How do you carry your PSK?


jloden

jloden

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Bushclass I
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I know we've had lots of PSK threads, including the bushclass lesson on creating one. The part I haven't come up with a solid answer to is how to carry one, especially while backpacking. I've considered a lot of options but haven't settled on one that really works for me.

A PSK belt kit is essentially impossible to wear while using a backpack with a waist belt, and cargo pants pockets are pretty uncomfortable if you load them up with too much stuff while hiking. I generally end up leaving mine in my pack while hiking, but then losing the pack means losing the PSK too which isn't optimal.

I thought I'd start a new thread and ask: what do you all do with your PSK while you hike?
 
great thread, J!

My "psk" is in 2 parts - layers, etc...

- A survival necklace that contains the minimums. It's on my neck, obviously.

- an Maxpedition M-2 "ditch kit" contains a lot of items that make life decent if I'm separated from my bags or canoe. It's on my waist.

a link to the breakdown if anyone is interested:

http://www.bushcraftusa.com/forum/showthread.php?p=443315#post443315

the belt loop and/or Molle on the M-2 would give ya a lot of options on how to carry it.
I just can't bring myself to get down to an altoids tin. lol. :p
 
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Mine rides in a tin inside an old Pentax camera pouch with a belt loop on it . That way I can move it anywhere on my waist depending on what I'm doing. If you are wearing a pack you can move it to the front or back of your waist depending on the style of pack and what's comfortable to you. You can purchase the camera pouches at most big box retailers for between $5-$10 bucks.:dblthumb:
 
Keep it on the top of your pack and pull it out when ever your leaving your bag somewhere. I was always taught big kit in your pack smaller one in your kit (meaning military load barring equipment or body armor type thing translates to me as sort of a possibles pouch type thing) and then lastly your pockets wich to me is my knife ferro rod bandana and all the stuff you normally keep on your body
 
More often than not I'm wearing a fly fishing shirt which has large pockets sized for fly boxes, the PSK fits like a glove in the chest pocket.

Wolf
 
I have a 1L nalgene carrier that works for me. My alcohol stove, pot, and nalgene ride in the main compartment and the rest of the kit is split between the nalgene carrier pocket and an attached E&E pouch. Heavier than the more "normal" Altoids kit but better stocked. :p I either carry it by itself with a strap or attach it to my pack.
 
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Bad Moon said:
Mine rides in a tin inside an old Pentax camera pouch with a belt loop on it . That way I can move it anywhere on my waist depending on what I'm doing. If you are wearing a pack you can move it to the front or back of your waist depending on the style of pack and what's comfortable to you. You can purchase the camera pouches at most big box retailers for between $5-$10 bucks.:dblthumb:
Click to expand...

you can also find them for about $1 at thrift stores.

i'm not good about carrying my PSK, as i live in a very forgiving environment. i'm looking for the ideal waist pack for my ditch kit.
 
In summer usually in my cargo pocket on my pants, although I do have a Molle-type pouch that it fits in that can be worn on my belt. Currently it's packed into my camp cup in a pouch that fits in my backpack, since in the winter I don't go out without my pack.
 
I have put compass pouches on my gear that I would be using for the trip. I'm working on making duplicate kits but for now I just move the kit from pouch to pouch.

On my last trip out I mounted it to the side of my 10x4 maxped bottle carrier.

That with a rolly polly dump pouch and a SS cup inside makes for a great day kit. I don't see me in the woods with out that as a minimum.

Like Kerri and J said, you can spread it out some too. Yeah it's nice when it compact and all together but if you can put a few items around your neck then spread some key items around your pockets you'll be good. Just remember it's a kit that you will always have on you. If you put it on or in your pack then put it on your belt when you get to camp you're doing what you're supposed to. No matter what you do we can throw scenarios out that will not make it work. Like if it's mounted to your pack what if you have to ditch your pack to run from a bear or to keep from falling off a cliff.

So as a good friend used to say... "If "If" were a fifth, we'd all be drunk!"

Think about the area you will be going. How many people you know have had to ditch their packs up here in the NE to run from bears? Going someplace where that's a chance, then keeping it in a cargo pocket might be a better trade off.


There is always the option of making a sheath system like I have with my SR. That rides low enough to stay out of the way of the pack belt. But that kit lacks a few things. Namely a really good water carrier. Yeah it's got a ziplock but again that's last ditch.

Or if you want to go all out make something that has a long belt loop on it so it hangs below the pack belt. Almost like a drop leg rig.
 
I used to keep my PSK in a Maxpedition EDC pocket organizer that fit in my cargo pockets nicely, but I've added to it to make it a more complete kit. Now it rides in a Maxpedition M-1 Waistpack, so now it rides on my belt. My pack waist strap rides pretty high, so it doesn't interfere with my PSK. I will sometimes carry it in my pack too though.
 
Sweeneyguy said:
No matter what you do we can throw scenarios out that will not make it work. Like if it's mounted to your pack what if you have to ditch your pack to run from a bear or to keep from falling off a cliff.

