#105572 - 09/13/07 07:45 PM
Re: survival kit containers
[Re: Katie]
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Namu (Giant Tree)
Addict
Registered: 09/16/05
Posts: 664
Loc: Florida, USA
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I got one from a preparedness website...just to see how much they packed into it and how they did it. Like any that you would find in the stores, the quality of the items was lacking...but then I paid $14 for the whole thing, so who can complain?
Yes, these things are becoming very gimmicky. I started figuring out what I would want in mine, and the cost of it...got over $200 and I wasn't finished yet. Definitely not marketable to a wide audience based on cost, but for my own use...
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Memento mori
Vulnerant omnes, ultima necat (They all wound, the last kills)
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#105575 - 09/13/07 07:51 PM
Re: survival kit containers
[Re: Ors]
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Journeyman
Registered: 08/23/07
Posts: 85
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Do you have a ballpark cost breakdown? What's so expensive? The knife? ("Waterproof matches...check. Compass...check. Rolex...check.")
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#105577 - 09/13/07 07:54 PM
Re: survival kit containers
[Re: Katie]
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Enthusiast
Registered: 04/26/07
Posts: 266
Loc: Ohio, USA
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...and if all of that surviving is stressing you out, you can go for the Toblerone in a Bottle (1 lb. of Toblerone chocolate), or the Travel Spa in a Bottle (shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, soap, razor, shaving cream, lotion, toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, bath salts, vanity kit, mending kit, stuff sack). ...also "Jameson's Irish Whiskey in a Bottle"... 
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All we can do is all we can do.
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#105585 - 09/13/07 08:55 PM
Re: survival kit containers
[Re: Katie]
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Ordinary Average Guy
Enthusiast
Registered: 04/26/06
Posts: 304
Loc: North Central Texas, USA
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I had to laugh when I saw it included the 5-in-1 survival tool. In the early 1980's they were being marketed to Boy Scouts (even sold in the summer camp trading post). My buddy and I who were camp staff picked a couple up and demonstrated to the scouts in our Wilderness Survival class how bad the things were. - What they call the 'lip balm' holder used to be called 'the matchcase'. We put matches in it and dunked into a bucket of water. The matches were soaked.
- The whistle had a plastic pea in it. It popped out when we strongly blew into the whistle, thus rendering it inoperative.
- The compass would spin around randomly, but it could point one in a general direction (ok, there's North...I think)
- There used to be a tiny mirror inside the cap, about the size of a dime. I'm certain that would work for signalling someone across the dining hall, not much more.
- The attached small rope is also known as a 'lanyard' to hang the silly thing around one's neck.
- There used to be a firesteel rod glued into the side of the case. We used it once, the knife blade caused it to pop off of the case.
I'm not trying to be mean, but we were pretty ticked off at the shameless attempt to sell junk to Boy Scouts in order to make a quick buck.  Much of the official gear at the time was pieces of cheap imitation junk. I've always told parents to research their purchases and buy good, quality gear. It often won't break, will perform the job with less work and be safer. The kids will have a much better time and enjoy camping.  Summary: As a toy, the 5-in-one would keep the camp staff amused for an afternoon.  As survival gear, it would be dangerous for someone to actually have to depend upon it. Oops, sorry for taking so much time on the soapbox... 
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#105593 - 09/13/07 10:48 PM
Re: survival kit containers
[Re: BrianTexas]
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Geezer
Registered: 01/21/04
Posts: 5163
Loc: W. WA
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For those of you who want tin boxes without having to buy stuff in them, check out your local thrift shops (Goodwill Industries, in particular). All sizes and shapes, a few hinged. If you don't like the fairies, hearts, and baby kitties, just sand them a bit to rough up the surface and give them a coat or two of spray-on metal paint.
Now, I know that containers that can keep contents dry at 100, 200 and 500 feet are really nice. But if I am 100, 200 or 500 feet under water, I have WAAAAAY more serious problems than my matches getting wet.
