Monday, September 19, 2016

bic approach


BIC APPROACH
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note: JS of WA, I received your snail mail.  Very generous and many thanks.  With it I bought my first batch of materials to begin the B-POD upgrades in insulation and shoring.
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note: the new season of Walking Dead is on Netflix.  The first episode is pretty lame, but they quickly improve. 
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The brand “Bic” is of course trademarked.  Sometimes you see the circled ‘tm’ and sometimes not.  You won’t see one here.  I’m giving these cheese dingus’ free advertising and they want me to also announce it’s particular legal position?  Well, there you go, bastards.  Okay, actually I like the company.  To this day, they make the best disposable lighter.  How many other companies have said “screw every single person alive, I’ll only offer them crap products made by slave labor in China ( the US, home of the free, incarcerates more folks per capita than communist China or the former Soviet Union-so I suppose our only slave labor are from the taxpayers subsidizing the Prison Industry.  But, please, feel free to act like China has a worst system so you can gloat and preen ) which will fall apart soon after freeing it from its plastic cocoon that is there to protect itself from real inspection but we pretend it is to thwart shoplifting which really wouldn’t be so much of a problem if Wal-Mart would spend an extra eighteen cents per item for a RFID tag and then pay someone besides grandma to guard the entrance.”?  99% of them, or near bouts.

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Bic lighters, are to me ( and I might be so misinformed and delusional it is pathetic ), 100% reliable and worthy of being in your survival preps.  I refuse to consider any other brand.  If they had a sale, twenty disposable lighters for a dollar, and the Bic cost a dollar EACH, I’d never ever consider the cheaper units.  That is how good Bic is in my opinion.  I mean, what do I know, being a smoker and then living off grid and having first hand experience with fire starting apparatuses?  I can’t say one way or another as far as their pens or razors.  I generally avoid ink pens if I can help it ( why spend the money if they dry up with age or freeze in the winter? ) and if I’m not mistaken their razors are only single blade which tear my skin up too much.  And here is the thing about Bic.  They are not bottom barrel cheap, but neither are they unduly expensive.

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And that is why a loyal minion chose to describe his survival preps purchasing strategy as “The Bic Approach” ( trade mark and copyright pending-stolen with impunity ).  Bic items are very affordable, cheap enough that if you lose it you won’t rend your hair and scream to the gods in anguish, and yet are very well made and reliable.  Needless to say, you don’t find a lot of items like this.  Now, this isn’t anything I haven’t covered myself.  I’ve described in nauseating and repetitive detail about Frugal Survivalism and then Middlin’ Price Equipment.  It is the same thing.  But just the name, Bic Approach, describes the technique far better and more intuitively than my attempts.  Bic is NOT cheap or shoddy, just disposable.  It is quality at a value.  Let’s cover some more Bic Approach items, shall we?  They ever popular Mora knives.  High-Point firearms ( minions suggestion ), the Lee-Enfield, the Rada sharpener and surplus clothing.  Of course there are more, but this is what I came up with.  You can apply this across the entire spectrum of prepping ( such as “junk land” ).

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We should all know about the Swedish Mora knives by now.  Carbon steel blades at $15, give or take the price of a blow job by a syphilitic AIDS ridden whore with leprosy in the back ally of Calcutta.  If you buy the former Bic Approach knife, stainless steel from India, it is now Nowhere Near Real Stainless Steel From China and usually not worth the money.  Spend 50% more and get a high quality high value knife from the soon to be Islamic Republic Of Norseland.  There are other good deals out there, such as the $25 Kukri which is both carbon steel and a Billy Bad Ass improvement for combat ( having more reach and much more mass ), but for an everyday carry knife that is, if necessary, disposable, go with the Mora.  Granted, you must make your own sheath or improvise on the included plastic one, but that shouldn’t be a huge deal.

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I have had zero experience with Hi-Point firearms, being adamantly opposed to 9mm all my life.  Of course, my young adulthood years were primarily influenced by watching Magnum PI and lusting after a 45, but what cemented my dislike was being in the military.  My second unit had been issued the 9’s, then returned them all as total crap and was re-issued the 45’s in the interim.  Granted, that was the firearm and the company, not the caliber, but the incident did cement my previous superstition.  What turned around my thinking, not to blind acceptance but to reluctant allowance with conditions, was the “Enemies Foreign And Domestic” author advocating the 9mm to allow for increased and superior Round Placement.  You really can’t argue with that kind of logic.  While I won’t be giving up my revolvers and the 357/38, I’m at least now open to the idea of the 9 as a “forever gun”.  The minion’s opinion is that the Hi-Point is a Bic gun, one third the price of Glock and reliable as can be.

