Non expensive kit

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Lister

Settler
Apr 3, 2012
992
1
36
Runcorn, Cheshire
Apologies if this is a bit of thread necromancy, was in ASDA earlier today and they've started to roll out their spring seasonal stuff, besides the chocolate eggs i mean!

Today i picked up 4 LED tent pegs for £4, an adjustable angle 9 LED headtorch for ~£6 (1 mode only), an orange 9 LED torch for ~£4 [orange to find it easier] and a few other bits and bobs. Next time you do your shop have a mooch at the seasonal aisle and see if there's anything to take your fancy.

Just thought i'd share :rolleyes:
 

Fallschirmwomble

Tenderfoot
May 11, 2009
56
10
Tennis Town
I've really enjoyed reading this thread. Now my farthing's worth (for those of you who're old enough to know how cheap is a farthing!): :confused:

**

The carrying of loads of kit goes against the ethos of Bushcraft and I am guilty of being something of a "kit monster" - a bit of a paradox! Whilst I have my established kit, I'm always on the lookout for new stuff - provided that it's inexpensive, probably useful and hopefully a tad ingenious.

New kit development/testing adds a little variety to what sometimes can be a bit of a routine. It gives my mind something to do when I'm "at one" with nature.



The 99p Store and Poundland offer some fantastic little gems - I often see these items resold on eBay for much more than the purchase price. I've replaced my Maglite torches with the 9 LED aluminium torches from these shops. They burn brighter, for longer and have an on/off switch. Waterproof? I've not properly tested...

They also sell plastic head torches - I generally still use the above torch in a home-made headband. In my opinion, these head torches aren't tough enough for general bushcraft use.

I long ago replaced my British Army Mess Tins with West German ones (shallower) and this enables me to get a small First Aid container into my PLCE Bushcraft Pouch (along with other stuff). That said, the 99p Store sells large mess tins and they're just as tough/dentable as the genuine issue ones. Although sold in pairs, you need only one mess tin unless you're carrying kit for a girlfriend/wife/sister/daughter/etc (I hope I'm not being sexist)...

Both shops also sell a small folding hand trowel. Much lighter than any shovel and ideal for making pit type fires. More compact, too - I swear by mine. Basic yet unsurpassed, for my simple needs.

My latest acquisition is an enamelled tin with lockable lid. Untested as yet but it looks like it'll be an excellent small billy can - provided that the "enamel" is the traditional enamel on camping crockery and not enamel paint! My plan is to try one as a self-contained brew kit. Watch this space!

Car boot sales have yielded heaploads of great kit over the years. One of my best acquisitions is an excellent condition Lowe Alpine "Liberty APS ND" 60+15L rucksack for £4. (I thought it was a little over-rated until a mate who works at Cotswolds explained that it was a woman's ruck, not optimally designed for a bloke!)

Absurdly, little more than a year later, I picked up the larger male equivalent. It was a little muddy and required a very small repair to the inside compartment divider where the stitching was coming apart - but at an incredible £2.50 without haggling, who could complain?! A trustworthy pack. Even without the repair (still pending!), it worked perfectly along 100 miles of South West Coast footpath.

A final point: cheap kit means that you can afford several back-ups. I've kitted out my van with an essential "go pack" arrangement for very little cost.
 

Imagedude

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Feb 24, 2011
2,004
45
Gwynedd
Whilst my bushcraft kit consists mainly of handed down ex-army kit, my mountaineering kit is generally state of the art. However this has not always been the case, I served my time with ex-army kit in the mountains too.

Ex-army nailed boots
Italian army trousers with neoprene knees
Wool shirt
Skrim net
Full head of hair

Scotland, winter 1983
Bobscotland1983.jpg
 

rik_uk3

Banned
Jun 10, 2006
13,320
24
69
south wales
The cheap kit ain't got the right labels on for some to consider buying it, sounds harsh but I suspect its the case for some.
 

multi

Banned
Jul 16, 2012
177
0
dorset
I think a lot people pay more for the returns policys and warrantys etc.
I pay for expensive items due to reveiws and peoples feedback and recomendations, but I only need expensive of a primary blade and primary everything else, all secondary gear, back ups etc I can go cheap as chips - recycled goods, so this thread will help me a lot i should think.
 

bushytoo

Forager
Feb 15, 2012
137
5
london
Brought a large camo tarp from ebay for 7 quid last month, complete rubbish, starting to come apart already and it's barely been used.
 
Jul 30, 2012
3,570
224
westmidlands
gelert xlite sleeping bag , en rated, as good as a mountain hardware 30 quid

butane gas cartridge adapter from ebay, 5 quid, allows for the burning of cheap pure butane cartridges from poundstrecher and the like, and apparently burning butane does not produce carbon monoxide unlike propane, double bonus
 

rik_uk3

Banned
Jun 10, 2006
13,320
24
69
south wales
Butane can and does produce carbon monoxide so never ever think your safe from it. Keep a close eye on your adaptor, many of them fail to seal after a while.
 

markie*mark0

Settler
Sep 21, 2010
596
0
warrington
gelert xlite sleeping bag , en rated, as good as a mountain hardware 30 quid

butane gas cartridge adapter from ebay, 5 quid, allows for the burning of cheap pure butane cartridges from poundstrecher and the like, and apparently burning butane does not produce carbon monoxide unlike propane, double bonus

Butane can and does produce carbon monoxide so never ever think your safe from it. Keep a close eye on your adaptor, many of them fail to seal after a while.


the cheap ones are hit and miss at best, i've had two seperate ones and they without fail always leak.... i wouldnt trust brewing up with a gas leak mm's away.
 
Jul 30, 2012
3,570
224
westmidlands
thank you for claryfying that point about butane, as i said, "apparently" , just something i had read on the world wide chinese wispers.
Shame though , as i thought the golden goose of fuel had been found. Cannisters are lighter and found everywhere now too.

As for the adapter, made by kovea so i'm thinking it ma be a go-er. I'm using a remote cannister inverter stove so the temprature should not be a problem .
 

benp1

Nomad
Nov 30, 2006
473
0
42
London
Guessing you don't have kids? :D

Can't remember the last time I drank a full cup of coffee while it was still got, apart from when I'm out or at work
 

Paddytray

Settler
Jul 11, 2012
887
0
46
basingstoke
Its 3:17am i've had 3 cold cups of coffee to drink all day and the kids are still stoping me drinking my 4th lol ( father of 3 boys 18mth 7yrs 9 yrs )
Carboots ,ebay, etc are where I would look for kit most of the time .
I tend to look for old/vintage tools instead of more modern easy found shop brought etc .
Its amazing how many people have a good clear out of vintage tools on ebay .
Ive found a small anvil recently and a few metal working hammers for next to nothing.
 

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