LED Hanging Magnetic Light

Have you ever had an occasion where you wish you had a small light that you could either hang or magnetically attach to a surface (say a car hood) to see and work on some project?

For a mere $1.25 Dollar Tree has a LED Hanging Magnetic Light that is perfect for just such occasions.

Made of plastic the light opens up in the back for inserting three AAA batteries.

A single on and off switch activates the light. A small strip of LEDs light up providing enough light to accomplish your tasks.

On the bottom of the long handle is a magnet for attaching to any metal surface.

Designed to look like a hanging, conventional caged light the LED Hanging Magnetic Light also comes with a small hook used for hanging from wires, etc.

I use mine for my closet and when I want to spotlight areas in my car’s engine or other household hard to see corners and niches.

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord." — Psalm 150:6

Silicon Straw

I’m a stickler for cleanliness. I’m also all in for conserving natural resources.

To me plastic and paper straws are wasteful. Why not have a straw you can use over and over again, clean and store to use at home or when traveling?

Dollar Tree’s Silicon Straw is the perfect solution.

The straw comes in an oversize, screw top, pill-shaped container with a handy little hanging strap.

Included with the straw is a wire handle brush for cleaning out the straw. I keep one in my car for myself and I plan on buying one for my wife.

What a great little product for use at home, while camping or traveling.

"For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline." — 2 Timothy 1:7

Lights, Lights, Lights!!

One of my all-time favorite stores to visit is Dollar Tree.  Or should I say Dollar and Twenty Five Cents Tree?

Anyway, I love to walk through its aisles and check out the latest inexpensive gadgets and merchandise it offers.

Two of my favorite sections art the Arts and Crafts aisle and the Tool and Lights section.

Dollar Tree's LED Lights section has some interesting items.  I've picked out four that I think are the coolest.

First up is a blue lantern with an adjustable knob to turn op the intensity of the LED light strip.  The lantern also has two side arms that when folded up allow it to be hung from hooks, branches, etc. 

It's surprisingly bright and sturdy.

Second on the list is a multi-color frosted globe that when turned on shifts through a rainbow of colors  It's very soothing and gives a nice ambiance to any room.

The third light is a small handheld flashlight that boasts not only a front bulb but also a large side bulb with reflector that is incredibly bright.  You can light up a whole room with it.

The fourth light is a small tabletop light that emulates a candles flicker.  Simply turn on the light hidden under the black base an viola!, you have a flickering candle. 

It's great for special occasions and the holidays.

All of the items are well made, inexpensive and are battery powered, save for the flickering candle that is solar powered.

I highly recommend each for handy little lights around the house, while camping or on a trip.

"When I fall, I will arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me." — Micah 7:8

Flask, Flashlight and Multi-Tool

I love small portable camping and survival gadgets and AceCamp has some of the best.

When it comes to multi-tools most are heavy and slightly cumbersome.  And, let’s face it, they're pretty much are all the same.

Not so with AceCamp’s 11-in-1 Multi-Tool.

I love the sleek design.  Currently I carry a pocketknife.  I’ll be replacing it with the Multi-Tool.

The Multi-Tool looks retro-industrial with its black casing, exposed screws and orange washers.  

The casing has a segmented section on its top that allows users to see the various tool housings.  It looks pretty cool and it gives the Multi-Tool a much more rugged look.

The Multi-Tool comes with:

Knife
Saw
Bottle Opener
Can Opener
Flathead Screwdriver
Phillips Screwdriver
Scissors
Corkscrew
Nail File
Small Pick
Thread Loop

All are easy to pull out of the casing, yet secure enough that they do not feel loose.  

The Multi-Tool is made of stainless steel, is extremely rugged and easy to use and handle.

When camping, in a survival situation or working in dark areas everyone needs a flashlight.  The small, rugged Munkees fun and functional Flashlight is a colorful fluorescence green, has an attached key chain and is powered by a small solar panel.

The LED Flashlight can also be recharged using the small black handle dynamo attached to its back.  Made in Germany, the Munkees Flashlight is small, powerful and guaranteed to work sunshine or rain.

