I would appreciate it if you guys (and girls) would review my current PSK for me. All questions, comments, criticisms and suggestions are welcome. The only real criteria is that we stick within the realm of what will fit in the Maxpedition M2 waistpack, therefore if anything of significant size is to be added then it would require that something of equal size be removed (since it is packed tight as it is <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />).

Basically the way this is set up (or at least my intention) is so that the contents of the Altoids tin make for a pretty good mini PSK on their own and could even be carried on its own when needed. However for normal usage (90% of the time) the Altoids tin kit is placed inside the Maxpedition M2 with the additional (larger) items listed below, such as shelter, more fire making redundancy, better knife, better cordage, etc. to make for a far more capable kit (at least IMHO).

When reviewing this kit please note that this is NOT intended to be a 72 hour/3 day kit. This is intended to be more along the lines of a 6 (or more) day kit. Please keep that in mind when reviewing so you can give the most accurate feedback.

I?m sure everyone is familiar with the basic dimensions of an Altoids tin so I won?t get in to that however, here is a link to the specs on the Maxpedition M2 waistpack if anyone needs that to help understand my space limitations.

Thanks guys (and girls). I value your opinions quite a bit and I?m sure you can help me make this kit even better.

Maxpedition M2 Waistpack

30' Black 7 Strand 500# Paracord
10' Orange 300# Nylon Rope
1 Orange Mini Bic Lighter
4 Windproof/Waterproof Matches
1 Storm Shelter Instant Pocket Tent
2 Large Oven Bags
5 Gerber Breast Milk Bags
1 Small Diamond Sharpening Rod
1 Swedish Firesteel (Handle Removed)
1 Firesteel Striker
1 Kershaw Leek 50/50 Smooth/Serrated
1 Space Pen
2 Sheets Rite in Rain Paper
1 Rescue Flash Signal Mirror
1 3.5" Jigsaw blade
1 Altoids Tin (rectangular type)
** Left room to add cell phone **

Altoids Tin

4 Windproof/Waterproof Matches
1 Match Striker
1 Ferro Rod 2.5" x 0.3"
1 Sparklite
4 Tinderquik
6 MP1 Tabs
1 Benchmite
3 Condoms
1 Firewire Bundle
1 Whistle ACR
6 Alcohol Pads
3 Gauze Pads 2" x 2"
4 Butterfly Sutures
3 Neosporin
10' Duct Tape
1 Peak LED
1 N-Cell Battery (Extra)
1 SAS Compass

I use Maxpedition equipment as well, and just love it. Curious as to why the sutures in a small kit?

Thanks
Ted Fisher

Sounds like a great kit. The only suggestions I would have are:

1) The 6 MP1 tabs are going to run out very quickly if needed. I would add a bottle of Potable Aqua tabs in the bag. These are cheap and pretty small.
2) I didn't see any mention of a small LED flashlight.
3)I would opt for the Acme Tornado whistle over the ACR whistle for the same space since it is louder (according to Doug's tests).
4) If you can't squeeze anything else in without removing something, you could reduce your cord supply. I would also include some braided nylon string in addition to or in place of some cordage. It is handy and compact.
5) I like the idea of having a pocket kit as a component of a belt kit, but I wouldn't put the pocket kit IN the belt pouch. If you can carry it seperately in your pocket all the time, it will more likely be on you if/when you need it.

I would recommend a "cane pole" fishing line kit. It has line, hook, sinker and bobber. Get em at Wal-Mart for $1.00. YMMV

Charles

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

Butterfly sutures aren't the permanent thread and needle sutures. They're pretty useful for temporary closures (although there are better products out there from what I understand)

The sutures are something that I have (unfortunately) had a lot of experience with and they work so well. Granted, duct tape works well too but the sutures are sterile. As far as why they are in the small kit, well basically it was just because they take up such a small amount of room (about as much or less space than a small paperclip) and I had the extra space and nothing else to fill it that wasnt either less useful or too big. Even a single piece of tinderquik or a single MP1 tab would take up significantly more space.

Thanks a lot. You made some great points and I'd like to take a couple minutes to respond to a few of them.

This is something that has been on my mind since first creating the kit and I was curious if someone would point it out. I'm not a believer in iodine water treatments however I think I will take your suggestion and add 6 more MP1 tabs to Maxped case and continue trying to figure a way to squeeze a couple more in to the pocket (tin) kit aswell. Water is important. Probably the second most important thing next to maintaining body temperature. Thanks for pointing that out.

I slightly modified my ACR to make it even smaller than it is out of the box. I'll check out Dougs Tornado review and if I think I can make it just as small or smaller then I'll go for it.

A good point indeed, however this is not an "on-my-body 24/7" kit. I have another much smaller set of gear that serves that purpose. This is more of "grab and go mini kit" that sits in my truck on any average day and is strapped to my belt when venturing outside the paved word, as I often (at least once a week) do.

My 25/7 on-body EDC/PSK consists of the following

Cell Phone
Wallet (ID/Cards/Cash)
Keys (Car/Home/Office)
Inova LED Light (on 2' Paracord Lanyard)
Bandanna
CRK Shadow III with the following items in the handle:
-- Ferrocerium Rod
-- 4 Tinderquik
-- Condom
-- 2 MP1 Tabs
-- Couple Inches of duct tape (mostly for condom repair)

Admittedly the are some days (though they are quite rare) when my attire doesn't provide adequate means to conceal the Shadow III. On those days I carry a folder (lately a BM941) and carry the contents of the Shadow II's handle on my person in some other way.

Very interesting. I have never heard of such a thing although I have seen enough cane pole fisherman to picture what it must look like. Adding a little fishing equipment is something else I have been considering since making this kit and was eager to see if someone else would mention it and what they might suggest. I be keeping an eye out for one of these cane pole kits to see if I can make one fit. Thanks.

That's correct. Incase there is any confusion. This is what I am referring to.



Stickier than duct tape and sterile too!