I just broke down and bought one of these for my Wilderness survival kit. Ouch! After conversion to dollars it came to $20.03 for the box and $19.91 for S&H to the USA, for a total of $39.94. But it appears to be what I'm after: metal, looks to be sturdy, and can fit in the side pocket of my hunting pants along with a disposable poncho and a space blanket strapped to it. It does not claim to be "waterproof" per se, but I'll lay odds it's much more watertight than my current container.

Expensive? Yes, but dry gear could make all the difference in the world. I'll post my impressions after I get it in 11 to 14 days.

Regards, Vince

I contacted BestGlide and they say they will be stocking the BCB aluminum box in the US. Their site is not yet up, and I have no idea on the prices, but I am waiting to see.

This is going to be their site:

http://www.bcbsurvivalusa.com/

Not on-line yet though.

I've been looking for one of those

How do it's demensions compare to an SAS tin? Even a few mm more depth would give me a great deal of flexibility

It is considerably larger than the usual tobacco tin.

From the BCB site:

CN550 Mini Mess Box

A super lightweight, airtight aluminium tin with locking roller clasps. It features a rubber seal within the lid, and is useful as a storage tin for personal survival equipment.

Size: 13 x 9.5 x 3cm (5" x 3.5" x 1")
Weight: 95g (4oz)
(RRP £12.92)

http://www.bcbin.com/store/cat_human_aid.asp?idproduct=96&idCategory=27

I don't know the dimensions of the SAS tin, but this one comes out to 22.86 cubic inches (5.18" X 3.74" X 1.18"). It has quite a bit less room than my current PSK container (a huge altoids-type "arts and crafts" box from Wal-mart with over 28 cubic inches of space), but this one looks to be much more durable and waterproof also. I've been planning on removing some dated items (matches, etc) anyway, so it should work out very well.

Regards, Vince

I received the box just today. These are my first impressions along with my completely subjective, unscientific, and totally biased judgements:.

Size: Perfect for MY needs, althought the advertised size (5.12" x 3.74" x 1.18") is a tiny bit larger than the actual internal measurements of 5" x 3.1/2" x 1 1/8". Trivial to some, maybe important to others.
My grade: A-

Materials: I find it a bit more flimsy than I had expected. I don't know how to guage aluminum, but picture a can of King Oscars kipper snacks and you'll get the picture (i.e.: pretty thin stuff.) It's light though....The gasket also did not fit perfectly back into the lid after the waterproof test (see below.) It appears that is has swollen just a tiny bit, but to be fair I don't think it will compromise the water resistance.
My grade: B-

Construction: Despite the material, it is MUCH more solid than an Altoids tin or their clones, which is all I really have to compare it to. The snap-down clips that close it are riveted rather than spot-welded, and they close the box with an authoritative snap.
Grade: A+

Waterproofness: I held it under about 10" of water in my kitchen sink for about 60 seconds. No bubbles. I then squeezed it and got large bubbles. I opened it up and had 1/4" of water in it.
I think it is important to note that Penrith did not claim this box is waterproof and it's a good thing, because waterproof it ain't. But it also is much better than my current container. Bottom line: if you are planning on diving with this, forget it. But if you have to cross a swollen creek with this box riding in your BDU's, ( a much more likely scenario for me) then you are going to arrive with dry gear--as long as you don't fall down.
Grade: B+

Overall grade: B+


Other observations: I notice that there is what appears to be Japanese writing stamped into the end of the lid. This is in line with what I have heard, that these are some sort of Japanese lunchbox.
I must also compliment Penrith in the UK: I ordered it on Friday evening their time, and I got it today. That makes 5 business days. Pretty fast from overseas.

I would think long and hard before I ordered one from the UK and paid the shipping again. Other than that, it is a vast improvement over my current container (which, using the same criteria, gets a D- grade,) and if someone in the USA starts carrying them then I can see getting a few more.

Regards, Vince

Edit: The views expressed here are my own, and don't necessarily reflect those of ETS, its owners, its moderators, the Government of the United States, or Homer J. Simpson.

Thanks for the update Vince. If you get a chance to take pictures ... <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

They are lovely boxes all right. I think they're pretty substantial, just based on feeling the thickness of the side with my fingers.

I'm thinking of using them as gift kits for my family, to carry in their cars. Only an enthusiast would carry something that big in their pockets.

I'm also using one to store my supply of strike anywhere matches. (Not the ones I carry or use, but my resupply supply.)

Bear

Excellent overview norad.

I am holding out until the US source starts selling these, but this a box I am interested in. I am somewhat surprised at the leak test, but as you say it is a definate improvement over most solutions and the clips make for easy in/out which the usual taped box does not.

Thanks again.