Whats in your pouch?

blt-2-drg

blt-2-drg

Joined
Feb 6, 2012
Messages
436
I've been finishing up my survival knife and looking for content idea's and/or opinions. This is my camping knife with pouch attached that could sustain me for a night if im lost. Its more fun putting it together than anything but its could possibly save my life someday. Contents include:

SYKCO 511 w/kydex sheath & ESEE pouch
ESEE tin (1 side is polished for signaling & 1 side has 10 strips of duct tape)
mini keychain led light
2 bandaids
4 aleve
2g Celox
.9g antibiotic ointment
needle
spool of thread (want to replace this with floss or something similar)
8 matches
2" glow stick
large safety pin
firesteel
2 2" sheets of 120 grit plumbers sandpaper
3ft of duct tape
2 tinder
DMT 1x2 diamond sharpening sheet
Brunton compass
8x10 sheet of tinfoil
4 Katadyn water purification tablets
small fishing kit
spool of wire
ESEE AH-1 arrowhead
Swiss-Tech mini pliers/screwdriver
P38
2 ESEE survival cards
8x11 Aloksak
14ft of 550 paracord

And, i actually have a little bit of room left. I also have 12 more feet of paracord woven together i can attach to the outside of the pouch.
 
I've gotta see how all of that fits in a tin. Pics or it didn't happen:)
 
My survival priorities center on what can kill you and what can save you. The two quickest killers are hypothermia and dehydration. What can save you is signalling rescuers or getting out yourself.

With that in mind, I want multiple ways of starting a fire and warming myself with space blankets or whatever, and then multiple ways of purifying water, which means purification methods and, again, multiple ways of starting a fire. Signalling rescuers means reflecting sunlight or signal fires.

I'd can most of what you're carrying in favor of a butane lighter, space blanket, and bottle of water purification tabs. Keep the Esee tin, firesteel, Aloksak, and compass.

If you're only planning on one night out in the woods, then the bandaids, aleve, ointment, needle, and thread is useless. You gonna sew up a wound yourself? Doctors don't even do that any more, they use Superglue.

Sandpaper and a diamond sharpener, for what? One day is not gonna dull your blade that much.

Fishing kit, arrowhead, wire (for traps?) - if you're out 1 day, you can survive going hungry.

And the P38 would be for . . . the C-Ration cans you're not carrying?
 
Last edited:
Seems to me you would ditch pretty much everything. Isnt it better to have a little bit of something than nothing at all? Im not planning on 1 night or 5 nights, if im planning to camp i take camping gear.

I dont worry much about hypothermia, i've survived winter nights in a t-shirt and shorts, havent worn pants in 4 years. I do have a way of signaling and 2 ways to start a fire. Lighter is an idea, but to me lighters fail while firesteel does not. I might carry a space blanket if there was room but i'd have to ditch everything else including the tin just to carry it. A few more water purification tablets is an idea, i've thought about that aswell. I like having aleve and a bandaid in there, i've actually used them before since this is something i can carry with while out shooting or hiking.
 
TimberWolf7.62 said:
My survival priorities center on what can kill you and what can save you. The two quickest killers are hypothermia and dehydration. What can save you is signalling rescuers or getting out yourself.

With that in mind, I want multiple ways of starting a fire and warming myself with space blankets or whatever, and then multiple ways of purifying water, which means purification methods and, again, multiple ways of starting a fire. Signalling rescuers means reflecting sunlight or signal fires.

I'd can most of what you're carrying in favor of a butane lighter, space blanket, and bottle of water purification tabs. Keep the Esee tin, firesteel, Aloksak, and compass.

If you're only planning on one night out in the woods, then the bandaids, aleve, ointment, needle, and thread is useless. You gonna sew up a wound yourself? Doctors don't even do that any more, they use Superglue.

Sandpaper and a diamond sharpener, for what? One day is not gonna dull your blade that much.

Fishing kit, arrowhead, wire (for traps?) - if you're out 1 day, you can survive going hungry.

And the P38 would be for . . . the C-Ration cans you're not carrying?
Click to expand...
I pretty much agree. I would trade most of your stuff for a metal cup and a water bottle plus what TimberWolf7.62 said. One thing I'm surprised you don't have is a whistle. A whistle is one of the first things I put in a small kit. I would also trade matches for a mini bic any day of the week.
blt-2-drg said:
I dont worry much about hypothermia,
Click to expand...
This may be an attribute of your location. Maybe it's true for your location, IDK. That attitude would kill you quick where I live.
 
I take my knife - w para cord and rubber tube on handle, firesteel (whistle attached), some cotton soaked in petroleum jelly, water purification tabs, water bottle, very durable emergency blanket that doubles as a tarp. and yes, some fishing line and hooks, I'm surrounded by lakes and it takes up minimal space.
 
