The discussion of fly boxes for kits reminded me of a fly fishing tool that I added to my PSK that is very useful.

This is a knot tying tool with magnet meant to assist in tying a nail knot (leader to fly line), and picking up tiny flies with the magnet.



I added it to my kit because the needle works like a very small sewing awl. It can be used with waxed thread like a Slow Speedy Stitcher. Thread the needle with an excess of thread, push through material and pull thread through to reverse side, then pull needle back and make a stitch. When you begin to pull the needle back from the first stitch a loop will form, stick the reverse side thread through the loop and then make another stitch. This sews a lock stitch like a machine....only slower.

This sort of shows one step of the process.



Any one familiar with the Speedy Stitcher can do this (also a worth while home tool BTW).



This site describes the sewing process using a sewing machine needle. Because the C&F tool has a small "handle" the process is far easier than using a sewing machine needle, but addition of a sewing machine needle would be a good start.

Thru-Hiker repair

This C&F tool is essentially a sewing needle in a tube with a magnet.

The magnet is one of the super magnets. Useful to pick up small hooks, magnetize needles, screw up your kit compass <img src="images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />

I think this is a very useful tool for about $10 and because equipment repairs are so important addition of at least a sewing machine needle would be an excellent idea.