How long you been working on this? Have you researched any other pocket survival kits/tins? I admire your entrepreneurial spirit. It's good you got the gears turning in your head to be able to come up with this type of thing.

I look at it this way... what is survival???

I think it's food, shelter, fire and water. Obviously you can't put a pot to boil water but maybe you could put some purification tablets in there.

With food, the fishing line and hooks are a good idea, the best, maybe. String is great for trapping(so I guess, never done it) so you definitely got that covered. A proper tiny pocket knife would be miles ahead of the exacto blade, besides you could cut yourself easy, as theirs no handle. You could then make sharp sticks and dig a pit trap. I'm not sure if that would work but perhaps. Personally I would just find water and eat frogs and turtles, they're slow, and they have their weaknesses, not to mention their might be some cat tails, which you can apparently eat as well...

So then to fire... firestarters(you could use the pocket knife on it if you had one), bic lighters, and... that pill capsule you got would make an awesome dry tinder box so that's a great idea, actually the entire tin would be great for keeping shredded birch bark or dead grass.

As for shelter, yeah that pocket knife I mentioned knife would help a lot, perhaps a pocket saw as well.

The thing with a compass is this... The sun rises in the east and sets in the west. If it's cloud, traditionally, at least where I am, about 360 out of 365 days of the year, the clouds are coming from the general direction of northwest and going southeast. I've almost always been able to tell where I'm going because of that. So forget the compass, besides it might not even work. Trust what's foolproof, if there is such a thing.

The paracord was one of the best ideas. Put more in there. You could build some kind of hanging shelter or something(lets face it paracord is one of those things only limited as your creativity.)

That's all I got to say, besides the fact this is a good idea and I heavily encourage you to keep engineering these sort of projects. They keep the mind active as well, keep you thinking, and prepping even better, and if you get discouraged just remember some people have been modifying bug out bags and prepping for years and years, it doesn't end, you can only make improvements with the lessons learned. Well done!

Thanks for the feedback

there are 10 tablets in the kit, and I have windproof waterproof matches.

I think tinder is a good idea as well

I will have a pdf on my site explaining how to create what.

I can put the exacto blade in the pencil.
The paracord threads or fishing line can be used for a snare.

Pocket saw is something I am considering...just the price point and size that I am trying to keep down.
I could replace something with a mini pocket knife.

I am also creating a premium kit that would have everything you mentioned and more...I just want to keep it compact and price down.

Thanks for the feedback

No problem dude, sorry about missing the tablets part. Ten tablets is more than enough.

In regards to the pocket saw, it could be the most expensive pieces to the kit. But damn, if it isn't a good lightweight and useful addition to the rest of your tin. A pocket knife would be a good cheap alternative though.

Good luck on the ramifications!

I think you did a great job Threestorms! With the volume and pricepoint limitations you're faced with for a tin of this size, you'll never squeeze everything in that all survivalists think are "essential".

But here's some free marketing advice - and as marketing is my biz, it's rare for me to ever give it out for free! - don't ever underestimate folks willingness to pay for quality goods. You've got a great start, don't let a sticker price be a major deciding factor in what you include or how you move forward.

In your listing descriptions, post honest MRSPs for each component so that folks can see the incredible deal they're getting by bundling through your kits. That will allow you to begin including awesome pieces like the LifeStraw ( http://www.vestergaard-frandsen.com/lifestraw ) while protecting your margins.

Also, you could create a Line of tins, with cool names to indicate the level of survival aid each one is designed for. A complete newb may not have basics such as means of fire or a durable utility knife. Their kit would need to include those items. In contrast a more well-rounded individual may have knives or fishing line, but no dependable means of water purification or emergency shelter, etc.

Things to keep in mind as you move forward.

I'd also consider including a single 8.5x11" pamphlet, printed both sides, split into 1/4 pages which feature 8 reminders/cheats for basic survival task instructions. It's really surprising how many folks watch shows or read a few websites and never practice nor write down the instructions, thinking they'll remember how to do it in a pressure situation. That cheat sheet wouldn't take up much space or weight or cost much to you, but it could be invaluable to the buyer.

Thank you both for the info

I am looking at a medical tin, a dental tin and a premium tin.
I will have a printable pdf on my new site in about 4 weeks.
Currently that space is taken in the tin with the water tablet instructions and disclaimers...legally has to be included.

I am working on a new kit as well

I like the display msrp price ideas too

cheers