Forget BOBs and SHTF situations, how about PSKs

[ez bake]

you cant use SS (stainless steel) knife for flint spark making, its too hard, the sparks come from the steel ,not the flint.

I don't guess I understand this. SS isn't harder than carbon steel in most cases and I'm not super-familiar with using flint to make a spark - can you explain further?

 

[doctorjj]

For the handcuff key, I'd go with a belt keeper or one of the belts with a hidden comparment that you could reach while cuffed.

 

[HiredHand]

I don't guess I understand this. SS isn't harder than carbon steel in most cases and I'm not super-familiar with using flint to make a spark - can you explain further?

Here you go. http://www.survivaltopics.com/survival/flint-and-steel-what-causes-the-sparks/

 

[HiredHand]

For the handcuff key, I'd go with a belt keeper or one of the belts with a hidden comparment that you could reach while cuffed.

I'm thinking incision and insert under the skin.

 

[ez bake]

Here you go. http://www.survivaltopics.com/survival/flint-and-steel-what-causes-the-sparks/

That's a good read man - I've read about the properties of iron before and some of the principles of flint-starting, but that was a really good breakdown.

I'll probably look for an older piece of high-carbon steel and some flint and try this in my back yard, but for my minimalist kit, I think I'll stick with the magnesium fire-starter (since its more compact and I'm only looking for something to last me a few weeks at most for the purposes of this kit - and weight is key).

 

[HiredHand]

An old metal file or a cheap new one and almost any rock can produce a spark. For spark based fire making, I think a ferocerium rod is the way to go.

Steel wool, 000 or 0000, is also a good for getting a fire started. It can be ignited with a spark or even a battery.

 

[HMFIC]

You need to add a La-Z-Boy to the kit. That's all you really EVER need in ANY situation.

Oh... and some TP.