View Full Version : Top Kit
I'd be interested to know what people regard as really, really excellent kit, and invite you to name the three best (and, maybe worst)bushcraft/outdoors items you've ever used/owned. First impressions can be misleading and would suggest we restrict this to things you've owned for at least a few months/years.
My suggestions for top kit:
1) Silva type 54 sighting compass. Does everything the ordinary Silva compass does, but is accurate to half a degree or so - about twice the precision of the mirror-lidded type (saves a good bit of walking). Despite a fair amount of abuse it never broke. Lost it up in the Lake District a few years ago (Aaaaaargh!), and replaced it with a much cheaper model. Regretted it ever since.
2) Suzuki Jimny. Looks like a hairdresser's car, but goes anywhere, doesn't break down, cheap to buy and run. Apologies for the blasphemy to all the Landie enthusiasts.
3) Scarpa Manta M4 mountain boots. Top kit.
As for the worst kit:
1) Coleman Peak 1 Stove. Actually very good when working, but mine was hopelessly unreliable. Other folk have said the same thing to me.
2) Anything with a blade stamped 'Made in China'
3) Tasco monocular with red lenses. Tasco do make some good stuff. This isn't one of them.
I agree ... great while they work but a major pain. Not suited to field stripping either :evil:
My top kit list:
Al Mar SERE 2000
Military firesteel
2000 pattern metal mug
High-tech addition ...
Memory Map OS maps! :-D
As for the worst kit:
1) Coleman Peak 1 Stove. Actually very good when working, but mine was hopelessly unreliable. Other folk have said the same thing to me.
...
I'm certain that these (http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&catalogId=40000008000&storeId=8000&partNumber=695167&memberId=-2000&link=1) are in some way utterly essential to bushcraft, but for the life of me I can't see how.
LOL :rolmao: now if they were pink Pigeons.... :naughty:
Now I've seen everything!! Thanks for the chuckle Espy!!!!!! I suppose they come under the same heading as chocolate teapots :lol:
larry the spark
19-12-2003, 10:23
For the "camper" camper I guess....heehee! :lol:
bigjackbrass
19-12-2003, 20:39
1. Tilley T3 Hat. I've owned several of these over the past eleven years and succeeded in wearing one to destruction. It was swiftly replaced, free of charge, by Tilley Endurables. Tilleys have joined me on just about every trip and excursion for a decade and been used to bail canoes, provide an insulated seat and carry stacks of kindling. Heck, I've even been known to put them on my head...
2. Fisher Stowaway Space Pen: Small, disposeable version of the madly over-specified Space Pen, this will write in conditions where even the traditional hard pencil fails and a regular Biro would have no chance at all.
3. Silva Starter Compass: Until recently this was the only compass I ever used, but has now been replaced by a more compact Silva sighting compass. The Starter cost me one pound and a couple of tokens from Kellogg's Cornflake packets about twenty years ago, back in the days when they offered useful things on the back of cereal boxes!
+1) Doc, I rate Scarpa boots too.
+2) Truly brilliant mountain quality dome tent, similar to North Face's VE25 but made by the firm now called Terra Nova. Bombproof.
+3) Quality 6x30 waterproof binoculars - anytime, but especially good at dusk or on a boat
(sorry - two more)
+4) Pertex shelled fleeces by the defunct Manchester firm Calange. Took twelve years to wear the first one out.
+5) Those little black fabric gloves - lifesavers when your fingers are dropping off on winter walks
-1) Rohan breeches - bad idea
-2) Wooly hats - itch like hell and stretch
Only 3?
Er...
1) Maglite.
2) Garmin Etrex Vista.
3) Buffalo mounain shirt.
All absolutely quality items in terms of design and function.
Can't really think of anything really rubbish as I try and buy stuff on recommendation by other people or stuff that I have borrowed and used. My brother spent 200 quid on a Patagonia waterproof breathable jacket which was neither waterproof or breathable. This may have been a one off but I've never used Patagonia stuff myself.
best bits of kit
1. hennessy hammock ultra light backpacker asym + snake skins
2. my knife
3. MSR dormadry 2lt (and 10lt) water bag with drinking tube
4. leatherman wave
5. photon 2 keyring torch
I think i'll leave it at 5 :-D
Stuart - Your self control is amazing!! Just 5 out of five hundred :twisted:
I know i was barely able to restrain myself, i was in a cold sweat stopping at 5!
