View Full Version : Bushcraft Fashion Victims!!
Guys I absolutely love this place but AW MY GOD IT IS GETTING SO MAINSTREAM & BLOODY SCARY!! Cause it just seems as if Ray don't wear it, carry it, promote it or sell it! It just ain't worthy!!!! This is so anal it ain't funny!!! :rolleyes: I'd love to come to one of your Bushcraft Meets but I just am so scared as hell that it will be so full of all these Olive Drab garbed clones dressed in identical Swandris, belt carried "Possibles Pouches", Swedish Firelighting steels and RM Woodlore Knives!!! :confused:
Its not like that,trainees usually have moras.... :D
Lol post (or show up) with alternatives mate :D I'm a complete beginner at this game (more of a wannabee - haven't done more than camp on this forum lol) and I'm interested in reviews etc of any kit people use :)
Kane
Ok, lets see if I fit your checklist:
Olive Drab garbed
Nope
dressed in....Swandris,
Still no
belt carried "Possibles Pouches",
That would be far to organised of me - no
Swedish Firelighting steels
Yep, you got me on this one.
and RM Woodlore Knives
Woohoo - I can say no again! :D
Oh well, 1 out of 5. I guess I'm a sheep.
:p
Baah.
lardbloke
10-09-2005, 09:22
I am generally too poor to be able to afford all the expensive kit. Saying that I did purchase a Hennessy hammock, but have fashioned my own basha/ DD hammock type shelter as well. I generally try and get what I can afford that does the job. I am no bushcrafter (whatever that is), I like spending time out in our fair and green pleasant land to commune with nature and spend time by myself to gather my thoughts. If I find soemthing that will make my life easier then I am willing to give it a shot but will not pay the odds for it, if I can find a cheaper alternative (or make it myself) then I will give that a go first. But as with most things in life you get what you pay for........
I'd love to come to one of your Bushcraft Meets but I just am so scared as hell that it will be so full of all these Olive Drab garbed clones dressed in identical Swandris, belt carried "Possibles Pouches", Swedish Firelighting steels and RM Woodlore Knives!!! :confused:
if that scares you, its probably best its probably best to stay away!
i dont see the point in the thread! :)
arctic hobo
10-09-2005, 09:39
I can certainly see where you're coming from. If people don't have woodlore knives, they have ones that are pretty similar. Many people have swanndri gear, and almost everyone has firesteels. I guess it's partly that as a community we tend to copy each other a bit, and partly just that it's good gear and suitable for what we all do. Come to a meet, show us a different bushcraft fashion ;)
innocent bystander
10-09-2005, 09:42
If Ray happens to like using the same kit that we do, then that is his choice. Nobody force's him to... :)
Saying that I did purchase a Hennessy hammock,
but Ray doesn't use Hennessy - you're safe form the stigma! :cool:
Thinking about the fiesteel thing, that's like slagging off smokers for using matches. What's the alternative to using a fire steel if you want to start a fire with a spark? A traditional flint and steel I guess but then Ray using one of those too.
sandbender
10-09-2005, 10:08
So does this mean that we must stop using sabre 45 packs, Swedish firesteels, army surplus clothing etc. or risk being branded as clones and uncool?
:)
BorderReiver
10-09-2005, 10:24
So does this mean that we must stop using sabre 45 packs or risk being branded as clones and uncool?
:)
Nobody MUST do anything. :rolleyes:
If you like a piece of kit and it does the job,******** to anyone else's opinion.
I've got a Swedish firesteel thingy but none of the other four "markers".However I do wear a lot of green,not just in the woods,because I like green.None of my clothes have been modelled by RM. :p
I wear lycra. Does this mean I'm cool for not following RM?
weekend_warrior
10-09-2005, 10:51
Now Chris McCandless didn't follow fashion - no axe, no woodlore knife, no firesteel, maps, compass, OD clothes, Sabre pack, Hammock, Tarp - nothing like that at all.
Mind you he, died of starvation 20 miles from a town in Alaska.
