Least expensive kit

[pathwinder14]

What's the least expensive kit you can make?

Here's mine:
$5.00 Backpack from a thrift store
$1.00 Old Hickory butcher knife from a thrift store
$6.00 Wool blanket from a thrift store
$0.00 Coffee Can
$0.00 Plastic air bag from a warehouse (tarp)
$10.00 Paracord - 100' of 550
$5.00 Multi Tool - hardware store tools section
$5.00 Machete - Rural King
$6.00 Hatchet - Rural King
$1.00 Bic
$0.00 Book of Matches
$8.00 magnesuium firestarter
$0.00 Fresnel lens from a pharmacy
$3.00 Slingshot bands
$3.00 Duct Tape
$0.00 bandanna
$7.00 Nalgene
$15.00 Compass
$0.00 Needle
$0.00 Cotton Balls
$1.00 Vaseline
$5.00 File
$10.00 Knife Sharpener
$6.00 Fish Hooks and line
$3.00 25' frame wire
$0.00 pencil and paper
$1.00 laundry bag (net)
$0.00 1 gallon freezer bag
$0.00 trash bag
_________________________
$101

Ideas? Comments?

[swamprat1]

Not bad. Mine is probably about the same. I have several item collected during my military days.

[urbanprep]

So I built a GMHB that am storing at a relatives. I keep it in a storage tote.

2 gallon tote with a snap lock lid $5
2 Aluminum bottles $1 each ($2)
An N95 respirator $6
2 pack Bic Lighters $3
Orange Match container w/matches $2
Magnesium fire starter w/striker $2
Petroleum Jelly $3
5x7 nylon tarp $9
Assorted fish hooks $4
Fishing line $2
50 feet of camp cord $3
Roll of wire $2
Magnifying glass $1
Used altoids tin - free - used to make char cloth
Slingshot $4
Aluminum foil roll $3
Big survival knife - has limited stuff in handle - $9
2 Bandannas - $2
First aid kit - simple one - $2
Assorted food (cliff bars, vitamin drink, spam) $10

Total cost: about $75

[alex]

Sounds like it'll get ya where you wana go. I always struggle with the "cheep" kits because I will almost always have a more expensive back pack to ensure the kit will hold up. I will say that I was able to score a super great deal on a US Army 3 Day Assault pack in so new of a condition it's still stiff for only $10.00!!!

Another way I save money on my kit is with the fire kit...I always (ALWAYS) have multiple ways to start fire...I don't do Bic but I carry a butane torch lighter everyday (Ronsol...$2.99 @ walmart)...Harbor Freight Mag/Ferro bar (on sale for $2.99) then there's the flint and steel w/ char cloth.

Another thing is to buy Para cord on sale or in bulk. My 100' hanks cost me about 6-7 dollars...I tied bracelets for a while and have about every color you can think of and the most expensive 100' hank I bought was $9.00. Many time you can find a 1000' spool for about $49.00.

Nalgene bottles are great and I think I paid about the same price for the one's I've got

I also carry a sling shot...2 infact...one that is store bought with round bands and holds the ball bearings/ammo in the handle (I had to put a thick rubber band around it after awhile to keep it from sliding open) and another that I made using flat bands.

I don't carry a machete but I do have a Cold Steel trail hawk that I got on sale from Amazon about a year and a half ago...

I am going to copy and paste your list in another reply and compare my cost to yours for my current kit just to see what kind of cost I've got

[alex]

$10.00 Backpack from Mil-Surp store
$12.00 Mora 840 Carbon Clipper knife (carbon steel to strike a spark if needed
$0 Wool blanket (Don't have one)
$10.00 Woobie blanket (Poncho Liner)
$10.00 Mil-Surp Poncho
$0.00 Tyvec House wrap (tarp) (construction site)
$7.00 Paracord - 100' of 550
$4.00 Bank Line 300'
$9.00 Multi Tool -Gerber (Issue Mil-Surp)

$25.00 Trail Hawk (Hatchet)
$3.00 Jet flame Ronsol Butane lighter
$0.00 Book of Matches X 3 (from MRE Condiment packs)
$3.00 magnesuium firestarter
$1.00 Fresnel lens from a pharmacy
$2.00 Slingshot bands
$.00 Duct Tape
$0.00 bandanna
$0.00 Nalgene Gota remove the Nalgene as It's not in my kit
$0.00 Needle
$0.00 Cotton Balls
$1.00 Vaseline
$8.00 File (Handy File from Nicholson)
$5.00 Knife Sharpener
$0.00 Fish Hooks and line
$0.00 15' snare wire
$0.00 pencil and paper
$0.00 laundry bag (no laundry bag in mine)
$0.00 1 gallon freezer bag x 4
$3.00 Industrial 6 mil trash bag x 3

This takes me to $107 so far...

$4.00 Esbit Stove
$4.00 Canteen Cup
$5.00 MRE x 3 ($15.00 total)
$5.00 tarp tensioners/connectors x 6 (that's for all 6)
$3.00 Nite ize Figure 9 mini X 6 ($18.00 Total)

Thats a total of $153.00...
I am trying to think of the other items in my bag...oh yeah...

