Your favorite gadgets, gear, and supplies: Under $10.

[Knifestyle]

The rules:

Any item mentioned in this thread must be under $10, including shipping if purchased online. Exceptions include deals such as Amazon where shipping is free if you hit $25 of items, etc. These may not be the Atwoods and Rolexes of the world, but there are some little bits of kit that are so cheap it just makes sense to grab a few.

-Gerber Shard. Found at big box stores, cheaper than a Widgy bar from countycomm because of the six dollar shipping charge.

-Zip ties. A bundle for a dollar.

-Wet naps pack. Around a dollar in the travel/trial section.

-Travel sized Dr. Bronners soap. A few bucks at Target, either Peppermint of Lavender, really is good for everything.

-Generic handkerchiefs. For five dollars at Walmart, you get thirteen white cotton cloths. Not as sturdy as a bandanna but just as versatile, disposable, and clean-looking when you give them away.

-Fox 40 whistles. Every type is just about under ten bucks, one of the cheapest bits of gear that most enthusiasts agree on carrying.

-Wisp disposable toothbrushes.

[Clip]

I love this thread's potential. My contributions:

a BIC lighter. For $10 you get a whole handful, and I've found them to be a lot less temperamental than my Zippos.

A hank of paracord. Doesn't even have to be 550, you just need to know the proper knots, which leads to

A knot-tying card. Helps to carry one around until you get the common ones memorized: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/092227322 ... 1&pi=SY200

I'll think on this topic some more, I'm sure I have some to add.

[3rdGenRigger]

I sometimes carry a square sticky note pad in my back left pocket (Grid paper style rather than lined). Useful for taking notes, and sketching out ideas visually.

[twinboysdad]

Photon light on my keychain

[Invective]

I picked up a few things for my keychain in BladeHQ a few weeks ago, one of which was the eGear Picolite. Great little flashlight for $6.95, and with shipping it was still under $10 but I got free shipping for having my total order over $100.

Also got one of the BladeHQ dogtag bottle openers which was $3.95. There are a lot better bottle openers, but for $4 and small enough to fit easily on a lanyard, I am happy with it.

Another item I always have with me is my BlenderBottle. I used to work out a lot and was bulking up with creatine so I had to be constantly drinking water. Combined with long hours in class with 10 minute breaks, the BlenderBottle was great. Holds >600 ml of water, easy to mix in protein powder for a quick 150 cal meal during class without being messy, and has the easiest shape to clean out after. Only $8 at 24, although I got a few from a Sports basement for $7 which was even better. Things are pretty darn durable too, the plastic just scratches instead of denting/breaking like metal can. I've dropped mine more times than I can count and all they show are a few scuffs on the top. And although I've stopped working out in favor of biking now, it still is great just to carry around for staying hydrated.

[3rdGenRigger]

I use the spine of my Spyderco knives right where the thumb hole is (With the knife closed) to open bottles...no separate bottle opener necessary, and works like a charm.

[M80]

Utili-Key i have had one on my keys for around 4 years still love it :D

[3rdGenRigger]

I used to carry a Utili-Key, and would like to reacquire one if I get the chance...I don't know for the life of me what happened to mine...it's MIA in my house somewhere, along with my FRN Native. They're not lost, I know they're in the house, but I don't know whereabouts in the house they reside currently.

[Buendia518]

Thanks, great post I might buy everything listed here. Here are my thoughts...

I take a backpack everywhere and I always carry a cheapo plastic folder with a couple sheets of paper and of course bring a pen to write notes and such. Plastic is important because the folder can serve as a seat on a wet bench or even a pile of snow. The one I have was easily disassembled and the flaps cover your thighs and your butt. Folders are so cheap you can just disassemble them on the spot when you need an impromptu seat, but they might not fold back together and hold paper, mine's stapled back actually. I used to carry a big rigid piece of plastic which was also the improvised backplate of a soft backpack and helped with comfort on long walks and heavy loads. But I'm seriously proud of the folder idea I have to admit :o . It's really nice to have particularly in winter or rain, and plenty of us have five months on the way.
Everyone go out and try it and then evangelize :) roughly $1

I guess a homemade "day" kit is under $10 too, I carry several common meds, mole skin blister protectors, candy,small candle, duct tape, duct tape, duct tape, duct tape :) , threaded needle, paper clips,a few paper towels, alcohol tabs and other first aid stuff, etc. throw it in a couple zip lock bags which are also handy. All this stuff could save your *** if you need to walk across town, but this belongs in another thread and I'm sure we could all go on about the subject. It's always nice to have a cliff bar stashed away, or something you won't eat til you really need it.

