Belt-Carry Based PSK - How am I doing?

[HikingMano]

I’ve been putting my PSK together piece by piece and rearranging it over the past several months; I’d like to share my current/semi-finalized set-up and see if I’m missing anything important. It might be slightly larger than ones carried by you more experienced W&SS members, but I think it complements my skill level nicely at this point in my development. I have built it up as a belt-carry system because I want my PSK on me at all times, in case I somehow lose my pack and main gear. I also wanted something I could put on or strip off quickly and in one piece, so I could be out the door in 5 seconds with everything I need to survive. This set-up works for me for right now since I don’t anticipate doing longer multi-day trips in which the hip-belts of backpacking packs would conflict with belt-carry.

I guess I’ve been aiming for the higher limit of what I can comfortably, and unobtrusively, carry on my waist. I tend towards the “better to have and not need, than need and not have” mindset. However, I do think I’ve done a decent job so far of slimming down my kit to a happy medium between barebones necessity and comfort. I could probably survive in my relatively mild environment with only my limited knowledge and experience, knife, firesteel, and guyot, but I like efficiency and redundancy. I don’t mind carrying a few of the “right tools for the right job” or “extras” if it doesn’t significantly impact my mobility and ability to enjoy being outdoors.

So, here is my belt PSK, in two versions (pardon the ninjaish black gear and tactical look, I just like the color black and I like the sturdiness of Maxped products. I am trying to branch out!!).

Fully Loaded (Overnighters or long day hikes with foreseen over night potential):

The belt is a Blackhawk CQB belt.
Items from left to right:
M1
Mini Rollypoly
RAT Izula
Surefire G2 LED
Victorinox Rucksack (carried in extra Leatherman Wave holder, I might still carry the Wave in my pack for the pliers and wire cutters)
Bravo-1 with LMF army model firesteel in Martin Swinkels sheath

With dollar bill for quick size reference:

And the minimalist, short dayhike, load:

(I will still wear a pack with this load, so I can carry water)

Here are the contents of the M-1 pouch; it contains my fire-kit and the items to which I want quick access.

Contents:
-Trunord button compass, Fox40 Micro, Leatherman Micra, Photon Microlight, Peanut Lighter on County Comm keychain
-Stainless steel wire (for pot hanging and improvisation tasks rather than snaring)
-AMK two person heatsheet
-Generic matchcase containing strike anywhere matches and 600 grit sandpaper glued to lid top
-K&M matchcase with REI stormproof matches
-Stormproof match striker and spare piece of 600 grit sandpaper in cheap pill zip baggie thing
-Two translucent disposable lighters in ziploc
-LMF Scout firesteel (backup to firesteel on Bravo-1 sheath)
-Scott Gossman new style firesteel striker, unsharpened (backup to losing knife, and I'm not a big fan of the strikers that come with the steels)
-Tea-light candle
-XL spy-capsules filled with PCJBs, charred jean strips, and dryer lint (I haven’t figured out which I like best yet, once I do I will pick one or two to keep in the PSK)
-Two pieces of fatwood
-Jute twine
-Mag Bar
-Signal Mirror - for some reason I forgot to include it in this pic, that is why you don't see it above, but I do have a signal mirror too.
The dollar bill is only there for size reference.



Here are the non-fire kit or non-quick-access items that are stored in my empty 38oz. Guyot (which in turn is held in a Maxped Mini Rollypoly):

Contents:
-County Comm Aqua Pouch (thanks to jcanaya for heads up)
-Katadyn Micropur Tablets
-Aquamira Frontier Filter Straw
-Baggie with minimal fishing kit (I don’t foresee ever using it, but it takes up no space), needle and thread, and key ring (to use with cordage, e.g. Snare ring)
-Baggie with at least 100ft. 80lb test braided Spiderwire fishing line wrapped around two nails (to be used as general emergency cordage, I carry 100ft paracord and extra crappy nylon rope in my pack), 4 heavy duty safety pins, and extra batteries for Photon Microlight
-Mini Duct-tape roll
-Two one-use packets of Krazy superglue
-Bandana
-$20 dollar bill, which is actually folded up and placed in a little baggie
-Baggie with Loperamide and zeroxed instructions, and 600mg strength Ibuprofen
-Small 1qrt heavy duty freezer Ziploc holding 4 single use packets of Neosporin, 4 “waterproof” Band-Aids, and 4 alcohol wipes -- There’s no room on the belt for anything that would help with serious injuries, but I do have duct tape, the clothes I’m wearing, and the ability to boil water. I have a full FAK in my pack; these are just a few things to prevent infection of small cuts.
-extra SF123A batteries for Surefire G2 LED
-extra AAA batteries for my Fenix EO1
-Fenix E01

