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It dawned on me that most of us have found items that are very useful in our lives, items that we perhaps stumbled on by accident, or maybe read a great review - but after trying it, we find that it's the best that we have found anywhere, at any time. This is as good a place as any to share those things, so that other people can try it, or at least look it over. It should probably relate to homesteading or preparedness in some way.
The "stuff" can be old or new, still made (so others can check it out). Just state what it is (even multiple items) why you like it so well, and what you use it for. Try not to violate the "No advertising" rule, though people often link to Amazon; you need not provide any link at all, or even mention a brand name. If it's made in the USA, all the better!
I'll start it off, with something I can't live without, and am using heavily right now - a pair of Muck chore boots, made perfectly for Maine's "mud season" . They use neoprene inside, fit tight but not annoyingly and are absolutely waterproof; my pair's going on 3 years old now. I use them for general springtime use in mud and residual snow, and during the summer when tending the poultry or garden. Wife won't let me wear 'em into the house though , wonder why??
A baseball cap lined with gore tex. Good for wet weather in any season, and it keeps the sun out of my eyes when its not raining.
A 2" blade pocket knife and a 1.5" long flashlight, both of which I carry on my key chain. They're handy in so many ways, its hard to list them. Last week I used the flashlight to look for something I dropped in a movie theatre, and I used the knife to start peeling an orange.
Sand, brick dust, catalogs, corn cobs, grass, trowels whether plastic or steel, and fingers just can't compare.
Imagine eating a whole jar of Clausen's pickles on an empty stomach. It makes one's rectum smell like a horse's rectum and leaves deposits. Would you really wish to scrape it with a steel trowel or rub brick dust around with your hands getting it under your fingernails?
I once stopped in a Colorado rest area back in the old open pit days. I was almost running to the good old throne room. After relieving myself I noticed that there was no toilet paper. Those holes had their advantages. I was able to remove my pants without getting anything on them. I then removed my shorts and used them for an emergency substitute, dropping them down the hole when I'd finished. Thankfully, I've always worn boxers. Soft cloth is very pleasant, but White Cloud is cheaper.
Sand, brick dust, catalogs, corn cobs, grass, trowels whether plastic or steel, and fingers just can't compare.
Imagine eating a whole jar of Clausen's pickles on an empty stomach. It makes one's rectum smell like a horse's rectum and leaves deposits. Would you really wish to scrape it with a steel trowel or rub brick dust around with your hands getting it under your fingernails?
I once stopped in a Colorado rest area back in the old open pit days. I was almost running to the good old throne room. After relieving myself I noticed that there was no toilet paper. Those holes had their advantages. I was able to remove my pants without getting anything on them. I then removed my shorts and used them for an emergency substitute, dropping them down the hole when I'd finished. Thankfully, I've always worn boxers. Soft cloth is very pleasant, but White Cloud is cheaper.
Around hunting camp, you always know the guys that forgot to prepare by the little squares cut out of their t-shirts
One tool I am never without is my multitool. I'm always needing a pair of pliers or a knife or screwdrivers, so a multitool and/or a good swiss army knife are always on my belt.
Secondly, I always carry a zippo lighter, (butane doesn't work in the cold and a zippo can be refilled with gas or kerosene if necessary), and there is a magnesium match on my keychain.
What can I say, I live in a cold country so being able to make a quick fire is essential!
OK, recent purchase, and it looks good. They call this the "manual chainsaw"! I've been using a Corona folding pruner all winter, and it's been great, so we'll see how this Silky Big Boy compares.
I read on it, listen to audio books, look up feed rations, lag screw placement for a ledger board, mysterious rashes or bites, diagram of my car's transmission, have my recipe book stored in it, do my banking, order gear or supplies, research a million and one different topics...and play Words with Friends.
Seriously, I could go back to having dozens of different books, tools and errands that would do the same thing, but I sure wouldn't want to!
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. They use neoprene inside, fit tight but not annoyingly and are absolutely waterproof; my pair's going on 3 years old now. I use them for general springtime use in mud and residual snow, and during the summer when tending the poultry or garden. Wife won't let me wear 'em into the house though 
, wonder why?? 
