ugh man, need help packing this sucker guys.

F

Fonly

Joined
Sep 24, 2006
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5,010
Hey guys,

Well, I have been going through my kit as of now, and I cant seem to find a happy medium. I have the room almost for everything now, Shelter, fire, water, navagation, signaling the works. But I just can't get it to a comparable size to weight ratio.
P1140014.jpg

P1140015.jpg


Now, its kind of a two in one kit, its for the city loafing and woods alike, but there are some things Im not sure I need/want in there, and I need some advice.


these are the things I plan on removing now:
-Vic Rucksack(have a multitool and CRKT in pack)
-Also, I think I can get away with not having all the mini glo sticks, I would like to keep the core ones, but the others( in the black tube, back right) can go.

things I need some advice on:
-The heavy duty heat blanket. It takes up alot of room, and im wondering if you guys think I could get away with two of the plain mylar space blankets.

Things I should add:
-A pot of some type for boil/cooking. I can right now sift the big stuff out with the handkerchief, then treat the water with chemicals in the canteen, but they take 30 minutes to be %100 done(is that a bad time frame?) If I removed the heavy duty blanket could I get away with the two mylar blankets? I haven't used them much and am wondering if I should invest in a AMK sheet.

Misc:
The RC6, canteen, keys, ring, watch, Spyderco, wallet, buck 55 and lighter ride in my pockets, the rest is in the Lunada.

Sorry for rambling guys, Im just at the final stages of setting up the kit and Im kinda stuck. :o

Thanks everyone.
 
I like zippos,think you have one there if im not mistaken. But I really would not depend on one because the fliud is terrible anymore,doesnt last. wont save wieght but I would replace with a bic.
 
I have to be honest here.

Why in God's name do you need 4 folding knives?

Drop 3 of those and home and rotate them. But I just don't see the need for that much steel.

Want - YES! Need - no....

TF
 
Keep the multi, and the Mili, drop the rest. This is assuming you have a fixed blade on your belt. If it were me. Id keep the multi or the sak, and add in a small fixed blade. Project W, Izula, becker necker etc....

Lose a flashlight, If you have spare batteries, I dont see the need for 2.

Go with a mylar AMK heatsheet. The heavier ones are nice, but the amk will do the trick.

Add a Guyot. It will double as a cookpot.

Add a spork.

You can replace the cordage with jute twine. Its good, cheap, and doubles as a kickass tinder. Any fatwood? I would add in a hunk.


Why the camo compact? Again, I dont see the need. If you really need camo, mud and natural camo will work.


Looks good, those are just things I would change.
 
I'd get rid of the CRKT folder as well.

Other items to thin out:

Lose the Zippo and the cheap orange lighter. Get two orange Mini Bic lighters. They're better quality and not much bigger than one of the cheap clear lighters.

Get rid of some of the dental cotton.

Put the Allen wrench set in your car. You'll probably have more use for it there than is a wilderness survival situation. If it comes down to urban survival, you can get them out of your car when you need them.

I'd think about removing one of the three flashlights if space was still an issue.

If you are using the camo compac as a signal mirror, keep it. If not, that would go too.

HTH,
R
 
If this is an emergency kit I think I would do the following
Keep the straight knife and the Vic.
It looks like you have 3 flashlights, one will probably be enough
One packet of nylon fasteners should do since you have some cord.
Get rid of the zippo
One pen
I think too many glow sticks
Looks like you have two fire starters one should do
I'm not sure you need allen wrenches
Camo compac? Whats that? Do you really need that?
The little mylar space blankets-- Unfold one of those and see if you think they will work. I don't. My opinion is they are junk. Toss an extra blanket in the car or a coat.
That's just my thoughts. It's your pack and you can do as you like I think you might just have too much stuff. My opinion only.
 
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Couple things you might think about...

Instead of carrying flashlights, get one of those head lamp flashlights. It will take up a little less space than one of your bigger lights and it will give you two free hands to work with. You'll have to try a few out to get one that is actually bright and easy to replace the batteries on.

Instead of the magnesium block with flint, scrape your magnesium into a contact lens carrier. It saves time in building the fire and takes up a lot less space in the kit. One side of the contact lens carrier will hold enough scrapings for 2 or 3 fires and you already have another flint or ferro rod in the kit.

