mikecable Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 http://www.amazon.com/Gerber-22-01769-Shard-Keychain-Tool/dp/B002ZK45IQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1393025549&sr=8-2&keywords=gerber+shard We all plan our field kits very carefully. But inevitably we spy a fossil and don't have the tool we need. But 99.9% of us always carry the same thing everytime we go into the field--a key ring. The Gerber Shard fits on your key ring. It is absolutely useless for most things. The flat blade screwdrivers are too thick for most screw heads (they could be ground down). The Philip's screwdriver is little better--for small to medium sized screws that aren't that tight. The wire stripper is worthless. The bottle opener is okay, but if you always carry craft beer into the field you aren't worried about weight. But the Gerber Shard is a mini pry bar. A mini chisel. A mini scraper. A mini pick. You might not have a hammer, but you can always use a rock to drive this tiny tool home. I have no association with Gerber. But add this tool to your key ring. Add a P-38 and you can open cans as well. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullsnake Posted February 22, 2014 Share Posted February 22, 2014 (edited) Which one? Just kidding, Mike. I know what you mean. I have a few lying around. Edited February 22, 2014 by Bullsnake Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missourian Posted February 22, 2014 Share Posted February 22, 2014 The first P-38 would be useful for softening up an outcrop. Context is critical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bev Posted February 22, 2014 Share Posted February 22, 2014 http://seasonedcitizenprepper.com/the-humble-p-38-and-you/ For those who don't know what a P-38 is. They also make a larger version, I believe the P-52? Most camp stores have those. The more I learn, I realize the less I know. BluffCountryFossils.NET Fossil Adventure Blog Go to my Gallery for images of Fossil Jewelry, Sculpture & Crafts Pinned Posts: Beginner's Guide to Fossil Hunting * Geologic Formation Maps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auspex Posted February 22, 2014 Share Posted February 22, 2014 My field days are pretty much behind me now, but even back then I tried to avoid cans and other hard-to-pack-out refuse, and so never needed to carry a can opener. "There has been an alarming increase in the number of things I know nothing about." - Ashleigh Ellwood Brilliant “Try to learn something about everything and everything about something.” - Thomas Henry Huxley >Paleontology is an evolving science. >May your wonders never cease! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Eklund Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 (edited) My favorite "key chain tool" looked very much like this newer version my wife carries with her car keys. Mine was a Sears "Craftsman" version from the 1980's. I carried this "weapon" with me for over 30 years... until... My wife and I had to go through the screening process at the local County Court House. Much like going through an Airport search without the rubber gloves. Just drop everything into the XRay machine and you are checked with the walk through metal detector. My wife's purse with enough possible multiple uses as tools went through fine and walked through the metal detector. Me... I had pretty much stripped myself of anything metal and dropped my wallet, comb and car keys into the plastic container and... included was THE TOOL. I walked through the detector only to be flagged over... "You cannot take this into the Court House. This is a high security area and this could be used by a prisoner or felon to escape from their cell..." So I was shown the front door with MY Tool and the wife's was OK. They did not question my 1969-1970 Army "Dog Tag" as a tool or weapon which has always been attached to my car key ring... and the TOOL. My truck was parked at the far end of the parking lot, as most criminals would and there was no way I was going to take this tool back, so I removed it from my key ring and laid it against a post and placed a flat pebble over it... near the entrance. No one would bother it there. I walk in, go through the security and went to pick up our... Concealed Carry Permits. On the way out... no TOOL! It was gone. Obviously there was a camera and the security employees were watching. So, they took my tool that has traveled the entire world with me on planes, ships, trains, subways and previous trips for jury duty at this same Court House in Colorado. I had to use my wife's TOOL for the example. It was very handy. I could just as easy slipped the 50 cent piece that could have been turned into a weapon or escape TOOL. Sometimes I wonder what is wrong with society today. Women get away with... anything. Edited February 23, 2014 by Ray Eklund Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrangellian Posted March 21, 2014 Share Posted March 21, 2014 That's amazing... You were not even the criminal, you were just there for jury duty, and you still were treated like that? The tool looks like something you could not easily replace these days! (have you tried ebay, etc?