I think having tools allows one to create many other things. Also, having the knowledge of how tools were used and created 100+ years ago can really broaden your knowledge. The more tools and knowledge you have, the more you will see chances to create arising from your own mind.

To suggest a specific thing to improvise, how does one know where to start? What are you trying to do, what materials do you have? ETC.!!!!!

Knowledge is the thing to collect. Imagination allows it to be applied in new ways.

Haywire!
It is amazing what can be done with a roll of haywire.

Edit:
Add a few nails and a hammer.

Welcome to the fire, Caldronborn!

Like you and many others, I find it easiest to carry a few basics that can be used to improvise solutions. Improvising generally requires deconstructing one thing and reassembling the parts into something new. My urban pocket gear is based on this concept, mainly a multitool to deconstruct items and an Altoids tin filled with wire, zip ties, duct tape, dental floss, safety pins and assorted other stuff (obligatory whistle, lighter, and compass) to fasten things back together.

-Blast

Caldronborn
I amongst others would recommend and DO carry a DR PSK found at www.redflare.com, and www.aeromedix.com among others my DW, DS, and DD carry one my DS is the envy of his scout troop when he whips it out (to show off of course)

Mike D
kd7fqd

Caldronborn,

Lots of good ideas so far. I usually have layers of stuff and it varies by what I am up to. My pocket carry is pretty limited at work/around town so it is heavily focused on just enough to get by with and relies on being able to make due or jury rig a temporary solution. Keys, CellPhone, PDA, small SAK or multi-tool, light, a couple of bandaids. This works because my office or car are usually pretty close by with a much larger and much more diverse selection of toys, ... er make that tools to work with.

Better tools generally make the job easier but you can get by with a lot less if you go slow and respect your (and your tools) limitations.

- Eric

I guess I'm a lot like Blast. I don't EDC a survival kit per se, at least not in the Altoid tin kit sense. It's usually just a good folder, multitool, small flashlight, gas lighter and paracord. Plus a few band-aids and basic meds in my wallet.

You can't foresee or prepare for every possible eventuality. In truth, you can improvise almost anything if you have to. My real survival kit are my skills and experience. I'm pretty good with most things mechanical, I have a working understanding of most things electronic and I'm handy with tools so I can "MacGyver" a lot of stuff if needed (and have done so on a number of occasions). The important thing is, anyone can MacGyver their way through anything, providing you have at least a modicum of skill and some ingenuity.

There's a fun game you can do any time and might pay dividends in an unexpected situation - look around yourself and try to find as many uses for the objects around you as you can imagine. Pretty much anything can be cannibalized, modified or used for some other purpose. At least as long as you carry a Leatherman (got that one from Les Stroud lol).

I'm in the process now of trying to shrink my EDC down some. I'm finding there are times I can't stuff my pockets, such as wearing bike or swim shorts. on the bike its not too bad since I can stuff everything in an underseat pack but swimming I have to leave a bit behind.

No-one else has mentioned a bandanna yet. These are famously multi-purpose.

Money can solve a lot of problems.

What about adding dry wall screws? With the bits from my multitool and a bunch of them, I think I could create some make shift repairs in a hurry, that could hold for a while.

On the point of multi-tools, does anyone know if the larger leatherman's lock the same way as the kick and the length of the knife blades?