{"id":3265,"date":"2016-08-17T23:47:58","date_gmt":"2016-08-18T04:47:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/?p=3265"},"modified":"2017-02-28T00:04:37","modified_gmt":"2017-02-28T06:04:37","slug":"the-modern-macgyver","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/the-modern-macgyver\/","title":{"rendered":"The Modern MacGyver"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>MacGyver was a 1980&#8217;s TV action hero, known for being able to quickly apply his extensive math \/ science \/ engineering skills in order to save the day.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-4106\" src=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/MacGyver-600x457.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"457\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/MacGyver-600x457.png 600w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/MacGyver-300x229.png 300w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/MacGyver-768x585.png 768w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/MacGyver.png 852w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>MacGyver always carried standard gear on his person that included his iconic Swiss Army knife, duct tape, paper clips, and chewing gum.\u00a0 In every episode, he employed creativity, his gear, and science to re-purpose common items in order to build a machine or otherwise develop a solution for some major problem.<\/p>\n<p>Fast forward to fall 2016 &#8211;\u00a0 CBS is about to release a modern reboot.<\/p>\n<p>What skills and technology would a &#8220;modern&#8221; MacGyver employ?<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>(Note &#8211; this is being written without any advanced knowledge of the reboot, except, having seen the trailer)<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p>Read on, to find out.<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_81 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\"><p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<\/div><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/the-modern-macgyver\/#1985-macgyver\" >1985 MacGyver<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/the-modern-macgyver\/#macgyvers-gear-circa-1985\" >MacGyver&#8217;s Gear, Circa 1985<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/the-modern-macgyver\/#swiss-army-knife\" >Swiss Army knife<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/the-modern-macgyver\/#duct-tape\" >Duct Tape<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/the-modern-macgyver\/#paper-clips\" >Paper Clips<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/the-modern-macgyver\/#chewing-gum\" >Chewing Gum<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/the-modern-macgyver\/#strike-anywhere-matches\" >Strike-Anywhere Matches<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/the-modern-macgyver\/#leather-belt\" >Leather Belt<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/the-modern-macgyver\/#macgyvers-skill-set-circa-1985\" >MacGyver&#8217;s Skill Set, Circa 1985<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/the-modern-macgyver\/#personality-and-characterization\" >Personality and Characterization<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/the-modern-macgyver\/#macgyverisms-1985-series\" >MacGyverisms, 1985 Series<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/the-modern-macgyver\/#2016-%e2%80%93-the-modern-macgyver\" >2016 &#8211; The Modern MacGyver<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/the-modern-macgyver\/#some-of-macgyvers-original-gear-is-still-relevant\" >Some of MacGyver&#8217;s Original Gear is Still Relevant<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/the-modern-macgyver\/#macgyver-should-have-carried-these-things\" >MacGyver SHOULD Have Carried These Things<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/the-modern-macgyver\/#modern-replacements-for-original-gear\" >Modern Replacements for Original Gear<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/the-modern-macgyver\/#multi-tool\" >Multi Tool<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/the-modern-macgyver\/#micro-pliers\" >Micro Pliers<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/the-modern-macgyver\/#gorilla-tape\" >Gorilla Tape<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/the-modern-macgyver\/#printed-camouflaged-duct-tape\" >Printed (Camouflaged) Duct Tape<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/the-modern-macgyver\/#weatherproof-matches\" >Weatherproof Matches<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/the-modern-macgyver\/#2016-macgyver-should-carry-these-things-you-couldnt-get-in-1985\" >2016 MacGyver Should Carry These Things You Couldn&#8217;t Get in 1985<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/the-modern-macgyver\/#shark-wire\" >Shark Wire<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/the-modern-macgyver\/#paracord-survival-bracelet\" >Paracord Survival Bracelet<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/the-modern-macgyver\/#command-adhesives-command-hooks\" >Command Adhesives \/ Command Hooks<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-25\" href=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/the-modern-macgyver\/#super-glue-gel\" >Super Glue Gel<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-26\" href=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/the-modern-macgyver\/#steel-%e2%80%9czip%e2%80%9d-ties\" >Steel &#8220;Zip&#8221; Ties<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-27\" href=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/the-modern-macgyver\/#led-multi-flashlight\" >LED Multi Flashlight<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-28\" href=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/the-modern-macgyver\/#green-laser-pointer\" >Green Laser Pointer<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-29\" href=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/the-modern-macgyver\/#2016-skills-and-tools-for-macgyver\" >2016 Skills and Tools for MacGyver<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-30\" href=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/the-modern-macgyver\/#conclusion\" >Conclusion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1985-macgyver\"><\/span>1985 MacGyver<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"macgyvers-gear-circa-1985\"><\/span>MacGyver&#8217;s Gear, Circa 1985<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>MagGyver usually carried the following items&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"swiss-army-knife\"><\/span>Swiss Army knife<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>MacGyver&#8217;s Swiss Army Knife was iconic.\u00a0 Although he seemed to carry a variety of models, his &#8220;SAK&#8221; was the tool he used in almost every situation, to build a device or modify common items in to a life-saving solution.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_3269\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3269\" class=\"wp-image-3269 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/SAK_spartan-300x296.jpg\" alt=\"SAK_spartan\" width=\"300\" height=\"296\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/SAK_spartan-300x296.jpg 300w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/SAK_spartan-768x757.jpg 768w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/SAK_spartan-600x591.jpg 600w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/SAK_spartan.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-3269\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">&#8220;SAK&#8221; (Swiss Army Knife)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Including one or two blades, one or two standard screwdrivers, a can opener, a bottle opener, tweezers, a tooth pick, and other accessories, such as a Phillips screwdriver, a saw, scissors, pliers, a cork screw, and special-purpose blades, the Swiss Army Knife was a do-it-all tool that MacGyver used on a weekly basis to save his life, diffuse bombs, and build &#8220;MacGyverisms&#8221; &#8211; re-purposed common items used to solve some specific problem.<\/p>\n<p>The Swiss Army Knife can be used to assemble, disassemble, whittle, move, remove, replace, cut, saw, and otherwise modify almost any material &#8211; most often, wood, plastic, paper, or cloth.<\/p>\n<p>Dating back to the <strong>1890&#8217;s<\/strong> the &#8220;Swiss Army&#8221; knife was originally designed to open canned food, and also to allow disassembly of the standard Swiss Army service rifle.\u00a0 Many innovations and variations have appeared from both &#8220;Swiss Army&#8221; knife companies:\u00a0 Wenger and Victorinox.