Everyone needs a shot now and again.  Whether your preference is whiskey, a carbonated drink or water it always pays to have a little extra liquid on hand when hiking, walking or on a trip.

Cleverly designed as a stainless steel miniature gas can the S/S Flask Can Shape Flachman Canister is a miniature work of art.  

With its twist off lid, miniature handle and body designed just like a old time gas can it makes the perfect container for a little nip now and again.

Be sure to check out AceCamp’s (https://www.acecamp.com) website and all of its cool camping and survival gear.  Great gear, high quality and great prices--who could ask for anything more?

Patriot Lock Set

OK-I’m seriously geeking out here!

As many of you know that read my blog postings I am huge fan of spy, detective and crime movies, TV shows and novels.

For as long as I can remember I have been fascinated by the exploits of the individuals of those particular occupations-especially when it comes to stealth and digging up clues.

Practically every spy, detective and private investigator carries a handy little tool along with them that they use to break into bad guys’ hangouts, dig up clues or investigate crime scenes.

You know what I’m talking about!  All of them carry lock picks.  So cool!

Well, for all you sleuth wannabes out there and fellow patriots who are concerned about their own security and of their family comes The Patriot Lock Set courtesy of the company with the same name.

In this handy little kit comes a variety of locks to practice on with instructions on how to use the various tools in the set.  The kit comes with 17 tools and 29 parts making up the 3 clear locks.

What a great hobby than is challenging, fun and educational!  Locksport is all the rage and it is perfectly legal and great way to add to your own security and peace of mind. The Patriot Lock Set is a Beginner Practice Lock Set.

The company name comes from the founders’ love for veterans and Locksport.

Do you have what it takes to pick locks?  If you are then practice, practice, practice!

Three separate lock mechanisms come in individual plastic, snap lid, clear boxes. A handsome and durable black zipper pouch holds all the lock picks.

What are you waiting for? Start practicing!

Forkanife

A knife and a fork: simple everyday kitchen utensils.  They’re nothing special.  Wrong!

Have you even thought what life would be like without a knife and a fork?  Imagine trying to eat food or cutting a nice juicy steak.  Ever try doing either exclusively with a spoon?  Are you starting to get the picture?

We take both of them for granted.

When was the last time you went to a fast food joint only to be given cheap plastic eating utensils?  Try eating with those. The knife breaks half way through trying to cut a piece of meat or something as simple as a piece of fruit or vegetable.

The fork snaps just as you manage to get the food on it and forget the spoon-totally useless!

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a knife and fork made out of metal that you can take with you no matter wherever you go?  Better yet-what if they fold up nice and neat, come in a package together and slip easily into you pocket, purse, glove compartment or wherever else you want them?

Have I got a surprise for you.

Cold4ged Inc. has the perfect solution.

Introducing its new knife and fork combination: Forkanife.

Each set is made of steel, folds neatly in half, comes two to a slide-in plastic container and is easy to use, carry and store anywhere.

The Sport blue slide-in container has a serrated knife and a four prong fork that clicks open and locks into place with the push of a small tab.  When you’re finished using them, clean them off, gentle push and they both swing back into their slotted handles at half the length.

Need a knife for spreading peanut butter, jelly, butter or some other soft food?  Choose the Travel black slip in case with a combination four prong fork and a rounded butter knife with a small serrated edge.

Push, snap in place, finish your task, clean them off, and flip back into place and presto! you’re done.

The Forkanife is a handy, convenient, easy to use combo that stands up to repeated use, is great for camping, travel and on the go.

Plastic doesn’t cut it but the metal Forkanife does.

Credit Card Survival Kits

It’s easy to become complacent and comfortable in our modern society.

Safe in our houses or apartments, with heat in the winter and air conditioning in the summer we thrive on artificial environments never concerned about the weather outside.

Most of us have plenty of food, water, nice cloths, all the conveniences of modern life and more.  We’ve become fat and sassy and far too entrenched in our ways.

But, what if that were not so?

