View Full Version : My mini survival kit
there have been a number of discusions about survival kits on this site since it started, and there is one going on at the moment so i thought i would show mine.
I used to carry the tobacco tin style survival kit when i went traveling but found that even though it was pocket sized it often got left behind, I never did get to use it but it did help me 'survive'...... just not the way it was intended, i came off a motor bike on a gravel path in a suger cane field in mauritius.
after i had stoped sliding and wriggled out from under the bike i found a huge hole in the thigh of my trousers but I discovered much to my relief i had been sliding on the tin (which left a lovey rectangular bruise) and it had protected my leg.
this pretty much destroyed the tin and prompted me to make a more compact kit that would not get left behind
this is what i now carry then traveling abroard:
http://img57.photobucket.com/albums/v174/diabolik/P1010016.jpg
the anodized aluminium tube which hangs around my neck holds the kit safely inside and is o-ring sealed, there is a whistle and photon torch attached to the paracord (both the whistle an the cord are Luminous ), I also always carry a leatherman wave.
this is the kit unpacked:
http://img57.photobucket.com/albums/v174/diabolik/kit.jpg
there is a threaded o-ringed cap either end, one end gives accsess to the main conpartment of the tube the other gives access to a smaller area containing potassium permanganate which you can see in the top right of the picture
This is a close up of the main compartment contents:
http://img57.photobucket.com/albums/v174/diabolik/skit.jpg
from left to right
top row:
1. two compressed silicone/petroleum impregnated cotton tinder bundles each burns for about a minute
2. 10 varnished strike anywhere matches
second row
3. short length of stainless steel wire (wrapped around the kit so when you pull on the wire the whole kit come out of the tube)
4. glow in the dark whistle acme tornado model
5. photon torch
6. button compass (luminous )
7. fly (with artifical bait below)
8. two fishhooks tied onto a meter of line each
9. leather needle
10. candle
11. fire steel
12. surgical blade (also used as striker for fire steel, suprisingly gives an impressive shower of sparks!)
13. and of course you have the potassium permagnate in the other compartment for water purification, anti fungal, fire etc etc
note: i would not normally class fishing stuff as necessary for a mini kit but i had spare space and it fits so i put it in
Hope you all like it :)
Super kit Stuart! It's really impressive that you can get so much into such a small space!
I think that the container is really impressive ... do you know of anything commercially available that's anywhere near as good as it?
the tube is comercially available from triple aught design in the US, this model i belive has been discontiuned but is still as far as i am aware available in black
its expensive mind!
TheViking
23-07-2004, 13:58
Hi...
Is it possible to carry small amounts of water in the container, in an emergency...?! Super kit! :biggthump
ANDYLASER
23-07-2004, 14:12
How did you compress the tinder into little pellets?
How did you compress the tinder into little pellets?
By packing them into the tube probably ;-)
Ed
Hi...
Is it possible to carry small amounts of water in the container, in an emergency...?! Super kit! :biggthump
liquid is uncompressable and so if you need a liter of water its going to take up a liter of space
you could fill the kit with water but it would be pointless as you would only have half a sip!!
you can get water sealed in little packets from marine suppliers or anyone who provides equipment for life rafts
but it is better to learn how to find it
How did you compress the tinder into little pellets?
the tinder pellets come from the US airforce firelighting kit, they are very maluable hold there shape after being compressed, i put the tinder bundles into the tube and compressed them with a pencil unitll the took on the shape of the tube, then i rolled then in my fingers to make then slighty smaller than the tubes diameter so now they drop in nicly
they are also so heavly loaded with silicone/petrolum/beeswax that they ignite even when wet, and unlike products loaded with petrolum alone they are dry to the touch and leave no residue in the tube
when you need to use them you pull the bundle apart and it turns into a fluffy ball that lightsfrom the slightest suggestion of a spark and burns for 1 minute 17 seconds on avarage (my own testing)
SquirrelBoy
23-07-2004, 16:03
Perhaps those ordering the matchcases could do the same sort of thing although I think it only has one compartment.
Just a thought.
MartiniDave
23-07-2004, 16:10
Great mini kit Stuart.