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_3584\" style=\"width: 149px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3584\" class=\"wp-image-3584 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Wenger.jpg\" alt=\"Wenger\" width=\"139\" height=\"137\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-3584\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Wenger<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_3583\" style=\"width: 160px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3583\" class=\"wp-image-3583 size-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Victorinox-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"Victorinox\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Victorinox-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Victorinox.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-3583\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Victorinox<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Wenger knives have a cross symbol inside a slightly rounded square, while Victorinox knives have a cross symbol inside a shield.<\/p>\n<p>The knife depicted above is a Victorinox.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Although any &#8220;SAK&#8221; Swiss Army Knife provides multiple tools and accessories in a compact and convenient package, there are some down sides:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>No locking mechanism.\u00a0 &#8220;SAK&#8221; knife blades are held in place by a spring that can fold up if pressure is applied in the wrong direction.\u00a0\u00a0 Although some modern &#8220;SAK&#8221; knives employ a locking mechanism, this did not exist in the 1980&#8217;s.\u00a0 A modern multi-tool has a locking mechanism for the main blade and major accessories, preventing injury or knuckle-bite.<\/li>\n<li>Soft Steel.\u00a0 &#8220;SAK&#8221; knife blades are made from stainless steel, as they have been for over 100 years.\u00a0 Stainless steel comes in many varieties.\u00a0 SAK knife blades are on the softer end of the spectrum, meaning, they can bend, and don&#8217;t hold an edge as well as knives made from a modern steel, such as AUS-8.\u00a0 A good, modern steel knife can be used to pry, scrape, and cut without bending or chipping.<\/li>\n<li>Difficult to operate.\u00a0 Many of the accessories require a &#8220;fingernail&#8221; to open, but the spring tension is significant enough that you risk breaking a nail, unless your knife is well-worn.\u00a0 A modern multi-tool can be deployed and operated with one hand, using very little force.<\/li>\n<li>No Serration.\u00a0 &#8220;SAK&#8221; blades don&#8217;t have a serrated section, with small, curved teeth.\u00a0 Most modern knives offer a full or partially-serrated blade, that is much more efficient at cutting rope, cord, wire, webbing, and seat belts.\u00a0 A smooth, or &#8220;straight&#8221; blade must be very sharp, and often requires multiple passes, while a serrated blade acts like a saw, quickly chewing through soft materials.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Both Victorinox and Wenger knives offer a compact package containing multiple tools that can be used for a variety of purposes.\u00a0 Modern knives contain features and materials that simply weren&#8217;t available in 1985.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"duct-tape\"><\/span>Duct Tape<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>MacGyver was known to carry a small roll of duct tape, folded flat, in his back pocket.<\/p>\n<p>Duct tape is extremely versatile.\u00a0 It can be used to bind any two objects, seal a hole, or even make a rope!\u00a0 Mythbusters did TWO entire episodes on duct tape!\u00a0 (<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/MythBusters_%282012_season%29#Episode_179_.E2.80.93_.22Duct_Tape_Island.22\" target=\"_blank\">Here<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/MythBusters_%282013_season%29#Episode_204_.E2.80.93_.22Duct_Tape_Canyon.22\" target=\"_blank\">Here<\/a>)<\/p>\n<p>There are two main varieties of duct tape:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Cloth duct tape (one brand is &#8220;Duck Tape&#8221;) is strong and versatile.\n<p><div id=\"attachment_3586\" style=\"width: 160px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3586\" class=\"wp-image-3586 size-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Duct-tape-150x150.jpg\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-3586\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Cloth Duct Tape<\/p><\/div><\/li>\n<li>Vinyl duct tape is completely worthless.\u00a0 If MacGyver had bet his life on vinyl duct tape, he would have died many times.\u00a0 From the sub-standard adhesion, to the feeble shear strength, vinyl duct tape is one step short of worthless &#8211; it&#8217;s exactly better than nothing.\n<p><div id=\"attachment_3588\" style=\"width: 160px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3588\" class=\"wp-image-3588 size-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Duct-tape-vinyl-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"Vinyl Duct Tape\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Duct-tape-vinyl-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Duct-tape-vinyl.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-3588\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Vinyl Duct Tape<\/p><\/div><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Although we still have good, cloth duct tape, we also now have tape products with more advanced adhesives and stronger substrates, such as <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gorilla_Tape\" target=\"_blank\">Gorilla<\/a> brand tape &#8212; although it is slightly heavier, it has much better adhesion and shear strength.\u00a0 Another recent development is the mass production and availability of duct tape with various print patterns &#8211; for example, you can easily purchase camouflage duct tape, whose benefits are obvious.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"paper-clips\"><\/span>Paper Clips<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>The humble paper clip can act as a resistor, heater, conductor, fastener, or even the sharpened point of an arrow or dart.<\/p>\n<p>Even to this day, the paper clip is both portable and practical.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"chewing-gum\"><\/span>Chewing Gum<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Why chewing gum??\u00a0 The wrapper has paper, that can be used as a fuse or an insulator.\u00a0 The foil wrapper can be used as a conductor, fuse, or igniter.\u00a0 As depicted in one of the MacGyver episodes, chewing gum has a negative thermal expansion properties.\u00a0 It can also be used as an adhesive.<\/p>\n<p>Chewing gum is both innocuous and versatile, making it an excellent choice for covert tactics.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"strike-anywhere-matches\"><\/span>Strike-Anywhere Matches<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>A cheap, simple, portable ignition source, strike-anywhere matches could also be repurposed as igniters, or even mixed with other chemicals to formulate a chemical primer or igniter.<\/p>\n<p>Modern weatherproof matches serve the same purpose, but they have more flammable material, burn longer, burn hotter, and of course, they can be ignited and can maintain a flame even while wet, although not while completely submerged.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"leather-belt\"><\/span>Leather Belt<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>From sliding down a wire, to building part of some contraption, leather is versatile and durable, and the buckle can be used for many improvised purposes as well.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"macgyvers-skill-set-circa-1985\"><\/span>MacGyver&#8217;s Skill Set, Circa 1985<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>In 1985, MacGyver is portrayed as having advanced scientific and engineering degrees.\u00a0 Along with advanced knowledge of chemistry and physics, MacGyver expresses incredible, practical engineering skills based on the sciences, math, and advanced material sciences.<\/p>\n<p>MacGyver demonstrates a repeatable capability to identify the material properties of ambient objects, and re-purpose them in meaningful ways.\u00a0 If something does or does not conduct heat or electricity, that&#8217;s important.\u00a0 If something is in the proper parabolic shape to transmit or receive a signal, that&#8217;s also important.\u00a0 In addition, MacGyver demonstrates knowledge of aerodynamics, kinematics, pyrotechnics, electronics, and physics.<\/p>\n<p>Creativity is paramount, to identify and then re-purpose common objects in to defensive weapons, offensive weapons, actuators, fuses, instruments, aircraft, boats, vehicles, man-traps, signals, and very many other solutions.<\/p>\n<p>For many missions, physical prowess is required, including hand-to-hand combat.\u00a0 MacGyver was proficient in Judo, and possibly Ju-Jitsu.<\/p>\n<p>MacGyver was a boy scout, and also learned many nature survival skills from his grandfather, and is therefore a proficient survivalist.