Not shown above, but I am getting a second Mini-Rollypoly; when I do need to use the guyot I can simply empty these items into the second Rollypoly, which will normally be carried in its folded state on the belt.

Here is a size comparison of the packed M1 and the Mini Rollypoly:

And lastly, this is my currently favored outdoor/PSK combo:

Though I’m thinking my RC-4 will get to see more belt time in the future.

If needed, I can post later about the envisioned use of each of the items in my kit, it’s getting late here.

In retrospect, putting this together (especially after buying things only to realize they don’t work….) cost me a decent chunk of coin, but I don’t regret it at all; I like knowing I’m trusting my life to the best stuff my meager means could afford. That way, all I have to worry about is properly employing that soft mushy stuff between my ears.

Anyone have any suggestions on things to add, replace, or drop? All suggestions and critiques are welcome!! What I need to do now is get out, try the kit, and actually practice with its components. It’s hard to find spots where I could practice overnighters with open fires here in CA though, I’m still working on it. I might have to do a limited trial run while car camping at some state park… When I do test this kit, I will post an updated actual-use review. Thanks for looking!

Edited to Add: I forgot one crucial piece of info, this kit is geared towards the mild Northern California climate.

 

[HikingMano]

One more note, in my pack (just ordered a Maxped Falcon II, will get it soon) I have a full FAK (that includes a range of stuff from bandaids and neosporin to israeli trauma bandage and quickclot), basic compass and map, 100ft paracord, a couple of glow sticks, pocket chainsaw, main firestarting kit, heavy duty space blanket and nylon rope, a couple 1L platypus bottles, and a few other random things. This belt kit is just meant to be used only in a survival situation.

 

[dartanyon]

Well done! ... ! wow!
Some tea maybe ... wow ... ummm ... a second compass ... sunscreen?
That is nicely done. Not really compact and as contained as I like but thats a personal thing

 

[HikingMano]

Thanks dartanyon! :thumbup: That reminds me, I also carry a basic baseplate compass and map in my pack, looking to upgrade to a sightable soon. And sunscreen is a good idea I should look into...maybe lip balm too since it's small...

edited to add: Tea is something to consider as well, a friend of mine read a good article on tea and psks a while ago, maybe he'll chime in with the link

 

[mtnfolk mike]

looks good man...:thumbup: some nice gear.. very well thought out..

i tend to only carry a knife on my belt and that's it... my pockets are usually stuffed with various items.. all of the rest of my gear is in a pack...

 

[HikingMano]

Thanks Mike! I do like your HAWG set-up, seeing pics of it a while ago made me regret selling mine

 

[bulgron]

I like this.

When I day hike I tend to want to carry a digital SLR and a set of binoculars. As a result, I've been toying with building a kit like this, but with a Maxpedition M-4 to carry the binoculars and various odds and ends in, and some kind of a belt-mounted SLR camera bag for the camera. I usually carry water using a hydration bag in my backpack, but using mini rolypolys to carry a small metal pot or bottle of some kind stuffed with good things is an interesting idea.

I have everything I need except for the SLR camera bag and the pot to experiment. You've given me a lot to think about.

 

[j williams]

Holy gear abundant Batbelt batman!!!

Awesome kit brother. Looks very well put together. I like it alot.:thumbup:

 

[Cpl Punishment]

I like the "bat belt" setup.
Adding a decent compass, sunblock and chap stick have been covered.

Maybe use a Maxped 10 x 4 bottle holder instead of a second rolypoly. Then you can put the kit items from the roly poly in the front pocket of the 10 x 4, and the Guyot in the main pocket. Might think of a steri pen prefilter with the Guyot -- it keeps the big chunks -- out before using the Micro Pur tabs.