I guess that "tried and trusted" can be a good idea sometimes... :)
innocent bystander
10-09-2005, 10:51
No, beause he does mention lycra cycle shorts in the jungle....
well peter you have made an assumption based only on what you have read on these forums, you haven’t had the opportunity to meet us, I think if you did you would form a totally different opinion.
remember that most of the posts about asking about kit on these forums are posted by people just starting out in the hobby of Bushcraft who have, up until now probably had there only source of information provided by Ray mears on TV.
those of us who have been involved a little longer have developed our own kit and individual ideas, and we are happy with what we use so we tend not to post asking questions we have the solutions too.
soon the inexperienced who are asking about the kit they see on tv will gain experience in what works for them and what doesn’t, and as they do their posts on kit will fall silent, to be replaced by posts from newcomers who what to know about the stuff they see on TV. hence BUCK has a lot of posts about the stuff the guy on TV uses. this however does not reflect the kit the majority of us use
the majority of people I have met at the Bushmoots dont own a woodlore knife or an ecohammock (in fact I have only ever met one person using an eco hammock) most of use Swedish fire steels but this is because they are the only fire steels available in the UK
Well if you think about it Peter if it's good enough for Ray Mears then that say's something about the kit and that it is of a good quality and will last long it doesn't mean we are all trying to be clones of him:rolleyes: I don't own a woodlore knife but I do have a swanndri shirt and a firesteel as alot of people do and it's not because Ray Mears told me to! I'm not sure I would spend that much money on a knife but to those that do that's fine nothing wrong with that those knives are bomb proof :) As has been said before don't make assumptions based just on what you have read here instead pop along to one of the many meetups. I can see where you are coming from , it does seem as if RM has been elevated to god like status and we are all his worshippers who buy everything he has and in some cases you are probably right to an extent but the majority of people on here aren't sheep to be herded around.
soon the inexperienced who are asking about the kit they see on tv will gain experience in what works for them and what doesn’t, and as they do their posts on kit will fall silent, to be replaced by posts from newcomers who what to know about the stuff they see on TV. hence BUCK has a lot of posts about the stuff the guy on TV uses. this however does not reflect the kit the majority of us use
Think that is one of the best descriptions of how this and any other forum works in terms of new comers. Think you hit the nail on the head there Stuart.
I am definately still learning and asking question about the kit that I hear about here, in books or on TV and then form my own opinion based upon other peoples experiences with them. Afterall it is a bit pointless buying something if you have no idea how it performs in the real world. I certianly don't have an endless supply of money to keep replacing shoddy kit.
Graywolf
10-09-2005, 15:34
Aussie,
As someone who had worked and lived in the outdoors during my early years, I have found what is comfortable or suitable for me to wear or use.But it is useful to have new gear reviewed by those using it.Now those people who have just got interested in the outdoors look to paces like this and programmes like Ray Mears for advice.Now I personally find that the gear woren by most bushcrafters is what I wore over twenty years ago,I wore swandris and army kit not because it was fashionable but because it was practical.I use modern waterproofs(Montane) not practical sitting round a fire but then I am just more careful with those stray sparks.I have always used tent or tarp but now have a hammock not because everyone else does but because I have a back problem and read on this forum that it would be better for me and it certainly is,I sleep much better no pain at all.My knife I have changed ,I had used a 7"hunting blade since I was 13 years old now I use a smaller knife and it is more practical.
Clayton
Aussie, did Ray really invent bushcraft :confused:
Or was he the first backwoods man to be on the TV :rolleyes:
I'll think you'll find that a fair few members of this forum where out in the woods when Ray was a mere spark in his old mans eye :D
Big Geordie
10-09-2005, 18:15
Great thread to set the keyboards rattling! Tell us what you would recommend for our purposes in our climate.
G :)
ScanDgrind
10-09-2005, 18:26
Hey I'm the most uncool clone on the planet :cool: .
And guess what?
I don't care :p
Guess that's why I do bushcraft and don't play football and wear a Man U shirt even though I don't live anywhere near Manchester.
richardw
10-09-2005, 19:49
If Aussie is indeed Aussie, haven't we all missed the point of this post?
The great Aussie sport of sledging and Pom bashing is having a hell of a hard time at the moment. They will stop at nothing to win at something. Having just finished bottom of the Tri Nations rugby(and lucky not to have finished lower) and just about to lose The Ashes, this is good a place as any to have a snipe and feel a bit better.
If it isn't about that, then the previous posters have answered the question quite succinctly enough.
