Hi everyone, just wanted to get suggestions on what kit to carry with a fixed blade. Like if it’s all you had with you. I currently have Ferro rod, sharpener, signal mirror and paracord. Anything else I should carry? Or attach?
Welcome from coastal North Carolina. There's a huge list of tiny stuff that will fit in an Altoids tin that are handy to have every day. If I was accessorizing just for carrying a fixed blade knife I'd add this, along with an extra house key, car key , $50 in small bills, and a tiny flashlight to everything else that should be dummy corded onto your kit. These have all saved me embarrassment and discomfort more than anything else in my EDC kit. Try opening a can of stew, or slicing open a package in public with a fixed blade knife and you'll see what I mean. Fixed blade knives are just like open carried handguns. They invite unwanted attention. See if you can find a carry method that keeps the sheath concealed. There's a few decades worth of reading, tips and tricks in the SM archives, well worn, grumpy old Monkey's to help you out, and even a bit of entertainment when it all feels too heavy. Pull up a branch and have a look around.
Much of you question is really dependent upon what are you are travelling in. There are some good generally useful items (that you mostly have covered) but fishing line etc is almost useless if this is an EDC kit in a metropolitan area. I would always add a lighter and save the retro rod as your secondary mean of making fire (one is none). If you are wet, cold and tired (for example) your fine motor skills degrade quickly and a lighter is much easier to navigate. While the idea of an all encompassing “kit” attached with your blade is appealing in a Gucci sense I fear it is less practical than having the gear properly stowed on your person/pack. Jamming it all in will make you compromise on things you may not wish to.