I think I see some tenderquicks ( is that what's in the plastic bag beside the bic (type) lighter?) Why not do the ranger rick thing and combine the two, if you look on his rangerdigest site he tells how to modify the lighter into a one handed (sparklite type) firestarter. Then cut the bottom off the lighter ( after completely draining the fluid) and fill that cavity with your tenderquick (or PJCB). On this note, I have been wondering how well it would work to go ahead and roll some PJCBs in magnesium shavings then store them that way you already have everything ready to go just need a spark and your burning.


David
 
if you plan on using your HD space blanket as shelter, there are lighter options, but none will have the dual purpose. i carry mine year round. it's the bulkiest item in my edc pack but i fold it up nice and tight and it goes in the bottom (camelback trailblazer in summer, 3000ci ruck in winter).
my thoughts-
knives- i carry an edc pocket knife and only carry a small fixed in the pack, although i may add a multi tool.
lightsticks- i would say two would be enough.
flashllights- keep one, replace one with a lightweight led headlamp.
drop the zippo.
drop the camo.
you could probably make do with one pack of zip ties.
why the allen wrenches? i don't see any of your gear that necessitates them.

what are the black things to the right of the sharpee?
what is the white stuff in the plastic bag to the right of the firesteel?
what's in the white case above the first aid kit?
 
You will get alot of advice on this subject. I don't personally carry a survival kit, per se.... but I'll comment on what I see of yours... since you have asked.



Drop
- extra flashlights
- keep only the spyderco on you. (and the fixed blade when in the woods) keep the multitool and drop the rest.
- camo compact. (we are going to have to talk about this.... lol.)
- If that is a handwarmer in the upper left, drop it. (when it is acually cold enough to need one they don't work.
- prybar (urban survival?... maybe. If not, ditch it.)
- hex key set (if you are mountain biking bring the ones you need (only 2) ditch the rest.)
- Zippo
- (1) bundle of zip ties
- cheap emergency blankets
- What's the pink thing? nevermind, drop it.
- the orange cord
- glow braclets (we really need to have a talk)
- square canteen

Add
- small fixed blade
- AMK Heatsheet
- Guyot or a canteen/cup combo
- Jute cord roll.
- spider wire 50lb
 
Something else I wanted to add...

I saw on the rangerdigest site an Idea that I think may be worth trying also. He talks about using a twist type pencil sharpener to make shavings for tender. You know the little ones that are the size of a jolly rancher and cost about .25, I'm thinking of getting one to see how well it works on sticks. If it works this could also be valuable for building traps.

If you really want to keep the camo pak ( I'm assuming it's for the signalling capabilities of the mirror) you could scrape out the paint and use it to store something in, like the magnesium shavings or a small fishing kit.
 
Good feedback already. If you really think you need the hex keys, get the small Benchmade keys for your Leatherman (new Wave?)...they do come in handy, but you don't have to take up room in you kit bag, you can put them on the belt. Also, with a few zip ties, you don't need the extra pouch clips...just something to consider...

Zip ties are great, but you probably don't need two sets. Relook your FAK...can you make it smaller by cutting out a guaze roll or cutting back on the number of bandaids? The only knife I usually carry in a kit/bag is a SAK Outrider, Farmer or Rucksack...I usually alwasys have a multitool or folder on me and if at work or out hiking, I'll have a fixed blade on the belt.

I've personally dropped cyalume lights from all my small kits. I do have a few of the battery powered ones and one is more than enough. The three I have have had the same batteries for over two years and still going strong. I'll replace the batteries when I put them in the kits.

Add a small square of folded aluminum foil. I like flashlights, but since I always have one on me, I just carry a small head lamp (Zebra) LED) in my bag. I have two, one as EDC the other in the bag...it's been more than enough for me; also, try to make them the same type of battery so you can pack less.

ROCK6
 
Kind of a side note...

Are those mini prybars worth a crap? I thought the point of a prybar was for leverage. I dont see how you can get any type of leverage with a prybar that small. I dont know though Ive never owned one. Id like to pick one up at countycomm if its at all usefull.

