Let’s Build A Better Kit - Together 😄😄😄

[@1FAST91SONOMA]

**WALL OF TEXT WARNING** Let me start by saying I love the container, great selection there. I'm a little jealous of that. I'd skip the fire options you currently have and replace them all with just 2 bic minis. When a lighter runs out of fuel they can still be used to throw sparks like a ferro rod would, because thats what they are inside, just a tiny little ferro rod. This will save weight and space while maximizing the easE of ignition. An emergency situation is no time to be practicing your bushcrafting skills. That's saved for absolute life and death emergencies. In such an emergency you'd still be better off with an empty bic and some accelerant, which you're missing. I'll circle back to that later. Remember the fresnel can also be used as a backup option, so you're still stacked in redundancies. Ditch the big bic, ferro rod, and matches. Stormproof matches are great but super limited on numbers of ignitions, which means you better get it right each time or you're screwed harder that Sean Combs in prison (2025 prediction) You lack antibiotic ointment. I'd stick some little packets of that in. As a bonus, it is flammable. So is hand sanitizer. VERY FLAMMABLE, this makes it an excellent accelerant on top of being able to sanitize. I'd have a tiny .25oz bottle of that or at least some little packets. I EDC a small bottle so I can refill it from pumps I encounter during my day to day life for free. I'd ditch the bank link for kevlar instead. Stronger per size, much more temperature resistant, and it can be used as a saw, so it pulls double duty. You absolutely can cut up branches with it. 50lb test line measures just 0.5mm thick, 100lb = 0.8mm, 500lb= 2mm, and 1500lb = 3.5mm diameter. Much smaller, more capable, and stronger than paracord or bank line. A pencil is great, but if you need to go smaller/lighter with it nothing beats the ink cartridge out of a standard bic pen in my experience. Get one that's well-used and you can chop it down too. It lacks the "undo" feature of a pencil, but it can mark flesh and other surfaces a pencil will struggle with. I'd have a maximum of 30 sheets of waterproof notepad paper. You can leave breadcrumb directions, take notes, or use it as a kindling. Very useful, but dont go letting it take more space than it deserves. It can be resized as needed, if you desperately need more sheets, simply use 1/2 sheets. I'd have at least 2 needles, but I'd feel better with 4+. They can be used with the kevlar cordage and they can be used to pin your notes to trees or buildings as breadcrumbs for you/your rescuer to navigate. Smaller cord doesnt need such large needles, so you can fit more of them. You NEED at least a tiny tube of super glue. It's too useful not to have. I know they dont keep well once punctured, that's why I keep the little ones. Single use if need be. 3 tiny tubes will go further than 1 huge tube if you're having them dry out on you. CA glue is fantastic for quickly sealing wounds to stop the bleed. I'd get rid of the batteries entirely unless you have several needs that may arise for them. I have 2 uses total for such batteries and neither matter in an emergency situation or day to day survival. Skip the headlamp you have in favor of a RovyVon rechargeable light. The clip allows you to attach it to a hat, belt loop, or pocket to use in the same ways you may that headlamp but it is much smaller and lighter, creating more room for other things. They offer or can be modified to add magnetic attachment too. They're also quite powerful at 650 lumens for the little ones. The cord to recharge the RovyVon can also recharge your phone, and you may want to think about putting a little power bank in the kit too they're heavy, but so multi-functional I can't argue against having at least a tiny one. For multi-tool, a compact kit like this calls for either a Classic SD from Victorinox or a Squirt PS4 from Leatherman ( discontinued, find one used on ebay if need be ) Don't expect the Gerber Dime to be half the tool that this is, but if you just can't get the PS4 the Gerber beats a sharp stick and a stone. A tiny pill container with a couple doses of painkillers would be an excellent addition. Your tiny light, a button compass, and a tritium vial keychain can be attached to the handle of the container with some kevlar cordage to keep those things easy to find day or night while also keeping them out of the kit so you're not digging for them. The space savings of them being external is also a benefit. I'd add some solid metal wire. It can act as a zip-tie, hanger for pot over fire, and/or electrical conductor. I'd replace the pill cloth with a swedish dishcloth. They're cheap but they hold an incredible amount of liquid and they're reusable. Try them out and you'll see why this is being recommended. They're worth it. I'd choose either a poncho or the space blanket. Personally, I'd take the space blanket. It can do both things and act as a reflector for signalling plus it can be used as shelter if you have one large enough. The space blanket + kevlar cordage, 4 small stones, 4 small sticks, and 2 large sticks gets you a basic A-frame shelter. The space blanket can also be used to gather rainwater, then heat it in the sun for a decent bathing experience. A nanobag would be super helpful, especially their backpack version. It can help you get supplies home for a day-to-day experience or help you collect and carry firewood if you're camping... or if something has gone wrong. Electrical tape is one of the most versatile options and is too often overlooked in favor of duct tape that just doesnt do as well in my opinion. Gaffers tape is also a great option. I'd have a small flat roll of each. Castile soap is a fantastically versatile option for washing hands, cleaning clothes, washing dishes, shampoo, shaving, and more. Every kit and bag I make has a small (5-10ml) dropper bottle of that stuff. It goes a long way. Don't skip the bug spray either. Why suffer when a little spray bottle of deet will get you by for days or weeks at a time? I hope this helps