Richard
Sorry Blokes!! I was just having a dummy spit after having read yet another "Which one is Ray Wearing / using" type questions in a thread!! :)
Not meant to be malicious!!
PS The Aussies will take the ashes, just have a bit of faith!!
arctic hobo
10-09-2005, 23:01
The great Aussie sport of sledging and Pom bashing is having a hell of a hard time at the moment. They will stop at nothing to win at something. Having just finished bottom of the Tri Nations rugby(and lucky not to have finished lower) and just about to lose The Ashes, this is good a place as any to have a snipe and feel a bit better.
Pride before a fall... it really doesn't look like they're going to be losing the Ashes matey. Put it this way: 96 behind with eight wickets to go, they aren't exactly biting their nails :(
And I'm sure the post wasn't meant in that way at all! :)
Sorry Blokes!! I was just having a dummy spit after having read yet another "Which one is Ray Wearing / using" type questions in a thread!! :)
Not meant to be malicious!!
PS The Aussies will take the ashes, just have a bit of faith!!
Aussie,
What type of kit do you wear and what is your preferred knife chioce for bushcraft?
Then we'll be able to look them up on the internet and compare them to other makes and models. I take it it's all better stuff than "Ray's" or Swanndris etc..
Julian.
demographic
11-09-2005, 00:20
I must admit that although I find Raymone Mears pretty interesting there are also others out there as well..Bush Tucker man being one of the better/more amusing ones.
It's worth remembering that as far as I can tell this forum is mostly UK based and at the moment Ray is about the only bloke on the telly so his views are at the forefront.
Also at the moment Bushcraft is a bit of a catchword after the Hungerford massacare made the term survivalist a bit of a no no.
I must admit that it would be nice to see a few threads that show knives used by other cultures that seem to manage quite nicely thankyou very much without owning Scandi grind woodlores (not that I am saying anything against them you understand) and "make do" with Kukris or whatever.
Feel free to argue with my opinion on this as it's just my personal take on UK survival/Bushcraft thing.
I am still interested though :)
If Aussie is indeed Aussie, haven't we all missed the point of this post?
The great Aussie sport of sledging and Pom bashing is having a hell of a hard time at the moment. They will stop at nothing to win at something. Having just finished bottom of the Tri Nations rugby(and lucky not to have finished lower) and just about to lose The Ashes, this is good a place as any to have a snipe and feel a bit better.
If it isn't about that, then the previous posters have answered the question quite succinctly enough.
Richard
Ouch!
I am only guilty on the Olive drab front.
I sleep under a ten quid tarp from halfords.
Possibles pouch (my sky rockets :D )
Swannidri? When i win the lotto!
Woodlore knife? i use a nice spanish hunter that i bought for fifty euros and she's a beauty :)
Swedish firelighter? more like swan vesta ;) or i play the fiddle ;)
Andy,
YOU WEAR LYCRA? :eek:
RovingArcher
11-09-2005, 03:39
Guys I absolutely love this place but AW MY GOD IT IS GETTING SO MAINSTREAM & BLOODY SCARY!! Cause it just seems as if Ray don't wear it, carry it, promote it or sell it! It just ain't worthy!!!! This is so anal it ain't funny!!! :rolleyes: I'd love to come to one of your Bushcraft Meets but I just am so scared as hell that it will be so full of all these Olive Drab garbed clones dressed in identical Swandris, belt carried "Possibles Pouches", Swedish Firelighting steels and RM Woodlore Knives!!! :confused:
Hey, if it helps, I'd be wearing a red and charcoal gray wool longsleeved shirt with blue levi's and a wool felt hat. Oh yeah, I won't be there. :rolleyes: ;)
Abbe Osram
11-09-2005, 08:23
Also at the moment Bushcraft is a bit of a catchword after the Hungerford massacare made the term survivalist a bit of a no no.
Sorry to ask but what was the Hungersford massacare, I have never heard of it?
thanks
Abbe
Ogri the trog
11-09-2005, 08:42
Sorry to ask but what was the Hungersford massacare, I have never heard of it?
thanks
Abbe
It's not a nice topic for polite society but someone has to explain.
A young man by the name of Micheal Ryan lived in Hungerford and was deeply interested in the "survivalist" culture. He owned, quite legally I believe, many rifles, pistols and shotguns. One day he took it upon himself to start shooting at some of his family, neighbors and other members of the public before turning the last shot on himself. There are many aspects to the entire story, many of which I have ommited, lets just let it lie as that.