Looking at the container it might be possible to re-engineer an old mini-maglight body into something similar, or maybe even design something from scratch. Any idea the sort of price you might be talking about from the states?
Dave
TheViking
23-07-2004, 16:54
[QUOTE=Stuart]liquid is uncompressable and so if you need a liter of water its going to take up a liter of space
you could fill the kit with water but it would be pointless as you would only have half a sip!!QUOTE]
Oh, yes, but for transporting water from one area to another... :wink:
But guess it would be a little slow... :biggthump
ANDYLASER
23-07-2004, 17:47
This is the TAD Gear capsule.
http://www.tadgear.com/x-treme%20gear/life_capsule_beta.htm
You could buy 2 matchcasas for this cost.
I've had one of these TAD capsules (http://www.tadgear.com/x-treme%20gear/life_capsule_beta.htm) now for over a week and I have to say that I'm pretty impressed with it. Mine is slightly different to the one pictured by Stuart above (they don't seem to make that one any more) and is black hard anodized rather than silver. Everyone would have their own idea of what should go into the kit and mine is still in a state of flux but I do have a few things to report:
The quality of this container is impressive and far exceeds what it needs to be! The O-rings are excellent and the overall build and quality is similar to that of a Surefire torch. The threads have to be felt to be believed!
It's waterproof. I don't have access to water of any depth but I can't get any water in there. I think it would be waterproof to 100 m.
The space, although it sounds small, actually isn't. As I've said, I'm in a state of flux as to exactly what I'll have in mine eventually but I currently have matches, a small firesteel, a hacksaw blade, brass wire (with stainless wire on the way to replace), a compass (brass button but I'm awaiting a plastic one), a needle, fishing kit, a small tube containing potassium permanganate and tinder.
I've replaced the neck cord with Blackhawk 550 paracord that I just got from Jack at Woodland Organics (http://www.woodlandorganics.com). I have a length about 90 cms, which means if I take out the core I have nearly 9 m of cord (excluding the outer) for doing things with.
The capsule isn't a pain to wear. I've worn it all day since getting it and I don't notice it any more.
I'll keep you posted!
Excellent thread and great ideas.
I've got an old mini maglite somewhere so I think I might just have to have a play...
I think that a Mini Maglite would do nicely!
The fun bit will be trying to work out some way to seal the bulb compartment behind the lens to keep some permanganate in. Might have to be a bit creative...
Adi are you going to post a pic of your kit?
What firesteel are you using with it. I'm looking for one for mine but can't find one the right size.
Stuart do you keep the permangate loose in the small compartment? i couldn't tell from your pic. Mine currently holds matches candle compass. surgical blade.
i can't decide what tinder to keep in it. So many choices. Btw its a top bit of kit only gripe is the annodised coating is a bit thin. i keep mine in front pocket attached to my belt. Loose change has marked it.
Yeah, I need to take pictures of it ...
I took apart a small firesteel of the type found in the NATO matchless fire starting kit (a thin rod seen here http://www.bcbin.com/store/cat_military.asp?idproduct=21&idCategory=20 ). I removed the metal frame that surrounds it.
Stuart keeps the pot permang loose in the bottom compartment whereas I decided to fill a little pipe I had and plug the ends with cotton wool and a dot of hot glue.
Mine is still most definitely a "work in progress" :o):
Great Pebble
05-08-2004, 01:05
Small (literally) question,
Above and in virtually every listing I've ever seen for a PSK they suggest using a "small tube" for PP/salt/oofle dust/whatever. Where does one obtain "small tubes?
I've never seen anything small enough to cram into my baccy tin.
Sources or suggestions please.
I'll let you into a secret as to where I got my tubes from ...
... ready ...
I took apart an old kitchen spray bottle (the type that holds cleaners and disinfectants). The tubes I use came from a antibacterial spray gun since I thought that this was likely to be the least nasty of that I could find. I rinsed it real well with water and pulled a bit of cotton wool through it a few times (using a bit of fishing line) and let it dry. I plugged one end with cotton wool and a dab of hot glue and then carefully filled the tube (by digging it into the pot permang), then, add a cotton wool plug and another dab of hot glue.
Clever idea Adi :super: i have a few old bottles doing nothing i shall give that a try. I have my compass in the bottom compartment.
