Ventile clothing

[richtheclimber]

Just to get completely off the OP, what would you recommend as a first bushcraft knife? I hear about the Frost's Mora all the time. I've got one which I've recently started to use, and I have to say I'm very impressed so far. I'm thinking particularly for my kids who are 9, 7 and 5? Would the handle be too big and therefore dangerous, or is it an ideal starter knife also for kids?

Once again, your collective wisdom is gratefully received.

Rich

 

[British Red]

Opinel No. 8 for the young ones - cheap, useful and the folding equivalent of the Mora

 

[jimford]

I suppose you've abandoned the wheel too?

Yeahbut - there's wheels and wheels. There's the Fred Flintstone slice-off-the-end-of-a-log wheel (Ventile), and the hi-tec F1 racing car one (Gortex)!
;^)

Jim

 

[jimford]

Thimble sized!

Gosh - that's small enough to fit up your jacksie!
;^)

Jim

 

[Noddy]

:yikes: But in the top pocket of my ruck is just fine thanks

 

[gregorach]

Yeahbut - there's wheels and wheels. There's the Fred Flintstone slice-off-the-end-of-a-log wheel (Ventile), and the hi-tec F1 racing car one (Gortex)!
;^)

Jim

If you're going to assume that newer is always better, I have to point out that Goretex is practically ancient by now, and has been superseded by several more modern fabrics.

 

[BorderReiver]

Yeahbut - there's wheels and wheels. There's the Fred Flintstone slice-off-the-end-of-a-log wheel (Ventile), and the hi-tec F1 racing car one (Gortex)!
;^)

Jim

Ventile was developed during WWII and is still in use in the Forces, Fire and Rescue services, NHS operating theatres etc. Hardly stone age technology. Mind you, obsidian scalpels are sharper than steel and are used regularly in operations; the wound made by glass heals quicker than that made by 440C as well.

 

[jimford]

Ventile was developed during WWII and is still in use in the Forces

Pre WW1. I understand that Robert Falcon Scott wore Ventile on his ill fated expedition.

NHS operating theatres etc.

I didn't know it rains a lot in operating theatres!

Jim

 

[bigmul]

Nobody tried using eVent then?

 

[Nagual]

Pre WW1. I understand that Robert Falcon Scott wore Ventile on his ill fated expedition.



I didn't know it rains a lot in operating theatres!

Jim

Not according to Ventiles own website..

The History of

The long pedigree of the fabric goes back as far as the late 1930's. With war looming, the British government thought that there would be a shortage of flax that was used in those days for fire hoses and water buckets. An alternative was required and research was commenced into the use of cottons, woven in such a way as to keep water in ! And it worked.

The requirements for research though changed during World War II. Britain depended upon convoys carrying vital supplies, but our Russian convoys across the Arctic Ocean were particularly susceptible to attack from submarines and long - range bombers. Home based RAF fighter escort cover was impossible because of distance.

So, Winston Churchill promoted the concept of catapulting expendable Hurricane aircraft from the decks of merchant ships to provide local cover. There was no means of landing back on the deck. The pilot had the choice of ditching the aircraft or bailing out into the sea. There was no problem in spotting the pilots who had signals and lights, but the water was so cold that life expectancy was only a few minutes. Most died from exposure.

There was an urgent need for a new, protective clothing fabric that would be comfortable in the cockpit under combat conditions and that would also keep a pilot warm and dry in the sea.

After many trials, the scientists at the Shirley Institute in Manchester U.K. developed the fabric called 'Ventile'. When made into finished garments, life expectancy in the sea was extended from a few minutes to 20 minutes and rescue was now a real possibility. 80% of anti-submarine pilots who fell into the sea now survived.

Ventile® fabrics for RAF clothing went into mass production in 1943 and the military association still remains today. Garment designs have changed over the years but you will still find Ventile® suits in modern Tornado jets with the RAF and other NATO airforces.

Amazing, who would have thought that a fabric could do more than just keep water out..

Hospital wear:

• Ventile® is in use in a number of countries for surgical gowns. Such is the density of weave that aerial dispersal of skin bacteria is considerably reduced. This helps with maintaining a sterile environment whilst allowing staff to work in a comfortable gown. The fabric is suitable for laundries and autoclaves.

 

[Nonsuch]

Being very comfortable out and about in on-off rain with shelter available = Ventile
Out for a high-exertion hill-walk/backpacking in the rain = Paramo
Standing outside all day in the rain = Goretex !

All very good.
Nonsuch

 

[Noddy]

Pretty much nails it, Nonsuch

add standing around in a gale of snow - Norrona Arktis

Beign very comfortable out and about in on-off rain with shelter available = Ventile
Out for a high-exertion hill-walk/backpacking in the rain = Paramo
Standing outside all day in the rain = Goretex !

All very good.
Nonsuch

 

[Wayland]

Ventile = Quiet, comfortable but only water resistant and stiffens up when wet.

Synthetics = Sounds like a crisp packet, clammy but definitely waterproof.

For me Ventile works best as a shell over wool. Any slight dampness that penetrates the shell will be no bother to the wool layer.

 

[andybysea]

[QUOTE

For me Ventile works best as a shell over wool. Any slight dampness that penetrates the shell will be no bother to the wool layer.[/QUOTE]

That's pretty much sums up its original design to, as a immersion suit in the 30's it would have gone over Wool serge battle dress.

 

[rik_uk3]

I think IIRC Scott used material made by Burberry for his smocks and tents.

 

[andybysea]

Scott's clothing and tents where wool,and cotton Gaberdine,according to the BBC prog Race to the pole, i had a chance to look at some of his kit whilst in Dundee in the Museum,and on the Discovery. They still use the hood design in the Arctic windproof smock. Rik your right about Burberry making it,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabardine

 

[British Red]

The tent was green Willesden canvas.

He also wore Merino wool (which I'msure Jim will also dislike given it pre-dates ventile by a long time).

Never mind Jim, never let lack of personal experience of the fabric, or indeed the facts, get in the way of an opinion

Red