Suffolk Bushcraft Group Daniel Boone Challenge 20th and 21st September 2013
- Thread starter Big Stu 12
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When I see the land owner I'll ask if we can use another Wood, as I will be looking to set the date for the next meets in the next moth or so
I'd be up for more Boonie Goonie fun
Can I second Stu's comments. It's tough to know where to turn with it. 'Boone would have if he'd had it' and all that. Modern world, I'm doing it for fun, etc, etc
So the thought process it's causing is great for making me think about kit. But because of the Boone name it feels an element of vintage style or kit is needed. There are things I need to change and I need to revamp a few things too. Also other factors will influence my choices further. Am I in a group, am I moving, what water is there, is there natural food to forage. All thought provoking stuff.
Can I second Stu's comments. It's tough to know where to turn with it. 'Boone would have if he'd had it' and all that. Modern world, I'm doing it for fun, etc, etc
So the thought process it's causing is great for making me think about kit. But because of the Boone name it feels an element of vintage style or kit is needed. There are things I need to change and I need to revamp a few things too. Also other factors will influence my choices further. Am I in a group, am I moving, what water is there, is there natural food to forage. All thought provoking stuff.
One thing we did end up discussing to an extent was the "duplication of gear". That more than one person brought an axe etc... where it's most likely Boone's guys would've had just one or two of most items for the group, and the only duplication of gear would be the items all individuals require all the time (such as their own sleep/shelter gear)
I do reckon there'd be something to gain for the next boonie outing for either the singular group or each divided group to decide who amongst them will carry items like an axe... basically to better emulate what the original boonies were doing
I do reckon there'd be something to gain for the next boonie outing for either the singular group or each divided group to decide who amongst them will carry items like an axe... basically to better emulate what the original boonies were doing
Yeah the group equipment thing is a factor, when you think about it Sam and Martin shared cooking, it lead to having to take a plate, but if you really think and take it further, if a group of * for example used the same cook pot's and had the same meal's seeing that alot of the food stuffs were very much like stews, bannocks ect, then, the group pots would have been big and heavy but carried by the pack mules...
As would most of the group stuff
As would most of the group stuff
See under the original challenge as I came up with it I only thought of individual folk using the kit list.
Prior to last weekend I had only done it in pairs. So it was still semi individual as the choice of items was still only between two new people.
By doing it as we did last weekend we increased the numbers thus increasing the likelihood of kit duplication.
It became a more social experience.
Bear in mind that prior to meeting at the pub it was still going to be pairing off so the kit duplication wouldn't of been as noticeable.
A smaller group or individual doing it would probably need the list as stood (within personal interpretation still)
Si you weren't comfortable using an axe so brought ya big chopper.
Not an issue however if it had been just you and kne other who had only brought a saw and you'd needed to process firewood due to heavy rain the axe may well of been missed.
I never thought of nlarger groups doing a mass boonie when I thought up the challenge. It makes for a different line of questions about kit fokd etc
Prior to last weekend I had only done it in pairs. So it was still semi individual as the choice of items was still only between two new people.
By doing it as we did last weekend we increased the numbers thus increasing the likelihood of kit duplication.
It became a more social experience.
Bear in mind that prior to meeting at the pub it was still going to be pairing off so the kit duplication wouldn't of been as noticeable.
A smaller group or individual doing it would probably need the list as stood (within personal interpretation still)
Si you weren't comfortable using an axe so brought ya big chopper.