 

[brians]

With that amount on the belt, it might be good to have a belt that is also long enough to be worn over the shoulder, baldric style, to enable some carrying variation.

Mine is a shotgun belt and it goes over the shoulder. But I am looking for one with a little more length:

 

[Stormstaff]

This is an AWESOME setup. I really like the idea of it. Talk about being equipped like Batman. Batman has nothing on this setup! :thumbup:

 

[J. Doyle]

Nice job. Looks like you'd be pretty well prepared!

 

[powernoodle]

I like that Fenix E01 light with extra batteries. I was actually looking through your PSK for exactly that combo to see if it was there. That combo, which is tiny and lightweight, will give you literally weeks of limited usage (couple of hours per night).

I was a flashlight phreak before becoming a knife knut.

Edit: consider also the Maxpedition M2, shown here containing ham radio, Leatherman multitool, Sodbuster, Sharpie, and magnesium firestarter, with plenty of extra room.

:thumbup:

 

[Fallbrook Forge]

that's good lookin setup, a couple observations/suggestions if you don't mind, I would ditch the Izula, it's a cool knife, but the size differance between it and the Bravo-1, and it and the Ruck aren't enough fo rme to carry it. That's me though, another knife/tool thing, you mentioned carrying the Wave just for the pliers and wire cutters, why not just carry a pair of pliers?

Last thing, what are you going to do with all the stuff from the guyot if you need to fill it with water? Maybe put a 'biner on the the belt to clip your Guyot to, and you could fill the Maxped with that stuff.

And I'm not sure if you gave this any thought or not, but you could go with a "fanny pack" like this one:http://prostores2.carrierzone.com/servlet/emdomusa/Detail?no=35

 

[idaho]

rksoon - very nice kit, but I have a few questions.

Where are you going to keep water? Do you plan to move items from bottle to pocket?
Second question - why wouldn't you take a full sized kompas? button compases are nice, but aren't realy usefull with map, and are hard to read at night/rain/tired because of their size.

I wouldn't include Izula in this set - I don't think you need third blade on your belt.

 

[Fonly]

Looks fine man, I kinda agree with grunt though. The Izula isn't needed, though if you like just having it for shits and giggles, why not?

I have to get one of those rollys some time, very handy. I know it took me a while to get my kit to where I wanted it, I just opted to have all my stuff in a Max Lunada. I dont really like stuff on my belt or other wise, but thats preference. sometimes Ill have a fixed on my belt, or a multitool but not often. I have my milie, fire starter and little thing I need in pockets, the rest in a kit. The reason I like this is because I use my EDC kit for a woods kit as well, so It can't be too obtrusive.

other than personal preference, I think your kit is fine.

 

[HikingMano]

Bulgron – Thanks! I used to carry just the guyot in the mini-rollypoly for emergency use, then I realized I could actually use all that wasted volume by stuffing the smaller items inside. Glad to help! I like the Rollypolys over the 10x4 bottle carrier on my waist because of the low profile.

J Williams – HAHA! I know, it is quite the batman utilibelt!! Made me want to watch batman begins all over again the other night….. Thanks Bro!

Cpl Punishment – Any suggestions for a better compass that wouldn’t be big to carry in the pouch? I like the tru nord for the durability and size; it’s just something to give me general direction. I do also have one of those basic green brunton compasses in my pack to be used with maps.
I had tried using the 10x4 bottle instead of the rollypoly, but the bulk of the holder added considerably (and unexpectedly) to the profile on my waist. I liked the rolllypoly because it really made carrying the guyot on my person less bulky; now it’s basically the same as carrying a GI canteen on my belt. A very good suggestion about the steri-pen, I’ve been meaning to look into getting one ever since I saw it on TexasTony’s set-up a while back, Thanks for reminding me!:thumbup:

Brians – That is a good idea, thanks! I tried strapping it on baldric style, and the belts fits that way as well on me, albeit a bit snug and high riding. Here are two quick pics:

I kind of like the snug fit it has in baldric right now, but I will definitely look into the shotgun belt, thanks.

