My son's PSK

mneedham

mneedham

Joined
Jul 8, 2006
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I am thinking about updating my son's gear as he is growing older. (he's 8).. I know it has been done before, but I was wondering if you guys would tell me (or show me) what your kids are packing... I try to keep the kit light or I wind up carrying it..

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My son and I have matching old-school scout knives (cause we're old-school!):
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Hi Mneedham,

I think that looks pretty good. A couple of items - perhaps a small LED flashlight - simply as a back up to the lightstick and something that he won't be afraid to open up and use once. For example - he might need a light in a campsite outhouse or something. Also kids just really like to have flashlights.

I would also suggest a pair of thin orange fleece gloves and a hunting orange hat (a touque of fleece or windstopper fibre). These can provide him warmth in not so comfy conditions. A little guy of eight my feel a bit of chill when the rest of us don't quite notice it. A bright orange hat also makes him easier to spot. Like the light, the gloves and hat can be kit items that aren't one time use items and he won't be afraid to use them if he needs them.

Two other items off the tope of my head. 1 - a cheap pair of UV-protection sunglasses, because he might forget them and they will really save his eyes. A small tube of sunblock.
 
looks like a pretty good kit. i don't know about his skill level, and i suppose you have probably taught him well, but just remember that anything in his kit that he doesn't know how to use is absolutely pointless. it took me a little while to figure this out when packing kits for my younger brother. if you are packing it for the sake of demonstrating it to him in the field, that is a different story.

i agree on the flashlight...something like a mag solitaire or a small LED is good, tied there wtih the compass so he doesn't have to go digging if he needs it...
 
Not sure if there's one in there, but maybe a thing of matches? I grew up in boy scouts, and the things I used most frequently even up to eagle scout was a SAK, mini-mag (the 2AA one), and a pack of water/wind proof matches. You might not want him to burn down the forest, but there's those "you never know" situations, and you would want to know that he at least has a pack of matches with him to make a signal fire. My little brother is 7, and he understands a lot about fire safety. Just keep a close eye on him when you're out, J.
 
You might want to include a one hand folder /SAK (OHT) or small fixed blade (rc-3) because when it is cold or wet and your sons hands are numb/slippery, it is real easy to get cut with that boyscout knife. Also a lighter or box of matches, led keylight and cordage.
 
Looks Good, Like they said already, I don't know his skill level & your trust but a good small fixed blade would be perfect like a Mora Clipper ! A good LED flashlight & a small BIC lighter. Someone also said a hat, I like Boonie hats, all purpose:thumbup: Maybe some 550cord or some kind of cordage ?
 
I agree with everyone else, I would want my brother to have some cordage, some gloves, probably a wool blanket (they're extremely useful) a flashlight, some way to start a fire, and a good fixed blade for sure.
:D
 
I think your scout knife needs a good cleaning.
Now sure I'd use it to cut my meat.
Think I saw this knife pic on another site? Guy said he had to dig it out of his junk pile?
 
bltjr1951 said:
I think your scout knife needs a good cleaning.
Now sure I'd use it to cut my meat.
Think I saw this knife pic on another site? Guy said he had to dig it out of his junk pile?
Click to expand...

That knife is perfectly fine to cut food with and I'm not sure what you are referring to by saying you saw the pic on another site?


Nice way to get the kid started needham! I would have to repeat what someone else said and throw a small LED light in there.

I can't wait for my kid to get here !!!!!
 
is that knife made by mitsuboshi? i have one and havent seen too many others so a good score if you got a matching pair..stainless spoon and fork only the knife blade is carbon steel
 
Thanks for all the suggestions! You pose a question around here, you always get your $$ worth....

I have a Photon microlight attached to his pack (we both do...) and he has a chemical stick light, but thats it. I think thats why I was asking for input, for some reason, I under-equipped him a couple years ago when I put this together. Thats a really important concept, he needs quality gear too, not just junk that looks like dad's stuff. I should really be giving him the gear that I would want.. I think I'm gonna add an ARC light or Gerber Infinity. I am also adding gloves and a cap (I've taught to use the socks in his kit as gloves in a pinch, but why not just add these items).

He does have matches, lighter and tinder (they are in the Alosak underneath the FAK) to go with the Super Cedar (these things are awesome BTW). He has practiced lighting the Super Cedar with the matches and can do it. I never gave him a firesteel, I don't believe he could use it effectively yet....

