Equipment Reviews / Questions about equipment

mawk

eirator wrote: »

@ mawk RE: Gel Stove, any chance the gel would be handy as part of a firelighting kit? Is the can resealable? A small amount of gel would probably ignite very easily as a tinder sustitute, so a can that size could be the start a lot of fires and not just be a stove.

Yup, I actually tried that. It was too wet on the day to get a fire started, but the gel took light easily and burned a while

ShadowFox

I use these gel cookers http://www.seairsoft.net/product_details.php?id=1505&sub=311&subcat=Cooker they come with pot stand and book of matches I use them with these http://www.ebay.ie/itm/New-Single-Burner-Sterno-Fuel-Folding-Camp-Stove-/230917838167?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35c3c69557 instead of the pot stand that comes with them it takes 8mins to boil 500ml of water and the gel pot burns for 1 hour 10 mins (yes my life is that boring i timed it ) the bigger pot stand is a lot heavier but much more wind protection
You can use the empty pot with hexi tabs when its empty they work fine

Rhinocharge

grapeape wrote: »

You can use the empty pot with hexi tabs when its empty they work fine

For those on a budget:
Poor man's hexi-tab, cut a fire log into 10 slabs. Each slab gives enough heat to boil water for 2 cups. Cut with a small hacksaw. Wrap in parchment paper. Works like a dream.

mawk

Rhinocharge wrote: »

For those on a budget:
Poor man's hexi-tab, cut a fire log into 10 slabs. Each slab gives enough heat to boil water for 2 cups. Cut with a small hacksaw. Wrap in parchment paper. Works like a dream.

are the not very sooty?

Rhinocharge

mawk wrote: »

are the not very sooty?

The bord na mona ones can be, it depends on the saw dust content. The best ones are called Fibre Flame fire logs, they are mostly parafin wax with a red dye.

ShadowFox

Khannie wrote: »

I have a Swiss Army Cybertool 34 for a few years now. It was a gift so I'm not sure how much they cost (not cheap though).

Pro's:
Really good build quality. The pliers in particular is solid as a rock.
Lots of screwdrivers / kit that's useful for working with electronics.
Has a screwdriver that's good for glasses if you wear them.
Good scissors.
Has a pen in it.


Con's:
Heavy enough.
Large enough in your pocket. (you get used to both of these things)
Scissors spring broke after a few years and is difficult to replace. I managed to work around it a bit by bending the remaining spring mechanism.
Knife is not locking.

Ive a few Victorinox knives and love them always have one in my pocket depending what im doing to which one i carry some are larger locking blades some are standard folding blades
Attachment not found.

ShadowFox

Cheap storm matches like these http://www.ebay.ie/itm/New-Storm-Matches-Storm-Proof-Waterproof-Emergency-Matches-Survival-Lighter-/400340236780?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item5d362339ec they fizz rather than flame I much rather this type http://www.ebay.ie/itm/SURVIVAL-WEATHERPROOF-WATERPROOF-WIND-MILITARY-ARMY-CAMPING-STORM-MOD-MATCHES-/271053071429?pt=UK_SportingGoods_HikingEquipment_RL&hash=item3f1c05a445 great flame very easy to start a fire with

ShadowFox

Light my fire fire steels I bought a couple of these http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Light-My-Fire-Swedish-Army-Firesteel-Mini-Model-Orange-Steel-Starter-Firestarter-/390486556013?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item5aeacffd6d to go into my survival tins as they were smaller than the ones i had The rod came out of the grip the first time i used them (happened with both) i have now changed to these for my survival tins http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Mini-Survival-Magnesium-Flint-Striker-Firesteel-Fire-Starter-Lighter-UK-POST-/310575576024?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item484fbf33d8

ShadowFox

Crusader / pattern 58 cooking system http://www.ebay.ie/itm/CRUSADER-COOKING-SYSTEM-Genuine-58-Pattern-Osprey-Bottle-Free-Extras-/280794058533?pt=UK_SportingGoods_Camping_CookingSupplies_ET&hash=item4160a14f25 Cant say enough good things about this system

Pros: Its compact you have your water bottle 2 cups (1 metal 1 Plastic) cooker (gel, wet fire or hexi fuel) plastic lid to fit both cups pouch made from 1000 Denier waterproof cordura All in all its a fantastic piece of kit

Cons: only bad thing I can say about this kit is the price but ive found if you buy it separate you save about €20

nuub

Cheers for that Grape. must be a mind reader. This is exactly why I wanted to ask this question. I have been looking for ages for fire steel for my tin but was sceptical about buying them on the net. But I have placed an order for two of the mini survival ones for my bag and my keys saved me a lot of looking. Thanks !

ShadowFox

nuub wrote: »

Cheers for that Grape. must be a mind reader. This is exactly why I wanted to ask this question. I have been looking for ages for fire steel for my tin but was sceptical about buying them on the net. But I have placed an order for two of the mini survival ones for my bag and my keys saved me a lot of looking. Thanks !

