Very nicely done! CHANGES: I like the tarred bank line instead of the smaller paracord. It can be used just like the 275 paracord . I like it better for sewing repair. It works well with the canvas needles. I also tape my needles to my Companion sheath. For me it just makes them easier to find. I would also attach the bandanas (I take two) to the strap of the sling bag to make a thicker and more comfortable pad to keep the strap from digging into my shoulder. You said tarps can get pricey and I agree which is why I try to take a military style poncho. It works for rain protection and shade from the sun. It will also close one side of the tube tent for added wind protection. I'm not sure why but I usually tear those cheep rain ponchos and I never get them folded back to their original size. I have also seen a video of a guy wearing the military style poncho and turning into a flying a-frame shelter while it was raining. I would also carry more than one trash bag. If you can fill two with debris you can sleep off of the ground and stay warmer. Is there a reason why we are not carrying a water bottle? I have seen all three videos but I don't remember about the bottle. I like the pouch that can fit on the strap of your bag or go on your belt. Wrap it with duct tape or paracord and you won't burn yourself when hot boiling water is poured in from your cup. I just thought you should know that because of these videos I am turning a stainless steel cook kit I own, into an emergency kit to attach to my amateur radio shoulder bag. That way if I get lost, or more likely I didn't see weather moving in, I have a few days of protection. Thanks for doing this.
If you are including the contractor bags you want to include at least 2. They give you the option of making a full length browse bed matress by filling them both with pine straw or leaves... or more permanently a cot if you cut the ends open and overlap them slightly on a pair of long poles with spreader bars and make a rudimentary frame. The cot can also be suspended with cordage to make a hammock.
Love your videos. My input to your thoughts: - one little correction that might have already been mentioned in the comments: The cork-screw equivalent of the Victorinox Fieldmaster is the Victorinox Huntsman; the Explorer model has a tiny magnifying glass in addition to a cork-screw and Philips screwdriver. - Nice idea to swap the Bic for a Clipper. - I would prefer a real water bottle, kidney-shaped or round, depending on the cup, as many survival situations involve activities like walking, climbing, or even swimming, where easy and constant access to water is at least helpful. The current equipment is better suited for a camp situation near a permanent source of sweet water. - The rest of your gear list is just awesome. The Mora, the contractor bag(s?), and the sewing kit are excellent choices.
Great series KB, this is just plain fun to watch unfold. A few super light compact items I’ve been adding in to my kits: A couple single-use insect repellent wipes and small sunscreen packs; a wallet-size Fresnel lens. Maybe out of scope for this concept but all my kits now have a couple sealed K-I tablets in the boo-boo pouch. Another thing I do to my kit flashlights is cover one positive battery terminal with a tiny square of black electrical tape so the batteries can’t slow drain. I put a small label on the outside “batteries protected” as a reminder to myself or a prompt to others who might use it/them.
Good video - I would definitely cover the striker on the lighter with some bicycle inner tube, which would also hold a few threaded needles - it would keep the striker dry, as well as act as emergency tinder. Looking forward to the next one!
Love that you put a contractor bag in there, one of the best uses for them is stuff then with dry leaves to make a makeshift sleeping pad. The duck tape is way to much and has a block of cardboard in the middle, it sounded like a brick when you dropped it. I'd use about 2 meters folded into a 6" strip.
Dollar Tree. 4 mil clear shower curtain liner. Dimensions 7'x7'. $1.00. Comes flat packed and would fit into your sling bag nicely. With girls hair ties or shock cord and duct tape, you've got a fairly durable tarp. Or, when used in conjunction with a mylar blanket, you can make a cold weather super shelter.
Havent seen part 4 come out yet so I will comment....instead of Bandana i would recommend a Shemagh, while a Shemagh is typically bigger (43x43 or so) it is multi purposed, can be a full head covering for extreme sun or to break up your silhouette aka camo, also being 100% cotton can be used as a prefilter for water, and because it is bigger than a bandana can be used easier for first aid also, as a wrap around compression bandage or as a sling for a shoulder or arm injury. They are readily avail on amazon for less than 20 bucks.
If you wrap your Mora sheath with duct tape you will always have an emergency bandage within reach if you cut yourself with the knife. You may step away from your other supplies to use the knife, but you will likely have the sheath on your belt. Spare batteries are something I would include, if there is room. A vinyl shower curtain liner is cheap and can be fashioned into a shelter that lasts for 2-3 days, I would expect. A strip of crocus cloth or fine cloth mounted sandpaper can be used as a makeshift blade sharpener, in a pinch. Just split a 1" diameter branch and lay the paper on the flat side. Ranger bands will work to hold it in place. I once saw a kit that included a credit card sized diamond sharpener. At the time I thought that gluing it to a signal mirror and drilling a matching hole through it would make a nice piece of kit. You might be interested to know that you can sharpen those folding razor knives to a keener edge than they originally come with. I resharpen them with a Lansky kit all the time. I would do that just before dropping it into the kit. This is a really good, entertaining idea that you've come up with here.
Tough series to take on as everyone's skill level and "intent" will be different. You're a brave soul 😉 I mount a Condor drop pouch to an exterior side of my sling bags ($15ish). Folded up it's low profile. But it is useful as extra storage, water bottle carrier, and it can be removed and clipped to a belt for gathering/foraging, etc. Good luck!
Really enjoying this series!! What about a foldable twig stove. Even the stainless steel ones are not heavy and fold pretty flat. Just a thought. You nailed it on the knives!!!!!!!!!! 😎
It is, I wasn't clear on that, I put either a FireAnt tinder or half of a tinder and the FireAnt ferro rod in any SAK with a corkscrew. I do have a Fieldmaster and just put the FireFly in it. Such a cool invention by them, I supported them on Kickstarter a few years ago
Extra fire kit is never a bad idea. I would ditch the razor and grab a Gerber folding saw. Its a light duty saw with two blades and a sheath. You could secure the sheath on the strap of the bag. Its like $20 at Cabelas.
@little drane I've used one to backup my silky for about 3-4 years now with no issues. I suggested it because its light weight, and low price. How much does the Leatherman currently run?
Hi Eric, I love your videos and am really enjoying this series. I like your choices for this smallish kit. Only thing I would really feel better with is to also have a small water bottle to store and transport water, a small fishing kit, and some wire for snares. I know these would take some space, especially the water bottle. But I think the handkerchief could be attached to the shoulder strap for added padding and the Mora could also be attached to the shoulder strap. Plus, in a survival situation, you would probably end up putting some of this kit in your pockets or make a survival necklace with some of it. Anyway I know you are a good packer, so I look forward to seeing how you finish up this kit! ✌️
This is a great series. The Mora companion is a great knife. I have several. What I have done is to lash 550 cord to the sheath, I think you can get about 10 to 15 feet on. Also I lashed #36 bank line to one of them, you can get a lot more on. I used ranger bands to hold in place. Trying to save space, this will definitely help. Thanks for your effort.
