Mini-PSK help!!! What else would you add or change?

peripatew

peripatew

Joined
Jul 31, 2007
Messages
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I'm trying to finish up my mini-PSK. I've been digging through the forums and various sites trying to cram as much into an altoid tin as possible. I know, there are other cases, and I know some of you hate mini-PSK's. But this is my ultra-backup item that I wanted to be small and pocketable so I would always have it on me. I'm still working on my fanny pack size PSK. I'm just looking for content critiques and suggestions.

Here are the contents that I have so far:

Fishing:
50 feet of 65lb spectra line
4 hooks (small)
6 splitshots (small)

Water:
2 Micropur tablets
Generous amount of HD aluminum foil
*I don't know how I feel about condoms for water. I'll have the whole kit in a small alkosak which could work as a smaller water container

Fire:
Peanut Lighter
Generous portion of fatwood
2-3 mini-firestraws
Bike inner tube
*another lighter item, mini-ferro rod or matches, or Spark-light
*maybe a Tinder Quick or two if I ever buy any

Signal:
2 make-your-own tin whistles that aren't folded (work very well)
*Signal mirror (don't have one yet)

First aid-ish items:
Steri-strips
package of triple antibiotic ointment
Povidone-Iodine prep pad
Sealed scalpel blade
tweezers
2 sowing needles
Bright orange duct tape
Bandanna bundled on the outside in the alkosak if it fits.

Shelter:
HD trash bag (bundled outside of tin in alkosak)

Navigation:
Suunto mini compass

Blades/tools:
Contractors razor blade
Piece of hacksaw blade
Piece of a jigsaw blade
Mini-sharpie
*sand paper (question below)

Light:
mini-led

Money: $1 and $20


I still have a small amount of room. I'd like to add something else besides a razor blade and a scalpel blade for a knife, but there isn't much room left. I'll hopefully always have some knife on me. I also have some questions:

What would be some good sand paper grits to have? I've used this method to sharpen in the past, but didn't know what to pick. If you could have two grits what would they be?

Other blade options?

What's a good, small, high calorie candy to include?

I don't have any wire, because I don't know how to set traps yet!

I appreciate comments and suggestions. I feel like I'm cheating by having things outside of the tin, but I thought that having the tin water proofed, and those few extra items with me was worth it.

L
 
As far as the sandpaper I'd probably want one coarse grit for edge repair or forming an edge on salvaged material such as sheet metal. I'd also probably take along a finer grit, something like, 600/800 for putting a finer edge on my carried knife or said salvaged material.


Gautier
 
Gautier said:
As far as the sandpaper I'd probably want one coarse grit for edge repair or forming an edge on salvaged material such as sheet metal. I'd also probably take along a finer grit, something like, 600/800 for putting a finer edge on my carried knife or said salvaged material.
Click to expand...

So coarse as in 60? or 200? I appreciate you comments!
 
I was thinking something like 180/200. Removes a good amount of material quickly, but can still produce a useful, albeit toothy, edge on most softer metals you're likely to run into; a la corrugated sheet metal.


Gautier
 
That is a lot of stuff for an altoid psk. mine has these items in it:

1. Lantern flint lighter
2. Box of 20ct. wind/waterproof matches
3. cotton balls for padding and starting fire
4. piece of firestick - cut to fit in tin
5. small brush for cleaning out knife (small eye brush I "borrowed" from my GF);)
6. pill sized "just add water and towel appears" thing
7. gauze pad
8. small plastic tube that includes:
9. fishing string
10. fishing hooks
11. small weight
12. strike anywhere matches 6ct. with strike pad

Looks like you got a lot more stuff in yours, I should add some of my aqua pure tablets to mine, since I always carry a cup or bottle of water around whether it's on the trails or just roaming around. If you want more room, you might be able to take out the compass unless you'd feel more comfortable with it. Personally, if I could get a compass to fit in mine, I would put it in. Kit looks great :thumbup:, J.
 
Reads OK to me. Add a 1 gallon freezer grade ziploc bag and a 1 quart version also. Mark a 2 quart line on the gallon ziploc.
 
I dunno about the fishing equipment... some people feel this isn't vital.

I would definitely get a signal mirror in there (need to take my own advice as well) and I would get the loudest whistle on the market (Rescue Howler, Fox 40, Jet Screamer).

I have a little piece of paper with the morse code alphabet in mine. It weighs nothing and takes up little room but it could come in handy. ;)

Seems like a hella lot to fit into an Altoid. Gotta pic?
 
why 65lbs fishing line if your carrying small hooksand weights...8-12lbs will work just as well, SAK classic and you can remove tweezers from your list due to the SAK ? list looks good.maybe add a party candle .
 
