Fire Kit (Belt)
My fire kits always start with redundant open flame ignition sources. This is something I rely on for emergency “right now” fires that I am counting on to potentially save my life, so the “two is one, one is none” principle is appropriate for this. In conjunction with that, I always carry an emergency tinder source, as well as some redundancy in that with fatwood. For routine fires, I will use solar if the sun is out, and a ferro if it is not. I also equip myself to char natural material for the “Next Fire Mentality”, and have the ability to gather natural tinder at every opportunity so that I have it available when I need it. My motto is “be prepared first, then be prepared to find yourself completely unprepared”, so I also like to carry cordage and a bow drill bearing block to make friction fires easier should I choose to do one. The bearing block also acts as my fire steel for traditional flint and steel, opening up a couple more fire making options with a multifunctional piece of gear.
Be prepared first, then be prepared to find yourself completely unprepared.
- Badger Claw Small Possibles Pouch https://badgerclawleatherworks.com/products/badger-claw-possibles-pouch
- Bic Lighter https://amzn.to/2NOqphg
- Exotac FireSLEEVE https://amzn.to/2CSVkIg
- Super Match (UCO Titan Matches) https://amzn.to/2RPfeHo
- Self Reliance Outfitters HD6 1/2”x6” Ferrocerium Rod selfrelianceoutfitters.com/products/hd6-ferro-rod-with-striker-bug-out-bag-essentials?variant=37552504193
- Hudson Bay Tobacco Tin https://amzn.to/2RVIg8p
- Pathfinder Multi Fire Tool https://www.selfrelianceoutfitters.com/products/multi-fire-tool
- English Flint https://amzn.to/2qKh5Sp
- Wazoo Ranger Bands http://bit.ly/2gDqBle
- Charring and Storage Tin https://amzn.to/2Sn5o0w
- Fatwood https://amzn.to/2TdTx5y
- Pathfinder Mini Inferno https://www.selfrelianceoutfitters.com/products/mini-inferno-bug-out-bag-essentials-list?variant=24814440577
Fire Kit (Pack)
I will always use my backpack kit while I have it available so that if I am ever down to just my belt kit, I have a full kit to work with.
- Badger Claw Fire Kit 2.0 https://badgerclawleatherworks.com/products/fire-kit-20
- Badger Claw Sami Pouch https://badgerclawleatherworks.com/products/badger-claw-sami
- Badger Claw Bushcrafter’s Dump Pouch https://badgerclawleatherworks.com/products/leather-and-canvas-bushcrafters-dump-pouch
- Exotac TitanLIGHT https://www.selfrelianceoutfitters.com/products/exotac-titanlight-waterproof-lighter-case?variant=469771845633
- Exotac MatchCAP https://amzn.to/2DDrk3j
- Exotac NanoSTRIKER https://amzn.to/2PtRH2d
- Double Convex Magnifying Lens https://amzn.to/2ENSAOb
- Pathfinder Mini Inferno https://www.selfrelianceoutfitters.com/products/mini-inferno-bug-out-bag-essentials-list?variant=24814440577
- Fatwood https://amzn.to/2TdTx5y
- Exotac CandleTIN Nano http://www.exotac.com/candletin-nano/
Shelter Kit
Every good shelter kit consists of something to sleep under, something to sleep on, something to sleep in, and cordage to hold it all together.
- Warbonnet Blackbird XLC Double Layer https://www.warbonnetoutdoors.com/product/blackbird-xlc/
- Warbonnet Wooki Underquilt https://www.warbonnetoutdoors.com/product/wooki-underquilts/
- Warbonnet Mamba Topquilt https://www.warbonnetoutdoors.com/product/mamba-topquilts/
- Warbonnet Superfly Tarp https://www.warbonnetoutdoors.com/product/superfly/
- MSR Groundhog Stakes https://amzn.to/2pZsBc5
- #6 Tarred Mariners Line https://www.selfrelianceoutfitters.com/products/no-6-bank-line-1lb-roll-but-out-bag-essentials?variant=24814182849
- #36 Tarred Mariners Line https://amzn.to/2Rkjoqn
- Warbonnet Stash Jacket https://www.warbonnetoutdoors.com/product/warbonnet-jacket/
- SealLine ILBE Sack https://amzn.to/2SpWKP4
Water Kit
My standard water kit includes a stainless steel set that can also be used to char natural material for fires with, a cotton pre-filter, and fish jaw spreaders to either retrieve the bottle from or suspend it over the fire. My normal preference is to thermally disinfect by boiling.