Interesting you chose the fieldmaster. I prefer the explorer for the magnifying lens... not only for solar ignition... but I`ve used it with the tweezers to pulls splinters on multiple occasions. The corkscrew becomes and handy place to store special tinder and I replaced the toothpick with a small ferro rod designed for the victorinox. I've also seen an interesting trick using the corkscrew to screw into a long branch and allow you to use the saw or knife to reach difficult resources... say a coconut or other fruit.
loving this series. very similar to my kits. I use bank line in addition to paracord. I also carry a sierra pocket saw for thicker branches. very compact and capable. discovered the clippers a couple of years ago. put a few extra flints and a mini can of butane and you’re good to go. looking forward to the next installment.
I’ve always had a pair of cotton socks in my bag they can be worn as an extra layer on your feet to help keep them warm or while your other socks dry they can be used as gloves to keep your hands warm as a bandage , a pre filter for water, a small bag to keep things in and in a real emergency as kindling Probably a few other things to just use your imagination
Great series. In Northern Ontario the Bugs are relentless & will drive you Crazy. Although I carry bug spray which can run out I also keep a good head net in my day pack & truck. I like your gear choices, simple & cheap. Looking forward to seeing what’s next.
For a fraction of the space occupied by the 50 feet of paracord, you could carry 100+ feet of #36 bank line. Better still, carry both. Also, I strongly urge you to upgrade your compass.
The tarred bankline holds knots better and is meant for use in wet environments. Good for lashing things together. I agree on the bankline in addition to the 550 cord set up as a "rapid ridgeline" something the pathfinder school is know to teach. With a little practice it allows for shelter set up quickly in inclement weather. That said... Kitbashed Survival doesn't have tarp...so. whatever.
Get a GOOD compass and learn to read it! Knowing how to read a compass is a lost ability in 2022. In the event of an EMP, Google maps won't work..neither will Google.
I have been putting all my gear together for a good emergency bag and putting support gear together with my weapons just for rainy day so alot of these gear reviews are helpful
I would consider drilling holes in all of my cutting tools to be able to add some kind of lanyard connection point. Also to any kind of fire starter such as ferrite rod. I always have mine on a lanyard permanently around my wrist. I even tuck it up into my sleeve when I sleep. The very best place to start carrying your survival stuff? On a lanyard tucked away inside your clothing. I’ve even heard of some people making survival necklaces. They’ll make a custom survival necklace and use it as backup minimalist survival kit. It’s not their primary kit just a back up for commonly used survival items.
My recommendation is to upgrade your contractor bag to the 95-96 gal variety. they are 61in X 66in in size and are available in 6mil, 3mil, or 1.5mil. they are big enough to use as a waterproof bivy, or can be spilt to create a 5ft X 10ft tarp. 6mil is extremely durable but very thick when folded. 3mil is a good middle of the road option. cost is approx $2 or $3 each but you must buy a whole box of 10/12.
The Gerber Paraframe mini is a way better small knife IMO, although it isn't super cheap ($17) like a razor blade, it's way more useful and probably smaller in many ways.
I have a gerber paraframe mini. I agree they are wonderful little knives. You can order them from Walmart right now for $8.74 with the plain edge. But I wouldn't recommend it for Eric because he is left handed and you can't move the clip from one side of the Gerber mini paraframe to the other.
I also own a mini. I love it because I've abused this knife as a general utility knife for the past few years I've never sharpened this knife and it keeps going. But the mini or the original paraframe I love because of the handle it doesn't feel flimsy and you can lash it to a stick to make a spear for fishing, hunting or combat its just a great knife.
If your poncho is strung out like a tarp with the neck hole central, its a water collection device, just put containers underneath the inverted hood and let it fill them. If you wished you could put some grass/sand/charcoal in there to help prefilter as well.
Exotac makes a small thin three wick candle tin . Made out of beeswax that I believe Burns for something like 6 hours it can throw heat and you could probably cook a little bit on it.. it's hard to believe something so thin small and light could be a lifesaver so I put it into my pack
I don't mind the head lamp, but, if I'm carrying the pack anyway, I put a camp light on the strap, one that's rechargeable and is a power bank. That way, I can get an LED rechargeable head lamp to use that can be powered/recharged from that power bank at need. Most cheap head lamps use AAA batteries that when you really need them the most, they're dead. I understand about the clipper and can agree with it, but the ease of access (in the US) and affordability of a Bic lighter can't be underrated. At least both the lighter and clipper can be used without their internal fuel. Contractor bags are always great for emergencies. Instead of one, I would carry three. A little more to take up space, but that way if you have to, you can cut up one to use for binding, fire/smoke creation, whatever. I've also seen people use them for water gathering and impromptu sleeping mat by filling up with leaves and/or grass. Cut off the end and folded over itself, it can also be used as a sling to help carry branches. Extra cordage is always good. Very light weight. 50 feet of it can be bound up in a narrow bundle and hung off the mollie straps on the back of the pack. Frees up some space. Added comment: I would look and determine what you carry that can be hanging off the bag instead of in it. The contractor bag(s) can be re-folded and put in long thin ziplock bags and hung off the pack. Same with the water filter straw(s), rope and tarp(s)/shelter. I would suggest some spare clothing/toiletries added, comfort food/beverage flavoring, (coffee/tea/what have you, because in a survival situation, comfort helps your morale greatly. Being lost or alone for a long time gets stressful and depressing, so something to boost your morale cannot be dismissed.
Great additions to the kit. The Victorinox fieldmaster is related to the Huntsman with the two only differing on the back tool. The explorer is similar in size to the fieldmaster and the huntsman but lacks the wood saw and instead has a magnifying glass and an inline Phillips driver instead. All 3 knives are 4 layer 91mm officer knives.
A folding saw would be very useful for processing firewood. The Silky Pocketboy is a good choice. I would replace the SAK and razor with the saw. A SAK Classic has a scissors that would be fine for grooming if you have a problem with nose hair and hang nails. Love this series.
Agree with the silky. I have one and am very glad for it. Not sure about the need for grooming, unless the emergency situation is over a long time period. But something to cut up cloth for bandages, the contractor bag or the tape for other needs, I can understand and agree with.
