I liked the wrapped hemp around your lighter, good idea. I have a fishing kit similar to yours, but used a sewing spool to hold about 50' of line. For those comments on the mindset of why we're prepared...I was forced to spend the night when my canoe turned and I lost most of my supplies. I had my emergency tin in a zipped pocket, it helped start a fire for that night, to dry my clothes and was lucky enough to catch a couple of perch to eat. I hiked out that morning...that was twenty five years ago and I still consider that one of my luckiest days. I still carry that old tin...
i would put the needle and sharp objects under the foil, this way you know where the tiny things are and they wont hurt your hand while your searching for something
That's already better than most of the pre packaged survival kits and probably at a fraction of the cost. You're changing it with the situation too, another fantastic tip, if you're using it as part of a general survival pouch/bag ect. then this becomes storage for smaller items and is designed to work with the bigger kit. Great stuff!!
FYI I live in the desert southwest many of my bics kept in my garage kits that I have taken out of the original packaging but never used (after a few years) have had the flint corrode. Even when kept in ziplock bags. The fuel was still present in the lighter but the wheel and flint were useless.
I like the folding razor better than a tiny knife for an Altoids kit. Also was happy to find out about waxed hemp wick, putting duct tape on wax paper, and the addition of a piece of aluminum foil. Thank you!
1. If you take a drill bit of the right diameter, you can use it by hand, to drill away the little protruding tube on the inside of the superglue nozzle. It's meant to puncture the seal on the superglue tube, but if you get rid of it you can store the nozzle on the tube without breaking the seal. It's slightly more compact that way, and you can always use the front end of the nozzle to puncture the tube, then screw it back on to dispense glue. I also shorten the front of the nozzle by cutting a bit shorter and at a 45deg angle. 2. I wouldn't put a lot of faith in those little button compasses, especially when they're kept around a lot of metal, especially-especially metal tools. They tend to be at least slightly magnetized. Additionally, you're unlikely to wind up in the wilderness with just a mint tin, and if you do, that mint tin won't get you too far. Anywhere else you won't need a compass to get around.; the sky should be enough. 3. You don't have a way to purify water (that foil won't last being heated up more than a couple of times), yet you're fishing..? You can go for weeks without food, but only a couple of days without water. I know a fishing kit is a popular survival kit item, but it's only practical in bigger kits, meant for longer-term survival. Water purifier tabs and a foldable bag are a much better option. 4. What is the intended purpose of this survival kit? What kind of a setting is it meant to help you survive in, and for how long? I think those questions get ignored a lot, when people (myself included) start putting together survival packs. We want to put in as much cool stuff as we can, so we end up losing sight of the purpose behind the kit.
One of the best small tin kits I have seen, you feel like this one might get you home or at least keep you alive for a while to await rescue! I'd try to add a wazoo emergency reservoir or at least one of the cooking bags like this that you can obtain from the supermarket/store as that makes boiling water and water collection a lot easier
Love the lighter idea but the waxpaper/duct tape is the best idea I've seen for carrying duct tape. I used to use a tin, but I use a plastic soap dish now. Can hold a lot more items & in a pack the larger size doesn't matter too much, and it allows me to carry acouple days worth of prescription medication & pain medicine which many people forget. It also gives me room to keep a fully charged cell phone battery, which, if truth be told is the item I use the most followed by pain meds. Instead of rubber bands, I like to use thicker bands cut from bicycle inner tube. Far more durable than rubberbands and they don't dry rot too fast, and if you need to you can cut thinner bands off. I also have a pair of nitrile gloves which I vaccuum sealed with a food saver.
I like your choice of items, however, I reccomend getting a small bag that can be extended or a condom for water storage. I also gotta say, that idea for hemp wick is pretty clever
Nice kit, some really useful items in there. I think the fishing kit and compass is unlikely to ever get used but an emergency supply of cash would probably help in most real life situations.
Great video! I have pretty much everything you have but that waxed hemp wick. That is an awesome idea! I've seen others dip their own twine, but this is a great alternative and not as bulky. Thanks so much for sharing!
