Maybe nostalgia is clouding my childhood memories, but has the Army Surplus turned into kind of a Militia Hut the past ten years or so? It seems like it used to be full of useful stuff that really looked like it could endure military service. Now it's all throwing stars, switchblades, and laser pointers.

I still remember going to Army Surplus stores, one in Decatur and one in Springfield, and getting great surivial and camping stuff...now I'm seeing the same trend (although without the switchblades, which are illegal here, and paintball instead). Still it's a good place to get boots, MREs, and can openers.

I voted can opener, have yet to try the pistol ;)

"Cogito cogito ergo cogito sum - I think that I think, therefore I think that I am." Ambrose Bierce

been42, I can understand where you are coming from, though I know that all stores aren't like that. We have a some what small Surplus store that is near where I live. It has everything that you would expect in a Surplus store. It doesn't have (as far as I can recall) any of the stuff you mentioned. I just wanted you to know that there are still Surplus stores out there that are useful. The P38 reference reminded me that we recently purchased some for our (what we term) 72 hour packs. Not that we are survivalists, just one of those just in case kinda deals. Anyway, had to buy 7 of them, one for each member of the family. Why I bought one for my three year old I have no idea, but I did anyway. That is why P38 reminds me of where Larry explains regex basics.

Paulster2

But the cool thing is at least they sell ninja weapons, and, you know, ninjas are important.