Agree about the silky addition but wouldn't replace the victorinox with it. Victorinox should go in a pocket on your person in case you get separated from your bag. A victorinox with the firefly ferro rod and a exotac tinderzip keychain pull or fireant tinders makes for handy redundancies for blade, saw, and fire kit.
Check out the Mora Fire Knife. It will give you an extra ferro rod. Try using a prescription bottle for your fire kit. You can get some of everything to fit. Get one with a child-proof lid to gain a little more room for a cotton ball or two. Seal the lid with gorilla tape and it will float and be reasonably water proof. Much better than a zip lock bag. I put a piece of aluminum foil in my fire kits just in case the ground is wet. Nice build. Thanks for sharing.
If you go with the cup get a wide mouth bottle to nest in it. You can also use a gallon zip lock bag and stash stuff inside the bag inside the bottle to save space. If you need to dig for any reason (not likely if this is a 24ish hour bag like you ve stated) the military canteen will work better for that...ask me how I know. I'd keep the emergency poncho, its so light and small you really gain way more by keeping it than you do in space/weight by cutting it. It also allows you to use the contractor bags for other things like a debri mattress to keep you off the ground. For such a short duration you shouldn't need a sewing kit, same goes for a fishing/trapping kit. The time you take to do those things are time taken from getting to where you need to go, better to just take some extra calories and hydration salts. When you get to medical I recommend adding an external pouch for a TQ for quick access.
Good kit! A few recommended Changes: Fixed Blade - ESEE 3 or Esee 4. You can trust your life with an ESEE and it won't break on you when you need it. I like Moras, but not for a survival situation. Multi tool - Leatherman Signal. It gives you a good knife as well as a actually handy hammer pommel and redundancy in a firesteel, whistle and diamond sharpener.
I would switch out the compass. Those small ones are good for a minimalist pack and work in a pinch but have been known to get stuck and with their size may get lost. Compass is one of the most crucial and vital tools in any kit. I would move up to a larger size that can be tied off to the pack(tied off to the mollie webbing and tucked into a pocket). Majority of military acronyms involve compass in them, it is one of the greatest tools in the fight and should be looked at as a priority.
Great adds, but I'd switch out the smaller cordage for some tarred bank line instead. The compass is laughable though. You chose orange for the knife in case it gets dropped, but you chose the smallest, easiest to lose compass on the face of the planet? Cutting tool selection was spot on, though.
Add a pair of non powdered large or xl surgical gloves, they make excellent improvised water containers as well as their normal use in the first aid category.
The Swiss pocket knife .... the awl with the little hole is for leather and canvas sewing. At least back in the old days when that type of awl was designed.
In Canada Clipper lighters are mostly found in pot shops. Every Bic I have had have gone bad in 1-3 years as the flint turns to dust. I did buy some Clipper flints without looking at them in the store and they must have been old stock as over half were just dust. I carry both lighters. Fieldmaster is my all around fav! If one didn't need scissors they could go with the Alox Farmer with the saw. The SAK saw will strike a firesteel. I added a 90 degree spine to a Mora but used the front of the blade where it ramps down. I think you have a lot of space left, may be worth it to add a mid-weight plastic poncho as the one you have hardly last for more than one use. A poncho is more than just rain protection, it is also wind protection/ground protection/signal aid (if orange/blue)/water catchment, etc.
I would have a Silva Metro or Pocket attached to the outside molle or D-ring as a primary compass. Those button compasses are very vulnerable and those Small Silva models come very cheap.
great video. i thought the corkscrew SAK would be a slamdunk...given that you can add the little doo-dads on them..like the screwdriver or the fire starter thing...
I like your choice of knives. The only thing I would switch out would be the compass. It's very tiny and easy to drop and lose. I would put in a compass that's either larger, or attached to a carabiner so you could clip it to the bag and not drop it.
Solid kit. Im coming by late but i really enjoy your water kit. One additional item that could be helpful would be a piece of foil. If your bags break and something happens to your cup, you could lay this in a small pit and use your purification methods in it, or even add some hot rocks for a makeshift way to boil water. Its also handy for fishing lures, for cooking, and for a dry and reflective surface if you are having trouble making a fire. Also, if you plan to have a fishing kit, i always recommend pliers with a wire cutter. We all remember the accident on Alone with the fishing hook in the hand. and wire cutters plus pliers might have kept the contestant in the game. Also, super handy making snares out of wire. I only like swiss army knifes if you arent planning to fish or snare with wire. Lastly, i always prefer a bigger baseplate compass. Much more accurate and can be used to shoot an azimuth for navigation, whereas a button compass is only good for general direction finding. Also, most baseplate compasses have mirrors which would save you from having to add one in signaling, plus they are handy for self aid. Also, most baseplate compasses have a magnifier, which is an additional fireststarting tool. Just some food for thought.
I found some great inexpensive compasses at hobby lobby in the Paracord section... Pack of three wrist watch compasses non liquid... For like four or five dollars.. they do not have liquid inside but they don't need it they function really well and the ones I purchased two packs of three are all accurate as I check them with my sunto base compass
Great ideas and awesome presentation, as usual. I would suggest to add extra batteries for the headlamp. And to substitute the birthday candle with one of the nano exotac tin candles, seems like a small change but a melted candle could damage other components of your fine kit or at least stop being functional. Thanks for this series. Best Regards
I think instead of fitting the poncho in the kit you can actually swap this with a waterproof tarp..... Firstly it would provide a good base of you want to rest or decided to stay or you can use it with the paracord as a makeshift shelter in case of rain
Love watching this build! Looks like the items you have chosen so far are quite budget friendly! Liking the chosen items so far! If you’re still looking for budget-friendly tarp, check out the Walmart tarp by Ozark Trail, that could fit in nicely and worth trying out! Looking forward to the next installment!!
May I recommend replacing the toothpick in your pocket knife with a Firefly Ferro rod. I know your fire gear is already robust, but a Firefly is more useful than the plastic toothpick.
You might replace the hull - there's something called "'plus' scales", where also a slot for the pen and an additional slot are on. You get them on eBay and Videos about replacement here on YT. Sometimes you have to mod the scale and open up that additional slot - also on video on YT. But then you can have the firefly without dropping anything else and I found the toothpick useful in different situations already - it's just about mindset of you consider it helpful or not, the ideas of use grow then.
Awesome series, really enjoying it. Have you considered or had a chance to look at the Arcturus poncho/tarp? It's about $20, is a decent poncho, and has grommets to use as a tarp. Dimensions appear to be about the same or a little smaller than the shelter, and it would kill 2 birds with one stone.
There is one more PLUS for the CLIPPER lighter. Turn it on and point it umside down. In comparison with the BIC the flame is bigger upside down on the CLIPPER lighter than on the BIC. This makes it more easy for things (tinder) on the Ground to set it on fire.
