Swanddri ranger or bison bushcraft shirt?

[johnboe522]

After a wool shirt that looks smartish for bushcraft and school demos these seem the best out there what would your choice be?

If you know of another feel free to let me know.

 

[Tiley]

Bison Bushcraft shirt every time. I have a Swanddri but I dislike the flappy collar, the rather thin wool and the ludicrous zip (which doesn't stay done up). The Bison shirts, of which I have two, have a much better Mandarin collar and use buttons that are far more serviceable (and stay done up). Add to that the fact that the wool used in the Bison is thicker and so a little more wind resistant AND that it's a very well-made British product and you have every reason to try one. I suppose ideally, I'd like hand warmer pockets - something neither of the shirts has - so I might try and modify one of mine a bit or find someone who might be able to help with that little challenge...!

As ever, I'm not in the pay of Bison B'craft, just a very satisfied customer.

 

[steve a]

Having had both I would go for the Bison shirt every time, all for the above reasons.
Again just a satisfied customer

 

[Chris the Cat]

I have both, and am glad to have both.
If I had to choose one it would be the Bison.

C.

 

[woof]

I agree with the above comments, with the Bison being a better made product. However, i like to wear them as a shirt over a "T", & to get the right fit in the body, on the Bison i found that i could'nt fasten the cuffs nor the top button, or roll up the sleeves.

I removed the collar on the swannie making it in to the same style as the Bison.

Rob

 

[sandbender]

The Bison, hands down.

I have both although the ranger doesn't get much use and will probably find its way to the for sale section here sometime before Christmas.

Sizing is probably important though but Bison will refund you if it is returned promptly in the same condition it arrived in.

 

[Barn Owl]

Don't know if they still do them but i have a swanddri skipper shirt, much better design than the ranger imo

 

[andybysea]

having got both id defo sway towards the bison but a hybrid of the two would be nice, full button front,collar,wider cuffs, bison material and two chest pockets.

 

[sandbender]

having got both id defo sway towards the bison but a hybrid of the two would be nice, full button front,collar,wider cuffs, bison material and two chest pockets.

I think Bison do one now.

Just checked, the forester shirt.

 

[andybysea]

almost no collar though, thats my least fav bit re garding my bison shirt lack of collar.

 

[parlanaich]

Hi there

If anyone has a Bison/Swannie (NZ) shirt for sale would you kindly give me a shout, needs to be in good nick size 42/44 chest.

Cheers
Parlanaich

 

[Shewie]

I'm going to rock the boat and say I actually prefer my Ranger to the Bison I once had, I owned them both at the same time and it was the Bison that went the way of the classifieds.
Without a doubt the Bison fabric is much better/warmer/thicker than the modern Swannnies, I did find it a little more itchy but it was definitely warmer. It's the discontinued Ranger Extreme I have so the extra layer adds to the warmth and wind protection, equally as well as the Bison. I much prefer the collar on the Swannies over the granddad style and the flap closure on the chest pockets works a lot better too. I dropped a Fenix torch out of one of the chest pockets on my Bison and I didn't realise for ages, if it'd been dark I would have been pretty gutted.

The biggest downer I found was the arm cuffs on the Bison, I have skinny lady wrists yet I found them really tight and uncomfortable. If I had kept it I would've had to sort the cuffs out somehow.

 

[sandbender]

A lot of folks don't get on with that Bison 'grandpa' collar, however I prefer it as I find it much comfier when I'm wearing something atop the shirt (such as my Swannie Bush Shirt), ditto for the pocket flaps, they'd just be uncomfortable with a big wooly jumper or the bush short worn on top.

Thats my thrupence worth anyway.

 

[Chiseller]

I'm a ranger fan .....an may be in the market for another shortly

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4

 

[Kilbith]

After a wool shirt that looks smartish for bushcraft and school demos these seem the best out there what would your choice be?

If you know of another feel free to let me know.

Swanndri ranger are nice but not very wind or rain resistant you need a shell, I have not advice on Bison (but very good review here)

I would have a look to Woolrich, it is sometimes possible to find one heavy wool shirt "buffalo plaid" second hand. This is nice and not expansive in thrift store. They need also a shell. You could also have a look to pendleton, they are 100% wool and more wind resistant than woolrich. I prefer model with snaps, It is easier to open.

IMHO the traditionnal american "jack shirt" with a heavy wool and an independant double layer yoke on shoulder (Johnson or Bemidji woolen mills, LLbean, or Filson) are very nice. They are more wind and rain resistant than same weight of wool without this feature (double yoke on shoulder).

 

[presterjohn]

I did a lot of research before chickening out and not spending the money on one of these. I was going to get the Bison in the end as that had the best overall feedback. I still may get one but after several disappointments with online shopping having such unfathomable sizing I would need to try one on in person first before taking the plunge.

 

[ADz-1983]

I opted for the Swanndri Ranger, ordered yesterday. Think its the most expensive "shirt" I have ever purchased