New to Bushcraft: Packing advice?

[Dark1704]

Hello!

As some of you may have seen, I've only very recently made an account here to pick up some tips on bushcraft and camping. I'm totally new to it, and I'm trying to put together a kit that doesn't cost me an arm and both legs, and one I can take outdoors for a maximum of maybe 3 nights, but frankly, I've no idea where to start!

A lot of it may come down to peoples preferences, (I see some like to be prepared for all eventualities, where others like to take the minimum and be more practical) but I'm looking for advice on a pack I can take without horribly overloading myself with things I don't need.

I have a few things:
- Water purification tablets.
- Wire, string and thread (with fishing hooks, safety pins and sewing needles)
- Fire steel
- Around 20m of 550 Paracord
- Signal Mirror
- Compass

Pretty basic stuff, but it's a start!

One thing I'd prefer is sleeping in a hammock rather than on the ground, but other than that I'm open to all possible combinations.

Also, hatchet or machete? I guess both have their uses, but I'd rather not have to take both!

I guess my main question is, what do you take with you for a three night stay in the great outdoors?

Thanks a lot for any replies, and sorry for how outrageously ignorant I have been or will be, but please try to be kind!
"He who asks a question is a fool for five minutes; he who doesn't remains a fool forever", and all that!

Jake

 

[Lister]

Check out this thread for gear: http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=60498

And this thread on how to pack it all: http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=71456

 

[Dark1704]

Nice one, thank you so much!

 

[bopdude]

I suppose a big question is where / what are you going to ? 1704 ? trekkie ?

 

[Will_]

Since I can't sleep tonight, here's what I'd take...
Boots, socks, trousers, belt, T shirt, smock, Knife (Condor Bushlore is working well for me), pouch (phone, keys, wallet, bic lighter x 2, steel water bottle, water purification tablets, firesteel)
Then in a 65L rucksack... (For a pack, I would recomend looking on ebay for lowe alpine, macpac etc and reading reviews of whatever models you see going for a good price)
Warm top, hat, base layer
Poncho, string & pegs x 4
Sleeping bag & roll mat
Mess tins, spoon, food
Map & compass
2L platypus
Toilet roll, knife sharpener (DC4), spare lighter, torch & spare battery, spare boot laces, hypothermia blanket
First aid kit (FFD, bandages, dressings, antiseptic wipes & cream, zinc oxide tape, painkillers, tweezers, scissors)
Spare socks x 2, spare boxers x 2, swim shorts, spare T shirt
Wash kit (toothpaste, toothbrush, soap)
Maybe an axe if I thought I'd get the chance to use it. (I've got a Hultafors Agdor large trekking axe) You might be better off weight wise with a folding saw (Bacho Laplander or something)
Put everything in a couple of heavy duty bin liners and I think I'd be happy to go just about anywhere

 

[Dark1704]

I knew there'd be a major missed detail.

I'm in Harrogate, England. Pretty central with reasonable weather. Not too warm nor too cold. Plenty of wooded areas I like to go to, not necessarily trekkie, I'd like to stay in one place for a while until I scan set up camp quickly, or at least know how long it'll take!

Thanks

 

[Will_]

Check out this thread for gear: http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=60498

And this thread on how to pack it all: http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=71456

Nice thread!

 

[Dark1704]

That bushlore looks good! As does the axe, for that matter, good price too! I've been looking for a good fixed blade for a while for this purpose. I was looking at this, but £50's pretty expensive for my price range!
http://www.heinnie.com/product.asp?P_ID=1160

I was looking at a 30L Karrimore Sabre. Do you find there's much space left in your pack after that?

In terms of food, what would you take?

Thanks so much! I wasn't expecting much, that's truly, really helpful!

 

[bopdude]

Put everything in a couple of heavy duty bin liners and I think I'd be happy to go just about anywhere

:You_Rock_

 

[Lister]

Dark1704, I'd look at the 45 instead as it gives you the flexibility to add more space via removable sidepockets. Is better to have too much space rather than not enough.

 

[Will_]

That bushlore looks good! As does the axe, for that matter, good price too! I've been looking for a good fixed blade for a while for this purpose. I was looking at this, but £50's pretty expensive for my price range!
http://www.heinnie.com/product.asp?P_ID=1160

I was looking at a 30L Karrimore Sabre. Do you find there's much space left in your pack after that?

In terms of food, what would you take?

Thanks so much! I wasn't expecting much, that's truly, really helpful!

Your welcome bud. Here's a review on the 30L Karrimor Sabre: http://www.naturalbushcraft.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?3018-Karrimor-SF-Sabre-30-Review
I haven't read it but the guys at naturalbushcraft are very good. I'd want quite a bit more space in my pack personally for extra kit, food and a bottle of port (stuff the weight issues when it comes to your favourite tipple)

Food... I'd love to say beef jerky etc but normally I'm too poor, so it's generally a bag of oats, milk powder & sugar, a bag of rice & some meat & seasoning. If I can I take something I've shot (air rifle) like a rabbit... Tie it to the back of my pack... Impractical... Probably not hygienic... but man does it look good & feel right when you’re hitting the wilds for a few days!

The knife looks awesome mate. I wouldn't go much more than 4 inches on the blade though as I find smaller work (game prep, feather sticks) a bit tricky with a larger blade. If I was on a budget, I'd consider the Hultafors heavy duty knife. It doesn't look the part, but it is an amazing knife. Knives above all are a serious personal preference thing so don't spend too much on someone else's recommendation unless you've used similar things yourself... Sites like this and britishblades are a goldmine for good reviews and opinions...

