My ten essentials

kamagong · Dec 8, 2011

I finally got around to putting an essentials kit in my pack. I don't know what took me so long. I wish I could say it was blissful ignorance, but truth be told I was just being lazy.

Here's what I have in it -

Doug Ritter PSP
emergency blanket
rain poncho
stainless steel bottle
Swedish Firesteel
matches
Bic lighter
fatwood
water purification tablets
aspirin
floss
needles
bandages
sanitary wipes
gauze
compass
Otterbox 2000
Victorinox Hiker
superglue
25' of paracord (not pictured)
Blackjack 125
HI BGRS

I'm using a Maxpedition Pygmy Falcon to carry it all. I wish I had done this sooner. It doesn't take too much space and it's light (if I don't bring the khukuri). Most important of all, I like the peace of mind that comes with having these things at hand.

The gear remains a work in progress of course. I'm going to evaluate what works, what doesn't, and tailor it accordingly. I'm going to start out by getting a better compass than the brass brick I currently have. I just bought a Mountainsmith lumbar pack for those days when I want to travel light. And I also have a nice puukko on the way for a woodswalking knife. But this is a good start (I think) and it's much better than the setup I had last summer.

Mountain Wildman · Dec 8, 2011

Looks pretty good, Mine is a work in progress as well, I have the Ten Essentials and then some!!!
My pack is a Maxpedition Vulture II mainly for Bushcraft and over-nighters and a Maxpedition Kodiak for
around town or quick trips. Both have the ten essentials in them.

mamun1024 · Dec 8, 2011

Nice setup. Is that a Randall in the sheath?

Shotgun · Dec 8, 2011

Nice setup. I just re-tooled my gear as well. It's remarkably similar to yours though a little lighter. Even have the same pack.

kamagong · Dec 8, 2011

mamun1024 said:
Nice setup. Is that a Randall in the sheath?

It's a Blackjack 125.

I guess I should have included more pictures of the knives. This is Bladeforums after all. Here's a picture of the khukuri.

I also favor this criollo knife made by Ray Laconico. I don't carry it much as it tends to remain in camp. My wife likes using it for cooking duties.

M3mphis · Dec 8, 2011

What is your reasoning behind making sanitary wipes an "essential?" The obvious use is to sanitize your hands, but that's more of a convenience in my mind. Can they be used on wounds or something?

Thanks!

Matt

Shotgun · Dec 8, 2011

M3mphis said:
What is your reasoning behind making sanitary wipes an "essential?" The obvious use is to sanitize your hands, but that's more of a convenience in my mind. Can they be used on wounds or something?

Thanks!

Matt

I won't speak for Kamagong but I carry things like soap, tp, and sanitizer in my gear. Not essential but sure is nice when you're hiking/camping. Use that stuff way more then the survival gear. Heck most of my survival gear has never been used aside from testing.

kamagong · Dec 8, 2011

M3mphis said:
What is your reasoning behind making sanitary wipes an "essential?" The obvious use is to sanitize your hands, but that's more of a convenience in my mind. Can they be used on wounds or something?

Thanks!

Matt

Not really an essential, but more like REALLY nice to have. Like Shotgun, I use the wipes much more often than I do the other stuff especially since I have a little one in tow.

M3mphis · Dec 8, 2011

Shotgun said:
I won't speak for Kamagong but I carry things like soap, tp, and sanitizer in my gear. Not essential but sure is nice when you're hiking/camping. Use that stuff way more then the survival gear. Heck most of my survival gear has never been used aside from testing.

I hear ya. That's why I ask. I carry soap. It seems much more versatile than wipes. I just thought maybe there was a use I wasn't aware of???

EDIT TO ADD: kamagong, you posted while I was writing.

Gottcha, thanks for the replies!

Shotgun · Dec 8, 2011

M3mphis said:
I hear ya. That's why I ask. I carry soap. It seems much more versatile than wipes. I just thought maybe there was a use I wasn't aware of???

EDIT TO ADD: kamagong, you posted while I was writing. Gottcha, thanks for the replies!

Wipes are nice when you don't want to waste water. Otherwise I prefer soap.

Fonly · Dec 8, 2011

good stuff man, was about to add you should add some rope, then I reread contents. :foot:

looks good, keep and pen a paper with you, when you hit woods, make a list of the things you use and the ones you don't, nice way to ween out the things you don't need and open up your eyes to what you would like to have.

panzertroop · Dec 8, 2011

wipes good, pine cones bad! Nice set-up, now go out and try that gear. Trial and error will really teach you what's essential. I am always experimenting with gear. It's fun!

kamagong · Dec 8, 2011

Mountain Wildman said:

Which hatchet is that? I've thought about picking up a GB, but I have zero experience with axes and the like. I'm much more comfortable with a big knife like a khukuri.

tomsuper · Dec 9, 2011

sanitary wipes.... definately on my top ten. question though, what constitutes an item? i understand knife, pack. tarp etc.. but in the ritter kit alone, could be 8 to 10 items-no???

Aubrey · Dec 9, 2011

M3mphis said:
What is your reasoning behind making sanitary wipes an "essential?" The obvious use is to sanitize your hands, but that's more of a convenience in my mind. Can they be used on wounds or something?

Ditto. I used to carry wipes but found them to open in the pack and dry out. Have replaced them with this water free hand sanitizer ..... and it makes a great fire starter as well. I like items with multiple applications.

I would also add a small light source. Love the Streamlight Microstream. Add one AAA battery and you have light for a long time in a very small package.

The rain ponch shown is light duty. I have had bad experiences with them .... or maybe I am just rough with the lightweight units

I use a mil ponch so for rain and shelter, coupled with your paracord, sorted.

I also carry 2 heavy duty bins liners ....... and 2 or 3, 1 qrt Ziplock bags. My first aid supplies are in one of the ziplock bags.

Found chapstick to be a bonus. Helps with abbrasions and also for firestarting .....yeah, I do like making fires ;D

On my Kleankanteen, I have a GSi cup that nestles at the bottom ....... I can cook in the cup whilst boiling water for drinking and it looks so civilized having a cup

(My wife said that)

The kit your havce right now is however very well thought out and good quality.

kamagong · Dec 9, 2011

tomsuper said:
sanitary wipes.... definately on my top ten. question though, what constitutes an item? i understand knife, pack. tarp etc.. but in the ritter kit alone, could be 8 to 10 items-no???

I think of the ten essentials more in terms of categories than in terms of individual items. Water, knife, first aid, navigational tools, fire, etc.

The Doug Ritter kit is strictly for emergency purposes. Everything else will be used as needed.

Mountain Wildman · Dec 9, 2011

kamagong said:
Which hatchet is that? I've thought about picking up a GB, but I have zero experience with axes and the like. I'm much more comfortable with a big knife like a khukuri.

It's a Bark River Customized 18" Wetterlings Axe

And the Machete in the picture is a Fiddleback Forge 12" Machete which is strapped to the
other side of the pack.

Ballenxj · Dec 10, 2011

kamagong said:
It's a Blackjack 125.

That sure could have fooled me. I thought it was a Randall knife as well. (The knife in the sheath photo)
This thread reminds me, I have to finish putting my bag together.
-Bruce

kamagong · Dec 10, 2011

I definitely think the Blackjack was inspired by the Randall 25. But the Blackjack has a convex ground blade, which I like much better than the hollow grind on the Randall.

panzertroop · Dec 10, 2011

That Blackjack is awesome!