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my PSK with pics
- Thread starter ajcz
- Start date
- Joined
- Oct 21, 2006
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- 1,067
Whats the blue thing. in the middle?
How do you like That tiny streamlight I have been looking at one for EDC.
By the way Nice Kit a couple of things that strike me
I see no first aid supplies is that a separate KIt?
I count 6 fire starting systems and 6 knives/ multi tools This seems redundant
I also see no compass
some paper to go with that pencil would be a good idea
I don't know how effective that light would be for navigating in the wilderness you may want something a little larger and spare batteries for both lights
A signal Miror and whistle would be great additions as well as a glow stick.
Just My 0.2 $
How do you like That tiny streamlight I have been looking at one for EDC.
By the way Nice Kit a couple of things that strike me
I see no first aid supplies is that a separate KIt?
I count 6 fire starting systems and 6 knives/ multi tools This seems redundant
I also see no compass
some paper to go with that pencil would be a good idea
I don't know how effective that light would be for navigating in the wilderness you may want something a little larger and spare batteries for both lights
A signal Miror and whistle would be great additions as well as a glow stick.
Just My 0.2 $
- Joined
- Jul 7, 2006
- Messages
- 2,526
Cool kit, and good comments/questions from ERG and Skunk, as always.
I carry pretty much the same stuff in the woods*, only it's split into two kits. Roughly 2/3 in one, 1/3 in the other. I like redundancy that way. My (very basic, due mostly to my limited knowledge) first-aid kits are split up and redundant in much the same way. The small versions of each stay in a pocket of something I'm wearing, the larger ones on a belt.
*(plus at least one fixed blade, please tell me you have a "real" knife to go with that kit
The machete counts for sure, but I like a much smaller knife to go with a big blade... I consider the straight blades on my multi-tools to be back-ups)
What's in/what goes in the shoe-polish can?
Compass? I've been to the places that sell the stuff you have, go back and grab a couple cheap, small compasses. They're cheap for a reason, but they will give you a reasonable estimation of direction. I practically collect 'em, they're so affordable and easy to carry.
Map?
I haven't been near a tube tent in years, but I agree, they're pretty handy if a bit small. IIRC, stronger than a garbage bag... and a big blaze-orange sheet would come in real handy if you were trying to get found. Either as one big signal flag or a WHOLE lot of strips to leave a trail. Thanks for reminding me, I need to pick one up!
There's at least some synthetic cord in every kit I cobble together. I just coil it up and tie the end around it. It's probably not any smaller than having it on a spool card like your cord is, but it's easier to smoosh into a corner of a pouch. I've found that it doesn't tend to tangle up much at all, and is easy to straighten-out if it does get a little wrapped-around-itself.
Got to have a canteen, steel cup and cover, hell yeah, how can you go wrong? There's some cool Nalgene stuff out there but for now I'm happy with the GI stuff like you have. You have a bottle of water tabs in the pocket, right? I like the energy bars and boullion cubes, I've seen a lot of PSK's with no munchies in them. Screw that! I like Snickers Marathon bars, pouches of Cup-A-Soup and beef jerky. Not a way to plan a diet, but comfort food that does have some nutritional value.
Gotta be fan of sammich and garbage bags too. Glad or Ziplock ought to sponsor Les Stroud! (Or me, heh...)
That looks like an Arkansas stone, between the candle and boullion cubes? If it is, tuck a small bottle of your favorite honing oil next to it. I've (somewhat grudgingly) become a fan of ceramics and diamonds in the boonies, because they don't need oil.
I suggest a nice fat pinch (or three) of Nevr-Dull in there somewhere. It's a (cotton?) wadding with a fair amount of metal polish soaked in, pretty easy to find. Works good to clean the goop off pretty much anything. It will leave a light residue of greasiness; a piece of shop rag will buff it right off and leave your knife, spoon or necklace for that matter, very clean. I've often noticed that sap, grime, etc. will gunk up an edge and make it seem dull, when it just needs to wiped down.