 

[maddave]

That bushlore looks good! As does the axe, for that matter, good price too! I've been looking for a good fixed blade for a while for this purpose. I was looking at this, but £50's pretty expensive for my price range!
http://www.heinnie.com/product.asp?P_ID=1160

Go for a Mora or Hultafors for a knife mate. About a tenner or less and will do all bushcrafting tasks admirably

http://www.ffx.co.uk/tools/product/Hvk Craftmans Knife Hvk 7317843800111 380010

http://www.springfields.co.uk/index.php/catalog/product/view/id/1816/s/mora-511-carbon-steel-knife/

 

[Dark1704]

I looked a some Mora's just before reading this!

Thinking about the Companion(£12)/Heavy Duty Companion(£16)

Any experience with that one in particular? Reviews look good, but also slightly skeptical considering the 3/4 tang, making it that little bit weaker.

http://www.heinnie.com/product.asp?P_ID=7173&strPageHistory=related

Thanks for the reply!

 

[rik_uk3]

Buy a Mora, basic model and use a tent until you are happy outdoors and worry about the extra expense of a hammock later.

 

[spandit]

If you break a Mora then you're abusing it - you'd need to put a huge amount of force in. You're only going for 3 days so even if it does break/get lost you can bang out easily.

If you have no kit, hammocks start from £15, an old sleeping bag can be modded into an underquilt and a tarp for on top is about £30. Not too dear

Sounds fun anyway, make sure you tell us all about it!

 

[Nice65]

I looked a some Mora's just before reading this!

Thinking about the Companion(£12)/Heavy Duty Companion(£16)

Any experience with that one in particular? Reviews look good, but also slightly skeptical considering the 3/4 tang, making it that little bit weaker.

http://www.heinnie.com/product.asp?P_ID=7173&strPageHistory=related

Thanks for the reply!

Ray Mears site is doing 2 Mora Robusts for £20 + £3.50 p&p

You won't break them, and the slightly thicker blade lends itself to bushcraft applications. If you need it to strike a firesteel then it's good carbon steel and should throw a spark well, but you might need to grind a flat patch on the spine as they're a little bit too smooth.

 

[Andy BB]

Rucksack? See this http://api.viglink.com/api/click?format=go&key=51d261b50d316965d7a59a5b1f6c02f9&loc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bushcraftuk.com%2Fforum%2Fshowthread.php%3Ft%3D104520%26highlight%3DLowe%2BAlpine&v=1&libid=1362475108776&out=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thexmod.com%2Fitem_detail.asp%3Fid%3D11722%26image%3D1&ref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bushcraftuk.com%2Fforum%2Fsearch.php%3Fsearchid%3D5698708&title=Lowe%20Alpine%20Salient%20-%20Deal%2 0of%20the%20century.&txt=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thexmod.com%2Fitem_detail.asp%3Fid%3D11722%26amp%3Bimage%3D1&jsonp=vglnk_jsonp_13624751183852


Lowe Alpine Salient. These are as good as you'll get, and certainly nothing will come close to it on that advertised price. See also a very good review of it on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkT2Rfggq5k

For sleeping bags, old favourite of many on here is the British Army Arctic bag - not light, but warm and very well priced. I'd second tghe suggestion of the special offer by Uncle Ray on the two Mora Robusts - with a 3.2mm width blade they are sturdier than the normal Moras, but still handle beautifully! Worried about the tang when battoning? Use it to make a wedge, and use that instead! (Although I've done a fair bit of battoning with the Mora Robust with no problems.)

As far as cooking gear goes, I'd suggest a Swedish Army Trangia set - Aluminium - no need to pay extra for the S/S one. Very versatile, and for around at tenner you get an alcohol stove, windshield (which can also be used as a woodburner stove), good-sized pan which can also be used as a hanging billy over a campfire, a lid which doubles up as a frying pan a cup, and in conjunction with the pan as an oven.

 

[rg598]

Here is my three season camping and bushcraft gear: http://woodtrekker.blogspot.com/2013/02/my-three-season-camping-and-bushcraft.html It not very trendy in terms of bushcraft, but it works great for me.

 

[Dark1704]

Awesome. Mora it is!

Could a Groundsheet be used instead of a tarp? I assume the groundsheet is heavier, but i've found one that's 6ft x 8ft and it's £5.

Nice65 - Thank you! I don't think saying no to that offer is an option! I have my knife for the trip, and many more besides, it seems!

AndyBB - Again, thank you! I'd have no idea where to find any of this stuff, and certainly not for such a low price! The second I get paid I'm ordering that rucksack!

rg598 - If it gets the job done, I'm none too fussed about 'trendy' either! I'd totally forgotten about folding saws, so that cuts down the need for an axe! Those Altiods tins seem to be an awesome way to pack things, too.

Thank you all, so much! I was truly expecting a lot of impatient and dismissive replies, as I've gotten them plenty of times on other forums. This is by far the friendliest of environments to learn in, and I really appreciate all of your help. Thanks!

 

[Andy BB]

Re the Swedish Army Trangia sets - try here. Its where I've got all mine!

http://www.militarymart.co.uk/index.php?_a=product&product_id=2322