My Minimalist Outdoors Kit

Bagheera-

Good suggestion.

As a matter of fact, I have the exact same GATCO Triseps diamond sharpener, with rubber end-guides removed in my Busse Steel Heart sheath (along with other survival essentials of course). This MOK-on-steroids resides in my Jeep until needed for emergencies or camping/fishing/outdoor duties.
 
That's a nice package. I like the glowring being on there. A photon light would a good addition, IMO.
Everything but the micra looks securely attached. The micra is held in place by the kydex friction, and looks like it has a circular keychain of its own on the bottom, which seems like it would likely snag and pull the micra out.


<img src="http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/attachment.php?s=&postid=1650359.jpg">
 
Hi Ron,

One question I have, you have epoxied the little compass on the Buck and I'm wondering if the metal 'strip' going only on one side of the grip towards the lanyard hole affects the accuracy of it?

Best Scouting wishes from Holland,

Bagheera
 
Martensite-

The friction-fit on this particular kydex sheath is so tight, that without the ring it is extremely difficult to pull out. Also, the use of the kydex sheath is a compromise reflecting the greater "in-and-out" usage of the Leatherman over all the other tools combined. Finally, mind you this is not a "belt-worn" kit, rather one that's enclosed in a ziplock (or like clear plastic bag) and tossed into my fanny pack or backpack--though I am highly interested in one of Ron H's harness rigs to hold everything in a under-clothing system.

Bagheera-

As noted above, I compared readings of the compass on the knife (held in with cellophane tape) with a Cammenga military compass prior to using expoxy. There was no discernable difference in readings. Additionally, whatever error could/may be induced by the knife itself does not affect the compass usage as a non-precision navigation tool.

Hope that helps.
 
You could exchange the buck knife, leatherman micra and firesteel for a leatherman wave, SAK or similar. Then it would be more minimalist.

Sorry to come back to that compass again but a
non-precision navigation tool.
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I don't get it? I would of thought the only reason for carring a compass is for good acurate direction finding. There is many non precison tools and methods already present in the natural world.
 
willadams suggests:
You could exchange the buck knife, leatherman micra and firesteel for a leatherman wave, SAK or similar.
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Yes, I could. Then again I could simply carry one of my ultra-mini survival kits that contains only a razor and jig saw blade (along the lines of the Penrith Combat Survival Kit).

While a Buck 110 is a nice knife, and sturdy lockback--it does not compare in brute strength to the Buck-Strider IMO. And the knives on any Leatherman tool leave a great deal to be desired.

However, my kit uses a Buck-Strider because I feel it combines my ideal combination of compactness and cutting power. Your kit can and will necessarily vary upon your own perceived needs.

No hard and fast rules here. I'm just pleased that my kit has gotten you to thinking about what may work for you. :)

willadams reitereates:
I don't get it? I would of thought the only reason for carring a compass is for good acurate direction finding. There is many non precison tools and methods already present in the natural world.
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Perhaps your confusion is caused by my use of the word "precision". When I say precision, I mean navigating down to single-degree preciseness and used in conjunction with topo maps--as possible with a Cammenga (or like) lensatic compass. Now, you could conceivably even get even more precision than this with true surveying equipment, which would make the Cammenga look like a Crackerjack toy--however such equipment is quite bulky and heavy.

The only precision--or non-precision I should probably say--I expect/require of my mini compass-on-knife is an idea of the cardinal directions to say withing 8-10 degrees--which is all you're going to get (if that) with ANY mini-compass (sub-1/2" diameter), mounted anywhere.

Hope that clarifies. ;)
 
Will-

One more thing I forgot to reiterate: For me, "minimal" usually does not equate to Sole/Only.

This means should I truly be trekking in the woods I would probably be using, for instance, a true Cammenga or Silva compass with topo as my primary means of navigation...relying secondarily and only out of necessity on the compass-on-knife...thirdly on the SAS Survival Compass that always rides in my wallet along with one of the newer-style flat Traser Glowrings...

Tertiary reminder: Two is one, one is NONE.

(NOTE: Finally, in anticipation of inquiring minds: ultralight backpacking presents its own unique logistical challenges. When literally you're counting ounces, your entire logistical/survival system will necessarily be drastically different than when weight-by-the-ounce is not a concern.)
 
Originally posted by martensite
A photon light would a good addition, IMO.
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I concur, but instead of the Photon (which I believe is not waterproof) I recommend you go with the Inova mini-LED light, which the manufacturer calls water-resistant, but I would call waterproof. The first ones I saw had been running in a jar of water for a couple days at a gun show. Looked pretty waterproof to me. ;) Runtime of the battery is supposedly about 72 hours. More info on the Inova in this recent thread: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=197626

Given that they weigh almost nothing and are quite compact, I always carry several of the Inova mini-LED lights with me. I recommend them very highly as an essential item for anyone's daily carry - whether you are an outdoorsman, office worker, tradesman, housewife, techie, farmer, man/woman/child, whoever. 1SKS has them at a pretty reasonable price, so IMHO get a few and spread them around so you always have one or more with you.

- Greg -
 
RokJok, et al.:

Good idea on the micro light. Personally, I'm a big fan of the Micro-light II's (not having handled a III). But, I see RokJok's point on waterproofness. Just so happens I have a Inova LED clipped to one of my jackets at home (don't like it for EDC because of the lack of "constant-on" capability)...gonna have to add that to the MOK. :)
 
B-T:

FYI, your link doesn't seem to work. It brings up only a "Document Not Found" message.

Problem with carrying all the stuff on your regular keychain, is your keychain morphs into boat anchor in no time at all--especially if you have office keys, home keys, mom-in-law's home key, "I Love Maui" keychain, etc.... Heck my wife uses the quick-release ring to attach her coin purse/wallet to her keychain--I joke she should put on two shoulder straps and wear it as a backpack.
 
I just click the link, works fine from my end.
GO FIGURE!!!!!!:confused:

But my keychain kit is designed a a LAST RESORT tool. My keys are on me 24-7. That's why it has so little stuff.;)
 
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