Traditional Outdoors Gear

M

mdsmith

Joined
Jan 7, 2009
Messages
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Hey guys, this is my first post in this subforum. I spend most of my time on the traditional folders forum. Every once in a while over there, someone will share a story of an outting with their father or grand father, and it seems that the men of that era had a totally different outlook on what was needed to spend a day in the woods. I never got to spend time with my grandfather hunting or hiking, but the stories he has told me seem to confirm the stories I've heard over in the "traditionals" forum. I got caught up in having the newest, most modern gear for a while, but recently decided to take a look at what I really need and use, and have decided switch to a more humble selection of gear. I realize that this will change from person to person, but I was wondering if any of you go the more traditional reoute with your gear. Here's what I have generally been carrying lately.... keep in mind, this is just for a day walking around in the woods.

Mora #2
Opinel folding saw or Vic farmer
Brass Zippo
Bandana
USGI 1qt canteen and cup in canvas pouch
Paracord woven into a shoulder strap for the canteen pouch
Altoids tin with basic first aid and fishing items, button compass, a couple pieces of paper, a short pencil, and a small sharpening stone.

I really want to add the brass K&M match case to these items.
 
That looks like a traditional style kit. That's not to be confused with primitive. Those items should be enough for any experienced woodsman or trekker.
 
mossyhorn said:
That looks like a traditional style kit. That's not to be confused with primitive. Those items should be enough for any experienced woodsman or trekker.
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Thanks for adding that. While primitive skills do interest me, I don't have the knowledge to go primitive with my gear. I'm just trying to get out of having to have the newest thing. These item I've been carrying have stood the test of time by previous generations and are pretty economical, and that's good enough in my book.
 
You need to add a Hudson Bay tinder box - doesn't get much more traditional than that.

500_hudson_bay_tinderbox_tin_plate.jpg
 
I've got to seriously simplify my backpacking gear. The weight kills my knees, depending on terrain. I'm planning a backpacking trip to Red River Gorge in the next month. I'd like to leave my stove, water filter, tent, and some other gear at home. I want to use many of the lessons gained by being here on the forums.
I now have some stainless water bottles to boil my water in, a bivy sack, and plan on using fire for cooking, warmth, and for water purification.
I can't decide if I want to leave the sleeping bag at home, take a blanket, and sleep near the fire with a tarp over head. I don't want my down bag near a fire, flammable nylon bag of death sort of thing.
I've got some details to work out, but I will be going one way or another, it's been too long.
 
I love the freedom that a small (but well thought out :)) kit gives- mine is similar, but based around a Maxped bottle holder w/ a stainless guyot bottle (water bottle and pot in one)- the small kit allows me to travel comfortably and quickly

you won't regret the K&M safe, get the longer one so you can carry UCO matches; comes w/ a nice little Suunto compass to boot
 
mtwarden said:
I love the freedom that a small (but well thought out :)) kit gives- mine is similar, but based around a Maxped bottle holder w/ a stainless guyot bottle (water bottle and pot in one)- the small kit allows me to travel comfortably and quickly

you won't regret the K&M safe, get the longer one so you can carry UCO matches; comes w/ a nice little Suunto compass to boot
Click to expand...

I've seen those set ups, and they are really nice looking. A nice light kit does make for an easier, more comfortable day out for me.

I guess my thought was that when older men talk about spending time outdoors, there is never any mention of a "kit". They always had a pocket knife and a Zippo in their pockets, so they would just throw an old tin cup, a can of soup or something similar, and a canteen full of water into a bag and go. Maybe a fixed blade knife or small ax, and a wool blanket depending on the time of year. It seems that at times I get more caught up in the gear then actually getting outdoors.
 
they might not mention "kit" as it is assumed if your traveling into the backcountry, your carrying said "kit" :D

the old timers that showed me the way around in the mountains always had a small ruck or belt kit (and if you went with them- you did too)

I don't find it complicated, nor cumbersome, to insure that I have the basics covered- shelter, fire, water, first aid, navigation, signaling

having some cordage and a small emergency blanket (a AMK heatsheet weighs under 3 oz and is the size of a deck of cards, a heavier mil garbage sack would work as well) takes care of shelter for the most part- a small folding saw makes it even better!; a lighter, firesteel and some tinder takes care of fire; canteen or water bottle and a few purification tabs should cover water; small first aid kit- my small kits are all of an ounce; small compass (or a analog watch in a pinch) takes care of rudimentary navigation and a whistle and small light (along w/ your heatsheet, fire, other resourceful means) take care of signaling- a knife on your hip or in your pocket is a given :D

