I've just freed up a little space in a couple of my PSKs by switching from the (small) flat plastic ACR whistle to some I spotted at REI- in amongst the brighly-anodized key-chain novelty section that seems to exist in all outdoors stores now, there's a new (at least, I hadn't seen it before) smaller whistle that's just teensy... it looks like a scaled-down version of the one I've seen for years, but this one is just over a quarter-inch in diameter (pencil diameter) and less than two inches long.

It's shrill but single-toned, hence not as attention-getting as others, so I'll probably keep the ACR in my "boating" PSK. Still, it has to be the loudest whistle for it's size- perhaps because it's the only one I've seen it's size. When dealing with the cramped confines of an Altoids-size tin, any little bit helps. $3.

Tiny REI whistle

Yup.

I've got a few identical whistles sold under the brand name of Omega-Pacific.

I like one in my Altoid kit for the same reason. I also carry one on my keychain, as I have so much other stuff on there that a larger whistle just adds to the cluster.

If I'm going to be in the outdoors, then of course I opt for something louder like a Storm.

Harley

Those are exactly the same ones I use in my Altoids tins, though they're not brand labeled. Can't beat 'em for the size and the price!

Looks a lot like what www.bisonbelts.com sells. I think that their's go for $1.50 each. I should receive my order from them this week.

I just hope you don't need it in really cold weather.

I prefer plastic. It is lighted and I don't like things that can freeze to my lips.

I agree and that's why I didn't buy those tiny metallic whistle (my local camping store have two or three models).
I prefered to add ACME 2000 plastic whistles (sawed off to gain space) to my kits.

OTOH, if metallic whistles are kept inside clothes, they should not be too cold....

Thanks a bunch for the tip! I've been looking for whistles just like these. I'll be placing an order shortly.

Speaking of tiny whistles, I am always looking for tiny, keychain-size tools and gadgets that will easily fit on one's keychain (or in one's coat or trouser pockets). These should be functional but not attention getting. Anyone here use / have / own other tiny tools they'd like to talk about?

try a search on keychain or mega-keychain in the forum. Remember to set the date range to all dates or you wil only get the last week or so. There have been many threads on keychain stuff.

Thank you. I will.

A few key chain sized tools come to mind
1. LEDs - photon, princton tec pulsar
2. Swisstech utilikey / microtechician
3. SAK classic
4. Leatheman squirt
5. Leatherman micra
6. Bison capsules
7. Survival Key Chain
8. Streamlight keymate
9. Not to mention numerous knives which can fit on the key ring (SOG/sypderco/gerber etc)

<img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Cool list. I have the Photon II, the SwissTech MicroPlus, Victorinox Midnite MiniChamp II, and Leatherman Micra.

I'm looking into getting some items from Bison. I already know about survivalkeychain.com, but I gotta pay my taxes first. I have to look into the Leatherman Squirt.

How does the Streamlight Keymate stack up again the Arc AAA and the CMG Infinity Ultra?

Craig, if you like the Micra, your'e gonna love the Squirt.

To me, the Streamlight KeyMate ranks right up there with the ARC AAA and CMG Sonic. ( I have all three). The form factor of the KeyMate is so neat; it is like a miniature lightsaber from Star Wars. :-0

I'm very fond of the tiny stuff- it's seldom the very best you can carry, there are some compromises for really small size, but comparing it to full-sized equipment is REALLY missing the point. IMHO, really tiny equipment that works adequately is worth a lot more than heavy/bulky equipment that works even better.

In the "tiny" category I'd put:

The aforementioned tiny whistle.

Photon 3 (No, not "2". Water resistant, easy to change batteries, latest model with auto-SOS feature).

BSA Hot Spark (ferrocerium, key sized, just barely large enough to work fine).

USGI P38 Can Opener, doubles as a fine striker for the Hot Spark.

REI "Featherweight" mirror, thinner than a credit card, I cut it down to fit an Altoids-size tin. Hole for signalling. Others (Campmor) carry the same thing, different names.

"Permanent Match" lighter, the plastic version - some don't like 'em. What's not to like? Tiny, waterproof, refillable, multi-fuel, backup ferrocerium and striker if it runs dry. Lights lamps, stoves and fires easier than a lighter.

Mini Bic - if you insist, but it's harder to use for some things, won't work in serious cold, etc. Admirably small and light, though.

"Flapjacks" folding reading glasses - for those who need 'em, a 1 inch by 3 inch oval when folded, it's in the tin.

Wallet-sized Fresnel lens - mostly as a last-ditch backup to above for reading, but might start a fire.

One unusual item that I carry is one of those garden variety needle threaders, the little flat metal tab with a wire loop on it. The aggravation it saves if you have to use your needle and thread, especially in bad conditions (raining, failing light), is well worth the tiny weight and bulk, IMHO.