The resulting death toll was horrific and the incident became one of the landmarks in British Firearms Law.
Ogri the trog
Abbe Osram
11-09-2005, 09:27
Whow, I didnt know about that. Never reached my ears that story.
thanks for updating me on that
cheers
Abbe
Olive Drab garbed clones
But I like green... :(
Oh, did we cover that already? :D
Hellz
demographic
11-09-2005, 09:52
Sorry to ask but what was the Hungersford massacare, I have never heard of it?
thanks
Abbe
Hungerford Massacare (http://www.bbc.co.uk/crime/caseclosed/hungerford.shtml) which in my opinion caused the government to re-think their gun policies (they banned semi autos and quite a few other guns over here) and maybe survivalists to re-think their name to one that is a bit friendlier.
At the time it was bandied about that he was a survivalist/gun nut.
Bushcraft fits better anyway IMO
RovingArcher
11-09-2005, 11:46
He was nuts, no doubt about that one.
hungerford was the site of a disturbed indvidual who reaked havoc with rifles, pistols, auto shotguns, he killed many people, which started the changeing of events on licenseing of firearmsamong other things. quick summary
Fallow Way
11-09-2005, 22:04
not so much just a catch word....its a different approach quite fundementally
Ouch!
I am only guilty on the Olive drab front.
I sleep under a ten quid tarp from halfords.
Possibles pouch (my sky rockets :D )
Swannidri? When i win the lotto!
Woodlore knife? i use a nice spanish hunter that i bought for fifty euros and she's a beauty :)
Swedish firelighter? more like swan vesta ;) or i play the fiddle ;)
swan vestas in the matchcase I bought you, you tight wad :D
ten quid Tarp :) you sad git :p
Yeah the one that you think is still in your bergan! :) :) :) ;) ;)
Many of us draw from ray, who is by profession an educator, many ideas promoted by him which we often copy, such as his techniques for fire lighting, shelter building, foraging, cooking and most other areas of bushcraft, is this scary or anal? would you avoid going to a bushmoot for fear of seeing everyone using the same bow drill technique as ray??
Ray is just copying us swedes
Swedish axes
Swedish tents and kåtas
Swedish knives (mora)
Swedish army shirts and caps
Swedish burners
Swedish Ullfrotte
Swedish trousers (Fjällräven)
Swedish handmade knife
Sweden export a lot of things these days =)
Ray is just copying us swedes
Swedish axes
Swedish tents and kåtas
Swedish knives (mora)
Swedish army shirts and caps
Swedish burners
Swedish Ullfrotte
Swedish trousers (Fjällräven)
Swedish handmade knife
Sweden export a lot of things these days =)
Most of it seems to be down to Tommy!
Wonder if he drives a Saab?
A lot of the kit Ray uses has always been popular with outdoorsmen - Akubra hats, for instance. Likewise, Swannie shirts have been popular with UK deerstalkers/farmers long before they appeared on TV on Ray's shows.
I know what you mean about fashion though. I recently walked up Snowdon - it was a nice day and I was just wearing a T shirt and lightweight trousers. A lot of folk were wearing waterproof jackets, even though there was no rain, little wind, and it was very warm. I can only assume it was for the look of the thing.
BlueTrain
12-09-2005, 13:59
I used to go to an indoor pistol range and I noticed that a lot of the patrons sported some of the "must have" things that were currently popular with that crowd. Things like pocket knives with a clip that you had to carry in your right hand pocket for extra easy access and fitted with a little knob to enable you to open the knive with one hand. And a certain kind of belt. And so on.
However, either I am living a sheltered life or something but I've never heard of Ray Mears outside of this forum. Ray Jardine, yes (don't care for him) but not Mears. There is not anything necessarily wrong with living a sheltered life.
All the same, most of the people I see out on the trail, provided we are at least a mile from the trailhead, not only appear to have outfitted themselves from the same store, but somehow manage to even look the same, at least after you allow for age differences. Only the bold and the few dare to be different, evidently. I won't go into some of the more gory ways I tend to be different but you get the idea.
