Good day,

I just recieved another parcel from the states that contains the DR/AMK PSK. That was a shock when I saw it (actually useful items - no offense) and definitly worth the cash for it.

Now the first thing I did was add some Katadyn Micropur to it then added a gauze pad and some knuckle bandaids. Its getting tight in there, but think its possible to get a pocket knife and a light in there?

If so, need to know where to pick up a slim pocket knife that can take a beating. I was thinking of the SAK soldier, but that might be to thick? Ideas?

Also for the light, i'm assuming it'll probably be a photon freedom type light.

Did anyone else add on to their DR/AMK PSK? If so, what did they add?

Kris

I have a SAK soldier, and a few other smaller SAKs (whose names escape me at the moment) and have been pretty happy with all of them. They also make a smaller version of the soldier which I think it called the Cadet. Although the metal handled knives tend to be slimmer and look beefier, you may also consider one of the plastic handled SAKs as they come with tweezers. I've found the tweezers to be pretty good at removing slivers, which can make your survival situation a little more comfortable. IMO any SAK you can squeeze into your kit would be a good choice.

I'd look for a slightly larger container. Drop the PSK in and then add the extra gear. Stretching the PSK's watertight bag is a good way to break the seal and then the fire making stuff won't be dry when you need it.

RAS,

Thanks for that. I was thinking the same thing, and was planning on going to the local dive shop and get the smallest waterproof container i can get that will fit the psk, and hoping it'll be ok for pocket carry.

But I was hoping that there was a make/model of a pocket knife out there that was very slim that could fit into the existing psk's bag.

Kris

Benchmade Benchmite II

http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.aspx?model=10610


It's thin and small, but well built with a stout blade. It isn't that expensive either.

Goodmorning Kris,

About a week ago added a few items to a DR/AMK PSK and placed it in the inside chest pocket of my work coat, I usually carry a homemade PSK in a metal box but thought a box in this pocket would be uncomfortable.

To the PSK I added: a Gerber Ultralight L.S.T. (small) folding knife, a mini Bic lighter (taped closed), a pack of paper matches, 2 fabric bandages (Elastoplast brand), 2 antiseptic wipes, 4 Micropur tabs, and a thin LED Light (Garrity brand).

I think I can also add a commando wire saw and Eze-lap Keychain sharpener but I have not tried it yet.

These items do stretch the plastic pouch some (it took a while to fit it all in) but I was able close the zip-lock seal. I did not trust the seal from popping open so I ran 3 wraps of red electrical tape down it (do not pull the tape tight or the bag folds and the zip-lock opens).

Mike

Mike,

I'm thinking that if the bag is a tight sqeeze with that stuff, that you can use the alosak 5"x4" bag. I'm not sure the dimensions of the currest dr/amk psk, but i'm thinking its a bit smaller then the 5"x4" alosak. Then you would have a truly waterproof bag, that can take a beating, and fit the additional stuff.

Kris

Kris,

I just measured an unaltered (no stuff added) DR/AMK PSK and it is: 5" wide x 4.4" tall x 0.75" thick.

When you add equipment to the kit is just gets thicker as the plastic is pliable.

I just remembered that the Micropur tabs are unusable without something to put the water in? So I am going to add a oven bag or whirlpack to the kit. With this addition I will have to leave out the wire saw. I also am going to change the pencil for a Fisher Space Pen cartridge (e.g. spare pen for work).

I have found it difficult to find quality small survival equipment (e.g. Sparklight, Rescue mirror) in Canada, so I often buy the DR/AMK PSK (from MEC) just for the parts to add to another kit.

Mike

I added:

- more tinder-quick
- 5 wind/waterproof matches
- ziplock
- 10 aquaclear-tabs
- photon II microlight

A very thin knife to add to a PSK is the SAK, Vic Secretary or Wenger Patriot, both are aluminimun sided, 2 bladed folding knives.

I have a Patriot and the closed size is 0.220" thick x 3.345" long x 0.710" wide; the blades are 2.3" and 1.4" long.

While it is not a knife I would baton with, it is definitely more usable than a scalpel blade.

I am at present creating a wallet EDC kit and this thin Patriot is the knife that will go in it.

Mike

Mike,

If you think its bad to get stuff in canada, try where i am, the cayman islands! At least most places will ship to canada from the states, and you have selection at some stores. I have to get everything via online from the states without trying anything out. Its why I'm addicted to online reviews and probably ask the weird questions like "how heavy does it feel, etc".

As for the DR/AMK psk, I thought it was smaller... I don't need to add anything to the kit as I always have a water bottle around. Yes, I know, foolish to think that it'll always be there, but its a risk. Basically i'm still looking for that 'perfect' collapsible water container thats about a 1 litre with one of those breast milk closures (maybe more solid). Then I can put the psk into this for additional water protection and have that water canteen always with me.

Kris

Mike,

My next online purchase, i'll give the Wenger Patriot a shot. Seems like it would be a good fit.

Thanks for that idea,
Kris

Hi Kris,

The Wenger Patriot is a handy little knife, the best thing about it is the thin shape. That being said if I was buying a knife to put in an EDC DR/AMK PSK I would go with something more versatile (and stronger) like a Vic. Farmer (my favorite SAK) or a small Leatherman Spirt P4.