Not an issue
however if it had been just you and kne other who had only brought a saw and you'd needed to process firewood due to heavy rain the axe may well of been missed.I never thought of nlarger groups doing a mass boonie when I thought up the challenge. It makes for a different line of questions about kit fokd etc
Yeah its a very varied subject and the requirements and methods, change as to how may do the challenge, on my own I would of done it as the kit I originally took,
But as a group as it changed into, it has opened up a whole new discussion ( maybe for a later time around the next boonie trial),
Lets stick to the singular person doing it as that's where we will learn most about what kit we would use on our own , and that where we will win more in how we chose and pick kit for our own load outs...Also others may learn from our experiences as well
But as a group as it changed into, it has opened up a whole new discussion ( maybe for a later time around the next boonie trial),
Lets stick to the singular person doing it as that's where we will learn most about what kit we would use on our own , and that where we will win more in how we chose and pick kit for our own load outs...Also others may learn from our experiences as well
While I remain incapacitated I am looking at sewing a canvas tarp but canvas is so expensive do you think a canvas weave dust sheet would do the job ? Found these on ebay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dust-Shee...Material_Paint_Varnish_MJ&hash=item2a287d3897
I have heard that they can be used... I an thinking about trying some Calico as well
Arriving home on Sunday, I unpacked my kit and divided it into the things I would take again and those that I would leave at home or not use at all. The worst piece of equipment I had was the Swedish WWII backpack. It sits nicely around the waist, but its narrow leather shoulder straps cut into my skin even over a woollen jumper. To be fair, the leather is old and despite being waxed it is still hard. Next time it is staying at home.
I liked the haversack and having some basic kit in it that was easily accessible, such as a fire-lighting kit, carving tools, cordage, snacks, emergency food, dry kindling and note book. Having a haversack mean I can easily leave my backpack behind when trekking or foraging and still have the essentials with me at all times. I can also carry anything I collect on the trail in it. The haversack will become part of my standard equipment and one of the first winter projects will be to make an 18th century replica. While the one I have at the moment is very useful, I do not like its army look.
I was impressed with the woollen blankets, though the nights were not cold enough to properly test them. The combination of bivy and blanket did not work very well. There was no enough space in the bivy to wrap myself into the blanket properly, so the first night I had cold spots and kept waking up. The second night I slept on top of the bivvy wrapped into two blankets. There were no cold spots and it was warm. For the next Boonie I am planning to sew up one of the blankets so that it can easily slide into the bivvy and I stay bundled in it all night, while the second blanket will be for additional warmth if needed.
I enjoyed using natural string instead of paracord. Its is cheap, strong and biodegradable. There is no need to burn the edges when cut to stop fraying like the paracord. From now on I will use natural string only.
I liked carrying an axe, though I did not use it very much during the Challange. From my experience, for short stays outdoors or when on the trail there is no need for an axe. In the woods there is plenty of free-standing wood for fire and in most places cutting greenwood is not allowed anyway. Generally I use an axe when camping for longer and need it to split logs, chop wood or for carving. At the Bonnie I used it for rough carving my spoon. Would I take my axe again? Sure, I do like my axe
I liked having my kit packed in calico sacks I made instead of modern waterproof bags. They are cheap to make and versatile. I was a bit worried that they were not waterproof enough and was not sure whether they would keep my kit dry in heavy rain. What nonsence. I will definitively use these bags more often and make some from leather for things I need to keep really dry.
My Italian army poncho and the black army jacket were definitively the ugliest part of my clothing, and they are going to be sold. They will be replaced with clothing made from more traditional materials. I also need to work on my other clothing too
The most impressive part of my kit was the Market Wallet I made with the help of my wife, where I kept my vegetables, fruit and other food. It is easy to carry laid across the backpack, on the shoulder or around the neck, and I could hang it over a branch when camping. Being made from cotton, it is breathable and keeps food well ventilated. I might use it to go to the market when buying fruit and veg. Who knows, maybe it will become fashionable again
I think that is more than enough from me. Looking forward to hearing from others about their impressions and lessons learnt.
I liked the haversack and having some basic kit in it that was easily accessible, such as a fire-lighting kit, carving tools, cordage, snacks, emergency food, dry kindling and note book. Having a haversack mean I can easily leave my backpack behind when trekking or foraging and still have the essentials with me at all times. I can also carry anything I collect on the trail in it. The haversack will become part of my standard equipment and one of the first winter projects will be to make an 18th century replica. While the one I have at the moment is very useful, I do not like its army look.
