I used to just use a crusader mug and stick it in a fire but this is limited
so i went out and bought the cooker and used that for awhile....
Then i went and found a waterbottle and pouch set for 8 quid at my local surplus so i bought it .
Got home and it wouldnt all fit in the pouch
So i had a think ...
Got some heavy duty garage door carrying strap and managed to fix some push fasteners allowing me to secure it all together !
However my webtex water filter bottle is slightly smaller so a few more push fasteners and bingo .
This tin is bigger than a tobacco tin about three times the depth and a bit longer. I needs to be waterproofed but it will keep all my small items together and still fit into a side cargo trouser pocket.
This kit will hopefully help me to stay alive longer if I get lost while hiking or if SHTF in a remote area.
Closed
Open
Unpacked
Top to right we have : Cable ties Knife sharpener can be carried around the kneck- if you blade becomes dull , i would want a real easy sharpner not to be using rocks/quartz and could damage your only blade. Mini glowsticks spare ferrocium striker Scalpel blades Wire Saw magnesium block and ferricium rod signal mirror Sealed bag - 30 Aquatabs , plasters ,gauze , various dressings, steri-strips , 4 immodium , gloves & 4 co-codamol. BG Scout - partly serrated Camera film case full of waterproof and strike anywhere matches and striker Cut smaller tea light Firestarter tin - with swedish firesteel with whistle , charcloth , birch bark , cotton wool & vaseline and a bits of rubber innertube. Three black knife blades secured by a small bolt. these have holes/grooves in them for easy lashing. Pencil Waiting on the paracord - going to wrap that around the knife sharpener. Fishing kit - see below.
The case unzips to reveal glow sticks , 15lbline and two tins. one full of hooks of all sizes and one full of wieghts/shots fake bait and lures. This kit can also be removed and attached to a belt or strap if not needed. Making space for more tinder or foraged food. I think I need to add more line possibly wrapping around the pouch.
Added some camo
Closed Top
Closed Bottom
Full of goodies
I insulation taped it to make it completely waterproof (doesnt float tho ) then camo taped the top for easy stashing , added a few zip lock bags , small cloth square for filtering , foil blanket , few more painkillers and wrapped around the side with paracord.
Still fits in cargo pocket or nicely inside a mess tin in my BOB.
Thought I would have ago at making an otter board last year
Which is basically a small boat with hooks underneath which is used to get out into water unreachable by hand line or improvised rod.
I am building a rudder less one which is steered by the sail .
One could always be added later.
First time I have made one so I thought i would step by step with photos to show all you lovely people.
You will need :
Log
Wire
String
Plastic bag
U nails or normal nails just at an angle
Knife
Possibly an Axe
Stick
weight of some kind rock,lead or metal. I used Large steel nuts.
Heres a video of it if you cant be bothered to read
First get your log and make sure it floats beforehand. Some logs and dead wood are still hard but full of water and do not float very well.
Now split the log to form a plank (I used an axe)
Then find the rough middle and start to drill a hole with your knife. (Yes i did this for about 20 mins then decided to cheat and use the pillar drill)
Try not to make the hole too big as you need to find a stick to go in there.
Find a y shaped stick, one that has two twigs on either side preferably parallel with some length above and below or one which would be easy to attach a sail to and then carefully shave the stick to fit into the hole .
Dont make it too tight.
Just have it so the "mast" can turn with a little bit of pressure.
Then attach your wieght/ballast to the bottom of your mast by either splitting the stick or tying something to it. I used steel nuts and wire.
This is important , without this it could turn over in the wind.
Then tap in a U nail or bend a nail into the back of the log roughly in the middle
Add you other nails to the underside but spread them out as you do not want tangled line. Then when ready to fish simply attach the line to these nails.
Then add a length of wire to each side of the mast and pull through the U nail and add your plastic bag tying to eitherside of the mast or using wire to "sew" it into place.
Now test the steering by pulling on one wire , this should turn the mast quiet easily , then test it by pulling the other wire.
Then add another u nail to the back of the boat. Drive this one in quite a bit.
This will be your main line to the boat just in case the mast breaks or in case you have a powerful fish hooked.
Then attach your two steering lines to eitherside of the wire loops.
Then attach your lines (with a shot or two) to the U nails and bait them up .
Different depths and baits will work best.
Before sailing into a lake/river/sea dig up an ants nest and throw the dirt,ants and eggs onto the otter board this will serve as a groundbait and attract fish towards your boat.
All packed up in a small easy to carry or conceal bag with room for 2 tins of Car sweetcorn . Eat one and you have a tin for boiling water .
I also have the usual 3 litres of water , tools, multitool , boots and coat in boot just in case.
I dont want to have to put anything into the car everyday as i want to be able to always have it and not have to remember to grab something as well as my other things
But I also don't want to keep anything expensive or valuable as car crime and pointless vandalism is very common here.
If your wondering why I have tins of sweetcorn in my car its because i go coarse fishing and always have a few tins as where all else fails I use corn.
Tuesday, 19 March 2013
Found a nice place to build a quick and easy slingshot hunting hide.
Needs to be baited frequently and i may get a pigeon or two hopefully .
Acquired an old beat up rusted axe , handle was completely rotten and the blade was really chipped and coated with layers of rust.
Wire brush and 20 mins of wire wool removed the excess , then sanded it back , took off all the sharp bent over steel edges .
Gave it a quick buff on the polishing wheel then re ground the edge on the bench grinder.
Seriously sharp and a good strong edge.
Now i need to wait for my new ash handle to season and then i can fit the head.
Monday, 18 March 2013
This is my new UK legal EDC Schrade Sodbuster
with a few modifications.
Custom kydex sheath and a little bit of simple filework makes this knife unique.
This knife although being a slip-joint folder (no lock - illegal to carry in UK without reason ) the blade and opening and closing is very solid .
The knife itself stays sharp and is great quality for the money. However the grind on the tip of this knife is not symmetrical but still works perfectly well.
I got this one from Hennie Haynes , they do a larger version but thats over 3 inches so its not legal carry.
) 