What if you found yourself in the middle of nowhere with no way to contact the outside world?  What if your vehicle breaks down, your bike develops a flat, you get lost hiking or camping or worse yet should a natural disaster strike.  Are you ready for a quick evacuation?

It’s so easy to settle in and forget that conditions can change in an instant.

I believe in being prepared as much as possible.  That’s why I carry an emergency survival backpack in the trunk of my car, a miniature survival kit when I’m biking and a small kit in my wallet.

I never take for granted the conveniences and comforts God has provide my family and I.

I like being prepared and that's why I got excited when Readyman provided several of their wallet size survival/emergency cards for me to review.

Carry in them your wallet, purse, put them in you glove compartment, carry them in your bicycle repair kit and take them with you when you're camping or hiking.  It’s a comforting feeling when you don’t feel totally helpless and at least stand a chance of surviving.

Readyman provided five samples.  All are made in America, are constructed of 301 Stainless Steel and are extremely light.  Be careful because some edges are extremely sharp.

Individual components are easy to detach and use.  I suggest you keep a small container or bag to keep them in once you detach them.

They’re rugged, reliable and a great value for the money-just under $13 each. 

The Medic Kit contains the following tools:

2 Tweezers
4 Needles (2 strait and 2 hook)
3 Bandage & Cloth Clips
6 Safety Pins
2 Serrated Blade
1 Tick Fork / Nail Scraper
1 File

The Dog Tag Survival Card includes:

    2 Double Fishing Hooks
    2 Long Fishing Hooks
    2 Arrow Heads
    1 Fishing Lure
    1 Band Saw

The  Fisherman's Survival Card includes 22 different tools:

9 Single Hooks (Small Medium and Large)
3 Double Hooks (Small Medium and Large)
1 Treble Hook
1 Quad Hook
5 different Lures
1Fish Scaler
1 Saw

The Hostage Escape Card (Kidnap Escape) lets you defeat handcuffs, cut through rope, tape, wood, zip-ties and even pick locks.  Readyman has a video for its members to watch about picking locks and other escape procedures.  Just look at what you get:

1 Saw
1 Handcuff Shim
1 Rake
1 Tension Wrench

The Wilderness Survival Card is the ultimate set of tools and devices that keeps you in control and ready for the worst.  Here’s what you get:

9 Fishhooks
5 Arrows
4 Snare locks
1 Awl
2 Sewing Needles
3 Saw blades
1 Tweezers

I plan on keeping each set with me wherever I travel.  All are sheathed in clear plastic and with the handy zip bag provided I can keep them all together.

Be prepared, be safe and get Readyman.

Rambo First Blood Part II Knife

There was a time when I was a huge fan of Rambo.  My enthusiasm has waned over the years.  Rambo was an acquired taste and the character’s relevance has diminished.

If you’re looking for a good ol’ bloodfest movies with plenty of muscles, macho and firepower then the Rambo movie franchise is just the ticket.

Recently Sylvester Stallone revisited Rambo and to be honest the movie was enjoyable enough from an action point of view, but let’s admit it, Stallone is getting a little long in the tooth.

He’s hardly the Rambo we all knew and loved n the 1980s.

The years have caught up to him and it shows.

However one of the coolest elements in any Rambo movie is Rambo’s choice of weapons-specifically his choice of knives.

In Rambo First blood Part II Rambo sported a huge knife with survival items tucked a way in its handle.

United Cutlery offered a reproduction of the knife and that’s what I want to talk about in this review.

The knife is a hefty size with a sharp stainless steel blade approximately 10 inched in length.  The body of the blade is painted matt black and the upper edge of the blade is cut into notches for clipping wire, etc.  They also serve as blood channels.

The blade guard is think metal with a standard screwdriver head on one side and a Phillips head on the opposite side.

The handle is round with wrapped around black cord ending in a silver cap that unscrews.  On its end is a small compass.  A black leather strip is tied to the end.

Unscrew the cap and a small clear plastic tube is inside that contains matches, fishhooks, lead weights, needles and fishing line.

Included with the knife is a large heavy leather black sheath.