Now it is true that there really aren't that many places to buy decent outdoor stuff, if you don't care for Army-Navy stores as a source, so it is very likely most of them really did shop at the same place (which I have mentioned before elsewhere). But a lot of trail wear has been in everyday use for thirty years or more, so it isn't like it is that unique anymore. And besides, there is only so much variation possible for someone going on an overnight trip to the woods. Ultimately, mine isn't much different. Then, too, I don't expect to be making trips to the woods that many more years so I'm not about to invest in much specialized gear now.
I still see a lot of people on the trail that are clearly much more casual about their hiking than I am now. But like I say, I don't think too many of them get that far back into the woods unless there is some special attraction that causes more than the usual traffic, like a waterfall, for instance. There was a time when I would take nothing special at all on a walking trip but at the same time, I never did long walks because I was more of a four-wheeler. That is something I miss, meaning the drop everything and go to the woods for an afternoon without a minute's planning or preparation. I miss the four-wheeling, too.
I have met some interesting people in the woods and I hate to admit that they all seem to be much more knowledgeable than me about woods things. But maybe I'm just lucky in the people I meet.
Abbe Osram
12-09-2005, 14:18
Ray is just copying us swedes
Swedish axes
Swedish tents and kåtas
Swedish knives (mora)
Swedish army shirts and caps
Swedish burners
Swedish Ullfrotte
Swedish trousers (Fjällräven)
Swedish handmade knife
Sweden export a lot of things these days =)
I agree Viking! Its so clear isnt it! ;) :D :D
and dont forget our swedish firesteel designed by Lars Fält. :)
cheers
Abbe
Damnit Johan! Don't give out our secret plan to take over the world again now when ABBA has failed!
On a lighter note, if you do not want to read "Oh Ray has this and where can i get it?" go to the DYI section instead :) Much more fun when we say "Oh Ray has this and how can i make it" :P
=)
He doesn't like swedish trangias though
:p
redcollective
12-09-2005, 16:54
Wonder if he drives a Saab?
I believe it's a green landrover defender.
I'm not a stalker, honest ;-) lol
It's the vehicle I saw him leaning on like he owned it, at a woodlore course.
innocent bystander
12-09-2005, 18:18
PS The Aussies will take the ashes, just have a bit of faith!!
England win the ashes.
Australia win absolutely bugger all.
Now, i am going to put my green gear on, with a swanni and woodlore knife, clutching a copy of all of rays books (signed), plus anything else i can think of that i have and ray wears, and run through the woods laughing my butt off.
:D :D :D :D :D :D
Celt_Ginger
12-09-2005, 21:15
I have been known to sometimes wear green. I have been known to sometimes go to a forrest. I have on occasion used a bow. I once visited Nottingham. Am I a clone of Robin Hood?
Graham_S
12-09-2005, 21:37
on the other hand RM uses good quality gear. why shouldn't we use it? yes it's expensive but a swanni for example will last for years. should i discard the idea of using one because RM uses it?
as to the colour, OG is unobtrusive in the forest. strewn rubbish is not the only form of pollution.
swamp donkey
12-09-2005, 23:01
We draw from ray, who is by profession an educator, many ideas promoted by him which we often copy, such as his techniques for fire lighting, shelter building, foraging, cooking and most other areas of bushcraft, is this scary or anal? would you avoid going to a bushmoot for fear of seeing everyone using the same bow drill technique as ray??
Absolutly no influence on me :p I have absolutly no idea who this RayMears chap is or what he really does . :confused: This is, I assume because I do not have a TV . I also do not have any of his books this because it has been a long time since I have brought a general book about any thing , so none of his have come to my attention. Dont get me wrong if the bloke can make a living out of what he loves and helps some other makers along the way more power to him. :)
I started going down to the woods to play age 6 , forty years ago and have continued to do so, both for fun and for pay ever since. I have used some old books to guide me , I like many others have been lucky enough to have first hand demonstations by various peoples in my travels. My first fire by friction was from Iniut in 1978 along with bow drilling . :D Mostly trial and error has seen me through . I think many people these days are adverse to trial and error because its to slow :cool: and copying is easier but far less fun ;)
There seems to a great variety of people hanging around this site with a hugh level of expertise and experience . I suspect many are equally if not more knowledgeable as this Mears chap but are just getting on with it :D and are willing to share there knowledge for free :D :D
As for the Swedish thing I was untainted until I found this site and brought a billy set from Tommy :rolleyes: which after a bit of adaption allows me to make a brew without getting out of the hammock :eek:
But any way life is to short to worry about who wears what as long as they are happy :D :D
I
"England win the ashes.