I guess it's all a matter of personal taste in what you put in there, I've seen everything from a multitool to a spare pistol magazine. But I carry a mag bar fire starter, flat whistle, some duct tape, tweezers, orange surveyors ribbon, small signal mirror and a tiny led light. I figure whatever can get me found the quickest is what I want to have immediately available.
 
I don't know about taste. A friend of mine put together and showed me his kit and all I could do was shake my head. Cheap matches, 3 crappy folding knives (i'm talking $5 ones), multi-tool, way too much first aid,
A sharpener that doesn't even work, nail clippers??? etc etc

Personal taste would get some people killed lol
 
One thing about Bic lighters over firestarters that just strike sparks is how do you light wet tinder? A firesteel doesn't. A Bic lighter, since it actually sustains a fire on its own, will dry out and then light tinder. The difference between a fire and no fire can mean the difference between life and death. Just sayin'.

I always recommend you go out in the woods and actually use your survival kit --- nothing else, just the survival kit. Some friends of mine and I did this multiple times and we threw away a lot of junk equipment, wasted some money, but we damn sure figured out what worked and what didn't.
 
TimberWolf7.62 said:
One thing about Bic lighters over firestarters that just strike sparks is how do you light wet tinder? A firesteel doesn't. A Bic lighter, since it actually sustains a fire on its own, will dry out and then light tinder. The difference between a fire and no fire can mean the difference between life and death. Just sayin'.
Click to expand...

I always carry a BIC along with a 3/8th firesteel ... the thing about lighters is that they can and will break, you don't have that worry with a ferro rod.
 
I am very curious as to how many folks have had a BIC lighter break. I have never had it happen and really can't recall ever hearing of one breaking from friends. I have found BICs at the side of the road that were clearly there for a few seasons. Completely rusted caps, gouged bodies that were half if not mostly buried. With a little cleaning they light right up. Zippos have failed me repeatedly... maybe my "zip-fu" is weak but I don't trust those things as far as I can throw them... and from experience, that is about 5 skips across the pond on a calm day.:thumbup:

In my opinion, a lil'bit of everything can quickly add up to a whole bunch of nuthin'. The concept of a typical "Altoids PSK" eludes my idea of practicality. That is not so say that I haven't seen some good tin kits but for the most part those few did not follow conventional "altoids" philosophy. I can only comment from a wilderness survival perspective. The urban crew's needs might be different from mine.

My PSK (Practical, Sensible, Knowledge-based)

Water - I really don't think you should be traveling anywhere in the woods without a water container... preferably one that you can boil in. Stainless bottles are hardly a specialty item anymore. GET ONE. If you are just in love with your plastic Madagascar Collector Sippy Bottle, find a soup can that fits under it but be sure to burn the liner out ahead of time.
Fire - BICs... one in your pocket and one in your pack/bag. Firesteels are awesome. Prepared jute and steel wool in a plastic baggie... fine steel wool catches even the weakest sparks from traditional F&S and burns HOT. It is much easier to dry than plant fiber. You can use PCBs here too as long as they are sealed properly.
Cordage - A few hanks of paracord and jute go a long way. My secret cordage weapon is dental floss. Break open a few dispensers and pocket the rolls. It is just as strong as 50lb Spiderwire, cheap and you can carry a lot in a little space. I have a mirror in my shower that has hung by the same length of dental floss since 1998. Okay, maybe I don't shower much, but my wife does.:p
First aid - Zinc Oxide. It's an antiseptic, antibacterial, UV blocking, funky foot fighting, crotch rot, burn soothing wonder cream, IMO. Throw in a couple bandaids if you are the type of person that limps when they get a paper cut... I think they still make the Hanna Montana ones. On a serious note. I would consider making a few duct tape cards. Get an old credit card and wrap about 10ft of duct tape around it. Great for making bandaids and relieving hotspots on your feet/hands. A large bandana is also very useful.
Shelter - Of course, it starts with your clothing but a GI poncho is gravy on a rainy day.
Navigation/Signaling and Other Stuff - I also keep a few items that I would have a hard time making in the woods. Flashlight, dogtag signal mirror/reflector, whistle, a couple small ziploc bags, a folder or multitool.

All this stuff can easily be stowed in your pockets. If you want to use a bag/pouch, make sure it is secure and comfortable to wear all the time. This should be with you ALWAYS. The best(and necessary) compliments to this kit are Knowledge and Experience. I have made suggestions based on my personal dirt time in all the seasons and weather conditions of the places I frequent. Your own experience is the best teacher. Test your gear in the worst conditions so you can eat cake in the best.

Rick
 
Rick Marchand said:
I am very curious as to how many folks have had a BIC lighter break. I have never had it happen and really can't recall ever hearing of one breaking from friends.
Click to expand...

I've had one break on me ... it was the little plastic piece (fork) that releases the fuel when held down.

As we all know anything with moving parts can break or malfunction.

