Orange is the New Black

[TeeDee]

I have noticed over the years if I've not changed by choice ( combined with wisdom gained from losing tools ) on colour selection of tools , I've tried to enhance or connect brightly coloured items to my more critical item tools - ( Knives , Saws , First Aid kits , Match cases , Firesleeves , HeadTorch ) etc .

( I've still however failed to find what I would say is a really good high viz , GITD enhanced Flashlight that I'm happy with but thats a different topic. )

Mr Kirtley has just shared a video on the same topic

So I guess for me there are two things to consider

1) Bright enough to contrast against the natural environment to be able to find in daylight in undergrowth - tends to mean Orange , lime green or yellow, although white can also work quite well.

2) Reflective or GITD elements or gluing a Tritium rod to an item so it can be found easily at night time - either searching by eye in low light conditions or by torchlight.



I thought I would share a few links of stuff and see how others solve this issue?

Very bright - Excellent glow factor - decent length ( Pro and Con )

Afterburner Glow Tag

CountyComm Afterburner Glow Tag - These non-slip Afterburner Glow Tags were developed at the request of a local SAR (Search And Rescue) hero. He wanted a way to mark his gear and zippers with a bright, flexible tag. He can even write on it with a Sharpie if he wants. CountyComm made a small run...

edcgear.co.uk

Same thing but smaller.

Afterburner Glow Ring

Afterburner Glow Ring (5 Pack) These non-slip Afterburner Glow Ring were developed at the request of a local SAR (Search And Rescue) hero. He wanted a way to mark his gear and zippers with a bright glow tag. You can even write on them with a Sharpie if required. We made a small run for our local...

edcgear.co.uk

Glow in the Dark Tape

Narrow MaraSpec Glow Tape Roll

CountyComm Narrow MaraSpec Glow Tape Roll Perfect for adding a little bit of your favorite glow tape in the narrowest of spots... On Your Keys, Flashlights, Phone, First Aid Kits, Pens, Zipper Pulls, Light Switches, Radios etc... One of CountyComm's energy sector clients asked us to supply super...

edcgear.co.uk

MaraSpec Glow Tape - Roll

CountyComm MaraSpec Glow Tape - Roll One of our energy sector clients asked us to supply super bright Glow In The Dark (GID) stick on marking tape to mark exit ways on their offshore oil rigs. We looked everywhere for a product that was super bright, and had the needed super adhesion properties...

edcgear.co.uk

Tape - Reflective

Mara-Flect Reflective Luminous Tape 5-Pack

CountyComm Mara-Flect Reflective Luminous Tape (5-Pack) Comes In A Pack of 5 strips, Small 1"x 3" strips or Large 2" x 3" strips This revolutionary new product has thousands of uses, everywhere. It is ideal for ideal for use on signs, displays, buildings, steps, stairs, and doorways. Product is...

edcgear.co.uk

More shiny and pretty ornamental adornment.

Ti Firefly Titanium Bead (3-pack)

RovyVon: Ti Firefly Titanium Bead (3 Pack) The RovyVon Ti Firefly Beads are perfect for adding to your lanyards, keyring, zipper pull or EDC Bag! A pack of 3 in different colours these are excellent value and make a great addition to your EDC. Specifications: Weight: 10g Material: CT4 Titanium...

edcgear.co.uk

Tritium Rod

Tritium Ember Glow Fob With Glass Breaker

The CountyComm Tritium Ember Glow Fob With Glass Breaker provides some glow to your keychain, bag, tent zipper and more. Attach to your gear or door knobs, pull cords etc for finding gear or your way out in total darkness! Get the same long lasting glow as our other fobs but in a featherweight...

edcgear.co.uk

Reflector Keyrings

ZipFlector - Polymath Products

High-visibility retroreflective zipper pulls.

www.polymathproducts.co.uk

Firesleeve

fireSLEEVE

EXOTAC fireSLEEVE Exotac love fire. It's the most critical component in a survival situation, yet the basic options out there haven't evolved much. We're here to change that. Your basic lighter is still the easiest-to-use fire source, but there are some serious limitations. If it gets wet...

edcgear.co.uk

Paracord

550 Paracord - Fireball - 100ft (30m)

Atwood-Rope 550 Paracord - Fireball This U.S made #550 Paracord is manufactured with 7 cores of high strength yarn to ensure it meets the #550 pound tensile test. Manufactured in the U.S and tested in a government approved testing lab to ensure it meets military specifications. Please note that...

edcgear.co.uk

I've used/use all the above - appreciate alot are from one website but i've no financial vested interest in them.