<\/p>\n<p>Social Engineering uses deception and trust to manipulate someone with the intent of achieving a specific objective.\u00a0 MacGyver was adept at social engineering, and would often travel covertly under the pretext of being a photographer or journalist.<\/p>\n<p>MacGyver is almost never seen using a calculator, which means that for his gadgets to work properly, he must be very good at dead reckoning distances, heights, angles and duration.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"personality-and-characterization\"><\/span>Personality and Characterization<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>MacGyver was intensely opposed to guns, due to a childhood traumatic experience as the result of the accidental discharge of a firearm.<\/li>\n<li>MacGyver has a highly-developed sense of ethics and morality, and will often go out of his way to avoid killing or injuring others, and would express a moral or social obligation to &#8220;do the right thing&#8221; by helping others, especially someone in need.<\/li>\n<li>Having been a boy scout, and having been partially raised by his nature-loving grandfather, MacGyver maintains a strong connection to nature, including a love of fishing and camping, as well as other activities, such as mountain climbing.\u00a0 For the first few seasons of the show, MacGyver lived on a house boat.<\/li>\n<li>MacGyver often expresses a desire to help others, by organizing or participating in various volunteer activities and organizations.<\/li>\n<li>Although he has a small circle of close friends, including <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/List_of_MacGyver_characters\" target=\"_blank\">Jack Dalton<\/a>, and his boss, <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Peter_Thornton_(MacGyver)\" target=\"_blank\">Pete Thornton<\/a>, MacGyver has a large network of casual friends and acquaintances who help him out from time to time.\u00a0 MacGyver tends to be inclusive, and makes an effort to get along with almost everyone.<\/li>\n<li>MacGyver has one arch enemy, <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Murdoc\" target=\"_blank\">Murdoc<\/a> the assassin.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"macgyverisms-1985-series\"><\/span>MacGyverisms, 1985 Series<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The term for repurposing common objects to solve a problem is known as a MacGyverism, or &#8220;pulling a MacGyver&#8221;.\u00a0 Although there is an extensive list of MacGyverisms listed <a href=\"http:\/\/macgyver.wikia.com\/wiki\/List_of_problems_solved_by_MacGyver\" target=\"_blank\">elsewhere<\/a>, the purpose of this section is to generalize the kinds of problems and solutions faced by MacGyver during the original series.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Disable complex mechanisms using a paperclip or other common object<\/li>\n<li>Construct a device or instrument using common objects, or parts from another device<\/li>\n<li>Repair or build a vehicle using duct tape and common parts<\/li>\n<li>Stop a chemical reaction by exploiting the chemical or physical properties of common objects<\/li>\n<li>Create a chemical reaction, or formulate acid or explosives for the purpose of diversion<\/li>\n<li>Simulate gunfire or rig automatic weapons as a diversion<\/li>\n<li>Bypass or jam mechanical and electronic locks using common objects<\/li>\n<li>Disable pursuing vehicles by creating traps or diversions, using common objects<\/li>\n<li>Build projectile launchers for various purposes<\/li>\n<li>Various optical applications, such as building a periscope, redirecting a laser, or using reflection or refraction to create a diversion<\/li>\n<li>Various electrical applications, such as powering a device with unconventional means, shorting a circuit, or building an electrical device (including a defibrillator)<\/li>\n<li>Use chemistry or physics to either conceal or reveal some secret<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Technology in the 1980&#8217;s was primarily mechanical and electromechanical.\u00a0 Most personal electronic applications used high-density CMOS transistor logic, printed circuits, and LEDs.\u00a0 As computers began to influence the electronics industry, many mechanical and electrical devices became computer-controlled, and most applications now contain embedded microcontrollers, which require specialized tools and knowledge to exploit, compared to their\u00a0more basic 1980&#8217;s counterparts.<\/p>\n<p>The ability to build, repair, or repurpose a device is limited by its intrinsic properties &#8211; things like motors, switches, wires, resistors, as well as materials such as metal and plastic that can be used for other purposes.\u00a0 Modern consumer electronic devices are made much more cheaply, and contain fewer usable components, as well as less durable materials.<\/p>\n<p>Likewise, fixing a modern car or other computer-controlled vehicle is much more difficult than wiring a spring to a carburetor, or bypassing a vacuum hose.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2016-%e2%80%93-the-modern-macgyver\"><\/span>2016 &#8211; The Modern MacGyver<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The new MacGyver faces a drastically different world, necessitating some completely new skills.<\/p>\n<p>In addition, although there are some items that MacGyver should still carry today, there are many technological improvements over his 1985 gear, as well as some new technologies that supports an evolved skill set.\u00a0 There are also some items he should have been carrying all along.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"some-of-macgyvers-original-gear-is-still-relevant\"><\/span>Some of MacGyver&#8217;s Original Gear is Still Relevant<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Some parts of MacGyver&#8217;s 1985 &#8220;kit&#8221; are still relevant today.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>The humble paperclip<\/strong> can be repurposed in any number of ways, is light weight, and completely innocuous.\n<p><div id=\"attachment_3630\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3630\" class=\"wp-image-3630 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Paperclip-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Paperclip\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Paperclip-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Paperclip-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Paperclip-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-3630\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Paperclip<\/p><\/div><\/li>\n<li><strong>Chewing gum and its wrapper.<\/strong>\u00a0 Chewing gum can be used as an insulator, adhesive, or plug, or could even be used to copy the ridges of a key.\u00a0 The foil wrapper can be used as a conductor, or even an igniter, while the whole stick of gum can be used to build a capacitor.\u00a0 Most modern devices have batteries that operate at low voltages and produce low current. Capacitors allow you to do cool things with small, weak batteries, such as weld, shock, burn, or detonate.\n<p><div id=\"attachment_3631\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3631\" class=\"wp-image-3631 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Chewing_gum-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Chewing_gum\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Chewing_gum-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Chewing_gum-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Chewing_gum-600x450.jpg 600w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Chewing_gum.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-3631\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Chewing Gum<\/p><\/div><\/li>\n<li><strong>Leather belt.<\/strong>\u00a0 Leather is versatile, strong, and a good insulator.\u00a0 You can easily build a strap wrench out of a leather belt, to remove some large component or otherwise apply torque to a mechanical device.\u00a0 A good belt can also be part of a harness or handle.\n<p><div id=\"attachment_3632\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3632\" class=\"wp-image-3632 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Belt-300x167.jpg\" alt=\"Belt\" width=\"300\" height=\"167\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Belt-300x167.jpg 300w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Belt-768x427.jpg 768w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Belt-600x333.jpg 600w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Belt.jpg 1800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-3632\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Leather Belt<\/p><\/div><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"macgyver-should-have-carried-these-things\"><\/span>MacGyver SHOULD Have Carried These Things<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>These are items that were available in the 1980&#8217;s.