What type of gloves, and what torch do you recommend for me to have in my pouch, mess tin sized kit?
thanks

Gloves: Can't go wrong with leather for most things. When the temps are cold...add a set of liner gloves for warmth.

Light (torch): I tend to look at light needs in terms of two needs and carry for such. I carry a Photon II for the "lighter" light chores <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />, and a Surefire 6P for "bigger" needs such as defense and when I need to throw a brighter light. I'm hoping to replace the 6P with an E2 soon as it has a slightly thinner profile.

Pete,


I just picked up one of the relatively new Inova X5T flashlights and couldn't be happier with it. Imagine splitting the difference between a Surefire and a Photon, and you have it. Long battery life, suprisingly bright, good light throw, waterproof, and durable. Fits easily into a pocket. Great light.

Any kind of leather work gloves should work well for you. Deerskin are NICE, but expensive.


Take care,

Andy

A pair of rubber gloves and a pair of leather or some good work gloves.And I like a keychain light for a small kit and I like a mag lite for my large kit.Hope this helps

I go with a Maglite AA which is pretty much bombproof and runs on easy to obtain batteries. As for gloves, I'm biased, but the British Army Soldier 95 gloves are excellent. The leather is hardwearing and very well proofed but also has a Goretex interliner and a fleece lining. They're also available in green or black. Bonus! Get them from Silvermans, Springfields, SASS or Campshop.

Hope this helps.

I recently heard that gloves made out of goat skin would be a good choice. Apparently they do not absorb water like cow skin. I think deer or elk might have similar properties. They are expensive, though. Filson sells them. A pair of inexpensive wool gloves (I use military surplus ones) would also be good to add. The main functions I look to provide are warmth and protection of my hands.

A Maglite with a photon conversion would fit well in the mess kit. The Mini-Mag uses AA batteries (which are also used in most GPS receivers if you carry one of those). I especially like to be able to use it like a candle (unscrew the lens and stick the base of the Maglite into it and you have a "candle"). I don't know if this size of Maglite can be converted with a photon bulb. Store the Maglite without the batteries installed and throw in a couple of extra batteries if you have the room.

Terry

I actually tote around several pairs of gloves:

1 pr. goatskin for holding onto rough objects, ropes, moving debris (the Stanley brand in the US sells a very nice product that can be easily found--lightweight but very durable and can stand water without stiffening)

2 pr. nitrile gloves for handling chemicals/dirty things and such

2 pr. latex gloves for first aid

1 pr. heavy duty paint stripping gloves (again, Stanley brand, the orange ones) in another standby kit. These are also very good for dishwashing, so I always have a few pairs around the house...they are much more durable than your garden-variety dish gloves.

1 pr. heavy duty neoprene gloves (again, Stanley) in vehicle kit, good for dealing with auto repairs and petrol/gasoline/oil/etc.

and when the weather calls for it:

1 pr. SmartWool liner gloves

1 pr. SmartWool wool fleece gloves

and when I'm skiing/outdoors for fun:

1 pr Burton AK mitts, the warmest mitts Burton makes.

1 pr. Burton AK fleece/leather gloves for apres ski.

As far as torches, being a Yank, I thought you meant a torch as in welding, not a torch as in flashlight! But I carry the Petzl Zipka, a few Photon 3 lights, and a Victorinox Midnite MiniChamp II on my person, and I have various larger Mag-Lite's (D Cell) stashed in the vehicles. These also make good weapons, should that be necessary--and with road rage in the rise here in the US, it has been a couple of times. Nothing like a big metal stick to shut up a bad driver who thinks attacking you because *he* did something stupid/discourteous is a good idea...

Of course, now that I think about it, it probably wouldn't be a bad idea to toss a butane cartridge soldering iron and torch in the vehicle kit.

Forester,

Check out www.candlepowerforums.com for information on Light Emitting Diodes (LED's) that can be used to modify Maglites. There are several forum members there that have these for sale.

Regards,
Comanche7

hmm, notice that i can't spell!! but all the same, i believe that a lot of first aid kits/paramed's doctors etc, don't carry latex gloves anymore, due to the increase in latex alergy's. most use vinyl gloves now. just my two penny worth!

the problem ( atleast for me ) is that, it's very hard to get vinyl gloves ! i have never seen them being sold seperatly, only in bigger FAK's. Latex gloves can be found much easyer in large and small quantity's.