the book of crow

here you will find a record the tips and tricks i have discovered, and i will attempt to underline the mentality with which i approach life.

the mindset of crow – simplicity

simplicity is key. in everything one does, one should try to simplify the means and methods so that they are readily reproduced. this allows one to easily teach others. the tools and materials one recommends should be reliable, inexpensive, and easily available. these means are meant to include and enable as many people as possible.

edc – everyday carry

this stands for 'everyday carry', meaning the items a person has on them nearly all of the time, especially when they leave the house. the internet has made this seemingly normal thing into a subject of nearly cult-like frenzy. one should choose items for function, not vanity, and try to stick with items that are inexpensive, easily available to nearly anyone, and easily replaced. one should strive to become accustomed to solving problems with things easily found or readily at hand, not objects that are expensive or rare. core items should be small enough to carry in ones pockets without the need for a bag. here, i will list my common items and their uses.

knife

i have carried a pocketknife since i recieved my own on my tenth birthday. one should learn to sharpen thier own knife, and how to carry and handle it safely. its list of uses are long and varied, but i will suffice to say it is good for opening envelopes, and for preparing and eating food on the go, which i have done plenty.

handkerchief

handkerchiefs, scarves, or bandannas, are pieces of cloth, usually about 18 inches square, typically made of cotton. their uses are numerous, and the various materials may lend themselves to different uses. cotton is good for absorbing material, and may be shredded finely to be used for tinder in firelighting. nylon or polyester is not as absorbent and is more flammable, do not wear it loosely near open flames. use a bandanna to cover ones head from the sun, as a headband to keep the sweat out of ones eyes, to wrap around ones hands as makeshift mittens when using sharp tools, the list goes on. best of all, it can carry all of your other gear. for this reason, i usually carry three of them, one to wear, one specifically to wipe my mouth and hands with, and the third to make a bag, if needed.

make a bag from a cloth

by tying the two left corners to each other, and the right corners to each other, making a sort of kleenex-box or shaving-kit shaped bag with a slit in the top, easily put your things inside it. use a piece of paracord to make a shoulder strap and it becomes a handy hip-bag for the weekend or any time you dont feel like putting everything back in your pockets.

flashlight

as a kid i was just crazy about flashlights. they were magical, they could defeat the darkness and be fun at the same time. as an adult, i have always carried at least a small light with me at all times, typically around my neck or in my pocket. a simple two dollar led penlight will serve most needs, so long as it can handle a splash of water and handle a drop to the ground without breaking. i look for ones that have a pocket clip that can be taken off and reversed, so that it can be clipped to the brim of my cap or onto my bandanna on my head.

when shopping for lights, pay attention to the type and number of batteries needed, the light output, and the run time. i prefer lights that have a very low setting and a run time of greater than 10 hours for small lights, and greater than 50 hours for larger lights. if you absolutely need to use it, you want to know it will last you through an entire night without fail until morning.

paracord

paracord is a lightwieght type of rope. it can now be found in dollar stores for a dollar and twenty five cents for a twenty five foot length. one can easily coil up twenty five feet and fit it into a pocket, though i prefer to cut it down to five or six foot lenghts and carry two or three of them to be used as needed. this cord is unique, it has an outer sheath and inner strands. when stripped out, the sheath is still plenty strong for common uses, while the seven inner strands can each be further broken down into three strands each. this means a five foot section of paracord can be turned into seven sections of twine or twenty one sections of floss, all of which are plenty strong for lashing and binding to make pack frames, bows, and other implements from sticks, and makes excellent thread to sew up and make repairs to clothes and equipment. when cutting paracord, be sure to use your lighter to melt the end closed again to prevent fraying.

lighter

lighters are important and useful. i stopped smoking many years ago but still it good to have one on hand. one can light a gas stove, light a candle, start a fire, re-light the pilot on the water heater, as well as quickly burning the stray threads off of clothing and sealing up the ends of synthetic rope. bic lighters are practically indescructible and easy to find laying around almost anywhere. make a small loop from a piece of paracord and tape it to the lighter so that it can be clipped to oneself or ones gear.

make a drinking straw kit

to make a tiny emergency kit, take a drinking straw, pinch one end closed with your pliers and burn the end with the ligher, which will melt and seal it shut. this closed-ended tube can be filled with salt, pills, sewing needle and thread, matches, etc, and may be closed at the opposite end the same way, making various small waterproof kits.

pen

a marking device should always be carried for obvious reasons, for marking things or leaving notes. they may also serve as a self-defense item when going into an environment that does not allow for any other tools. a simple number 2 pencil is allowed nearly everywhere, as well as a basic bic pen or permanent marker. when in doubt, carry one of each. they are small, and will allow you to make marks on almost any surface or material. in matters of self-defense, look up and consider the uses of the kubaton or thumb-stick, these techniques can be employed with a sturdy sharpie marker.

edc extras

there are other items i strongly recommend one keeps with them when leaving the house, to be well prepared for daily needs. these items will likely pile up and require a bag.

phone, charger, bottle of water, tylenol or preferred headache pills, paper tape or a few bandaids, a pair of headphones or earbuds, multitool, tweezers, scissors, notepad.