By it's very nature Bushcraft requires a certain amount of kit, even if you cut it right down to the basics and kit costs money. In this artice I'm going to try and suggest cheaper alternatives to top of the range kit and also what could be made yourself.
First you'll need something to carry your kit in, and although you can pay upwards of £200 for a pack, there are a few hardwearing alternatives to be had for very little money. The 1st is the highlander military 44 that is hardwearing and cheap with loads of features and at this time can be got for less than £30 on the web
And if that's over your budget the swedish LK35 is a good hardwearing pack with frame for under a tenner
Next comes something to sleepunder or in. Basically to keep the elements off your bod while you kip and do your daily chores. The simplest form of portable shelter is of course is the tarp, and although again you can pay big bucks for one (up to about £100) there are cheaper alternatives. For one you could go to a DIY shop like B&Q, Walmart or machine mart for example and pick up a plain green 8'X10' poly tarp for less than £6.00 or a 10'X12' camo one for less than £12.00.
The other option is a small tent and Ebay is your friend here with some tents being sold for as little as £4.00.
The next consideration is your sleeping arrangements. You'll need a sleeping bag or bedroll of some description ans something to insulate you against the cold ground. A bed roll can be made from some cheap ex army blankets and a sheet of canvas but as you can imagine the 2 enemies of weight and bulk start to creep in. Bedding can be made from heather or spruce boughs etc if you don't want a kip mat. Although cheap foam "Aerobics" mats can be found for £1.00 in some thrift stores. The other option is a proper sleeping bag but the cheaper ones are usually bulky, so this is one item you may have to bite the bulley and fork out a bit more money for.
Navigation equipment ! Yep you've guessed it Some compasses, GPS devices etc go for hundreds of pounds like the British Army Prismatic at a mere £240
Or the Garmin Etrex Vista GPS at £300
The thing to remember is that although GPS is fun and can be very simple, even the expensive ones need batteries and once they're exhausted you're prized GPS becomes and expensive house brick !! My advice is get a compass and learn how to use it. The best compass makers like SILVA, RECTA, SUUNTO and BRUNTON all do budget models for under a tenner and these are high quality items that won't let you down.
Cooking equipment is best to be stainless for hygienic reasons and you can make simple billy cans by investing is a stainless steel tea caddy set from your local thrift store and putting wire handles on them made from coat hangers. Likewise a steel mug doesn't have to be a crusader at £15 you can get many quite passable steel mugs for under £5
.
Water bottles can simply be polythene fizzy drinks bottles washed out once the original contents have been used.
For lighting, candle lanterns can be made from old beer cans by simply cutting a window out and placing an ordinary bit of household candle inside. Most hardware shops will sell small serviceable torches for a few pounds and a headband can be quickly sewn up from some wide elastic to make a handsfree setup similar to what's on offer for the AA maglite commercially.
Wetfire tinder can be made by soaking cotton wool balls with Vaseline and packing in small plastic bags.
There are many homemade stove plans on the net. Just check out a few links and take your pick
http://zenstoves.net/
http://wings.interfree.it/html/main.html
Cutting Tools.... Ahh yes this subject can cause fire in the belly of the most mild mannered bushcrafter and cutting tools are a very personal thing, but remember, we're on a budget so you get what you can and I'll try and give a few pointers. First off the knife. You can part with £100's of pounds for a knife and have it hanging off your belt gleaming like some kind of trophy... or on the other hand you can get a good quality knife for about a tenner that you won't have a second thought about the blade getting dirty or tarnished or indeed if it's going to lose it's value if you cut something with it. For a fixed blade you can't go wrong with the "Frosts Mora " blades.
They are razor sharp, easy to maintain and are tough as old boots. and in some places you can still get change from £10 if you buy one. For folders I like the rustic simplicity of the "Opinel" carbon from france.
They're not pretty but they do exactly what they're supposed to and do it well.
For a saw there are many cheap models available, just type "Pruning Saw" in Ebay and there are loads. Sure enough the cheap ones aren't going to last as long as a laplander but as an example I recently felled, limbed and took to the tip a 12' conifer using only the saw I bought from a £1 shop. One of these
There are many cheap axes on the market and unfortunately quite a few are poorly made, but there are some out there to be had for a reasonable price. The Vaughan Hatchet from axminster tools is an excellent small axe for just £20,
half the price of a GB and a good quality bit of kit.