I usually carry a Leatherman Micra, and I own a few Vic Classics, but I don't really include them in this category. They're small, but IMHO they don't dramatically outperform their weight and bulk. There's no real trick to making a tiny version of something, it's making a tiny version of something that still works well.

Thank you. I'll have to look into getting one.

I like your list. Here are my comments:

1. I thought Photon 3's had not been reviewed as well as the Photon 2's had been and were therefore not recommended.

2. Where does one find a BSA Hot Spark?

3. I just ordered a brushed stainless steel Permanent Match (with keychain attachment) for all of about $2 ($6 shipping) from www.therestlessmouse.com. I'll let you know how it does.

4. I have honestly tried to like and use Mini-Bics. I cannnot. They are too bloody small for me to get a grip on. I keep having to use one hand to hold it and one to work the wheel. I am sticking to the regular disposables.

5. I already have bifocals incorporated into my glasses. Groan. The definitive sign that one has reached the far side of 40. I hate that.

6. I keep my Fresnel lens in my wallet. Seems a natural fit.

7. I have been torn -- delightfully so -- between the Leatherman Micra and the Vic Midnite MiniChamp II. I really like both of them and use them for different tasks. So I carry both of them.

You buy BSA hotsparks at any Boy Scouts of America council store or on the net from the Boy Scout supplier. (of which I forget the web address, I think it is scoutstuff.org )

I think there are two very distinct classes of tiny/keychain tools. There are those you get free with company logos and at the checkout counter and then there are the ones like the little leathermans that are decent quality. A good example is the leatherman squirt EL, the wire strippers on that are great compared to most wire strippers from places like radio shack and the big hardware store, I think because the "blades" overlap like scissors instead of just meeting and the fact that they are a better grade of steel.

Hey, Craig, thanks for the kind words.

>>1. I thought Photon 3's had not been reviewed as well as the Photon 2's had been and were therefore not recommended.<<

I've heard comments to that effect, but I have both, and 5 of the Photon 3's, and don't understand it. I understand there were some switch problems in the early runs, but one of mine is that early and has never had a problem.
The Photon 2 has the exposed switch which is clearly an entrance point for water/mud/whatever, and requires a tool and disassembly to change the batteries. IMHO, the auto-SOS feature of the later Photon 3 models is worth a lot by itself. How many hours do you want to thumb out S-O-S yourself, and what else could you be doing in that time if you didn't have to?

I sort of guess that someone tried the two-switch system of the Photon 3 for five minutes, didn't "get" it, and started looking for reasons not to like it. But that's just my opinion.

>>2. Where does one find a BSA Hot Spark?<<

Anyplace that sells Boy Scout equipment. It's very cheap, too.

>> I just ordered a brushed stainless steel Permanent Match (with keychain attachment) for all of about $2 ($6 shipping) from www.therestlessmouse.com. I'll let you know how it does. <<

Haven't tried the metal versions, I'll look forward to hearing.

>>4. I have honestly tried to like and use Mini-Bics. I cannnot. They are too bloody small for me to get a grip on. I keep having to use one hand to hold it and one to work the wheel. I am sticking to the regular disposables.<<

I understand, but I'm reluctant to sacrifice that much space in an Altoids-size tin. In anything larger, sure. The Permanent Match is no larger than the Mini-Bic.

>>5. I already have bifocals incorporated into my glasses. Groan. The definitive sign that one has reached the far side of 40. I hate that.<<

I'm not using bifocals yet, but I carry multiple pairs of reading glasses everywhere, and am still paranoid about getting caught without any. I read that Teddy Roosevelt took something like 25 pairs up San Jaun hill- I can sympathize. If you can't see, you're pretty much dead.

>>6. I keep my Fresnel lens in my wallet. Seems a natural fit.<<

Some of my stuff is duplicated, and that's one. I also carry a folded oven bag in my wallet, and a few other items. My keychain sports another Photon 3, another Hot Spark, another P38, and another tiny whistle. I don't always remember to grab the tin on the way out the door.

>>7. I have been torn -- delightfully so -- between the Leatherman Micra and the Vic Midnite MiniChamp II. I really like both of them and use them for different tasks. So I carry both of them.<<

As I said elsewhere, the great value of the Micra, for me, is that the scissors and tiny PC blade give me something to cut with in front of co-workers, and when someone asks "have you got a knife?", I can honestly answer "sure" and hand them the Micra, without ever showing them what else I'm carrying.

But, everybody has their own approach to all of the above.

>>I sort of guess that someone tried the two-switch system of the Photon 3 for five minutes, didn't "get" it, and started looking for reasons not to like it. But that's just my opinion.<<

Good enough for me. I will take another look at the Photon 3.