Nevr-Dull also takes a spark from a typical magnesium bar's ferro-flint thing RIGHT NOW. I mean to say, I just nearly singed my eyebrows off trying it in my ashtray, LOL
Burns steady and not too fast, but good and hot with a tall, orange flame. It's useless when wet, I could barely light the edges of the same now-charred piece with a Bic after dunking it in water.
Just my $.02
I carry pretty much the same stuff in the woods*, only it's split into two kits. Roughly 2/3 in one, 1/3 in the other. I like redundancy that way. My (very basic, due mostly to my limited knowledge) first-aid kits are split up and redundant in much the same way. The small versions of each stay in a pocket of something I'm wearing, the larger ones on a belt.
*(plus at least one fixed blade, please tell me you have a "real" knife to go with that kit
The machete counts for sure, but I like a much smaller knife to go with a big blade... I consider the straight blades on my multi-tools to be back-ups)What's in/what goes in the shoe-polish can?
Compass? I've been to the places that sell the stuff you have, go back and grab a couple cheap, small compasses. They're cheap for a reason, but they will give you a reasonable estimation of direction. I practically collect 'em, they're so affordable and easy to carry.
Map?
I haven't been near a tube tent in years, but I agree, they're pretty handy if a bit small. IIRC, stronger than a garbage bag... and a big blaze-orange sheet would come in real handy if you were trying to get found. Either as one big signal flag or a WHOLE lot of strips to leave a trail. Thanks for reminding me, I need to pick one up!
There's at least some synthetic cord in every kit I cobble together. I just coil it up and tie the end around it. It's probably not any smaller than having it on a spool card like your cord is, but it's easier to smoosh into a corner of a pouch. I've found that it doesn't tend to tangle up much at all, and is easy to straighten-out if it does get a little wrapped-around-itself.
Got to have a canteen, steel cup and cover, hell yeah, how can you go wrong? There's some cool Nalgene stuff out there but for now I'm happy with the GI stuff like you have. You have a bottle of water tabs in the pocket, right?
I like the energy bars and boullion cubes, I've seen a lot of PSK's with no munchies in them. Screw that! I like Snickers Marathon bars, pouches of Cup-A-Soup and beef jerky. Not a way to plan a diet, but comfort food that does have some nutritional value. Gotta be fan of sammich and garbage bags too. Glad or Ziplock ought to sponsor Les Stroud! (Or me, heh...)
That looks like an Arkansas stone, between the candle and boullion cubes? If it is, tuck a small bottle of your favorite honing oil next to it. I've (somewhat grudgingly) become a fan of ceramics and diamonds in the boonies, because they don't need oil.
I suggest a nice fat pinch (or three) of Nevr-Dull in there somewhere. It's a (cotton?) wadding with a fair amount of metal polish soaked in, pretty easy to find. Works good to clean the goop off pretty much anything. It will leave a light residue of greasiness; a piece of shop rag will buff it right off and leave your knife, spoon or necklace for that matter, very clean. I've often noticed that sap, grime, etc. will gunk up an edge and make it seem dull, when it just needs to wiped down.
Nevr-Dull also takes a spark from a typical magnesium bar's ferro-flint thing RIGHT NOW. I mean to say, I just nearly singed my eyebrows off trying it in my ashtray, LOL
Burns steady and not too fast, but good and hot with a tall, orange flame. It's useless when wet, I could barely light the edges of the same now-charred piece with a Bic after dunking it in water.Just my $.02
- Joined
- Sep 26, 2005
- Messages
- 3,516
I would knock the flint out of the magnesium bar and jam it into a bit of wood handle, you will find you will never use the magnesium. A film case full of fatwood shavings, dryer lint, or petroleum jelly soaked cotton balls will do you much better.
The candle and floss are great items that arent in enough kits, and the redundancy is a good thing, but only if you take gibsonfans advice and spread it around, don't put all the eggs in one basket so to speak.
Keep that flint on your knife sheath, the bic in your pocket, etc.
Also add some tea bags, hot chocolate, instant coffee and sugar.
