Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
•
Candle.
Great for helping to start a fire with damp wood, as well as for a light and
heat source. Shave it square to save space in your kit.
•
Flint with steel striker.
Flint will last long after your matches are used up. You must
find very dry, fine tinder to start a fire with sparks from a flint. Solid magnesium fire-
starter kits are an excellent improvement on the traditional flint with steel. Using a
knife to scrape magnesium shavings from the magnesium bar, you light the shavings
with a spark from the flint, and they burn hotly to help ignite the tinder.
•
Magnifying glass.
Useful for starting a fire with direct sunlight or for finding splin-
ters.
•
Needle and thread.
Choose several needles, including at least one with a very large
eye, which can handle yarn, sinew, or heavy thread. Wrap with several feet of extra-
strong thread.
•
Fishhooks and line.
A selection of different hooks in a small tin or packet. Include
several small, split-lead sinkers and as much fishing line as possible.
•
Compass.
A small, luminous-dial compass (for night reading). Make sure that you
know how to read it and that the needle swings freely. A string is handy for hanging
it around your neck for regular reference.
•
Micro-flashlight.
A keychain LED-type (light-emitting diode) lamp, such as the
Photon Microlight II, is useful for reading a map at night or following a trail when
there is no moon.
•
Brass wire.
Three to five feet of lightweight flexible brass wire, or fine braided steel
wire from a bead shop. Wire is useful for making snares and repairing things.
•
Flexible saw.
These come with large rings for handles that can be removed to allow it
to fit into your kit. While using the saw, insert sticks through the end loops for more
useful and comfortable handles. Coat the saw with a film of grease or oil to protect it
from rust.
•
Survival knife.
For overnight backcountry travel or as part of your car kit, I would
also carry a stout knife with about a 6-inch blade. If the knife has a folding blade, it
should have a heavy-duty blade lock. It should be strong enough to use as a pry and
to split branches and cut hardwoods without damage. You may need a knife to fabric-
ate crude tools, such as a bow and drill for starting a fire without matches. A variety
of “survival” knives are available; they are capable of cutting various materials, in-
cluding thin sheet metal, and will do nicely. If the knife has a fixed blade, it should
be covered in a sheath that it can't easily cut through. Some knives come with a
small sharpening stone in the sheath, which is a nice feature.