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missourian Posted March 22, 2014 Share Posted March 22, 2014 On second thought.... Context is critical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herb Posted March 28, 2014 Share Posted March 28, 2014 On second thought.... both.jpg Good one! "Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence"_ Carl Sagen No trees were killed in this posting......however, many innocent electrons were diverted from where they originally intended to go. " I think, therefore I collect fossils." _ Me "When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth."__S. Holmes "can't we all just get along?" Jack Nicholson from Mars Attacks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herb Posted March 28, 2014 Share Posted March 28, 2014 I used to have one of those "tools" myself. May still be able to get them at an automotive store or mom and pop hardware store, "Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence"_ Carl Sagen No trees were killed in this posting......however, many innocent electrons were diverted from where they originally intended to go. " I think, therefore I collect fossils." _ Me "When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth."__S. Holmes "can't we all just get along?" Jack Nicholson from Mars Attacks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herb Posted March 28, 2014 Share Posted March 28, 2014 (edited) like most multi tools, 6 in 1 and almost totally useless for what they claim to be used for. Great for tearing up appendages while trying to use them though. Edited March 28, 2014 by Herb "Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence"_ Carl Sagen No trees were killed in this posting......however, many innocent electrons were diverted from where they originally intended to go. " I think, therefore I collect fossils." _ Me "When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth."__S. Holmes "can't we all just get along?" Jack Nicholson from Mars Attacks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missourian Posted March 28, 2014 Share Posted March 28, 2014 like most multi tools, 6 in 1 and almost totally useless for what they claim to be used for. Great for tearing up appendages while trying to use them though. Everyones' favorite 2-in-1 tool -- the spork -- is also useless. Context is critical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herb Posted March 28, 2014 Share Posted March 28, 2014 (edited) Everyones' favorite 2-in-1 tool -- the spork -- is also useless. sporks might not be too bad if they were made of a high carbon steel, you could even sharpen one side of the spoon and have a sporknife. Edited March 28, 2014 by Herb "Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence"_ Carl Sagen No trees were killed in this posting......however, many innocent electrons were diverted from where they originally intended to go. " I think, therefore I collect fossils." _ Me "When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth."__S. Holmes "can't we all just get along?" Jack Nicholson from Mars Attacks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZiggieCie Posted March 28, 2014 Share Posted March 28, 2014 My favorite "key chain tool" looked very much like this newer version my wife carries with her car keys. Mine was a Sears "Craftsman" version from the 1980's. I carried this "weapon" with me for over 30 years... until... My wife and I had to go through the screening process at the local County Court House. Much like going through an Airport search without the rubber gloves. Just drop everything into the XRay machine and you are checked with the walk through metal detector. My wife's purse with enough possible multiple uses as tools went through fine and walked through the metal detector. Me... I had pretty much stripped myself of anything metal and dropped my wallet, comb and car keys into the plastic container and... included was THE TOOL. I walked through the detector only to be flagged over... "You cannot take this into the Court House. This is a high security area and this could be used by a prisoner or felon to escape from their cell..." So I was shown the front door with MY Tool and the wife's was OK. They did not question my 1969-1970 Army "Dog Tag" as a tool or weapon which has always been attached to my car key ring... and the TOOL. My truck was parked at the far end of the parking lot, as most criminals would and there was no way I was going to take this tool back, so I removed it from my key ring and laid it against a post and placed a flat pebble over it... near the entrance. No one would bother it there. I walk in, go through the security and went to pick up our... Concealed Carry Permits. On the way out... no TOOL! It was gone. Obviously there was a camera and the security employees were watching. So, they took my tool that has traveled the entire world with me on planes, ships, trains, subways