. I am honestly surprised I never lost it. Oh the adventures we both had. I refused to use anything else with my meals. Eventually I placed it in a safe spot and I still have it today. In fact, it is stored with the rest of my show gear.

That knife gave me a healthy respect for Hobo type knives. Because of that, I can't refuse buying them whenever I come across them in stores and such. They are not something I actively seek, but if I stumble upon a new one, invariabley I will be taking it back home with me. Thus, the contents of this drawer is mostly dedicated to the camping eating tools.

Before we take a visual tour of my dedicated storage drawer to the outdoor eating arts, I found this interesting article on the history of such knives. It is a good read.

https://ibdennis.com/hobo1_01.pdf?fbclid=IwY2xjawFCqOJleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHbfR_D3nvSNSfSe7P8FhX8ucxQVLgmfWPfUloCcBgtYdRUe4ek__QkVrjw_aem_IjTxo6oC0XIq7dJMiz0fDQ

When I went to remove everything for photography, I was concerned because I found a lot of grey dust and stuff. At first I assumed it was mold. I cleaned everything and found out that one of my fire steels decomposed.

Onwards to the drawer contents...

The first 2 tools listed here require no introduction seeing that they are site related. Got to love the CKRT Eat'n Tool. More so when it is MT.O specific.

20240901_103644A by Chako, on Flickr

20240901_103656A by Chako, on Flickr

20240901_103726A by Chako, on Flickr

20240901_103733A by Chako, on Flickr

There is the CRKT Eat'n Tool XL.

20240901_103920A by Chako, on Flickr

20240901_104017A by Chako, on Flickr

This is a neat little mudular eating system and also includes chopsticks. Sistema To Go.

20240901_104142A by Chako, on Flickr

20240901_104211A by Chako, on Flickr

More traditional camping cutlery sets. The one on the right dates to the early 80s.

20240901_104247A by Chako, on Flickr

20240901_104321A by Chako, on Flickr

20240901_104435A by Chako, on Flickr

Another camping cutlery set that doesn't nestle like the 2 above.

20240901_104648A by Chako, on Flickr

This Olympia set comes in a Velcro pouch. This set is a bit more upscale as far as camping cutlery goes.

20240901_104750A by Chako, on Flickr

Another Olympia cutlery set that wouldn't look too out of place in a military setting.

20240901_104914A by Chako, on Flickr

Ruko Hobo knife.

20240901_105120A by Chako, on Flickr

A pair of Olympia BBQ tools.

20240901_105341A by Chako, on Flickr

20240901_105441A by Chako, on Flickr

The CKRT Eat'n Tool is such a popular design, that everyone produces a similar product.

20240901_105628A by Chako, on Flickr

A fancier set of Olympia camping cutlery of the nestling variety.

20240901_105702A by Chako, on Flickr

A blue Hobo knife.

20240901_105834A by Chako, on Flickr

I found this one for sale at the local Buck or Two dollar store years ago. They no longer exist as a retail chain.

20240901_110352A by Chako, on Flickr

Another interesting Hobo knife design.

20240901_110647A by Chako, on Flickr

I like the handle on this Hobo knife.

20240901_110857A by Chako, on Flickr

Yet another Hobo knife.

20240901_111011A by Chako, on Flickr

Another Olympia Hobo knife.

20240901_111314A by Chako, on Flickr

Ozark Trails Hobo knife.

20240901_111638A by Chako, on Flickr

I found this Coleman Hobo knife at the local Walmart.

20240901_111943A by Chako, on Flickr

Here is my first knife, a STAG Ireland Hobo.

20240901_112035A by Chako, on Flickr

I came across this neat Fuel pair at the local Dollar Store.

20240901_112213A by Chako, on Flickr

Traditional camping cutler set but in plastic.

20240901_112249A by Chako, on Flickr

CKRT Eat'n Tools.

20240901_112310A by Chako, on Flickr

A pair of one piece eating tools,

20240901_112408A by Chako, on Flickr

Smith's sharpening survival tool.

20240901_112440A by Chako, on Flickr

Set of can opener, a pair of FREDs, a P-51 can opener, along with a non-folding P-51 style can opener that is not as nice to carry around.

20240901_112525A by Chako, on Flickr

Ultimate Survival Tech (UST) mini survival kit.

20240902_083011A by Chako, on Flickr

20240902_083542A by Chako, on Flickr

This was one of the better handmade kits being sold off of eBay many years ago, The seller created a neat case for the tin that also holds a light stick, The tin is held together by a piece of bycicle tube which has survived all these years perfectly.

20240902_084121A by Chako, on Flickr

A Zombie Apocalype Survival Kit in a tin. Not opened. Love the art work.

20240902_084634A by Chako, on Flickr

20240902_084644A by Chako, on Flickr

A small First Aid kit.

20240902_084708A by Chako, on Flickr

20240902_084735A by Chako, on Flickr

20240902_084833A by Chako, on Flickr

A related small sewing kit.

20240902_084920A by Chako, on Flickr

20240902_085000A by Chako, on Flickr

A small UST folding razor saw tool.

20240902_085404A by Chako, on Flickr

The S.U.R.E EDC kit sold by a fellow MT.O member. This is one neat and ultra compact EDC kit. I do not know if he is still making these. I got mine 10 years ago,

20240902_085517A by Chako, on Flickr

A take on a Fire Steel. This one is protected and comes with a removable striker with ruler markings.

20240902_090041A by Chako, on Flickr

20240902_090057A by Chako, on Flickr

Emergency whistle, compass, and storage compartment.

20240902_090148A by Chako, on Flickr

I love these little Life Gear flashlights. A third one stored in the same drawer didn't make it into this photo, but you get the idea.

20240902_090222A by Chako, on Flickr

Resqme emergency vehicle tool.

20240902_090350A by Chako, on Flickr

20240902_090409A by Chako, on Flickr

Coughlan's emergency whistle tool.

20240902_090456A by Chako, on Flickr

Whistles.

20240902_090723A by Chako, on Flickr

Light My Fire Firesteel and stricker set.

20240902_090812A by Chako, on Flickr

Another emergency whistle with a compartment that holds medical information.

20240902_090950A by Chako, on Flickr

CRKT EXITOOL. I just googled this tool and it is still being made minus the flashlight. it is designed to go around your seatbelt.

20240902_091203A by Chako, on Flickr

20240902_091226A by Chako, on Flickr

Another Firesteel and striker.

20240902_091339A by Chako, on Flickr

A pair of weird micro LED lights. The one on the left features a clamp, The one on the right is designed to be worn like a ring on a finger.

20240902_091431A by Chako, on Flickr

3 different survival bracelets.

20240902_091517A by Chako, on Flickr

A bunch of smallish carabiners and a bag of fire tinder.

20240902_091600A by Chako, on Flickr

Last but not least is this fire steel and magnesium rod fire starter. I am guessing that there was an incompatability with either the 2 different materias or with the bonding agent used, The fire steel came right off of the tool and the end of the steel disintegrated into a fine powder which I thought was mold. I am just happy it wasn't mold.

20240902_091800A by Chako, on Flickr

[Farmer X]

Nice collection! I have a cheapie hobo and a CRKT Iota. The hobo works well enough, but I have yet to try out the Iota. My guess is that the Eat'N Tool is a better design. And I want to add one of the Opinel picnic kits.

[Chako]

Nice.