:rolmao:
Top kit eh?
1. Kelly Kettle. Boils water fast on just a hand full of sticks.
2. Ortlieb Bags. Map cases and dry bags keep your kit dry no matter how much rain.
3. Laplander Saw. Handy size and very light weight, cuts on both strokes.
ditchfield
21-12-2003, 22:20
1) Photon 2
2) Petzl Zipka
3) Laplander saw
I'm a bit of a torch nut :-).
Good gear,
1 Ventile smock with bulgy pockets.
2. Metal mug with a lid (crusader mug)
3. Small forest axe.
4. Woolly hat.
oh and a mistress to warm my sleeping bag would be a nice addition!
Worst kit.
1. Kelly kettle (to big and odd shaped for carriage)
2. Norrona clothing as it is no good for the damp wet british weather.
Hi!
My list of reliables:
Fällkniven F1, best knife I ever owned :-D
Victorinox Multitool (as well as all Victorinox SAKs) 8-)
Inova XT5 flashlight :idea:
Trangia Storm Cooking Set :-D
Volkswagen Golf Diesel (370.000 km) still running...(lol) :lol:
Cheers
Allmi
I've got a kelly kettle - got it cheap from Anchor Surplus, who were selling ex-Camel Trophy equipment.
It's very good for what it is, but completely useless for someone on foot. It is a) huge b) an awkward shape and c) the internal surface gets covered in soot and it can be messy.
Fine from a vehicle though.
Best Kit
1. Military Firesteel
2. Barmah australian bush hat
3. MOD survival knife
4. Oh yeah "Buffs" I got about 4 of em...they rock !!
Crap kit.
1. "shop bought" survival kits
2. British Army sleeping bags
3. Mini Maglite (dimmer than a pop idol contestant)
not sure it counts as bushcraft but the vango force ten has to be one of the best tents in the world ever. you can leave the inner behind if you like
i also like the yurt we made in the wookcraft folk.
Maddave,
Yeah, it's a pity something fairly well made like a mini mag has such a crappy light. But...
The "Opalec Newbeam" is a 3xLED conversion that plugs straight into any current 2 AA cell mini maglitre. It's pretty good. Very broad even white light compared to standard and batteries last FOREVER so quite handy around camp.
Joe at ODS was selling them for about £15 last time I looked. Good kit and good value if you already have the maglite.
Cheers, Alick
Roving Rich
05-01-2004, 17:58
Top Kit,
Thermarest- Fantastic transformed camping for me.
Tikka Plus headtorch - I'm well chuffed vast improvement on the zoom
Berghaus Munro 35 - my trusty backpack, lookin at that rocket pack tho.
Pile of pants:
MSR whisperlite stove - NEVER use one in your tent.(lethal)
(Peak one is not quite as bad)
Any "survival" knife with a hollow handle - Rambo has alot to answer for.
My dog at hunting
Cheers
Rich
They can certainly generate a fireball those MSRs :oops: Peak 1 can be more pants tho if you need to do a field repair (if you can find the parts ... they seem pretty rare now).
I think that the best thing to place in a hollow handle would be a handle :-D
Pile of pants:
MSR whisperlite stove - NEVER use one in your tent.(lethal)
(Peak one is not quite as bad)
Any "survival" knife with a hollow handle - Rambo has alot to answer for.
a towel. it has so many uses
see hitch hikers guide to find a few of them
a towel. it has so many uses
see hitch hikers guide to find a few of them
:rolmao:
TheViking
19-09-2004, 16:58
Best:
1. SAK
2. Swedish Army Mess Kit
3. Charcloth (love it)
Worst:
1. The 2 militray pots that fit together and use hexytabs as fuel!
2. "Vangedal Slirekniv" (http://www.hoejbjerg-drenge.dk/pictures%5Clexi%5Cslirekniv.gi f).
3. The weather channel. (never trust it :wink: )
Squidders
19-09-2004, 17:57
1 - Ginsters pies
When out and about they can't be beaten... (unless you have a really big whisk!)
2 - Loo paper
Errr...
3 - Mountain Hardware Below Zero down jacket
Keeps my body and head warm, is waterproof and has kept me warm overnight in the cold without a sleeping bag, tarp, bivvy or anything else.
1000000 - Those flamingo tent pegs I looked at earlier.
Errr.... how lame are those things?!?
1000001 - The cheap knife, fork and spoon sets that bend in the wind.