I lke redunancy in a few areas in my kits. Fire starting is one of them. Matches, lighter, ferro rod. A few types of tinder, and signaling devices. A whistle, mirror, and led light. Its a trial and error thing. I have found it is impossable to put together the "perfect kit" w/o taking it out several times and evaluating what was needed/ un needed. Alot of mine had to do with a skillset. As I became/become more profecient in certain areas, I eliminated redundant items, since I have more faith in certain skills. Some items are impossable to duplicate in the field, like water purification. You need it purified, so you HAVE to have a container suitable for boiling, or a container and pills or filter. Those should stay in a kit. Fire IMO is something you can become more proficient at through bowdrill, ferro rod practice etc...However, if you need a fire, and need it yesterday, then there is no substitute for a bic, or matches. A bic will light thousands of fires, and matches w/o spliting them will only light the amount you carry. So I carry a matchsafe, bic, and ferro rod in my kit. Tinder IMO is needed too. You need to have the ability to get a fire going as quick as possible, w/o having to dick around with locating natural tinders etc. So Pj balls, or Jute, etc.., comes into play. Even if only for an emergency.

Knives are great.(duh!;)) However, the void of a knife can entirely be filled with just a SAK, and a small fixed blade. It has been my finding that a small fixed blade can do almost everything a large one can, but a large one cant do all a small one can(safely). Also, less of a chance of breaking a fixed then a folder. That is entirely my opinion, because I feel a knife is a very personal choice, so carry what works, and what you are good with.

I like glowsticks. Atatch one to some cordage, and swung in a circle, it becomes a very good signaling device, and good trail marker, etc. Also at night you can pop one, and it will continue to signal all night w/o depleting your battery. However, onec you get good with skills, you can accomplish the same thing with torches, etc. So that just dictates skills, and ease. My pops says, "somethings just arent worth dicking with". That comes into play. Do you wanna dick with making things like torches etc, or just pop a chemlight or turn on a flashlight? Plus in my area, a lightsource such as a chemlight is unnatural, so if im out when others are hunting, it marks my area, and less of a chance of getting shot by the big city asses that like to shoot at anything that moves.

Again, these are just my opinions through trial and error, In the end you have to carry this kit, and you need to decide what works for you through your personal skillset and needs.
 
Echo4v said:
Instead of the magnesium block with flint, scrape your magnesium into a contact lens carrier. It saves time in building the fire and takes up a lot less space in the kit. One side of the contact lens carrier will hold enough scrapings for 2 or 3 fires and you already have another flint or ferro rod in the kit.

On this note, I have been wondering how well it would work to go ahead and roll some PJCBs in magnesium shavings then store them that way you already have everything ready to go just need a spark and your burning.
Click to expand...

:eek:

Magnesium in dust/shaving form is VERY incompatable with water... it oxidizes and gives off hydrogen gas and becomes EXTREMELY dangerous. I WOULD NEVER EVER EVER NEVER EVER store magnesium shavings in a PSK.... EVER

Magnesium reacts with the water in your skin and actually excelorates the reaction... so if that little pile decides to ignite it will burn at about 5000F until it reaches flesh, then the vaporized water will feed the fire so to speak.

Maguesium in solid form is safe... away from a blowtorch that is...
 
Magnussen said:
:eek:

Magnesium in dust/shaving form is VERY incompatable with water... it oxidizes and gives off hydrogen gas and becomes EXTREMELY dangerous. I WOULD NEVER EVER EVER NEVER EVER store magnesium shavings in a PSK.... EVER

Magnesium reacts with the water in your skin and actually excelorates the reaction... so if that little pile decides to ignite it will burn at about 5000F until it reaches flesh, then the vaporized water will feed the fire so to speak.

Maguesium in solid form is safe... away from a blowtorch that is...
Click to expand...

shhhh. we have a perfect opportunity for a don't do this picture thread here.
 
If it was my kit, I'd:

Get rid of the CRKT, the SAK, and the knife toward the bottom of the pic.

Get rid of most or all of those glow sticks.

Pare down to one flashlight. Replace that one flashlight with a smaller, solar charged one, and get rid of all those spare batteries.

Get rid of the tiny prybar.

Get rid of the candy.

Maybe get rid of the zippo, since you already have a ferro rod and a butane lighter.
 
j williams said:
Are those mini prybars worth a crap? I thought the point of a prybar was for leverage. I dont see how you can get any type of leverage with a prybar that small. I dont know though Ive never owned one. Id like to pick one up at countycomm if its at all usefull.
Click to expand...

Jake, it really depends on how you use your knife. I've seen a lot of troopers using their knife to scrap, pry and chisel. For outdoors, I would suspect it's of limited use and a solid fixed blade could do all those chores on natural material without damaging the edge or breaking the blade. For urban areas, a small prybar has come in handy for me.

