Just wondering if any of you could recommend a small folding knife for the inclusion in a PSK. Light weight preferred, but also looking for a sturdiness esp. in the locking mechanism. I may also keep the single-edged razor blade and the "X-Acto" knife blades, but I think a small knife would be a good addition.


Also, I'm looking for any suggestions on how to attach a thin mil tarp, “Tacoma Mt. Rescue’s storm shelter”, to a cord. I have heard of wrapping the tarp around a small smooth rock- tying off to this. I also carry duct tape and could certainly reinforce the edges where I wish to tie to. I also have a grommet kit and could use the duct tape or ripstop repair tape on both sides of the tarp as a reinforcement before the emergency as opposed to the first two examples which would probably be done “in the field”


Tx, 9fingers/Tim H

Re the knife: Depends a lot on the size container you are using. I have a Buck 522 "slimline" lockback in stainless that fits nicely into a small Altoids - it will stand on edge (kind of tilted) or lay flat in the bottom of the tin and is only about 1/8" thick. I have also carried a "micro knife" in PSKs from time to time - its a miniature version of a retractable utility knive, about 2.75" long and you can store spare blades in the handle - Lowes or Home Depot should have one of those.

Re the Tarp: When I did SERE training (way back in the 60s...) we made shelters from 3 panels of parachute and used small round pebbles inside the fabric and a loop of 550 paracord around the "lump" it made as tiedowns. Worked very well, and parachute cloth is very thin and somewhat fragile.

This firm has some interesting fasteners. I found them when I began experimenting with tarps. I believe they work with silnylon, but you have to place them so a seam stops the edge, otherwise they can slip off.

http://www.shelter-systems.com/tarp-kit.html

I wouldn't suggest these clips for inclusion in a PSK -- too bulky and single-purposed. The pebbles should work fine. You can also gather a small loop in the corner and use that as part of a sheet bend knot.

I've never had any problems with grommets, but you could also consider sewing some small grossgrain tabs at the corners.

Knife:
I have a Gerber micro LST in my PSKs. Blade isn't a lot bigger than an xacto blade, but I'm fumbled fingered enough (even without a survival situation) that I'd like something to hold on to. I think there are several sizes of the LST--micro, mini, regular, jumbo, etc... Packs really flat and light.

Tarp Clips:
Not sure you want to include such a special purpose item in a PSK, but another commercial version is
http://www.leevalley.com/garden/page.asp?page=45515&category=2,43288,42182&abspage=1&ccurrency=2&SID= which I've used pretty successfully with 4mil plastic sheeting. Lee valley also carries their big brothers http://www.leevalley.com/garden/page.asp...=2&SID=

Again, unless it's too exotic for you I would go for a Mini Douk-Douk. They're cheap, strong, easy to sharpen, internationally legal, and not much bigger than a stick of gum when folded.

Both my 'Urban' and 'Wild' PSKs contain a WHITBY FIREFLY LITE KEYRING KNIFE. These are well built small lock knives with a 2 1/4" stainless drop point blade and a built-in red LED light beam. They fit in a tobacco tin easily (put the recessed button for the LED against the outside to avoid accidental use)
and whilst they're not of 'bench made' quality they are far superior to the cheap blades included in ready made psks.

As for tarps I've always used small pebbles - they have been storng enough to turn a plastic exposure bag into an eight handle stretcher for a full grown man. <img src="images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Hope this helps.

I own this knife but I think that it is too bulky to fit in a PSK. A SAK classic would be more suitable in my opinion.

Pete

I agree that the SAK Classic is O.K., but I've got a very well stocked PSK in a tobacco tin and I still manage to fit that 'bulky' Firefly in. I prefer to know that if my main tool bites the dust I've got a reasonable last chance saloon. (IMHO).

Hi all...I use a Kershaw Coral Creek in my medium-sized PSK. It is a lock-back design, sturdy as heck and razor sharp. It has a hole in the handle for a lanyard.

I am interested in looking into having a small run of the knife proposed by Tom Ayers in this post made up by a local hobbyist or custom fabricator. I would provide them to the forum with ETS branding for a small bit above cost with all profits donated to ETS. Primarily I would like one of these knives and I don't have the milling machine necessary to produce one. I think that if we can show 1 or 2 hundred orders we could be able to get a run made at a custom milling operation at a reasonable price. Then add some cents to it to support ETS and we would all have a decent PSK knife with storage for sewing kit, flint rod, and saw blade.

perhaps there is a machinist on the forum that would like to donate some talent and time? <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Original pics lost on an ISP change; see here for a repost of the pics.

I can ask my boys if they want to tackle turning some of these up on my lathe... can't answer for them (teenagers!). Also, I suggest a collet or modification for heavy duty sewing machine needles instead of Ez-awl needles (MUCH cheaper and easier to replace)

Tom

I'd jump in for some. I can also ask the boys in the troop if they'd like some too. I know of several that would jump at the opportunity.

BTW, a hole in the cap for a split ring would be nice to attach to a lanyard. It could also serve as a handle for a wire saw.

I'm interested too. You can count on me for at least one, maybe four, depending on the final price.

Count on me for 2-3 also, depending on the final price.