Survival Kit & "The Big Tin" Challenge. What would you include?

[Guyon]

Yep, those are cool little saws. I have a couple of them--one in a BOB and one in a hunting pack. Found mine in sporting goods at Walmart. Looks to me like you can just replace the blades with regular hacksaw blade that you cut to fit the handle.

As far as my tin, I did take out the plastic box to save space. Put the meds in a little Bayer aspirin case--the kind you'd buy at a stop-n-shop. Stuck the fishing gear in a tiny ziplock--the kind that comes on clothing to hold an extra button.

If I can ever remember to buy unlubricated condoms, I'll add one of those. I also added a couple of cotton balls impregnated with wax. I did a little experimenting the other day and was impressed as to how easily they light with the firesteel and how long they burn.

Mike, I'll check into the Pioneer with the saw. I think it's about the same size as this Spartan (which I bought really only because it was dirt cheap on sale). My other SAK is a Rucksack, but it's too big for this tin. BTW, I got the Scout firesteel you sold me. Thanks! I've added it to a second little kit.

V Shrake, what's the advantage to the Juniper bark? I found that a cotton ball and a few chips of Fatwood do just fine. Add a little wax to the cotton ball for longevity, and you should be just fine. For those of you not familiar with "Fatwood," check it out next time you're in Wally World. It's just heart pine tinder, but you get a lot for about $3. Stuff burns really nicely.

 

[V Shrake]

DJ, that's exactly the saw I've been looking for, and my Wal-Mart NEVER has them. I wrote down the address on the pic, so that maybe I can order one or two from the source. Heck, s/h will probably be more than the saw, but at least I found a place to get them from. Thanks.

Don, I include Juniper bark because we have lots of Junipers around here, and it's the one natural tinder we have that's available year round, and needs no prep. I also carry cotton balls with candle wax, but only use them when I really need a fire in wet, cold conditions. I can cary 4 or 5 plain cotton balls in a 35mm film can for every 1 waxed cotton ball, so it makes sense to ration the better tinder for the worse times.

Every once in a while I have been able to light Juniper bark with just a ferro rod, but it's SO much easier with a plain cotton ball to catch the spark. And you're right about the fatwood; great stuff. Still need more work with it, though. Bagheera and others can light small curls of fatwood with just sparks from a ferro rod, but I haven't managed it yet. So cotton balls are a life saver for that, too.