Exact same Victorinox knife I carry on a daily basis. I love it. Technically I have two of them lol. One in a leather case that fits on my belt, and one to just carry in my pocket
2 pairs of gloves. One pair of work gloves and one for cold weather. Maybe if you want you could braid the Paracord and attach it to the outside of the bag you could even bring it down far enough to make staps for the tent.
Going back to water I tried the water packages, I prefer a 20oz bottle I can rotate them out regularly and reuse the bottle over and over to carry water. I found you can put a space blanket in with the poncho it slips in the bag. I put the Mora Light My Fire you did not due to cost. I prefer a pliers based multi tool to add to the versatility in liu of the SAK . Great build looking forward to the next installment
I would say that you are doing better than 99% of of the other people. The only thing I can see is the water if you are taking a filter and two one liter bags, coffee filters and water tablets the bag of water is over kill unless you have the space.
I would maybe wrap the Mora's sheath in duct tape for some redundancy and extra fire starting material. That might defeat the purpose of the bright color, but there's still the hilt. The Clipper is great. I'll have to get ahold of some of those. The contractor bag is a great addition, as well.
personally on cutting tool i would opt for 4 an estwing hatchet a recipe saw handle and wood cut saw a cold steel drop forged hunter and a scotch auger
It wouldn't let me edit my comment but the compass as well a slightly larger one won't get lost as easy and you can get some pretty small compasses that have carrying lanyards on them that work just as good if not better
Great series Eric! An FYI, 5x7 "backpackers" tarp by outdoor products is about 10 bucks at Walmart around me and pretty low profile. Also I would add another bandana or two, maybe even a bigger piece of cloth, super handy and takes up very little space. Also, just my 2 cents, perhaps upsize the compass to include one with sighting and a small mirror, also good for first aid and signaling. I k ow I'm jumping ahead, but it would eliminate the need for a signal mirror and be about the same size with multi-function. Love the thought you put into this stuff, we are kindred spirits. Thanks again for a great channel and a thought provoking and fun series
You actually have three Striker surfaces. You forgot to mention the striker surface only pack of matches. In last-ditch effort you could use the blade of the Mora. As far as everything else everything looks pretty good to me we'll see what else you got to put in it. I still think you should go with the military cup of course that's just my opinion and that's what I would go with you no matter what. I almost forgot about these videos it's been a bit since the last one it seems like or time is moving slow for me. Anyway thanks for the video and look forward to the next part. Have a great day and stay safe you keep your powder dry and your go bag packed and ready to go!
i know this doesnt fall in the realm of this video but ive seen (new to my eyes at least) a kit by rino ready called the companion that might be of interest to you. it looks like a pretty awesome kit!
People make fun of that parcel hook on the SAK , but if you ever had a 5 gallon bucket that the plastic has broken off the wire handle you come to appreciate them very much.
Great video series. Feedback: the best glide sewing kit is miles better, and easier to pack than that one. I have them both. And I like them both. But I like best glide more.
Eric, the only suggestion I can think of at the moment is add the bic lighter back into the kit. Having two lighters will certainly help out and be much more useful than just one,
On the fixed blade knife you may wanna look at the Gerber principle it has multiple carry options to include belt carry scout carry left hand draw witch I love as a weak side primary and it's Mollie compatible so you can mount it to the outside of the pack. It's also full tang and only $60-$70.
Hello and thanks for the vids. I am curious to know why you went with the Victorinox as opposed to a multitool? I feel that with a relatively inexpensive multitool (like Workpro?), you can get most items that a Vic can provide but better versatility from a multitool. Just thinking out load! Thanks again for the vids and can't wait to see the next post.
Great series to date. How about a small sharpening stone or device as nothing worse than a dull blade when you need it, Victorinox do some compact ones that are inexpensive, but I'm sure there are a lot of others. In regards to your cup, as the sling bag has molle why not have a nesting canteen in a suitable pouch with it on the outside (the army one is obviously the best example but am sure you could find a cheap option for the other), This would give you more room in the pack for food and make the water easy to access when on the move, might also balance out the life tent if that is on the outside. Keep up the good work Stu
Great choice of items so far and its all nice and affordable. The only thing i would change is the button compass, in the past i have had them leak or get stuck multiple times so i would opt for a mini Silwa or Sunto compass, they should be around $10-15 but are of a much nicer quality and not much bigger. I might also add a small keychain led light as a redundancy for the head lamp.
I'd personally choose Gorilla Tape over the generic duct tape. It's much stronger even if it is a bit more expensive - you get what you pay for, as they say. Loving the series, thanks!
Very nicely done! CHANGES: I like the tarred bank line instead of the smaller paracord. It can be used just like the 275 paracord . I like it better for sewing repair. It works well with the canvas needles. I also tape my needles to my Companion sheath. For me it just makes them easier to find. I would also attach the bandanas (I take two) to the strap of the sling bag to make a thicker and more comfortable pad to keep the strap from digging into my shoulder. You said tarps can get pricey and I agree which is why I try to take a military style poncho. It works for rain protection and shade from the sun. It will also close one side of the tube tent for added wind protection. I'm not sure why but I usually tear those cheep rain ponchos and I never get them folded back to their original size. I have also seen a video of a guy wearing the military style poncho and turning into a flying a-frame shelter while it was raining. I would also carry more than one trash bag. If you can fill two with debris you can sleep off of the ground and stay warmer. Is there a reason why we are not carrying a water bottle? I have seen all three videos but I don't remember about the bottle. I like the pouch that can fit on the strap of your bag or go on your belt. Wrap it with duct tape or paracord and you won't burn yourself when hot boiling water is poured in from your cup. I just thought you should know that because of these videos I am turning a stainless steel cook kit I own, into an emergency kit to attach to my amateur radio shoulder bag. That way if I get lost, or more likely I didn't see weather moving in, I have a few days of protection. Thanks for doing this.
If you are including the contractor bags you want to include at least 2. They give you the option of making a full length browse bed matress by filling them both with pine straw or leaves... or more permanently a cot if you cut the ends open and overlap them slightly on a pair of long poles with spreader bars and make a rudimentary frame. The cot can also be suspended with cordage to make a hammock.
Love your videos. My input to your thoughts:
- one little correction that might have already been mentioned in the comments:
The cork-screw equivalent of the Victorinox Fieldmaster is the Victorinox Huntsman; the Explorer model has a tiny magnifying glass in addition to a cork-screw and Philips screwdriver.
- Nice idea to swap the Bic for a Clipper.
