OT: Gear and Tools Used by SURVIVORS!

REPLY TO ALL THE QUOTES!!!!!

Regardless of where I actually buy a book (or anything really), I normally read through reviews of actual buyers (Verified Buyer in Amazonese).

Particularly for anything other than books, music and videos, I sort the reviews based on date - most recent first. That way I can see if previous issues have been corrected as a new product evolves through iterations/revisions.

For books, music and videos, the above sorting may not matter too much.

While I do go out of my way to read some of the good reviews, I tend to focus on the 1-2 star reviews. What I am looking for are issues that are deal-breakers. I tend to focus on those that more than a few sentences and certainly those that are specific, not vague.

The book/author you reference has some negative reviews on Amazon. How important they are to you depends, in part, on your current knowledge.

Good luck with it.

(And no, I do not have a specific book to recommend. Like you, I'm looking for some good ones.)

Best

Sent from my Sero 7 Pro using Tapatalk
This is really similar to my amazon method, especially about focusing on the bad reviews to know the worst case scenario. Also if most of the bad reviews are due to a mix up or slow shipping that is also good to know!

DC just copied a bunch of old scouts drawings, for $14 I'd suggest "Edible Wild Plants: Wild Foods From Dirt To Plate" by Kallas.
Come on, I need to know about more than just boondocks cuisine :D
Your comment does line up with some of the other criticisms that I've heard, but..... see below.....

It might still be valuable info if you don't know it.
I know next to nothing, so even a little will be moving me in the right direction.

I haven't read the particular book you're asking about Silver. Dave is very good with primitive trapping (or conventional for that matter). Whether the book goes into that, I don't know. But if that's something that might be of interest to you, any information or methods he shares in that department would be valuable IMO.
Anything with basic wood working, knife use, fire stuff, shelter stuff....... anything bushcrafty.

It's not bad so far silver. I hadn't got all the way through it. I got mine I think for $10 from hastings
Cool to here! If it's good enough for Tex, it is good enough for me!
 
It might still be valuable info if you don't know it.

I would certainly agree with this. Sometimes old info presented in a different way makes for easier retention. I certainly would not criticize DC for reusing old drawings... Provided he isn't plagiarizing them. He may or may not be able to convey the information to the reader in a better manner than the original.

I'm not a particular fan of either of them. Likewise, Don't dislike either of them. Haven read either. Just sayin' I personally wouldn't worry about someone rehashing old info.
 
Here are the Authors that are on my radar. Ive heard lots of folks talk about Mors Kochanski. He wrote a book called "Bushcraft - Outdoor Skills and Wilderness Survival". He is a Canadian bushcraft instructor. Ray Mears has a bunch of books out and is highly regarded, especially in the UK and Western Europe. There is also George Washington Sears AKA "Nessmuk". His book, "Woodcraft and Camping" was published originally in 1884!!! I know Dave Canterbury has mad respect for Nessmuk and mentions him frequently in his vids.

Are they good reads? Is the info in them useful? Are you really asking me these questions? I havent read any of them, but Indid stay at a holiday in last night!!!. I have read tons of forum discussions about those guys and their take on edged tool and watched tons of videos of Ray Mears and DC. One of these days I will buy a book and might even read it!
 
Lol I usually read on long drives which is pretty much every week for me. It might be two hours or ten so I gotta kill time. Might as well learn something.
 
To Silver and whoever else may be interested. I went ahead and ordered these, taking advantage of the strong and surging U.S. $Dollar. I could've gone with Spec Ops kits, but ultimately settled on the Finish made rucksack since a bunch of them showed up again as being in stock and this brand was my preference over the former. I will post my own photos when I receive these in the next 2-3 weeks:

https://www.varusteleka.com/en/product/savotta-jaakari-backpack/33028

288205746ffdfe0c91.jpg


288205746ffdfdc7a2.jpg


https://www.varusteleka.com/en/product/sarma-tst-utility-pouch-xl/34534?buyalsoref=savotta-jaakari-backpack

34534e.jpg


https://www.varusteleka.com/en/product/sarma-tst-utility-pouch-l/34533?lookalsoref=sarma-tst-utility-pouch-xl

34533e.jpg


The two side bags are separate purchases but pretty much I have ordered the same set up as the one on the mannequin (plus some other extras I have not posted on here) OTD price for these three pieces was roughly $172 + $35 + $32, plus $10 shipping. Not too shabby for a bag which will easily hold 30L+ plus the modules and some other external attachments. I'm not too fund of hyrations systems but it has a hydration system pouch and I will have to look into that and pick up a great qulaity one from here in the U.S. One which hopefully not leak just after a couple of uses! I think if I learn to pick this pack up efficiently, it will serve me well into 3-4 days of backcountry backpacking!
 
