ESEE Mess Tin Survival Kit

The ESEE Mess Tin Survival Kit is a field-tested, all-in-one emergency kit built around the survival priorities (water, fire, signaling, food gathering, and navigation) and packed into a 1100 aluminum tin measuring 6.25 by 4 by 2.5 inches. At 25 ounces, the kit fits in a daypack for daily carry or vehicle storage. This listing is for the LARGE-TIN-KIT configuration: the tin with survival contents only, no pouch and no survival blanket.

Built Around Real Survival Priorities

The Mess Tin Kit was developed around the tools ESEE's own instructors and wilderness survival students carry in the field. Rather than filling space with novelty items, the contents map directly to the five survival priorities: water purification tablets and emergency water bags for hydration, a fire steel and fire tabs for ignition, a signal mirror and rescue whistle for signaling, a fishing kit and snare wire for food gathering, and a compass and map card set for navigation. Each item earns its place by addressing a specific gap in a survival situation.

A Knife and Multi-Tool Already Inside

The kit includes two cutting tools: the ESEE Candiru fixed-blade knife and a Victorinox Hiker multi-tool. Having both means the kit covers fine detail work and general utility without requiring a separate blade purchase. The Candiru is a purpose-built ESEE survival knife; the Victorinox Hiker adds scissors, a file, and additional tools that complement it rather than duplicate it.

Compact Enough for Everyday Carry

The 1100 aluminum tin keeps the kit rigid and stackable, protecting contents from compression in a pack or gear bag. At 6.25 by 4 by 2.5 inches, it fits in a standard daypack side pocket or a vehicle glove box. The 25-ounce total weight is low enough that the kit can stay packed and ready rather than being assembled before a trip.

Features

• 1100 Aluminum Tin: rigid, lightweight container measuring 6.25″ × 4″ × 2.5″
• Dual Cutting Tools: ESEE Candiru fixed-blade knife and Victorinox Hiker multi-tool included
• Fire Starting: large fire steel, Tinder Quik fire tabs, and waterproof matches
• Water Solutions: Potable Aqua purification tablets and emergency water bags
• Signaling and Navigation: Suunto compass, emergency signal mirror, red Fresnel lens, and rapid rescue whistle
• Cordage and Repair: 100-foot Kevlar line spool, 30 feet of small cordage, snare wire, sewing needles, and Cordura repair patch

Specifications

Who This Is For and Isn't

The ESEE Mess Tin Survival Kit suits hikers, overlanders, and vehicle travelers who want a compact, field-tested emergency kit covering the core survival priorities without assembling one from scratch. It works equally well as a daypack insert, a glove-box kit, or a go-bag foundation.

This configuration does not include a survival blanket or a kit tin pouch. Those items are part of separate factory configurations not listed here. Individual kit contents are subject to substitution, so specific items may vary from those listed above.

Common Questions

What survival priorities does the Mess Tin Kit cover?

The ESEE Mess Tin Kit addresses five core survival priorities: water (Potable Aqua tablets and emergency water bags), fire (fire steel, Tinder Quik tabs, waterproof matches), signaling (signal mirror, rescue whistle, Fresnel lens, orange survey tape), food gathering (fishing kit and snare wire), and navigation (Suunto compass, pocket map card set, and survival card set).

Does this kit include a survival blanket or carrying pouch?

No. The LARGE-TIN-KIT configuration listed here includes the tin and survival contents only, with no survival blanket and no kit tin pouch. Other factory configurations that include those items are not offered in this listing.

What knives or cutting tools are included?

The Mess Tin Kit includes two cutting tools: the ESEE Candiru fixed-blade survival knife and a Victorinox Hiker multi-tool. No additional blades or sheaths beyond what comes with those tools are listed as included.

How large is the tin, and will it fit in a standard daypack?

The 1100 aluminum tin measures 6.25 inches long by 4 inches wide by 2.5 inches deep and weighs 25 ounces fully packed. That footprint fits in most daypack side pockets or main compartments, and the rigid aluminum shell protects contents from compression during carry.

Can the contents change from what is listed?

Yes. The Mess Tin Kit contents are subject to substitution, and individual components may be replaced with equivalents without notice. The items listed above reflect the published contents at the time this page was written.