Hootchie / basha poles

[Ahjno]

Silvermans do them:

Lightweight, extendable bivvy pole with spike top and solid pointed end for secure pitching. Contracts to an easy manageable length for carrying.Sold
individually. Tried and tested in every area of operations. Black powder coated, are strong enough to put up with the harshest of weather. 50cm collapsed, 85cm extended. Price £ 7.99
Edit: standard UK p&p: 3.99 GBP

Edit: RVOPs do them too (thanks Jamie): 6.99 GBP & VAT + p&p (UK mainland) included (thanks Beer Monster)

And SASS do them aswell:

The easy, quick versatile way to erect an army pattern shelter. A slim lightweight (79g). Two section alloy pole. The top rounded spike fits inside eyelets. Total height 73cm (although three sections can be combined for extras height if needed). Dismantled, one section goes inside the other, and into the Bergan side pocket. Top quality. Precision Engineered. Prices: Basha Poles (Per Pair) £12.99

Inspired by the piccies, Zambezi made on his Woodsmoke Nomad course. And intrigued by the fact you also could use your hootchie instead of (as) a tent, in a terrain without trees.

Questions:
1. Is there anyone out there who's got any experience with either of these?
2. Which one would you prefer?
3. One or two poles?
4. All those other questions I've forgotten to ask

I know you can use a stick / branch / pole found at the spot, and this (using man made poles) isn't very buscrafty.

Your opinions please gents & gals!

 

[spamel]

The extendable variant is a prized possession amongst soldiers. Ripping branches down gives the game away to the baddies!! As they are extendable, you can vary the height to suit your needs. If you think that you need them, then go for it. Don't feel pressure as to what is and isn't bushcrafty, if it works for you, there's no problem.

 

[innocent bystander]

I think i would lean towards the 1 piece from silvermans, purely because it's one piece.
But then i would probably us one of my walking poles anyway

:swordfigh

Love those smilies

 

[leon-1]

Johan, the spike on the SASS ones is designed for going through the eyelets on the basha, this means that the rounded/flat end with the plastic cap goes on the ground, they will hold, but be aware that they are more likely to be pushed or possibly slide on the ground.

The silvermans ones have a spike on the ground end that is more likely to hold its position even if knocked, and as such a bit more stability. The fact that they give you variable height as well would make them more friendly for pitching.

It may be worth asking silvermans what the weight on these are and it is also worth noting that the price foor the SASS ones are for the pair whereas the Silvermans ones are individually.

 

[Jamie]

RVOps also do them - http://www.rvops.co.uk/docs/Products2.asp?ProductID=955

 

[Longstrider]

Why not simply pop into your local fishing tackle shop and take a lok at the range of extendable "bank-sticks" they sell? Used by anglers as rod rests and the like they are light, extendable and relatively cheap. The tops of bank-sticks normally come fitted with a female 3/8 BSF thread as this is the standard fitting for fishing related bits and bobs (rod rest heads, keep-nets etc). A trip to a good iron mongers will turn up a few 3/8 BSF bolts to fit, and then you can make these into (or fit them onto) any number of things that might be handy on the end of an extendable stick, including a pin to fit neatly into the eyelet on your basha.
I once made an extendable branch lopper by using a landing net handle. It was light (tubular graphite, very similar to carbon fibre) and therefore easier to use than most of the shop bought equivalents. Just remember the correct thread size unless you want to take the bank stick along with you to get the right bolts.

 

[Batfink]

I've used the SASS ones, and they are quality. Because I've got them, I've never looked for anything else - however, I'm now tempted to reconsider and get the extendable ones.

The SASS ones do tend to jump out of the ground with the slightest knock if the ground is too firm to get a decent purchase.

 

[Beer Monster]

I have the ones from Silvermans (which I actually bought from RVOps ........ postage is included in their price ) and they are fantastic. As previously mentioned they are adjustable so you can put your tarp up or down depending on the situation. However, they are very bulky which make their storage whilst on the move quite awkward. I'll try and take a photo so you can see what I mean. Having said that I woldn't go anywere without them .

 

[Ahjno]

Cheers guys :You_Rock_

Reading all the replies, it was easy to note that the Silvermans pole is most popular.
You've got a point - they are best, 'cause they're extendable and therefor more friendly to pitch them. I like the groundspike idea, gives it just a bit more stability.

Leon, I'll contact Silvermans for the weight thingie - and add it the first post in this thread as an edit. Could become handy for someone else in future.

Beer Monster, that piccie would be much appricated!! The pole is 50cm when collapsed ... I think it'll just fit in a side pouch of my Sabre 60-100.

Longstrider, thanks for the tip mate! Went to my local fishing tackle shop, and they had some rod stands - but they worked out at the same price as the basha poles. And in that case I prefer rather a purpose made product, instead of improvising.

 

[AlexRowan]

For years I've used two tent poles. They are from an old dome tent in which the rectangular fly sheet door can be put up with these poles to create a sort of an awning, if you get what I mean?

They are three sections each (could get away with two sections) of about 12 inches so fit easily into a daysack. They are very light (aluminium) and they have the little spike at the top to put through eyelets. The bottom had a little cap on but I took it off and it acts like a cookie cutter now, so that it can easily be pushed into the ground a few inches to help stablise it.

Quite a lenghty description just for some basha poles but if you've got them lying about then you just as well use them, rather than buy some more. They really do work and I've used them many many times.

 

[Ahjno]

I just received an extendable basha pole from e-bay: cheap as chips!!
It's the same as Silvermans does. Price 9.74 GBP (5.99 GBP "Buy Now" + 3.75 GBP p&p to the Netherlands - cheaper in the UK), came very wel packed (took me 5 minutes to unwrap it )

7 poles left at the moment and less than 3 days to go:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8744914646
So if you're looking for one, here you go!

And a quick exoneration: I'm not involved in this whatsoever, only being a happy customer

 

[bikething]

Well spotted Ahjno!

just ordered 2

cheers
Steve

 

[retrohiker]

Keeping to the mantra of maximizing the number of uses for any given object that one has to haul around the backcountry, I personally would try to avoid a purpose built pole for a basha setup. If you don't think you'll be able to find a stick to use as a pole, I've always just used my adjustable hiking pole when I carry it. Lightweight, works just as well as a single use pole for propping up the end of a basha and works a whole lot better while hiking.