So as a good friend used to say... "If "If" were a fifth, we'd all be drunk!"
Click to expand...

Yeah I'm right there with you, especially on the above quoted bit. There's always some scenario you can invent that'll separate you from your gear. Like getting attacked by an axe-wielding bear for example... :D

I can't see myself losing my pack unless I was doing something like a river crossing (rare for me), or ditching my pack at base camp or to do a summit hike. In the event of any of the above, I don't see a problem with pulling the PSK out and strapping it to my belt or in a secure pocket. I've pretty much been through the same thought process you mentioned, including trying a sheath setup very similar to yours with the ESEE-6 rig. I wasn't crazy about the way it carried but it did work well to keep the essentials on my person.

The more I think about it, I'm thinking a layered approach like Kerri mentioned might by the way to go. Something like: EDC stuff in pockets, PSK in the pack. When the pack comes off, PSK goes into a pocket or on the belt. Going for a longer walk or leaving the pack behind, add a canteen setup and robust shelter like a rain poncho.
 
Reading through some other threads, I think I'm going to keep my M-1 Waistpack, but add a REI Flash or similar pack to carry in my pack. That way, if I'm leaving base camp, I can carry my water, and other essential items for my hike. The PSK will still go on my belt, but I might be able to make it a little more belt friendly if I add a small pack.
 
jloden said:
Yeah I'm right there with you, especially on the above quoted bit. There's always some scenario you can invent that'll separate you from your gear. Like getting attacked by an axe-wielding bear for example... :D

I can't see myself losing my pack unless I was doing something like a river crossing (rare for me), or ditching my pack at base camp or to do a summit hike. In the event of any of the above, I don't see a problem with pulling the PSK out and strapping it to my belt or in a secure pocket. I've pretty much been through the same thought process you mentioned, including trying a sheath setup very similar to yours with the ESEE-6 rig. I wasn't crazy about the way it carried but it did work well to keep the essentials on my person.

The more I think about it, I'm thinking a layered approach like Kerri mentioned might by the way to go. Something like: EDC stuff in pockets, PSK in the pack. When the pack comes off, PSK goes into a pocket or on the belt. Going for a longer walk or leaving the pack behind, add a canteen setup and robust shelter like a rain poncho.
Click to expand...


Jay....If you want I can take a picture of the Maxped setup. I got a deal on 5 compass pouches. Like 2 bucks for 5 of them. I just used good old zip ties in a cross pattern to attach it to the Pals webbing on the 10x4.
 
This is what works for me. It's the kit bag from Hill People Gear. For those of you who may not know they have helped design at least one piece of gear for kifaru, the "koala". Basically its the koala but not as deep so you get more range of motion and can see your feet when you look down lol. And this thing is near kifaru quality as far as I'm concerned.

Basically it goes on before your pack. You can attach the kit bag with "lifter straps" to your back pack straps to help carry the load but I only really do that when really covering a lot of ground.

Get to camp, ditch your pack but the kit bag stays on your chest. It's always with you. I've heard some guys even sleep in them. I keep my psk stuff in the front pocket and stuff I want to get to when I'm moving without taking my pack off in the main pocket. It's got a pistol pocket in the very back but you could use that for more gear if you want.

I haven't weighed my gear in it but I'm guessing its about 7 or 8 pounds. And honestly its really comfortable. I can do all camp chores including wood processing while wearing it. Plus it helps solve the problem of what to do with your knife when using the waist belt on a pack. Just toss it in the main compartment and you can use it as needed without shedding your pack to get to it.

Honestly, its changing the way I carry and use my gear in the woods. And all for the better.

Here's a link and a pic from their website if you don't feel like following the link.

http://www.hillpeoplegear.com/Produ...ductDetails/mid/1916/ProductID/8/Default.aspx



KitBag_RG_main.jpg
 
Sweeneyguy said:
Jay....If you want I can take a picture of the Maxped setup. I got a deal on 5 compass pouches. Like 2 bucks for 5 of them. I just used good old zip ties in a cross pattern to attach it to the Pals webbing on the 10x4.
Click to expand...

I think I get the idea even without pics, but if you want to post one I'm sure it won't hurt.
 
I subscribe to the belt order rule from the ALICE gear. I use the belt and suspenders to carry my water/PSK/??? and then everything else goes in the ruck. If I have to emergency ditch the ruck, I'm good, and with the ALICE straps, brother, you can ditch the ruck in a hurry :)

Depending on what I'm doing determines what goes on belt. The SAW pouch might get a camera/paper/pencil's and/or my GPS or tablet, again, depending on what I'm doing. Rides nice, don't notice in 99% of the time. If I'm just jumping out of the Jeep to go for a walk, I keep my "spur of the moment" gear in a Finn gas mask bag and throw it over my shoulder, that one is ALWAYS in the car...
 
I carry mine in an altoids tin in a pocket on my cold steel bushman sheath....or in a belt pouch when not carryin the bushman....
 