Sue
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#105597 - 09/13/07 11:19 PM
Re: survival kit containers
[Re: Susan]
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Enthusiast
Registered: 11/17/06
Posts: 351
Loc: New Jersey
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Now, I know that containers that can keep contents dry at 100, 200 and 500 feet are really nice. But if I am 100, 200 or 500 feet under water, I have WAAAAAY more serious problems than my matches getting wet. LOL...that's true...
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....he felt the prompting of his heritage, the desire to possess, the wild danger-love, the thrill of battle, the power to conquer or to die. Jack London
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#105611 - 09/14/07 02:29 AM
Re: survival kit containers
[Re: Katie]
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Pooh-Bah
Registered: 03/08/07
Posts: 2208
Loc: Beer&Cheese country
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We were looking at water bottles, and I noticed one labeled "Emergency Kit" I saw these at LL Bean. They are clever enough to include a ditty bag so you can both use the water bottle and carry the contents, although they seem kind of gimmicky to me, and the contents aren't of the greatest quality. They have a bunch of them -- Fitness in a Bottle (biner, pedometer, sunscreen, lip balm, first aid kit and stuff sack), Outdoor Survival in a Bottle (whistle, compass, shake flashlight, small knife, emergency blanket, poncho, duct tape, first-aid kit, waterproof matches, biner, carry bag), Paddler in a Bottle (compass/whistle/waterproof match case, light sticks, emergency blanket, poncho, first aid kit, sunscreen), Auto Aid in a Bottle (shake flashlight, knife, screwdriver, tire gauge, safety flasher, reflective vest). ...and if all of that surviving is stressing you out, you can go for the Toblerone in a Bottle (1 lb. of Toblerone chocolate), or the Travel Spa in a Bottle (shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, soap, razor, shaving cream, lotion, toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, bath salts, vanity kit, mending kit, stuff sack). Also available at Eddie Bauer, and I've seen them now at some Army-Navy stores. Not a bad idea, though if you'd EDC it, I suggest going with the 250ml or 500ml bottles. Square if possible.
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#105620 - 09/14/07 03:49 AM
Re: survival kit containers
[Re: MDinana]
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Member
Registered: 06/18/07
Posts: 147
Loc: Southern California
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I happen to see some 'mini' orange backpacks by the earthquake stuff (stuff to secure items on an endcap). Typical stuff inside...and nobody could wear the backpack but a child.
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"All Hail the Power of Bauer"
"Only the Paranoid Survive" - Andy Grove
"Why is it called the American Dream? Because you have to be ASLEEP to believe it!" - George Carlin
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#105627 - 09/14/07 06:03 AM
Re: survival kit containers
[Re: Katie]
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Cranky Geek
Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 09/08/05
Posts: 4642
Loc: Vermont
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If you build it yourself, a PSK can run up to 50, 60 dollars pretty quickly. A better kit can top 100 very easily.
A decent multitool or SAK runs 30-50 without trying hard. A good flashlight, 20-30 dollars, minimum. Good water bottle is about ten bucks, so is a pack of clorine dioxide tablets. A box of contractor bags is about ten bucks. An AMK/DR PSP runs about $35. And OK FAK is about 20, 25. Add in matches in a case, a lighter, spare socks, some cordage, a few snacks, call it another 20. Empty coffee can for free. We're up to 160 dollars and we haven't paid shipping or bought a pack yet. And when you spread it out, it's not going to look like much, it will all fit in a messenger bag with room to spare.
Heck, I added everything up and to replace my BOB and ditch kit (binary system) would cost more than the insurance company thinks my car is worth. And I don't have a lot of gucci gear. *blushing madly*
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-IronRaven
When a man dare not speak without malice for fear of giving insult, that is when truth starts to die. Truth is the truest freedom.
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#105644 - 09/14/07 02:46 PM
Re: survival kit containers
[Re: ironraven]
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Journeyman
Registered: 08/23/07
Posts: 85
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Ah, OK. I thought were were talking about a "fits in an Altoids tin" kind of kit. If you're not limited by those dimensions, then I agree you can spend an arbitrary amount of money.
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