"If I had to start from scratch..."

This is a great list by the way. The only thing I would just add, and it is just to throw out there, is the coffe can billy or those stainless walmart sugar containers as another alternative. Definitely rating this thread, if any new people need help, refer them to this post!
 
the other cool part about your list is that the price is pretty consistent rather than finding good deals at a flea market. Each one of these is a set item that someone can probably get on both sides of the coasts
 
Thanks guys! Very glad that it's useful for some folks, or a point of review for one's own kit.

I feel I should add, in case new folk do find this thread in search of thoughts on a first kit, that my kit is based on experiences in my local environment, and with my preferences. Where I'm at, a hatchet/axe is very useful. In the south, a machete would be infinitely more useful. For those looking for a quality hatchet for less than the price of the Wetterlings, I will add that I still often use my $20 (commonly available) Fiskars hatchet. I have a dozen other hatchets costing five times as much, but still often reach for it. Less expensive does not have to mean less functional.
 
There are alot of knock-off surplus packs. What is a good one if you can't actually look at it?
 
imaginefj said:
There are alot of knock-off surplus packs. What is a good one if you can't actually look at it?
Click to expand...

I like all of the US issued ones. Alice is the most popular and most available. The nice thing about it is you can replace the hip pads, shoulder straps, frame, or pack itself for really cheap if one part is a bit too worn out. Definitely make sure you've got some padding left in the lower back/hip area.

I've heard nothing but good things about the Molle versions, but the frame has been significantly improved on so you want to make sure you know what version you're getting.

The new USMC ILBE can be had on ebay for a good price these days and that pack is absolutely awesome. Its based on super expensive and quality packs by Arc-teryx but made by someone else like propper or something. Anyway, its completely bomb proof, big enough for anything you'd ever want to carry short of a M2 Machine gun, and very comfortable over long distances. Again you can replace the parts piecemeal like the alice pack.
 
imaginefj said:
There are alot of knock-off surplus packs. What is a good one if you can't actually look at it?
Click to expand...

I would get the GI ALICE. Cheap and durable. The medium is my favorite. Not too fond of the MOLLE gear that I was issued. The frame was definitely a weak link in that chain. And thanks for dredging this thread up. I didn't have internet access when Spooky first posted it, and I'm glad I get to read it now.
 
Spooky,

Nice job with the list. Very similiar to what I'd choose with the exception of the wool blanket, I'd get a different one than the HF one, I have one of these and it smells so bad that I can't even stand to carry it in my pack let alone sleep with it.
 
I love reading threads like this.

Amazing that in Britain the cheapest Mora costs £10 and a GB Small Forest Axe costs £50.

I still don't understand the price disparagey in our countries.
 
The Guyot stainless steel water bottle can now be found for $10 - nice piece of kit :thumbup:
 
I'd echo the Fiskar's/Gerber axe, I'd also add a Fiskar's/Gerber folding saw- cheap, small and only weighs a couple of oz

^ I'd also add the above (Guyot) to a basic kit
 
I don't really understand the OP. Its a great list, but was it intended to be what you would start over with knowing what you know now? Or just a good economical way to cover your bases and you might trade up later?

Knowing what I know now and if I had to replace this would be what I would go for:

1) Hammock (probably get a Hennessey again because it comes with tarp, but I have my eye on a Warbonnett now since I have an extra tarp already). Won't bother with a tent again. A supplemental purchase of a larger 8 x 10' tarp is useful for additional privacy and to use a winter tarp.

2) Sleeping bag - my most versatile bag is this cheap (I bought it for about $60 in 1998) Woods thinsult barrel bag. Its rated to 32oF although that is a bit optimistic. Compresses to the size of about 2 water bottles. Great bag for 3 season. Not good for late fall or winter. Winter is a whole different deal and different list! Lessons learned - I later bought a much nicer $150 synthetic bag at -12oC for extended use. I really don't use it that much. Its too hot for warm weather and isn't warm enough for the real cold.

3) Wool blanket, I buy one again just to help extend the sleeping bag during car camping in cooler weather and because they are nice to have. I think a wool blanket beats a poncho liner, albeit I'm interested in a Kifaru some day.