I carry an AMK Pocket Survival kit in my jacket or in a back pocket. I supplement it with a pocket knife, bandana and a few things on a neck lanyard. (whistle, ferro rod, compass)

If you try to carry too much gear you'll end up leaving it in your pack or at home. Try to pare your PSK down to the bare minimum - that way you'll be more inclined to have it with you.

I believe the minimum would be:

1. Fire making stuff (technical terminology)
2. knife
3. Space blanket or large plactic contractor's bag
4. water container (bottled water or small canteen or other container)
5. Bandana

These can be stuffed into a pocket or a small belt pouch or possibles bag.

Another suggestion is to make multiple PSKs and put in your vehicle(s), in a jacket pocket, pack, briefcase or lunchbox (whatever you take to work).
 
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I also carry my main kit in my pack, I have a last ditch kit that I made that fit's into a glove carrier, contains all the thing's I would need and a small fishing kit( sm altoids tin) in it also. I have made a medium sized kit in a waistpack I picked up a Wally World to use a my fishing gear holder while fishing but have since transformed it into a kit. Holds a US canteen cup also. It is only about 7" across. And I have since added a Neck pouch from Tops that I improved on. That can be carried around the neck or worn over the shoulder.

But whenever I am out I always have 3 kits and some EDC gear in my pockets.
 
I always keep my kit in my cargo pockets and it doesn't seem to bother me. But I wear Railriders X-treme Adventure pants and the cargo pockets are inside the pants so they don't sway and are out of the way.

I keep a survival kit (modified AMK) in one, a first-aid kit (also modified AMK) in the other, and each cargo pocket gets a Zip-lock freezer and construction-grade garbage bags. In addition, I have a bandanna and a Victorinox Outrider in my back pockets.

I try not to touch any of this stuff on an outing because it is for emergencies only. I keep it with me regardless of what activity I'm involved with (hiking, hunting, fishing, canoeing, etc.).

If I am playing bushcraft, I have my Gossman PSK around my neck with a firesteel in the sheath and a shoulder bag with similar gear to my emergency kit that gets used for both practice and projects. This way I have duplicates but it also allows me to practice my skills without depleting the kit on my person. I also get to add goodies like my Grohmann and axe and such.
 
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I use a Maxpedition 4x6 pouch with a "dangler" attachment system. I got this idea from SwissGearLabs on YT, and I think he is now a member on BCUSA. Anyway, I used some nylon straps to create 2 belt loops that have snap buckles on them, attaching to the actual pouch. This system remedies the issue of carrying the PSK while backpacking. Because it dangles 3-4 inches from the waist, it provides plenty of room to use your hip strap on your pack.

DSC02937.jpg
 
I was taught and still use a tiered approach with redundancies. As things get bad or gear gets lost there is always another "tier" of kit to fall back on.

I alway have a knife on my belt (on in a neck sheath) as well as a ferro rod and compass dummy corded to my belt.

I supplement those items with a small kit that is in a waterproof bag that easily and comfortably fits in my cargo pocket that contains: waterproof storm matches, ferro rod, PJ cotton balls, small compass, small whistle, signal mirror, space blanket, gallon Ziplok bag and water purification tablets. I usually also have a topo map in my pocket.

I my bag I have a military poncho, complete fire kit, good first aid kit, cell phone, another whistle, usually another knife or Leatherman, sometimes a GPS, etc. etc.
 
When I'm out hiking, I always wear my vest (photographer's vest with a plethora of pockets) which essentially serves as my primary PSK. I also have a traditional PSK contained in a waterproof box ($5 from Walmart) that when I'm in the woods is in the right cargo pocket of my pants. When I'm not in the woods, it's in the front pocket of my EDC backpack.

:41:
 
werewolf won said:
More often than not I'm wearing a fly fishing shirt which has large pockets sized for fly boxes, the PSK fits like a glove in the chest pocket.

Wolf
Click to expand...

I do this as well in the warmer months, when it's cooler I usually have a jacket that I can tuck my psk into. I often have a TT E&E pouch that rides on my belt, handy and packs enough to get the the truck and eventually home.
 
Capt. Redbush said:
When I'm out hiking, I always wear my vest (photographer's vest with a plethora of pockets) which essentially serves as my primary PSK. I also have a traditional PSK contained in a waterproof box ($5 from Walmart) that when I'm in the woods is in the right cargo pocket of my pants. When I'm not in the woods, it's in the front pocket of my EDC backpack.

:41:
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SWMBO calls my Eotac vest my "purse" -- but never complains when i pull something out of it that she wants/needs.
for short hikes this is supplemented with a UTG shoulder bag (maxped Jumbo clone) with water bottle & more complete PSK/FAK supplies.
for camping/longer hikes, additional supplements go in the backpack.
 
Mine fits in my cargo pocket with enough room for my inhaler as well. If I am out fishing or something then it rides in an old compass pouch on my belt.

I was looking into one of the maxpedition small organizer pouches that some folks have, it would hold about everything and not be too bulky I think.

-Brandon
 
Mine is in an altoids tin with drum liner wrapped around it in my back pocket. Other than that i have a fixed blade knife on my side. Pretty much everything i would need for a 72 hour emergency kit in Iowa.
 
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