[Mello Mike]

I recently wrote this article on the contents of my Altoids survival tin. I'd like to get feedback on my kit and ideas from others who have made a similar mini-survival kit. Any must-have items that I'm missing?

http://mellomikeswolfcreekcamper.blogspot.com/2013/04/making-your-own-survival-tin.html

 

[Steam_Power_Prepper]

Take a sandwich size zip-lock bag, fold it up to be about the same size as your altoids tin (length and width) and ranger-band it to the outside of the tin with *two* ranger bands. This gives you a nice size container that won't necessarily break as easily as a tinfoil cup for drinking from, purifying water in, holding bait while fishing, and a plethora of other things.

 

[Mello Mike]

Take a sandwich size zip-lock bag, fold it up to be about the same size as your altoids tin (length and width) and ranger-band it to the outside of the tin with *two* ranger bands. This gives you a nice size container that won't necessarily break as easily as a tinfoil cup for drinking from, purifying water in, holding bait while fishing, and a plethora of other things.

Great idea! Thanks.

 

[Steam_Power_Prepper]

While I'm at it, dip the heads of your waterproof matches in some melted candle wax. That way they're evn *more* waterproof. I've gotten waterproof matches in the past that weren't so waterproof. If I think of anything else I'll be sure to let you know. Nice job, though! How expensive are those little knives?

 

[Mello Mike]

$17 on Amazon and that price includes a CRKT survival tin. The Amazon link is at the bottom of my article. It's a great little knife. You can find Youtube videos on it.

 

[Steam_Power_Prepper]

Ive seen the reviews and have wanted one for quite some time Many thanks!

 

[bltjr1951]

Luv my Nanos.

If you're gonna band items on outside, get a Platypus or Vapur water bottle.
Or even several sizes of zip bags. Even put tin in bag.

One guy wrapped 550 cord all over his, looked like a lump of cord.

Is your candle a "trick" one? Can't blow it out.

Bobby pin, JIC you use swab for fire and reusable.

Sewing bobbin full of fishing line.

As always, read all 19 pages of this site:
http://www.fieldandstream.com/photo...out-altoids-tin-and-two-more-life-saving-diy-

 

[Steam_Power_Prepper]

Those are some other good ideas, too. I thought about suggesting that, but figured that banding *too* much to the outside might defeat the purpose of an altoids tin kit, a low-profile pocket-sized survival kit.

 

[bltjr1951]

I thought about suggesting that, but figured that banding *too* much to the outside might defeat the purpose of an altoids tin kit, a low-profile pocket-sized survival kit.

One contest was using a M-16 ALICE pouch and putting stuff "inside" it for PSK.
Some people were tying metal water bottles, sheath knife and stuff onto pouch so much where you couldn't see the pouch.

I use a M-61 ammo pouch with Plano fishing box (tad bigger than Altoid) and Snus tin stuck inside for my mini PSK.
If I wanted, I could add a Carlisle FA pouch or even a Jungle FAK to hang under it.


M-61 ammo pouch
http://www.vietnamgear.com/kit.aspx?kit=90

FA pouch
http://www.vietnamgear.com/kit.aspx?kit=139

Jungle FAK
http://www.vietnamgear.com/kit.aspx?kit=95

 

[ia woodsman]

Best way to figure out what works and what does not work is to do an overnight out of it.

 

[Steam_Power_Prepper]

I totally agree, ia woodsman

 

[Smudge]

I recently wrote this article on the contents of my Altoids survival tin. I'd like to get feedback on my kit and ideas from others who have made a similar mini-survival kit. Any must-have items that I'm missing?

http://mellomikeswolfcreekcamper.blogspot.com/2013/04/making-your-own-survival-tin.html

If nothing else reading it was a giggle

I'm not a fan of the "survival tin" most times people say they put this, that or the other in there for this, that or the other uses/purposes and the stuff isn't up to the job, the majority of wire saws are a joke as just one example.

If you go out and setup camp and try each piece of kit for all the purposes you've stated I'd be interested in a follow up post/thread.

 

[fixesstuff]

If nothing else reading it was a giggle

I'm not a fan of the "survival tin" most times people say they put this, that or the other in there for this, that or the other uses/purposes and the stuff isn't up to the job, the majority of wire saws are a joke as just one example.

If you go out and setup camp and try each piece of kit for all the purposes you've stated I'd be interested in a follow up post/thread.

I have to agree with that!:thumb:

 

[bltjr1951]

I had a wire saw that turned into a wire after one use.
But it was a cheaply made one.
Got another that looks like it will cut metal.

 

[Mello Mike]

If nothing else reading it was a giggle

I'm not a fan of the "survival tin" most times people say they put this, that or the other in there for this, that or the other uses/purposes and the stuff isn't up to the job, the majority of wire saws are a joke as just one example.

If you go out and setup camp and try each piece of kit for all the purposes you've stated I'd be interested in a follow up post/thread.

Yep. I'm planning on doing that next month. The only items I have any concerns about are the wire saw and button compass. I'll put the saw through a real stress test cutting wood. The button compass works now, but I'm not so sure after 6-12 months in the Arizona heat. We'll see. I bought different kinds, i.e. fluid and dry of different sizes, so we'll see.

 

[Mello Mike]

Luv my Nanos.

If you're gonna band items on outside, get a Platypus or Vapur water bottle.
Or even several sizes of zip bags. Even put tin in bag.

One guy wrapped 550 cord all over his, looked like a lump of cord.

Is your candle a "trick" one? Can't blow it out.

Bobby pin, JIC you use swab for fire and reusable.

Sewing bobbin full of fishing line.

As always, read all 19 pages of this site:
http://www.fieldandstream.com/photo...out-altoids-tin-and-two-more-life-saving-diy-

Yes, the candle is a trick one. And, yes, I've got the bobbin of fishing line. Have the pin too.

 

[sachson]

If had NATO lifeboat matches. Better folder like a mini Gerber, Buck, Kershaw. Etc... Would be a GREAT KIT!!! But for $20? No way you could do that. So for what you sell, its a great kit.

 

[costabkz]

I had a wire saw that turned into a wire after one use.

 

[ThatGuyFromMaine]

You know this thread reminded me of these nifty Canterbury vids from his pathfinder school.

They basically take a group of people who have to live 3 days out of their altoid tins + $2 pancho and their belt knives.

Really gives you some perspective on what to prioritize, and if nothing more its a hoot to watch.


SAN ALTOIDS Tin Mini Kit Part 1 (of 4 )
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4o0fwFgfxU&feature=share&list=UUqj_TRAIhcBWMiZPpLGjr-g

SAN Altoids Tin Mini Kit Dave's Picks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaNOx6Iwop8&feature=share&list=UUqj_TRAIhcBWMiZPpLGjr-g

 

[bltjr1951]

$2 pancho

Is that a mexican poncho?

Oh Pancho. Oh Cisco.