The official Awesome $tüff I bought for <$50

D̷e̷v̷i̷l̷D̷o̷c̷A̷Z̷

Banned x2 🤪 / Bear Pit Super Mod
Full Member
Minuteman
Sep 11, 2014
4,450
6,489
Yuma, AZ
decided I’d start a thread so we could help each other waste money on neat stuff

The Rules:
-Post a freaking link
-keep it under $50

Here’s mine. A kick ass American Made Flag.

 
Part of my EDC

Rite In The Rain Pocket Pens

https://www.sportsmans.com/camping-...itlS0hl6Xzwk7yOGjNLwuDPiZP47olfxoC2R8QAvD_BwE

I've been carrying this around for a few months now and have zero complaints and always have a writing utensil on me now.

Victorinox Hiker

https://www.swiss-store.co.uk/victo...vxLjp3hAHVdPNLKbNXqbhbpfxN3oE0zhoCn2gQAvD_BwE

Decided to start EDC'ing something more practical than a single blade liner lock knife, haven't regretted it.

Streamlight Microstream Light

https://ads.midwayusa.com/product/1...ajRYNAH0LiA_Ft1P1rvbAqtl1nZeSQgBoClGMQAvD_BwE

Hella good little light with a pocket clip that also allows it to be mounted to a baseball cap.


Dyno Kwick Lock Pick

https://www.duluthtrading.com/lock-...xlDeJQd1kviLVWrOC1CuJRJAS4FHVwoRoCDMoQAvD_BwE

This probably won't get you into commercial door lock but it will crack padlocks and the like, I keep it in my tool kit for whenever.
 
Part of my EDC

Rite In The Rain Pocket Pens

https://www.sportsmans.com/camping-...itlS0hl6Xzwk7yOGjNLwuDPiZP47olfxoC2R8QAvD_BwE

I've been carrying this around for a few months now and have zero complaints and always have a writing utensil on me now.

Victorinox Hiker

https://www.swiss-store.co.uk/victo...vxLjp3hAHVdPNLKbNXqbhbpfxN3oE0zhoCn2gQAvD_BwE

Decided to start EDC'ing something more practical than a single blade liner lock knife, haven't regretted it.

Streamlight Microstream Light

https://ads.midwayusa.com/product/1...ajRYNAH0LiA_Ft1P1rvbAqtl1nZeSQgBoClGMQAvD_BwE

Hella good little light with a pocket clip that also allows it to be mounted to a baseball cap.


Dyno Kwick Lock Pick

https://www.duluthtrading.com/lock-...xlDeJQd1kviLVWrOC1CuJRJAS4FHVwoRoCDMoQAvD_BwE

This probably won't get you into commercial door lock but it will crack padlocks and the like, I keep it in my tool kit for whenever.
I see you with that right in the rain pen ... I too keep one on me with my edc

 
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$18 opens stuff like bottles…or humans

 
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What a cool idea for a thread and I'll definitely play. There's a number of small purchases that just completely change your world and punch so much over their price point. For shooting related stuff, by far one of the best small purchases I ever got into was the Maglula UpLula. I tend to load up a bunch of magazines in one sitting so when I'm at the range I'm focused on shooting and not loading and just about every time I use them, I continue to be impressed and wonder what the hell I've been doing for all those years beforehand. They're like $30 and come in different models for most popular firearms magazines. Absolutely some of the best money I ever spent shooting related.

1732082593345.png

 
Part of my EDC

Rite In The Rain Pocket Pens

https://www.sportsmans.com/camping-...itlS0hl6Xzwk7yOGjNLwuDPiZP47olfxoC2R8QAvD_BwE

I've been carrying this around for a few months now and have zero complaints and always have a writing utensil on me now.

Victorinox Hiker

https://www.swiss-store.co.uk/victo...vxLjp3hAHVdPNLKbNXqbhbpfxN3oE0zhoCn2gQAvD_BwE

Decided to start EDC'ing something more practical than a single blade liner lock knife, haven't regretted it.

Streamlight Microstream Light

https://ads.midwayusa.com/product/1013250033?pid=168600&utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=[ADL]_[PMAX]_[Category]_Shooting&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAxea5BhBeEiwAh4t5K-P7-n50zg8jkTNWM_ZionajRYNAH0LiA_Ft1P1rvbAqtl1nZeSQgBoClGMQAvD_BwE

Hella good little light with a pocket clip that also allows it to be mounted to a baseball cap.


