4 pointless things

[spandit]

In my opinion, of course:

1) paracord bracelets - if you're carrying around a length of paracord anyway, there's no weight advantage and if you need a long length, you've got to spend a while undoing it. If you need a short length, then you'll have to undo it, cut it and then carry the rest round in a bundle anyway. A demonstration of skill perhaps but too much of an affectation for me

2) plastic kuksa - I'm amazed at the skill of those that carve these out from wood but if you're buying a cup, why not get something more practical?

3) pre-made fire bow sets - if you can buy one of these on eBay, you can buy a lighter/firesteel. Make your own as and when you need it (or as a challenge)

4) folding cutlery - it's no lighter than normal cutlery and not as easy to use. Do they really make that much of a difference in space saving? If you're that bothered, carve some chopsticks

Couldn't think of a 5th (without resorting to obvious things like survival tins, wire saws, saw back blades etc.)

 

[Shewie]

Agreed on the bracelets, kuksa's are kind of nice to drink out of I think, agreed on the bow drill sets unless you make one yourself and keep it as a user, folding cutlery is handy to fit into smaller pots for keeping a compact brew kit.

A lot of stuff in bushcraft is unnecessary in our modern day lives but we still enjoy doing it.

Don't let it get you down mate

 

[Everything Mac]

I agree with everything apart friom the plastic Kuksa - I love mine.

It doesn't well up, crack and leak some sort of oil into my drink

 

[Johnnyboy1971]

Paracord bracelet well I wear three because I want to.
Kuksa. Yeah they look nice and traditional and would love one, but from a practical point I prefer a Ti mug.
Pre made bow drill sets I agree.
Folding cutlery I can get all into my mug and saves space. Also not had any problems in using them.

With all things in bushcraft, be it modern or traditional it's all personal preference.
Personally I like a of both traditional for looks but modern for convenience.

 

[spandit]

Doesn't get me down - just starting a discussion!

I'd still reckon I could find space for non-folding cutlery somewhere. I did say it was my opinion & I'm often wrong!

Paracord bracelets are fine as a fashion accessory but I doubt their usefulness otherwise

 

[sasquatch]

Plastic kuksa all the way for me! I've made a wooden one but always bring the plastic one. They're light, don't break and just the right size for a 3 in one on stealths. As everyone including yourself has mentioned it's all down to personal preferance...

I don't get the bracelets myself, or survival tins with fishing hooks and line in England. No need in my opinion.

 

[Johnnyboy1971]

Paracord bracelets are fine as a fashion accessory but I doubt their usefulness otherwise

It's possible that odd time your out and about and you need some paracord and you don't have any in the car or pocket. Besides I like wearing them.

 

[Elines]

The only one I have a view on is the bracelets - which I like.

Having worked in an office for nearly 40 years, and making very little with my hands, it gives me a lot of pleasure to make a paracord bracelet, and then to wear it.

I agree on the point about time taken to untangle it etc but even that may be solved by the 'millipede' weave - although the actual bracelet looks a bit bulky to me (I haven't made one yet.)

http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=77392&p=939900&highlight=#post939900

 

[Biker]

Ditto about the bracelets, it's a fashion accessory for bushcrafters. I figure the 2metres of paracord I'd get will in, all probablity, be found ready and unravelled in my pack or car or where ever anyway. I just like wearing mine. I was given a snakeskin leather bracelet when I was 21 by an South African woman, wore it for years until one day I was washing my hands and found it had gone. Felt naked without it, so over the years I've always worn something around my left wrist. The current one is leather cobra knotted bracelet and it's tied on and has been there for 3 years now. The green paracorded bracelet is just there to keep it company.

Kuska. Not really into those, tin mugs for me.

They have bow drill kits for sale? Really? Now that's just silly!

Folding KFS, well I admit I bought a penknife set and the fork n' spoon slot into the scales, it looks OK but otherwise it's just another bit of kit to take up space in the box in the basement. No harm done.

Ultimately it comes down to personal choice of what you have and use.

 

[Paul_B]

Well I only carry my long handled titanium spoon which probably takes less space up than a full cutlery set, folding or otherwise. Take what you want but I can be sure most of your gear won't suit me just like mine won't suit you.

However I have never understood paracord bracelets. BTW I sometimes carry the remains of an 18m roll of dyneema (in the back of the car when car-camping). Does this count as paracord? What is paracord? Is that a generic term for cord that is less than a rope but more than string? If i need cord it is usually going to be dyneema on account of it being stronger for the weight. Also it is most likely pre-cut to length and tied with a mini line-lok for guys. I don't know why the need for string or cord in the pocket or round the wrist. Is string or cord really that useful to always want a bit in your pocket or on your wrist? It goes back to the kid with their pockets full of bits and pieces that they feel important to them. String, knife, boiled sweet of dubious origins, etc. And of course there is nothing wrong with that. I have my own forms of that, like the esbit stove. I have used it twice but I always carry one with a couple of tabs in my brew kit (with the meths or gas stove chosen for making the brew).