Also, the LM squirt is a great tool and hard to leave, but as you have the larger LM, I think a small fixed blade like a mora would serve you better. Bring both, they are both light and a mora will only set you back 10 bucks or so.
The candle and floss are great items that arent in enough kits, and the redundancy is a good thing, but only if you take gibsonfans advice and spread it around, don't put all the eggs in one basket so to speak.
Keep that flint on your knife sheath, the bic in your pocket, etc.
Also add some tea bags, hot chocolate, instant coffee and sugar.
Also, the LM squirt is a great tool and hard to leave, but as you have the larger LM, I think a small fixed blade like a mora would serve you better. Bring both, they are both light and a mora will only set you back 10 bucks or so.
it looks like a pencil sharpener without the reservoir.
i don't carry a very extensive kit but i was interested in his redundant choice in hardware. redundance is not always a bad thing, it's good to have plenty of fire starting implements, but the multitools/sak's i found questionable. he may have his reasons.
RokJok
Gold Member
- Joined
- Oct 6, 2000
- Messages
- 4,312
AJCZ, That looks like a well-thought-out broadly applicable kit.
GibsonFan's quote, "... a WHOLE lot of strips to leave a trail" reminded me of another item that weighs next to nothing and takes up almost no space. It is surveyor's flagging tape. A roll of 1-1/4" x 150' tape can be had for under $2 online, at hardware stores, or from contractor supply houses. You can wad 20' or so of it into a tiny space. I recommend the flourescent pink color to get the attention of SAR searchers, since there are few things in God's wilderness that are that color (if you ignore the hordes of fashionistas-turned-hikers overwhelming the hills & vallies ).
From another current thread, another "almost no weight or space" item is a pair of new pantyhose. I got some for my kits at the Dollar Store, so they were cheap. They can be used for quite a few chores.
- water pre-filter
- bag for carrying/storing/rinsing items
- mesh for making fish/insect nets
- next-to-the-skin clothing layer to reduce friction and maybe also transport sweat away from the skin
- ad hoc mittens for handling cold metal items (just enough to keep from touching the metal)
- emergency belt or other cordage need (pantyhose can be STRONG)
- super-lightweight rucksack (think Boy Scout or GI ingenuity on how to fabricate it)
GibsonFan's quote, "... a WHOLE lot of strips to leave a trail" reminded me of another item that weighs next to nothing and takes up almost no space. It is surveyor's flagging tape. A roll of 1-1/4" x 150' tape can be had for under $2 online, at hardware stores, or from contractor supply houses. You can wad 20' or so of it into a tiny space. I recommend the flourescent pink color to get the attention of SAR searchers, since there are few things in God's wilderness that are that color (if you ignore the hordes of fashionistas-turned-hikers overwhelming the hills & vallies
).From another current thread, another "almost no weight or space" item is a pair of new pantyhose. I got some for my kits at the Dollar Store, so they were cheap. They can be used for quite a few chores.
- water pre-filter
- bag for carrying/storing/rinsing items
- mesh for making fish/insect nets
- next-to-the-skin clothing layer to reduce friction and maybe also transport sweat away from the skin
- ad hoc mittens for handling cold metal items (just enough to keep from touching the metal)
- emergency belt or other cordage need (pantyhose can be STRONG)
- super-lightweight rucksack (think Boy Scout or GI ingenuity on how to fabricate it)
- Joined
- Oct 30, 2005
- Messages
- 3,947
nice looking kit!!!!!!!!!!
shoepolish can holds pj cottonballs and the orange thing is aemergency poncho the stuff all packs nice and tight into the bag and it is slung over one sholder and under the other the blue thing is a pencil sharpener and the first aid kit is separate any other questions?