If I could suggest more makers consider making products in brighter colours , with reflective / tritium rods built in I would really appreciate it.

As mentioned - still haven't found good solutions for Flashlights or Ferrorods.

There is the option of making more high viz fobs yourself of course out of ubiquitous items.

Good discipline of tool use can go a long way to not losing tools but it seems tools can also fall out at the most inconvenient times in the most awkward of places when the light is going down at the end of the day.


How do you avoid losing your kit?

 

[bobnewboy]

I use a bright orange paracord blaze on all of my easily lost/dropped articles, and dayglo orange or yellow fletchings on my field arrows. Seems to work for me.

 

[Nice65]

Those Afterburner rings have been out of stock for ages, I’d like a few of them.
Cyflect tape is very good stuff. I’ve got a couple of markers made of it, one stuck back to back, the other with Velcro hooks on the back. And some orange things, though I’ve yet to get a boat to go with my Mora boat knife.

Torches are one thing that I like to have a glow marker on. The little orange one here glows with (adjustable) aux LEDs for weeks, the larger Convoy has an orange led in the switch housing.

The polycarbonate tritium holders will fracture if dropped. The one in the pic has been glued back together, after waiting until darkness to locate the tritium tube in the car footwell. Better but more expensive are the cages that you can drop the tubes into.

 

[TeeDee]

Those Afterburner rings have been out of stock for ages, I’d like a few of them.
Cyflect tape is very good stuff. I’ve got a couple of markers made of it, one stuck back to back, the other with Velcro hooks on the back. And some orange things, though I’ve yet to get a boat to go with my Mora boat knife.

Torches are one thing that I like to have a glow marker on. The little orange one here glows with (adjustable) aux LEDs for weeks, the larger Convoy has an orange led in the switch housing.

The polycarbonate tritium holders will fracture if dropped. The one in the pic has been glued back together, after waiting until darkness to fing the tritium tube in the car footwell. Better but more expensive are the cages that you can drop the tubes into.

View attachment 82476

What is this pointing towards the camera?

 

[Nice65]

It’s a tiny screwdriver for glasses and changing the battery in my car key.

 

[TeeDee]

It’s a tiny screwdriver for glasses and changing the battery in my car key.

Ahhh..

Also..


Nice!!


Sandal!!

 

[Jared]

The problem with titrium is it is so tightly controlled in the US. So will remain a niche thing.

Did read a while back that an newer improved GITD material had been discovered, by doping the Strontium based GITD with Europium and Dysprosium.

Glow-in-the-Dark Items : United Nuclear , Scientific Equipment & Supplies, United Nuclear , Scientific Equipment & Supplies

United Nuclear , Scientific Equipment & Supplies : Glow-in-the-Dark Items - Radiation and Nuclear Element Samples Lab Equipment Electronic & Electrical Science! Printed Products Chemicals & Metals Neodymium Magnets Area 51 Glow In The Dark, UV & IR Lab Glassware & Containers Specials, One-offs...

unitednuclear.com

Also soon after I get a Acebeam H16 (which does have atleast an orange headband with some reflective printing on) They release a version with an orange anodised body too.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/ACEBEAM-H16-Rechargeable-Headband-Neutral/dp/B0CBJZD41Y?th=1

 

[Nice65]

Ahhh..

Also..

View attachment 82478
Nice!!

View attachment 82479
Sandal!!

Nic Westerman hammered steel Birch leaf from back in BritishBlades days.

Sinners Beach Slaps.

 

[Pattree]

@Nice65
Like you I use shackles and screw links a lot.
My car keys are chained to my wallet. The chain runs through a snap shackle (quick release shackle) on my belt. It can run through that loop supplied with my phone bump case when I’m out. I have never once mislaid my car keys for the last 25 years using this equipment.

The vast majority of my kit is old and not coloured. I like the look of those tags.

 

[Nice65]

The problem with titrium is it is so tightly controlled in the US. So will remain a niche thing.

Did read a while back that an newer improved GITD material had been discovered, by doping the Strontium based GITD with Europium and Dysprosium.

