new take on a kit

[RescueRiley]

I've been hanging out over on the traditiona knives forum a bit..I read a post there about a fellow who wanted to recreate an older relatives edc setup which consisted of a pocket knife and a tin which contains various odds and ends..I started thinking about this and how kits relate to my own life..and it seems to me that various usefull odds and ends tend to be much more helpful as I navigate through daily life than a more traditional psk..Npw before everybody wigs out..I still keep a basic psk in my woods bag...but as a reluctant member of an urban community my need for snare wire or a fishing kit might not bet as relevant..so I started working on some basic items that fit into an altoids tin,,that continuously surface as being useful across a broad spectrum of instances..I'm still adding to and adjusting the contents but here's what I got so far

Vic classic (small blade, scissors, tweezers)
single use tube of crazy glue
1 flattened spool of thread w/needle
derma safe folding hacksaw blade (thanks Brian)
5 butterfly bandades ( for clean lacerations)
5 large bandaids
small orange bic lighter
1 trick b-day candle (stays lit)
5 alcohal wipes
8 safety pins
4 large paperclips
inova led
a cutdown pencil w/eraser
5 rubberbands
a frensel magnifying glass
several strips of duct tape
1 pack of motrin
10 finishing nails
5 thumbtacks
THe outside of 1 side of the tin has a sheet of leather affixed to it making it into a functional strop..THis package is rather light and rides comfortably in the pocket..I couple it with a pocket knife, a bandanna, my whistle and another lighter and I feel pretty good about it..would like to add some string to the equasion next but am open to comments and suggestion on contents as well Thanks..

 

[koyote]

My EDC bag is set up for daily use, too. Oh, I have some odds and ends for just in caseI am teleported 250 miles northeast or whatever, but a lot of my gear is used often. My first aid kit in particular gets used FIRST, then stocked from household supplies, which keeps it pretty fresh.

 

[Fonly]

the only real kit I take any ware with me is my firstaid, but I do have other necesitys. two lights, two knives a multitool whistle wallet and lighter and chap stick.

 

[siguy]

Riley,
I have a sort of similar kit that I put together after reading the same thread. Neat idea for sure!

mine is a bit more basic, i choose to keep the superglue in my pocket next to a bic and a tube of chapstick.

i have a couple of those tiny bandaids for little cuts on fingertips etc (more for other people) as well as a couple of finishing nails and a wad of inner strands from some paracord tied into a hank. i also have a pile of cotton twine, some cotton gauze, a small candle, a pair of foam earplugs, a couple of razor blades, some safety pins, and sometimes an old timer penknife.

but i also have a little zipper pouch that i think came with a toiletry kit that keeps some things together in my bag like that tin, a paring knife in sheath, basic sharpening gear, some paracord, a pair of needle nose pliers, a small pair of scissors, a spool of thread and some needles, and some cloth medical tape (which i use far more than bandaids-and is good for fixing stuff too!)

 

[dougo83]

I cannot find a pic, but Magellan makes these great mini dry bags. The are pretty much perfect size for holding ID, etc. I have one that I keep BC powder, Pepto tablets, a few band-aids, needle, and thread in. The are great and keep everything locked in when it's in my pocket.

 

[MrCoffee]

This is a common thread of discussion on most survival and wilderness boards, and there is tons of information out there, plus everyone has a different opinion. Your basic kit looks good from what you've discribed, the only real addition I would make would be a small amount of cordage. I use 330lb climbing rope, very thin compared to Paracord, and very strong. My thought on this is, since it is an urban kit, the need to get from a second floor to the first (or 30th to 29th), so cordage might be helpful. Carrying it can be done around the outside of the kit. I actually rewrapped one of my Gossman PSK's in 330 instead of 550, and was able to get several feet more on it in the same space.

Also you might look at countycomm's LED lights. Unlike a lot of the keychain lights out there, these will actually stay on without having to hold the button, they have an on/off switch. And one style with a swivel clip I find incredibly handy. Worth looking at.

One last thing I keep in my tin based kit is $10. (ones and fives) and a couple of quarters.

Cheers!

 

[DutchV]

I'd add nail clippers, an LED light, a few tabs of Immodium & Benadryl. I keep most of my stuff in a plastic case from a J&J personal FAK. (The travel version that's on the dollar rack at Target.)

I get a lot of use out of my Leatherman Sidekick, too. I'm stuck hauling a laptop bag to work, so I've got room for a few more things besides what's in the plastic box.