Props to you folks making mini survival kits in Altoid tins

Meh. Never found the concept of tin based kits to be useful, even though I have a few. I always carry more than that on a daily basis anyway. Keys have a light, folding knife, compass, firestarter, and a fob of accessory cord. Always carry a folder, a lighter (one in pants pocket, one in jacket), and a small flashlight. If I'm at work and wearing my normal belt, it has two more flashlights (one bright, one led), a large leatherman, and a other job related stuff. If I'm on the trail for anything I grab a small camelbak or buttpack (depending on the vehicle) with a backups of all the other stuff, a nalgene and cup, water tabs, a poncho, either a poncho liner or one of those tarp style reflective blankets, one of those survival candle tins or similiar quick fire source-- falling through the ice is a real concern here--and other stuff.

Frankly, I don't get the concept of just carrying on of those kits with a razor blade, a button compass, some fishhooks and some tinder. (Sorry--never needed fishhooks nor known anyone that needed them. I'm never far enough from civilization that I couldn't walk back in less time that it takes for me to need food. I'm immobile due to an accident, I'm obviously not going to be fishing. Fishhooks would be somewhere down my "survival list" at about item #75 or so.)

The smallest stand alone kit I have is in this style carrier: http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/MOLLE151-1.html This would be pouch would be nice also: http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/MOLLE616-1.html

In my opinion, those kits are stuffed with small stuff, but not the proper priority for survival: fire, shelter, and water. I'd rather have the stuff in my pockets, a poncho and a canteen than one of those kits.
 
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nemoaz, you're just no fun at all, are you? ;)

Seriously, I agree. My smallest kit is made from a Bagmaster Medium Belt Pistol pack. It's designed as a holster but makes a great basic kit bag. About 7" x 6" x 2". I used to use it to carry my S&W 442 and two speed loaders but it was a pain to use as a holster. Great to hold enough stuff that I don't feel under equipped when hiking.

Sort of my point of this thread was that I found it quite difficult to put all the important stuff in a small tin and indeed could not.

BPP_M_BLK_Web.jpg
 
OK, I was bored and rethought what I had in this little tin. I swapped a couple things with the Bagmaster Belt Pistol Pouch and am more satisfied with the results. I replaced the SAK Classic with a single edge razor (I *always* have a Classic in my pocket as well as something like the mini-Grip or Buck 501). I also almost always carry a Squirt P4 in my pocket.

I also replaced the plastic bag with a small oven bag and through careful repacking added a button compass and ACR whistle with lanyard. I had to remove the jute twin to make room but I figured the 4 pieces of Tinder Quik was sufficient.

So now I have:
1 Single edge razor blade
Couple square feet of hd foil
Full sized Bic
CountyComm $1 button light
10' 22 gauge steel wire
Spark-Lite sparker and four pieces of Tinder-quik
1 small oven bag
3 sheets Post-Its
1 pencil stub
2 large safety pins
1 paper clip
$16 ($10, $5, and $1)
Tin wrapped with six turns of duct tape lengthwise followed by
10' of 550 wrapped over that
And three heavy duty rubber bands lengthwise on the outside - partially for pocket retention and partially for who knows

I'm more satisfied with this little set-up because of the whistle, button compass, and larger water bag. I'd prefer the Classic over the razor blade but, as I said, I *always* have a Classic in my front pocket and have carried one for 30 years or more.
 
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