Survival?...

[vegas976]

I have yet to see mentioned aluminum foil being packed in the SHTF bags. It works great for cooking meat/veggies, is very lightweight to pack, reusable, can be used for signaling, made into a spear/hooks for fishing, and worst case scenario it can be made into a nifty little hat so BIG BROTHER can't track your brainwaves (not to mention stylish). Any thoughts?

[KevDen2005]

I have yet to see mentioned aluminum foil being packed in the SHTF bags. It works great for cooking meat/veggies, is very lightweight to pack, reusable, can be used for signaling, made into a spear/hooks for fishing, and worst case scenario it can be made into a nifty little hat so BIG BROTHER can't track your brainwaves (not to mention stylish). Any thoughts?

I carry a 3" x 5" glass signal mirror for signaling and usually buy another one to keep around every year or two so I have a bunch lying around. In my experience the plastic versions or smaller versions do not work quite as well and I don't think you can beat the quality of the glass ones. The bigger the better I suppose.

I haven't ever had much luck signaling with aluminum foil. I supposed if you had enough of it it would work in the same fashion as an emergency blanket (in the manner that it is reflective). But I do agree that it is a very important tool. I cook all the time using it while camping. Through a steak, potatoes, and a chopped onion and some salt and pepper, wrap in the foil and set on the fire coals and you got a pretty good meal.

It is also important for hat making...

[Irving]

I'm having a hard time imagining an aluminum foil hook, or spear being very useful. Can you elaborate?

[vegas976]

I'm having a hard time imagining an aluminum foil hook, or spear being very useful. Can you elaborate?

believe it or not foil is extremely durable and can be fashioned into a great spear that is very sharp. of course that would be a last resort, as i'm assuming that a good knife will be packed with the foil. try it. with a little work and patience you will see for yourself.

[Irving]

I just don't understand how it has the strength to actually penetrate anything, or hold a fish (as a hook). Is there more to it?

[Mtn.man]

Layers, all of the best samuri swords are made by layering a thin peice of metal over top of the other, repeated many times until the perfect balance and desired thickness is reached. They use heat like a blacksmith does.
However with foil, cold annealing with a light peening hammer can result in a nice spear or knife.

[Phire303]

I just don't understand how it has the strength to actually penetrate anything, or hold a fish (as a hook). Is there more to it?

I have actually snagged a few carp with a foil hook out of the platte. Just like Mtn. Man mentioned, some of the best swords are developed in the same manner. It just takes patience and time (which you will have plent of if your trying to survive outdoors). If prisoners are making knives/spears out of newspaper, I don't see why a foil blade is impossible. You are not going to take down a bear with it, but it's better than throwing a rock at dinner.

[Irving]

Well, thanks for the explanations guys, I'll have to try that out some time.

[jerrymrc]

I have yet to see mentioned aluminum foil being packed in the SHTF bags. It works great for cooking meat/veggies, is very lightweight to pack, reusable, can be used for signaling, made into a spear/hooks for fishing, and worst case scenario it can be made into a nifty little hat so BIG BROTHER can't track your brainwaves (not to mention stylish). Any thoughts?

I keep a couple of rolls on hand. Sams has the 250' twin pack for a reasonable amount. Along the same lines I also have the 3000' roll of cling wrap. Zip-lock bags!!!! heavy freezer ones!!! I buy them by the case. Always have some on hand.

[Troublco]

I have several old GI mess kits, 4 of which are complete with the utensils. Those things are about bulletproof, thick stainless steel and easy to clean. They're also compact, making it easy to take one or two with.