I've done the same thing with drinking straws. Different colours for different items and cheap as anything,
Clever idea Adi :super: i have a few old bottles doing nothing i shall give that a try. I have my compass in the bottom compartment.
Which compass?
Another option would be straws, waxed paper if you find them, or nick a few fro BK...
Which compass?
The brass compass advertised on the TAD gear site. came free :-)
Lucky you! Mine I have from previous years!
I got quite a nice one free from Ironclad Surplus. http://www.ironclad-surplus.co.uk/ Ordered a couple of norgies and as they didn't have my size they sent the next size up and a free compass as a 'sorry mate'.
Means I have a spare one now.
It's nice to find companies like Ironclad and Bearclaw that still believe in that rare and strange beast 'customer service'.
believe in that rare and strange beast 'customer service'.
Beast! :shock:
:rolmao:
Seriously, I agree, it's a rare but welcome touch nowadays. Most companies would rather find new customers (or in some cases, suckas) than keep old ones.
I say beast as you really have to hunt for it sometimes and as it can be so elusive it sometimes seems either mythical, like Dryads and mermaids, or exticnt, like Dodos and the T-rex... :o):
Like all rare beasties though they need careful support and conservation.
masongary44
09-08-2004, 13:19
Good thread,
It has biven me some good ideas,
The drinking straw trick works well.... I heat a air of pliers over a braising torch and pinch the ends to seal them, but here is an idea for the tube to put it all in.
Get down to B and Q and buy some 22mm copper pipe and a packet of Speedfit (Plastic Plumbing components) stop ends. Tghese things hold up to mains water pressure when put on copper so they make a great waterproof container. Should cost you about a fiver... cheaper than hacking your maglight to bits
Make sure you get the speedfit ones though (White). The speedfit ones have an easy release mechanism that allows you to remove them from the tube to open it. The grey ones do not and you have to dissmantle the fitting to get in.
You can make the copper pipe as long as necessary to fit your gear in.
This method could also be employed to make a good match safe, although being copper would probably sink, I would look to use 15mm pipe for this. I woud also use a length of the plastic speedfit pipe for the body so the thing floats... Its all well and good youre matches being dry, but it they are 10ft down.. they are not gonna be much use.
A thought for Stuart - Your mini kit has two different methods of firestarting - steel and matches. The small steel will give you hundreds of lights and the candle will burn for some minutes, the matches will give you ten lights, burn out quickly and take up much more space. Matches are very convenient if you regularly use your kit just to get a quick light, but if it's for last resource use, wouldn't you be better off with a bigger steel / extra scalpel blade / bigger candle in place of say 6 of your matches ?
A tiny kit like this is a brilliant idea but inevitably lacks the bigger blade vital for wilderness survival. Did you have any specific scenario(s) in mind when you designed it ?
Cheers
A thought for Stuart - Your mini kit has two different methods of firestarting - steel and matches. The small steel will give you hundreds of lights and the candle will burn for some minutes, the matches will give you ten lights, burn out quickly and take up much more space. Matches are very convenient if you regularly use your kit just to get a quick light, but if it's for last resource use, wouldn't you be better off with a bigger steel / extra scalpel blade / bigger candle in place of say 6 of your matches ?
A tiny kit like this is a brilliant idea but inevitably lacks the bigger blade vital for wilderness survival. Did you have any specific scenario(s) in mind when you designed it ?
Cheers
I designed it with foreign travel to remote places in mind, I often spend months at a time in tropical forests and deserts. The kit was designed to be completely unobtrusive but always at hand with the essentials and was intended to be carried in conjunction with a leatherman tool.
accept when in urban areas I always carry a fixed blade knife as part of my standard equipment so I don't feel the need to include another in my survival kit and the necessary size of this kit precludes the addition of one.