I know some on this forum would prefer a quality lockblade folder and there is good reason in that recommendation. A DR mini-RSK MK1 may fit as it is only 3.87" long and 0.5" thick, quality looking knife but I have never handled one.

Always the same decision with small PSK's; you pick your container first then decide on the items you are going to fill it with, it is always a compromise. If you cannot include all the items you consider essential then you have to modify the equipment to reduce the size or go to a larger container.

Mike

Depending on where your size/weight/sturdiness balance point is, you might want to check out a Platypus 1L collapsible bottle. I've been very happy with Platypus products.

A great little frame lock is the Gerber STL 2.0. I bought one at the Sports Authority for $11.95.
It is all metal and you can open it with one hand. It actually feels pretty good in the hand. Doug mentioned it in his SHOT show recap for 2007.

http://www.gerbergear.com/product.php?model=1122

These days I am not a big Gerber fan but this little knife is great and it would fit into a DR PSP no problem.


Two other cool items are these Derma Safe razors and saws. County Comm has them for sale if you don't want to buy bulk.

http://www.derma-safe.com/index.htm

Bill

Mike,

I agree about the case size and locking folder. But for SAK's, but i'm more a fan of the SAK Soider then the farmer (not a fan of the saw on the SAK's and always loose the tweezers). Sadly, what i have of them is in storage back in Canada and i'm here.

But for the purpose of an EDC psk, an SAK is more then plenty useful (IMO).

I will be getting a rsk mk1 for the bigger psk thats in my bag at all times. That is turning out to be a kit that i use daily more then about personal survival (although there are survival items in there).


Katie,

I have the 2 litre version of that item (i couldn't get the 1 litre ones at the time i ordered some stuff). My only compaint about it, is the opening. Makes it quite difficult to pack in a tight space. I would much rather something like the breast milk 8 oz bags, but in a litre size.

billym,

I like that knife! I think i can get that to fit no problem.

As for the other items, i wish countycomm would ship international!!!!

Kris

Hi Katie,

I have the Platypus collapsible bottle you referenced and although I have not used it much, it has been good the few times I did. I bought it for an odd reason, to replace a wineskin. When I am hunting (stalking/still-hunting) I do not want the sloshing sound of water in a partly filled bottle, so I squeeze the air out of the container to keep it quiet. I have found cheap wineskins to be fragile but the Platypus bottle has held up well.

I think what Kris is looking for is a heavy-duty flexible plastic container with a wide waterproof closure on top so survival items can be kept inside, but the bag can be used as a water carrier when needed? I have used thick plastic bags (fish fillet bags, prospecting sample bags) for this purpose but they all get punctured with rough handling.

I have never tried an Aloksak bag but they may make something that will do the job?

Mike

Mike,

You hit it on the head with the water container.

Kris

Hi Bill,

Nice choice and good price on the Gerber STL 2.0, I have not seen them in Canada yet but I will look for them.

I have also never seen a Derma-shave but I think I am going to try to make one out of thin aluminum and a hacksaw blade (J.D. McCann had one on pg 83 of his book "Build the Perfect Survival Kit") for EDC. I may build it with a Rem-grit blade after I test them out on different materials (metal, wood, plastic).

Mike

Hi Kris,

QUOTE: "i'm more a fan of the SAK Soider then the farmer (not a fan of the saw on the SAK's and always loose the tweezers)."

I am the opposite on the saw, I have used one a lot and prefer to have one on my SAK's that I take to the bush. It is amazing the size of limb/trees it will cut, I mostly use it when installing treestands and creating shooting lanes.

I have even used the saw to split the pelvic bone of deer when field-dressing, very handy.

My Alox SAK's do not have tweezers, I wish they did but I have never seen them.

Lately I have been EDC'ing a SAK One-hand Trekker, good knife but I think it is to big to fit in the DR/AMK PSK. The German army has recently gone to this knife (GAK) and word on the net is that the Swiss may also. Check it out at SOSAK online http://www.sosakonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=213&Itemid=35

Mike

Another very thin SAK is the alox Bantam. It's an 84mm knife with one layer (knife blade and can/bottle opener multitool). It's quite small and light.

Even smaller and lighter is the Classic SD with alox scales. Not much of a knife blade, but better than nothing at all. Plus it has the scissors and nail file/small screwdriver.

Kevin B.

SwampD,
There is a good treatise on homemade knives like the Derma-safe ones out of hacksaw and PVC at Primitive Ways.

http://www.primitiveways.com/two_bladed_pocket_knife.html

I have added an alox version of the Victorinox Pocket Pal. Very thin with 2 blades. The plastic scale Pocket Pal also works well, but is a bit thicker.

I also added a small hank of braided nylon cord, some specta line and a BSA hot spark.

Hi Bill,

Thanks for the link to Primitive Ways, I have added it to my favourites.

Mike

These are some pretty tough little knives;



British Army Knife



Spyderco Endura 4 ZDP-189



Fallkniven U2 Lockback

Thanks for the knife choices. Like the Britsh Army Knife (wish it was just the blade).

Kris