I would add millbank bags on a campsite with drinking water taps.

People with a stack of plastic laminated pieces of OS map that equate to the original map plus the laminating pouches. Slightly less bushcrafty but it is something pointless and something I don't see the point of personally.

I'm sure others disagree but in light of Spandit opening this potential Pandora's box I thought I'd add a little myself.

 

[Paul_B]

I never go anywhere without something around my left wrist. That is a watch. I find that is used a lot more than 2 metres of paracord ever would be. I guess both have a degree of usefulness and fashion though I will stick with the watch. As a kid there used to be some cool kid at school with those "friendship" bracelets (probably bought himself). It kinda took off probably through peer pressure but I couldn't get used to one round my wrist so never got one. Sticking with my watch. Of course if the watch had a paracord bracelet strap then wouldn't that be useful?!!

 

[Biker]

I never go anywhere without something around my left wrist. That is a watch. I find that is used a lot more than 2 metres of paracord ever would be.

... Of course if the watch had a paracord bracelet strap then wouldn't that be useful?!!

I got into the habit very early in my teens of wearing a watch on my right wrist. I'm 49 now and never broke the habit. As for the paracord watch strap. Yes (hangs head in shame) I made myself one of those too. It hangs on a hook on a shelf beside my desk. I wear it sometimes. Not that IS an affectation

 

[user24]

One thing I've always thought about paracord bracelets/belts/etc is that every time you tie a knot or work a piece of rope you weaken it... so surely the cord once unknotted would be of dubious reliability?

That said, cobra stitching is a fun way to pass the time. I just wouldn't consider knotted cord as part of my kit.

 

[Deleted member 4605]

1) paracord bracelets - if you're carrying around a length of paracord anyway, there's no weight advantage and if you need a long length, you've got to spend a while undoing it. If you need a short length, then you'll have to undo it, cut it and then carry the rest round in a bundle anyway. A demonstration of skill perhaps but too much of an affectation for me

As someone who makes - and has taught others (both in person and through this site) to make - paracord bracelets, I completely agree with you: they are a demonstration of skill and an affectation.

I would never dream of using one as my primary or only source of cord. However there have been (non-survival) occasions when I have needed cord and my bracelet provided the easiest solution. Do I wear one everyday? No chance (although they do provide a good conversation starter). Do I wear one when going outdoors? Sometimes. Would I scoff at someone else wearing one? Only if a) they were relying on it to save their life or b) they'd bought it.

 

[spandit]

Would I scoff at someone else wearing one? Only if ... b) they'd bought it

That was my point with the fire bow sets (see here for pre-made ones). I'll probably make a paracord belt at some stage as I like things to have a purpose other than decoration (doesn't quite explain why I've made a few paracord keyfobs...)

Funnily enough, was out walking the dog earlier and managed to drop the lead (ironically one made from paracord!). I found it again but if I hadn't, a few feet of cord from a bracelet could have come in handy! Still won't be wearing one any time soon, mind...

 

[user24]

or b) they'd bought it.

Yeah, I don't want to get political, but these guys: http://www.fromsoldiertosoldier.org/products/ are selling paracord bracelets for $100 with a $25 donation to soldiers charities. OK the donation is great, but the near-$75 profit is just ridiculous.

 

[spandit]

Yeah, I don't want to get political, but these guys: http://www.fromsoldiertosoldier.org/products/ are selling paracord bracelets for $100 with a $25 donation to soldiers charities. OK the donation is great, but the near-$75 profit is just ridiculous.

Wow, those are just horrible (and what a rip-off!). If I were making paracord bracelets to sell for H4H (for example) I don't think I'd make any profit on them

 

[Retired Member southey]

Yeah, I don't want to get political, but these guys: http://www.fromsoldiertosoldier.org/products/ are selling paracord bracelets for $100 with a $25 donation to soldiers charities. OK the donation is great, but the near-$75 profit is just ridiculous.

They have to cover the currency vagaries when exchanging from dollars to yen,

 

[user24]

Wow, those are just horrible (and what a rip-off!). If I were making paracord bracelets to sell for H4H (for example) I don't think I'd make any profit on them

Glad I'm not alone in this. I saw them in a local jewellers window with donations going to H4H - at first I thought it was a cool idea, but when I learned how little actually goes to the charity.... well it makes me raise my eyebrows anyway.

 

[Satyr]

My pointles 4 items:

1) Axe. I always take a shelter with me in the form of tent or hammock so no need to build anything, do not build massive fires or have them burning all night so no need to chop big lumps of wood up, do my outdoors sleeping/bushcrafting in the UK so do not have access to un-owned forests that can be chopped down to practice skills that I don't often need. Oh and I have wood stove at home istead of central heating so chopping wood is not a novelty

2) Folding saw. All of the reasons above.

3) Multiple knives. Why take two or more tools that do the same job? If you loose things that often, tie them to you.

4) Whoopie slings. Evil things from the dark realms of Arboriculture........

Pandoras box well and truely smashed open and I am in the bunker with hurricane lamp and tin hat for the fallout