He has some Wal-Mart cordage in there, but again I under equipped him, I'm gonna give some 550.

The fixed blade is a good point too.. He used to have a Mora in his pack and I took it out a while back. We're Scouts, and these days BSA doesn't really promote FBs. I'm putting an FB back in there, the cold hands issue is important.

The Scout Hobo knives are great IMHO. I know that they were made in Japan , I don't by who... I got both of ours on e-bay for about $10 each (lot of knife for the $$). They are carbon steel and have a lot of the implements that I want. I like carbon steel and rust doesn't bother me, just means that I not using a particular knife enough....

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Here's a couple pictures of kit I made for both my son and daughter a while back...I've made a few changes since then, but it's pretty much the same. The main idea was a day hiking hydration pack that could turn into an emergency 72-96 hour emergency bag if something bad happened. Along with what you see, we add some trail snacks as well.

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I will add that both my kids know the basics of making a fire, safe knife-handling, water-purification, simple first aid (blisters, minor cuts, etc.), techniques of signalling and what to do if "lost". We are still working on debris shelters and using the garbage bags for shelter.

Whatever you decide to put in the kit, make sure you have your son practice with it.

ROCK6
 
Rock - Thats a great looking kit... Is that a PAL light I see there? How much does the pack weigh with water? Thanks.
 
mneedham said:
Rock - Thats a great looking kit... Is that a PAL light I see there? How much does the pack weigh with water? Thanks.
Click to expand...

Yes it's a PAL LED...plus my son knows how to use the 9volt battery to start a fire with OOOO wool.

With his two quart water bladder, it adds about 4 pounds...so with everything packed, including snacks, it's right around 10 pounds.

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ROCK6
 
Rock, I'm always impressed with your gear, great stuff... My son's pack is about 5 pounds with water... I'm not sure I'd get him to carry anything too much heavier on long hikes, he's got good endurance (he's been running long distance for a couple years), but he's a twig of a boy at this point. Is your son comfortable with the weight?

I might go with the PAL light instead of the Gerber Infinity, I like the idea of the 9V fire starter, they also burn forever in low mode.
 
m, another thing i thought of, though not really constructive just something to think about;

when i first started building a small daypack for my brother when he came with me in the wood i found that more than prepping him for an emergency on his own, i was really just building a longer-term supplement to my pack. at that point (and he hasn't improved much since...) he had very few skills, couldn't start a fire or use a knife too well, etc. so basically his pack was a backup to my pack...

i have tried to move away from that by including more things that he can do without me there at all, and that will help someone find him if he gets lost (like including a whistle, space blanket to wrap up in instead of a tarp, adding a small light, etc)...basically what you have built. with kids, keep it simple(r)-even more simple than your simplest kit. if they panic, all of their prep will go out the window if they haven't been practicing enough to make it habit, and they will have to rely on their gear.

of course, to avoid the problems i mentioned, keep the kids practiced and in a good mindset for survival. instill the "don't panic" type of attitude.
 
Siguy,

Yep. I try to teach him (and my scouts) what to do if he gets lost. The kit isn't really designed for long term survival (than again, neither are mine). I also try to use the kit as a teaching tool, we talk about each of the items and how they can be used. His knife skills aren't great and he can't use a compass effectively , but he can start a fire, blow his 3 times on the hour, open and use his poncho and emergency sleeping bag. You can see the the attachment in the thread below that summarizes what we teach. I agree about his pack being supplemental to mine, thats one of the reasons to give him better gear.... I think Rock6's son might have better gear than me though:D.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=515425&highlight=cub+scout
 
Not trying to knit pick here, but you show a picture with snow and then have cotton socks in the PSK. Even here in the desert I still like wool socks. Worst case they can double as hand warmers.:D
 
Horned Toad,

That's not being picky, thats helpful. I really did throw his kit together a while back and recognize that it needs updating... I like wool too, you can see in my kit below that I carry wool. I don't think that my son even owns a pair of wool socks and I'm adding that to the list too. I teach my son that keep your feet dry is important, a lesson I learned in the military. We have used the extra a couple of time on Spring hikes, I'll get him some wool ones! Thanks.


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