The old army poncho is also worth the £8 or so they go for. Not the most stylish bit of kit but they keep most of the weather off and if a few of your mates get them they can all be popped together to make a huge tarp to sit under.
Well I hope this has given some food for thought and perhaps it will save some of your hard earned.
Take care out there
Mad Dave
First you'll need something to carry your kit in, and although you can pay upwards of £200 for a pack, there are a few hardwearing alternatives to be had for very little money. The 1st is the highlander military 44 that is hardwearing and cheap with loads of features and at this time can be got for less than £30 on the web
And if that's over your budget the swedish LK35 is a good hardwearing pack with frame for under a tenner
Next comes something to sleepunder or in. Basically to keep the elements off your bod while you kip and do your daily chores. The simplest form of portable shelter is of course is the tarp, and although again you can pay big bucks for one (up to about £100) there are cheaper alternatives. For one you could go to a DIY shop like B&Q, Walmart or machine mart for example and pick up a plain green 8'X10' poly tarp for less than £6.00 or a 10'X12' camo one for less than £12.00.
The next consideration is your sleeping arrangements. You'll need a sleeping bag or bedroll of some description ans something to insulate you against the cold ground. A bed roll can be made from some cheap ex army blankets and a sheet of canvas but as you can imagine the 2 enemies of weight and bulk start to creep in. Bedding can be made from heather or spruce boughs etc if you don't want a kip mat. Although cheap foam "Aerobics" mats can be found for £1.00 in some thrift stores. The other option is a proper sleeping bag but the cheaper ones are usually bulky, so this is one item you may have to bite the bulley and fork out a bit more money for.
Navigation equipment ! Yep you've guessed it Some compasses, GPS devices etc go for hundreds of pounds like the British Army Prismatic at a mere £240
Cooking equipment is best to be stainless for hygienic reasons and you can make simple billy cans by investing is a stainless steel tea caddy set from your local thrift store and putting wire handles on them made from coat hangers. Likewise a steel mug doesn't have to be a crusader at £15 you can get many quite passable steel mugs for under £5
Water bottles can simply be polythene fizzy drinks bottles washed out once the original contents have been used.
For lighting, candle lanterns can be made from old beer cans by simply cutting a window out and placing an ordinary bit of household candle inside. Most hardware shops will sell small serviceable torches for a few pounds and a headband can be quickly sewn up from some wide elastic to make a handsfree setup similar to what's on offer for the AA maglite commercially.
Wetfire tinder can be made by soaking cotton wool balls with Vaseline and packing in small plastic bags.
There are many homemade stove plans on the net. Just check out a few links and take your pick
http://zenstoves.net/
http://wings.interfree.it/html/main.html
Cutting Tools.... Ahh yes this subject can cause fire in the belly of the most mild mannered bushcrafter and cutting tools are a very personal thing, but remember, we're on a budget so you get what you can and I'll try and give a few pointers. First off the knife. You can part with £100's of pounds for a knife and have it hanging off your belt gleaming like some kind of trophy... or on the other hand you can get a good quality knife for about a tenner that you won't have a second thought about the blade getting dirty or tarnished or indeed if it's going to lose it's value if you cut something with it. For a fixed blade you can't go wrong with the "Frosts Mora " blades.
For a saw there are many cheap models available, just type "Pruning Saw" in Ebay and there are loads. Sure enough the cheap ones aren't going to last as long as a laplander but as an example I recently felled, limbed and took to the tip a 12' conifer using only the saw I bought from a £1 shop. One of these
There are many cheap axes on the market and unfortunately quite a few are poorly made, but there are some out there to be had for a reasonable price. The Vaughan Hatchet from axminster tools is an excellent small axe for just £20,
The old army poncho is also worth the £8 or so they go for. Not the most stylish bit of kit but they keep most of the weather off and if a few of your mates get them they can all be popped together to make a huge tarp to sit under.
Well I hope this has given some food for thought and perhaps it will save some of your hard earned.
Take care out there
Mad Dave