- I would prefer a real water bottle, kidney-shaped or round, depending on the cup, as many survival situations involve activities like walking, climbing, or even swimming, where easy and constant access to water is at least helpful. The current equipment is better suited for a camp situation near a permanent source of sweet water.
- The rest of your gear list is just awesome. The Mora, the contractor bag(s?), and the sewing kit are excellent choices.
Great series KB, this is just plain fun to watch unfold. A few super light compact items I’ve been adding in to my kits: A couple single-use insect repellent wipes and small sunscreen packs; a wallet-size Fresnel lens. Maybe out of scope for this concept but all my kits now have a couple sealed K-I tablets in the boo-boo pouch.
Another thing I do to my kit flashlights is cover one positive battery terminal with a tiny square of black electrical tape so the batteries can’t slow drain. I put a small label on the outside “batteries protected” as a reminder to myself or a prompt to others who might use it/them.
You said what I was thinking!! "Great series KB, this is just plain fun to watch unfold".
Good video - I would definitely cover the striker on the lighter with some bicycle inner tube, which would also hold a few threaded needles - it would keep the striker dry, as well as act as emergency tinder. Looking forward to the next one!
I have built 2 of my bags with a mix of various items like you. This is a great series for a new person into making a bag up.
Love that you put a contractor bag in there, one of the best uses for them is stuff then with dry leaves to make a makeshift sleeping pad.
The duck tape is way to much and has a block of cardboard in the middle, it sounded like a brick when you dropped it. I'd use about 2 meters folded into a 6" strip.
Dollar Tree. 4 mil clear shower curtain liner. Dimensions 7'x7'. $1.00. Comes flat packed and would fit into your sling bag nicely. With girls hair ties or shock cord and duct tape, you've got a fairly durable tarp. Or, when used in conjunction with a mylar blanket, you can make a cold weather super shelter.
Havent seen part 4 come out yet so I will comment....instead of Bandana i would recommend a Shemagh, while a Shemagh is typically bigger (43x43 or so) it is multi purposed, can be a full head covering for extreme sun or to break up your silhouette aka camo, also being 100% cotton can be used as a prefilter for water, and because it is bigger than a bandana can be used easier for first aid also, as a wrap around compression bandage or as a sling for a shoulder or arm injury. They are readily avail on amazon for less than 20 bucks.
My favorite Victorinox knife is the Handyman. I like that it has the pliers which may come in handy for small jobs or repairs.
If you wrap your Mora sheath with duct tape you will always have an emergency bandage within reach if you cut yourself with the knife. You may step away from your other supplies to use the knife, but you will likely have the sheath on your belt. Spare batteries are something I would include, if there is room. A vinyl shower curtain liner is cheap and can be fashioned into a shelter that lasts for 2-3 days, I would expect.
A strip of crocus cloth or fine cloth mounted sandpaper can be used as a makeshift blade sharpener, in a pinch. Just split a 1" diameter branch and lay the paper on the flat side. Ranger bands will work to hold it in place. I once saw a kit that included a credit card sized diamond sharpener. At the time I thought that gluing it to a signal mirror and drilling a matching hole through it would make a nice piece of kit. You might be interested to know that you can sharpen those folding razor knives to a keener edge than they originally come with. I resharpen them with a Lansky kit all the time. I would do that just before dropping it into the kit.
This is a really good, entertaining idea that you've come up with here.
Tough series to take on as everyone's skill level and "intent" will be different. You're a brave soul 😉
I mount a Condor drop pouch to an exterior side of my sling bags ($15ish). Folded up it's low profile. But it is useful as extra storage, water bottle carrier, and it can be removed and clipped to a belt for gathering/foraging, etc. Good luck!
Really enjoying this series!! What about a foldable twig stove. Even the stainless steel ones are not heavy and fold pretty flat. Just a thought.
You nailed it on the knives!!!!!!!!!! 😎
I like the Fieldmaster, on all my SAK's I replace the toothpick with a FireFly ferro rod and some FireAnt tinder
Interesting idea. I'd never thought of that. Thanks!
Wish I saw this comment earlier, since I just made the same suggestion. I though the FireAnt stuff was made for the corkscrew?
It is, I wasn't clear on that, I put either a FireAnt tinder or half of a tinder and the FireAnt ferro rod in any SAK with a corkscrew. I do have a Fieldmaster and just put the FireFly in it. Such a cool invention by them, I supported them on Kickstarter a few years ago
@@lukecrue1 - Another option is exotac tinderzips on the knife and bag or wherever. Multiple function and emergency tinder.
Extra fire kit is never a bad idea. I would ditch the razor and grab a Gerber folding saw. Its a light duty saw with two blades and a sheath. You could secure the sheath on the strap of the bag. Its like $20 at Cabelas.
@little drane I've used one to backup my silky for about 3-4 years now with no issues. I suggested it because its light weight, and low price. How much does the Leatherman currently run?
Hi Eric, I love your videos and am really enjoying this series. I like your choices for this smallish kit. Only thing I would really feel better with is to also have a small water bottle to store and transport water, a small fishing kit, and some wire for snares. I know these would take some space, especially the water bottle. But I think the handkerchief could be attached to the shoulder strap for added padding and the Mora could also be attached to the shoulder strap. Plus, in a survival situation, you would probably end up putting some of this kit in your pockets or make a survival necklace with some of it. Anyway I know you are a good packer, so I look forward to seeing how you finish up this kit! ✌️
This is a great series. The Mora companion is a great knife. I have several. What I have done is to lash 550 cord to the sheath, I think you can get about 10 to 15 feet on. Also I lashed #36 bank line to one of them, you can get a lot more on. I used ranger bands to hold in place. Trying to save space, this will definitely help. Thanks for your effort.
Interesting you chose the fieldmaster. I prefer the explorer for the magnifying lens... not only for solar ignition... but I`ve used it with the tweezers to pulls splinters on multiple occasions. The corkscrew becomes and handy place to store special tinder and I replaced the toothpick with a small ferro rod designed for the victorinox.
I've also seen an interesting trick using the corkscrew to screw into a long branch and allow you to use the saw or knife to reach difficult resources... say a coconut or other fruit.
loving this series. very similar to my kits. I use bank line in addition to paracord. I also carry a sierra pocket saw for thicker branches. very compact and capable. discovered the clippers a couple of years ago. put a few extra flints and a mini can of butane and you’re good to go. looking forward to the next installment.
Put 2 contractor bags in there. They don’t take up much space and you can use them to make a browse bed.