Stormstaff – Haha, thanks! All I need is a batmobile…

Powernoodle – I do love the EO1, great little light and at such a GREAT price. I did have a maxpedition M2 as part of the set-up, initially, I used it to store my firekit alone. I decided I had too much on my belt with the M1 and M2 on it, so I slimmed it down to M1 only. I kept the M1 as opposed to my M2 because the front flap pocket of the M1 fits the AMK 2 person heatsheet PERFECTLY! Otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to store the heatsheet anywhwere without opening it and rolling it up or something. Here is a pic of an earlier set-up with M2 included:

In the above set-up, the guyot is empty but easily filled with water. I figured I might as well use the dead space to store items to cut down on the number of stuff on my belt, so that’s when I transferred stuff into the guyot. An added benefit of guyot storage is that it’s waterproof and puncture proof. Thanks for bringing that up!

Gruntinhusaybah – You raise a good point about the Izula:thumbup:, and I’m glad you mentioned it. The blade size between the two are indeed nearly the same, that’s why I plan to ditch it on most normal dayhikes. I would want to carry it on more serious trips for a small and tough backup fixed blade, in case I lose the Bravo-1 somehow. The sheath retention is excellent, the knife itself is light, and it rides flat against my back and doesn’t protrude; I think those things make it a great candidate for my small backup fixed. I will keep an eye out though for something smaller (it might also get replaced by W&SS necker, but the blade is almost the same length).
As for the water question, I mentioned that in the OP: I would have a second folded up rollyploly on my belt to which I would transfer the items in the Guyot when I need to use the guyot for boiling or water carry.
I also did try out a Maxped Proteus, but the weight was concentrated all in one spot (lumbar) area, and I wanted it more spread out of my waist so I simply don’t notice the stuff on belt at all. Thanks for the good points man!

Idaho- I will use the guyot for water when I need it, and transfer all items into a second rollypoly. Sorry, it wasn’t pictured above because I don’t have a second one yet, but this is what it looks like folded:

Keep in mind the guy modeling it might be a little person, it’s really small on my belt when folded…

I also mentioned the compass thing in my second post. I do have a full size base plate compass to use with a map and for normal orientation. The TruNord is in the PSK because it’s small, durable, waterproof, and gives me accurate (compensated even) general direction. Thanks Idaho:thumbup:

Fonly- I completely get and respect that preference, one of my good friends has a very similar, if not identical outlook, on his PSK. I like that idea, but yeah, not for me; I like having things in one spot where I can mount and un-mount it quickly. As I mentioned previously, I also have my basic EDC stuff in my pockets as well, which I could probably get by with as serious last resort kit if I needed it to be. Thanks Fonly!

So, three strikes for the Izula on the belt. I agree and don’t think it’s necessary on the belt. As I said in response to Gruntinhusaybah, I only have it mainly as a back up small fixed to the Bravo-1. In fact, I think for most trips I do (short to medium dayhikes) I wouldn’t bring it at all; I would carry the load in the third pic in the OP. Looks like maybe instead I’ll just move the Izula to one of my pack’s should straps. Or I'll just leave it on there for shits and giggles like Fonly rightly pointed out

Thanks for all the suggestions so far guys, keep em comin!

 

[siguy]

rksoon, i like the looks of this for a more developed kit.

i would personally drop a little bit of the redundancy in your firestarting areas (such as ditch one set of matches, drop the mag block), but if you feel that you need it, there's nothing wrong with carrying it.

 

[Bushman5]

Very slick setup! Those rollypolly's are GREAT. I have the large one and i use it for picking berrys.

 

[HikingMano]

It is a good idea Siguy. I think once I get more practice in, I can knock down the redundancy and carry only the things in which I have the most confidence. :thumbup:



One more thing to note, is that I whenever I carry a pack, I will also wear the belt psk. I will be carrying water in a 100oz bladder and guyot (attached to FalconII with 10x4 bottle holder) and other basic items such as map and compass in the pack itself; this is only my PSK to be used in emergencies. I could also use this kit as a simple minimal dayhike kit by moving my 10x4 bottle holder and filled second guyot over to the belt.


Thanks Bushman!