At its bottom is a black leather strip for securing to your leg, a snap over strap for securing the knife in the sheath and a multi hole punch open fold over strap for attaching to your belt.

The sheath is wrapped in plastic to protect it and the entire knife set comes in a lid box with the Rambo logo on its front and sides.

FuelRods X Three!

A big holiday ‘Thank You!’ to the folks at FuelRods for the wonderful gift of not one, not two, but three FuelRods.

If you’ve not had the opportunity to purchase FuelRods I encourage you to do so.

For my full review of FuelRods click on the following link:

https://bamcc-bam.blogspot.com/search?q=fuel+rod

FuelRods

In this age of mobile digital devices power is everything.

Don’t you just hate it when you’re out and about and suddenly your cell phone and/or tablet runs out of juice?

It’s frustrating, wastes time and is certainly inconvenient.

Sometimes you’re in a place where there are no electrical outlets to recharge or worse yet you forget your cable for your phone and/or tablet and you’re stuck.

If you worked in business like I did a dead cell phone or tablet eats into your production time and keeps you out of the loop.

With a FuelRod you get a handy, portable battery that recharges cell phones (using a micro-USB, USB-C, or and Apple Lightning charging port) and lets you get some extra time in with your tablet.

You can even use your own USB standard connector!

Other devices can also be recharged such as a GoPro, PSP, AirPods, Bluetooth Speakers, etc, as long as they use the same charging ports as previously mentioned.

Say you have a FuelRod and it’s getting low on power or completely out of juice.  No problem-simply swap it out for a minimal fee at any FuelRod Kiosk for a newly recharged FuelRod.

For FuelRod Kiosk locations visit FuelRods’ website at www.Fuel-rod.com or download the FuelRod® mobile app on iPhone® at the App Store and for Android™ on Google Play.

Not near a Kiosk?  No problem, you can recharge your fuelRod at home or at work with the included micro-USB plugged into and USB charging port or using an adapter plug into any wall socket.

While its charging the FuelRod shines a red light.  Once fully charged the light turns green. Recharging takes about three hours.

FuelRods keep their charge for up to eight months when stored.  Capacity is 2600mAh, which is plenty to completely recharge most cell phones.

Take it with your wherever you go, even on airplanes following airline guidelines.

I’ve already tested mine on my cell phone and it works like a charm.  I have two FuelRods, one I’ve recharged from my computer USB and the other from a wall socket.

Easy to follow instructions are included-even I could figure them out and I’m an old timer.

FuelRods fit in your pocket, purse or briefcase and take the worry out of running out of power when using your cellphone,  tablet or other similar devices.

They’re cleverly designed, come with all the cables you need for most devices and can be a real lifesaver-especially for work or on vacation.

Never run out of juice again!

Lantern, Knife, Trekking Pole, Compass and Blanket

I watch a lot of videos on YouTube.  Lately I’ve gravitated to videos about camping, survival, RV living and traveling.

I’ve always been big on being prepared.  Whenever a disaster comes around my wife are not the kind of people that rush out at the last moment to pick up supplies. 

We keep a full food larder and know how to prep for a hurricane, power outages, food rationing and the like.

We’re not survivalists by any means.  It’s just that we are older (both of us are in our mid-60s) and have learned a few things over the years.

Whenever we go on a trip (we just drove to Virginia and back to see our new granddaughter) we are prepared with a backpack full of camping gear and extra car supplies.  It pays to be prepared.

Even when I’m riding my bike I carry a small emergency kit with me including a knife, tools, etc.

If you’ve been a reader of my blog for any amount of time you know I mainly concentrate on collectibles.

But, since more and more people are taking to the road, camping and into survival gear I thought it would be a good idea to expand my reviews.

AceCamp puts out a number of camping supplies and they were kind enough to send a few to look over and review.

From my initial examination of the items I can state that they are well-made, rugged, nicely designed and easy to use.

One of the most important items you can have while camping at night, on the road when it’s dark and for general use is a good lamp.  I’m not talking about a flashlight-I’m talking big time illumination power.

