What's in your pockets?

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Re: Cut Nail

http://www.sizes.com/tools/nails.htm
Special types

Cut nails

Most nails made today are wire nails, machine-made from mild steel wire and more or less round. In earlier times the cut nail was more common. Cut nails, which are still made, are cut from a steel or iron plate and so have a rectangular cross section. In most fields they are now a specialty item prized for their quaint appearance. They are not inferior to wire nails, however; in fact their holding power is about 1.5 times greater than that of a wire nail of the same length–even more in end grain–but they are more expensive to manufacture.


I am unable to find a good picture of these "cut nails" with the various sizes listed, sorry.

Growing up everyone carried a nail, a couple of Strike-Anywhere kitchen matches and some other simple, everyday items.

"Cut Nails" were the nails I grew up with in my locale down here in the South.
I get bigger and discover all over the USA, other folks grew up doing the same thing - preferring the "cut nail".

When a structure would catch on fire, or be destroyed by tornado, materials would be sorted through and saved. Brick, stones, hinges ... nails.

Now most of the time, "cut nails" were left as they come. Just "bone stock and rough".
These are easy to file to shapes such as screwdrivers...

-Strike a Fire Steel and toss sparks to make a fire.
-Lose a bolt handle on a rifle or shotgun, and use can use a Cut Nail, to run the bolt.

Repeat: Lose a bolt handle off a shotgun.

Oh I have seen duck hunters lose a bolt handle off say a 1100, other types of hunting too, like up in tree stand using slugs for deer, and that handle fall out and into vegetation below.

Now I come up, having a spare bolt handle for Win SX1 , Rem 1100s and the like.
I also come up carrying a "cut nail".

So we had spares of these for those that did not know.

Recall, I had some interesting Mentors and Elders.

Ya'll call it 3 Gun and shoot Stages.
I was doing this, before all this come to be.
Except, mine were different, as there was no start buzzer, and "set ups" were based on real life stuff.
Meaning actually look at Window Jone's needs and come up with needs to fit situations she might have, being as there was no 911 and the Sheriff Deputy might be on the other side of his zone he/she worked.

Mentors would have 1100s for instance with the bolt gone, to replicate them getting lost in getting out of a closet, or when going down a bumpy road in a truck running to Widow Jone's, that bolt getting lost, ...

Clint says today what I heard coming up - "Learn to run the gun you got!"

So a pocket knife would fit that bolt handle hole, so would a "cut nail".

Not long ago we shot some Defensive Shotgun "set ups" and the bolt handles were removed on purpose...
Much to the surprise of the shooters...
One shooter used a Cut Nail, another her Case Slimline Trapper.
One shooter could not get her "tactical" knife to fit into that bolt hole.
The other two shooters were done with the "set up" before the one with the tactical knife could get the gun running...it took me giving her a cut nail to use.


Restrooms at Fillin' Stations in the old days, were often outside. The door only had a simple "latch" to keep it secure once one was inside.

Sometimes that "latch bolt" was missing and a person using the restroom, especially a lady, could simply slip that nail into where the latch bolt went and secure the door.
Door stops, and even a simple clothespin works for a door wedge too.


Kids are going to get a knot in a shoe, you can bet the farm on it.
Kids have a talent for getting a knot in daddy's boots, when they help get them boots off too.
Nails assist in undoing knots.

Small Key Chain screwdrivers called "4-Ways" were popular with folks and a Cut Nail, afforded one a bit more leverage.

Knob busts off a Kerosene lantern or Oil Lamp and again a nail would allow one to adjust the wick...

Pull cord on a lawnmower, chain saw and one could just tie the cord to the nail and go on...

Smushed fingers in car doors and tail gates?
How many of you got fingers caught in a vehicle door, or truck tail gate as a kid?
Did you ever run up to help mom unload groceries, or greet daddy and either get their fingers caught, yours, or those of brother or sister?

Mentors taught me a trick I still use.
Mentor had cleaned out the dust from his hinges on his truck and since they were squeaking, he was going to lube them.
I am just a little kid, and run to see and help.
Well I hit that door and said "hi" while his fingers and hands were in where the hinges were.
The door did not shut!
He had stuck a cut nail so it would not close.

He said one time the wind was blowing, and a cut nail kept his daddy's finger from getting pinched.

Then he showed me how to do that on a tail gate, so a kid playing with a tail gate - could not shut the tail gate to latch and have fingers stuck.
Oh they might get pinched, still the tail gate would not be latched and cause more serious problems.


We got tactical this and operator that and torx head something-or anothers...

Cut Nails still got a place in my pocket.

Mine are ~ 3 1/2" and 2 1/4" long...


*smile*
 
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Well surely I ain't the last curmudgeon to still carry one on person.
Plus I always kept/keep on in range bags , in the vehicle, office desk, with tools...

Art I bet has one near, and one in his truck.

I also bet he has scored a pc of metal, wood , and drywall with a cut nail, instead of a pencil a time or three.

Old Fuff I bet has used one to undo a lanyard on a handgun frame more than once...


How handy?
I used one to trip the fire alarm back in the day.
This style was the one with a glass tube and it was faster to poke out the glass cover, and pry the glass to break, as I had a kid in arms and we all were walking swiftly out the door - and I tripped the fire alarm as we headed out that way.
Cut Nail was in my shirt pocket...
 
