Does anyone still carry a Micro/Mini Kit? MSKs have been discussed in the past but it's been a long time since I have heard anything about them. For those that aren't clear, micro (in this context) means basically something half the size of an altoids tin or smaller. I just recently made some changes to mine and now that I have it in a more pocket friendly container, I think I am going to add it to my EDC. The altoids tin (or anything larger) just doesn't really work for me for EDC.

Here's my MSk - Micro/Mini Kit

I'm always interested in hearing about them. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Problem is, my micro/mini kits invariably keep growing and pretty soon I need a backpack to carry them. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

-- Craig

Ok, i gotta ask and reveal my ignorance... what's with little led/bobbers?

OK Mark, I too was curious about the LED bobbers. So..........what do you do in these modern times for an answer? Go to GOOGLE!!!! Type in "LED light fishing bobber" and then take your choice of answers. <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />
Ain't modern technology grand!!!!

You got an impressive amount of stuff in that small space! About the closest I come to a mini kit is my neck knife to which I have secured a Pular II (red), an ACR whistle and a metel water resistanct vial with strike anywhere matches, a striker and a vaseline impregnated cotton ball inside.

Hey friend -- I like to make them and carry them, too. I have two questions: Where did you find those little LEDs / and are they effective? and second, how did you shorten your SparkLite without killing it?

I very much like the idea of mini / micro kits as an altoids tin is too big for me to carry everywhere as most of the time I'm just wearing a suit. Its fine when you have a backpack or small case with you but a lot of the time I'll just be strolling round with a suit and no case so I've just got whats in my pockets.

http://www.1stopfishingshop.com/NiteBriteBatteryLights.html

You can find them in the fishing section at Walmart.

Frankie

Looks real good, but I have a couple of questions:

-Does anyone know if the micrput tabs loose effectiveness if crushed?
-How much did you shorten your sparklite?

Makes me rethink and regreat not ordering a bulk package of german butter tins when they were dirt cheap.

Any place that sells a decent amount of fishing equipment will have them. Their intended use is to light up fishing bobbers for night fishing. They are good for lighting an area within a few feet of you. The red is actually (atleast perceived) brighter than the green but I believe the green lasts a little longer. These are advertised as lasting 20 hours. Cost is about $3 each so you just toss them when the battery runs down.

My understanding is that crushing the MP tabs is not a problem as long as they are kept in the original packaging until right before they are used so that they are not exposed to light or air. I crushed mine very carefully so as to maintain the integrity of the packaging.

I had another sparklite around here somewhere but can't seem to find it now to compare. It's been a while but IIRC I shortened it about 0.25". I tapered it slightly also. I actually busted two others in the process of my shortening experiment. If you shorten too much the stopper, spring and all the flints fly 20' across the room on you. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> It's much eaier to do with the orange one though because IIRC you can shine a bright light through them to see the insides and know exactly how far you can go before you get in to trouble.

I have a micro-kit in a tin but I've not been taking it seriously. The stuff that I rely on is part of my EDC keyring or wallet, and I don't want to spend much weight on redundancy.

However, following the recent thread on Electro Magnetic Pulses, I am wondering whether I should use the tin for backups of electronic stuff. Specifically, my EDC compass is now a Casio watch and is vulnerable, and flashlights are vulnerable too.

The spark lite seems so.... disposable to me.

I'd love to see a version where you can reload the flint, kind of like a zippo flint. On board storage of extra flints would be even better!

I've love to see an attachment for a fire steel that'd turn one into a giant spark-lite. Same one handed operation, longer lasting, bigger sparks. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Call it... uh... The Spark Buddy. Sell it for $3.99.

You're singin' my song, and while we're at it, how about a brass or stainless steel body!!!

IIRC I believe the first spark lites were brass bodies.

Adam

Adam,

First generation SparkLights were cut down versions of the Coleman lamplighter. Second generation SparkLights were brass bodied / replaceable flint versions of the current design style...

M

So why did they go from a replaceable flint to the current model? Cost?

I believe it was to meet mil-specs for a disposable one-hand firestarting device for aircrewmen, etc...

M