\u00a0 Although he was seen using some of these items, MacGyver <em>should<\/em> have carried them as part of his standard kit, and should carry them today.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Copper pennies<\/strong>.\u00a0 Pennies made between 1959 and 1982 are solid copper.\u00a0 These are still in wide enough circulation, that you will run across a few, in a handful of change.\u00a0 These are good for electrical contacts, conductors, electroplating, and all sorts of chemical reactions, and copper also has anti-bacterial properties.\n<p><div id=\"attachment_3624\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3624\" class=\"wp-image-3624 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/copper-penny-300x116.png\" alt=\"copper-penny\" width=\"300\" height=\"116\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/copper-penny-300x116.png 300w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/copper-penny.png 454w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-3624\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">1959 to 1982 Copper Penny<\/p><\/div><\/li>\n<li><strong>Rubber bands.<\/strong>\u00a0 The two basic types are the thick, stocky ones, good for making a clamp or a drive band for some device, and the large, thin ones, good for making almost anything, including projectile weapons, triggers, or traps.\n<p><div id=\"attachment_3625\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3625\" class=\"wp-image-3625 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Rubber_bands-300x271.jpg\" alt=\"Rubber_bands\" width=\"300\" height=\"271\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Rubber_bands-300x271.jpg 300w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Rubber_bands-768x694.jpg 768w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Rubber_bands-600x542.jpg 600w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Rubber_bands.jpg 1007w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-3625\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Rubber Bands<\/p><\/div><\/li>\n<li><strong>Retractable Ballpoint Pen.<\/strong>\u00a0 With its &#8220;clicker&#8221;, spring, tube, and other useful parts, a ballpoint pen can be used as a switch, actuator, projectile, or trigger, or a critical part of some other device.\n<p><div id=\"attachment_3626\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3626\" class=\"wp-image-3626 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ballpoint-pen-parts-300x170.jpg\" alt=\"Ballpoint-pen-parts\" width=\"300\" height=\"170\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ballpoint-pen-parts-300x170.jpg 300w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ballpoint-pen-parts-768x436.jpg 768w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ballpoint-pen-parts-600x341.jpg 600w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ballpoint-pen-parts.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-3626\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Retractable Ballpoint Pen<\/p><\/div><\/li>\n<li><strong>Fishing Vest \/ Pocket Vest.<\/strong>\u00a0 Although MacGyver is occasionally seen wearing one, he should have made it part of his daily routine. \u00a0A pocket vest is the easiest way to carry your gear with you.\u00a0 Having all of your stuff in a pocket vest allows you to &#8220;grab and go&#8221; in the event of an emergency, or easily strip off your gear for an airport scan.\u00a0 In addition to being convenient, it&#8217;s absolutely the easiest way to travel.\u00a0 <BR><BR>Even better, having several pocket vests allows you to pre-arrange several &#8220;kits&#8221; for various conditions.\u00a0 For example, you could have an outdoor survival kit vest, an urban survival kit vest, and a casual \/ daily kit vest.\u00a0 Each would contain specific tools &#8211; for example, the urban vest might contain a full-size multi tool, while the daily vest might contain a pocket \/ micro tool.\n<div id=\"attachment_3627\" style=\"width: 160px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3627\" class=\"wp-image-3627 size-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Pocket-Vest-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"Pocket Vest\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Pocket-Vest-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Pocket-Vest-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Pocket-Vest-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Pocket-Vest-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Pocket-Vest.jpg 1154w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-3627\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Pocket Vest<\/p><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li><strong>Suspenders.<\/strong>\u00a0 Decent, high-quality suspenders could be used as a body harness (maybe, with a little duct tape), but the elastic can also be used as a propulsion mechanism, the binding of a splint, a tie down, or simply to store kinetic energy as a weapon or distraction.\u00a0 Suspenders plus a little duct tape is an easy way to conceal a weapon.\n<p><div id=\"attachment_3634\" style=\"width: 200px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3634\" class=\"wp-image-3634 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Suspenders.jpg\" alt=\"Suspenders\" width=\"190\" height=\"246\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-3634\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Suspenders<\/p><\/div><\/li>\n<li><strong>Neodymium Magnet.<\/strong>\u00a0 In the 1980&#8217;s, these were sold as &#8220;curiously strong&#8221; magnets.\u00a0 Magnets have all sorts of uses.\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Jamie_Hyneman\" target=\"_blank\">Jamie Hyneman<\/a> of Mythbusers fame, has said that he often carries magnets in his pockets because they are a convenient way to temporarily pin things together, hold things, or mount things.\n<div id=\"attachment_3635\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3635\" class=\"wp-image-3635 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/magnet-300x300.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/magnet-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/magnet-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/magnet-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/magnet.jpg 645w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-3635\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Neodymium Magnets<\/p><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li><strong>Cork.<\/strong>\u00a0 It floats.\u00a0 It&#8217;s an excellent thermal and electrical insulator.\u00a0 It&#8217;s tiny.\u00a0 It&#8217;s lightweight.\u00a0 It&#8217;s waterproof.\u00a0 Millions of uses.\n<p><div id=\"attachment_3654\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3654\" class=\"wp-image-3654 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cork-300x280.jpg\" alt=\"Cork\" width=\"300\" height=\"280\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cork-300x280.jpg 300w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cork-768x716.jpg 768w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cork-600x559.jpg 600w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cork.jpg 1725w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-3654\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Your average wine cork<\/p><\/div><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Mylar &#8220;Space&#8221; Blanket.<\/strong>\u00a0 Today, they are called &#8220;emergency&#8221; blankets, but back in the 1980&#8217;s they were SO &#8220;space age&#8221;.\u00a0 In addition to being very strong, Mylar reflects up to 99% of radiated heat, and is therefore an incredibly efficient heat insulator.\u00a0 It&#8217;s also very shiny, making it an excellent reflector, and extremely thin, light, and portable.\u00a0 I envision MacGyver making a thermal suit out of duct tape and mylar, to defeat a heat-motion sensor, or as improvised rescue gear.<BR><BR>Today, mylar blankets are a core survivalist&#8217;s staple, because they are so portable, durable, and versatile.\u00a0 Here is a website that enumerates <a href=\"http:\/\/seattlebackpackersmagazine.com\/50-uses-for-an-emergency-blanket\/\" target=\"_blank\">50 Uses for an Emergency Blanket<\/a>.\n<p><div id=\"attachment_3664\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3664\" class=\"wp-image-3664 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Mylar-Blanket-300x214.jpg\" alt=\"Mylar Blanket\" width=\"300\" height=\"214\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-3664\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Mylar &#8220;Space&#8221; Blanket is thin, light, compact, and reflects up to 99% of radiated heat.<\/p><\/div><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Nylon &#8220;Zip&#8221; Ties.\u00a0 Zip ties date back to the 1980&#8217;s, come in a variety of sizes and colors, are waterproof, self-locking and self-adjusting straps that can be used for almost anything.