Fire steels are great but require tinder and manual dexterity to operate, matches are the easiest way to light a fire under less than ideal conditions and allow you to skip the tinder gathering and go straight to kindling, in a severely hypothermic condition it would be difficult to use a match but almost impossible to operate a firesteel
the firesteel in the kit will strike almost 1000 times so i don't feel that a larger one would be of benefit, candles are a great way to maintain a flame for firelighting for as long as possible but are second in importance to the ability to generate the initial flame (you can light the candle directly from the fire steel under ideal conditions but it was patience, practice, and determination)
the Potassium permanganate is also a possible fire starter giving me three ways to get a fire going, fire of course being the primary aim in almost all survival scenarios.
whilst the matches do take up space I consider them to be worth there size, I am unable to find something which could justifiably be of more use for the space taken
Many thanks for your thoughts
I totally agree with the inclusion of matches. I think it was Chris K over at ETS that gave probably the best reason I could ever think to carry matches...famaliarity to everyone. Many people can properly prepare a fire that they start with a match, fewer can do so that uses a firesteel. If you are not the primary kit user (injured etc) and you are counting on someone else to get a fire going then my guess is that the matches would be invaluable.
I have looked at the TAD capsules but felt the price was very high....I may have to rethink that after reading this thread. Thanks Stuart.
I have looked at the TAD capsules but felt the price was very high....I may have to rethink that after reading this thread. Thanks Stuart.
Your right Schwert the price is high I had the good fortune to get one free to test, if you know anyone in engineering it would be fairly straight forward to make one on a lathe
A friend brought one of the black Tadgear survival containers for me from the States. It came with an SAS compass and an aviation fire starter. Looks extremely usefull, small, you can operate it one handed.
I have managed to get the compass a small candle, the firestarter, two blocks of tinder, fishing wire (wrapped around the handle of the firestarter), two weights and a hook, two matches and a leather needle in there. I did not put in a blade, because that would make it illegal to bring on a plane. i think the current content should be OK. There is still room for more. Thinking about some snare wire. I will have to take a closer look at your contents Stuart.
Very sturdy thing indeed. Wouldn't be afraid to drive my car over it or drop it out of an airplane....
Lennart
I dont think you will get away with the kit on a plane Ducky.
I recently flew back from Northern Ireland. Going through security i was stopped and had my day sac searched. The security officer was concerned with my 10m of paracord. Apparnetly it should have gone in the hold as you could tie up or strangle somebody with it. As my day sac also contained all my other blunt bushcrafty stuff. bird id books plantlore and compass etc he allowed me throudh with it. I dont think metal wire and fish hooks would have got through.
Stuart
I see only very limited logic in the rules for what you can bring on the plane. They don't feel I could strangle anyone with my shoelaces but they think paracord is dangerous :?:
When I came back from bushcraft course in the UK I brought my firebow (since I wanted to keep my set as a momentum). They were unsure if I could take the stick on board since you could hit someone over the head with it. I explained that a walking stick, crutches or a laptop computer could do much more harm than my stick. They eventually let me take it on the plane.
What serious damage could I do with a fishhook that I could not do with any other bit of metal (for example a piece of zipper from my jacket or a small key)?
Why bring my own wire on board if I want to strangle anyone, when I can just reach under my seat and use the belt on the lifejacket?
It must be me.... I don't get it. The people you should really fear are the ones who don't need anything to cause serious bodily harm :yikes:
I am looking forward to having a go at taking the container on board an airplane. I do like a good discussion..... :o):
Lennart
TheViking
22-10-2004, 14:25
Taking paracord from people and using the excuse that it can strangle people, is a bit harsh IMO. :roll: Any kind of soldier who have learnt a few fighting techniques would be able to 'take out' at least a few people. I have an example, but that would be off topic. :wink: And BTW, almost every piece can be used as a weapon, for example I know that a wet piece of tight clothes can really hurt if you're hitting hard. :roll: A towel perhaps :?: !
DUCKY why does your last post start with "stuart"?