4) Thermarest - wayback in 96 or so I bought one of the ultralight thermarest pads. It has a lower R-value than the full sized ones, but you can compensate the comfort factor by blowing more air beyond what it 'self-inflates' to. I've used this for pad for almost 15 years and never regretted its purchase. In winter, I supplement it with a foam pad under the thermarest.

5) Cookset - Trangia 27 series with mini-kettle. Best cookset/stove combo I ever had and costed less then my MSR whisperlight without the cookset.

6) Noteworthy addition - twig stove, I initially made mine out of a coffee can. Later upgraded to the Ikea stainless steel cannister courtesy of B. Andrews. Worthwhile replacing!

7) GSI Stainless steel cup, the one that nests a 1 L nalgene container. Great piece of kit for cooking and as a mug. Personally, I still like the cup/nalgene better than canteen/canteen cup, although the later can be had cheaper. I have the $25 goyot stainless steel bottle and would not pay to replace it. I like cooking with a cook kit better.

8) MSR waterfilter. Fits to a widemouth nalgene thus integrates with 6. Love this and would buy it again. Also include backup chlorine dioxide tablets.

9) Backpack - I really like my maxpedition falcon II quite a bit. But if I had to buy just one pack, then I would get a 50 L bag from one of the suppliers like MEC or REI. I have a Sierra design bag with internal frame that is more versatile under multi-day camping trips then the maxpedition. If you have to start tying crap to your molle bags then you are over stuffing them.

9) Knife - oh god, there are so many to choose from. Knowing what I know now? I'd contact Brian Andrews and ask him to make me the Terrasaur model but with a convex edge. I might also consider BRK&T Aurora. I might still be tempted to just mortgage the house and buy a Rick version of the bushcrafter. Lessons learned. I still don't like a mora after owning two of them. I have one of the newer ones now but I don't like it. I don't like big chopper knives. I don't like skeletal neck knives. I like knives that are 4-5". I don't adore scandi's, but I do sort of like them....I still like convex more though. Chances are, very likely, if I had to do it again and knowing what I know now...I'd still end up with about 5 knives.

10) Folder - hands down I'd get the OHT-SAK. I just ordered a second one as a spare. I also ordered a custom leather sheath for it with a firesteel loop. Now, I think I'll like a firesteel loop along side of my sak, both within easy reach on my belt, much better then the pocket pool thing.

11) Chopper - axe would be king for me. I'd probably go for a 25" GB Scandinavian forest axe. Thats a pretty versatile size for wood prep and if I don't want to lug it then I'll leave it at home. Right now I want a big'un axe for winter - 35" handle. I'm pretty happy with my B. Andrews modified Snow and Neely, but Brian doesn't work them anymore and he said the FF of S&N has tanked. So I won't look to replace it.

12) Saw - I really like my Swedish takedown saw - the trailblazer. The next time, I'd go for the 23" blade instead of the 18" that I have. Since my SAK has a small saw that covers all my needs for small (1-2") pieces of wood. A full size buck saw is amazing to have in the bush for serious wood processing especially when paired with an axe.

13) Navigation. I'd stick with my Suunto A-30 compass with N. Hemisphere balanced needle. It has great features including glowing bezel that takes a solid charge. I prefer a baseplate compass to a sighting one. I would still probably buy a cheap GPS unit. I would get the cheapest garmen, e.g. etrex. I'd use it just to mark my entrance, camp and then shut it down. Use for emergency tracking back home. I don't really heavily on GPS (almost never use it), but they are a good backup if used properly.

That would be the gear list. Cloths/boots would be a whole different matter and I'm too tired to think that out.
 
If I had to start from scratch, here would be my list;

Clark Utralight Hammock
Pendleton Wool Yakima Camp Blanket
Snow Peak Trek 700 Titanium Mug
Guyot Stainless Water Bottle
Gransfor Bruk Hatchet/Ax
Fallkniven Whetstone
Brunton Gentleman's Compass
BushBuddy Wood Burning Stove
Duluth Pack Bushcrafter Pack
Light My Fire Swedish Army FireSteel
Skookum Bush Tool in O1 steel
G Fred Asbell Wool Pullover with Hood
 
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