Stranded on a desert island: Which 4 would you choose?

[Buns_of_Fire]

103. Knife, rope, matches, first-aid kit.

The knife is absolutely, positively basic. I chose it over the handsaw because, if I were fashioning a semi-permanent shelter, I wouldn't be trying to saw down many redwoods -- it'd be mostly small-diameter stuff (although, in my opinion, a machete works even better for that, but it's not as versatile).

Rope is always handy. And, if you're patient enough, you can even strip it down into smaller threads. (It's not as if I'd have a whole lot of other things to do.)

Sure, the matches run out eventually, but if you work it right, you wouldn't need more than a few of them (just keep them embers smoldering!).

First-aid kits usually contain some antibiotics. And there are a lot of goodies in there that can be used for other than their stated usage.

If there were a fifth item, I'd add the pot.

Now, MY four items would be: Ginger, Mary Ann, the Professor, and the flare gun. After the Professor had finished fabricating an electricity-producing nuclear reactor out of coconut shells and palm fronds, I figure I could shoot his butt with the flare gun and still have one or two shells left to signal a passing boat.