Dyno Kwick Lock Pick

https://www.duluthtrading.com/lock-pick-tool-69090.html?&srccode=GPSDSHOP&ogmap=PLA|NB|GOOG||||||||20768012558|161222459928&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAxea5BhBeEiwAh4t5K26Hs9t4mbZzsX9EW8jEurxlDeJQd1kviLVWrOC1CuJRJAS4FHVwoRoCDMoQAvD_BwE

This probably won't get you into commercial door lock but it will crack padlocks and the like, I keep it in my tool kit for whenever.
Don’t buy cheap picks, buy sparrow or similar.

FYI, most commercial locks you see are just stronger versions of home locks in the long run. If you can’t pick it drill it, if you can’t drill it and it’s an emergency break a window. Obviously there’s other ways
 
Another one, more home related and more of a concept than a specific product/model but heavy duty scissors/shears. Again, a quality set is probably less than $30 and it's hard to get excited for scissors but let me tell you- if you ever get the chance to use a GOOD pair of scissors it's an absolute game changer.

To go from something that cuts paper to being able to easily cut through heavy cardboard, carpet, tile, vinyl, and the one purpose that constantly gets used, that thick ass plastic clamshell packaging that so much stuff seems to come in. Serious as a heart attack, get good scissors/shears and you'll never look back or regret it.

1732083298764.png


 
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Another one, more home related and more of a concept than a specific product/model but heavy duty scissors/shears. Again, a quality set is probably less than $30 and it's hard to get excited for scissors but let me tell you- if you ever get the chance to use a GOOD pair of scissors it's an absolute game changer.

To go from something that cuts paper to being able to easily cut through heavy cardboard, carpet, tile, vinyl, and the one that purpose that constantly gets used, that thick ass plastic clamshell packaging that so much stuff seems to come in. Serious as a heart attack, get good scissors/shears and you'll never look back or regret it.

View attachment 8550130

Agreed on the “good” scissors.

I picked up this set at Lowe’s. They are by far the most aggressive pair I’ve ever used. It’s on sale through Dec.

1732088137434.png



I like them a lot, I picked these up today when I was grabbing some spray paint for an upcoming project. They were in the BF sale area. If they are as good as the others I’m going to really enjoy them.

1732088661329.png


Oh and one more thing I grabbed since I’m schilling for Lowe’s….some Knipex Knockoffs. These are great for a range bag. Taking my Knipex out and putting them in the truck.


1732088539487.jpeg
 
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Set of 8” files and needle files, use them shits on the regular. Even the $8-9 nicholson(crescent) from Homie Deport work great for the shit I do and I get old golf balls to use as a handle. Always filing/cutting down and smoothing the ends of machine screws that are too long but the right thread pitch.

Big bit set with oddball shit (200+ bit craftsman since I don’t work with them)
 
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Set of 8” files and needle files, use them shits on the regular. Even the $8-9 nicholson(crescent) from Homie Deport work great for the shit I do and I get old golf balls to use as a handle. Always filing/cutting down and smoothing the ends of machine screws that are too long but the right thread pitch.

Big bit set with oddball shit (200+ bit craftsman since I don’t work with them)
That’s a good one.

Don’t forget the File Card!


1732089066937.jpeg
 
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Trauma shears, and a CAT TQ(though every one here should already own a few) and have them staged correctly for use.

DO NOT buy the off brand look alike.
I have one on my workbench for that day I fuck up w the table saw. I even put flagging tape on it since I’ll prob be yelling at someone else to get it.
 
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Agreed on the “good” scissors.

I picked up this set at Lowe’s. They are by far the most aggressive pair I’ve ever used. It’s on sale through Dec.

View attachment 8550148


I like them a lot, I picked these up today when I was grabbing some spray paint for an upcoming project. They were in the BF sale area. If they are as good as the others I’m going to really enjoy them.

View attachment 8550152

Oh and one more thing I grabbed since I’m schilling for Lowe’s….some Knipex Knockoffs. These are great for a range bag. Taking my Knipex out and putting them in the truck.