I just subbed. I know this video is old, but this is one of the best put together Altoids survival kits I've seen over the years. I'd love to see if you've updated it or changed it. If I may be so bold to offer minor suggestions to what you already have. No additions or subtractions. Tie a leader on to at leadt one of the fishing hooks because when you're trying to thread a hook when you're cold, shivering, or starving can be frustrating if not near impossible and tying a leader to a main line is easier. Also thread and loop a section of maybe 2 feet trough your sewing needle for the same reason. Now you have a prethreaded needle and fishing hook almost ready to go (depending on your need) right out of your kit! The last suggestion is trimming off that plastic tab on your eyedrops to free up just that little bit more space to add a little something extra you might need. Thanks for sharing.
I have a similar tin but I took a different approach. Instead of having a small backup flashlight and a small backup knife inside the tin, I eliminated all the redundancy and made the kit to complement my EDC that I carry everywhere.
As someone whose EDC is packed in a Prince Albert tobacco can, I thought I might mention that your Altoids tin also may serve as a small drinking cup. I commend you for the recognition of the Leatherman Micra as a superior carry item. Mine is in my right pocket while a cheap copy with needlenose pliers is in the left. My tweezers have an included flashlight not unlike your own.
agreed the hemp wick is cool and i will copy for sure! i bumped band aids for steri-strips as small cuts are less of a survival threat than large ones (god bless super glue lol). i also added iodine wipes (old school) instead of alcohol and packed all available leftover unused space with cotton balls. i also bumped the multi tool for a 3 1/2 inch portion of a bi-metal hacksaw blade with a 1 1/2 inch tanto tip sharpened like a knife to act as a knife/ striker for the mini ferro rod. i also have a beeswax chapstick added to increase my fire making capability. AND i used a ball peen hammer to bow out the top lid to give a bit more internal capacity. i have 2 small sections of drinking straw packed with water purification tablets (iodine) enough for 3 liters total and one with anti diarrheal with the ends melted and crimped shut. i also put in a non-lubricated condom which has a fill volume of around 1 liter for containing drinking water. other than that we have a very similar load out. your kit is more useful, in my opinion, than a lot ive seen. these tiny kits aren't the ultimate survival kits but they can aid you in a light survival scenario where you need to hold out for a day or two. last comment, the electrical tape around the container is VERY useful as additional bandaging/ cordage/ fire tinder (i noticed you didnt have it). nice work! you have some cool ideas! i subbed and favorited.
Yeah , good contents . One of the first to see Crazy Glue in . I'm carrying Crazy Glue for over 40 years in my survival packs but worning : now days plastic and metal tubs drying out after a year or two so change tham often .
very nice little kit. I have made kits very close to this. I have gotten away from the tins because they are not water proof. I have been using cigarette pack dry boxes. 99cent at any surf or tackle shop. also I include two or three old fashion birth day candles. we enjoy the tricks and tips in all your videos. keep up the good work.
I would highly advise against that braided fishing line. It would make some cool extra cording but as handline fishing line, it is straight up dangerous. It will cut itself and you very efficiently, especially on that thing. I would do 50# minimum to avoid that. Regular fishing line would probably still be better and easier to deal with.
Awesome Altoids Tin Kit! Maybe add some Tinder Quick's or some kind of tinder. To help with starting a fire if your lighter runs out of fluid. Also where did you get that wax twine?
+Living Survival [wick/lighter] ive made many of these kits, some which have a total of 45 items... but ive never seen or even thought to do that in any of my own kits!! simply brilliant- thanks for sharing!!
Spiderwire is so awesome, I've been using it for years as sewing thread. I have 10ft of 2mm cord in my altoids kit with a break strength of 110 pounds. My spiderwire is 30 pound test so if I multiply it 4 times I can have 120 pound with a lot less bulk. I put my kit together less than 2 weeks ago and have changed it twice. Now going for #3. LOL. Is the foil tin or aluminum? I suggest you unfold the foil and try making a cup. I've ripped many sheets of aluminum foil at home and can't imagine not doing so in the woods when it's dark or I'm tired or it's windy. The Hemp wick is a fantastic idea.
