By that I mean, having discovered the ETS web site, and now the Survival Forum, and having started assembling my own kits ... I find that I am looking at everything in a different way. Will that fit in my kit? Can I use this doo-dad for something else? Will this less expensive (read, Wal-Mart) thingie work as well as that top-of-the-line catalog thingie? Am I ever going to find the perfect kit? You get the idea. Has anyone else gone through this?

Firstly welcome. For me the condition got only slightly worse after I discovered ETS (already had a kit though). I guess you wont find the perfect kit. The kit can always be improved and when your lifestyle changes, your kit will need to be adapted.
So enjoy assembling the kit and don´t worry when it´s not perfect. I´m assembling my kits (urban, outdoors, ... you get the idea) for more than ten years now. They still change from time to time.
Your increased awareness wil help you to avoid some trouble.

Good Luck with the addicition. Like most addictions, it starts with a small get your toe wet attempt and before you know it your are swimming in the ocean with no land in sight.

As already mentioned, the perfect kit is the elusive holy grail. What is perfect today is flawed tomorrow. As your knowledge grows, so will what is important for the kit change. And be forewarned, one kit is never enough. It will soon grow into a variety of kits, one in every size and for every occasion.

Recently one poster added a link to his website where he listed his mini kit, pocket kit, fanny pack kit, backpack kit, stay at home kit, and vehicle kit. Before the electrons settled, he was getting suggestions on ways to improve. He did not have a airplane travel kit or an overseas kit.

My name is Bruce, and I am a kit-aholic.

My name is Alain, and I too am a kit-aholic.


I discovered ETS a few months ago, and since, I try to assemble kits :
- EDC
- rucksak
- car
- I should add one for home emergency soon ....

I previously had some elements here or there, but now I try to organise all that stuff into kits. Always looking for a more conveniently sized box for a PSK, a new shop to buy some special survival items ... aso....

ETS web site is a incredible mine of information.
And I particularly appreciate the friendly and helpful people on this forum.

Thanks, folks ....

Alain

Try living within a reasonable distance of Bridage Quartermasters, Galyans, and REI... It's sad when you walk through the store saying 'got it...got it... got it... got 4...'

I have half a dozen shops for outdoors equipment within walking distance from my home <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />. How did you know that this could influence my choice for my location? They don´t carry much of new toys ...umm I mean equipment I would be interested in. So I have to shop in the internet anyway.
Sometimes it seems a little odd when a collegue says 'It would be nice if a tool for - insert task here - existed' and I´ve got one in my pocket <img src="images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />. But as I´m an engineer it´s not too weird to have a lot of equipment with me. <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Have you started looking at all the little boxes things come in when you're at the store and saying "Ooh, that'd be a great container for my PSK/FAK?" <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

The other day I was shopping for back to school supplies for my 11 year old. I spotted a set of colored pencils that came in this nifty, tupperare type box. I thought, now that box would be perfect strapped to the outside of my large survival knife. It was then I realized I was a very sick man and needed to get out of the mall.

It would be no good forming a group therepy session for this. It would just turn into a live version of this board. Mac

My ten year old daughter thought I was disfunctional at Christmas. I was helping her to make Christmas cards when I noticed that her silver and gold glitter came in little plastic tubes with secure caps. After convincing her that the glitter was better off in some small tupperware boxes the tubes became pill holders in my psk. I'd been looking for some for ages and these are just the job. Sad! <img src="images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />