Non expensive kit

[Ed]

At the risk of sounding controversial, I find it interesting that for some, cheap kit is associated with ‘starter’ kit. Anyone else notice that?

Yes, I've noticed that, and its a great misconception. I admit I do have alot of gucci kit, but I've either got it for free (internal review purposes) or second hand trade.... and most of it I dont even use. Anything I actualy have to spend money on I go for the pound shop/charity shop/ ebay /bargin bins etc option.


Ed

 

[rik_uk3]

At the risk of sounding controversial, I find it interesting that for some, cheap kit is associated with ‘starter’ kit. Anyone else notice that?

But if you say cheap kit people don't join in the thread Starter kit sounds nicer

Its also needed advise for our new (and older) campers. I'm all for saving a few bob where I can

 

[TallMikeM]

At the risk of sounding controversial, I find it interesting that for some, cheap kit is associated with ‘starter’ kit. Anyone else notice that?

Yeah, I saw that as well. For the last year I've spent pretty much everyday working outdoors (well, up until 3 months ago when I had to go down to 1 day a week cos of college) in all weathers in gear that either came from charity shops or is regarded as starter gear. Not once have I felt cold or uncomfortable, it's not how much you spend but how wisely you buy that counts.

 

[Twodogs]

I have used loads of kit over the years and a lot of it is personal taste ,
Being a fat knacker I run hot so loads of thin layers work best for me you cant beat a long sleve T shirt , cheap flecce , and a windproof jacket combo .
Norwegian shirts dont work well in wet conditions but well in cold dry .
Twodogs

 

[sapper1]

I wonder if there is a line where one side there is cheap kit that is adequate and on the other there is cheap kit thats rubbish?
This forum is an ideal resource for those just starting out,you can ask a question about a piece of kit and get some sensible answers.On the flip side you can also be told that a certain piece of kit is the only one that will do the job and anything else is rubbish.It must be a bit daunting for a new starter to differentiate which is which.
I have found that of every piece of kit available world wide there is a member here who has had experience of it and is willing to pass on that experience,but you still have to decide who is biased for or against a certain item eg, gerber shovels in a recent thread.
some of my kit is gucci and some is home made,it all gets treated with the same respect and gets the same use.
When I can afford it I will buy the very best kit I can afford,but only if it does what I want how I want.
My kit is bought to be used not admired(well admired aswell as used).One thing that makes me smile is when it starts to rain how many people rush to get their kit into the dry,if you buy outdoor gear surely a bit of rain won't hurt it.I don't decry people who buy the best of everything ,each to his own,but I do get a bit annoyed when someone asks about what kit they should get and are then told that they MUST have this or that kit and nothing else will do.
As I say each to his own but let new starters have a fair and unbiased reply,by all means if you are impressed with a bit of kit then tell everyone,but don't just run down everything else.Remember some people can't afford some of the prices that are bandied about these days.

 

[TallMikeM]

I would say that it's a case of knowing what to spend money on. For example, I have to wear steelie boots for work, and the ones bought for me were cheapo ones. They aren't that water resistent, nor are they warm. However, I wear good socks (generally hirsch socks), so that counteracts the cheap boots. Likewise, I only wear cheapo, charity shop fleeces, but underneath I wear good quality merino baselayers. My wetproof is either a cheap synthetic one or a cheap wax cotton, both do the job adequately, but both are essentially disposable if they get trashed (which happens a lot when your scrub bashing etc).

 

[John Fenna]

Given my method of earning a crust, I will wear the best gear that (oher peoples) money can buy.
If I have to part with money for any gear I will look for bargains every time - darn it - I am half Scots and have lived near Cardigan for 30 years, so I am programmed/hard wired for ecconomy!
Add to that the fact I have lived under or just above the (UK) "poverty line" for 30 years - I just aint got money to burn!
I have however decided to try and wear more "natural fibres" as they seem to suit my lifestyle better - and they then to come more expensive and harder to find (in some respects) than synthetics!

 

[ZDP-189]

Rik, I had no idea you looked so young. And who's the old geezer holding you up?

 

[TallMikeM]

I actually have a wardrobe full (well, not full but...) of woolen jumpers of various weights bought from charity shops. Have never paid more than a fiver for any one of them. The only problem with wool is getting it washed, it takes for ever to dry out. And I seem to spend my entire working time getting covered in filth, mud, chainsaw chippings or deer blood. However, if I'm confident I won't get covered head to toe in filth then wool beats fleece hands down everytime.

 

[tommy the cat]

Yep I like to have a look for cheaper kit. Got my motorbike gear from Aldi as well as merino bottoms for $15 which is cheap for merino.
Got a poundland bottle cheap carrabiner.... oh and those italian wool tops for Endicotts $7.99 or something I wear mine loads.
D
Yes wool can be a bit of a pain too wash but hey you dont have to wash it as much!!

 

[Wayland]

At the risk of sounding controversial, I find it interesting that for some, cheap kit is associated with ‘starter’ kit. Anyone else notice that?

Yes there is a kind of snobbery that we are all a little prone to I guess.

I've got some expensive kit but also plenty of cheap stuff.

What it comes down to is value for me. If it's something I'm going to use a lot and quality really does matter, I save up and buy the best I can afford, same with my camera gear as well. If something lasts five times as long as something that's half the price then that's good value in my book.

However, some of the best gear I have has been cobbled together, home made, scrounged and recycled.

In the end we will all find the kit that suits our way of doing things. The trick is not to waste money doing it and asking around on forums like this and BCL are a good way to make sure you don't make too many mistakes.