Great kit. I dig the nano light and the waxed hemp twine. I add a good ol' razor blade to my kits. They are small and fit well in any tin as well as being a useful item.
In a survival situation that's true. But up to the point of a survival situation is it worth getting locked up over? I think not. I'd rather carry a single edge razor and a toothbrush. Melt the toothbrush handle a little, push the razor in and you not only have an impromptu knife but you also have a better handle.
Do you have a PDF of the contents of your daily pack/Kits? Maybe with links to where we can find some of the items? You could put affiliate links up to Amazon and make money on the side too!
I always feel like these hardcore survivalist/prepper guys are going to be the first ones to panic and die in a "SHTF" situation. Nonetheless neat little video.
UnaSolida I agree there are a few who do tabletop reviews and never leave the house. With anything else, practice and time in the woods takes away the panic.
Of all the Altoids kits I've seen on RU-vid your's is the best I've got an Altoids tin that's begging to be repurposed, I will be looking up some of the equipment you've got in yours.
Nice kit. I haven't made an ASK yet, but maybe its time. You've got lots of useful things in yours. Would you consider some small strips of birch bark, or a sheet of it in teh shape of the tin!? Thanks for sharing
In the fishing kit I would have #8 hooks instead of those #4s . You are more likely to catch small fish with a hand line than large fish, and the smaller hooks will catch large fish if one should happen to take the bait. I have not tried this but I think the larger hooks baited and set on land could catch mammals, especially if using treble hooks and strong line
First review I’ve seen of hemp wick. Should have included a link, I’m ordering some. Also think you could easily slide a fresnel lens in the bottom of your tin.
agreed. it's SO tiny yet literally just yesterday saved my ass! (I actually LOST my water and lifestraw on a hot canoe trip yesterday. with the pill I suddenly had 64 ounces of water)
For ti morons who know nothing about survival you can put stones that have recently come from a fire in the Altoids Tin and that will boil and yes you have to switch out the rocks
Don't use alcohol prep pads for wound cleaning. The alcohol will actually kill living cells and create infection. There is a reason why they are laled "external use only". Otherwise this kit is solid! Love the hemp wick and the modular concept.
Carrying a survival kit of some kind is a good idea. You said that you take your EDC with you into stores, and movie theaters, etc. Can't see a lot of need for things like a fishing kit in stores, restaurants and movie theaters, etc. I can understand a mask, latex gloves, hearing protection, a mini pry bar, a whistle, a lighter, a flashlight, and other such items. Just in case of a bad storm, earthquake, blackout, terrorist attack, robbery. That is why I advocate for individual survival tins and packs designed for the specific environment that you are going to be in. Either way, no one will have everything they may need in an emergency situation on a given day. There will always be that one item that you may need that got left out. I try not to use elastic bands to secure things like lids. Lost count as to how many times I go to retrieve an item out of a pack or larger storage container that was in the truck, storage room, etc. And the elastic is dried out and just fragments as you pick up the tin container. I tend to use reusable rubber zip type ties. They are constructed of a longer lasting material and will take exposure to a range of temperatures better without losing their elasticity. I have also used velcro ties that I have bought in places like Home Depot and a dollar store. Failing that electrical tape works well.
I know this was done 8 years ago, I’d be curious what you carry daily now. I’m wondering if you work outside and that’s why you need a fire and fishing option in that little kit? Or you commute in a desolate area? I feel like for EDC you could replace a lot of those items, unless you’re hiking in the woods everyday. We can live several days without food, but not very long without water so I’d suggest a gallon bag and water purification tablets.
The wax-hemp is nice. I knew only the thicker ones like a rope. I wouldn´t have two knives and three fire "lighter". I have a swiss army knife and a BIC. That´s enough for everything. What I have is a pencil sharpener, very good for tinder even with wet wood. Chrome tape as a signal mirror. Very important Water cleansing pills and a foldable water jug. I use a slightly larger box. Big enough for survival/rescue blanket. Not only for survival but for a person in shock.