Utterly useless, the knife couldn't cut butter, the fork wouldn't stick in marshmallow and the whole set doesn't clip together well enough.
1000002 - camo cream
So you think you're Rambo do ya?!
ChrisKavanaugh
19-09-2004, 23:48
#1 Mora knife, red handled $9 USD. I have several scattered about my kits. They are wickedly sharp, throw a good spark and I don't mourn losing or destroying one like the countless $100 pretenders to it's position on my neck sheath. #2 Wiggy sleeping bag system. The mans abrasive with his competitors and the bags lack some refinements in construction found in others. The garantee is incredible as is performance when soaking wet. Lamilite is incredible . #3 Filson Jacket. Woolrich, Pendleton, Lands End and L.L. Bean were names that once meant something. Now they have stuff made in Red Chinese sweatshops. Filson is still 100% american made and lives up to it's slogan "Might as well have the best." When I put it on my signed photo of His Holyness the Dalai Lama smiles.
Nightfall
20-09-2004, 01:59
#1 I also love my mora knife.Next to that is a hand made knife that I have.
#2 Trangia stove
#3 Ruck sack made by Alder Stream Canvas.
mr dazzler
02-10-2004, 22:46
1/Pro-boot desert boots (I sweat a fair bit :roll: , and they keep my feet comfortable & dry every day)
2/flectarn trousers comfy comfy comfy (jeans are overrated IMO, for every day wear)
3/3" opinel knife (replaced a sheffield lambsfoot that I had kept in my pocket for 16 or 17 years and had been sharpened so much the point of the blade wuddent goe inside the handle any more and kept stabbing me all by itself :roll: ) I've had it several months, but I liked it a lot straight away, strong classy pocket sized, strops nicely to a razer edge. :wink:
The cheap knife, fork and spoon sets that bend in the wind.
:rolmao: I know the ones!
1. WS micarta Woodlore (Well it was, i haven't given my Bison Bushcraft a go yet as weather/work has got in the way)
2. Firesteel
3. Hennessey (very comfortable, for my next trip :wink: )
Guys, you haven't even seen useless, you have no IDEA, unless you have seen the Marks & Spencer "Field master"
It is a very heavy bit of metal with a fold out compass (where north seems to go round and round and round), a whistle (that doesnt make much noise), a red LED light (that has run out of batteries, and i havent even used it), and a magnifying glass (which is rubbish)
:shock:
1. Knife
2. Cooking pot or metal mug
3. Woolly hat
Everything else you can make, find in nature or improvise. (and yes I know you can those too, but its easier to have metal)
Back to basics = spend your money on doing!
Top 5:
Frosts Mora knife
58 pattern basha-bombproof
Maglite
Land Rover Defender
Ray Mears Essential Bushcraft
Will
again not the most bushcrafty type thing but a good book to read is nice
steven andrews
03-10-2004, 19:49
Ummmm...
1) Berghaus Vulcan. (a bergen)
2) Hilleberg Tarp 10 XP (a basha)
3) Lowe Alpine Mountain Cap (a silly-looking but cosy hat)
4) Tikka Plus (headtorch)
5) Kelly Kettle (errr...a kettle)
6) North Face Neck Gaiter (scarf)
7) Weber Smokey Joe (portable kettle BBQ)
Great Pebble
03-10-2004, 20:59
Dear oh...
1. 'Merican poncho liner.
2. Leatherman. (any of them, doesn't really matter)
3. '58 Bottle.
4. Lowe Alpine Ruckies.
5. Danner Fort Lewis.
1) Mora
2) Swedish Army Mess kit
3) Fire Steel
Or the lightweight option
SAK and the book of matches I always have in my wallet anyway.
You've all got no idea how much agony I've gone through trying to get a top three.. However, here goes.
1. Tilley Hat
2. Northern Lights candle
3. Kelly Kettle
4th and 5th and 6th deserve mentions - Leica Bins, Leatherman Super tool and Turboflame :-P :-P
Most useless kit;
1. Mini triangular stools whose legs sink in the mud
2. Fleece Sleeping bag inner liner - never used.
Graham.
dchinell
29-10-2004, 17:16
Best three in terms of impressing me with performance:
1. Silnylon tarp
2. Thinsulate poncho liner
3. Mini-Trangia cookset
Best three in terms of keeping me well:
1. SAK Trailmaster
2. DOAN's Mag Fire Starter
3. Heavy-duty trash bags
Best three water purification systems:
1. Aqua Mira
2. Potable Aqua
3. Polar Pure
Best three knives:
1. Fallkniven F1
2. Benchmade Griptilian
3.
