ESEE/Rat Rc-4 Sheath Modification
I have been taking a serious look at a new belt sheath for my RC-4 lately. The Molle back it came with really wasn't working on my belt and - wanted something with the capacity to hold small items of kit and maybe make the sheath into a small PSK (personal survival kit). The Spec-Ops Combat Master looked great, having that little pocket, but even the "short" sheath is shaped for a slightly longer blade. The typical KSF/Sharpshooter sheath didn't have a pocket, just a firesteel loop, and was $50. Every other decent option was more expensive than that. You'll see over time that when I'm frustrated in a product search or activity out comes the redneck engineer. So I start to thinking that maybe I can make a sheath myself or just modify the kydex body the RC-4 came with.
So I head on over to Youtube and take a look at Colhane's channel. He had a neck knife setup as a PSK using bicycle inner tube for flaps/pockets. I then remembered a Dave Canterbury video where he did something similar with a machete. Having made some "pathfinder" type gear myself I thought I could do the same with the kydex body. That would solve the pocket issue, but what about the belt carry?
As I looked around for images of different RC-4's I saw one mod where a poster on BladeForums used a piece of rappel grade webbing and some zipties to add a loop for his RC-6. That would be perfect if I sewed some loops to keep the webbing from shifting under the zip ties. I know I can do it now, and for cheap.
So while on a break at work I took some time to do this.
Materials - kydex sheath body, two 8" zip ties (will be cut), one 12" section of webbing (will be cut), 26"x1 3/8" inner tube, and I sewed the webbing loops with upholstery thread but that's not necessary.
Tools - knife/scissors, needle if you choose to sew loops in the webbing.
1) Cut a piece of webbing that will eventually serve as the belt loop. You could also use old belt leather or even paracord as an alternative. I chose to sew several sections so the webbing wouldn't shift. Cut it to reach an inch lower than you plan the lowest zip tie to be but long enough for the sheath to ride where you want it.
2) Put the zip ties into as many rivet holes as you'd like. I think two is fine.
3) Loop the webbing and place it where you'd like height-wise against the body. Remember to place it for righty/lefty.
4) Cinch down the zip ties and cut the excess. That will create the belt loop section. You should be able to modify these plans for horizontal carry fairly easily
5) Cut inner tube to the size pockets you want. Remember that the larger you cut the pieces the harder it will be to stretch them and slide them into place.
6) Starting with the top pocket slide the inner tubes into place with each new piece overlapping the "bottom" of the higher piece. I'll admit, this part is difficult. This will create the pockets.
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Now that I've completed the "construction" I'll have to put together a PSK on the sheath. I'll post better pictures when it's complete.
Critical Documents kit
Who are you? Oh, yeah? Prove it.
The only way we can insure that we properly present ourselves to be who we are, own what we own (or have financed), are insured for, and have attended such education and training as we have, is to have proper documentation at the ready. But how is this possible when your drivers license, social security card, college degree, etc. have been destroyed, left behind, or stolen?
Think for a moment that you wake up, smell smoke, and realize the house is on fire. You rush the family outside, thinking to yourself" thank God everyone is safe."Now come the day after and you're on the phone with your insurance agent who says, "Do you have a photographic record of the contents", "is there a copy of your I.d. and social security card?" And on this goes. Then you say "Oh, no. They were destroyed in the fire. That's why we called you."This could be avoided fairly easily with a basic document kit.
Warning: Now, please note that this article is not entitled "What to do in case of fire". The scenario was generalized and is used for dramatic imagery. Fires are serious threats and I recommend you build a proper evacuation plan for your family today! (Article being researched)
Enough with the imagery. I choose to layer my document kit by scanning all critical items. Then I create physical copies to kept in the house should the originals be damaged. I keep electronic backups in Google Docs at an account used for nothing else, and I have been carrying an encrypted set of documents on a memory stick attached to a keychain in my vehicle kit. This way I have all bases covered. Should something happen to the house, destroying all physical copies I have Google Docs or my keychain set. Or if my keychain has been lost/stolen they are encrypted. And if I have to Bug Out unexpectedly leaving everything behind including my vehicle I can later access Google Docs - assuming internet access.
Now of course, your physical copies (especially originals) should be kept in a safes. Preferably fire safes, and in atleast two locations. But who has the money for a good fire safe, let alone two? Later on this year I will post a write up of a $150 closet safe. However, if you don't have the money available right now, I recommend you place originals in a "fire box". These small safes can be had for less than $40 at most big box stores. Keep the fire box near your bed where you will think to grab it before exiting the house.
In this kit you should include any and all documents pertinent to your assets/possessions, finances, health, emergency contacts, education, and identity. This means if you think it should belong, scan it and protect it. Another thought is to scan treasured photos. Though they may not be critical to your survival its a great relief to know that there is a level of insurance out there.
A basic look at my kit is (for wife and myself) -
All I.D.'s, licenses, certifications, and permits
Vehicle info w/pictures, truck loan docs, registrations, and insurance policies
County registry for home ownership, records of sale, realtor/escrow agents contacts, etc.
All bank info with member, account and routing numbers
Records of credits/loans including (especially) those paid off or closed
Educational/training certificates, diplomas, and degrees
Resumes and work histories
Past tax info (w-2's, 1099's)
Health insurance policies
Emergency contacts
You may have more or less to document and may choose to employ more safety measures than I do. In any case make a plan to get this prep done ASAP. There are too many day to day threats that could let Murphy rear his ugly head and show you the error of your ways. If nothing else, use the experience to get your documents organized. I mean, who doesn't appreciate a little order in their lives?
$5 and no tools – Fishing Rod holder for bed rails
Since most newer trucks come with some sort of accessories rail it has become fairly easy to mount all kinds of racks for storage. As I was looking at my truck (Tacoma) and the couple of short bluegill rods I had just laying in the bed I thought it just wouldn't be that difficult to fabricate some sort of rack to get the rods off the deck of the bed and get some organization going. So I headed on down to my local home improvement store and set off on a little adventure where I came up with this quick and easy system.
All you really need (sans a truck with rails) is a pair of 'J' hooks with pre-drilled holes, some washers to fit your rail (caution, may take two per hook depending on the size of the screw heads you find), some screws - about 1 1/2 inch 10/32 will work, and for tool free install - some wingnuts to fit the screws. Full cost was less than $5.
For installation you should put the shank of the screw through the washer(s), then slide the washers "vertically" into the bed rails and place them for length and support of the rods.
Then take the 'J' hook to the screw and run the shank through the pre-drilled holes. Fit the washer onto the leftover portion of the shank and tighten 'er down.
That's it! It should be so ridiculously simple that you can complete the install in the parking lot. As a side note, I recently added a small bungee onto the hook closest to the tailgate to secure the rods on bumpy roads.
If you have any problems or questions e-mail me at TheChristianSurvivalGuide@Gmail.com