$0.00 Mini Mag Light...I've had it for 10+ years

I quit!!! LOL...your kit cost a lot less than mine!!!! LOL

[urbanprep]

Sept 4, 2012 17:49:57 GMT -7 alex said:

$10.00 Backpack from Mil-Surp store
$12.00 Mora 840 Carbon Clipper knife (carbon steel to strike a spark if needed
$0 Wool blanket (Don't have one)
$10.00 Woobie blanket (Poncho Liner)
$10.00 Mil-Surp Poncho
$0.00 Tyvec House wrap (tarp) (construction site)
$7.00 Paracord - 100' of 550
$4.00 Bank Line 300'
$9.00 Multi Tool -Gerber (Issue Mil-Surp)

$25.00 Trail Hawk (Hatchet)
$3.00 Jet flame Ronsol Butane lighter
$0.00 Book of Matches X 3 (from MRE Condiment packs)
$3.00 magnesuium firestarter
$1.00 Fresnel lens from a pharmacy
$2.00 Slingshot bands
$.00 Duct Tape
$0.00 bandanna
$0.00 Nalgene Gota remove the Nalgene as It's not in my kit
$0.00 Needle
$0.00 Cotton Balls
$1.00 Vaseline
$8.00 File (Handy File from Nicholson)
$5.00 Knife Sharpener
$0.00 Fish Hooks and line
$0.00 15' snare wire
$0.00 pencil and paper
$0.00 laundry bag (no laundry bag in mine)
$0.00 1 gallon freezer bag x 4
$3.00 Industrial 6 mil trash bag x 3

This takes me to $107 so far...

$4.00 Esbit Stove
$4.00 Canteen Cup
$5.00 MRE x 3 ($15.00 total)
$5.00 tarp tensioners/connectors x 6 (that's for all 6)
$3.00 Nite ize Figure 9 mini X 6 ($18.00 Total)

Thats a total of $153.00...
I am trying to think of the other items in my bag...oh yeah...

$0.00 Mini Mag Light...I've had it for 10+ years

I quit!!! LOL...your kit cost a lot less than mine!!!! LOL

I think you need to strip out your EDC, that should lower the price.
I didn't include my leatherman or surfire, because when I travel I have them with me in my toiletry bag. They aren't part of my "kit"

[crashdive123]

I did this exercise a few years ago on another forum - it's still there, so I copied it.





OK – Here’s the approach I took on this one. I went to Walmart. Most of the items are in the camping/sporting goods area. The first aid kit came from the pharmacy area. Now admittedly this is not the best kit you can put together. I wanted to see if you could put together “something” to help you in a pinch within the parameter of spending $100. Right now I am fortunate enough to be in a position that if I needed $100 worth of gear I could go out and buy it. It has not always been that way in my life though. So, after I priced everything at Walmart I decided to see where I could save even more money, or improve the quality of some of the items.

Ozark Trail Hooded Poncho $0.88
Portable Aqua Plus $5.88
Hatchet $7.88
Water Resistant Stuff Bag $3.96
Laker – 75 Piece Hook/Swivel/Sinker Kit $1.76
OmniFlex 12lb Fishing Line (980 ft) $2.50
Coleman King Size 20* Sleeping Bag $21.88
Winchester Woody Fine Fixed Blade $14.88
Duck (yes Duck) Tape – 10 yards $1.00
Husky .7 Mil 9X12 Drop Cloth $1.38
Ozark Trail 6X8 All Purpose Tarp $4.68
2 Pack 7 ounce Sterno $3.86
18 oz Enamel Cup $2.88
Bic Lighter $1.00
Ozark Magnesium/Flint Bar $6.88
Ozark Light Sticks (2 Pack) $2.00
Ozark Compass/Whistle/Magnifier/Thermometer Combo $3.88
2 Pack Emergency Candles $2.28
Ray-O-Vac LED Key Chain $2.00
Ray-O-Vac Value Bright Flashlight (2- AA) $1.00
Cliff Bar Oatmeal Raisin Walnut (2) $1.96
First Aid Kit $5.64
30 adhesive bandages 3/8 X 1-1/2
20 adhesive bandages ¾ X 3
5 butterfly closures
10 cotton swabs
4 finger splints
4 sterile gauze pads 2 X 2
2 sterile gauze pads 4 X 4
1 roll adhesive tape ½ X 2.5 yards
2 exam gloves
1 instant cold compress
2 antibiotic ointment packets
12 alcohol prep pads
1 instructions

Total Cost $100.06

First item – emergency poncho. If you have nothing else, they will work about as well as a large (yard) trash bag. Replace poncho with a couple of trash bags that you have around. Savings .88

Aqua – well I suppose boiling and filtering the water could save a few bucks if needed. Throw some coffee filters or an old t-shirt for removing the big chunks before boiling. Savings - $5.88

Hatchet. Might be able to find one cheaper at a garage sale. Do I really need it. I know I want it. How about fashioning a chopper out of an old lawn mower blade? Savings - $7.88

Water resistant stuff bag – The purpose of this was to hold all of the “stuff” look around the house. There is probably something that can be used. An old pack, a suitcase, plastic tote. Replace the bag with something on hand. Savings $3.96.

The fishing gear. There are a lot of fishermen (and women) out there. I’ve got a small tackle box with those items in it. Around where I live a lot of fishing takes place from the bridges and jetties. Gear is getting snagged all the time. You can’t walk on the shore near one of those structures and not find any gear. Replace fishing gear with items on hand. Savings - $4.26.

The sleeping bag – Look in your closets. Got any extra blankets, quilts or comforters. Depending on your climate these can substitute. Savings - $21.88

Knife -look around the house. Got any kitchen or utility knives that aren’t being used? Check yard sales you may be able to find pretty good quality at a big savings. There are several threads on here about making your own from old files or scrap metal. Try it. Savings - $14.88.

Duck Tape (it really is Duck brand) – Got any extra laying around in the garage? If you do – Savings - $1.00

Painters tarp – replace with several more lawn bags. Savings - $1.38

The tarp – check around the garage, I’ll bet you have one already Replace with one on hand. Savings $4.68

2 pack of Sterno – Read the threads on pepsi can stoves – make one (they are really easy to make). Now take a look in your medicine chest. Grab that bottle of isopropyl alcohol. Grab a coat hanger (wire) to make a pot stand. Replace Sterno – Savings - $3.86

Enamel coated cups are good to boil water or cook food. Look in the kitchen cabinets. I’m sure there is a pot or two that aren’t being used. A used coffee can with a wire handle makes a great billy can. A small veggie can (use one without the plastic liner) makes a serviceable cup. Replace cup with items on hand. Savings - $2.88.

Bic Lighter – if you don’t have one laying around the house – head out to the smoking area at work and ask for one. Another option – walk into your local watering hole – they always have books of matches in bowls. Grab a handful. I don’t particularly care for them, but better than nothing. Savings - $1.00.

mag bar – Is there any natural flint in your area? Some natural fling, a steel bar (you can always find some scrap) and a bit of char cloth. Savings - $6.88.

Whistle/compass/magnifier combo – you may be able to find something cheaper – I’ll keep this for now.

Emergency candles – rummage through those kitchen drawers or go to a local restaurant that has those glass bowls with a candle in them (you know the ones – they’re usually red with plastic netting. Talk to the manager – ask for the ones that they are getting ready to toss, take em home and melt the wax to make your own. Either way – Savings $2.88.

The two lights – pretty good price on those, but…….is there a job fair or trade show in town? The vendors love to attract people by giving away free things. One popular give away is LED lights. Grab a handful. I went to the Jaguars / Colts game tonight (Jags lost) they gave away flashing light sticks that would certainly draw more attention than the chem. Lights. I’ll bet if you look around the house you’ll find an extra light someplace. Use it. Savings - $3.00.

Cliff bars – grab anything in the kitchen that will keep. Peanut butter, sardines, Raman noodles, crackers, cereal, pop tarts. Savings - $1.96.

The first aid kit – most households have some basic first aid supplies on hand. It’ll probably surprise you what you find in the back of the medicine chest. Savings - $5.64.

OK – If I were to find replacements for everything I listed, I would be down to $3.88 because I kept my cheap whistle and compass. You may only replace a few items. I’m missing some useful gear with my list. No cordage other than the fishing line. Maybe there’s some around the house that I can use. No signal mirror – grab an old CD. My intention with the exercise wasn’t to make a complete – “I’m going into the woods for a year kit”, but rather illustrate that we can put together some items that will help us out in a jam, and do it on a budget. With what you save by using items that are already at your disposal you will have the extra $$$ to purchase the items that are not.

[missj]

well...how little I COULD spend vs. how much i DID spend are 2 totally different animals....

I may well have one of the most expensive "GHB"s ever because of the screwy way I approached it (not because my gear is that awesome). I kept buying stuff that I'd read I should have in my kit...but I wouldn't do a lot of research first, so I'd buy it, put it in there, then forget about it. Pretty soon my bag was like 10,000 pounds and had a bunch of stuff I'd never tried out.

As I started experimenting with using the gear, and carrying the bag I started removing items, or swapping them out for more light weight versions (usually lightweight is more expensive, but not always).

Anyways....all that trial and error has resulted in a couple of beneficial side affects: I have lots of duplicates and was able to put together bags for the entire family based on my "rejected" gear!!

Nowadays I don't just have a "kit". I have a GHB that I keep in my car. It has different items in it than what is in my BOB (very different purposes). My BOB has basically become my backpacking/camping backpack. It is big though....so I also have a small daypack that is a much scaled down version than either of the others.

I've probably spent more than $500 on all the bags and gear if lumped together as one....but the items inside my daypack (which I consider to be the minimum necessary) could be had for probably around $10.

Here's my advice (for what it's worth) DON'T DO WHAT I DID! It's better to start with the cheapy kit and actually get out and USE it and then see what is lacking, or what you really wish you had.