No problem hoping to get some ideas of what to stay away myself ive gone through alot of cheap gear and expensive gear some good some crap

Doc Ruby

It's an interesting question, and there's no easy answer. Everything can be useful, even rubbish people throw away like plastic bottles. I guess any triage I had to perform on my kit would depend on the situation, but it's pared down enough that I wouldn't have to choose, unless I was on a sinking ship and had to pick the bits that would float or something.

ShadowFox

Doc Ruby wrote: »

It's an interesting question, and there's no easy answer. Everything can be useful, even rubbish people throw away like plastic bottles. I guess any triage I had to perform on my kit would depend on the situation, but it's pared down enough that I wouldn't have to choose, unless I was on a sinking ship and had to pick the bits that would float or something.

I think what he means by the question is what gear have you bought /found/used and then found that it didnt work as it was meant to or you found something a lot better

ShadowFox

Has anyone bought the light my fire mora knife yet http://heinnie.com/Knives/Light-My-Fire/FireKnife/p-92-1210-8547/

aaakev

grapeape wrote: »

Has anyone bought the light my fire mora knife yet http://heinnie.com/Knives/Light-My-Fire/FireKnife/p-92-1210-8547/

Looks good!

mawk

Justing buying some paracord from heine for my kayak, so I splashed a few euro extra and grabbed a mora hunter. all you kids around here seem imposed with mora. Review to follow I guess

ShadowFox

mawk wrote: »

Justing buying some paracord from heine for my kayak, so I splashed a few euro extra and grabbed a mora hunter. all you kids around here seem imposed with mora. Review to follow I guess

Mind your fingers Gave one to a mate warned him it was sharp he was cutting something and noticed blood then seen he had slit his finger with it

mawk

yeah, I keep knives sharp and the same situation keeps happening.

'here you go, careful, its sharp'
as soon as I say this they test it on their finger tip. blood.

wtf?

nuub

grapeape wrote: »

I think what he means by the question is what gear have you bought /found/used and then found that it didnt work as it was meant to or you found something a lot better

Thats its in a nutshell. I just got back from the range this morning and to say it was cold out was an understatement. But it did give me a chance to use my new handwarmer. When i go out in the cold I usually have a handwarmer in the big hoodie pocket which i keep under a jacket which keeps the fingers loose and me nice and cosy

But I was given a present of a zippo hand warmer an expensive bit of kit but my god I had no end of trouble with it. Besides being difficult to get going once it does its nice for the first few minutes but then its like carrying a mini sun in your pocket :eek: and to put it out is just as dangerous. I looked at how much they cost and they retail at about 28 euro.

But I find the jack pyke charcoal one much better. Not only does the heat stay even for the whole day but the fuel is cheap , easy to light and extinguish. Plus this only cost me 8 euro in Rory's I love this little thing and now have it elasticated to my survival tin and when im out I just light it up and stick it in the pocket and its comfortably warm all day. Would recommend it over the zippo any day. http://www.rorys.ie/shop/catalog/handwarmer.html

Or you can just do what my brother does and put boiling water in a hip flask and put it in a light sock :rolleyes:

ShadowFox

nuub wrote: »

Thats its in a nutshell. I just got back from the range this morning and to say it was cold out was an understatement. But it did give me a chance to use my new handwarmer. When i go out in the cold I usually have a handwarmer in the big hoodie pocket which i keep under a jacket which keeps the fingers loose and me nice and cosy

But I was given a present of a zippo hand warmer an expensive bit of kit but my god I had no end of trouble with it. Besides being difficult to get going once it does its nice for the first few minutes but then its like carrying a mini sun in your pocket :eek: and to put it out is just as dangerous. I looked at how much they cost and they retail at about 28 euro.

But I find the jack pyke charcoal one much better. Not only does the heat stay even for the whole day but the fuel is cheap , easy to light and extinguish. Plus this only cost me 8 euro in Rory's I love this little thing and now have it elasticated to my survival tin and when im out I just light it up and stick it in the pocket and its comfortably warm all day. Would recommend it over the zippo any day. http://www.rorys.ie/shop/catalog/handwarmer.html

Or you can just do what my brother does and put boiling water in a hip flask and put it in a light sock :rolleyes:

Id go the other way I love the zippo pocket warmer as ive found the charcoal ones smell a little but the zippo one i roll in my neck gator when i get in doors and when i have to go back out neck gator goes back on and the warmer bounced from pocket to pocket or put into my inside jacket pocket to heat my torso

nuub

yeh they do pong a little. Do you find it gets to hot ? maybe just me been fussy....

ShadowFox

nuub wrote: »

yeh they do pong a little. Do you find it gets to hot ? maybe just me been fussy....

Im out for 12 to 14 hours at night so it can get as hot as it likes to be honest once its in its pouch its ok but out of the pouch it will stick to your hand for a quicker way to light it a drop or 2 of fuel on the under side of the burner works wonders

nuub

Another couple of handy things to do with the charcoal ones

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUo589a_-oY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-oeM72jm2U

I have not been out at night with the Zippo yet but I will soon hopefully. Could any of you recommend a good lightweigh cooking system ? I use a hexi cooker and love it but im looking to upgrade and leave the hexi in my B.O.B.