AceCamp’s Camping Lantern with Highly Efficient LED is the perfect source of light.

It features an easy push button function for dimming or flashing the light.  Four settings are available in all.

The clever design allows the LED bulb to reflect off the interior silver mirrored surface and intensify the light.  It’s almost blinding!

The heavy-duty casing protects the light from spills and falls and the twin-side tri-bumper sections protect the lantern even more.

Two flip up and down handles allow you to hang the lantern from a tree, pole or etc. and the heavy, rubber-coated non-skid base keeps the lantern secure and in place wherever you place it.

Three ‘D’ batteries come with the lantern and are wrapped in plastic so they won’t work until you remove the plastic and install them in the lantern base.

The base opens easily and in a snap you’ll have all the light you’ll need for a long period due to the LED bulbs.

The upper lid easily screws off to allow you to replace the LED bulbs when necessary.

I’m always looking for a good pocketknife.  It needs to be sharp, quick to use and multi-purpose.

The Tactical Series 4 Function Utility Knife with 5 Lumen USB Rechargeable Light fits the ticket perfectly.

A simple pull of the stainless steel blade and it snaps into place secure and ready to use.  Simply push the restraining clip and the knife folds back into place. 

The heavy-duty construction gives the knife a good hefty feel perfect for someone like me.  I have large hands and the knife fits in my palm and fingers perfectly.

The knife also includes an Emergency Glass Breaker (great for shattering car windows if trapped), a Hanging Buckle and a very comfortable Soft Touch Swith.

The coolest feature about the knife is the 5 Lumen LED Light that comes with a USB Charging Cable.

Once charged you can push a soft button switch and viola!-you have instant light perfect for finding keys, maneuvering in the dark and for in case of emergencies. 

I love to walk.  The only problem is I’m getting older and my legs aren’t quite as strong as they used to be.  My sense of balance could use some help.

The AceCamp External Lock Trekking Pole is just the ticket.  It’s soft form-fitting handle, adjustable wrist strap and solid construction holds up on the toughest treks.

The telescoping twin-section pole allows users to easily adjust for height and the Eternal Locks keep the pole rock solid.  A protective cup covers the ground tip when not in use and is easily removed and reattached.

Dubbed the Duralumin 7075 the Trekking Pole is perfect for walkers, trekkers and anyone who plans on traveling even the most rugged terrain.

A small-extended guard at the end of the pole keeps it from digging too deeply into soft earth and offers additional support and security.

It’s hard to find a good, reliable compass.  All too often compasses will stick, fail to register the direction correctly and are inaccurate in some outdoor situations.

The Folding Map Compass comes with a Reflective Mirror for signaling emergencies, a Protective Lid, a Lanyard, a Rotating Compass Ring, a Scale for measuring length and distance and is liquid-filled assuring no mistakes.

What good is a compass when you’re lost if it doesn’t work?  You never have to worry about AceCamp’s Folding Map Compass Mirror.

After careful testing I can attest that it points perfectly north and does not deviate regardless of the surface it rests upon.

How do you keep warm in an emergency?  What if your car breaks down in the middle of nowhere and the temperature is rapidly dropping?  You need something for protection and you need it fast.  The same holds true in camping and/or survival situations.

Big bulky blankets and sleeping bags take up a lot of room and are difficult to transport.

The Silver Color Emergency Blanket weights only 40g and opens out to 140 X 220 CM.

Trust me, it covers me with room to spare and I’m six foot tall.

It’s windproofed and waterproofed, reflects body heat and folds easily back into its small, convenient baggie.   It remains elastic below freezing and its perfect for any emergency situation.  And best of all it’s easy to transport and is lightweight.

All of the AceCamp products I just reviewed come in heavy-duty packaging, are easy to use and store and are rugged enough to last for years.
 
I plan on using the Walking Poles on my next trek, keeping the Knife with me at all times, storing the Blanket in my car emergency pack, keeping the Compass in the glove compartment and having the Lantern handy around the house should we have a power outage.

Be sure to check out AceCamp’s website for other great products.