I think we owe it ourselves, family AND to the folks on SAR teams (who are 95% of the time volunteers) to have at least the very the basics covered anytime any of us head into the hills
 
mtwarden said:
they might not mention "kit" as it is assumed if your traveling into the backcountry, your carrying said "kit" :D

the old timers that showed me the way around in the mountains always had a small ruck or belt kit (and if you went with them- you did too)

I don't find it complicated, nor cumbersome, to insure that I have the basics covered- shelter, fire, water, first aid, navigation, signaling

having some cordage and a small emergency blanket (a AMK heatsheet weighs under 3 oz and is the size of a deck of cards, a heavier mil garbage sack would work as well) takes care of shelter for the most part- a small folding saw makes it even better!; a lighter, firesteel and some tinder takes care of fire; canteen or water bottle and a few purification tabs should cover water; small first aid kit- my small kits are all of an ounce; small compass (or a analog watch in a pinch) takes care of rudimentary navigation and a whistle and small light (along w/ your heatsheet, fire, other resourceful means) take care of signaling- a knife on your hip or in your pocket is a given :D

I think we owe it ourselves, family AND to the folks on SAR teams (who are 95% of the time volunteers) to have at least the very the basics covered anytime any of us head into the hills
Click to expand...

I totally agree with you. Like I said, I guess it depends on where your going and for how long. Most of my outtings are at a state park. It's an are I know well, and is traveled by others. If I were going to a brand new area, and one that was secluded, I would definitely re evaluate what I am carrying. My point is that there was a time not too long ago that I had a couple hundred dollars worth of gear on my back when going to the park I mentioned.
 
mdsmith said:
My point is that there was a time not too long ago that I had a couple hundred dollars worth of gear on my back when going to the park I mentioned.
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OK- I gotcha :) yeah- I agree wholeheartedly, it doesn't take much in the way of $ (or room)- to be adequately prepared, just a little a forethought (and a some practicing!)
 
My backpacking and camping gear is pretty old timey I suppose. I lug a Vietnam era surplus sleeping bag (sometimes a Swedish surplus wool blanket), GI poncho, a Blue Gaz canister stove, and various other things that I either bought or got as gifts when I was in Boy Scouts almost 30 years ago.

I have upgraded things that I carry on day hikes because that's what I do most. I keep meaning to start upgrading my backpacking gear because it would probably make it more enjoyable, or at least lighter. But my money goes to knives mostly. Oh the knives...:cool:
 
For trips where I'm spending a few days in the woods, I typically take modern kit even though it doesn't really please me aesthetically. My shoulders and back will thank me the next morning.

But on dayhikes? All bets are off. I love traditional and old school military style gear. My all time favorite "old-school" piece of kit is my Gransfors Bruks Small Forest Axe. I also like to carry a WW2 era canteen kit and mess tin. Hauled inside an old canvas British military rucksack while I'm dressed in surplus wool, of course!
 
NothingCoherent said:
For trips where I'm spending a few days in the woods, I typically take modern kit even though it doesn't really please me aesthetically. My shoulders and back will thank me the next morning.

But on dayhikes? All bets are off. I love traditional and old school military style gear. My all time favorite "old-school" piece of kit is my Gransfors Bruks Small Forest Axe. I also like to carry a WW2 era canteen kit and mess tin. Hauled inside an old canvas British military rucksack while I'm dressed in surplus wool, of course!
Click to expand...

:thumbup: I hear those are really nice axes. I only have a Wetterlings wildlife ax (12 1/2") I do like to take it with me sometimes, but more out of fun than nessecity. Actually, after messing around with it for a while, and realizing that there isn't anything that my fixed blade knife can do that the ax can't, I have take nothing but the ax a few times. I know this is a totally different topic, but the small ax really does seem like the best all around tool from my limited experience.
 
I much prefer old time gear or at least the thought of it. However i have kind of made a mixture of both now.

For instance after purchasing a Frost River Nessmuk pack last year i was impressed with the design, quality, and look of this tradtional pack. When i carried it though i changed my mind. All the weight is on your shoulders and it has no frame sheet either. My Kifaru can handle 3 times the weight with no fatigue.

I love reading the old Nessmuk book and him telling of his gear and rucksack saying how light it is and easy to move through the woods. I know he was a far tougher guy than i'll ever be but i question his scales when he says all that stuff he was carrying was light weight:D
 
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