8_766-bic-lighter.jpg


And when they do break break you can make one of the cool little bikes with them :D

what_to_do_640_03.jpg


Did you know:

"BIC" is actually a shortened version of founder Marcel Bich's name.
Click to expand...

http://www.bicworld.com/en/products/how-its-manufactured-lighters/
 
This knife kit is in addition to my everyday carry. I've carried the same things on my person for the last 10 years including a small lighter, pistol, AAA flashlight, and multitool along with normal stuff everyone else carries. I guess i should have mentioned that.

As far as hypothermia goes if i lived in the places you guys lived i would worry about it. As i stated before its very dry and warm here. I havent worn more than a light sweatshirt and shorts in years. With addition of a fire i've been just fine in December/January at night with just a sweatshirt when its in the upper 40's. I do not see any snow and very little rain. I always have water on me when im out hiking, thats one things i've learned living in Arizona all my life. A stainless cup and emergency blanket are great additions but will not fit in an altoids tin. This "survival kit" is not going to replace my EDC bag or BOB, its simply a small kit to carry on my knife while im out hiking, camping, off-roading, and shooting.
 
Then post some pics, bro. I'm glad you see this little kit as just a bonus to what you normally carry. You would be surprised at how many folks put the majority of their faith in that little tin box, alone.
 
Rick Marchand said:
Cordage[/B] - My secret cordage weapon is dental floss. Break open a few dispensers and pocket the rolls. It is just as strong as 50lb Spiderwire, cheap and you can carry a lot in a little space. Rick
Click to expand...

Good advise as always Rick But I have to pick on this one point.
honest I'm not trying to be an @$$ hat. but were do you get the dental floss that is as strong as spider wire? I have been making bow strings of every fiber I can try for the last 40 years. I have done many break test of different coardages over and over. dental floss verys a lot even with the same brand. The best I have been able to get from dental floss is 12 lbs at breaking. The worst I got from 50 lbs spider wire is 37 pounds. here are some of the new deema fibers the same size as floss that have break strengths of 75 lbs. The knot used has a lot to due with break strength.
 
Rick Marchand said:
Cordage - A few hanks of paracord and jute go a long way. My secret cordage weapon is dental floss. Break open a few dispensers and pocket the rolls. It is just as strong as 50lb Spiderwire, cheap and you can carry a lot in a little space. I have a mirror in my shower that has hung by the same length of dental floss since 1998. Okay, maybe I don't shower much, but my wife does.:p
Click to expand...
This is where I differ to most. Other then stringing a tarp or tent up, I've yet to need cordage in the woods for much of anything. It can be handy but at least IME isn't all that necessary. I also don't seem to need a knife in good weather. Maybe I'm doing this whole survival thing wrong. ;)
Rick Marchand said:
First aid - Throw in a couple bandaids if you are the type of person that limps when they get a paper cut... I think they still make the Hanna Montana ones.
Click to expand...
Bandaids are nice for small cuts. Something small enough that you don't want to cut apart a good bandana but something that is bleeding. I guess you could throw some duct tape on it or just bleed everywhere but bandaids are next to weightless and lay flat in your wallet so I'm not sure why I'd "rough it." Plus, when not alone it's always nice to be able to offer someone one. Contrary to my girlfriends opinion, I'm not the only one who cuts themselves. And what the heck is wrong with Hanna Montana? I've worn those proudly. :D
 
bikermikearchery said:
Good advise as always Rick But I have to pick on this one point.
honest I'm not trying to be an @$$ hat. but were do you get the dental floss that is as strong as spider wire?
Click to expand...
Admittedly, I have not ran controlled tests. I kinda said it tongue in cheek like "tough as nails" or "sharp as a razor". I can be confident in saying that I've used doubled up dental floss for snares and they'll hold a snowshoe hare if you use a spring or a tip up.... and I'm not kidding about the shower mirror. I'll stop saying "tough as Spiderwire" after hearing your experience. That is cool stuff, Mike.
 
Last edited:
Shotgun said:
This is where I differ to most. Other then stringing a tarp or tent up, I've yet to need cordage in the woods for much of anything. It can be handy but at least IME isn't all that necessary. I also don't seem to need a knife in good weather. Maybe I'm doing this whole survival thing wrong. ;)
Click to expand...
That's good, bud. I can get by without cordage too but still count it as something that is difficult to improvise in a pinch.

Shotgun said:
Bandaids are nice for small cuts. Something small enough that you don't want to cut apart a good bandana but something that is bleeding. I guess you could throw some duct tape on it or just bleed everywhere but bandaids are next to weightless and lay flat in your wallet so I'm not sure why I'd "rough it." Plus, when not alone it's always nice to be able to offer someone one. Contrary to my girlfriends opinion, I'm not the only one who cuts themselves. And what the heck is wrong with Hanna Montana? I've worn those proudly. :D
Click to expand...
I'm just messin' and never said I was against bringing a few. My FAK consist of a large pressure bandage, 4-5 bandaids(Barbie, I believe), zinc oxide, 2pr latex glove, a 6x12 patch of cotton and a duct tape card. It all fits into an ALICE pouch.
IMG_0043-4-1.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top