Perhaps this should be in “pitch your bitch” but perhaps we can get some More useful insight here.

I’ll start by admitting that 10-15 years ago I was very guilty of being a mall ninja. I had battle belts, copious amounts of mag pouches, I even had Multicam ABU’s or whatever the hell the army calls their NWU.

I’ve since sold nearly all of it and 1, only keep what I actually use and 2, only buy what I have an immediate or certain future need for. I use my plate carrier weekly for working out, I use my knives daily or when the activity permits. I use my packs daily as well. Being in the military helps, even being a spook I still use a lot of things that say, an infantry soldier, would use.

It’s not just Mall ninja stuff, we use our grain mill, we use our canning stuff, we use damn near all our preps.

It’s becoming more and more annoying to see people with all this shit and not one spec of dirt on it. Maybe it’s worse now that I can’t find what I actually NEED because of Covid but I know Jack Off over there has one brand new sitting in a box. I know I can’t hate on someone for buying before me, but still.

So be honest, do you have a closet full of brand new stuff that you bought cause it was cool?

quote:

So be honest, do you have a closet full of brand new stuff that you bought cause it was cool?

No. Honest.

I only buy stuff I plan to use. I’m careful in my purchases and usually research and think quite a bit before I pull the trigger.

I’ve not got as much stuff as a lot of people. I’ve got family that have crazy amounts of cool things and toys. After my divorce and the resulting financial struggles, I resolved to be even more careful than before. Saving and paying cash and only getting things I would actually use. And Buy Once, Cry Once when possible.

I try to lead a simple life, uncluttered. Everything with a purpose. A realistic purpose. There are things in the safe that haven’t been used for a while, and a few drawers full of accumulated junk, but no hoards of crazy stuff.


I might, however, have what others would consider a stupid amount of medical stuff...but since that’s my “thing”, and I actually train on and use it, I don’t think it counts.

I have managed to restrain myself when it comes to tactical gear. And I donated a ton of stuff to cops still on the job when I retired.
I do struggle with:
Flashlights.
Holsters
Knives.

I don't.
I'm about as minimalist as possible when it comes to carrying.
Pistol, spare magazine, holster, knife and wallet. Cell phone also but even that isn't on me some times.

I am in the same boat as YooperSigs. I have yet to find the perfect flashlight, holster or knife. The search has slowed but continues.

I haven't found the perfect gun either but haven't found any "better" than what I already own.

not necessarily.

i view some of it as insurance. better to have in a time of dire need than to not have.

the key is to not go overboard. keep things reasonable within the constraints of your financial / storage space considerations.

for instance : night vision. i can see that as a 'prep' that is largely useless on a day-to-day basis. but if you ever truly needed it... heck - even a generator might sit on the shelf unused for months and months.

but when the hurricane comes tracking its nice peace of mind. especially when you are responsible for family. i never want to be in a position where the family members who depend on me look to me and we have no food, water, electricity, means of defense, etc.

--------------------------------

I try to prepare for things that might happen. I also like spares.

quote:

Originally posted by 12131:

quote:

So be honest, do you have a closet full of brand new stuff that you bought cause it was cool?

No. Honest.

Q,

You got a closet of 228’s alone

I guess what got me thinking about it was searching for helpful information for my eventual move off grid. It seems the majority of people I’m finding are of the Bear Grylls variety. They live off grid when the camera is rolling. And it’s apparent from the equipment they use.

I ain’t no fool, we grew up without electricity and running water.

Anyway, searching for something that works better than you is logical. Having 3 drop leg holsters for your biannual range trips isn’t lol

I have holsters and slings that I don't use often, but I keep them because I have used them, and will likely use them in the future.

I don't collect "tactical"gear. Don't have a plate carrier, don't have battle belts, or rifle mag carriers.

I still have a box of old forest camo from my time in the Army, but my ass won't fit in it anymore. I have a camo bug suit for hunting.

I figure anything I can use hunting I can use for other purposes if needed.

I do have a plenty of magazines for everything I own, but that is more of a hedge against a ban, than a tactical decision.

We have and use generators, chainsaws, forest tools, etc. We don't live all that far "out there" but we are on a farm, and you can see "out there" from where we are, so it's prudent to have some stuff.

I guess I am somewhat "wasteful" in this regard when it comes to knives. I have more than I need and some I will likely never use. But I like 'em, so there's that.

Holsters and Knives.

I have a pile of each, all "must haves" for particular reasons and situations. But it seems I use the same 1 or 2 knives or holsters and the rest just sit.

In the past few years I've been gifting some of them to my sons and close friends.

Other than that just about everything else gets used when needed.

Most of my prep stuff in the form of consumables is stuff we use regularly. Such as food, hygiene products, ammo, mags, etc.

Some of the gear I have is insurance. Better to have it & not need it than the opposite.

The truth of the matter for me is this:

If I really need the gear, it's because I'll feel it's necessary to get Mrs. vinnybass & myself to our cabin. If things have gotten that bad, I'm justified.

I also have some redundant stuff.

You'd be amazed-- or then again, maybe not-- by the number of people who go all-in on buying emergency prep items, thinking that simply HAVING them is enough and that they're prepared for a) the lights going out and b) the government "calling in sick" for a week or two.

Unless you use your preps, you have no idea if they actually WILL work when you need them to, or will need to "learn as you go." Neither seem to be very good plans.

I haven’t gone mall ninja. I have things I haven’t used yet but I don’t see that as a negative. We can a lot, garden, keep full gas cans and have a couple generators. I keep a change of clothes, pair of shoes, extra pistol mags, a basic first aid kit and a hatchet in my truck at all times. I suppose I’m in the prepared but not overboard category.

I use ammo, fire lighting utensils, camping gear, knives and flashlights. The rest sits and food gets rotated every 6-12 months. The rest sits in go bags.

We have camping stuff that will serve as "prep" if and when needed. I have gun stuff that also can serve as prep when needed.

I have a Costco pack of TP and Paper Towels in the basement that I won't use till needed.

The rest of my preps are canned and freeze dried foods and the freeze dried stuff probably won't ever get used unless the shit really does hit the fan. My chest freezer should suffice otherwise.

I do need a generator.

I have a full LARP kit that I never use. I just started shooting with it on and learned a ton. I need a few more weekends of shooting and adjusting things and then I want to start a thread about what I learned and what others can add and teach me.

Biggest thing I learned is weight. I work out 6 days a wee and am 42, so fairly young. between a battle belt, level 3+ plates, 7 mags, a rifle and a helmet...oof, that shit adds up.

I can say with confidence, most folks who own a LARP kit will die of a heart attack long before they get shot.

quote:

Originally posted by esdunbar:

I can say with confidence, most folks who own a LARP kit will die of a heart attack long before they get shot.

Another thing I’ve noticed. Check the classifieds on some tactical-centric forums, “brooks battle belt - XXL”, for fucks sake maybe your preps should include the occasional jog. Maybe I’m being an ass but it irritates me.

When I first started camping I bet I packed a 75 lbs bag. Wore myself out in a few hours. Gotta use what you got to learn your mistakes.

esdunbar, what’s a LARP?

Live Action Role Play