I have a few of the US aviation fire starters they are very very poor for use with natural tinders such as birch bark
when i flew to Finland I had my hennessy hammock confiscated :shock: apparently i could strangle somone with it :yikes: I'm serious!!!!!
but i do not know of any rule which states that you are not allowed string on a plane, if somone does know where this is written could they enlighten me
I would not try to take my kit on the plane it would almost certainly be confiscated and would most probably be "lost" :nono:
Carcajou Garou
22-10-2004, 14:57
Para cord can be weaved as a belt with plastic buckles at each end and probably wouldn't raise any alarms.
http://www.slatts.fsworld.co.uk/slatts-knot.htm
just a thought
Ok I found it this is the reason that airport security are able to confiscate items such as sellotape and hammocks:
Any article to which section 4 of the Aviation Security Act 1982 applies:
a. any firearm, or any article having the appearance of being a firearm, whether capable of being discharged or not;
b. any explosive, any article manufactured or adapted (whether in the form of a bomb, grenade or otherwise) so as to have the appearance of being an explosive, whether it is capable of producing practical effect by explosion or not, or any article marked or labelled so as to indicate that it is or contains explosive; and
c. any article (not falling within either of the preceding paragraphs) made or adapted for use for causing injury to or incapacitating a person or for destroying or damaging property, or intended by the person having it with him for such use, whether by him or by any other
person."
the last bit 'part C' allows just about anything to be confiscated :shock:
Ducky it would be a shame for you to lose your mini kit trying to get it onto a plane. These days airport security are alittle over the top. Its not a great hardship putting in your hold luggage. I was taken aback as I had not seen any notification that paracord could be against the rules and i had had no problem flying from Gatwick. The NI guy explained in was to conform was US rules. I wouldn't try arguing your case too strongly either. Morally right and banged up for the night for irritating the security folks is not the best way to start a jolly.
I thought others on this site would be interested in my experience at the security desk. I don't fully agree with their rules but if I want to travel I have to follow them.
SquirrelBoy
22-10-2004, 17:24
Oh well, better get used to your trousers falling down - wont be allowed to wear a belt next :roll:
Hi, Stuart I´m here again.
I have the same kit in around my neck but instead of use cord to hang capsule I use one wiresaw covered with latex tube so you get two more items to this ligth EDC survival kit.
One questions I use Fox 40, is your tornado as loud?, where can I get one?
Enjoy
I designed it with foreign travel to remote places in mind....
Cheers Stuart- it's good to understand the rationale - helps it all make sense, especially the point about other people needing to be able to use it.
Alick :biggthump
Aviation firestarters are great with synthetic tinders but aren't much use when it comes to natural tinders (birch bark and fluffy seed heads can be lit using it but anything else is almost impossible). The tinder tabs are great to include in a kit though.
Hi, Stuart I´m here again.
I have the same kit in around my neck but instead of use cord to hang capsule I use one wiresaw covered with latex tube so you get two more items to this ligth EDC survival kit.
One questions I use Fox 40, is your tornado as loud?, where can I get one?
Enjoy
Hi Faca :wave: where have you been hiding?
I have some wiresaw wire covered in latex tubing which I used instead of the cord (great minds think alike) but I found after a while that it was not as comfortable as the cord as it had little flexibility.
so I removed it as I wanted a kit that I did not notice whilst carrying, I do cover the cord in latex tubing sometimes though.
the fox 40 is a little louder than the tornado but the frequency of the two is different.
The first important factor of a good whistle is how loud it is, but this is not all.
human hearing is most sensitive to a frequency of two kilohertz (2kHz) so the whistles volume at this frequency effects how far away it can be heard.
FOX 40 classic
Total volume: 84 dB
Volume at 2kHz: less than 25 dB (cannot accurately measure below 25)
Findings:
This whistle has the loudest total volume, however the volume at 2kHz is very low
Acme Tornado
Total Volume: 78.3 dB
Volume at 2kHz: 38.3 dB
Findings:
This whistles total volume is lower than the Fox 40, but its volume at 2kHz in considerably higher
so its a bit of an academic argument as to which is better but the tornado is also compact (half the size of the fox 40) and flat in shape, which is why a chose it.
the tornado whistle in the mini kit is also highly luminous (glows in the dark) you can get a luminous version of the Fox 40
the tornado is manufactured by:
www.acmewhistles.co.uk
My most important consideration when choosing a whistle is how hard I have to blow on it to make a decently loud sound. If you have to blow hard to make it heard, then you are expending a lot of energy as well as running the risk of hypocapnia. Some of the plastic whistles I've tried are too hard to blow, imo.
the tornado whistle in the mini kit is also highly luminous (glows in the dark) you can get a luminous version of the Fox 40
the tornado is manufactured by:
www.acmewhistles.co.uk
Hiya,
I've had a look on the acme website but I can't find a luminous version of the Tornado. Where did you get yours from? And on ather note, have you tried the Acme rescue whistle? as it seems to be designed for rescue (i.e. not made of metal and easy to blow)
Cheers,
Martin
yes i have used the rescue whistle (I dont have the test results for that one at hand) it is easy to blow though not as loud or as durable as the tornado
they dont mention the luminous version on there website but if you ask for it they will supply
Hi Stuard, I have being surfing in USA webs and many of them are makers windows.