We're currently in the field and I used my small prybar (it's about 8 inches long) to pry that damn folding cot bar into place:D If you use any nails to hang gear on in camp, it makes it a tad easier to remove. We got new office furniture and it came in handy pry some of the connections loose. You can use the flat of the bar as a hammer head when using a baton as the hammer (instead of the flat of your knife blade).

I just have a small (Stanley I think) bar in my 3-day work/field pack...

UrbanKit-2.jpg


If you can't see a need it's excess wait. If you actually do use it, than it's not a bad tool for the bag. The County Comm mini-pry bars are nice on the key chain, but they are pretty in-effective on prying much beyond picture nails and staples.

ETA...sorry Fonly, didn't mean to hijack the thread:o

ROCK6
 
Excellent kit but can I suggest get rid of the Pilot G2 pen,I had one and they do not like temp change and leak ,gel ink,sucks for a PSK ..if a pen is needed try a simple Bic(white body,blue or black cap) or a pencil.
 
I just received two excellent flashlights in a trade. Both are made by Fenix, both LEDs (obviously). One of them takes a single AAA battery. You keep two batteries in reserve for that thing and you would have the ability to have light for quite some time! The other is a two AA battery Fenix model that is stupid-bright, it's like 106 lumens and they are just kicking the snot out of Sure-Fire in my opinion. Again, a couple or four extra batts for that, doesn't take up much room, incredibly bright light if you need it.

For a PSK, however, a Fenix LED, either the single AAA or AA model with a couple extra batteries would provide you with so much light, it's ridiculous really. 8-)

My incredibly cheap (welfare) alternative is the Energizer Penlight which takes 2 AAA batteries and they cost about $6.00 at AutoZone down here and they were about $10.00 at the now defunct COMP USA.

If you are on a tighter budget, I would definitely get one of the Energizer Brand Penlights and as someone else suggested, Energizer is also making a headlamp deal and if it's anything like their Penlight, it's going to be excellent.

If you are going to carry more than one light, try to keep all your batteries the same, etc. Makes everything much easier to deal with and definitely take advantage of the LED technology. The Energizer Penlight uses a Nichia LED, I think the same one is in the Photon Freedom, the type Doug Ritter has his name on as well. Very bright. I think the Fenix LEDs are using the new Cree and it is really an excellent company.

If that is a VIC SAK Hunter Model, I would keep that and the WAVE and the RAT FB and the Spyderco in the pocket and ditch the rest.

Mag said he is going to have to have a talk with you about Cyalume-type bracelets...that's funny!

Get some excellent LED lights and ditch the lightsticks. I have a few of them but I tend to put them in first aid kits. If everything else fails or whatever should happen and I am out at night and get hurt, I can crack one and patch myself up and that's that, but you is carrying A LOT of them! :D
 
Magnussen said:
:eek:

Magnesium in dust/shaving form is VERY incompatable with water... it oxidizes and gives off hydrogen gas and becomes EXTREMELY dangerous. I WOULD NEVER EVER EVER NEVER EVER store magnesium shavings in a PSK.... EVER

Magnesium reacts with the water in your skin and actually excelorates the reaction... so if that little pile decides to ignite it will burn at about 5000F until it reaches flesh, then the vaporized water will feed the fire so to speak.

Maguesium in solid form is safe... away from a blowtorch that is...
Click to expand...

Did not know this, thanks for the heads up. Guess I'll go back to carrying the bar instead of shavings.

If I'm understanding this post right that only happens when it comes in contact with water...is that right? Maybe that's why it hasn't happened to me, the contact lens carrier is waterproof. Well thanks for the heads up anyway.

David
 
They keep magnesium dust in bottle for lab use but they have a shelf life. The water content in the air is enough to begin the oxidation process. And when are you more likely to turn toward you magnesium for fire lighting?... in damp conditions, when tinder is at a minimum, right? It doesn't react fast enough to mess with freshly scraped stuff.... but if it has been sitting long enough?....

You are probably okay by keeping a small portion in a water tight container.... but why even expose yourself to the possibility?


I found out about THERMITE (aluminum dust and oxidized iron dust) the hard way while making knives.... but luckily I was not injured. It is hot enough to burn through steel plate and concrete!
 
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