i put the 20 micro pur tabs in the pocket and i wear a compass around my neck when in teh woods and im getting a few sheath knives for my B day one will be added the rolled up news papers are firestarters thet once a flame lights it it burn for a few mins and the hanky is a good size that is for many tasks and my machete is on my pack at all times
- Joined
- Jul 7, 2006
- Messages
- 2,526
Pink surveyor's tape comes up now and again, it's a fine choice. However, in my area it's used to mark trees that crews are going to come back and thin out, fairly common in state/nat'l parks. So I wonder if it would stand out, used as a signal. Of course if you use strips plenty and often, a person will see the pattern to it and hopefully get the hint. A larger piece of orange with "Help me, I'm lost and hungry! This way to the dumb lost guy! 2-24-07" written on it with a Sharpie surely won't be mistaken for a logger's mark. Also, it would be a real bear to make a tarp out of tape. Easy to slice a piece of "tape" off a tarp.
Just my $.02, I may be overthinking it a bit!
Well, I never thought of pantyhose! But there ya go, good ideas there... something else to 'splain to the little woman, heh...
LOL the little woman just looked over my shoulder at your pics and said "that looks like the floor by your desk!"
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- Oct 8, 1998
- Messages
- 8,917
Bryan,
I tell you true, that is damned near one of my kits! Hahahaha!
Nalgene Bottle, same damned cup! I have Gerber milk bags but don't use them so much anymore, I use military water bladders and other things, AMK/Ritter Survival Pak, AMK Pocket Medic, can't tell if that is your other ziplock thingy, a heavy duty REI "Jim Morrison" Spork, Kat...kah...MICROPUR Tablets...bandana, Ritter BM-FB. Add a couple of his yellow Photons and his Mini-RSK and we would just about match some of the time. Survival Cards too!
Cool.
I tell you true, that is damned near one of my kits! Hahahaha!
Nalgene Bottle, same damned cup! I have Gerber milk bags but don't use them so much anymore, I use military water bladders and other things, AMK/Ritter Survival Pak, AMK Pocket Medic, can't tell if that is your other ziplock thingy, a heavy duty REI "Jim Morrison" Spork, Kat...kah...MICROPUR Tablets...bandana, Ritter BM-FB. Add a couple of his yellow Photons and his Mini-RSK and we would just about match some of the time. Survival Cards too!
Cool.
Don can you post some pics Please. I have tried all sorts of packs, vests,shoulders sling pouches, belt rigs of every sort but I really like this set up now that I use. This type of arrangment just works for me and where I am at in the U.S. I am in south east NE. about 70 miles south west of Lincoln NE.
I have as of right now 4 of these kits mad up but using a different knife for the main blade that it's sheath is sewed on to it.The one in the pic above
is the the Doug Ritter MK3 fixed blade, on the other kits I have a Chris Reeves Project II plain edge, That is also what my wifes kit has too , then I have one made up with a RAT-7 in 1095 steel., The last one has a Busse
combat satin jack combat grade sewed to the bottle carrier and the Pauls hatchet's sheath sewed to the small pouch. My nephew has a Rat-5 and a swamprat little hatchet sewed on to his bottle carrier and pouch. My mom, and 2 of my moms friends, my sister and her hubby carry the same type of set up but with out the bigger knives instead they have in there pouches a crkt fixed falcon knife. I will try to show a pic of the four kits I hav made.
Take care Don and I enjoyed reading joys of being homeless on your web page.
Bryan
I have as of right now 4 of these kits mad up but using a different knife for the main blade that it's sheath is sewed on to it.The one in the pic above
is the the Doug Ritter MK3 fixed blade, on the other kits I have a Chris Reeves Project II plain edge, That is also what my wifes kit has too , then I have one made up with a RAT-7 in 1095 steel., The last one has a Busse
combat satin jack combat grade sewed to the bottle carrier and the Pauls hatchet's sheath sewed to the small pouch. My nephew has a Rat-5 and a swamprat little hatchet sewed on to his bottle carrier and pouch. My mom, and 2 of my moms friends, my sister and her hubby carry the same type of set up but with out the bigger knives instead they have in there pouches a crkt fixed falcon knife. I will try to show a pic of the four kits I hav made.
Take care Don and I enjoyed reading joys of being homeless on your web page.
Bryan