- Badger Claw Leather and Canvas Canteen Carrier https://badgerclawleatherworks.com/products/leather-and-canvas-canteen-carrier
- Badger Claw Canvas Carrying Strap https://badgerclawleatherworks.com/products/waxed-canvas-shoulder-strap
- Pathfinder 32oz Stainless Steel Water Bottle and Nesting Cup Kit https://amzn.to/2CqZpSO
- Fish Jaw Spreader https://amzn.to/2CJ8N4l
- Cotton Bandana https://amzn.to/2SlH3Iu
Food Kit
For food procurement, I prefer passive means over active. I plan for both land-based and water -based food sources. Because of the environment I planned to be in, I went heavy and redundant on the passive water-based trapping capabilities. For active food procurement, I choose a frog/fish spear for its versatility both in the water and on the waters edge.
- Thompson Survival Snares https://amzn.to/2B6onps
- Metal Rat Traps https://amzn.to/2TcEyZv
- Justins Peanut Butter Packets https://amzn.to/2TeCgsD
- Equinox No-See-Um Mesh Bag https://amzn.to/2DEz45b
- Mechanical Fisher Yo-Yo’s https://amzn.to/2Dq0HxM
- Military Speedhooks https://amzn.to/2TeCrEj
- B&M #4 Frog/Fish Spear https://amzn.to/2B6HsYT
- Pathfinder 64oz Stainless Steel Bush Pot https://www.selfrelianceoutfitters.com/products/stainless-steel-bush-pot-lid-set-64oz?variant=38538709121
First Aid Kit
The two most common injuries would likely be mechanical injuries that I can easily improve splints for, or lacerations that I may not have time to improvise for. I carry a fairly substantial “bleeder” kit for just such an emergency.
- Badger Claw Nomad First Aid/PSK Pouch https://badgerclawleatherworks.com/products/the-nomad-first-aid-psk-pouch
- Quik-Clot https://amzn.to/2DCfaId
- Pocket Israeli Bandage https://amzn.to/2B7irwA
- S-Rolled Guaze https://amzn.to/2z9jmuO
- RevMedX Tourniquet https://www.revmedx.com/store/
Navigation Kit
The area I planned to be in consisted of very dense underbrush and swamps, so rather than carry a map of the area, I chose to self-map using the PAUL system.
- Pathfinder Waterproof Notebook https://www.selfrelianceoutfitters.com/products/all-weather-notebook-by-pathfinder?variant=27706700609
- Mechanical Pencils https://amzn.to/2SkaOcC
- Suunto MC2 Global Compass https://amzn.to/2q1DhqR
- Pace Beads https://amzn.to/2PEGnft
Signal Kit
A good signal kit has both active and passive signaling devices for both day and night, and includes a universal (audible) signal that works day or night.
- Princeton Tec EOS LED Headlamp https://amzn.to/2RljAGe
- Lithium Batteries AAA https://amzn.to/2D8ld6U
- Orange Inside SealLine ILBE Sack https://amzn.to/2SpWKP4
- Small Whistle attached to Pace Beads
- Mirror on Compass https://amzn.to/2q1DhqR
Tools, Maintenance, and Repair Kit
The tools I chose were a good belt knife and a compromise between a chopper and a machete to fit the environment I was in, in addition to additional tools to meet the “5 Tool Rule”. I also had items to maintain those tools and a small repair kit.
- LT Wright Genesis Scandi https://amzn.to/2D84797
- Pathfinder Knife Shop Forest Tool https://www.selfrelianceoutfitters.com/products/forest-tool-curly-maple-by-pks?variant=7455122292785
- Frost River Tool Roll https://www.frostriver.com/tool-roll/
- Crooked Awls https://www.selfrelianceoutfitters.com/products/crooked-awl-by-pks?variant=24819409921
- Self Reliance Outfitters HD6 Ferro Rod selfrelianceoutfitters.com/products/hd6-ferro-rod-with-striker-bug-out-bag-essentials?variant=37552504193
- Packable Drawknife https://www.selfrelianceoutfitters.com/products/packable-drawknife?variant=24819786177
- Hooked Blade Knife https://amzn.to/2qOn2xK
- Falkniven DC4 Sharpening Stone https://amzn.to/2DFyKmL
- Silky PocketBoy 130 https://amzn.to/2z5m7xt
- Exotac RipSPOOL https://amzn.to/2qOuwAW
Miscellaneous
- Nessmuk Punky Dope
- Leather Work Gloves https://amzn.to/2OaD4er
Links are provided for your convenience and reference. However, Joshua Enyart does receive a small commission from anything purchased from Amazon, Wazoo Survival Gear, or TITAN Survival (and is appreciated greatly).