 

[Shewie]

Good thread Richard, it`s been a long time coming

Don`t forget the £8 trousers in Asda, 100% cotton

 

[Wilderbeast]

Yes there is a kind of snobbery that we are all a little prone to I guess.

I've got some expensive kit but also plenty of cheap stuff.

What it comes down to is value for me. If it's something I'm going to use a lot and quality really does matter, I save up and buy the best I can afford, same with my camera gear as well. If something lasts five times as long as something that's half the price then that's good value in my book.

However, some of the best gear I have has been cobbled together, home made, scrounged and recycled.

In the end we will all find the kit that suits our way of doing things. The trick is not to waste money doing it and asking around on forums like this and BCL are a good way to make sure you don't make too many mistakes.

totally agree,

however I think the reason cheap kit is regarded as starter kit is because it makes us feel abit better about using it. I just brought a hatchet for a fiver because it's my first axe and at that price if I screw it up doing something then I can learn from my mistakes for little cost, wheras if'd brought a granny B wildlife hatchet i'd be more cautious about what I did with it and learning progress could be slower.

I've had my view converted though......I used to think my clipper was a starter knife, and o.k it's not the best knife in the world but after 2 years i'm no-where near REALLY pushing it to the limits of it's ability........plus nearly all the woodcraft school instructors use one's they've had for years.......if it's good enough for those experts, it's more than good enough for me

I'd like to point out though that i'm not bothered about people buying exspensive kit at all, as far as i'm concerned we can advise our friends but if they really want to buy something then it's their money and they can spend it on what they like.....worth remembering I feel!

thats my 2p's worth

 

[MartinK9]

totally agree,

however I think the reason cheap kit is regarded as starter kit is because it makes us feel abit better about using it. I just brought a hatchet for a fiver because it's my first axe and at that price if I screw it up doing something then I can learn from my mistakes for little cost, wheras if'd brought a granny B wildlife hatchet i'd be more cautious about what I did with it and learning progress could be slower.

I've had my view converted though......I used to think my clipper was a starter knife, and o.k it's not the best knife in the world but after 2 years i'm no-where near REALLY pushing it to the limits of it's ability........plus nearly all the woodcraft school instructors use one's they've had for years.......if it's good enough for those experts, it's more than good enough for me

I'd like to point out though that i'm not bothered about people buying exspensive kit at all, as far as i'm concerned we can advise our friends but if they really want to buy something then it's their money and they can spend it on what they like.....worth remembering I feel!

thats my 2p's worth

2p ? - That's expensive

 

[Jared]

At the risk of sounding controversial, I find it interesting that for some, cheap kit is associated with ‘starter’ kit. Anyone else notice that?

Think its more to do with the fact your more like to damage it when your starting maybe.

The starter kit is just to get you out there, doing stuff, and working out if the kit works for you. Replacing bits that don't work so well, a heavier/lighter/shorter/longer axe etc

 

[durulz]

Just been flicking through the Screwfix Direct catalogue (as you do) and saw a £8.99 hickory handled hatchet, and bow saw blades for £2.49.

 

[Fin]

I love those trench lighters, are they clean to use i.e. dont leak fuel etc ?
Are they also easy to use? by this i mean not too fiddly for every day use?

Yup! The fuel is sealed in so you don't get the burn patch on your thigh from an overfilled Zippo (this, I believe, increases it's fuel efficiency - leave a full Zippo for any length of time and it'll empty itself through evaporation in short order).

The opening/ closing mechanism is more complex than Zippo's but easy enough once you get the hang of it and find the technique that suits you. I can't comment on long term durability because I've not long had it but everything is solid brass (unlike the Zippo hinges which always wear out first).

Back to the thread and the use of "starter" for "cheap". I took this thread to be for kit that works and happens not to cost the Earth. Cheap, of course, is a relative word and I think the word "starter" can lead to false economy. I alluded to this in another thread on axes in that someone buys a "starter" axe, gets frustrated with it and goes for something like a GB where his axe work is transformed - he'd have saved money if he/ she had gone for the GB in the first place. I said "cheap" is relative because high end axes are a lot cheaper in comparison to high end knives, for example, where I wouldn't give the same advice - especially when you have the excellent Clipper on the market.

I see the mods have taken the excellent decision to make this a sticky. Rik's opener ably demonstrated that you can be comfortable in inclement conditions - and take your precious wee-un out (almost ready for his first stove there Rik!) without leaping to high end Arctic gear.

I spend a lot on certain items of kit (being of limited talent in the manufacturing stakes I take pride of ownership in quality, hand crafted items) but my future posts on this thread will include items that I use regularly and that I regard as value for money.

Oh, and I endorse the British Army arctic socks - I've never found better or cheaper.

 

[rik_uk3]

I see the mods have taken the excellent decision to make this a sticky. Rik's opener ably demonstrated that you can be comfortable in inclement conditions - and take your precious wee-un out (almost ready for his first stove there Rik!) without leaping to high end Arctic gear.

Oh, and I endorse the British Army arctic socks - I've never found better or cheaper.

Already got his first stove boxed and waiting for him

 

[Wilderbeast]

Already got his first stove boxed and waiting for him

must be very proud rik! soon you'll have someone to build your shelter for you!! Out of intrest what will his first stove be??

 

[rik_uk3]

must be very proud rik! soon you'll have someone to build your shelter for you!! Out of intrest what will his first stove be??

Svea 123, original, IMHO one of the best small liquid fuel stoves ever made and a design classic

With a SIGG Tourest cookset you have a fantastic winter stove and pan set
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSWuvevaMWE