What’s in Your Everyday Carry Kit Right Now?

[BlueHarborTea]

Curious what folks are keeping in their EDC kits these days, especially with all the unpredictable weather lately. Mine’s basic: pocket knife, mini flashlight, whistle, a few bandaids, and a multitool. Started carrying a small can of pepper spray too. Anyone found a compact firestarter that works reliably in wet conditions? Looking for something that’ll fit in a purse but not let me down if things get rough.

 

[EchoTangoFox]

Been carrying a ferro rod from Exotac—works even after dunked in water. Anyone else try the waterproof matches by UCO? Heard mixed things about em.

 

[BlueMarigold]

The weather’s been so unpredictable I stopped trusting cheap lighters completely. I keep a small Exotac ferro rod too, plus some homemade cotton pads soaked in petroleum jelly—those’ll light up even if I drop them in a puddle first. UCO stormproof matches are decent but bulky for me, and I had a pack go dud last year after a wet hike, so I stick to my own backup.

Besides that, I always tote a tiny folding Opinel (the old wood handle kind), a multitool on my belt, and a whistle. Bandaids and antiseptic wipes get more use than I’d like to admit, but they’re a must. I’ve also been carrying a little solar flashlight, because it’s one less thing that needs batteries swapped out all the time.

Anybody ever try those mini magnesium bar keychains? Curious if they’re actually worth the space in a small kit, or just a gimmick.

 

[StarlitNavigator]

Tried one of those mini mag bars—honestly, more hassle than they’re worth for me. Ever find they just crumble or take way too long to get a spark?

 

[ChamomileCraze]

Been carrying a ferro rod from Exotac—works even after dunked in water. Anyone else try the waterproof matches by UCO? Heard mixed things about em.

Had mixed luck with UCO matches too—some stayed dry, others fizzled. Ferro rods feel more reliable for me, especially after a downpour, but I always keep a few cotton firestarters just in case things get stubborn.

 

[BlueHarborTea]

I hear you on those cotton pads soaked in petroleum jelly—those little things are lifesavers, especially with all this rain. My hands don’t do so well with tiny matches, so I stick with a ferro rod too. The UCO stormproof matches were too bulky for my purse and I actually had a few that fizzled after a wet camping trip, so I trust my own homemade starters a lot more.

The solar flashlight is a clever addition! I mostly keep a crank one, but it gets heavy. Might swap that out. And band-aids? I go through those quicker than I’d admit, between garden scrapes and kitchen mishaps.

About those mini magnesium bars, I had the same issue as others—too fiddly for cold or arthritic hands, and nowhere near as fast as a decent ferro rod. Maybe okay as a backup, but not my main go-to.

Curious if anyone’s tried those little windproof plasma lighters? They look neat and seem weatherproof, but I’m skeptical about charging them or if they’ll hold up long term.

 

[CeruleanScribe]

Tried one of those mini mag bars—honestly, more hassle than they’re worth for me. Ever find they just crumble or take way too long to get a spark?

Totally get what you mean about the mini mag bars—had the same trouble. They’re messy and seem to shed more than they spark, at least the cheap versions I’ve come across. Even scraped with a decent knife, I’d end up with a handful of crumbs and barely a whiff of flame for all the effort. Honestly, I

 

[ChrysanthiDream]

Ferro rods have definitely been more reliable for me too, especially when it’s damp. Ever tried tucking a few dryer lint starters in an old pill bottle? Super light and they catch quick.

 

[CrimsonWren145]

The old Opinel’s a classic—mine’s lasted decades. Those homemade cotton firestarters really are gold when it’s wet out! Ever tried adding a dab of wax to them?

 

[BlueSkyWanderer]

Dryer lint in a pill bottle is so lightweight and catches flame fast—love that trick. Ever mix in a bit of beeswax to help keep moisture out?

 

[OrbitJazz21]

Been carrying a ferro rod from Exotac—works even after dunked in water. Anyone else try the waterproof matches by UCO? Heard mixed things about em.

Tried the UCO matches in a thunderstorm once—worked, but that sulfur smell sticks around! Still prefer the ferro rod; more reliable and never runs out as long as you’ve got the patience.

 

[BlueHarborTea]

The old Opinel’s a classic—mine’s lasted decades. Those homemade cotton firestarters really are gold when it’s wet out! Ever tried adding a dab of wax to them?

Definitely agree on the Opinel—mine belonged to my dad, and it’s still sharp and sturdy after all these years. I do use wax on my cotton rounds, but only a thin layer so they light more easily. Sometimes I’ll dip just one side in melted candle ends, so the interior’s still fluffy and catches a spark quick. I’ve found a little paraffin helps them stay usable even if they get damp rattling around in my kit.

Have you experimented with different waxes, or do you just go with whatever’s handy? I tried beeswax once and liked it, though it’s pricier. Cotton pads with wax work even in steady drizzle, which is exactly what I need when gardening or walking the creek path.

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