To Silver and whoever else may be interested. I went ahead and ordered these, taking advantage of the strong and surging U.S. $Dollar. I could've gone with Spec Ops kits, but ultimately settled on the Finish made rucksack since a bunch of them showed up again as being in stock and this brand was my preference over the former. I will post my own photos when I receive these in the next 2-3 weeks:

https://www.varusteleka.com/en/product/savotta-jaakari-backpack/33028

288205746ffdfe0c91.jpg


288205746ffdfdc7a2.jpg


https://www.varusteleka.com/en/product/sarma-tst-utility-pouch-xl/34534?buyalsoref=savotta-jaakari-backpack

34534e.jpg


https://www.varusteleka.com/en/product/sarma-tst-utility-pouch-l/34533?lookalsoref=sarma-tst-utility-pouch-xl

34533e.jpg


The two side bags are separate purchases but pretty much I have ordered the same set up as the one on the mannequin (plus some other extras I have not posted on here) OTD price for these three pieces was roughly $172 + $35 + $32, plus $10 shipping. Not too shabby for a bag which will easily hold 30L+ plus the modules and some other external attachments. I'm not too fund of hyrations systems but it has a hydration system pouch and I will have to look into that and pick up a great qulaity one from here in the U.S. One which hopefully not leak just after a couple of uses! I think if I learn to pick this pack up efficiently, it will serve me well into 3-4 days of backcountry backpacking!
Nice looking kit. Be interested in your feedback on it once it arrives. Not sure your size, but I'm a "wide load" (the law requires I use red flags😵) kind of guy and 6.1" too. Wish some were available here so I could test them.

Thanks for info.

Sent from my Sero 7 Pro using Tapatalk
 
Nice looking kit. Be interested in your feedback on it once it arrives. Not sure your size, but I'm a "wide load" (the law requires I use red flags😵) kind of guy and 6.1" too. Wish some were available here so I could test them.

Thanks for info.

Sent from my Sero 7 Pro using Tapatalk

I am SZ M in almost everything other than where it matters the most :p ... J/K, naughty, naughty :o

Anway, 5'9" about 187 lb. and athletically built. I 'm a bit concerned about the chest / lat area fit as I measure as a U.S. size L when measured around the chest, but certainly am not a wide load. I've seem videos of this set up on YT and some of those Nordic folks seem considerably taller than me but they are more skinny ectomorph types. Yeah would've been nice to try them over here but a very hard wish with European army surplus stuff :(
 
Very cool looking pack! Man... I love a good backpack. I like the dimensions of this one. I've seen other European packs that have a rectangular, lower profile. So many common packs seem to stick out quite a bit.

Like others, I'm looking forward to your own pics and thoughts when you get it. What is your anticipated use? Backpacking? Bug out bag?
 
Very cool looking pack! Man... I love a good backpack. I like the dimensions of this one. I've seen other European packs that have a rectangular, lower profile. So many common packs seem to stick out quite a bit.

Like others, I'm looking forward to your own pics and thoughts when you get it. What is your anticipated use? Backpacking? Bug out bag?

Just backpacking my good man! I'm not BoB'ing anywhere! Last time when we had the local wildfires back in may 2014, they forced us to evacuate but I made my way back through the back canyons after a couple of days as staying with my Ex was even worse :D

I gotta tell you that when the entire neighborhood seems like some bomb was dropped that just killed off the peep, was so serene and so nice for another day or so. I just had the shutters closed and no obvious and obnoxious lights on at nights, so the sheriff deputies would come to bother me!
 
