The PSP has duct tape, and more of it. This stuff is hi-viz, but most colored duct tape isn't as sticky.

Neither the PSP nor McCann's copy have a metal sparklite.

Both have an orange plastic sparklite. They also look to have the same button compass, same tinderquiks (to be fair, John has more), same frensel, same pencil, same paper. Yellow vs orange Fox 40 Micro's- big deal, still don't like a whistle you have to "toot" rather than just "BLOW" into.

John's has the little mirror from the SOL, which I like except for the lack of directions on it, but it isn't as good as the larger one the basis that bigger is better with mirrors. AMK REALLY needs to get directions on these little guys, a signal mirror is NOT instinctive to use.

John's tool set and fishing kit are better (or at least larger) than Doug's, but the safety pins look kinda punk. Can't see the sewing needle to judge. I don't think he gives you as much line as you get in the PSP. And yes, while Doug gives you a length of cordage on par with a core line, John gives you a whole whomping THREE FEET of 550 line. Color me impressed. :P

Doug's has the aluminum foil. Even if it kinda iffy for water containers, for a fire base when the ground is wet or under a bow drill, or as a wind break, or for wrapping tinder in to keep it dry... yeah, one thing, one hundred uses, mostly having to do with fire.


Both good kits. Doug did his first, by quite a few years, and at a better price. John McCann's kit and the SOL are the only two commercial kits that I've seen that I think give the PSP some serious competition, and the PSP and the SOL are the only two that are available through regular retail channels. And honestly, the SOL isn't in quite the same niche as the Ritter/AMK PSP and the McCann PTSK, due to being targeted towards a slightly different class of user (I say this because of the matches and the heatsheet).


Now, the shootout I'd like to see is McCann's PTSK-plus pouch, the one with his pocket tin (this thing) and add ons, vs the SOL3. Alas, Doug hasn't developed something in that category. *hint-nudge-wink*