I’ve always had a pair of cotton socks in my bag they can be worn as an extra layer on your feet to help keep them warm or while your other socks dry they can be used as gloves to keep your hands warm as a bandage , a pre filter for water, a small bag to keep things in and in a real emergency as kindling
Probably a few other things to just use your imagination
Great series. In Northern Ontario the Bugs are relentless & will drive you Crazy. Although I carry bug spray which can run out I also keep a good head net in my day pack & truck. I like your gear choices, simple & cheap. Looking forward to seeing what’s next.
For a fraction of the space occupied by the 50 feet of paracord, you could carry 100+ feet of #36 bank line. Better still, carry both. Also, I strongly urge you to upgrade your compass.
I think the 275 cord he put fills the need for a more compact type of cordage.
The tarred bankline holds knots better and is meant for use in wet environments. Good for lashing things together.
I agree on the bankline in addition to the 550 cord set up as a "rapid ridgeline" something the pathfinder school is know to teach. With a little practice it allows for shelter set up quickly in inclement weather. That said... Kitbashed Survival doesn't have tarp...so. whatever.
Get a GOOD compass and learn to read it! Knowing how to read a compass is a lost ability in 2022. In the event of an EMP, Google maps won't work..neither will Google.
David Canterbury
I have been putting all my gear together for a good emergency bag and putting support gear together with my weapons just for rainy day so alot of these gear reviews are helpful
I make mine by wrapping the tape around old gift cards, once the money has been used.
I would consider drilling holes in all of my cutting tools to be able to add some kind of lanyard connection point. Also to any kind of fire starter such as ferrite rod. I always have mine on a lanyard permanently around my wrist. I even tuck it up into my sleeve when I sleep. The very best place to start carrying your survival stuff? On a lanyard tucked away inside your clothing. I’ve even heard of some people making survival necklaces. They’ll make a custom survival necklace and use it as backup minimalist survival kit. It’s not their primary kit just a back up for commonly used survival items.
My recommendation is to upgrade your contractor bag to the 95-96 gal variety. they are 61in X 66in in size and are available in 6mil, 3mil, or 1.5mil. they are big enough to use as a waterproof bivy, or can be spilt to create a 5ft X 10ft tarp. 6mil is extremely durable but very thick when folded. 3mil is a good middle of the road option. cost is approx $2 or $3 each but you must buy a whole box of 10/12.
The Gerber Paraframe mini is a way better small knife IMO, although it isn't super cheap ($17) like a razor blade, it's way more useful and probably smaller in many ways.
I have a gerber paraframe mini. I agree they are wonderful little knives. You can order them from Walmart right now for $8.74 with the plain edge. But I wouldn't recommend it for Eric because he is left handed and you can't move the clip from one side of the Gerber mini paraframe to the other.
I also own a mini. I love it because I've abused this knife as a general utility knife for the past few years I've never sharpened this knife and it keeps going. But the mini or the original paraframe I love because of the handle it doesn't feel flimsy and you can lash it to a stick to make a spear for fishing, hunting or combat its just a great knife.
I personally like the idea of "Extra" fire starting gear!
If your poncho is strung out like a tarp with the neck hole central, its a water collection device, just put containers underneath the inverted hood and let it fill them.
If you wished you could put some grass/sand/charcoal in there to help prefilter as well.
Exotac makes a small thin three wick candle tin . Made out of beeswax that I believe Burns for something like 6 hours it can throw heat and you could probably cook a little bit on it.. it's hard to believe something so thin small and light could be a lifesaver so I put it into my pack
I don't mind the head lamp, but, if I'm carrying the pack anyway, I put a camp light on the strap, one that's rechargeable and is a power bank. That way, I can get an LED rechargeable head lamp to use that can be powered/recharged from that power bank at need. Most cheap head lamps use AAA batteries that when you really need them the most, they're dead. I understand about the clipper and can agree with it, but the ease of access (in the US) and affordability of a Bic lighter can't be underrated. At least both the lighter and clipper can be used without their internal fuel.
Contractor bags are always great for emergencies. Instead of one, I would carry three. A little more to take up space, but that way if you have to, you can cut up one to use for binding, fire/smoke creation, whatever. I've also seen people use them for water gathering and impromptu sleeping mat by filling up with leaves and/or grass. Cut off the end and folded over itself, it can also be used as a sling to help carry branches.
Extra cordage is always good. Very light weight. 50 feet of it can be bound up in a narrow bundle and hung off the mollie straps on the back of the pack. Frees up some space.
Added comment: I would look and determine what you carry that can be hanging off the bag instead of in it. The contractor bag(s) can be re-folded and put in long thin ziplock bags and hung off the pack. Same with the water filter straw(s), rope and tarp(s)/shelter.
I would suggest some spare clothing/toiletries added, comfort food/beverage flavoring, (coffee/tea/what have you, because in a survival situation, comfort helps your morale greatly. Being lost or alone for a long time gets stressful and depressing, so something to boost your morale cannot be dismissed.
Great additions to the kit. The Victorinox fieldmaster is related to the Huntsman with the two only differing on the back tool. The explorer is similar in size to the fieldmaster and the huntsman but lacks the wood saw and instead has a magnifying glass and an inline Phillips driver instead. All 3 knives are 4 layer 91mm officer knives.
the parcel hook can be used for a firewood carrying bundle if you make a quick paracord wrap on loose wood
A folding saw would be very useful for processing firewood. The Silky Pocketboy is a good choice. I would replace the SAK and razor with the saw. A SAK Classic has a scissors that would be fine for grooming if you have a problem with nose hair and hang nails. Love this series.
Agree with the silky. I have one and am very glad for it. Not sure about the need for grooming, unless the emergency situation is over a long time period. But something to cut up cloth for bandages, the contractor bag or the tape for other needs, I can understand and agree with.
Agree about the silky addition but wouldn't replace the victorinox with it. Victorinox should go in a pocket on your person in case you get separated from your bag.
A victorinox with the firefly ferro rod and a exotac tinderzip keychain pull or fireant tinders makes for handy redundancies for blade, saw, and fire kit.
Check out the Mora Fire Knife. It will give you an extra ferro rod. Try using a prescription bottle for your fire kit. You can get some of everything to fit. Get one with a child-proof lid to gain a little more room for a cotton ball or two. Seal the lid with gorilla tape and it will float and be reasonably water proof. Much better than a zip lock bag. I put a piece of aluminum foil in my fire kits just in case the ground is wet. Nice build. Thanks for sharing.
If you go with the cup get a wide mouth bottle to nest in it. You can also use a gallon zip lock bag and stash stuff inside the bag inside the bottle to save space. If you need to dig for any reason (not likely if this is a 24ish hour bag like you ve stated) the military canteen will work better for that...ask me how I know.