I think here there are more usefull techiques in survival and bushcraft so I return home.
Sorry Stuard but I can find Tornado Whistle in the link you show, any other.
enjoy
Have you thought of replacing the scalpel with an AG Russell "ultimate penknife (http://www.agrussell.com/knives/by_maker/a_through_d/a_g_russell_knives/folding_knives/a_g_russell_ultimate_pen_knife .html)"?
These things are absolutely tiny, but are true working knives made of high end materials. Closed, the dimensions of this little knife are: Length = 50.8mm, hight = 14.5mm, thickness = 2.56mm.
http://www.britishblades.com/pics/agr1.jpg
http://www.britishblades.com/pics/agr2.jpg
It says on the site...
The largest order so far (at the Blade Show) was for almost 20 of these.
That's not true. Thier largest order came from BritishBlades and was for 33 knives (http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2289). If there is enough interest, you might want to give a bulk order a go - they worked out at just over £10 each. Not bad for VG10 steel and titanium handles.
Hi Stuard, I have being surfing in USA webs and many of them are makers windows.
I think here there are more usefull techiques in survival and bushcraft so I return home.
Sorry Stuard but I can find Tornado Whistle in the link you show, any other.
enjoy
here:
http://www.acmewhistles.co.uk/tornado.html
number 622
thanks martyn i'll look into the AG Russell :biggthump
thanks martyn i'll look into the AG Russell :biggthump
If you want a play with one Stuart PM me (here or on BB) and I'll send you mine for a week or so. I keep mine in a leather key fob made by Guycep as they are VERY easy to lose, but they are ideal for small emergency kits.
:-)
Danzo
........and what I meant to add is that the Sebertech M4 Sebertool is an excellent addition to any kit, even if just to complement and back up the Wave.
https://ss39.shared.server-system.net/~sebertech.com/m4.html
These things are also tiny butr very functional. I don't think that any of the big boys of the multitool world make anything which packs so much stuff, including good pliers, into so small a package. The M4 folded up will fit inside the casing of a Zippo lighter!
:shock:
Danzo
well if you want cheap containers that you won't miss, keep an eye out for aluminium cigar tubes with plastic plugs, you can cut them down to a length that suits.
i've recently got a couple of the superb K&M matchsafes thanks to schwert, :You_Rock_ :You_Rock_ the aluminium ones do indeed make great neckcord survival kits. :biggthump
off on holiday in a few weeks, to take the kit on the plane, or not take the kit :?:
cheers, and.
Hi, Sargey where can I find ones?
Enjoy
If you want a play with one Stuart PM me (here or on BB) and I'll send you mine for a week or so. I keep mine in a leather key fob made by Guycep as they are VERY easy to lose, but they are ideal for small emergency kits.
:-)
Danzo
thanks danzo
I'm going to be away for a few months but i would be intrested in seeing one when iget back
I have an old M2 tool
bushwacker bob
29-10-2004, 18:00
thanks danzo
I'm going to be away for a few months but i would be intrested in seeing one when iget back
Sorry to read that Stuart. tell me which one and I'll send you a cake with a file in it :rolmao: :rolmao: :rolmao:
Hi, Stuar her my mini PSK set up.
Cord is threathed so more cord and mor confortable carry.
I use the TAD GEAR "cheap" capsule and into it:
SAS compass
Matches
Firesteel
hooks+fishing line
Water purificator pills
Cotton all
0.5 metres or bras wire.
Whistle I use the smiler one I have find Survival Inc.
