Wire saw, hooks, fishing string, matches, sewing needles.

I got this for 5 bucks from an eBay distributor when shopping for Storm matches (great seller BTW, can provide a link if anyone's interested) and from the contents, wasn't impressed. However, what I didn't realize was just how tiny the container was. Here it is with a pen for scale:



It seems like a reasonably comprehensive EDC add-on. Because it's so small and relatively lightweight, I'm actually considering putting one into my BoB as well. Does anybody have experience with these?

Cute little thing, for a reasonable price, assuming that the contents are of any quality at all. Never heard of it before, and it took me a few seconds to figure out what the little rods with the "V" notches in them are. It is kinda early, and I'm on my first cup of java...

welcome to the early morning club. I have been at work (RN-critical care) since 6 this am. These are basically the same kits i remember buying back in the early 80's. They always came in the "10 bucks hollow handle survival knife" found at flea markets.I remember playing with these when i was younger. Most of the contents are fair. But the saw is a total waste of time. It is very weak and breaks easily. The only true wire saw i have ever used with any success is one called a COMMANDO SAW i think made by coghlan's. The make a cheap one but it seems the commando one was not that bad.

Yeah, I figured the wire saw wouldn't be much help. Still, is it better than nothing, or just plain hazardours?



Well, the matches are advertised as being "waterproof", though you wouldn't guess it. I replaced three out of six with one (1) of the "lifeboat" kind and the striker fit, too. And since you're already up... what are the little rods with the "V" notches??? I'm not an especially skilled outdoorsman...

"...what are the little rods with the "V" notches..."

Little handles for the el cheapo wire saw...

lol. Much oblidged.

Here's a result of ten minutes of irregular sawing with the Highlander wire saw, compared to Sabercut (top).



I should point out that the latter took me most of the time to properly position. I imagine this would be a non-issue with a full-size log, though. Of course, I probably wouldn't dare throw the wire saw against a log anyway...

Ive used a wire saw against a 5 inch branch, it didn't take long at all! It was actually reakky fun, but then agian, we were using it in 2 person mode.

Figtree is right about the wire saw, most won't hold up. In small kits I replaced all the matches with 2"x1/8" ferrocerium rods. Doug Ritter's PSP is good, no matches, no cheap saw, but good signaling gear which is much more important to the guy who gets lost.

Also, check out the EDC kit at CountyComm and consider an EDC kit that looks more like a set of keys. I like kits that I can use every day. It makes it easier to remember what I have if I use it, rather than having it stashed for emergency only use.

I like how compact it is...you could stash some all over for the price too.

I'm not a big fan of the wire saws. Maybe I've only ever tried cheap ones but the heat generated by their use seems to stress the metal to the point where it gets brittle and/or weak and breaks. I don't think I've ever had one last longer than one branch.

Too many hooks… too many matches… etc. “There can be only one” of each.

Sorry… couldn’t resist.