Glow-in-the-Dark Items : United Nuclear , Scientific Equipment & Supplies, United Nuclear , Scientific Equipment & Supplies

United Nuclear , Scientific Equipment & Supplies : Glow-in-the-Dark Items - Radiation and Nuclear Element Samples Lab Equipment Electronic & Electrical Science! Printed Products Chemicals & Metals Neodymium Magnets Area 51 Glow In The Dark, UV & IR Lab Glassware & Containers Specials, One-offs...

unitednuclear.com

Also soon after I get a Acebeam H16 (which does have atleast an orange headband with some reflective printing on) They release a version with an orange anodised body too.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/ACEBEAM-H16-Rechargeable-Headband-Neutral/dp/B0CBJZD41Y?th=1

TBH, the Turboglow type stuff stays visible all night, there’s no real need for tritium. The military like it because it never needs exposing to light, in submarines for instance.

Us lot like it because it’s mega cool, and way overthought for our needs.

 

[Nice65]

Ridgelines and guylines are all orange or green reflective on my kit now. Nearly sawed off my toe getting out of the hammock for a drunken pee years ago and ended up falling into dry brambles. The days of camo everything are gone.

 

[Jared]

TBH, the Turboglow type stuff stays visible all night, there’s no real need for tritium. The military like it because it never needs exposing to light, in submarines for instance.

Us lot like it because it’s mega cool, and way overthought for our needs.

Yeah.

Thought look up what the betalights are going for these days.

Betalight Torch

Betalight Torch A tough field pocket torch that requires no batteries or maintenance for its 10-15 year operational life. The betalight gaseous tritium light source provides sufficient illumination for night map reading and other forward area tasks. It is recessed and housed securely in a robust...

www.specialprojectsandresearch.com

£90 new.

 

[Nice65]

Yeah.

Thought look up what the betalights are going for these days.

Betalight Torch

Betalight Torch A tough field pocket torch that requires no batteries or maintenance for its 10-15 year operational life. The betalight gaseous tritium light source provides sufficient illumination for night map reading and other forward area tasks. It is recessed and housed securely in a robust...

www.specialprojectsandresearch.com

£90 new.

Think I last looked at those back in BB days and there was one on eBay, or maybe even here, for about £50.

Mind you, by the time you’ve bought a machined Ti capsule and a 22mm trit you’re looking at the same money.

 

[Tengu]

Once nearly lost a Laplander by putting it down on a forest floor.

(Lucky not mine)

(Sorry guys)

I now have offcuts of bright paracord tied on everything.

 

[Jared]

As mentioned - still haven't found good solutions for Flashlights or Ferrorods.

Could paint a ferro rod in bright/GITD nail polish.

My Lumintop Tool AA has GITD orings holding the lens in as standard, which glows for a while after it's turned off.

 

[Nice65]

Most, not all, torches have a lanyard hole for attachment of something. Or a braid of paracord outer sleeve can be used.



Most of my users have the aux led glowies in. The Wurkkos TS10 (copper) in my pic in the post above has orange, but the aluminium versions are around £16 and you can choose your aux colour.

【New Orange Release】Wurkkos TS10 V1＆V2 14500 Powerful Mini EDC Flashlight with 3* 90 CRI LEDs and 3* Aux LEDs ,Anduril 2.0,Max 1400lm

The TS10 is a powerful Mini EDC flashlight. It uses 3 pieces main LEDs and 3 peices Aux LEDs to provide ,with Anduril 2.0 and powered by one 14500 battery. It will be your reliable partner for every day use and with fun.

wurkkos.com

 

[Jared]

Yeah, though getting a flashlight in a bright colour is alot easier than it used to be.

Think Convoy now make all of their popular models in multiple body colours.

https://convoy.aliexpress.com/

 

[Ozmundo]

I have blaze orange paracord and paint on a lot of my kit items.

I am not sure if colour vision changes with age but I’ve noticed I don’t see it that well against leaf litter. A foot square is fine but small bits blend into brown to me now.

 

[Laurentius]

I agree, I am fed up with the number of items that are black, that you put down and struggle to find again, and I do think I might have had a fighting chance of spotting my lost compass recently had it not been black. Black for a "survival" compass, I ask you!

 

[Kav]

Please look up the California State Flower. Then look up our periodic ‘Superblooms.’ Orange can blend in with lesser colors of fall. Bright Blue is another option