[@ABlindHilbily]

That's a good list the only thing I'd change is the flashlight recommendation to an olight keychain light, moleskin, and I found some small refillable bottles used for women's purse perfume bottles. I mark and fill one with gel hand sanitizer and one with Off or your preferred insect repellent. Otherwise solid and proven recommendation 👍. Edited to add a few water purification tabs and bullion cubes.

[@jsgraham67]

Ferro rods are not in butane lighters. It's actually flint. Flint is actually a naturally occurring stone. It produces a spark when struck on a hard surface. Ferro rods, or Ferrocerium (also known in Europe as Auermetall) is a synthetic pyrophoric alloy of mischmetal (cerium, lanthanum, neodymium, other trace lanthanides and some iron - about 95% lanthanides and 5% iron) hardened by blending in oxides of iron and/or magnesium.

[@kanukkarhu]

Great video idea. I like the idea of having stuff in there that you use occasionally - as long as you remember to replenish what you use. (I think that's why most people leave these kits sealed etc.) Looking forward to this project.

[@99dsm1]

Put the black diamond head lamp strap around your kit box to hold it shut

[@davidkurle5418]

Awesome video, buddy!

[@sortofkindofhandy6944]

or its.... LOL

[@cognomenunknown2144]

I’m a civil war relic hunter out here in Sharpsburg Maryland, near the Antietam battlefield. I’m out for 12-13 hours at a time or more. I’ve always got a Kabar BK9, Gerber MP600, bear spray and a basic survival kit along with archaeological gear/metal detector etc. I always have a little weed too!!😂😂

[@thefrugalhandyman5054]

Great idea, I think I saw your kit still being sold at princess auto. I think it would be a lot better with better quality pieces and I like your idea of adding extra things to the mix.

[@bills.2214]

Ok so at 3:00 when you said "lets do this together" my mind went to the original Parent Trap, and that God awful song "Lets get together, yeah, yeah, yeah". I have no idea why.

[@JohnnyJuke]

😂

[@bills.2214]

I have never seen a kit like this, but I have seen something similar from Adventure Medical Kits. I carry a sling bag/fanny pack, and being here in AZ water filtration and cover is my focus to carry. I have a Sawyer Mini w/cleaning syringe and the included straw. As for cover I have modded a SOL single person emergency blanket w/Gorilla tape reinforced corners, and loops of tape for staking (don't carry them, probably should) along with a tarp clip. The addition of the Gorilla tape to the emergency blanket makes it a pain to fold it back up, and also have to be careful when opening because the stickiness from the tape can pull on areas of the blanket. It ain't perfect, but I have used the blanket as a tarp while changing a tire on the side of the road in July, and that sun is hot AF.

[@JohnnyJuke]

@@bills.2214 Water filtration is one that will be added to this as I spend tons of time in the mountains. Drinking from those streams has been safe so far, but... Thanks for helping with this project!😀

[@dirtyscoundrel2013]

Bar codes in 1982?

[@JohnnyJuke]

I think age is starting to play tricks on me. You are correct. I think I got this in 2006. The reason why I'm confused is because of the surplus store I purchased it in. I have been going there since 1979 and now equate that store to that time. What I should do is a correction video at that store! Problem is they are shutting down.😢