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I do recall the article saying that some versions were possibly made out of cork as well. The main gist of the article was that the soaked material be it pith or cork plus the canvas covering gave the wearer of said helmet a cooling effect plus the airspace inside- all were design features for...

Thanks for the info on how to read the NATO size. Monk

Has anyone here any knowledge how the ancients purified/filtered water? I am thinking of explorers and ancient cultures. I do recall hearing on a shortwave radio program how one outdoor person claimed that the Japanese in WWII used some kind of leaves/plant herb to put in water to purify it...

Years back I read an article in a travel mag about how the British explorers used pith helmets to keep their head cool in southern climates and the writer gave quite a bit of info on how effective they were. Apparently they were made out of some natural material and SOAKED in water before...

I have seen on the web a bit about Hemp hats and such items. Hemp comes from that green little plant that ....well, folks do naughty things with. I was able to examine a sample of the hemp material and it's a bit like linen or canvas depending on the sample you get. Any thoughts on using...

I picked up a used book about a Sergeant Shoichi Yokoi-28 YEARS IN THE GUAM JUNGLE written by Japanese correspondents. Basically it's about a Japanese soldier who went into hiding on Guam. Interesting thing are the color pictures in the book-he was a tailor by trade before WWII and while...

Help appreciated. Can anyone here give a rough idea or a link to a reliable size translation chart? Shopping for stuff and ordering by mail if I know the right size I can ask a clerk to check the size by the code American kit has the size in inches plus a NATO size=I understand inches! But...

Neil1 Thanks for posting the store info.....I have to check this out and get some of these terrific bargains! Monk

Great insights everyone! My uncle used to make cars at Vauxhall (British cars) now long since disappeared and I just think its sad...the UK not only loses the job-but you also lose that knowledge base and the skills whether its making good quality clothes or items. As pointed out, when...

What is your favorite surplus buy for bushcraft-clothing or items that you have found to be a worthwhile buy? Personally I was able to get ahold of a us military fishtail parka+hood+liner in exc shape and it is a GREAT ITEM! Word of advice- if you come across a favorite piece of gear, always...

I read in the papers where the UK MoD is making uniform contracts in China. Is this true and can anyone here tell us how is the quality of such gear? I have seen on this site where folks say even SASS is having a hard time sourcing zips/material etc. so eventually does this affect the...

Toddy-thanks for the advice. Addyb, I know what you mean but I like wearing the item so much as it's comfy except I don't want to look so scruffy in public..heehee!

Thanks for those leads! Monk

Neil1's thread on finding a HH wool pile jacket got me thinking. Does anyone know if wool frieze or wool pile is made anymore? I have an old fishtail parka liner for the us army parka Korean war era and it is made out of wool pile/frieze....like a wool towel with the loop stitches on a...

Can someone please give feedback on using the different grades/fabric weights of ventile in making their own smocks/gear? I was pondering using the heaviest grade of ventile for a garment..wearproof! Instead of the lighter grades which wear out more easy. I had a sample of L28 ventile once...

I have an old ventile jacket..originally NAVY BLUE now acid trip purple that I would like to darken to navy blue again. The label says Swiss Ecotat cotton(Ventile). Any advice on the best way to dye the jacket without any mishaps? Thanks for your help. Monk

Has anyone here any clue on whether ripstop ventile is available? I've seen in ads windproof smocks and like clothing touted as ventile and ripstop. Any ideas on a genuine source for ripstop ventile? Thanks! Monk

That is an interesting find....I never knew there was an issue version made out of wool fibre pile mixture. Any idea if they are still made? In Norway? Any tip on this goldmine of a surplus store and the sizes? I've worn HH pile and it is pretty warm but I imagine the pile with wool added...

Spamel Thanks for posting the hood pics and explaining so clearly the use of those drawstrings!

Check out a website called www.speerhammocks.com for info on types/info on hammocks. Has some ideas to adapt your kit. Also a book by an American DON PAUL 24 Plus Ways To Use Your Hammock. Monk