Flash: ARC, waterproof, strong and cheap batery.I fixed to the capsule to avoid noised and movement with two toric rubber gaskets and it allows me to turn on/off without unfix them.
enjoy
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v201/facas/PSK/cooking005.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v201/facas/PSK/cooking006.jpg
I think this thread is worth a bump up.
In all the discussion of matchcases and faca's comparison to the TAD capsule I was glad that Stuart reminded me of this one.
I keep looking at the TAD capsule, but now that I find myself well equipped with K&M matchcases I may just make myself a small kit like Stuart's...primarily to see if I could tolerate wearing one around my neck.
This also gives me an excuse to braid a neck cord.
anthonyyy
16-06-2005, 07:18
Small (literally) question,
Above and in virtually every listing I've ever seen for a PSK they suggest using a "small tube" for PP/salt/oofle dust/whatever. Where does one obtain "small tubes?
I've never seen anything small enough to cram into my baccy tin.
Sources or suggestions please.
I use tiny zipoloc bags myself.
NickBristol
16-06-2005, 09:32
I use tiny zipoloc bags myself.
The small bottles that hold the soy sauce in sushi boxes are good too. Loads of uses in PSK's but also to just stuff inside a mess kit. In no particular order, I've got ones full of PP, salt, pepper, seasoning, dried mixed herbs, honey, tobasco, sugar, olive oil, detol, and Pristine / Aqua Mira parts 1 and 2 separately.
The small bottles that hold the soy sauce in sushi boxes are good too. Loads of uses in PSK's but also to just stuff inside a mess kit. In no particular order, I've got ones full of PP, salt, pepper, seasoning, dried mixed herbs, honey, tobasco, sugar, olive oil, detol, and Pristine / Aqua Mira parts 1 and 2 separately.
You clearly eat a lot of sushi then :D
NickBristol
16-06-2005, 10:54
You clearly eat a lot of sushi then :D
Love the stuff :)
Anyone know if sushi is served in any forces rat packs in the world?
Hi,
I just wanted to say how much I’ve enjoyed this tread. Since reading the SAS survival book at 15, I’ve been looking for a beta light to put in the tobacco tin! It took me 20+ years to find one by which time I was not prepared to pay for it and it didn’t look like it would fit in anyway! All my childhood illusions shattered. I put together the rest of the tin last year and it has given me great pleasure since. It’s nice to have somewhere to share this fetish as everyone who has seen it thinks I’m an axe murderer.
The whole concept takes me back to the adventure belt I had when I was ten. A camera, penknife, drinking bottle, magnifying glass I think, I’m struggling now, anyway I used to run around all day, it was great. Anyone else have one?
If you have any friends that work in laboratories they generally have a huge variety of plastic screw top or flip top centrifuge tubes or cryovials. They run in the 0.5mL to 3mL sizes and are perfect to hold Potassium Permanganate for a kit. I use Corning cryotubes. Getting these on your own is difficult as they generally come in 1000 unit bags and are available from chemical/biological supply firms....a local hospital lab, water quality lab, blood bank, or environmental analysis lab may be willing to fork over a handful if you stop by.
Hi,
I’ve read this thread so many times; it brings out the kid in me. I wanted to make a kit up for myself from being little but just didn’t have the resources. But when this interest resurfaced in me a few years ago I put one together in a lovely old tobacco tin. I’ve never used it but it gives me great pleasure.
I’m sure someone else has done this to death but a 35mm film container seems the perfect home for a mini kit. I think the old Ilford ones are best as they are stronger with better lids. They’ll take a match and scalpel blade length and everything else is adaptable. Plus as they are free, you can make up one for every rucksack/bag/car/bike/pocket!
The other container that I want to use is the kind of small metal box you get those tiny mints in at petrol stations. They’re about 2”x1.75”x0.5” with a hinged lid. The plastic insert comes out very easily leaving a lovely little tin offering huge opportunities to recapture my childhood.
Anyone have any other suggestions for free containers.
AJB
raskusdrotti
26-06-2005, 09:50
If you know anyone who works in a doctors or hospital, get them to get you some sample tubes. The clear ones with the white screw top lids are 90 x 23 mm, and by their nature are fully waterproof! :D
Also, the paracetamol tubs you get with cheap paracetamol in them are good.
Neil