Off Grid / Bushcraft / Self Reliance / Preparedness / Homesteading Series: My Bushcraft/OffGrid standalone FIRE KIT. In the smallest Maxpedition pouch available. Inside Look:

in #life8 years ago (edited)

Last summer I upgraded my entire Bushcraft/OffGrid standalone FIRE KIT into the smallest Maxpedition pouch they sell, the MICRA.

Everything here essentially is tied to making fire for heat, food, boiling / purifying water, signal fires, etc.

I also picked this pouch because Maxpedition gear is water resistance treated and they use top notch YKK zippers - there is not much point in cheaping out what you carry your fire elements in, if they get wet!


It was a challenge for me, and I did well. I tend to overpack and I identified my issues early in my bushcraft career lol.

I purposely bought the smallest pouch they offered, so I would be FORCED to really pare down items and weight, and be forced also to really think about things, what to take, skills I need to work on for fire/primitive fire, etc.

This is my standalone firekit pouch, very light, I have a LOT of stuff packed in here!



There is a Leatherman Micra Multi-Tool in this too you cannot see and like 7' of paracord, about 20 ways to start a fire in here, and just a few first aid (IFAK) basics.

At the far bottom R. of the picture you will see one of the many very small/lightweight flashlights you can buy today that are also very high quality. It is a NiteCore Tube. It weighs only 9g, is rechargeable, and puts out 45 lumens (that is a lot for something this side) - and it is water and shock resistant. Light is part of fire.


-- Photos taken on my Samsung phone inside and outside the hammock!!

If you spend about a minute really looking at this kit in the 2 photos you will see many things you can commonly find, source or buy and that you recognize.

There are sleeves inside the pouch too, you can slide flat or small items into, and that sort of stuff is hidden from view here.


In brief to help you start your fire kit:


  • Dried out bark - birch here has oils in it meaning increased flammability. Same with "fatwood" shavings - usually pine or related genus of tree as the sap soaks into the wood and provides waterproofing and has increased flammable properties built in.

  • Ferro (Ferrocerrium) Rod (green handle) - wet or dry,- these are cheap to buy and easy to find -- the sparks/shavings from this scrape off with a knife (carbon steel is best for fire starting but dampness rusts/pits the blade) - at around 2500 degrees and is highly flammable! Lasts a long time, is compact, -- the staple of outdoor life!

  • Hand Sanitizer wipes contain alcohol (flammable) plus you can wipe things / clean wounds. (multiple purpose aka kit redundancy)

  • Paracord - Always keep some on you -- it does burn (slowly, and some cords like Firecord have special fibres in it FOR burning) for gear repairs, and to tie things up or off, -- and create a ridgeline to hang your shelter above / around you. Repair a bootlace, or hold a broken pack zipper area together, etc. Paracord is key. If you replace your bootlaces with paracord, you will always have it on you too.

  • Cotton wipes clean wounds but are also soaked in vaseline = flame extender/flammable.

  • BIC lighters - the trusted choice in overall reliability. The smallest ones pack really really small, but the regular size does not take up much room either.

  • Paper -- to write on and is flammable. We all know paper burns easily.

  • Small pocketknives, folding knives or multitools fit easily in these kits, obvious, but this is new to some of you reading. Always keep one on you, tied / clipped to your body with carabiners/paracord/chain anyways. Carbon blades are tough, and can scrape / flint off for fires (covered in this post)

  • You can wrap some of these messier items right in foil. It acts as a signal mirror (although not the best) - helps water proof your goods and protect them- and you can re-wrap things in the foil to protect the goods/mess/ or use as a dry base to lay out and start your fire on top of. (dry fire base is a fire lay - it is important)

  • A battery - spare for your devices + batteries can be used to start a fire with some steel wool laid over the 2 contacts! Many people do not know this. This is a AAA battery here, not a lot of power to do that but just so you are aware.