I'd keep the emergency poncho, its so light and small you really gain way more by keeping it than you do in space/weight by cutting it. It also allows you to use the contractor bags for other things like a debri mattress to keep you off the ground.
For such a short duration you shouldn't need a sewing kit, same goes for a fishing/trapping kit. The time you take to do those things are time taken from getting to where you need to go, better to just take some extra calories and hydration salts.
When you get to medical I recommend adding an external pouch for a TQ for quick access.
Looks good! I've been wondering when this installment would drop.
Good kit! A few recommended Changes: Fixed Blade - ESEE 3 or Esee 4. You can trust your life with an ESEE and it won't break on you when you need it. I like Moras, but not for a survival situation. Multi tool - Leatherman Signal. It gives you a good knife as well as a actually handy hammer pommel and redundancy in a firesteel, whistle and diamond sharpener.
I would switch out the compass. Those small ones are good for a minimalist pack and work in a pinch but have been known to get stuck and with their size may get lost. Compass is one of the most crucial and vital tools in any kit. I would move up to a larger size that can be tied off to the pack(tied off to the mollie webbing and tucked into a pocket). Majority of military acronyms involve compass in them, it is one of the greatest tools in the fight and should be looked at as a priority.
Great adds, but I'd switch out the smaller cordage for some tarred bank line instead.
The compass is laughable though. You chose orange for the knife in case it gets dropped, but you chose the smallest, easiest to lose compass on the face of the planet?
Cutting tool selection was spot on, though.
Add a pair of non powdered large or xl surgical gloves, they make excellent improvised water containers as well as their normal use in the first aid category.
The Swiss pocket knife .... the awl with the little hole is for leather and canvas sewing. At least back in the old days when that type of awl was designed.
How about a metal lid for the cup - keeps the heat in, enables water to boil faster, prevents anything dropping in the water.
In Canada Clipper lighters are mostly found in pot shops. Every Bic I have had have gone bad in 1-3 years as the flint turns to dust. I did buy some Clipper flints without looking at them in the store and they must have been old stock as over half were just dust. I carry both lighters. Fieldmaster is my all around fav! If one didn't need scissors they could go with the Alox Farmer with the saw. The SAK saw will strike a firesteel. I added a 90 degree spine to a Mora but used the front of the blade where it ramps down. I think you have a lot of space left, may be worth it to add a mid-weight plastic poncho as the one you have hardly last for more than one use. A poncho is more than just rain protection, it is also wind protection/ground protection/signal aid (if orange/blue)/water catchment, etc.
Great videos!!! I think it's pretty cool you made this into different parts, makes it even more exciting!!! The wait has been worth it!!!!
I would have a Silva Metro or Pocket attached to the outside molle or D-ring as a primary compass. Those button compasses are very vulnerable and those Small Silva models come very cheap.
👍🏻
Instead of the clear plastic poncho, I would recommend a 3-6 mill orange trash bag (55 Drum liner)
great video. i thought the corkscrew SAK would be a slamdunk...given that you can add the little doo-dads on them..like the screwdriver or the fire starter thing...
I would heavily recommend a bit of duct tape or ranger bands specifically for firelighting.
I like your choice of knives. The only thing I would switch out would be the compass. It's very tiny and easy to drop and lose. I would put in a compass that's either larger, or attached to a carabiner so you could clip it to the bag and not drop it.
Oh no chaps! A Colonial has figured out the clipper lighter :-D
the pathfinder tarp isnt grossly huge or expensive same with the arcturus, both of which are insulated and reinforced on the tie outs for easy set up
I don't think you need the small razor when you already have some solid cutting options. I would prefer to have more flashlight options.
If you plan on using this outside. You really need small shovel and TP.
Solid kit. Im coming by late but i really enjoy your water kit.
One additional item that could be helpful would be a piece of foil.
If your bags break and something happens to your cup, you could lay this in a small pit and use your purification methods in it, or even add some hot rocks for a makeshift way to boil water. Its also handy for fishing lures, for cooking, and for a dry and reflective surface if you are having trouble making a fire.
Also, if you plan to have a fishing kit, i always recommend pliers with a wire cutter. We all remember the accident on Alone with the fishing hook in the hand. and wire cutters plus pliers might have kept the contestant in the game. Also, super handy making snares out of wire.
I only like swiss army knifes if you arent planning to fish or snare with wire.
Lastly, i always prefer a bigger baseplate compass. Much more accurate and can be used to shoot an azimuth for navigation, whereas a button compass is only good for general direction finding. Also, most baseplate compasses have mirrors which would save you from having to add one in signaling, plus they are handy for self aid. Also, most baseplate compasses have a magnifier, which is an additional fireststarting tool.
Just some food for thought.
I found some great inexpensive compasses at hobby lobby in the Paracord section... Pack of three wrist watch compasses non liquid... For like four or five dollars.. they do not have liquid inside but they don't need it they function really well and the ones I purchased two packs of three are all accurate as I check them with my sunto base compass
Excellent Idea & series but I would sure like to see you post a list of all the items in this kit.
Great ideas and awesome presentation, as usual.
I would suggest to add extra batteries for the headlamp. And to substitute the birthday candle with one of the nano exotac tin candles, seems like a small change but a melted candle could damage other components of your fine kit or at least stop being functional.
Thanks for this series.
Best Regards
Thanks for the suggestions
FYI: A can of Blue Diamond almonds fits perfectly inside the Walmart metal cup and usually has an expiration date nearly 2 years. 😊
These videos fly by. Sooo informative.
Once again. Great video! Thanks for doing what you do!
I think instead of fitting the poncho in the kit you can actually swap this with a waterproof tarp..... Firstly it would provide a good base of you want to rest or decided to stay or you can use it with the paracord as a makeshift shelter in case of rain
Love it - please can you add this video to your survival kits playlist, as its currently not on there.
Love watching this build! Looks like the items you have chosen so far are quite budget friendly! Liking the chosen items so far! If you’re still looking for budget-friendly tarp, check out the Walmart tarp by Ozark Trail, that could fit in nicely and worth trying out! Looking forward to the next installment!!
May I recommend replacing the toothpick in your pocket knife with a Firefly Ferro rod. I know your fire gear is already robust, but a Firefly is more useful than the plastic toothpick.
I agree, the toothpick is pretty worthless.
You might replace the hull - there's something called "'plus' scales", where also a slot for the pen and an additional slot are on. You get them on eBay and Videos about replacement here on YT. Sometimes you have to mod the scale and open up that additional slot - also on video on YT. But then you can have the firefly without dropping anything else and I found the toothpick useful in different situations already - it's just about mindset of you consider it helpful or not, the ideas of use grow then.
Firefly rod and a exotac tinderzip on the keyring since the fieldmaster doesn't have the corkscrew for the tinders.
Walmart sells a small 5x7 backpacking tarp and it's only about $15-$18 .. I put one of these in all my get home bags and larger kits
Awesome series, really enjoying it. Have you considered or had a chance to look at the Arcturus poncho/tarp? It's about $20, is a decent poncho, and has grommets to use as a tarp. Dimensions appear to be about the same or a little smaller than the shelter, and it would kill 2 birds with one stone.
There is one more PLUS for the CLIPPER lighter. Turn it on and point it umside down. In comparison with the BIC the flame is bigger upside down on the CLIPPER lighter than on the BIC. This makes it more easy for things (tinder) on the Ground to set it on fire.
Put some tiny lighter stones for your lighter they are grain size but still can be used if the lighter gass is finished
Exact same Victorinox knife I carry on a daily basis. I love it. Technically I have two of them lol. One in a leather case that fits on my belt, and one to just carry in my pocket
2 pairs of gloves. One pair of work gloves and one for cold weather. Maybe if you want you could braid the Paracord and attach it to the outside of the bag you could even bring it down far enough to make staps for the tent.
Going back to water I tried the water packages, I prefer a 20oz bottle I can rotate them out regularly and reuse the bottle over and over to carry water. I found you can put a space blanket in with the poncho it slips in the bag. I put the Mora Light My Fire you did not due to cost. I prefer a pliers based multi tool to add to the versatility in liu of the SAK . Great build looking forward to the next installment
I would say that you are doing better than 99% of of the other people. The only thing I can see is the water if you are taking a filter and two one liter bags, coffee filters and water tablets the bag of water is over kill unless you have the space.
I would maybe wrap the Mora's sheath in duct tape for some redundancy and extra fire starting material. That might defeat the purpose of the bright color, but there's still the hilt. The Clipper is great. I'll have to get ahold of some of those. The contractor bag is a great addition, as well.
personally on cutting tool i would opt for 4 an estwing hatchet
a recipe saw handle and wood cut saw
a cold steel drop forged hunter and a scotch auger
Switch the strap that comes with the bag with a paracord belt.
It wouldn't let me edit my comment but the compass as well a slightly larger one won't get lost as easy and you can get some pretty small compasses that have carrying lanyards on them that work just as good if not better
Great series Eric! An FYI, 5x7 "backpackers" tarp by outdoor products is about 10 bucks at Walmart around me and pretty low profile. Also I would add another bandana or two, maybe even a bigger piece of cloth, super handy and takes up very little space. Also, just my 2 cents, perhaps upsize the compass to include one with sighting and a small mirror, also good for first aid and signaling. I k ow I'm jumping ahead, but it would eliminate the need for a signal mirror and be about the same size with multi-function. Love the thought you put into this stuff, we are kindred spirits. Thanks again for a great channel and a thought provoking and fun series
Get the petzl from the solkoa kit instead of the coast
Great little mini series this.
You actually have three Striker surfaces. You forgot to mention the striker surface only pack of matches. In last-ditch effort you could use the blade of the Mora. As far as everything else everything looks pretty good to me we'll see what else you got to put in it. I still think you should go with the military cup of course that's just my opinion and that's what I would go with you no matter what. I almost forgot about these videos it's been a bit since the last one it seems like or time is moving slow for me. Anyway thanks for the video and look forward to the next part. Have a great day and stay safe you keep your powder dry and your go bag packed and ready to go!
Walmart has an ok 5x7 pack packing tarp just don't try to pull it to tight and it works fine and it's inexpensive. Hope this helps.
i know this doesnt fall in the realm of this video but ive seen (new to my eyes at least) a kit by rino ready called the companion that might be of interest to you. it looks like a pretty awesome kit!
People make fun of that parcel hook on the SAK , but if you ever had a 5 gallon bucket that the plastic has broken off the wire handle you come to appreciate them very much.
I've used it for a lots of stuff in the past
Great video series.
Feedback: the best glide sewing kit is miles better, and easier to pack than that one. I have them both. And I like them both. But I like best glide more.
Eric, the only suggestion I can think of at the moment is add the bic lighter back into the kit. Having two lighters will certainly help out and be much more useful than just one,
you can use the saw blade of the swiss knife to use with the ferro rod for starting a campfire
PRO TIP+ save old ferro rods from dead Bic lighters to use for replacements in Zippo or Clipper lighters.
I would use a flashlight with an SOS function and a better compass
On the fixed blade knife you may wanna look at the Gerber principle it has multiple carry options to include belt carry scout carry left hand draw witch I love as a weak side primary and it's Mollie compatible so you can mount it to the outside of the pack. It's also full tang and only $60-$70.
Watching these never gets old!
Hello and thanks for the vids. I am curious to know why you went with the Victorinox as opposed to a multitool? I feel that with a relatively inexpensive multitool (like Workpro?), you can get most items that a Vic can provide but better versatility from a multitool. Just thinking out load! Thanks again for the vids and can't wait to see the next post.
I think that I would put my tube tent in my cup and put both on the outside of te bag, and so far I'm liking it
Great series to date. How about a small sharpening stone or device as nothing worse than a dull blade when you need it, Victorinox do some compact ones that are inexpensive, but I'm sure there are a lot of others. In regards to your cup, as the sling bag has molle why not have a nesting canteen in a suitable pouch with it on the outside (the army one is obviously the best example but am sure you could find a cheap option for the other), This would give you more room in the pack for food and make the water easy to access when on the move, might also balance out the life tent if that is on the outside. Keep up the good work Stu
Great choice of items so far and its all nice and affordable. The only thing i would change is the button compass, in the past i have had them leak or get stuck multiple times so i would opt for a mini Silwa or Sunto compass, they should be around $10-15 but are of a much nicer quality and not much bigger. I might also add a small keychain led light as a redundancy for the head lamp.
The Swiss army knife can be attached to the webbing with a carabiner, if you can the Paracord can be braided around the straps of the bag.
Victorinox should immediately be put in a pocket or somewhere on his person in case he gets separated from his bag.
if this has been already said I didn't see it... but Walmart has a 5x9 tarp for approximately $10 in the camping section
Could use an altoid can for your fire gear, and wrap the matches in plastic wrap to keep them from contacting the striker surfaces.
instead of the 220 paracord you should add Catahoula Tarred, Braided, Nylon Twine, 36
I'd personally choose Gorilla Tape over the generic duct tape. It's much stronger even if it is a bit more expensive - you get what you pay for, as they say. Loving the series, thanks!