1980, Mariel Boat Lift. I was in the 82nd ABN Div, 1-505. We get a mission to head to Ft. Indiantown Gap, Pa. secure the base and watch the Cubans.

We pull dozens of surprise inspections collecting weapons fashioned by the Cuban prisoners. One their favorites was taking a “bunk adapter� and beating it until they have a very good working machete. We removed all the bunk adapters once we realized just what the hell they were using to make the machetes. The remarkable thing about it, they had no tools to work with!

TS

Well, I had forgot about prisoner creations. I worked in a med/max security state prison for three years.

One of the improvised blade weapon I saw was made by taking a cafeteria tray... bending a 1" strip off one of the sides of it by repeated bending of a crease/fold back and forth until it came off in a straight edge.. then sharpening one end of it into a sharp edge (mainly a jabbing weapon though) for personal defense.

Made for a VERY effective crude weapon on flesh.

Bingo.

"Sacamuelas, Prison Dentist".

Can't wait for the movie.

TR

LOL... :p

Back to thread....

Thanks for the stories of prison made knives. There's a lesson in there somewhere.

These are not as primitive as Bill is looking for, but they are field expedient. Over time, I have picked up a couple galvanized steel timber spikes (150x5 mm) and aluminum gutter spikes (200x6 mm).

With a couple of these in your kit, I believe you can create several survival tools for defense and food gathering.

Has anyone tried to use these or similar items, for anything other than as intended??

Does anyone see a similarity to the current trend in Executive Battle Pens
or Kubotan sticks??


Field expedient means thinking outside the box.. :D

THE Spoon
 

Remember the old white spoon issued with LRRPS, damn near strong as steel with a nice point on the handle end?

It is a long story but once after having been set-up for capture at the resupply drop during an exercise, the interrogators discovered we had lots of spoons but no food. When the Tm Ldr was being "interviewed" using the good guy approach. He was asked why we all saved the spoons. The Tm Ldr calmly replied "they are very useful for other things" Interrogator "like what", Tm Ldr "well, I could kill you with it"!

Lots of truth there.

MVP

Insulators. :D

TR

Well using a hacksaw blade I've cut out spear, arrow and knife shaped material from discarded oil cans and car bodies and then used a file to sharpen the edge(s)...They worked Ok.

I've been interested in knapping either flint or obsidian for years and had even taken a short weekend course on how to do it and the items I've made, while serviceable, are nowhere near pretty.

Using the same knowledge you can turn glass pop bottle bottoms into very serviceable points and I made an Ulu shaped skinner from a large bottle that I was very proud of--worked very well skinning caribou until I stepped on it by accident which I then made into two arrow points.

I've lashed them to arrows made of reeds and spears from saplings and well as fire hardening the sapling to make a digging spear.

I've also used fresh water clam shells as skinners of rabbits, deer and fish and the edges are extremely sharp and stay sharp for a long time.

Of course there are always the clubs that can be made utilizing a rock and if shaped can be effective axes as well...I did make a bolo with three river rocks tied with babiche (moose guts or sinew) to some thongs of moosehide but never snagged anything with them.

Flint Knapping
 

I have tried some flint knapping over the years and have successfully made servicable points. It takes a lot of time and broken rock, but it is an interesting challenge. There are a lot of good resources online for info on the topic.

Spear Point
 

Here is a point I just finished. It's pretty crude, but would do the job.

Spear Head
 

Nice job Shark bait. Looks like you've been practicing for awhile. Definitely will do the job.

Have you done an Apache Bow/Arrow setup yet? Looks like you're ready...

Thanks. I haven't tried making bows yet. That may be a good project to attempt soon. Dusty just hooked me up with a nice longbow, though. :D