The Nalgene website ships free at $10 so there are plenty of good buys there and the prices aren't inflated. Of course it's gonna be marginally over $10 , but buy two and divide in half and it's less than 10 each, voila. They have some wide variety so don't get caught up or you'll end up with fifty nalgenes to match your knives. I recommend the ultralight bottles I hear they're healthier to drink (cold liquids only )

Photon light on my keychain

I had to read this to make sure someone mentioned Photon lights. It's so small it must be connected to something so keys are a good spot. Make sure you get a new version because the new white bulbs are brighter, I think they're brighter bulbs than any other company uses but I'm not certain, and of course avoid knockoffs because they're everywhere, buy LRI from a good source, make sure there's legit packaging. . A red or yellow light is great on the outside of a bag too; it's an emergency beacon, or walking/biking safety backup that you hardly notice. The photon freedom has some useful clips and control settings and it's maybe $11 or 12, so if you must, count it out and go for the basic version (still great) , but it's a great buy IMO. You can sometimes find great deals on the basic colored photon lights on the 'bay', I've bought one as low as $5


Duke

[ginsuwarrior]

*Vaughan mini pry bar, I used it yesterday to get in my front door.
http://www.vaughanmfg.com/shopping/Prod ... __222.aspx

*In my bag but never used them, glow sticks.
http://www.amazon.com/Cyalume-SnapLight ... low+sticks

*I usually have a sharpie in my pocket, they come in handy

*I always carry one of those paisley handkerchiefs, so many uses, I used it as much as a knife often, like when a tree branch fell on my head this weekend almost knocking me out, blood is flowing, of course the handkerchief comes out.

*If you need extra, but cheap and decent knives you can't go wrong with this Mora, it's $8.99 with prime shipped from amazon, my kids have a couple and they are great for their carving projects.
http://www.amazon.com/Morakniv-Craftlin ... mora+knife

[kbuzbee]

a BIC lighter. For $10 you get a whole handful,

Oh man, I misread that and thought BIC lighters were $10 now YIKES!

Fortunately, after I recovered, I saw what you'd really said...

Yeah, some handy stuff. Great idea for a topic!

Ken

[einstein2001]

Under $10 EDC gear and supplies currently in my pockets are:

#1 S-Biners, Titanium clips and split-rings
Zebra F-701 pen
Stainless Steel Sharpie
Moleskine notepad
Bic lighter
condom

[Evil D]

Well, not exactly $10 but pretty close, I'll throw in the Fisher Cap-O-Matic pen. Space pen ink, will write for miles and in/on any condition you can survive in.
http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Space-Pen- ... B001E103CY

[RanCoWeAla]

Maglite Solitaire and Smith's pull through sharpener with serrated edge rod on back for keychain.

[Enkidude]

Off the top of my head:

Fresnel Lens (magnifying lens)- read small print, start a fire, fits in the wallet. $2 maybe...
Tweezers- Wal-Mart has a two-pack that has a pair that's needle tipped and another that has the wider flat tips. Come with a sheath and only cost a few dollars.
Ultimate Survival Technologies Wet Fire Tinder (that's a mouth full) 5 for $5 at Wal-Mart. It floats on water on fire! What more do you need to know???
CountyComm has a brass compass that won't rust, freeze, and its very small and cheap. Pretty cool.
Folding scissors because you never know.(CountyComm has some of these too) $6

Automatic (yo-yo) fishing reels are a super cool piece of gear. Should be able to snag a couple for under $10 if you look around.

[Monocrom]

Made in USA bandana and Travel packet of Wet-Ones wipes.

Also, free pens from banks and doctors' offices for use as a back-up pen or a loaner to others.

[Jimbro]

P38 can openers.

http://www.georgia-outfitters.com/page52.shtml#p38

[phillipsted]

Great Thread!

1. A package of Dr. Scholl's Moleskin. If I'm on a hike and get blistered up, this is the only thing that can get me back to base camp (short of a helicopter airlift).

2. Imodium. I know it sounds kinda gross, but if you are in the woods with a case of the trots, you aren't having any fun... at all.

3. Carmex. Everyone has their favorite lip balm - it is essential stuff in the cold dry winter. Mine is the classic Carmex.

4. Wide mouth Nalgene bottles. Been using these for 30+ years and they keep getting better and better. The wide mouth lets you put a lot of stuff inside (like ice). The lids NEVER leak and the bottles can safely be packed away so you can carry extra litres of water with you wherever you go. One of the best products ever invented.

5. +1 on the Dr. Bronners liquid soap. I've used the stuff for over 30 years. Simple is often better. Plus they make "Sal Suds"...

[Jay_Ev]

I like this thread. I always carry a USB flash drive (sometimes referred to as a "thumb drive"). The one pictured is $7 for 16gb from amazon. Price has dropped way down in recent years. I can remember when these things used to cost $300-500 each. Important files, games, pictures, music, PDF's, etc can be stored on these things and no software is needed to use them. The one I carry costs a bit more, but has a larger capacity. In the interest of staying within the boundaries of the thread, I found this one:

[RanCoWeAla]

Uniball Jetstream pens
Rayovac LED flashlight with lifetime warranty that operates on one D cell $2.50 Walmart
Mock Tuetleneck T-shirt in Black, Grey and Navy
Sharpies
Shoe spoon
Hand Sanitizer
Nivea Simply Soft lotion
lamp oil
Wide clear shipping tape
stamps
Envelopes
Writing pad
scissors
Desicants
Caps
Coffee cup
Playing cards
Band Aids
wet ones
Shoe brush/ polish
Belt
underwear T-shirts
Handkerchiefs
Batteries
locks
Drinking water
Nail snips
Phone charger