Long long ago, when I first joined up at ETS we had a long discussion about Japanese Lunch Boxes and their utility for large kits. I ended up coordinating the distribution of a quantity of stainless steel lunch boxes that another member bought for us in Thailand (I think it was Thailand).

Anyway, I was glancing through a copy of my Duluth Trading catalog this morning and what did I see….why a very similar Stainless lunch box available without a load of hassel for about $20 each.

http://www.duluthtrading.com/store/products/86094.aspx

For large kits these boxes are quite nice. The container is large enough to serve as a cook pot too. I have purchased many items from DLT over the past year and have been quite pleased with their service and the quality of their items.

A flash from the past…..

Schwert, you've disappointed me! I expected a beautiful photograph of your lunch box artfully set near a campfire as the sun sets on a gorgous lake in the background...

These lunchboxes are great and the double-stack ones are even better, especially the ones with folding wire handles. I picked mine up in China but sometimes you can find them in local, large Asian grocery stores.

-Blast

Back in 2002 we could not source these easily in Asian markets even. Since then I have found the alumium version (BCB boxes) from BestGlide, but this is the first time I have found these stainless ones again.

I unfortunately do not have a photo for this post.....I consider it a personal failing

My box....rather than a kit, is actually a lunch box.

That aluminum one I find better for a kit too...a bit flatter and a bit easier to pack.

I've seen some aluminum Japanese bento boxes with fairly sturdy clips to hold the lid on. An online search will turn up sources. Plus Hello Kitty designs are widely available.

I like USGI ammo cans. Sturdy, water tight if you maintain the seals, and cheap ($5 to $15 depending on what you get and condition) and they are pretty easy to rig a shoulder strap on. They are a bit too bulky for a PSK but behind the seat of a vehicle they work. And you can sit on them. If you have two one makes a seat and the other a compact workbench/work surface.

Izzy, what kind of knife do you have in your kit? it looks pretty nice and sturdy!

Izzy,i'll second that comment.that is a good looking kit.do you ever pick from it or is it sealed for survival use only?

I have both the "Round Stainless Steel Lunch Box - With Dish" and the "Stainless Steel Lunch Box - Rectangular" from Pearl River in New York. They are sturdy and inexpensive.
You'll need to browse the 6 pages (look at pages 2 and 3)- can't get individual pages to link: http://pearlriver.com/v2/FramesCat.asp?iGroup=333

Three sizes of each, from $4 to $7.

Thanks for sharing those look pretty nice. I actually was thinking of getting one of the sigg boxes. There is a local store that carries the sigg boxes and I need to stop and investigate further and compare with the one from Duluth.

I cannot seem to find the BCB Mess Tin in Canada. Work Wear Canada found here is the new Canadian retailer for BCB but they have not added the Mess Tin to their online site yet. I emailed the owner Paul Robinson and he is considering expanding the BCB line in 2010, including the Mess Tin. Paul has also done 19 product reviews on YouTube which are interesting and help make purchasing decisions easier when you cannot handle the items.

Standard Disclaimer: I have no connection to Work Wear Canada other than I will soon be a customer and I appreciate that the owner responded to my inquiries so quickly.

Mike

Thanks for the nice offer Izzy, I am placing an order with Workwear Canada anyway as they have numerous other items I want, if they do not add the BCB Mess Tin soon I will give Survival Resources a try.

Survival Resources sure have some nice gear (I enjoyed John McCann's book also and refer to it often), I am just concerned about the importation hassle/costs.

Mike

Schwert, are you still around these days? Personal message says your box in full. I'm in the region and would like to talk old axe resurrection with you.

Cheers,

Ben N.

Nice looking kit Izzy! You've convinced me to upgrade to a metal tin for my PSK. Thanks also for the tips on where to find one.