ShadowFox

nuub wrote: »

Another couple of handy things to do with the charcoal ones

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUo589a_-oY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-oeM72jm2U

I have not been out at night with the Zippo yet but I will soon hopefully. Could any of you recommend a good lightweigh cooking system ? I use a hexi cooker and love it but im looking to upgrade and leave the hexi in my B.O.B.

I carry one of these in my Maxpedition water bottle kit http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Esbit-Titanium-Folding-Solid-Fuel-Stove-only-11-5g-/190744971257?pt=UK_SportingGoods_Camping_CookingSupplies_ET&hash=item2c694947f9#ht_500wt_1054
A mate of mine uses this http://heinnie.com/Survival-Kits/GearPods-Survival/Stove-Kit/p-495-827-5875/ Its a sweet bit of kit but a bit pricey

Tabnabs

Swedish Army Parka M90 (eg. http://www.goarmy.co.uk/swedish-army-parka)

This can be picked up for not very much over the internet and it is worth every last cent. It's like walking around wearing a sleeping bag. Even the two large pockets are insulated on the outer face to keep items in your pocket from freezing (including your hands!). I haven't tried it in the rain as I see it as a snow/ v. cold weather item, but it is allegedly water resistant.

They come with and without hoods, I'd recommend with, but just to note the hood is very large and comes down over your face quite a bit. Also the zip can be opened from the bottom once closed (double fastener) and this has a habit of opening by itself when walking, but easy to fix quickly.

As a cold weather and snow jacket for the money charged - 8/10.

Tabnabs

grapeape wrote: »

Crusader / pattern 58 cooking system http://www.ebay.ie/itm/CRUSADER-COOKING-SYSTEM-Genuine-58-Pattern-Osprey-Bottle-Free-Extras-/280794058533?pt=UK_SportingGoods_Camping_CookingSupplies_ET&hash=item4160a14f25 Cant say enough good things about this system

Pros: Its compact you have your water bottle 2 cups (1 metal 1 Plastic) cooker (gel, wet fire or hexi fuel) plastic lid to fit both cups pouch made from 1000 Denier waterproof cordura All in all its a fantastic piece of kit

Cons: only bad thing I can say about this kit is the price but ive found if you buy it separate you save about €20

I have the crusader cup and got the plastic lid for it. I binned the lid the first time I used, it caused nothing but trouble and in the end forked out for the metal version. Expensive, but very much worth it (http://www.raymears.com/Bushcraft_Product/872-Heavy-Cover-Nato-Crusader-Cup-Boil-Cover/) . NB, you can make one yourself of course, or there are some people selling good home made versions online too.

ShadowFox

Tabnabs wrote: »

Swedish Army Parka M90 (eg. http://www.goarmy.co.uk/swedish-army-parka)

This can be picked up for not very much over the internet and it is worth every last cent. It's like walking around wearing a sleeping bag. Even the two large pockets are insulated on the outer face to keep items in your pocket from freezing (including your hands!). I haven't tried it in the rain as I see it as a snow/ v. cold weather item, but it is allegedly water resistant.

They come with and without hoods, I'd recommend with, but just to note the hood is very large and comes down over your face quite a bit. Also the zip can be opened from the bottom once closed (double fastener) and this has a habit of opening by itself when walking, but easy to fix quickly.

As a cold weather and snow jacket for the money charged - 8/10.

Someone might be able to help me track one of these down I "borrowed" a coat off my uncle years ago that turned into a sleeping bag the foot muff stored at the back hand mittens stored on the sleeves and a big hood it was great i think it was swiss military but not sure my uncle didnt know as he bought it in the uk on a trip it was a fantastic system and id love to pick up another one

ShadowFox

Tabnabs wrote: »

I have the crusader cup and got the plastic lid for it. I binned the lid the first time I used, it caused nothing but trouble and in the end forked out for the metal version. Expensive, but very much worth it (http://www.raymears.com/Bushcraft_Product/872-Heavy-Cover-Nato-Crusader-Cup-Boil-Cover/) . NB, you can make one yourself of course, or there are some people selling good home made versions online too.

Didnt know you could get metal lids cheers going to order one of them now

long range shooter

I wouldn't leave home without my Norwegian fjellduken.

http://www.jerven.com

http://youtu.be/LxGGavcczWU



Can be used as bivuak,parka,sleeping bag,emergency shelter,hammock etc.
Expensive,but well worth it!
Used by Norwegian,Danish,Swiss and French special forces units.
Also found as survival gear in Norwegian and Danish F16 fighter planes.
The best gear I have ever had!

Kept my warm many times in the mountains of Norway.
Very lightweight,waterproof,wind proof and extremely versatile in anything nature would throw at you.

ShadowFox

grapeape wrote: »

Someone might be able to help me track one of these down I "borrowed" a coat off my uncle years ago that turned into a sleeping bag the foot muff stored at the back hand mittens stored on the sleeves and a big hood it was great i think it was swiss military but not sure my uncle didnt know as he bought it in the uk on a trip it was a fantastic system and id love to pick up another one

Found the new version of it http://jakpak.com/home.aspx