It’s a ninefer. This 6” long x 1/2” hex ball-point pen has a rubber stylus at the other end, which unscrews to reveal a tiny driver with both 2mm and #00 heads, while the shaft has a little bubble level and (4) rulers: 0-4” x 1/16”; 0-10cm x 1mm; and both 1/200mm and 1/300mm rulers. The ninth part is our name on the side, so you remember where the coolest stuff comes from. Plus it’s in the ruler shade of yellow, with a pocket clip.

They don’t give them away in bars anymore, so you’d better buy this Matchstick Fire Starter. Has a 1-1/2" x 1-1/8" x 3/8" flint housing and a 1” striker with a small cotton wick around the end. Fill it with a little lighter fluid and you’re ready to start something. Includes a 1/2” clip to hang it on something. A must for camping.

Nobody would dare vote you off the island if you have this stainless steel survival tool. Smaller than a credit card at 2-3/4" x 1-3/4", it has (11) functions: can opener, knife edge, flathead screwdriver, small ruler, bottle opener, 4-position wrench, saw blade, 2-position wrench and a couple more. Slip it into your wallet or hang it on your keychain, then go get lost.

The manufacturer calls this a SWAT Survival Kit and it’s a wonder of emergency compactness at 4” x 6” x 2-1/2”. Tucked inside the heavy-duty black plastic case is a bright LED flashlight, multifunction leatherguyish tool, survival compass, whistle, emergency foil blanket, credit-card size multitool with (10) functions, flint fire starter and steel wire saw.

It's a 10-tool Swissesque military survival knife, but without those red plastic handles to break and fall off. Includes stainless steel 2-1/2" knife blade, flathead driver/bottle opener, saw blade, scissors, can opener, fish scaler/nail set, corkscrew, Phillips driver, awl, nail file and the needle-like thing for making buckskin clothes in case you're lost for years. Has a split ring to hang your keys from.

Put these on your feet, and stay on your feet. We use these here in the frozen heartland, and so should you if you’re anywhere where the snow flies and ice coats the sidewalks. Measure 9” long in black silicone rubber, and they stretch over the toe and heel of pretty much any size shoe, men’s or women’s, with rubber pads that have (5) 5-pointed steel cleats on each sole. Easy on, easy off for your winter-walking convenience. For you folks in the warmer climes, you can use them to turn any pair of shoes into cleats for pick-up games of football.

The boys in the back room called this IZoom Pro™ flashlight ludicrously bright, and they’re usually right. Rated at 300, 1200, and 2500 lumens with a strobe setting, light is through a reticular COB LED element with an adjustable focus lens. Takes (6) “AA” batteries, and they’re included. Measures 7” long x 1-1/2” dia in black aluminum alloy body. Has up to a 4-hour life, depending on the beam strength you use.

Daytime, too, or whenever you need to start a fire, especially outdoors. These pressed resinous-pine tinder sticks measure 4" long x 1/2" square, and our each is a box of a dozen. Marked as being from the “Survivor Series,” they’re water-resistant and slow burning, lasting approx five minutes each. 

Outdoorsy brides-to-be all across America are registering for this BPA-free modular plastic knife/fork/spoon combo. The fork and spoon snap together like a molle buckle, hiding the surprisingly sharp serrated knife inside. Measure 6-1/2” long when together. Our each is a service for (4) in red, blue, orange and green. Camping utensils don’t get any utensiler.

This isn't a book, but it's definitely book-ish. Looks like a leather-bound volume from the Bodleian but it's just a little wooden box, approx 8-1/2" x 5" x 2" (7" x 3-7/8" x 1-5/8" inside) that's perfect for stashing the jewels, cash, or whatever you need to stash in plain sight on the shelves.

Newly manufactured P-38 Can Opener from the same folks who supply them to Uncle. It folds! into 1-1/2" x 5/8" flat piece which is easily carried and lost. Reportedly works much better than the Asian knockoffs for those who really want to gain entry to the Spam!

You will survive with this Survival Candle, a 3-wick burner made of soy and palm wax in a 3-1/8" dia 2-3/8" tin can with a lid. Rated to last up to 36 hours.

Ankles, knees and elbows—when they’re strained and sprained, we recommend this 3” wide, non-latex, flexible Coflex bandage. On an 8-foot roll that stretches, like, well, an elastic bandage, to almost twice that length. Sweat- and water-resistant, the bandage adheres to itself. To match your uniform or exercise outfit, you’ll get a box of (4) bandages, (1) each in red, royal blue, aqua and purple.

C'mon baby, light someone's fire with this magnesium and flint fire-starter kit. The 3" steel hack-saw-type blade and a 3-1/8" x 3/8" x 1-1/8" hunk of magnesium, with a rod of flint embedded in one long side, are on a keychain for carrying but are easily removed from it. With the serrated edge of the blade, shave some Mg into a small pile of tinder. Strike the flint with the opposite edge to spark the tinder-Mg's interest, and you're Prometheus.

Walking sticks have moved into the space age! This walker's/hiker's friend has futuristic features and the look of an inter-galactic weapon. The high-quality collapsible aluminum stick extends from a packable 27" to a full 43", and has a carbide tip with a rubber cover, a removable 2" dia disk to keep the stick from sinking into soft ground, and an internal shock absorber that can be turned on or off. At the top, a 5-LED flashlight with a 90° pivot is embedded in a molded-plastic cane-style handle to light your way. For mountain trekking, lengthen the stick, slip the adjustable canvas wrist strap over your hand, and clutch the stick by the padded foam section below the cane handle. Directions, diagrams, and 1100mm to 1350mm gradations are marked clearly on the 3-draw pole. We'll pick a black or anodized red, green, blue, silver or purple version for you.

Packaged as a “single pocket sports belt” this black elastic belt is 1-1/2” wide, and adjusts from 27” to 43” but will stretch to up to 60”. Closes with a molle buckle. In the middle is an 11” long zippered pouch that folds flat under the belt but unfolds to approx 3” wide, and will expand to almost twice that. Big enough to hold a large smartphone, keys, wallet or a bunch of cash. Handy for runners or travelers. Or running travelers. Or traveling runners.

No gas or electricity needed for this pocket-sized manual chain saw, the camper's pal. It's 30" long overall, with (82) spring-steel teeth on the 18-1/2" middle section, and canvas loop handles on each end. Imagine a sharpened bike chain with a handle at each end. It's easy to use (we tested it), works a whole lot faster than a hatchet, rolls up into no space at all, and stores in the heavy-duty canvas belt pouch that comes with it.

If you fly to where you hike, you absolutely need this three-piece bianbai wood walking stick. Like in portable pool cues, the pieces are threaded together via steel inserts. Measures 55” long assembled, with a metal tip covered by a removable rubber foot, wrist strap and water-resistant nylon carrying pouch. Pieces are approx 21” long.