Just backpacking my good man! I'm not BoB'ing anywhere! Last time when we had the local wildfires back in may 2014, they forced us to evacuate but I made my way back through the back canyons after a couple of days as staying with my Ex was even worse :D

I gotta tell you that when the entire neighborhood seems like some bomb was dropped that just killed off the peep, was so serene and so nice for another day or so. I just had the shutters closed and no obvious and obnoxious lights on at nights, so the sheriff deputies would come to bother me!

Sounds like heaven.
 
I am SZ M in almost everything other than where it matters the most [emoji14] ... J/K, naughty, naughty :o

Anway, 5'9" about 187 lb. and athletically built. I 'm a bit concerned about the chest / lat area fit as I measure as a U.S. size L when measured around the chest, but certainly am not a wide load. I've seem videos of this set up on YT and some of those Nordic folks seem considerably taller than me but they are more skinny ectomorph types. Yeah would've been nice to try them over here but a very hard wish with European army surplus stuff :(
Casinostocks,

Thanks for feedback.

FYI: Wasn't always a wideload!👍

Hope it works out for. Like I said, nice looking kit.

Best

Sent from my Sero 7 Pro using Tapatalk
 
I'm looking forward to the pics when it arrive Casino, and the LC mounted just like the pack?

yes Sir, that's the idea anyway. Large knife (GSO 10) or the CPK-LC or my GB-SFA mounted as shown. Those side pockets are not deep enough for anything but good enough as a pocket to insert the base of your larger tools into.
 
Anyone ever use the FILBE ruck pack?

That new Maxpedition Gyrfalcon looks pretty sweet and not too far out of my range. Damn you silver I thought I was done looking for awhile!

A bit behind the ball here, but I didn't see any replies yet...

FILBE (USMC pack)
ba9aa6e2356b87ad1632a9a4773356b3.jpg
a3e9903707d118dcf2ebb1872644adee.jpg


It's a nice pack.. A definite upgrade from ALICE [emoji15]

With the two sustainment pouches I'm at about 6000ci/100L.... It's a load but it carries well
 
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I really want one but just can't spring that kind of cash. I guess I just wanted a justification to get it. Lol. I will probably end up with the maxpedition gyrfalcon when it's all said and done. I usually pack around 30_35 including my h2o.

Edit: although they are getting cheaper now days. :D
 
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I'm not sure what price range you were looking at but all told, I got it together for about $250 (new)... When I was on the look out for an upgrade from my hellcat set up, it was buy far the best bang for the buck in its class. Being military gear it does run heavy, but I feel it's also more durable then it's civiy counterparts ....
 
A bit behind the ball here, but I didn't see any replies yet...

FILBE (USMC pack)
ba9aa6e2356b87ad1632a9a4773356b3.jpg
a3e9903707d118dcf2ebb1872644adee.jpg


It's a nice pack.. A definite upgrade from ALICE [emoji15]

With the two sustainment pouches I'm at about 6000ci/100L.... It's a load but it carries well

I like it, looks nice! It looks really high behind the head. How does it balance in positions other than standing straight up? Does your head hit it if you look up? I've never had a pack that tall behind the head.

I have an ILBE but it's still new. It's also Marpat, so a lot less..... gray man when hiking on trails.
 
I like it, looks nice! It looks really high behind the head. How does it balance in positions other than standing straight up? Does your head hit it if you look up? I've never had a pack that tall behind the head.

I have an ILBE but it's still new. It's also Marpat, so a lot less..... gray man when hiking on trails.

It's actually shorter then the ILBE, It's more wide then it is tall, that was one of the main reasons I went with it... When I'm out winter camping and its stuffed, I do bump it if I really tip my head back, but that's what's nice about an external frame, not only cooler but I can loosen those load lifters and let it out a bit...

P.s. In the pics I have the load lifters disconnected so the straps are laying flat, when in use their almost all the way to the top of the pack.... (deceiving picture)
 
It's actually shorter then the ILBE, It's more wide then it is tall, that was one of the main reasons I went with it... When I'm out winter camping and its stuffed, I do bump it if I really tip my head back, but that's what's nice about an external frame, not only cooler but I can loosen those load lifters and let it out a bit...

Yeah it looks like it's shorter overall, but taller behind the head by probably 6" or more. Also, I like the sustainment pouches out the side, vs my ILBE that has the assault pack on the back. I've decided to turn my ILBE into winter GTFO pack in the event we have a natural disaster here.
 
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