\u00a0 From a hose clamp to handcuffs, zip ties have a <a href=\"http:\/\/urbansurvivalsite.com\/16-survival-uses-for-zip-ties\/\" target=\"_blank\">multitude of uses<\/a>.\u00a0 Zip ties, a couple of mylar blankets, and duct tape can be used to build an emergency shelter.\n<p><div id=\"attachment_3670\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3670\" class=\"wp-image-3670 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/ZipTIes-300x213.jpg\" alt=\"ZipTIes\" width=\"300\" height=\"213\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/ZipTIes-300x213.jpg 300w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/ZipTIes-768x546.jpg 768w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/ZipTIes-600x427.jpg 600w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/ZipTIes.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-3670\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Nylon &#8220;Zip&#8221; Cable Ties come in a variety of sizes and colors, and have a million uses.<\/p><\/div><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"modern-replacements-for-original-gear\"><\/span>Modern Replacements for Original Gear<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Although the approach is the same, to have equipment that is lightweight, practical, easy to conceal, innocuous, and yet very versatile, modern technology has improved of some of MacGyver&#8217;s original gear.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"multi-tool\"><\/span>Multi Tool<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Although the trailer for MacGyver 2016 already shows the iconic &#8220;SAK&#8221; (Swiss Army Knife), I think he should trade up for a modern multi tool, such as the Gerber Multi-Plier or Leatherman Multi Tool.<\/p>\n<p>Both of these tools are a set of pliers, that also include a variety of primary and auxiliary blades (similar to a SAK), that can be accessed with the pliers &#8220;open&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>Both include wire cutters (inside the plier jaws), a primary knife blade, saw blade, file, and various openers and screwdrivers.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The Gerber Multi-Plier 600 series<\/strong> comes in many different configurations, including specialized ones for military and medical applications.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_3602\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3602\" class=\"wp-image-3602 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gerber-Multi-Plier2-300x146.jpg\" alt=\"Gerber-Multi-Plier2\" width=\"300\" height=\"146\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gerber-Multi-Plier2-300x146.jpg 300w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gerber-Multi-Plier2-768x372.jpg 768w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gerber-Multi-Plier2-600x291.jpg 600w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gerber-Multi-Plier2.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-3602\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Gerber Multi-Plier 600 Series<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>Pros:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Relatively inexpensive.\u00a0 A government operative works on a government salary&#8230;<\/li>\n<li>Many configurations, plus the ability to customize the accessory blades to some degree.\u00a0 Conceivably, he could have several multi-tools, from which he chooses the best one for each mission.<\/li>\n<li>Most configurations have a fairly decent primary blade, as well as a secondary saw blade.<\/li>\n<li>Every blade &#8220;locks&#8221; in place using a spring-loaded locking bar.<\/li>\n<li>With practice, the pliers can be deployed using a one-handed &#8220;forward flick&#8221; action, that causes the plier jaws to slide forward and lock in to place.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Cons:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The knife blades are very brittle, and can chip easily.\u00a0 Compared to the SAK, the knife blade is useless for prying.\u00a0 However, most configurations include all sorts of auxiliary blades that are fairly competent at prying, and are not as brittle.<\/li>\n<li>Slightly larger than the Leatherman<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>The Leatherman Multi Tool<\/strong>, like the Gerber, comes in a variety of configurations, including specialized ones.\u00a0 Unlike the Gerbers, whose jaws extend forward from the handle and lock in place, the Leatherman inverts by folding the handles around 180 degrees, exposing both the plier jaws, as well as the knife blades and other fold-out accessories.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_3603\" style=\"width: 298px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3603\" class=\"wp-image-3603 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Leatherman.jpg\" alt=\"Leatherman\" width=\"288\" height=\"288\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Leatherman.jpg 288w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Leatherman-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 288px) 100vw, 288px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-3603\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Leatherman Multi Tool<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>Pros:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Very sturdy and durable.<\/li>\n<li>Very compact<\/li>\n<li>Like the Gerber, the Leatherman comes in many configurations<\/li>\n<li><em>Some<\/em> models come with a locking primary blade<\/li>\n<li>Most models include a decent primary blade, as well as a secondary saw blade.<\/li>\n<li>With practice, the Leatherman can be deployed one-handed, by holding one handle and using a &#8220;sideways flick&#8221; motion that causes the unrestrained handle to rotate about the pivot of the restrained one.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Cons:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Slightly heavier than the Gerber<\/li>\n<li>Cost varies significantly by model, with high-end models costing hundreds of dollars<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Whether he chooses a Gerber, a Leatherman, or<\/strong> one of the many similar tools on the market today, here are some things he <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><em><strong>can&#8217;t do<\/strong><\/em><\/span> with his good old SAK:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Cut through fence (no wire cutter on the SAK)<\/li>\n<li>Bend sheet metal or stiff wire (no pliers on the SAK)<\/li>\n<li>Disassemble with precision.\u00a0 Although 1980&#8217;s MacGyver is often depicted using his SAK to disassemble some device, he often must use the knife blade or point as a screwdriver.\u00a0 A modern multi-tool has everything you need to service or disassemble almost any machine.\u00a0 For example, all multi tools include a full-sized Phillips screwdriver&#8230; notoriously absent from most SAK configurations.<\/li>\n<li>Securely hold something hot, sharp, cold, poisonous or mildly corrosive (again, no pliers on the SAK)<\/li>\n<li>Multi-tool + Rubber Band = Hemostat or Battery Clamp\u00a0 (&#8217;nuff said)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>A good mutli-tool is far superior to the venerable SAK&#8230;\u00a0 Technology moves on&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"micro-pliers\"><\/span>Micro Pliers<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Like their larger cousins, a good set of micro pliers includes a variety of tools, but weighs almost nothing and fits in the change pocket of your blue jeans.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The Swiss+Tech Micro Pliers<\/strong> fold up to about 1 inch square, and contain a small set of pliers, as well as cutter, crimper, 6 screwdrivers and an awl.\u00a0 For under $10.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_3609\" style=\"width: 244px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3609\" class=\"wp-image-3609 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/SwissTech-234x300.jpg\" alt=\"Swiss+Tech\" width=\"234\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/SwissTech-234x300.jpg 234w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/SwissTech.jpg 250w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 234px) 100vw, 234px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-3609\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Swiss+Tech Micro Pocket Multi Tool<\/p><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>The Leatherman Juice<\/strong>, at just over an inch long, includes an incredible number of features and tools in an extremely compact and durable package.