I was impressed with the woollen blankets, though the nights were not cold enough to properly test them. The combination of bivy and blanket did not work very well. There was no enough space in the bivy to wrap myself into the blanket properly, so the first night I had cold spots and kept waking up. The second night I slept on top of the bivvy wrapped into two blankets. There were no cold spots and it was warm. For the next Boonie I am planning to sew up one of the blankets so that it can easily slide into the bivvy and I stay bundled in it all night, while the second blanket will be for additional warmth if needed.
I enjoyed using natural string instead of paracord. Its is cheap, strong and biodegradable. There is no need to burn the edges when cut to stop fraying like the paracord. From now on I will use natural string only.
I liked carrying an axe, though I did not use it very much during the Challange. From my experience, for short stays outdoors or when on the trail there is no need for an axe. In the woods there is plenty of free-standing wood for fire and in most places cutting greenwood is not allowed anyway. Generally I use an axe when camping for longer and need it to split logs, chop wood or for carving. At the Bonnie I used it for rough carving my spoon. Would I take my axe again? Sure, I do like my axe
I liked having my kit packed in calico sacks I made instead of modern waterproof bags. They are cheap to make and versatile. I was a bit worried that they were not waterproof enough and was not sure whether they would keep my kit dry in heavy rain. What nonsence
. I will definitively use these bags more often and make some from leather for things I need to keep really dry.My Italian army poncho and the black army jacket were definitively the ugliest part of my clothing, and they are going to be sold. They will be replaced with clothing made from more traditional materials. I also need to work on my other clothing too
The most impressive part of my kit was the Market Wallet I made with the help of my wife, where I kept my vegetables, fruit and other food. It is easy to carry laid across the backpack, on the shoulder or around the neck, and I could hang it over a branch when camping. Being made from cotton, it is breathable and keeps food well ventilated. I might use it to go to the market when buying fruit and veg. Who knows, maybe it will become fashionable again
I think that is more than enough from me. Looking forward to hearing from others about their impressions and lessons learnt.
On reflecting in my kit I think less is the main thing I've decided I need t work on.
And thinking about multiple uses of items I take.
A smaller tarp.
The canvas bed roll I have lurking about will get some use now.
Smaller cook set.
And thinking about multiple uses of items I take.
A smaller tarp.
The canvas bed roll I have lurking about will get some use now.
Smaller cook set.
I ve been using Boone kit for a few months at the montly meet so had a good idea what to take, I'll be still using mine a regular basis, not just for Boonie weekends
I'll be using mine more than just boonie moments but its still fun dabbling with the kit and honing it down.
This is a great thread and an interesting read.
I like the analysis and reflection that you guys are writing about, and what you would change and why. For me the whole exercise is a good example of how we could live our lives in the broader sense; what do we really need instead of what we think we need.
Good work chaps!
I like the analysis and reflection that you guys are writing about, and what you would change and why. For me the whole exercise is a good example of how we could live our lives in the broader sense; what do we really need instead of what we think we need.
Good work chaps!
I'm gonna be giving that punk char a proper working out next few trips out. It strikese as a more likely used method and easy to restock.
Thanks string maker we try
Wants and needs are always something that needs balancing and it showed in the kit taken by several of us
Thanks string maker we try
Wants and needs are always something that needs balancing and it showed in the kit taken by several of us
I'm gonna be giving that punk char a proper working out next few trips out. It strikese as a more likely used method and easy to restock.
Thanks string maker we try
Wants and needs are always something that needs balancing and it showed in the kit taken by several of us
The Boonies are the new forward thinkers...lol
Yeah that punk wood thing needs some looking at... my way of thinking also would say would balsa wood work as well?
I was just thinking last night , about the Axe thing I have a Small Chooper that now I look at it would be nice as a small belt macheete its in bit at the mo waiting for me to refurb it... may give that a revisit and sheath it and see how that goes, lighter then an axe and of course more use then a sheath knife....
Tomahawk with removable haft I reckon.
Could then be used as an ulu. Or manufacture a handle on site (green wood trimming allowed of course)
Duno bout balsa. Give it a go and report back?
Could then be used as an ulu. Or manufacture a handle on site (green wood trimming allowed of course)
Duno bout balsa. Give it a go and report back?
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