Cans (llike altoids)

Gryphon46,
I use a variety of tins depending upon what (whos) kit it is going to be and where it's going to be carried.
I use the Altoid tin for the smallest one for now.
I use a "Napoleon Mint" can for a slightly larger one. Big enough to hold an Altoid tin then some, but has a totally removeable lid that snaps on. On one I glued a mirror on the outside and wrapped in para-cord. I think this is in one of the kids bag.
I also use old 35mm film cans from newspaper offices. These range in size from 2 - 6 inches in diameter and are about 1.5 inches high. Removable lid which fits pretty tight, but is taped shut for water tightness. I like these round ones, as they make it easy to store items like snare wire, picture wire, para-cord, etc. that easily form fit the round shape of the tin. I got these from a local newspaper office where their 100' rolls of film come in. Great find.
I also have some tins I picked up at a Historical Re-inactment ( I was participating) These are used for "Tinder boxes" or tobacco boxes and are similar to the film cans only smaller, though come in a variety of sizes.
I also have a couple older "olicamp" tins that are sealed and have closing locks on either end. I normally wrap these in para-cord
I've been told that some Craft stores carry tins of various sizes, though I've not found any yet at our local stores on the eastern side of Cincinnati.
 
I used to use a small Altoids can for my PSK. In a short while, I questioned myself, "Why?" I eventually concluded:

1) I could comfortably carry a larger PSK than a small Altoids tin in my pocket all the time;

2) more room would give me the ability to carry slightly larger items, slightly more items, and slightly more supplies of items, each of which could greatly increase my chance for survival, should I actually ever need to rely on my kit;

3) the mini Altoids tin, itself, was pretty much dead weight, whilst other possible PSK containers could serve useful functions.

So, I ditched the mini Altoids tin. I made my own container, a fairly small (6"x12"), lightweight (2/3 of an ounce), roll-top waterproof bag. I carry my kit in that, with the top rolled down and sealed. I can fit everything I need to into it, easily (takes up about 2"x3"x6" filled with my PSK, then rolled down and sealed, and weighs about a pound). It keeps everything inside waterproof, and it doubles as a water bag, able to hold about a gallon, when sealed watertight.
 
I like the bags, and the round cans are interesting but how do you carry them....the crafts cans look to be the best.....
The problem with bags is they hold a lot, but with a can I can make charcloth with it, this certainly helps the fire thing along...but one of the things I'm working on is taking the cotton cloth and wrapping it in AL foil and cooking it...
Thanks.
Steve
 
one thing y'all have not mentioned that I use all the time = the tins that the AOL software comes in. They are great! Sure, they bend eventually, but talk about easy storage for flat items. Just use a rubber band to keep the lid on tight.
 
I've just recently come across AK-47 cleaning kits.. I believe they are E. German manufacture... In one catalog (Cheaper than Dirt?) they go two for like $8... Inside is the basic bore brush, pullchain and an oil bottle... But what I like is they are metal with a hinged lid, and are thin in profile while reasonably waterresistant. I carry a magnesium/flint combo, charcloth, some manila fiber string section, SAS chain saw and H2O purification tabs, in a leather neck pouch that also has a built in kydex sheath for an inverted small fixed blade.

And I hope I never have to rely on any of it!;)
 
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