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_3610\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3610\" class=\"wp-image-3610 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Leatherman_Juice-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Leatherman_Juice\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Leatherman_Juice-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Leatherman_Juice-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Leatherman_Juice-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Leatherman_Juice-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Leatherman_Juice.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-3610\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Leatherman Juice<\/p><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Like a SAK, these tools provide high versatility in a compact package.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"gorilla-tape\"><\/span>Gorilla Tape<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Like its duct tape cousin, <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gorilla_Tape\" target=\"_blank\">Gorilla Tape<\/a> consists of an adhesive embedded in a cloth substrate.\u00a0 It&#8217;s extremely strong and versatile.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_3612\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3612\" class=\"wp-image-3612 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gorilla-Tape-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Gorilla Tape\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gorilla-Tape-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gorilla-Tape-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gorilla-Tape.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-3612\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Gorilla Tape<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Why carry Gorilla Tape over duct tape?<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Strong, modern adhesive is much stronger than duct tape.\u00a0 Gorilla tape can be nearly-permanent, if applied correctly.<\/li>\n<li>Stronger substrate, and significantly higher shear strength.<\/li>\n<li>Instantly waterproof.\u00a0 Unlike duct tape, which gets gummy and slimy, you can actually stop a leak with Gorilla Tape.<\/li>\n<li>Temperature-invariant.\u00a0 It performs consistently in hot, mild, or cold weather.\u00a0 In a very cold environment, duct tape tends not to adhere properly.<\/li>\n<li>Because it&#8217;s waterproof, it could conceivably be used in emergency field medical situations, to close a wound, or provide other emergency first aid.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>It took quite a long time, but modern technology <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><em><strong>has<\/strong><\/em><\/span> finally managed to improve on duct tape!<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"printed-camouflaged-duct-tape\"><\/span>Printed (Camouflaged) Duct Tape<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Available in a variety of print patters, &#8220;print&#8221; duct tape is all the rage.\u00a0 People are making wallets, clothing, and all sorts of useful things out of duct tape.\u00a0 It&#8217;s almost like having a 3D printer.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_3613\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3613\" class=\"wp-image-3613 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Duck-Tape-Printed-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Duck-Tape-Printed\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Duck-Tape-Printed-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Duck-Tape-Printed-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Duck-Tape-Printed.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-3613\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Printed Duct Tape<\/p><\/div>\n<p>By choosing your print patterns strategically, you can easily create an optical illusion, diversion, or hide something.<\/p>\n<p>MacGyver would readily embrace something so simple, compact, and practical.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"weatherproof-matches\"><\/span>Weatherproof Matches<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Weatherproof matches, such as the UCO Stormproof matches, light and stay lit in wet and high-wind conditions, burning hotter and longer than normal matches.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_3615\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3615\" class=\"wp-image-3615 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/UCO_StormproofMatchKit-300x196.jpg\" alt=\"UCO_StormproofMatchKit\" width=\"300\" height=\"196\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/UCO_StormproofMatchKit-300x196.jpg 300w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/UCO_StormproofMatchKit.jpg 330w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-3615\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">UCO Stormproof Matches<\/p><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Weatherproof matches are an obvious upgrade from the strike-anywhere variety.\u00a0 In addition, the 15 second burn time means that they can easily be repurposed as a ready-made fuse, or the chemicals themselves can be repurposed in to igniters, primers, or bombs.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2016-macgyver-should-carry-these-things-you-couldnt-get-in-1985\"><\/span>2016 MacGyver Should Carry These Things You Couldn&#8217;t Get in 1985<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Some things simply weren&#8217;t available in the 1980&#8217;s, but they are available (and useful) today.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"shark-wire\"><\/span>Shark Wire<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Welcome to 2016.\u00a0 You can easily obtain 200 lb monofilament &#8211; a single nylon thread, about 1\/10 inches thick, that can support the weight of some grown men.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_3639\" style=\"width: 200px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3639\" class=\"wp-image-3639 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/SharkWire.jpg\" width=\"190\" height=\"190\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/SharkWire.jpg 190w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/SharkWire-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 190px) 100vw, 190px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-3639\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">200 lb Monofilament<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Because nylon wires are used in clothing, shoes, and luggage, shark wire is easy to sneak through a security checkpoint.\u00a0 It can be used to construct a weapon or a trap, construct a device, or simply tie someone up.\u00a0 Taping a length of shark wire to the inside of your belt doubles or triples its carrying capacity as a harness or sling.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"paracord-survival-bracelet\"><\/span>Paracord Survival Bracelet<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Recently-popular, survival bracelets broke in to the mainstream a couple of years ago.\u00a0 These are made from mil-spec type III paracord, also known as 550 cord because of its minimum 550 lb tensile strength, and come with a variety of features and options, such as a nylon buckle, fire starter, and \/ or compass.\u00a0 You can buy one for about $10, or make one for about $3.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_3643\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3643\" class=\"wp-image-3643 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/paracord-brc-300x215.jpg\" alt=\"paracord-brc\" width=\"300\" height=\"215\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/paracord-brc-300x215.jpg 300w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/paracord-brc.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-3643\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Paracord Bracelet<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The core concept is that, in an emergency, you can unravel your bracelet to obtain 12 feet of cord, capable of supporting 550lb of weight.\u00a0 This could be used to extract yourself after a natural disaster or terrorist attack, build a trap, make a bull whip, provide field first-aid, or even build a hand-winch to haul a vehicle out of the mud or sand.<\/p>\n<p>The inner threads, known as the &#8220;guts&#8221; can be used for fishing, or as thread to repair clothing or gear.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_3644\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3644\" class=\"wp-image-3644 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/MIL-C-5040_Type_III_550_Paracord-300x278.