View attachment 8550151
knipex Chicano locks are the shit(price fluctuates between sizes), those are copies but for that price fuck it.
 
knipex Chicano locks are the shit(price fluctuates between sizes), those are copies but for that price fuck it.
Knipex are def not cheap. This is the set I’m taking out of the range bag and tossing in the truck. If I need them they will be close but I’m hopeful the Kobalts will be more than enough. $92 vs $15 is a pretty far gap to close. 🤔

1732089709656.png
 
Right at the $50 mark, but a good/large cast iron pan. Damn I love this thing and use it all the time and will probably outlive me. Pretty sure I've posted at least one picture here even using it. Money well spent once again and not all that much money either.

1732090154062.png



-LD
 
Right at the $50 mark, but a good/large cast iron pan. Damn I love this thing and use it all the time and will probably outlive me. Pretty sure I've posted at least one picture here even using it. Money well spent once again and not all that much money either.

View attachment 8550156


-LD
Mines enamel coated because I’m too lazy to take care of them properly, but yes.
 
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You'll have to bear with me on this one as it may be regional and it's definitely on of those 'IYKYK' type of products but around the $10 mark, a tick key. This would be on that list of products that I never thought I'd need (hey I know how to use tweezers right) but I want to say REI had a deal where they were only a couple of bucks (they're at around $10 now) and I picked up a few to try out.

Well I easily have over $100 worth of these things now and have given probably that much out to friends for gifts because I've been that impressed with them. I don't know what changed lately but in the past 10 years or so, ticks here have been terrible both in quantity and percentage of which carrying lyme disease. I have a good friend that went undiagnosed with Lyme disease for years (never got the typical 'bullseye' mark) and it absolutely rocked his world and will have lingering effects for the rest of his life at this point. That shit is no joke by any stretch and I'm more afraid of ticks anymore than I am of bears or any other critters in the woods. Again, this may be regional and as they say, your results may vary but I take ticks very seriously anymore.

So back to the product, it's called a tick key and works substantially better than tweezers do on humans and exponentially so if you have pets like cats or dogs that tend to pick them up and fight you when you try to hold them still to remove them. So that's my contribution for this post, it's about $10 a pop but likely can be picked up for $5-$7 on sale and I'll never be without one anymore mainly because they work more efficiently in particular when you catch a tick early than tweezers in removing them (all of 'em and not just the body leaving the head dug in).

So yeah, a tick key, the product I never thought I needed but once I had 'em, I'm not going back to tweezers. They're stupid simple, super effective, and cheap insurance compared to the alternatives.

1732091307134.png


 
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Deep hole markers(store it wherever you want)

Reusable thread locker

If you write a lot a decent pens
VC-3 is good stuff but unless going to use it in quantity multiple times a day do not buy the bottle with brush to "save" money. It will gas out and gum up, even putting MEK in it will not return it to a usable state. The little plastic tube is fine if you squeeze the air out.
Another cheap-ass tip for use; the little plastic sachets that come with many optic mounts can be kept usable with a binder clip. Snip off a corner, use what you need then wipe it off and fold the top and clamp it.
 
On the subject of Walmart knives;
0E3119F1-FB7F-4F46-ABC7-F047BF4E95D5.jpeg


I bought this (and a second I gave to my BIL) on Clearance at Walmart for $9. Usual price is ~$25, and it comes with a few replaceable blades. I’ll never sharpen a hunting knife again. It’s amazingly sharp and blade refills are cheap. Worth the price at $25.

 
What a cool idea for a thread and I'll definitely play. There's a number of small purchases that just completely change your world and punch so much over their price point. For shooting related stuff, by far one of the best small purchases I ever got into was the Maglula UpLula. I tend to load up a bunch of magazines in one sitting so when I'm at the range I'm focused on shooting and not loading and just about every time I use them, I continue to be impressed and wonder what the hell I've been doing for all those years beforehand. They're like $30 and come in different models for most popular firearms magazines. Absolutely some of the best money I ever spent shooting related.

View attachment 8550128
There's a better one. Speed beez.
I have one for my Walther (mags lock in) but it will still work with my m&p mags just that those don't lock in. Loading 9mm American eagle 147's in Walther mags I have to load 2 first manually.
 
On the subject of Walmart knives;
View attachment 8552499

I bought this (and a second I gave to my BIL) on Clearance at Walmart for $9. Usual price is ~$25, and it comes with a few replaceable blades. I’ll never sharpen a hunting knife again. It’s amazingly sharp and blade refills are cheap. Worth the price at $25.

These little blades tune up pretty nicely on a leather strop with a little jewelers rouge to slick out the grind a touch more.
 
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