Pocket Kit Knife Choice?

JD Mandrell

JD Mandrell

Joined
Apr 20, 2001
Messages
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Looking for feedback on the choice of a knife for a small pocket kit.

The kit will be in a regular Altoid Mint Tin, and the knives I have to choose from are a CRKT Sampson KISS Tanto, and a SAK Highlander with a half serrated main blade.

Both have pros and cons, like:

CRKT KISS

Pro: Lockblade, and very rugged little knife.

Con: Only the one blade.

SAK

Pro: scewdrivers/can openers and a few other tools

Con: No locking blade.

Of these two, what would you choose?

Thanks
 
Get the SAK!
I have a CRKT KISS and the blade is not the best for general utility.
Also, it is almost too small as a back-up weapon(the Sampson will fix this) BUT the simple one piece handle won't let you get a good grip. In a fight, your hand will ride up on the blade.

As for utility(what you want, I'm guessing), when I open mail it won't cut straight due to the chisel grind. Some boxes need more than just a quick lash at the tape. For those, the point gets stuck in the cardboard and tape. I either start over or Lever the knife into place. IMO, it is more a novelity than pracitical. Today, I was so frustrated trying to open a box that was mailed to me I yelled out "I hate this knife!" Never had a problem with CRKT's other knives.

Of course, I COULD just be the idiot who was using it wrong!

The SAK has more options and if you need a locking blade, you need a bigger knife.
 
The SAK wins out for general utility, hands down. I'd prefer a straight edge model, however, for ease of sharpening and for fine work. The KISS just doesn't cut it - literally.

Mike
 
I'm glad to see that I am not the only one who has noticed the KISS pushes to the side when cutting. I quit using it after damaging several things that I was trying to cut open but instead it sliced over into the box contents itself.

I would kinda prefer the straight edge SAK, but I was going on knives I have here without buying any more. I carry a VIC Tinker EDC, that I might switch out and put into the kit itself. These are the only ones that fit in the Altoid Tin container.
 
I guess both are O.K. choices, and building an altoid tin kit will really make you think about what is truly essential. Personally, I keep a Leatherman Micra in mine.
 
If you can stomach the vandalism of a knife... pop the plastic scales off of your SAK. You'll find that some of the medium sized models will fit an Altoids tin quite nicely.
 
Also, since most of us love to learn from others experience, please post the contents of your Altoids kit.

Mike
 
Originally posted by thatmguy
Also, since most of us love to learn from others experience, please post the contents of your Altoids kit.

Mike
Click to expand...

So far:

SAK TInker
1 box "strike anywhere" matches
1 3 inch cylume light stick
1 Hexamine fire starter fuel tablet
10 feet of nylon cord
1 pre-paid phone card
1 vial of chlorine bleach (enough to purify 1 gallon of water)


I still have a little room, any suggestions?
 
I might go for a smaller knife, like a Spyderco LadyBug, which can be operated one handed. I might add a few other items with the space made available, like: Photon MicroLight, snare wire, SparkLite, and a small pretied fishing kit.

Mike
 
Like Mike, I like the Spyderco Ladybug. One handed opening and a sharp little knife. If you can find a carbon fiber version, you get even better steel in ATS-55. Both my wife and I keep a zytel Ladybug on our keychains. If combo-edged isn't your thing, Spyderco will soon begin marketing the plain-edged version here in the States (they sell them in Japan now).

Of the two you mention though, I'd go with the SAK.
 
Here's mine:

Maglight solitare
Leatherman Micra
small Bic lighter
1/4 book of matches
golf pencil
2 pieces of paper
p38 can opener
Approx 25' of unwaxed dental floss
Approx 2 sq. ft. of tin foil
1-Antiseptic wipe
2-Tylenol
2-Anti-diareaal
2-Ibuprophen
3-Bandaids
Safety pins (1 tiny, 2 small, 1 med)
1-$20.00 bill

Need to add plastic electrical tape to the lid.

I know I'm missing something, but I'll think of it.
 
Originally posted by farmboy
Here's mine:

Maglight solitare
Leatherman Micra
small Bic lighter
1/4 book of matches
golf pencil
2 pieces of paper
p38 can opener
Approx 25' of unwaxed dental floss
Approx 2 sq. ft. of tin foil
1-Antiseptic wipe
2-Tylenol
2-Anti-diareaal
2-Ibuprophen
3-Bandaids
Safety pins (1 tiny, 2 small, 1 med)
1-$20.00 bill

Need to add plastic electrical tape to the lid.

I know I'm missing something, but I'll think of it.
Click to expand...

Wow I'm impressed you got all that in a Altoid can?

I have a Spyderco Ladybug full serr. I considered, but it's just so small.
 
Unlike what most women say, SiZe ISN'T everything. That lil LadyBug will probably perform a lot better than you might think. I know quite a few CO's who carry them full time and have used and abused them without fail. It might loosen up a tad, but that seems to only make for easier one hand opening.

Mike
 
Ditto what Mike said. I've done a heap of work with my little Ladybug.

As far as pocket kits go, this seems like a fun challenge. I may have to start one just to see what I come up with.

Here's one guy's vision for an Altoid tin kit. Take a look. Good pics.

http://www.equipped.com/drperskit.htm
 
I guess you just have to be careful that you don't get wrapped up in the "equipment is everything" mantra that is so heavily chanted at the sites you visit. At firearms sites, for example, if you aren't shooting a Glock or an M1A, you aren't shooting. The same attitude can prevail here as well, (no offense intended, mods!), as many members will have you beleive that owning a Busse or a Sebenza is the only way to survive a disaster. Both cases are entirely untrue. If you supply yourself with decent quality items and the KNOWLEDGE of how to apply them, you're far ahead. I learned a lot from a poster known as "knifeman" at Frugals. The guy is always thinking of how you can put to use the most insignificant item, and what is truly essential.

My altoids kit could be altered as such:

-replace the Micra with a razor blade. Advantage; more space
-replace the wound wipe with an iodine wipe. Advantage: can be
used as water treatment.
-add a small sewing kit; i.e.-a needle wrapped in thread
-add a condom for water storage
-a small "trick" candle would be nice
-some wire to be used as a snare
-maybe a small whistle

Just a few thoughts. And if you work with it, yes it will fit.
Here's the fun part....after squeezing all of that into an altoid tin, move on to a fanny pack. You'll be amazed at the "luxuries" that you can allow.
 
I have noticed some use Maglite Solitare flashlights for pocket kits, I coose the Cylume Light stick because I was afraid of finding a dead battery when I needed it.

What do you guys think?

Flashlight

or

Light stick

???
 
one use and they are done. Also there is no way to turn them off. If you are afraid of the dark ;) they can be comforting, however if your unexpected stay in the woods lasts more than just one night, well... I like the Mag Solitare for the Altoid tin. The light and an extra battery don't take up much room. If you are afraid of dead batteries, change them out on the equinoxes (even cheap batteries should last for six months), or once a month if you are really worried. You should open your kit and check the contents every once in a while anyway.
 
I think all the above suggestions are great, especially the bandaids and iodione swabs that were suggested. I would also add that if you think you may be in a situation where you would have to treat an open wound that in this day and age a pair of rubber gloves is essential. You can get an entire pack for about $3 at CVS or someplace similar and you should be able to fit several in an altoids container, even with the rest of your equipment.
Lagarto
 
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