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"278\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/MIL-C-5040_Type_III_550_Paracord-300x278.jpg 300w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/MIL-C-5040_Type_III_550_Paracord-768x712.jpg 768w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/MIL-C-5040_Type_III_550_Paracord-600x556.jpg 600w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/MIL-C-5040_Type_III_550_Paracord.jpg 1644w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-3644\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Type III &#8220;550&#8221; Paracord<\/p><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>If you&#8217;re extra patient, you could easily make a paracord belt, complete with nylon buckle, that would provide about 70 feet of paracord, for all of your paracord emergencies.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"command-adhesives-command-hooks\"><\/span>Command Adhesives \/ Command Hooks<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>3M makes a system of strong, yet removable adhesives, designed to be affixed to a wall for various purposes.\u00a0 Command Adhesives come in various form factors, including the command adhesive strip itself, velcro, or various hook and clip fixtures.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_3646\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3646\" class=\"wp-image-3646 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Command-Adhesive.jpg\" alt=\"Command Adhesive\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Command-Adhesive.jpg 300w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Command-Adhesive-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-3646\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Command Adhesive Variety Pack<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Command adhesives can hold a lot of weight for their size &#8211; often 40 lb or more, and can be used for a variety of purposes.\u00a0 Each side has a peel-and-stick adhesive that bonds semi-permanently in 30 seconds.\u00a0 Slowly pulling the tab downward releases the adhesive, and the velcro, hook, or clip can be reattached later, using a new command strip.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_3658\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3658\" class=\"wp-image-3658 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Command-Strip-300x247.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"247\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Command-Strip-300x247.jpg 300w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Command-Strip-600x494.jpg 600w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Command-Strip.jpg 620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-3658\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Command Strips<\/p><\/div>\n<p>I can&#8217;t imagine that MacGyver wouldn&#8217;t throw a couple of command strips, some command velcro, and perhaps a command hook in to his kit.\u00a0 Being able to stick anything to a wall, any time, any place, would come in handy.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"super-glue-gel\"><\/span>Super Glue Gel<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Back in MacGyver&#8217;s day, he might have carried some Super Glue (cyanoacrilate), but it wasn&#8217;t very practical.<\/p>\n<p>For a spy on the go, Super Glue takes too long to bond (ha, pun intended).\u00a0 In addition, it&#8217;s messy, and difficult to adhere two non-uniform surfaces together.<\/p>\n<p>Enter Super Glue Gel&#8230;<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_3662\" style=\"width: 189px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3662\" class=\"wp-image-3662 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Super-Glue-Gel-Mini-179x300.jpg\" alt=\"Super Glue Gel Mini\" width=\"179\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Super-Glue-Gel-Mini-179x300.jpg 179w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Super-Glue-Gel-Mini-357x600.jpg 357w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Super-Glue-Gel-Mini.jpg 688w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 179px) 100vw, 179px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-3662\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Super Glue Gel Mini &#8211; Single Use<\/p><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Super Glue Gel comes in a variety of convenient sizes, and bonds within seconds.\u00a0 It stays right where you apply it, even on a wall or upside-down, and bonds properly, even on rough surfaces.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"steel-%e2%80%9czip%e2%80%9d-ties\"><\/span>Steel &#8220;Zip&#8221; Ties<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Like their Nylon cousins, these are extremely versatile, a little bit more expensive, but nearly indestructible.\u00a0 Steel zip ties are completely wear-resistant, water and weather resistant, incredibly strong, and are your first choice to repair heavy equipment, or construct a barricade.\u00a0 Where nylon zip ties are good for a temporary fix, steel zip ties are (for all practical purposes) permanent.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_3671\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3671\" class=\"wp-image-3671 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Steel-Zip-Ties.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Steel-Zip-Ties.jpg 300w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Steel-Zip-Ties-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-3671\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Steel Zip TIes are incredibly strong, and nearly indestructible<\/p><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"led-multi-flashlight\"><\/span>LED Multi Flashlight<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Back in MacGyver&#8217;s day, the ultimate in ultra-portable illumination was the pen light.\u00a0 In 2016, we have LED flashlights.\u00a0 Multitudes of them.\u00a0 Although there are many &#8220;white lite&#8221; LED flashlights, one of the benefits of using LED lighting is the flexibility &#8211; some flashlights provide multicolor (RGB) modes, so that you can use one device for white light, red light (for viewing maps or preserving night vision), or green \/ blue lights for tracking.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_3649\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3649\" class=\"wp-image-3649 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Nitecore-CU6-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Nitecore-CU6\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Nitecore-CU6-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Nitecore-CU6-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Nitecore-CU6.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-3649\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Nitecore Chameleon CU6. Red \/ Green \/ Blue illuminator, plus White and UV spot lights.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Although it&#8217;s not cheap, the Nitecore Chameleon CU6 is exactly the type of flashlight MacGyver would have &#8211; it has white, R, G, and B modes, and a separate UV illuminator.<\/p>\n<p>Conversely, IR flashlights are used in night vision applications, and can also be used to blind surveillance cameras.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_3648\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3648\" class=\"wp-image-3648 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/IR-Flashlight-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"IR Flashlight\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/IR-Flashlight-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/IR-Flashlight-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/IR-Flashlight-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/IR-Flashlight-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/IR-Flashlight.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-3648\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Infrared Flashlights can be used to hide your face from surveillance cameras<\/p><\/div>\n<p>You can pick up an IR flashlight for just over $10, then tape it to a ball cap in order to prevent cameras from seeing your face, and defeat facial recognition software.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"green-laser-pointer\"><\/span>Green Laser Pointer<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>A 5mw class IIIa green laser pointer used to cost hundreds of dollars.\u00a0 Now, you can pick up a good one for about $20.\u00a0 Green is the most visible portion of the light spectrum, thus a &#8220;legal&#8221; class IIIa laser, under optimum conditions, is visible up to a mile away!<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_3651\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3651\" class=\"wp-image-3651 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/GreenLaser-300x282.jpg\" alt=\"GreenLaser\" width=\"300\" height=\"282\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/GreenLaser-300x282.jpg 300w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/GreenLaser-768x723.jpg 768w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/GreenLaser-600x565.jpg 600w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/GreenLaser.