My firesteel set up

smcclown05

smcclown05

Joined
Oct 17, 2008
Messages
1,686
I just finished setting up my RAT firesteel kit. The first thing I did was attach my new sun compass (generously donated to the cause by Jake :) ) to the lid. It popped into place fairly securely but I used some Locktite superglue just to be sure. I made kind of a mess but I can still read the compass and I'm pretty sure it's not going anywhere so I'm not too worried about the looks.

Then I soaked two tripple sized cotton balls with Vaseline and stuffed them into the compartment. They fit with just enough room for the cap and compass to screw down tightly.

Next I robbed my Izula kit of the large split ring and the plastic snap and attached them to lid.

The final addition was a freshly sharpened beater Vic Classic sized SAK to the split ring. The small blade is just right for striking the rod and I get a couple more tools to boot!

The whole thing clips unobtrusively to my left side belt loop and rests quietly in my pocket. All in all I think it will work out as an effective and convenient way to carry the kit. I'm going on a hike in Shenandoah tomorrow so hopefully I'll have some pics up in the next day or two. :thumbup:
 
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Sounds good I'd like to see some pics of that setup if you have any. sounds good
 
I am very surprised at how big the capsule is. I got mine in yesterday and its much bigger than it looked in the pics..very cool. sweet set up smcclown. pics please. where did you get the sun compass at?
 
I should have some pics to put up this evening after my hike. The sun compass was given to me by j williams. He ordered a few of them and kindly gave the extras to some of us who wanted them.
 
I know a lot of folks are carrying tinder in the capsule but there is really no need. You can pretty much start a fire in the wilds with this steel under about any condition without pre-prepared tinder. I carry a small fishing it in my capsule.
 
The #2 Nite-Ize "S" 'biner works great too.:thumbup:
 
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these are some great ideas... i recently got one of these fire kits, also courtesy of Jwilliams... i still have yet to fill it... i like the idea of a small fishing kit..
 
My setup is very similar. I just recieved my RAT firekit yesterday. Just put it together today.:D
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I carry cotton stuffed in mine also, works very well.:thumbup:
 
I think you will find that the fire kit is one of the most innovative, compact tools available when it comes to new stuff in the survival market. While some folks may store tinder in them, if you take it out and practice a bit with it you will find that the capsule may serve you better for other gear since no pre-prepared tinder is needed.

We're just getting started when it comes to some compact survival ideas we've been wanting to put in play. New things coming.....in time ;)

Just fielded a military order for our new pocket E & E /survival kit. Rowen and RAT are working on a pretty neat concept that I think all of you will like since it will be an add-on to something you probably already have, and of course new knife concepts are being thought about.
 
Awesome I can't wait for the new stuff. Especially the E&E kit. I thought about doing a fishing kit in there but until I practice my fishing skills I think it might not be that helpful to me. I may end up putting iodine tabs in there as well. The other thing I wondered about is whether or not the SAK is a good idea for use as a striker. I may try a hacksaw blade as a third addition to the ring. I had a little bit of a hard time getting sparks with the SAK blade. I wondered if it could be because the firesteel is pretty new or because I was using a stainless steel blade. It did work though. And the sun compass is pretty accurate compared to my brunton. Here's the pics!

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I was just thinking about it and I hope its ok that I posted these pics showing the SERE on the fire kit. If that's not cool please let me know and I'll delete them.
 
All is well, brother! The SERE label on the fire kit has nothing to do with a knife. Al Mar has SERE trademarked for all things cutlery. We are changing the logo on the next run of kits though.
 
I have one cottonball in mine to keep the Sun compass from being scratched up by emergency fishing gear. I have tinder everywhere! But I didn't want to waste space in there with more than one piece, it's a hot spark anyway. :)

Jeff,

Al Mar has all things cutlery related with SERE Trademarking? Does that mean you have to change the name of the RC5 as well?
 
You would be correct! I missed it. Still, it all shakes out in the end. No one got their ass up on their back over it and that's refreshing!

I have an Al Mar SERE 2000 in my pocket right now and it's about the best liner locking folding knife I have ever owned. It's a shame that Al Mar, Col. Rowe and Command Sgt. Major Pitzer didn't live long enough to see what the line became.

I'm going to shoot you an E-mail here in a minute with an idea about the E&E Kit.
 
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