The best $0.50 you can spend for Zombie prep

[Admin]

As much as we might like to talk about all the finer points of Anti-Zombie weapons, I think the first thing everybody should buy to prepare for Zombies is a P.38 Can Opener.

No, the P.38 won't help you fend of Zombies.

But if you've got one on your keyring, you'll never have to worry about whether you can open a can (when you find them)

It costs less than a buck, and it might just save your life. (They might come in handy prior to the zombie invasion as well...)

If you get one thing from this Forum (and I hope you get more than that) Get a P.38, and put it on your key ring. You'll thank me someday 

The P.38:


How to use it:

[OVERKILL]

 Once you have a P38, use a round ceramic rod to hone it to a razors edge and you will be able to use it for more tasks. Just a few uses from my Boy Scout days and beyond.
1 Can opener (duh)
2 Screwdriver
3 Letter opener
4 Fingernail cleaner
5 Fingernail trimmer (be sure to wash it after these or any tasks)
6 Trimmed those fingernails too short? Use it to open a can of soda
7 Use it as a striker for a Hot Spark (What the BSA called a ferocium rod)
8 The blade is small, but large enough to go skin deep in an animal. Used it once on a squirrel to prove I had my P38 sharp enough to do it.

 There is also a larger version, roughly 2 to 2 1/2 times the size (P60? not sure). I had a couple for my Granny since they gave her more leverage and were easier for arthritic hands to use, but still small enough for a keychain or necklace. I know there are oodles more uses, just can't think of 'em right now.

[Admin]

.... There is also a larger version, roughly 2 to 2 1/2 times the size (P60? not sure).....

The larger version is the P.51, and it can be found online, and often at the same local army navy stores.

Thanks for the great tips on other uses for the p.38's Overkill, I can honestly say I've never used a p.38 to skin a squirrel.. and probably never would have thought of that.

I do carry a p.38 on my keyring every day, and it's come in handy several times as a can opener, fingernail cleaner and screwdriver, but I admit, I hadn't thought of all the other uses that Overkill did...

[OVERKILL]

 Thanks for the correction. I've still got one an older scout gave to me years ago that I keep on my keychain (P38, not 51). A small word of advice, if you carry your keys in your pocket, you may not want to carry a sharp one. A well used one that is a little duller is safer, especially if its old and the spring that keeps it shut is broken (ask me how I know). A good place to keep a sharp one to keep it from cutting your fingertip is in your wallet (or billfold) since they fold up flat.

[sventhewarrior]

Manual can openers are also pretty standard issue on pocket knives. If you've got a Swiss Army, a Leatherman, or any variation thereof, you've probably got a can opener.

[SykoKiller666]

Yep. Unfortunately, most schools no longer allow pocket knives.

[Admin]

Yep. Unfortunately, most schools no longer allow pocket knives.

A very good point, and with more and more universities starting to enforce "No weapons of any kind" policies with the enforcement at the discretion of who-ever they choose, sometimes it's a good idea to have a micro emergency kit handy...

Did you guys know that the first can opener was invented 50 years after the process of canning food in tin cans was invented?

Prior to that, cans were opened using a hammer and chisel.

[OVERKILL]

 I have an Aunt who used a butcher knife until her arthritus got too bad

[Admin]

I have an Aunt who used a butcher knife until her arthritus got too bad

Haha, was she from WV? and was her name Ruby? (if the answer is yes, are we cousins?)

[OVERKILL]

 No, she's from Kentucky too. Could be a genetic thing and we're really distant cousins though.

[24/7420]

I carried a p38 on my keys for years till I lost that set of keys now I got p51's stashed in the all the vehicles and bags, you can also open a can by grinding the lid side on a concrete curb.

24/7

[OVERKILL]

I carried a p38 on my keys for years till I lost that set of keys now I got p51's stashed in the all the vehicles and bags, you can also open a can by grinding the lid side on a concrete curb.

24/7

 That's some very useful information that I didn't know and hadn't thought of. Thank you for the tip.

[Slinger]

All of my P38's won't stay "closed"   So carrying them on my keys is a no-no

Years ago I boght a bag of like 25 of these babies from Major, and evidently they were cheap knbock-offs, 'cause none of them stayed folded.  I have, however stashed several in all my bug-out bags and other gear.  (Yes, I have several bug-out bags and survival caches [that are not cached] and camping stuff.  After years of doing the survivalist/prepper thing you kind of ...repeat yourself, you know?  Kind of defeats the purpose, since come crunch time I'll be standing there going  "Which one do I take!?"   Actually, I intend to stay right here at home, but you gotta organize (and reorganize) the stuff somehow)

I suppose a feller could slip a rubber band or maybe a bread tie around the blade portion of an old loose one, then you'd also have a rubber band or bread tie if it was needed.

I never thought of using one for a skinner, but its a good idea.  I mean, I carry a small sheath knife where appropriate and always have my pocketknife, but hey, the rule of three's, right?

Aren't the bigger ones, the P51's called John Waynes, or Dukes or something?

[OVERKILL]

 All the P-38's I've ever had eventually wear to the point that they won't stay closed. As best as I can tell it's some kind of friction fit used to keep them shut, as I can't see any mechanism inside the folded over piece. I came across a mod a long time ago to fix it, if I find it again I'll post a link, but a bread tie sounds good, cheap and easy - my three favorite attributes in anything.
 As to the Duke/John Wayne nickname - I don't have a clue, that's the first I'd heard of it. Maybe someone else can chime in on that.