I've been thinking about this specific point. It certainly makes sense to have such a tool if you have the space, but I have before done some fishing in South Africa with a sharpened stick into which I cut "barbs" with my pocket knife. Call it a home made spear. I guess my point is that I could add a lot more to the kit, but in reality I would like to remove a lot from it. Everything adds weight.

I guess it's something to think about some more...

Agreed, weight vs. usefulness is always a dilemma.

In my own on-person PSK (a Blackhawk E&E bag) I am very limited with space so I try to stick with the basics. good quality gear, but as spartan as possible.

I do but try to be a little redundant with certain items such as mutiple ways to get a fire going.

I live in rural eastern Kentucky so things like water are not as high on my priority list as there are many rivers/streams/creeks where I hike/hunt/fish.

Yes, you can also carve one if you want to take a little extra time. If you have the time and energy, you can also make nets from inner strands of paracord, or make fish traps using rocks or sticks as shown below.

this is my knife kit:



contents:
-ziplok covered with 100mph tape(have since added 1L platapus bag)
-bic pen with 100mph tape-I think this is 15-20'(have since replaced with sharpie)
-BCB survival saw
-6 safety pins
-30' Kelty triptease-150lb test reflective line
-dog tag for ID
-Ferro rod and saw blade scraper
-Atwood whistle
-SAK tinker-this was a Christmas gift from my uncle who just died of cancer
-alieve tube with petro cotton bals
-fishing kit-line, hooks
I have since added a few pieces of gum-to lift the spirits in an emergency, a mini bic lighter, and a yellow photon freedom.

wow!
nice kit grunt.
got the basics covered for sure.
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
I need to finish my kit.

Very nice outfit!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

What type of pouch is that?

Looks like Maxpedition maybe??

Rainwalker, you are correct, it is a Maxpedition cocoon. It's held on the sheath with a MALICE clip and the hot pink 550 cord.

I bought a pencil case that looks a lot like that (same size and shape) from Walmart for like $2. You might want to check it out as a more affordable substitute.

Andy-yeah there is alike a 5 year thread over at lightfighter about those things, NOBODY in my area carries them though-and I trust teh Maxpedition to carry all that stuff alot more than wally world brand ya know?

Yeah, I thought the quality might be a concern, but isn’t Maxpedition made in China too? Or am I thinking of another brand? Anyway, even if they are both made in China, Max might be better quality. Be careful in thick brush. It might be possible that a thorn or something could catch on it, pull it open, and dump your gear out. That would suck. Maybe you could use a small ziptie through the zipper pull to the kydex eyelet to keep it from unintentionally coming open?

Thought I'd bring this back up top as a lot of new people have been asking about PSKs and BOBs. CnD and I have also revised our PSK/BOB a bit. I'm gonna post mine here and hopefully CnD will get around to posting his. Both of ours are very similar.

I did take the time to make myself a PSK. Has very basics of first aid and fire making



-Fatwood
-Strike anywhere matches
-Match book
-Flint striker/ magnesium block
-Cotton
-Cotton swabs
-Various band-aids
-Alcohol wipes
-Iodine wipes
-Tool/equipment cleansing wipes
-Claritin
-Mini-Maglite
-AAA batteries
-Compass
-Multi-tool, Leatherman Squirt
-Folder (in black sheath), SS Delica with half serrations
-Pencil
-Highlighter

I also might add some basic analgesics.

On me with easy access are:

-Small LED flashlight
-Headlamp, Petzl Tikka Plus
-Hand sanitizer, Triclosan (not in pic)
-Camera, Sony Cybershot
-Large Multi-tool, Swisstool
-Medium but very light folder, Spec Bump
-Iodine swabs (different from wipes, on top of large band-aids)

I've also changed my pack into a Camelbak MULE:



In the larger compartment are:

-Collapsible saw, Sawvivor
-Camp Knife, SRKW Ratweiler

In the smaller compartment are:

-PSK
-Trashbag
-Rubber Gloves
-Paracord (not shown)

And of course, I have 2-3 liters of water with me.

Occasionally if I don't have a camp knife then I might pack a hatchet or small axe. But I still wouldn't because the saw is quicker and the camp knife is still lighter, combined, the two are still lighter than one hatchet.



I will probably take a few other things that I didn't mention because they will change due to necessity for the time outside and for the change in time of year:

-Food
-Gloves
-Hats
-Base layers
-etc.

I also could strap some things outside the pack like what Pitman suggested: a cushion. I could also add a tarp. Though, again, that stuff changes with the season.

For instance here is us with our packs. In addition to what I have just said, we have gaiters, hats, and gloves for the rainy time of November in OR. I'm also carrying a DMCG on my leg. Why? I don't know. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />



A fairly basic kit, but I guess it works.

Okay, I'll bite. Here's mine with some subtle differences. I'm somewhat frugal, so note the used and aged Camelbak.



Here are the contents



On the left is a "gorilla-pod" tripod for my camera, i find them a lot more useful and less cumbersome than a real tripod for most outdoors photography. Here are the other items

-Scrap Yard Knives Dumpster Mutt Double-Cut
-Wool hat
-Benchmade Knives 550 Griptillian
-SAK Spartan
-Petzl Tikka
-Fox 40 Micro
-Small purple canister of cotton and ibuprofen
-Lengths of paracord, sufficient for making shelters, guy-lines, trapping
-PSK
-Small med-kit for day-trips
-Titanium Mug
-Journal

Here's a close-up of the PSK



And here are the contents



-Scalpel Handle
-Scalpel blades
-Matches
-Electrical Tape
-Snare Wire
-Hand sanitizer
-Sharpie
-Pen
-Pencil
-BIC lighter
-Army model firesteel
-Ponderosa Pine Fatwood
-LED light
-Phillips-head screwdriver, two sizes
-Flat-head screwdriver, two sizes
-Arkansas stone
-Small repurposed kitchen knife blade for slicing, emergency work
-Tweezers
-Pack tower
-toothpaste
-Compass
-Back-up whistle
-Bird call
-Fishing line (wrapped around pen cap for storage)
-Fishing paraphernalia

And I usually bring this along too, unless I'm going really light, i.e. backpacking