I have a fold-up stove similiar to the Esbit one. I also have one of those emergency Esbit stoves (got it with a French RCIR 24-hour ration). They are pretty sturdy and can withstand several folding and unfoldings.

The fold-up stoves allow you to adjust the heat slightly but opening/closing the stove to different angles. The emergency stove really doesn't allow for that.

Matt,

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Jim, By the way, nice job on the kit!

Thanks a lot for all the replies. I think it's probably better to stick to the folding stove because someone mentioned I was gonna carry the bulk of the fuel-tabs anyway.

Great kit, not too much, not too little. I agree with the need for a wool watch cap and gloves, they are year-round kit for me. Some may be able to use self restraint to lighten their load, not me. I have to have the smallest possible pack, or I fill it up with "stuff".
I have a Swede surplus Trangia alcohol stove, and an Esbit stove, and, well, too many stoves.
I made a simple windscreen/pot holder from pieces of sheet metal. I cut sheet metal to 3"X16" pieces, three each, and cut slots in the ends of each piece so they interlock with each other forming a triangle. This lets me use Esbit tabs, trioxane bars, the alcohol stove, or just small pieces of wood, for a fire and holds the pot up off the flame. When not in use, they come apart and lay flat in a stay or even bladder sleeve or the bottom of my pack, and weigh very little.
Just an idea.

Nice Kit Jim, I am going to "borrow" some ideas from you, Thanks.

Mike

Thats why I like the little wood burning stoves - pack things inside them and you can burn just about anything for fuel

Very nice setup. What about about replacing the folder with a small fixed blade? Recently I have read somewhere something like "whatever might break away will break away" . If I overlooked a mention of a fixed blade somewhere, I´m sorry.

Regarding the discussion about bag with one sling versus a backpack, well, give me a backpack any day for hiking an/or even for urban carry. I wouldn´t be able to stand carrying fully loaded bag over one shoulder even for 500 metres. Too much problems with it (not healthy, not practical for running or rapid movements, climbing etc). But it´s just me.

I don't think I'll need the extra capabilities of a fixed blade, so a folder will work fine. Also you could get some strange looks over here for carrying a fixed-blade knife.

Fortunately, the jumbo als has a belt-loop which you can use to take some of the load of the shoulder strap.

I prefer backpacks but shoulder bags have their place. For one thing, its easier to retrieve an item from a shoulder bag than a backpack as you don't have to take if off first, it can blend in with dress/business attire more easily, and I think they are generally less noticeable.

Jim, I like it. Mostly.

My concern is that it is a shoulder bag, and carrying my EDC in a Jumbo I know that after the first few miles it starts to suck. When I hike, I either put it all in a small ruck, or on a chest harness (I can prop my arms on the top of the two pouches, I look very content- a friend described it last weekend as the "happy budda of doom" look). BUT, your spine isn't mine, so...

In terms of gear, since you already have a SERE saw in your SOL, I might think about a wood saw blade in the kit rather than another hacksaw blade bit in the PSP. I know you have your multi with you, right? If not, a multi or a SAK and a pair of pliers.

On the topic of the stove, one possibility is to use a small coffee can that you've added vent holes to, and replace the Nalgene with a Guyoet bottle so you still have something to boil in. But that is why I have a bigger bag- I carry two Guyoets, a GSI space saver, AND the mini wood stove. :P