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You know how I loves me my Lee-Enfield bolt action war surplus rifles.  They are emphatically NOT a modern plastic 308 battle rifle, but they are one third the price, amazingly reliable, battle proven in several wars, to this day the only rifle able to perform in the artic by Kunik troops, and until recently very affordable.  If they are still worth it at today’s prices is an ongoing debate best suited for elsewhere.  They were not as poor quality as the Russian Mosin-Nagants and not as cheap, but still Bic Approach disposable with true value.

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As I’ve said, the Rada brand knife sharpener is my newest bestest tool.  I’ve advocated others over the years but this is far superior.  And a whopping $7 which puts it in the price range of barely more than the junk out there.  It only works perfectly if the knife already has the proper angle, so beware too cheap of Chinese crap knives.  If you buy cheap knives, you’ll need a companion Landski sharpener to cut new angles ( if you have zero skills with a stone.  Don’t be embarrassed.  Better to have a razor sharp knife with the guys ribbing you than pretend to know what you are doing and have a worthless cutting tool as a result ).

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Military surplus clothing.  Not the very expensive made in America New England Yuppie wear ( jeans at $100, etc. ) nor the very worthless not as cheap anymore made in China-Mart items.  A happy medium in almost all items ( I swear by Sportsman’s Guide-only a few duds over the last near decade ).  It isn’t just BDU nonsense, but plenty of regular everyday wear items such as hats and sweaters and what not.  High quality, low price.

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24 comments:

  1. The Bics are great lighters, but I have had the wheel lock up solid on them before when they came in contact with grit. Especially if you keep them in your pocket, which if the reports about guys getting their legs blown off when getting to close to an open flame are to believed, you probably shouldn't. For a forever fluid lighter, look for the peanut lighters. These lighters have a screw on top with an O ring, so the fluid doesn't evaporate like with the Zippo fluid lighters. I'd also recommend getting a few of the 1/2” x 5” Ferrocerium rods for fire starters (Look them up on ebay). They can't leak or go bad in any way, and even work when wet.

    The best knives that I have ever seen for the money (And trust me, I've wasted a ton of money on knives) were the Gerber Big Rock Camp Knife, and the Cold Steel 80PGTK GI Tanto. The Cold Steel knife is strong and virtually indestructible, and $21 at the time of this writing. Not pretty or elegant, but you could drive a tank over it. Also comes with a kydex sheath. To be honest though, I don't like tanto style blades. But it was such a good knife, I bought it anyways. All in all though, I like the ergonomics and style of the Gerber better.


    https://www.amazon.com/Cold-Steel-80PGTK-Tanto-Carbon/dp/B004H9DO4Y

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    1. I don't trust Cold Steel after the crap tomahawk they sold me.

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    2. I can't speak for most Cold Steel products James, as this is the first that I have ever owned, but I can speak for this particular knife. And it's so durable that Rosie O'Dumbbell could drive a tank over it and it would survive.

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    3. But what if Opray was in the vehicle with her?

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    4. You know, I was struggling to think of another lard ass to include with her in my example, and was drawing a blank. But to answer your question, I'm not sure if there is a product on Earth that would stand up to such abuse :D

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  2. You are maximum correct about the BIC lighters. I've tried many off-brands over the years and have been disappointed, frequently. Nothing but BICs from here on out. Bought a box of 144 black ones a few years ago on amazon.

    I've read all the stuff about various means of starting fires, steels, magnifying glass, matches, etc., and even though I have purchased some of that stuff when it comes right down to it, if you have 2 BICS in your pocket you won't be left fireless. Some complain that BICS won't fire when real cold, simple, keep in your pocket. duh

    I qualified as Expert with the 1911 .45 and had to carry it a few times (payroll guard, jeep driver, etc.) but could never get comfortable with that 2x4 feeling grip. In the 90's a friend bought a Beretta 92F and brought it by and as soon as my fingers wrapped around that handle they were smitten - instant luh. I had to have one, so get one I did. And I have it still, and forever. Some 8000 rds later it still looks and performs mahvalously.

    Never even seen a Mora blade but have heard plenty. I'm gonna get a few.

    Dropped into a military surplus joint last week, first time in decades, and promptly left. Apparently that stuff has become stylish and fashionable so the prices reflect the doofus demand structure. Like a dumbass I gave a lot of my gear away after I got out back in '78. Wish I still had it. Still have some, Alice Ruck, sleeping bag, field jackets, etc., but not all 2 duffle bags worth I had when I got out. People sure are dumb when they're young ain't they?