>>Anyplace that sells Boy Scout equipment. It's very cheap, too.<<

Cool. I'll look into that, too.

>>Haven't tried the metal versions, I'll look forward to hearing.<<

The Permanent Match seems to work just fine. It's less bulky than a regular lighter and there are no moving parts to wear out or break and an inopportune moment. Pros: Tiny, easy to fill and light, seems to be watertight. Cons: A bit clumsy to fill with lighter fluid. If you're clumsy like me, fill the container over a paper towel. Not windproof. Overall, however, I like it. A great little gadget to play with.

>>I can sympathize. If you can't see, you're pretty much dead.<<

Yep.

>>Some of my stuff is duplicated, and that's one. I also carry a folded oven bag in my wallet, and a few other items. My keychain sports another Photon 3, another Hot Spark, another P38, and another tiny whistle. I don't always remember to grab the tin on the way out the door.<<

That's why I gave up on tins and went with keychains. How do you keep your canopener folded up?

>>As I said elsewhere, the great value of the Micra, for me, is that the scissors and tiny PC blade give me something to cut with in front of co-workers, and when someone asks "have you got a knife?", I can honestly answer "sure" and hand them the Micra, without ever showing them what else I'm carrying.<<

Agreed. The Micra is my loaner. I don't show my lockblade Spydercos to co-workers any more. Just too iffy a situation.

You used to be able to buy direclty from scoutstuff, but they've discontinued that practise. Now they direct you to whoever your local retailer may be.

I also have a permanent match. I solved the filling problem by using a syringe and a needle. That way I have full control over the liquid and I know how much I filled in. Due to the small size of the needle it´s also possible to look into the filling hole. That way I can stop filling before the fuel flows all over that thing.

less than 2 months away from 50 : does that qualify ?? <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I don't have bi-focals, I guess that will be one of the gifts for my next birthday !
Presently, I just look over the rim or remove the glasses.

These are the whistles that Virginian uses in his 'Pro Survival Kit' micro kits.

If you are in serious need of reading or close work glasses, and you are reduced to using the mini PSK, I assume there is a fair chance you have lost your main glasses, and maybe even your wallet. Having a spare pair in the PSK, or at least a magnifying lens that can double for it in a semi-painful way could be a very important survival tool.

>>Good enough for me. I will take another look at the Photon 3.<<

What you'll be looking for is the latest generation, in the GREEN box. Those will be the only ones with the new chip that supports the SOS feature. Availablity is spotty- apparently they can't meet demand.

"Serious need" is a kind way of putting it. Totally freaking nearsighted is what I am. I always take my spare pair of glasses with me on overnight trips. Carrying them in my EDC would be genuinely burdensome and would require a larger kit.

I figure if the glasses I'm wearing get damaged beyond repair, then chances are good that I, too, have been damaged beyond repair!

I never take them off except for sleeping, showering, and you-know-what-else. Grin.

It all depends on whether you feel the need for them. I started having troubling seeing to write checks to pay the household bills. That was when I was 38.

Then I was taking my glasses off to write checks. I had to hold magazines at arms' length to read articles. Enough. A few months before my 42nd birthday, I went to my eye doc. She is the best. I told her I needed bifocals, she tested me, and said I needed only a mild correction. I went to LensCrafters, got fitted, which is a tricky process since they must measure your focal depth and stuff, and got my new glasses with Progressive and Featherweight lenses.

I adapted almost intantly because I was ready for them and I knew I needed them. I just had to get used to turning my entire head rather than shifting my eyes, on occassion, to be able to focus.

Good idea. Where does one purchase a syringe and needle?

I bought mine in a drugstore. They didn´t even bother to ask for what purpose I would need these items. If it´s not available in a drugstore you could ask your doctor.

you can also find a syringe in printer ink kits (I got one to refill ink cartridges for my Canon bubble jet printer).

You should check out FLEXON glasses.They are made of NiTi(Nickle Titanium)wire.You can literally fold them in half at the bridge and no breakage.The temples are the same and you can wrap them around a finger with no ill results.I sleep in mine all the time and no problem.These frames are nearly indestructable.If you get polycarbonate lenses,hey...

If you have a needle exchange program in your community for dope addicts, go and ask for a couple. They usually do not ask any questions, and if they do, you can tell them the real reason and they will think you are one inventive doper.

Bountyhunter

Craig, the BSA Hot Spark is sold in Boy Scout supply stores. Check your yellow pages to see if there's a store near you. It may be under "scout shop" or "scout store" or some such. Good luck!

Very creative. l'll have to try that.

Thanks. I'll check them out at LensCrafters.