Pulled a huge brain dead this past week when I went to Maine for a little cabin retreat type thing and I left all of my good gear back in North Carolina. I did however have my EDC and my PSK at least and I learned quite a bit about the kit and what it need in it.

First off I tried to put my duct tape in strips about three inches long on my folded up piece of aluminum foil which as you guessed it, destroyed the foil and resulted in the 6 or 7 pieces of tape that I had become only about four.

I used the heck out of my cotton balls and flint and steel to start fires, but moslty just to practice, I did have my lighter with me.

I learned that I need something to hold my fish hooks. As I was opening the kit near dark to get at my cotton and flint, I dropped the kit and lost most of my hooks. I never found them the follwoing days.

I will be taking out the small bic lighter that I had in there. It takes up a lot of space. I will be replacing it with some wax soaked matches.

I am still not comfortable with wrapping the kit in 550 cord. It is very difficult to get into the kit and then you have a bundle of cord left over. I know that wrapping it makes it less attractivew wo just get in it when ever you want, but I am going to research some other way to have the cord with the kit.

Some of my other gear perfomed flawlessly. My EDC was a swisstool RS, a spyderco military, a fox40 mini, a red photon 2, an AAA mag light, anda hankerchief (sp?) and a bandana.

THe hanky and bandana worked great on the boat for my wife and I to put on our necks as we forgot sunblock.

The military performed well both in the boat, the camp site and in the kitchen. Its open design makes it a breeze to clean and dry.

THe swisstool did it all as well, and it was almost recruited to be a lobster cracker, but I had to put a halt to that.

THe photon worked great as well. I was debating which color ot use, but the red works great, but it does make map reading on civilian maps impossible as it washes out the red on those maps.

THe whistle never saw action, except to annoy the wife and parents

and the lighter worked over time around the camp and cabin as a fuel source for the stoves, the camp fire and as a scent suppressor for the head <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />.

I am glad that I broke open my PSK on this non-survival situation and learned a few things. I am taking some of Cody Lundin's ideas to heart for my next generation and I will post them if there is interest.

All in all, I saw some fabulous coastline, mountains and woods. I ate more lobster than should be legal and I had a great time with my family. I alos learned a bunch of great lessons where my life wasnt at stake and I am thankful for that.

THis forum rocks and I am glad to be a part of it.

Garrett

I used a small amount of electrical tape and wrapped all the hooks together in my mini kit (also did the same with the loose safety pins). Keeps everything from rattling around, too. Plus I've got a little extra tape!

I've had better luck using Scotch "Magic"-brand clear tape, it doesn't seem to leave the veryyyyyyyyy sticky residue that some electrical tapes can after repeated esposure to heat, cold, etc.

The clear tape isn't as strong or durable as electrical tape, but gaffer's tape is pretty good, better than the clear tape and leaves no residue.

Tonight I think I will swap out the electrical tape for clear or gaffer's... thanks for the ideas!

Only if you have room to spare. I keep some miscellaneous hooks and split shot in a Listerine breath strips pack. This way I can dispense what I need and close it back up. Your mileage may vary.

--Chris