Unconventional/Uncommon/Unique Items in Your Kit

**Outlander Systems** · 02-28-15, 17:15

It's always interesting to see what some of the oddball type items folks carry in their packs/kits.

I'd say the strangest item I carry is a pencil sharpener. It makes short work of pines, and beats the hell out of carving up feathersticks by hand.

The other odd one is modified, waterproof sparklers.

Other than that, it's pretty much standard fare. Just curious to see what some of y'all are carrying that's atypical.

**SeriousStudent** · 02-28-15, 23:22

Small bottle of potassium permanganate.

Firestarter, disinfectant, water purifier, and it will flat out kill jungle rot on your feet.

**Outlander Systems** · 03-01-15, 08:17

Originally Posted by SeriousStudent

Small bottle of potassium permanganate.

Firestarter, disinfectant, water purifier, and it will flat out kill jungle rot on your feet.

Very... VERY interesting.

**ST911** · 03-01-15, 08:51

Originally Posted by SeriousStudent

Small bottle of potassium permanganate.

Firestarter, disinfectant, water purifier, and it will flat out kill jungle rot on your feet.

Recently learned about this as a friend ignited it atop some snow. VERY cool.

**SeriousStudent** · 03-01-15, 16:57

Originally Posted by Outlander Systems

Very... VERY interesting.

Originally Posted by Skintop911

Recently learned about this as a friend ignited it atop some snow. VERY cool.

Yeah, a long time ago I used to spend a lot of time in jungle environments. Some nice fellow with a British accent explained how they carried it in their kit, and following him around made me a believer.

It is getting harder to find now. You used to be able to pick it up from most swimming pool supply stores. I ordered the last container from a place on eBay.

When wandering about the landscape, I always try to carry at least three methods of starting fires, preferably four. This one is handy as also serves medicinal purposes. A sterilizer/disinfectant has proved to be very useful to me in the past. The darker the color, the more bugs it kills. Just a few crystals dropped into a canteen will kill most of the critters in it. A very light pink color will disinfect a wound.

ETA: And be careful with the stuff around brake fluid. Search YouTube for more info on that.

**Outlander Systems** · 03-01-15, 17:23

Originally Posted by SeriousStudent

When wandering about the landscape, I always try to carry at least three methods of starting fires, preferably four.

Good man.

I always go for multiple redundancies on fire prep and water prep.

Sounds like the Pot-Perm will serve double duty on both of those.

Thanks for the heads up on this stuff.

**interfan** · 03-02-15, 15:00

A little silly, but a Lego Darth Vader keychain flashlight. http://www.amazon.com/LEGO-Star-Dart...vader+keychain

It is in all my kits to serve two purposes:
1. Entertain my son (he's 3) and give him something to make him feel secure or just distracted with a toy if there is an emergency, and
2. It is an extra flashlight that can be used if needed (it isn't very bright, but OK for reading).

As he has grown, it gives me a reason to evaluate, inspect, and update things periodically to meet current needs. It is small enough not to be space wasting and is safe and easy for him to use if he needed to (not retina burning like a Surefire Ultra).

**hotrodder636** · 03-08-15, 20:33

You can find various quantities of potassium permanganate on Amazon up to 2 lbs.

Originally Posted by SeriousStudent

Yeah, a long time ago I used to spend a lot of time in jungle environments. Some nice fellow with a British accent explained how they carried it in their kit, and following him around made me a believer.

It is getting harder to find now. You used to be able to pick it up from most swimming pool supply stores. I ordered the last container from a place on eBay.

When wandering about the landscape, I always try to carry at least three methods of starting fires, preferably four. This one is handy as also serves medicinal purposes. A sterilizer/disinfectant has proved to be very useful to me in the past. The darker the color, the more bugs it kills. Just a few crystals dropped into a canteen will kill most of the critters in it. A very light pink color will disinfect a wound.

ETA: And be careful with the stuff around brake fluid. Search YouTube for more info on that.

**Mr blasty** · 01-22-16, 13:39

Originally Posted by SeriousStudent

Small bottle of potassium permanganate.

Firestarter, disinfectant, water purifier, and it will flat out kill jungle rot on your feet.

The glycerin that's needed with it is very useful as well. Glycerin is good as a laxative, stain remover, lotion, sweetener, preservative and is very useful for making your own soap (actually very easy to do in the bush). I carry potassium permanganate and glycerin as well. One of the most important and most versatile things in my kit. I also Cary a small container of lard (any fat will do). It's good for rust prevention (it's what I maintain my axes with. No rust, even in pissing rain or snow), leather and fabric waterproofing/conditioning, takes the place of butter for cooking, will work as a weapon lubricant (no it's not my go to. I run slip 2k but it does do the job just fine) and goes liquid as it heats up, good as a skin/lip balm, and a hundred other uses. It's cheap, easy and renewable if you kill something and render it's fat.

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