One 6 gram Ti stake adapted for long-handled toothbrush, spoon and fork. Other add-ons possible:





Here is a shot of the long-handled spoon. It's next to the Light My Fire utensil I hacked up:



I like to use a real toothbrush, nothing like it, but obviously the weight of the handle is a minus, so this mod is a real boon for me:



Here is a shot of the tubing I used to adapt the stake to the add-ons:



This shot shows the reducing tubing inside the coupling tubing:



Specs:

Item Grams
-----------------
Ti Stake 6.0
Toothbrush 4.2
Spoon 6.1
Fork 5.1

All together less than one ounce. I normally don't use the fork, so my kit is 16.3 grams for this multiuse item.

Usage
-----------------

The handle coupled to an add-on is very rigid and easy to use. Inserting the stake into the adapter requires a firm force as well as for removal. This is good IMO because there is no chance for the two to separate when in use.

The long-handle option is awesome! The spoon combo weighs 12.1 grams compared to the 17 grams for the BPL ti long-handled spoon. The length is 6 in. for the stake and 4 in. for the spoon for 9 in. overall when the stake is inserted.

Materials
-----------------

Coupling tubing 5/16 OD Poly (1 3/8 in. ea. add-on)

Add-On Inner tube 1/4 ID Poly (1/2 in. ea. add-on, AKA shim tubing)

Stake Inner tube 1/8 ID Vinyl (7/8 in. ea. add-on)

Design
-----------------

Each type of add-on has a different inner tubing (or none at all) to shim it up to the ID of the coupling tubing, and at the other end of the coupling tubing always goes the same 7/8 in. piece of 1/8 in. ID vinyl tubing to adapt the stake.

Toothbrush Add-On:

1. Cut handle off toothbrush (I used a Colgate 360) leaving 3/4 in. long and uniform diameter stub to attach tubing.

2. Square off and with a razor blade cut a 1/2 in. piece off the 1/4 in. ID poly tubing. Run under very hot water to soften and then push onto the stub on the toothbrush. Go slow and try not to crimp or bend over the tubing, push on until flush at end.

3. Now take the 5/16 in. tubing and run under hot water until soft and push this over the shimmed stub of the toothbrush until flush with the front of the shim tubing. Use the same caution as before. With the razor blade trim flush the back end to 1 3/8 in.

4. Insert the 1/8 in. ID vinyl tubing into the coupling tubing until flush with the stub of the toothbrush. Trim flush with razor. See last pic above showing this.

DONE! Now insert your ti stake and test 'er out. If the stake ever becomes loose you can just replace the small piece of 1/8 in. ID tubing.

Spoon/Fork Add-On:

1. For the Light My Fire combo cut the spoon or fork end off leaving 1/2 in. stub to attach to the coupling tubing. I used a Dremel with the Fiber Cut-Off wheel.

2. Cut down into the stub to make a 3/8 in. wide by 3/8 in. deep tab out of the stub. Carefully trim and shape the spoon/fork to smooth out any rough edges. I cut the top corners off the tab at 45 degrees to make it easier to attach the tubing.

3. Run under warm water the 5/16 in. poly tubing until soft and push onto the tab until flush with the utensil. No need for the shim 1/4 in. poly tubing on the fork or spoon. Caution again when pushing.

4. Trim to 1 3/8 in with razor.

5. Insert the 1/8 in. ID tubing into the coupling tubing until flush with utensil. Trim flush to end of coupling tubing.

DONE! Insert stake and dip into a zip lock enjoying clean knuckles.

Let me know what you think, especially if you have any other add-on ideas!

Edited by jhaura on 08/01/2006 18:50:02 MDT.

Wow, thanks for posting this! I have a Light My Fire spork that broke in half. I was trying to think of something to do with it but couldn't. Now you've got me smacking my forehead that this did not occur to me. You are creative. I've been working on a silicon finger toothbrush with real bristles, but I will definitely try your approach. It's easier and possibly better.

Eric, thanks for the comments! Let me know if you make a kit like this and post your pictures on this post so I can see your take on it. Silicon toothbrush? You were digging deep...

Just had of on of those "why didn't I think of that" moments. Nice work. Have you thought of other attachments for it? Maybe a shaving razor attachment or something?

Edited by jasonklass on 08/18/2006 20:03:15 MDT.

Well done. Thanks for sharing.

I was not as ambitious as you and just made a toothbrush.


The brush head from my Sonicare was ideal for this. The remaining handle is round and just slightly bigger than the diameter of the titanium nail stake. I hollowed out the end of the brush head so the point of the stake would fit into it.


The brush head is so light it doesn't register on my scale. The stake weighs 17 grams.

Edited by ericnoble on 08/27/2006 15:38:45 MDT.

I am hoping we dont use this stake for staking anything in the ground as well

Innovative idea! My question is how rigid the final setup is. Does the tubing really offer enough resistence to use the knife/fork for cutting?

Devin, I can't speak about the spoon or fork but my toothbrush has no rigidity problems and stays in place while in use.

Kevin, I use the titanium nail stake as a toothbrush handle, a spare tent stake, and also to make pilot holes in hard ground for my lighter stakes. I have no problem cleaning it and using it as a toothbrush handle afterward.

That is pretty dang cool :-D

Heck, I use my Ti-stake as a toothpick and ear wax remover. Excellant skewer for marmot ke-bab :-)>




Good one--Eric and Jhaura

I have, on occasion, had someone notice my pack and comment that I must be one of THOSE people who cuts the handle off their toothbrush. It's fun to say "you have no idea" and then show them my toothbrush. The reaction I get is a lot of fun. It's funny how the length of one's toothbrush handle has become a badge, of sorts, for membership in the fanatic fringe. Thanks again Jhaura for the inspiration!

Great idea,
Be REAL careful not to get carried away with tooth brushing in case the end comes off (especially that sharpened stake - yikes). I don't know if the U/L first aid kit could handle a punctured face.

Yes this post is tongue-in-cheek (groan).


Once again, great idea.

I realise this thread is long dead, but I missed it back then and another thread on toothbrushes has mentioned it.

If you are worried about face puncturing, why not make it so that the toothbrush attaches to the other end of the stake? I don't see why that wouldn't work. At the same time, if you have no intentions of ever hammering the stake into the ground (rather just pushing it in), you could permanently attach the toothbrush to the end with some decent glue...?

I'd be tempted to have a shot at that but I also often end up hammering stakes from time to time myself.