and previous trips for jury duty at this same Court House in Colorado. I had to use my wife's TOOL for the example. It was very handy. I could just as easy slipped the 50 cent piece that could have been turned into a weapon or escape TOOL. Sometimes I wonder what is wrong with society today. Women get away with... anything. WOW! It is amazing what a criminal could do with a dime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramo Posted March 28, 2014 Share Posted March 28, 2014 I have carried a Swiss army knife for years, and I don't think a day has gone by that I haven't used it. I guarantee if you carry a pocket-knife of any kind for a while, you will find it more useful than you can imagine. The Swiss army knife is nice because it has a few extras on it that will save the knife blade. Ramo For one species to mourn the death of another is a new thing under the sun. -Aldo Leopold Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herb Posted March 28, 2014 Share Posted March 28, 2014 Hard to beat a good SAK. "Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence"_ Carl Sagen No trees were killed in this posting......however, many innocent electrons were diverted from where they originally intended to go. " I think, therefore I collect fossils." _ Me "When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth."__S. Holmes "can't we all just get along?" Jack Nicholson from Mars Attacks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Pocock Posted November 27, 2014 Share Posted November 27, 2014 I recently visited the USA with 3 fossils in my hand luggage A Belemnite, Ammonite & Bivalve, the "gentleman" on customs wanted to confiscate them as he considered them to be "sea food" and thus could not be brought into the USA I did suggest that he may wish to try and BBQ them but he did not find this funny. Only after the intervention of his supervisor was i allowed to keep them. Regards Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmaier Posted November 27, 2014 Share Posted November 27, 2014 I recently visited the USA with 3 fossils in my hand luggage A Belemnite, Ammonite & Bivalve, the "gentleman" on customs wanted to confiscate them as he considered them to be "sea food" and thus could not be brought into the USA I did suggest that he may wish to try and BBQ them but he did not find this funny. Only after the intervention of his supervisor was i allowed to keep them. Regards Mike I was in France and went to a yard sale and bought an old rusty muzzle loader pistol. My next stop was a hop to Gatwick, then on to USA. At Gatwick a customs official found the pistol in my luggage, and I was immediately surrounded by armed guards. During the inquisition that followed they found out I was american and one of them asked "Will you be going home soon, hopefully?" When I told them I was getting the next connecting flight out, they said "Good" and gave me the pistol back. Then they escorted me to my plane. In Manchester I was carrying an oscilloscope and the guards ushered me into a back room. They asked what this device was, and why I had it. I told them what it was, and that I used it for my work. They still were not sure about it, so they told me to plug it in and make it "do something". I gave a demonstration, and they let me go. Arriving at Heathrow from Germany, I had my lunch in my pocket of my suit. It was a half eaten sausage. A customs guy noticed, and took me to a security counter. They said "What is that in your pocket?". I pulled out the sausage, and they all jumped back. Then the guy behind the counter put on some white rubber gloves and took it from me, and very unceremoniously flipped it into a big bin. Traveling is both fun and educational. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missourian Posted November 27, 2014 Share Posted November 27, 2014 I recently visited the USA with 3 fossils in my hand luggage A Belemnite, Ammonite & Bivalve, the "gentleman" on customs wanted to confiscate them as he considered them to be "sea food" and thus could not be brought into the USA .... Well that's reassuring.... Context is critical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullsnake Posted November 27, 2014 Share Posted November 27, 2014 I recently visited the USA with 3 fossils in my hand luggage A Belemnite, Ammonite & Bivalve, the "gentleman" on customs wanted to confiscate them as he considered them to be "sea food" and thus could not be brought into the USA I did suggest that he may wish to try and BBQ them but he did not find this funny. Only after the intervention of his supervisor was i allowed to keep them. Regards Mike Paleo-diet! Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrangellian Posted November 27, 2014 Share Posted November 27, 2014 It sounds like some people don't even know what a fossil is! "You know... old things that lived millions of years ago and have long since turned to stone...? No?" [shake head... "tsk tsk"] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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