Keychain minimalist kit

M

machine26

Joined
Sep 3, 2009
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This is a keychain minimalist kit I put together a month or so ago. Here are the items on it, from left to right: Exotac nano striker(thanks again mist), whistle/compass/magnifying lense combo from walmart, metal match, SAK and maglite solitaire. It looks kinda bulky, but I don't even notice it in my pocket. Been carryig it everyday since I put it together. Comments, questions, critcisms welcome. :thumbup:

keychainminimalist.jpg
 
What's the confederate flag thingy? Just a keychain piece?


That covers the basics pretty well, I like it:thumbup:
 
Glad to see you're putting that nano to use, I take it you intend to strike it with the SAK? I don't blame you, the saw spine works really well with them.
 
I see no keys, I see no chain, are you pulling my wool sweater over my eyes?

I am not a fan of keychain carry as most make it too bulky. However, my GF carries a Photo Freedom and a Leatherman S4 on her caribiner keyring because women's clothing really sucks in the pocket department. Being a man I carry my multi-tool on my belt, my folder in my pocket, my lighter and pen in another pocket. A AMK PSK survival kit and Heetsheet can be carried easily if I am wearing cargo pockets.

As for comments on your set up, you seem to have many areas covered and are using some quality tools (mainly the Victorinox, Minimag) but you need to round the edges on the mirror.
 
Mist>I just use the striker on the nano, at first it was a pain to use but I got used to it.

shooter>Yep, just a keychain piece.

James>That isn't a mirror bud, it's a metal match. I'm still a newbie with my cam, washing out everything with the flash and whatnot.
 
Unless you're camping why do you need a fire source? Also, what good is a whistle outside a wilderness environment? Is this for the woods?
 
machine26 said:
Comments, questions, critcisms welcome. :thumbup:
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Being a flashlight junkie, I might suggest replacing the Solitaire with a Fenix E01. Same size, same AAA battery. But no incan bulb with a short life span that will break when you drop it, and its regulated to provide the same output for 8+ hours followed by several hours of diminishing light. $15 shipped at 4sevens.com and several other vendors.

EDC keychains are fun. And sometimes actually helpful. I stuck one in Mrs. Powernoodle's purse with a Leatherman PS4 Squirt (has plier and scissors), Fenix E01 light, countycomm teeny weeny prybar, and countycomm tweezers. I don't know how folks make it through the day without at least a blade of some sort and a light.
 
Stelth said:
Unless you're camping why do you need a fire source? Also, what good is a whistle outside a wilderness environment? Is this for the woods?
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We are in the Wilderness and survival skills section. :D

Neat little kit :thumbup:
 
noodle>Ill probably be getting one of those lights once my maglite takes a dump on me.

Stelth>Where I live is the wilderness, lol, Im in the middle of nowhere. I also spend alot of time in the national forest. hiking, hunting, camping, fishing, I do it all.

cantaloupe>yeah I've tested the whistle, its loud as any other I've had. Everything on this little tool works fine believe it or not. I figured it wouldn't coming from taiwan and costing 3.50.
 
machine26 said:
Stelth>Where I live is the wilderness, lol, Im in the middle of nowhere. I also spend alot of time in the national forest. hiking, hunting, camping, fishing, I do it all.
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In that case it's a good set up but I agree with Powernoodle about the light...you should upgrade. I have a tiny CountyComm single AAA that I really like. It's about the same size as the solitaire but a hell of a lot brighter.
 
Stelth said:
Unless you're camping why do you need a fire source? Also, what good is a whistle outside a wilderness environment? Is this for the woods?
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I can think of a lot of uses for a lighter. Cute girl who smokes maybe?

As for the whistle...what better thing to have if under rubble after an earthquake?

Lots of uses for his gear and I have a similar setup on my keychain. Although I do use it for keys.:D

Edit: Thought I'd throw a pic of my edc. Added a few q-tip heads to the capsule with safety pins and I always have a knife on me. Tweezers, keys, whistle, photon, capsule with said safety pins, and firesteel.

2010-03-06111121.jpg
 
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Stelth said:
Shotgun; you'd light a girl's cigarette with a nano striker?
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No but I would with his permanent match. ;)

There's a lot of people out there that think a way of starting a fire is just as important as carrying a knife.
 
Shotgun said:
There's a lot of people out there that think a way of starting a fire is just as important as carrying a knife.
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I know. I used to carry a Zippo for years and then I finally realized it was a waste of space. I don't smoke and I don't feel the need to help those that do. Outside of camping I never needed to light a fire in my day to day life, that's why I asked if the OP went into the woods a lot.
 
Stelth said:
What is a permanent match?
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It's the little square metal thing. There's a little match sized rod that comes out and lights like a zippo.

I hear you about the lighter being a waste of space. I've tried carrying a mini bic and even that small of a lighter bothered me. Plus, it's one more thing to remember to put in my pocket. I'm happy with the fire steel. Slim, light and since it's attached to my car an house key, I don't have to remember to bring it.
 
I'm not saying everyone's experience will mirror mine, but once I stopped carrying a lighter I never had an occasion where I missed having it. Not once. Again, I'm not talking about camping or being in the wilderness, I'm only referring to not carrying when I'm in town.


the only reason I posted on this is because the title included the word minimal...in an urban setting a fire source isn't usually needed
 
May I suggest the Streamlight Micro stream LED light single AAA battery and brighter than the fenix E01
Overall great set up ...
 
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