    BTW, I have a Rada potato peeler knife and a paring knife someone gave me and they are the best, ever. The peeler is the non-swivel type and it gets it done. Whoever came up with the swivel concept needs to have their head slammed against the stucco wall. And that parer is so fast it's almost taken my left ringer off a couple times. Nice pink potato chunks.....

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    1. I think all of us are dumber than two retards playing tackle football without helmets when we are young. Can't imagine how we survive. Perhaps old people help us because we are breeding then.

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    2. I second the comment on the Rada potato peeler. Definitely, get a couple.

      Add to your "Bic" list, a good (not Chinese) cast iron frying pan.

      Idaho Homesteader

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  3. Funny you should mention the Hi-power. I just picked one up at a gun show last weekend. I've been drooling over them since I shot my brother-in-law's this summer. I've done a ton of research so I'll throw in my learnin'. First, buy a clone, not a name brand Browning or FN (the company that bought them). It will save you about 50% for a comparably worn unit. FEG is the best clone. They were originally made in Hungary and have been imported by Interarms, Century Arms, Kassnar, KSN, Kareen and a few others. Stay away from the S&W style clones. If you don't see a "oval crossbar seam" roll mark just above the trigger it's likely not a true clone and the parts and mags are not all interchangeable.

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  4. Here is a nice forum on the differences to look for in the various Hi Power clones.

    http://smith-wessonforum.com/firearms-knives-other-brands/475827-high-power-clones.html

    -Novice

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    Replies
    1. I'm confused, as usual. Aren't Hi-Power's themselves the cheap pistols? Why get a clone?

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    2. I think what you meant was Hi-Point as Hi-Powers are top of the line. Hi-Points are the ones for $150. They sell a lot of them, mainly to people who just want a pistol for insurance for what they see as an unlikely self-defense event. Just because SOME of them are reliable, doesn't change any economic laws. The components are as cheap as can be and it generally won't be a high round count gun. If you believe you have an exception and it has functioned for a high round count, I would expect it to break the next time you fired it.
      Peace out

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    3. Hi-Power is a brand name of gun?
      I thought everybody was referring to the Browning Hi-Po (Hi-Power), the original 9mm from back in the 70's. A friend had one in about 1979 and I remember having never heard of that caliber before and how small it seemed. Shaped like a 1911 but smaller and a little curvier.

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    4. They thought it was this one :

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Browning_Hi-Power

      Because you wanted to speak about Hi-*Point* pistols :)

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hi-Point_C-9_and_C-9_Comp

      which are said to be reliable enough

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    5. Perhaps you are confusing Hi Point pistols with Hi power . The Hi power is a Browning model of pistol, which is very good but also expensive. The Hi Point pistol brand is cheap junk, jam o matic trash...

      If you want the Bic of pistols, get Ruger ! It will be heavy, fairly inexpensive and very reliable.

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    6. Crap. My bad. I went by memory and screwed the pooch. I corrected the article. Thanks, everyone.

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    7. All that being said about the hi-point it should also be noted that they DO have a TRANSFERABLE lifetime warranty. As long as the company stays in business and the means to reliably ship products exists. Two pistols, one at home, one out for repair, then rotate...

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    8. Plus, ANY brand can churn out crap, at least in our price ranges.

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  5. Lord Bison, may your hair shimmer during the apocalypse and after. Obligatory courtesy aside, the hands down best knife sharpener ever is a Spyderco Triangle Sharpmaker. I would haunt ebay for the older model cast of solid plastic rather than the current hollow plastic cheapo. That said, I love my Rada for quick kitchen knife touch ups.

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  6. HI-POINT is the cheapo pistol. I have not heard of anyone "cloning" their already thrifty design.

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  7. We have all heard about bridges being built by the lowest bidder. Any item that your life may depend on should be Mid Range. The high price Brands are status, the low price stuff is inferior. Mid price usually has value for the money. Every now and then you may find cheap items of quality but its rare. Jim to many people think cheap and frugal are the same. Frugal is the way to go ! It is price and value = savings. Cheap is low cost and no value.

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  8. You meant to say Hipoint. Not Hipower.

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  9. Rip stop BDU clothing is priced very reasonably at SA and Goodwill stores. I bought a khaki shirt for $3.50 this weekend that is tougher than the shirts sold for 10 times the amount brand new. For outdoor tasks - well worth the cost.

    Thanks for the post.

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