Australia win absolutely bugger all."
Yes but like I said Australia get to take the ashes!! We lost so we get the ashes!!
Isn't that how it works? Cause England lost for eighteen years running and kept them, not once did English cricket hand over the ashes to the Aussies! ;) :)
Really though, you guys did well you deserve it, I take my hat off!!
Subconsciously I think even most Australians are happy you one it! A little bit of a change is good once in awhile!!
nzgunnie
13-09-2005, 07:34
This comment caught my eye a few posts back:
'I know what you mean about fashion though. I recently walked up Snowdon - it was a nice day and I was just wearing a T shirt and lightweight trousers. A lot of folk were wearing waterproof jackets, even though there was no rain, little wind, and it was very warm. I can only assume it was for the look of the thing.'
I don't know how changeable the weather is in the UK hills, but I wouldn't head into the bush here in NZ without at least a rain coat and a woolly hat. If I was venturing above the bushline (around 1300m) I'd be taking a good deal more, fine weather when I set out or not. Wouldn't necessarily be wearing it though, but it would be in my pack.
It's interesting reading this site and comparing the different approach to the outdoors between Europe and here in NZ. For example, no one wears trousers in the the outdoors here in New Zealand. You wear shorts. If it's cold you wear thermals - either wool or polyprop under your shorts, if it's really cold (Snow/Sleet above the bushline) you wear wet weather trousers over this. Trousers of any kind are about the worst thing to wear here, they get wet (no 'if') and then they are heavy and cold. Crossing a river in any kind of trousers is pretty dodgy, you get a great deal more drag, and then they are soaked. Bare legs dry faster than track pants or cotton 'army surplus' type things. This even applies to snow travel, in all but the most extreme alpine environmets. Of course our environment is a good deal different to that of some of this site's members, Sweden or Norway for example. We tend to have a very wet climate in our mountains, although still plenty of snow and ice on the peaks even in summer. I think the temperatures can be nearly as cold, but generally are warmer unless you are out in a storm and have high windchill factors. This for us is the trickiest part of our outdoors - that is the changeability. You are certain to encounter both fairly warm temperatures at the lower level, and high winds that turn even a mild day freezing on the tops, and that's without the fact it will all turn wet and horrible at some stage!
Another thing, we don't generaly light fires very much at all. The philosophy is to leave the bush as untouched as possible. These days it is somewhat frowned upon to light fires. The trouble was that on popular tracks the bush was being damaged by people cutting it down for firewood. You might think your're the only one around lighting a fire, but thats only today. Over time it was tending to cause too much damage and is now discouraged except in an emergency. If you are serious about the bush the attitude is you'll respect it and do not need to damage it, buy a little gas stove of some kind.
Improvised shelters from local foliage is another discouraged practice for the same reasons. Buy a tent or fly sheet (basha), that doesn't require you to cut any plants down for poles or coverings etc.
Our department of conservation (who are responsible for a great deal of our back country) has a saying 'Take only photographs, leave only footprints' The emphasis is very much on moving through the environment without leaving any sign you've been there.
Perhaps for this reason the idea of carrying fancy knives hasn't really caught on. I'm quite keen on knives, I have a fair few, but only carry a lightweight leatherman in the bush. Except for those that hunt deer or goats, there is little need for a sheath knife, since your not encouraged to cut very much with it!
I maybe should have clarified my post - Snowdon is about 3500 feet asl and there have been fatalities up there. Waterproof gear is mandatory, and I had mine in my pack. It just struck me as odd people were wearing waterproof gear and sweating in the fine weather, rather than carrying it.
In summer in Scottish hills you really want to be wearing trousers - the midgies will eat you alive. Quick drying windproof polycotton is popular.
Ordinary hillwalkers/trekkers in the UK don't light fires/construct shelters/use knives, for exactly the reasons you mention. Bushcraft activities can be done in a sustainable, leave-no-trace way, but only if the numbers doing it are small, and they have good sustainable technique. The nordic countries have a long history of it, although even there some restrictions apply (I remember reading about a Swedish wilderness area where fires for drying yourself after a river crossing were allowed, but fires for cooking were discouraged.)
We should also remember that modern camping techniques are not impact free. Camping stoves and fuel are made in a factory somewhere, producing some pollution. A wise bushcrafter, with a very small fire from dead wood gathered over a wide area, scattering the ashes afterwards, may well be more sustainable than a gas stove.
BlueTrain
13-09-2005, 12:09
To first comment on nzgunnie's reply, most people I see out on the trail beyond the casual Sunday driver do wear shorts in just about all weather. I do as well and have apparently never paid any price, yet my habits are changing. Who says you can't change when you are older? I am beginning to wear long pants more often, usually plain poly-cotton, then fairly heavy wool when it is colder. The reason is my legs never seem to get too hot, unlike the rest of me, so it makes sense to just manage with a single garment. I have often been out in the rain and between shorts and long pants, I have decided long pants are warmer and also do a lot to keep my feet dry. I mentioned that in another post.
There are other schools of thought that are evident on the trail as well. Not that many people wear wool pants that I've noticed but plain blue jeans still have a strong following, whatever their disadvantages.
My comments and opinions are naturally based only on my own experiences and would no doubt be different were I living in another part of the country and also just might be a little different if I had different interests. For one thing, virtually all my outdoor activity is in thick woods, rarely in the open (out from under the trees, that is). Temperatures can be anywhere from zero F. to 100 degrees F. Snow is usual in the winter but not very heavy. It is usually humid.
I do have my own ideas and special interests, not all of which are within the subject matter of this forum, but they probably influence the way I do things more than any individual does. Then, too, local regulations also have an impact on some of my practices, sometimes to the point of going to a different place to avoid said regulations. For instance, open fires are prohibited most of the places I go.
I have mixed feelings about fires. They can be very dangerous and really are not so great for cooking, but are a great source of companionship, to put it one way. To many, a campfire is the essence of camping. But in places where they are allowed, firewood is always scarce.
It doesn't bother me in the least whatever other people choose to wear as long as I get to wear whatever I want.
happy camper
15-09-2005, 14:22
Guys I absolutely love this place but AW MY GOD IT IS GETTING SO MAINSTREAM & BLOODY SCARY!! Cause it just seems as if Ray don't wear it, carry it, promote it or sell it! It just ain't worthy!!!! This is so anal it ain't funny!!! :rolleyes: I'd love to come to one of your Bushcraft Meets but I just am so scared as hell that it will be so full of all these Olive Drab garbed clones dressed in identical Swandris, belt carried "Possibles Pouches", Swedish Firelighting steels and RM Woodlore Knives!!! :confused:
I love watching ray mears programs and there is always something useful to be gained in watching them.There is, however, always a danger with slavishly following what you see on telly....I was watching ray mears bushcraft a few weeks ago ,trying to pick up some tips... During the ad.- break, and without me noticing, my mrs. switched the t.v over to extreme makeover (a program about plastic surgery).
I will admit i was confused but i figured "if it's good enough for ray.."
I'm now sporting a marvellous (if somewhat impractical) set of man-boobs and was wondering if anyone knows if swanndri do a gore-tex bra for "the larger gentleman" in olive green?? :D
Spacemonkey
19-09-2005, 19:57
In response to the idea of going up a mountain without waterproofs, I went up an 8000ft mountian in Andorra, in the Pyrenees on the french border last Saturday in shorts and a vest. I was sweating like a whore in church all the way. I was so hot! I was carrying some basic waterproofs and warm clothing in my pack as well as stove etc. About 1/2 an hour from the peak the weather moved in at an alarming rate of knots from clear and hot to cloudy fog descending from the peaks at speed. Without even giving a thought we turned tail and headed down quickly. Managed to stay ahead of the cold weather and got back in the car in a pool of sweat. By the time I had driven to the French border (after topping up on 80% vol Absinthe for £4 a bottle...) the fog was so thick I couldn't see more than a car length!! A real pea souper. Even if I was wearing the right kit, finding the path would have been a problem. I shall return some day soon and get to the peak on a clearer day. The best kit you can carry is your brain, and i think Ray even carries one of those!
Great **** take though, AUSSIE- I see where you are coming from !