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Really enjoyed your post and philosophy. I have a fascination with- so much. I could fill 1000 lifetimes and still be busy. As a result I'm not really fussed whether I'm around another two weeks or 60 years. I had a blessed childhood due to having a competent mother who made childhood...

Sounds like a plan. On balance, while fireworks model rocketry and distress pyros are still sold, I can't imagne these specifically being legislated away. If they let customers pick them up, I'll get a few next time I'm passing their premises.

Hopefully not, but our poison/explosives laws have tightened, and have the potential to tighten further, compared to many other countries. Nothing would surprise me really.

Having bad circulation and being stick thin, the cold gets to me very quickly and it's clear these could very likely save life if things go really wrong, there is a genuine place for something like this rather than them just being an impressive toy/gadget/fad. However, I'm content to wait to...

All good points too @neoaliphant. We evolve, and learn, and kit changes, so of course there are going to be adaptations and improvements to what we carry. I'm the same as anyone else- having carried a Victorinox Huntsman on me since I joined the Scouts. I finally realised last year that only...

There are no end of pill/match cases on various selling platforms, most are too small though. How about something like this- bizarrely internal dimensions not given, but looks like it would do.... There may well be others out there!

Not unless UK law changes drastically. Self-defence is a term and concept which needs to be used with a lot of caution, it's been much discussed but many people are wary of carrying anything which could be interpreted as a weapon. Hit an attacker with an old-fashioned Maglite when walking the...

Spot on. But that swings things away from a survival kit to save your life, to EDC for comfort/convenience/self reliance/pride. The original question- Is a PSK needed in the UK- is surely a no, with a few exceptions- you are doing certain more adventurous outdoor activities, live in a very...

Good points. It all varies with risk. Long winter car journey, a 2-week canoe camping trip... different will-needs, might-needs and hope-never-needs to daily life. The art is selecting a minimum of appropriate items, and knowing how to use them effectively. If thought about logically, being...

I don't think I'll be taking a signalling torch, whistle, compass, purifying tablets on the way to the supermarket, no. Different matter if I'm fellwalking. It's all about definitions, which causes a lot of the confusion and going round in circles in this thread. I have items about my person...

There's a difference here between opinions such as 'naming storms feels patronising and stupid' and statements such as named storms are having a 'positive effect' without being able to quantify. Somebody at the met office (not known for their grasp of statistics, they can't even get basic...

Are there any scientific studies to back up that opinion, or is it equally likely it's just mindless media content creation or governments dumbing down?

First aid kit was taken as standard even on lowland walks in populated areas, as a 'might be needed'- plasters particularly. Repairs I deemed not really important on a day hike. I suppose the point I didn't make with my post is the one made by plenty of others in this thread- it depends. Do...

Sounds remarkably like a lot of the forged firesteels we see :(

When marl (alkaline) occurred in pockets amongst acidic clay farmland, it was dug and spread on the land to help neutralise the acidity which improved yields. Quicklime was preferred later on, from chalk or limestone burnt in limekilns fired by coal or gorse stems. Loads of old limekilns in...

Look out kiddies, here comes 'Mr Windy'. I'll readily admit I too find the naming of weather systems pathetic and am glad I don't have a TV/radio or look at internet news. I have gone through life expecting rain or wind, so don't leave stuff lying around outside. If it's blowing a gale I either...

When I was aged around 10 we started regularly doing 10+ mile walks as a family. On holiday in the Lakes or North Wales we'd do a lot of walking, often planning routes which would be remote and away from tourists. As a naive child I put together a 'survival kit'. This consisted of a small...

Getting quite collectable* now, there is a growing movement of people who are building balsa aircraft again as a reaction to all the Chinese pre-assembled stuff and soulless electric motors. I'm not going to admit to being one of these people though ;) *which is a shame in a way, as...

I know how it feels too... some of my best car boot sale finds have been on days when I nearly stayed in bed!

Careful what you wish for... There is no age limit on buying tool steel plus an angle grinder.... So the whole arguement falls apart really.