View Full Version : No-Shank Toothbrush
mrhughes1982
10-30-2009, 19:57
I've heard of people cutting their toothbrush and half but this is even better. Only weights 1.3 grams. They have really small ink pens and razors too. Just beware these will not work for self defense, teaching your buster bunkmate a lesson or jacking someone's ramen noodles. I've sent them a e-mail to find out how to get these on the outside.
http://www.safesuit.co.uk/UK/catalogue_noshank_toothbrush.htm
mrhughes1982
10-30-2009, 20:12
U can buy it here.
http://www.allstatedistributors.com/shank-security-finger-toothbrush-p-45.html
I found out it is recyclable too from another website for eco-friendly products :D
Two Tents
10-30-2009, 20:16
Anti gravity gear has them also. http://www.antigravitygear.com/products.php?cat=96
Thanks, but I'll suffer under the burden of a whole toothbrush, and not stick my finger in my mouth :p
mrhughes1982
10-30-2009, 20:18
Anti gravity gear has them also. http://www.antigravitygear.com/products.php?cat=96
Sweet much better! Right beside the coolest bandana I ever saw. Sold!
Two Tents
10-30-2009, 20:27
Yea it's a good bandanna. I like the -Hiker to town-Hiker to trail -bandanna. Go to the AGG site then look in trail-other.
mrhughes1982
10-30-2009, 20:30
Thats cool too. I like this website. I got paid today too :rolleyes: uh oh ....
I know the rule. Take care of the ounces -- and grams -- and weight will take care of itself.
But tooth brushes don't weigh much, and perform an extremely important role -- in both trail health and longterm heart health. I personally won't play around with gram saving toys, given the importance of oral health to both completing the trail, and living after a long hike, a healthy and long life.
Weary
Jack Tarlin
10-31-2009, 17:33
Interesting. But considering the typical hygeine level of one's fingers or hand while on the Trail, somehow this doesn't really sound that appealing.
sheepdog
10-31-2009, 23:22
Who wants to stick their dirty old finger in their mouth? Carry a tooth brush for pete's sake. Will an ounce for a handle kill ya?
"The dead guy was just brushing his teeth, the head fell off his toothbrush, and he choked to death" - yep. I can see it in the papers..........:D.
Fer cryin' out loud. Just buy a child's toothbrush if you want to save weight. Sheesh!
Also - see Sheepdog's post. Problem is when I've been hiking I know where my hands have been (and no, I never can quite get the junk out from under my nails). :)
mrhughes1982
11-02-2009, 14:09
Wow. I caught a lot heat for this one. But don't you all wash your hands before you eat? A little doctor bonners goes a long way, and another light wait trail snack can to carry to if you're concerned about your teeth and extra protection is Trident Gum.
Seriously if you really want to not get sick wash your hands frequently. And then sticking your finger in your mouth is not going harm you one bit.
sylvia_claire
11-02-2009, 17:11
do we know who is making money off of these? yes I see they are on hiking sites but are they coming through the prison system somehow? (I mean I assume surplus army supplies sales somehow benefit the army, are these surplus prison sales or do the prisons just use them too). If we could keep this to a straight answer without freaking out over my implied moral views it would be nice... unlikely but nice...
mrhughes1982
11-02-2009, 17:15
Two Tents gave this site where I ordered mine.
Anti gravity gear has them also. http://www.antigravitygear.com/products.php?cat=96
I came across a website for green related products and this is was on there because it so little plastic and recyclable. Sure a nice toothbrush will get your teeth clean but as long as you're thorough this will get the plaque off just as well.
Tipi Walter
11-02-2009, 20:04
I don't know if this is relevant or not but I just returned from my longest backpacking trip every, 23 days, and right in the middle of it the head of my toothbrush broke off right at its narrowest part, and I couldn't stand the idea of going 12 more days without one, so voila! Melted the head onto the handle: See fotog--
mrhughes1982
11-02-2009, 20:17
Nice that works! Way to use your ingenuity! :D
Jack Tarlin
11-02-2009, 20:50
Mr. Hughes:
Instead of carrying a mini-toothbrush that requires getting hand-jammed into my mouth along with, as you suggested, carrying Dr. Bronners, I have an alternate method:
*I carry and use a real toothbrush
*My fingers and hands never get into my mouth during brushing
*And I don't carry a bottle of Dr. Bronners
End result of this system:
My teeth get cleaned much better, the brush lasts a lot longer, my hands don't go into my mouth, and I actually save pack weight by skipping the Bronners.
But whatever works, I guess. :D
Thanks, but I'll suffer under the burden of a whole toothbrush, and not stick my finger in my mouth :p
i second that.
mrhughes1982
11-02-2009, 21:18
What do you wash your hands with Jack, and dishes to? When you take a doody in the woods what do you do? Surely you carry some kind of hand sanitizer. That's the biggest way of getting sick is unclean hands. I know I'm saving weight here but how much weight does a small bottle of Dr Bonner's break your back when that's what will keep you healthy? I'm ordering a gallon or so and I have about 20-30 or so little Hotel shampoo bottles to fill up and mail along the way.
You're teeth will get clean just fine as long as you floss and are thorough and chew gum daily.
Different strokes for different folks, but if you're not carrying some kinds of soaps and hand sanitizers you're going to get sick.
I'm happy I ordered by finger brush today :banana and well if I get a cavity so be it. As long as I do what needs to be done daily, I really don't think the brush is going to change that.
Drats....... Here's the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfaZ9yR9vmo
I ran across this article (http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/21/health/21cons.html?ex=1300597200&en=4c70920a31f666bf&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss) which mentions if your hand sanitizer has less than 60% alcohol, it's almost worthless. K2
JustaTouron
02-10-2010, 21:47
I ran across this article (http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/21/health/21cons.html?ex=1300597200&en=4c70920a31f666bf&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss) which mentions if your hand sanitizer has less than 60% alcohol, it's almost worthless. K2
really moving off topic.... but any reason why we can't just use the same 100% alcohol for both hand sanitizing and fuel?
Wow. I caught a lot heat for this one. But don't you all wash your hands before you eat? A little doctor bonners goes a long way, and another light wait trail snack can to carry to if you're concerned about your teeth and extra protection is Trident Gum.
Seriously if you really want to not get sick wash your hands frequently. And then sticking your finger in your mouth is not going harm you one bit.
At home I wash my hands over a dozen times a day. On the trail, not nearly so often. Maybe once a day, if that. Either way, I try not to stick my fingers in my mouth.
I carry a regular tooth brush which has the end ground to a point. Meets the dual purpose ultralight criteria, tooth brush and shank for bear defense :)