So, is a regular nail a decent replacement for a cut nail, or should I try to find the real deal?

Darn it guys, I just started reading this non-firearms weapons [portion of the board, and it's definitely going to make me spend more money. But on the upside, I do want to spend more time outdoors sharpening my skills, no pun intended.
 
In my pockets you ask. Well lets see:
LF: cash, pen, tread depth gauge, misc.
RF: Bersa .380, NAA mini .22
RR: wallet
LR: S&W Black OPs knife, lock picks
 
Right Front: Empty
Right Front Watch Pocket: Speed Strip w/ 4 rounds .38 spcl
Left Front: Empty .45 case, Change, Schrade Old Timer Stockman, Grizzly Wintergreen, keys
Left Rear: Wallet
Right Rear: Snot Rag, CRKT M16-13Z
Shirt Pocket: Cell Phone
On Belt: Rayovac 3watt LED Light (Best light for $30)


A pretty light day really. A full load out usually has my belt supporting around 15 extra pounds.
 
Cool. He's shorter than the other rats that I've seen at shops around here, so I wasn't too sure. Thanks for the clarification.
 
Back pocket -wallet
right front- knife, can of chew
left front- phone, work keys.
Polo shirt - pen stuck between the collar buttons.

That's it. I carry my keys in my hand, as I hate having a pile of keys in my pocket. This is my typical EDC load every workday of the week. I have some other stuff in an EDC bag that I keep in my truck or at work, but this is what I actually have on me.
 
Wait-you're carrying a speed strip but no revolver?

It is in my lunch box.....shhhhh..................



Oddly enough I still carry the speed strip even when I'm carrying my .45 and not a revolver in sight.
 
Yesterday was more interesting. Key rings on my Carbiner hold a 2gb thumbdrive, the key to my truck w/ a microlight Photon. A streamlite cuffmate. The keys to my apartment, moms, and GFriends Houses and vehicles, assorted grocery discout cards, library card and a sharpened, uncut toyota key for SHTF. The carbiner itself makes a pretty good knuckle duster, and makes the ring long enough to tuck into my right rear pocket along w/ my wallet. In there is a Swiss Card. in my waistband is my Spyderco native. Right front is my change and assorted nonsense I pickup in the course of the day. Watchpocket, Jeep lighter. Think short fat Bic. this one still lights after more than 5 years. Left front is my smokes and gum, and usually my cell. Thats everyday carry. Yesterday was a range day so I was carrying my Franken1911 in a galaco pancake holster @my right kidney, and my cell in its pouch on my right hip. A StarBM in a cheapo LH iwb just left of my spine, w/ a spare mag behind my wallet. on my left hip were two spare 8rd 1911 mags, my Multiplier and mini maglite in their pouch. Inside left ankle was my Mod60 S&W, and i was weating my BatesLite Steeltoes. I wont get into the Rifle stuff. :)
 
Today I'm doing nothing. Seriously, I've been sitting around rereading The Firm and looking at knives. I just put a Wenger Canyon in my pocket- otherwise, I don't have my watch, bandana, etc.

I'm thinking about getting a new tactical folder to carry for the fall. Guidelines: under $60, no thumb holes, under 4" blade, palin edge. Any suggestions?
 
I'm going to borrow my Dad my CRKT until I can get him a new knife, so I will be carrying my new Case Sodbuster in it's place.
 
Add a small mag-lite, a pack of Camels, a lighter, some change, an 8"x11" map, and receipts, and this is the most stuff I ever carry.

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Here's what I carry when I can't carry a big gun.

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The key on the string is the key to my bedside RSC and it stays on my neck when I'm sleeping and most of the time when I'm out and about.

I don't think I'll ever carry more than two knives, but who knows. When you only have one, you suprise yourself with what you can do with it... you know that "hammer/nail" quote...
 
Left pocket: Surefire E2DL or an A2 Aviator, depending on the day
Right pocket: Spyderco Native or Benchmade Mini Dejavoo, depending
Rear left pocket: Wallet
Rear right pocket: Usually nothing, but I will carry my keys there.

Cel phone on my hip.
 
Rotation

In my earlier post, I showed a picture of a Kershaw Double Cross as my EDC "medium gentleman's knife."

EDC rotation being what it is, and since I have . . . heh, heh . . . a new "medium gentleman's knife," which I may have mentioned in passing recently in a thread mentioning a feed store and a new/old stock sodbuster . . .

Ladies and Gentlemen!

Introducing, for the first time ever in EDC, the Case XX John Deere Green Bone Medium Stockman!

2008_0822-Knife001.jpg

2008_0822-Knife004.jpg

Eight dots, 2002 (the soddie is a nine-dot 2001)
2008_0822-Knife007.jpg

Yeah, it had a rough edge after sitting on a shelf in a feed store for five years, getting manhandled and molested by people who, while they would really have liked to take it home, blanched at the original $73 price tag. Half a decade later, marked down to $32, I brushed the dust off the gift tin and said, "hey, why don't you come home with me?"

A few licks with a diamond steel, a drop of oil, a good wipe down, and into the pocket.

Quite well behaved, actually. It's a real Deere.
 
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