Thanks for all the posts so far.

I was questioning the fishing kit as well. I'm going to try to use it when I go canoeing and see how it works. I'm not much of a fisherman, so I feel that they might be slightly waisted, but they really don't take of much room.

I used the 65lb line because it is the only rope/thread/string that I have in the kit. So if I need to use it to do something else I can. I thought it would be more multipurpose than 8-12lb line.

I hadn't thought about a sak classic. I might consider that for the blade and scissors. But the tweezers aren't as good as the ones I have in. For some reason I seem to use tweezers a lot?

I'll make sure to bundle some freezer bags on the outside too.

I'll hopefully have pictures soon
 
in my area I carry a fishing kit,there are ponds/lakes & streams everywhere and fishing with bare equipment?you don't know unless you have the gear to try. don't forget the party cake candle,you can cut them to fit any psk kit and will hold a flame longer than a match.
 
naked said:
Fishing:
50 feet of 65lb spectra line
4 hooks (small)
6 splitshots (small)
Click to expand...

I'm not sure what spectra line is, but fishing line, at least the braided nylon stuff can be used for snares so no wire is necessary for that purpose. Should be used with tip up, of course. IIRC, Coote, our NZ brother, prefers cord to wire for snaring, and he does a ton of it, because it's easier to reuse as compared to wire which gets mangled. He can jump in and correct me if I'm wrong. Also, the line and hooks can be used for birds and other critters.

naked said:
Fire:
Peanut Lighter
Generous portion of fatwood
2-3 mini-firestraws
Bike inner tube
*another lighter item, mini-ferro rod or matches, or Spark-light
*maybe a Tinder Quick or two if I ever buy any
Click to expand...
I have some peanut lighters in the mail, but these would never be a substitute for a ferro rod and/or a magnesium bar for me. Strongly recommended.

naked said:
I don't have any wire, because I don't know how to set traps yet!
Click to expand...

Don't need wire for this (see above) but wire can be used for a lot of other applications - e.g. repairing glass frames that you lost a screw out of. And, just because you don't know how to set traps yet, is not a reason for exclusion. Include the material, and learn how now.

Doc
 
texastonydobbs said:
don't forget the party cake candle,you can cut them to fit any psk kit and will hold a flame longer than a match.
Click to expand...

They melt all over your kit if not carefull. Add a piece of magflint block instead or some windproof matches.

My 2 cents.

Skam
 
Good points Doc. I probably would have thrown it in, if I had any on hand.

Your thoughts on the peanut lighter is why I was thinking I'd lack a backup method. I'm looking for a place to order a smaller ferro rod from.
 
skammer said:
They melt all over your kit if not carefull. Add a piece of magflint block instead or some windproof matches.

My 2 cents.

Skam
Click to expand...

Do they make small mag blocks w/rods? Or how would I go about cutting a piece off a larger one?
 
skammer said:
They melt all over your kit if not carefull. Add a piece of magflint block instead or some windproof matches.

My 2 cents.

Skam
Click to expand...

:D put out flame before putting candle in psk... since space is a issue is why I mentioned the little candle ,you can wrap candle in wax paper/toilet paper /rolling paper or just use a condom with water :D :D
 
texastonydobbs said:
:D put out flame before putting candle in psk... since space is a issue is why I mentioned the little candle ,you can wrap candle in wax paper/toilet paper /rolling paper or just use a condom with water :D :D
Click to expand...

I left a kit in the car for a couple days once and it ruined everything. Never again for me.

Skam
 
naked said:
Do they make small mag blocks w/rods? Or how would I go about cutting a piece off a larger one?
Click to expand...


I bought a full sized coghlans one and cut it into quarters and got 2 usefull halves of both flint and magnesium. Its a bit of a waste but for $10 no biggy. Just put it into a vice and hack saw it. No it didnt burst into flames;).

Skam
 
Skam, I to have done the same ,Texas heat is a killer sometimes...and candles will melt and fishing jigs with plastic / rubber bodies do also... I do have a PSK in the truck and the candle though larger a 9hr candle style with lantern housing, I wrap in wax paper and no issues so far,little distorted but nothing damaged due to wax paper seperating the candle from kit :D....later TTD
 
mtngoat said:
Naked,

What is a make-your-own tin whistle?

Do you have a link?

thanks

goat
Click to expand...

You bet. I just came across this on some post from some random thread the other day on BF: http://youtube.com/watch?v=cUi2wvzZyfk

The part where he makes a whistle is the second half. I was able to make a very good one on my second try. It works extremely well, though not extremely durable if have to keep bending it into shape. I've been carrying around one made from a MGD can for a few days. Very easy to do one handed. I thought it was a neat backup option.
 
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