Preppers: Five Things that have Stood the Test of Time
Kevin Felts 07.12.17
In a previous article we talked about applying history to modern prepping. Let’s expand on that idea and talk about gear that has stood the test of time.
It seems like every couple of weeks some company is introducing a new product. This could be a new cartridge, a new rifle, a new shotgun, a new knife, new AR-15 part, or optics.
Let’s be honest, jumping on the “new” bandwagon is cool. We all like to have something new from time to time. However, just because something is new does not make it better than what we had. Sometimes things are perfect the way they are. The items work, do their intended job and there is nothing that will improve that.
Also, cost does not always equate quality. Just because something “new” cost a lot of money, does not mean it is the best thing since sliced bread.
22 Long rifle
Introduced in 1887, the 22 long rifle shows no signs of losing popularity. Even though there have been numerous cartridges developed since 1887, none have come close to touching the popularity of the 22.
Even with price increases, 22 long rifle is still relatively cheap. Being lost cost, effective on small game, and having almost no recoil, little noise, and no muzzle flash has helped keep the 22 long rifle the go to round for countless sportsmen.
Every year an unknown number of small game a taken with a cartridge that is well over 100 years old.
Lever Action
While there are better actions on the market, the lever action has stood the test of time.
The lever action was introduced in the mid-1800s, with the most famous model being the Winchester model 94.
Is says a lot when a rifle action has been in use for over 150 years and is still going strong.
Knife
Besides obsidian, there is no better cutting tool than steel forged into a blade. For thousands of years, man has forged blades from iron and steel, and they have stood the test of time.
Sure, there are different grades of steel, with some being better than others. This does not change the fact that the simple knife is perhaps the perfect cutting tool.
Water Well
For thousands of years people have pulled water from the ground through hand dug wells. Depending on location and depth of the water table, up until recent times, a hand dug well was the preferred way to get safe drinking water.
On a personal note, my granny had a well on the back side of her house next to the kitchen. It did not matter if it was in the middle of summer, or in the dead of winter, the water was always cool and tasted perfect.
Fishing Pole
Whether it is a cane pole or a modern pole with an expensive reel, they serve the same purpose.
Driving around rural areas, I see people using a cane pole with a bobber (cork).
The fishing pole is perfect in what it does, and that is catch fish. While lures and bait may vary, the idea of the pole stays the same.
Final Thoughts
I was going to include gardening on the list, but that may have been a little too deep. The concept is, when humanity moved from a hunter-gather based society to agriculture around 10,000 years ago, we have not gone back.
What are your thoughts on the topic? What do we use today has stood the test of time and has been around for at least a hundred years, maybe even thousands of years?