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-3651\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Class IIIa Green Laser pointers can be seen up to a mile away, operate at under 5 milliwatts, and run off of 1 or 2 &#8220;AA&#8221; batteries.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Green lasers can be used as a signalling device, or to distract or blind an opponent, or disable cameras or motion sensors.\u00a0 Green lasers can also be hacked and &#8220;supercharged&#8221; in order to burn black plastic, balloons, and other dark materials.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2016-skills-and-tools-for-macgyver\"><\/span>2016 Skills and Tools for MacGyver<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The 2016 MacGyver is much more tech-centric, and must have at least a topical knowledge that&#8217;s ten times greater than 1985 MagGyver, because technology has exploded in the last few decades.\u00a0 Accordingly, he needs to have, acquire, or build some high-tech tools to help leverage his modern skill set.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Where 1985 MacGyver could bypass an electronic lock by driving a solenoid off of a 6 volt battery, 2016 MacGyver has to either hack a microcontroller, or directly drive an actuator using a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) signal.\u00a0 An Arduino microcontroller is smaller than a deck of cards, but can easily be programmed to control physical devices.\n<p><div id=\"attachment_3674\" style=\"width: 264px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3674\" class=\"wp-image-3674 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Arduino.png\" alt=\"Arduino\" width=\"254\" height=\"181\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-3674\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">An Arduino Uno can run off of a 9V battery, and can create a Pulse Width Modulation signal, to control an actuator.<\/p><\/div><\/li>\n<li>In the 1980&#8217;s, people hid information using chemical or physical processes.\u00a0 In 2016, hiding information is the realm of digital encryption.\u00a0 MacGyver might use his advanced knowledge of applied computer science to hack together a <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Beowulf_cluster\" target=\"_blank\">Beowulf cluster<\/a> using old laptops, to crack the bad guy&#8217;s password, and unlock his encrypted files.\n<p><div id=\"attachment_3675\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3675\" class=\"wp-image-3675 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Beowulf-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Beowulf-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Beowulf-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Beowulf-600x450.jpg 600w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Beowulf.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-3675\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Beowulf Cluster &#8211; the poor man&#8217;s supercomputer<\/p><\/div><\/li>\n<li>In 1985, there were virtually no biometric systems.\u00a0 In 2016, almost everything related to security includes biometrics.\u00a0 From fingerprint locks, to facial recognition, a spy in 2016 must have an advanced knowledge of how to hack or bypass biometric systems.\n<p><div id=\"attachment_3676\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3676\" class=\"wp-image-3676 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Fingerprint-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Fingerprint\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Fingerprint-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Fingerprint-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Fingerprint-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-3676\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Biometrics consist of individually-unique body measurements. Most biometric security measures can be easily bypassed or spoofed.<\/p><\/div><\/li>\n<li>2016 is all about always-on, always-connected, and the icon of 2016 is the smart phone.\u00a0 In skilled hands, a modern smart phone can be used for much more than playing games and updating Facebook.\u00a0 A good smart phone has 4 to 6 cores, 32 gig of RAM, and a nice, large touch display.<BR><BR>2016 MacGyver would probably have an Android smart phone, running a custom rooted ROM, with a full GNU stack.\u00a0 What does this mean?\u00a0 Android functionality, with Linux horsepower.\u00a0 Root access means that he has the greatest flexibility to leverage his phone&#8217;s hardware, running custom code and scripts to perform specialized functions as needed.\u00a0 Also, in addition to &#8220;apps&#8221; that are designed to run with Android, he can download, compile and run the full set of security tools that are designed for Linux&#8230; all from his phone.<BR><BR>In addition to his primary &#8220;hacking&#8221; device, older smart phones can be purchased inexpensively, and can be used as GPS trackers, remote microphones, remote cameras, and remote network scanning \/ penetration testing endpoints.\n<p><div id=\"attachment_3680\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3680\" class=\"wp-image-3680 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/LGG5_2-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"LGG5_2\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/LGG5_2-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/LGG5_2-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/LGG5_2.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-3680\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">LG G5 smart phone, running Android Marshmallow<\/p><\/div><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"conclusion\"><\/span>Conclusion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Without advanced knowledge of the upcoming 2016 reboot of MacGyver, it&#8217;s hard to tell what to expect.<\/p>\n<p>The &#8220;modern&#8221; MacGyver uses traditional tools where it makes sense, while upgrading to the latest technology in order to gain a competitive edge.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Simple tools, like rubber bands and paper clips are completely innocuous, very portable, and extremely useful.<\/li>\n<li>Some of MacGyver&#8217;s gear can be updated to newer technology.\u00a0 For example, he would benefit from trading his &#8220;SAK&#8221; (Swiss Army Knife) for a competent, modern multi-tool.\u00a0 Also, he could benefit from micro pliers, that are extremely portable and useful, as well as weatherproof matches.<\/li>\n<li>Modern adhesives create new capabilities for the modern MacGyver, including stronger tape, &#8220;smart&#8221; adhesive strips, and gel glue.<\/li>\n<li>There are some things MacGyver should have been carrying all along, copper pennies, rubber bands, a ball point pen, magnets, cork, and a mylar emergency &#8220;space&#8221; blanket, and zip ties.<\/li>\n<li>Steel zip ties, LED flashlights, nylon shark wire, paracord survival bracelets, and laser pointers are among the modern technological improvements from which MacGyver could further benefit.<\/li>\n<li>The 2016 MacGyver needs some high-tech skills to pull of the modern equivalent of some of the 1980&#8217;s hacks from the original show.\u00a0 A good smart phone, and an Arduino Uno would allow MacGyver to hack or control almost anything.\u00a0 Building a supercomputer out of old parts, or bypassing biometric security are examples of necessary, modern skills.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>1985 MacGyver used science, creativity, and a diverse skill set to solve problems by repurposing common objects.\u00a0 I look forward to seeing what 2016 MacGyver can do with modern technology.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>MacGyver was a 1980&#8217;s TV action hero, known for being able to quickly apply his extensive math \/ science \/ engineering skills in order to save the day. &nbsp; MacGyver always carried standard gear on his person that included his iconic Swiss Army knife, duct tape, paper clips, and chewing gum.\u00a0 In every episode, he [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3265","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-the-light-side"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3265","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/16"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3265"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3265\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4107,"href":"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3265\/revisions\/4107"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3265"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3265"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3265"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}