I would like everyones opinion on the following. I've always preferred a metal container for my wilderness survival kit due to the fact that it is much easier to boil water in it than in tinfoil (which I also carry.) My current container is an altoids-type box I got from the christmas arts and crafts section of the local Walmart. It is about 5-1/2" X 3-1/2" X 1-7/8" and is big enough to house everything.
The downside is that it cannot be waterproofed for submersal. I know I can (and do) use ziplocks but I really don't trust them.
Is anyone aware of waterproof metal--preferably aluminum--boxes that are about this size? I don't mind paying more for them either as long as it's not too ridiculous. I'm also willing to put up with a little additional weight (within reason).
Failing that, do most of the people here just go with a plastic case for this sort of thing? I'd like to hear your suggestions.

Regards, Vince

I just run 100 mile an hour tape around the tin and then pack it in a HD zip lock bag. I keep a second zip lock bag folded with PSK in the HD zip lock.

Well any pipe tobacco boxes (tins) are waterproof. Problem is they will have silicone seals on them and when you use them to boil water there goes you tight seal next time you close it. I think that would go for any waterproof box out there as well. Unless you make your own o-ring and remove it before boiling.

I switched from metal tins to otter plastic boxes which are great for everything I do.

Matt

Well I'll tell ya, I have tried a lot of carry methods. I have tried various tins in a multitude of shapes and sizes both with and without watertight seals. I have also tried the AMK zipper pouches like the one Doug's prefab PSK comes in. I have also tried small waterproof key FOB spy capsule tubes, a carabineer with everything dangling off of it, small belt pouches, sparklite boxes, dental floss boxes, the Tad Gear Life Capsule and even a Zippo lighter with the "guts" removed. Until recently I was carrying everything in and Eagle Creek nylon zipper wallet.

As far as something that is waterproof AND you can boil water in it without destroying its waterproofing, the only one that would work from my long list is the Tadgear Life Capsule (with the o-rings removed). I think Tadgear sells them for $28 with their fake paracord Lanyard. If you really want one I'd sell you mine which is in mint condition, for $20 and even stick a REAL 7 strand paracord lanyard on it... heheheh. It pretty much just sits on the shelf. I tried it and found that I needed something bigger. It's probably going to be on ebay soon. Once I'm positive that I don't have another use for it. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Right now I am carrying all my gear in a Spec Ops wallet (the junior version). All my gear goes nicely hidden away in the two zipper pockets and my normal wallet EDC stuff like ID, credit cards, cash, etc go in the exposed, non-hidden, non-zippered pockets. I like having my PSK integrated in to my wallet because I am a very firm believer in having it with me 24/7/365! Is my Spec Ops wallet waterproof...nope. Do I care?... nope. Why don't I care? All of my gear is waterproof. In other words, why care if my container (the wallet) is waterproof when every single thing in it is waterproof? As far boiling water goes. I carry an ample supply of water purification tabs. If I need to boil water for other reasons like sterilizing a knife or scalpel blade, then I have my heavy duty aluminum foil.

I'm always on the lookout for a better carry method but I haven't found one recently.

There's my two pesos.

Another benefit of both the Spec Ops Jr and the TadGear Life Capsule that I really like is that both are easily worn around the neck via lanyard which is perfect for me as I am often without pockets when jogging, swimming, etc.

I should also add that in addition to my EDC/PSK (EDC and PSK are one in the same for me) I occasionally add a Kenwood F6A Transceiver and when I do then both the wallet and the transceiver go in a Maxpedition M2 pack. On a side note I havn't had the F6, the Spec Ops Jr or the M2 for very long and am very pleased with all three!

Hey Vince,
A little duct tape (three layers) will go a long way toward sealing that metal box, unless you're talking about leaving it underwater for weeks at a time. The up side is, you can use the duct tape for other uses as needed, and the metal box/duct tape set-up's a WHOLE lot cheaper than a TRULY watertight plastic box. If you're looking for an underwater cache, go with heavy walled PVC, end caps, and silicone tape.

Troy

Micro metal boxes are pretty poor boiling containers as the volume is hardly worth the effort. Winding a bunch of tape around a larger metal box to seal it is good, but all that tape will have to be removed to somewhere else before use as a cook pot.

I went to an easily waterproofed plastic box for my kit. I generally have a metal cup or cook pot in my shoulder bag.

Larger kits I could make are in either a Trianga aluminum mess tin or a stainless Japanese Picnic box which need to be sealed with tape.....and as yet have not been put together.

The rectangular Trianga mess tin is very nice and I use it as a catchall box in my shoulder bag....the plastic boxed kit is in the bag too.

Ditto on the Otter Box.

I've been considering placing my survival goodies in a Nalgene bottle. Somewhere on here I saw a thread a while ago. Plus on a recent trip to a local sporting good store I noticed they are selling what looks like a Nalgene bottle knock-off with a small emergency kit inside it (space blanket, glow stick, etc...)

Here's the old thread:

http://www.equipped.org/ubbthreads/showt...=true#Post17009

I like the idea of boiling water not only to purify it but to stave off hypothermia with a hot cup of boullion. For me at least having something to focus my mind on would help as well. The metal tin I presently use will hold just over 8 oz of water.

Troy, good point about the duct tape but I’m the type of person who just has to get into their kit periodically and fuss with it. Duct tape is just too messy for that.

Matt, that’s a good suggestion about a tobacco tin. It would not matter if the o-ring was ruined because it would be in an emergency situation anyway. I confess I’m unfamiliar with these tins so some research is in order.

Thanks for all the replies, Vince

I've got a metal (stainless?) box from Coghlan's that has a rubber gasket in the lid & two (2) clamp/latches to secure it. The bottom could be used to heat water in. I looked at their web site yesterday, & couldn't find it, though, so it may no longer be in production.

I've also been given a candy tin that is quite similar to the tobacco boxes I've seen, except instead of bare metal, it's got colorful graphics on it. It, too, has a rubber gasket around the rim of the lid, not the bottom. Heating this type of container would not harm the gasket, because it's in the part not being heated.

Just my 2 cents...

David