No. I have to stop myself. It never ends. I'm not aquiring the bushcraft/survival gear I need, I'm just collecting it.
Bear
Exploriment
07-02-2005, 04:11
Kifaru Scout (http://www.kifaru.net/MGscout.htm) (Creamy! Can't wait for my Pointman to get here. Best. Packs. Ever.)
Danner Acadias (http://www.danner.com/products.asp?catid=12&prodid=1648) (Good to go straight from the box. Just had them resoled after four years and thousands of clicks)
Leatherman Wave (http://www.leatherman.com/products/tools/retired-tools/wave/) (Six and a half years of daily use, and still going strong)
Carcajou Garou
07-02-2005, 04:45
Hudson's Bay Voyageur axe, Silva Ranger compass, Gerber Strike force
if I had to have only 3.... :shock: BUT!!!!
Extra items:Never leave home without
Randall #3 knife, Diamond sharpener, SS GI canteen cup & mess kit, Sportsman's Blanket, snare wire, nylon rope
just a thought
brucemacdonald
07-02-2005, 16:34
At the moment my top pieces of kit are:
Swedish Firesteel
Swedish 35 litre day sack with external frame
Swedish Army cookset with Trangia cooker
Swedish Army wool cardigan
MOD '58 pattern water bottle
Petzl Micro headtorch
Full-length Thermarest
Do you see a pattern emerging here? Thank goodness for the Swedish government surplus clearout!
Best wishes
Bruce
RovingArcher
07-02-2005, 22:19
I suppose that it's actually more than three items.
http://img203.exs.cx/img203/3821/firekit0016gw.jpg
What exactly are those roving archer? Looks to me like you have a wooden duck and some teeth amongst them? :o):
RovingArcher
08-02-2005, 01:18
:shock: :o):
The teeth looking items are quartered pieces of spark-lite tinder that fill the match tube and along with the knife and Boyscouts Hotspark, fit nicely into the pouch, which is an old Gerber folding gators belt sheath/pouch. Lite weight and always with me.
:shock: :o):
The teeth looking items are quartered pieces of spark-lite tinder that fill the match tube and along with the knife and Boyscouts Hotspark, fit nicely into the pouch, which is an old Gerber folding gators belt sheath/pouch. Lite weight and always with me.
Hmmmm Keeping schtum about the duck though eh?? :o):
Bob Hurley
08-02-2005, 02:40
Best:
Stetson hats - I like the "3 Rivers" version sold at Cabela's, the Open Road is good too, with the brim turned down.
Wool clothing, any brand if well made and 100% wool
Case brand "chrome vanadium" pocket knives, especially the 6375CV
Worst:
Packaged first aid kits
Cotton clothing
Heavy, thick Vibram soles (unless you really have the need)
zackerty
08-02-2005, 04:31
Best: Arc LSH torch
My Magnet knife
Swandri jacket
ferro-rod
Worst: any non-modified Maglight
Negative attitude of buddies in the bush
No water
Stuart
greg2935
08-02-2005, 10:49
I agree with the ventile
1. Ventile outer jacket cause it does not make that "plastic" sound when moving, it isjust cotton and is at least shower proof. It also does not tear easily, and is warm.
2. My brusletto knife, for a mass produced knife it is a wonderful tool and only about £30.
3. My old fashioned A-framed rucksac, cause it lets you get in a fair amount of kit and you can walk around the woods without getting tangled in the branches.
Worst kit
1. Virtually any "hiking" boot: I have never found a comfortable boot yet.
2. My prima multifuel stove because although it will handle almost any fuel, it sounds like a blowlamp, and that is just not right in nice surroundings.
3. a corbra 500, -30 deg C sleeping bag because it just isn't.
:shock: :o):
The teeth looking items are quartered pieces of spark-lite tinder that fill the match tube and along with the knife and Boyscouts Hotspark, fit nicely into the pouch, which is an old Gerber folding gators belt sheath/pouch. Lite weight and always with me.
I thought they were Spark-Lite quarters ... very good idea that since a whole Spark-Lite is usually far too much tinder for one go.
Walkabout
15-02-2005, 11:06
The Best,
British 58 Pattern sleeping bag
Opinel No. 7 knife
Crusader Cup or the Cup i found in a pound shop
also deserves a mention;
Foil Blanket
Disposable Cigarette Lighters
The Worst
The Kipmat I took to ashdown
Baldocks Mini Hammock
Any survival card.
Top spot must go to my ever-reliable and light-as-a-feather cooker:
http://www.snowpeak.com/images/gearimg/GST100A.jpg
Next up has to be my 2 person, less than 2.5kg, hailstorm-defying Hilleberg tent:
http://www.bushcraftuk.com/gallery/data/512/medium/Vince_tent_at_Urdiceto_W.JPG
Finally [in a departure from my light-weight-is-best vein] I must say that my Swanni is just the best all round base camp coat:
http://www.denewear.co.uk/images/products/SW116.jpg
Vince
Graham_S
14-10-2005, 19:04
good kit
1. swanni bush shirt
2. svord drop point
3. barmah bush hat.
bad kit
i'll get back to you on this one........
Bumblebee
19-10-2005, 20:42
1) Exped 9DLX down filled air mattress. INCREDIBLY comfy and warm.
2) Tilley TH3 hemp hat.
3) Swedish army mess kit (stainless steel of cource ;))
Eric_Methven
19-10-2005, 22:07
Best kit:
Firesteel,
Damascus knife,
Trangia
Worst kit:
...Pass!
Got an addition to my list - The tiny "orb raw" led flashlight. Size of my thumb but throws a massive 80 lumens of light - for 12 minutes !
Seriously, this is on a par with high end £100 plus torches for power but in a tiny £35 package. Runtime is short, but the batteries are lithium rechargeables so there's no running cost. As a everyday carry it's great because most of the time I only need a torch for one 5-10 minute job in a day. The universal response of friends and colleagues has been "wow - that's bright !
Look 'em up on the web :)
Alick
Has paramo been mentioned?
If so I will
Paramo is good stuff
Easy:
1. Enamel coffee pot
2. One fat stovie
3. Box of Swan (as I've said before, firesteels are a b****r for lighting the above :eek: )
Worst kit
1. Instant coffee
2. Thin stovie
3. Dead matches in a box :confused: (why do people do this???????)
hhmmm top kit?
1.micarta woodlore
2.leatherman wave
3.my eco kettle
4.lowa combat gtx
5.MY SPECS cos every thing else would be pants without them(and probably dangerous too)
worst kit
not got any yet cos you guys find all the best stuff first :lmao: :You_Rock_
halo(quietly waiting for you to find more top kit :D :D )
Minotaur
23-10-2005, 17:17
[QUOTE=Doc]I'd be interested to know what people regard as really, really excellent kit, and invite you to name the three best (and, maybe worst)bushcraft/outdoors items you've ever used/owned. First impressions can be misleading and would suggest we restrict this to things you've owned for at least a few months/years.
My suggestions for top kit:
1) Silva type 54 sighting compass. Does everything the ordinary Silva compass does, but is accurate to half a degree or so - about twice the precision of the mirror-lidded type (saves a good bit of walking). Despite a fair amount of abuse it never broke. Lost it up in the Lake District a few years ago (Aaaaaargh!), and replaced it with a much cheaper model. Regretted it ever since.
http://www.outdoorgb.com/p/silva_expedition_54_lensatic_s ighting_compass/
They still sell them. I like my Sliva Field 26, it is a small, cheap, mirror sighting compass.
Biddlesby
23-10-2005, 17:23
Ouch; can it be that good to justify £50?!?
Minotaur
23-10-2005, 17:26
Top Kit,
Pile of pants:
Any "survival" knife with a hollow handle - Rambo has alot to answer for.
Can we change the above to read except a Chris Reeve Knife. Always wanted one.
It was always fun to see people with those knifes, and then watch as they struggled to do anything with them.
Ouch; can it be that good to justify £50?!?
Crossing the moors on a cold misty evening ½° could be the difference between life and death.
That's always assuming you know how to use a compass and take magnetic variation into account.
Mountain rescue teams have a word for people that do not prepare themselves properly to go onto the hills........Casualties.... :togo:
Dennis Mapletoft
23-10-2005, 23:45
The best bit of kit i have YET bought is the Swedish army issue, methe's fired trangia, it sell for anout #8-#10 pounds, its compact, and the cans can be used on open fires too