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https://steemit.com/steemitcampfire/@barrydutton/steemit-weekend-camp-fire-series-weekend-5-we-are-steemit-family-come-visit-around-the-fire-with-your-family-every-weekend

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https://steemit.com/life/@barrydutton/bilderberg-updates-for-day-2-gathered-in-one-place-for-you-globalist-elite-bilderberg-group-yearly-meeting-this-year-again-in

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BarryDutton Barry Dutton tweeted @ 13 Jun 2017 - 18:02 UTC

#Bushcraft #Fire #Kit - #Blog/Pics: #OffGrid #SelfReliance #Homesteading #EDC #Camping #Hiking #Survival

bit.ly/2sxIhX8

Disclaimer: I am just a bot trying to be helpful.

Pretty much looks like the survival kit inside of my purse, just add lipstick :D Hello from a country girl living the city life.

It is nice to hear from you!!!

It is great to hear from females about crypto or offgrid stuff, but to hear from one that covers both is exciting for me LOL!!

I will be running a contest in the next week or so to help @geordieprepper out, I will be GAW this SAK:

Hahaha, glad to excite you :D I guess I am bit of a rarity ;)

Followed Miss Eve.

Looks like it... very nice.

TY for commenting, it will help a few people I hope!!

some big adventure is coming :)

Awesome kit. I need to do the same with mine and narrow a few things down. Checked your site and liked your other content too. Going to follow. Resteeming and upvoting! Thanks.

That is very kind of you, thanks for the words!

What do you need to do THIS WEEK - say 3 things -- to improve your situation here?

Awesome survival kit! I took a couple trips to the Boundary Waters. I felt prepared for almost anything, but your kit makes my preparations look minimal.

Wow, those are kind words. It is nice to hear from you again!

I tried to keep this post simple and open.....so it would encourage people to see where I struggled, myself (over packing) - and how we can all work together to improve and help each other.

What 3 things can you do this week, to improve on your end, do you think?

I have a lot of things to improve. My attitude would be the first. My finances would be second. My relationships would improve as a direct result of number one and two responses. :)

Aw shoot, that is very honest of you today, that might be the reply of the day I have seen on here, so thanks for that. It is appreciated. Here is some inside info on this post today that may help you:

I will be running a contest in the next week or so to help @geordieprepper out, I will be GAW this SAK:

Follow my good friend on here @geordieprepper for some good daily tips on all related items. I've known him for quite awhile before Steemit! Good guy!

It took me a couple hours to pack out my kit here and prep it, you can start today yourself!

Very nice kit, I'm sure you will be getting some use out of it. I need to get a kit of my own :)

You are welcome - it is nice to hear from you again!

I will be running a contest in the next week or so to help @geordieprepper out, I will be GAW this SAK:

Very good post...I like it :)

Hope it helps a few people!!!

And it will :)

Good kit, thanks for the information.

NP, thanks for commenting today.

I will be running a contest in the next week or so to help @geordieprepper out, I will be GAW this SAK:

Looks great!

Check your DM's and your PM acc't etc. (:

Great survival kit! Maybe I should make one too! The jungle and survival are always so close here! Especially with my "great" sense of direction I probably will end up lost one day! hehe. Have a great day!

You will need a small one that suits your wet climate, like I mentioned in here. Stainless tools and not carbon steel may be best in that case, and a few extra angles to consider for your jungle-ish locale Miss Amy.

How is the week going now the hubby is back from the trip?

Good times like Goodrich??

LOL

He sure is and brought me fresh berries and Belgian chocolate :) Hope you are having a good week too! I see you are eating apples.. ever thought of a fruit pizza? And I'll keep your tips in mind when buying some gear... although I do not plan getting lost here with all the landmines and lost cluster bombs! Still quite real here!

Nice post as always, it's important to have options in firestarting, following several fellow preppers from the comments section.

I love you took time to say that, about various methods, and also this post has helped connect you to some people to help you!!!!

Good times and you know what?

it really ....

makecents

on here eh?

LOL

That's a nice little kit man. Also I'm reading that book now. Love Dave Canterbury. Awesome stuff. Followed you brother! 😀

Firecord has only been out about 2 yrs, maybe a little less. Many people outside of the bushcraft/off grid/survival type communities are not aware it is an option, that is why I included that nugget.

I am glad it helped you a bit my man!!!

I will be running a contest in the next week or so to help @geordieprepper out, I will be GAW this SAK: