what useless kit have you bought?
- Thread starter philipb
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Come along to the amazing Summer Moot (21st July - 2nd August), a festival of bushcrafting and camping in a beautiful woodland PLEASE CLICK HERE for more information.
I have one from the same line, but never had any issues with it (have the 2L version one). Just close it up like any ziploc bag and slide the plastic over? Never had a leak.
A BSA Scorpion air pistol. Had it for less than a week before trading against a FWB air rifle in 177. Never looked back or purchased another pistol until I had the money and Licence to acquire a Grizzly Win Mag auto.
K
K
Bought Osprey's own water bladder that is shaped to fit in the Tempest rucksack. The screw on cap is tremendously picky on how its threaded, resulting in it leaking and soaking your whole bag most times. I still just use water bottles.
"Waterproof" Boots on sale for £60. Not waterproof, and less sturdy than slippers. 2 trips and binned.
"Waterproof" Boots on sale for £60. Not waterproof, and less sturdy than slippers. 2 trips and binned.
Maya dust - useless!
Cheap walking poles - bent first time out
Pair of Hi Tech walking boots - lasted about 10 miles!
Cheap walking poles - bent first time out
Pair of Hi Tech walking boots - lasted about 10 miles!
My useless kit has always been stuff that I have received as gifts- usually from well meaning friends and family who were trying to get me something that they thought was appropriate to my outdoor interests.
In no particular order:
- toy carabiners that couldn't stand up to anything stronger than harsh language
- Leki trekking poles that were too short, flimsy and fiddly to use.
- outdoor kitchen accessories like mini expresso makers, spice racks etc.
- off the shelf survival kits that were just stocked with cheap filler
- first aid kits of the same inferior caliber
- knife sharpening systems that were too complicated and gimmicky
- cheap headlamps that quit after their first use
- cheap quality folding knives and multi-tools
Since I purchase my kit with my own hard earned money, I tend to follow the maxim of "Buy quality and only cry once".
Notice that I didn't necessarily say expensive- I own multiple Mora knives because to me they epitomize excellent value at a bargain price.
My friends and family have learned the hard way how particular my outdoor gear choices are, and now the smart ones just get me outdoor retail gift certificates instead.
Geo
In no particular order:
- toy carabiners that couldn't stand up to anything stronger than harsh language
- Leki trekking poles that were too short, flimsy and fiddly to use.
- outdoor kitchen accessories like mini expresso makers, spice racks etc.
- off the shelf survival kits that were just stocked with cheap filler
- first aid kits of the same inferior caliber
- knife sharpening systems that were too complicated and gimmicky
- cheap headlamps that quit after their first use
- cheap quality folding knives and multi-tools
Since I purchase my kit with my own hard earned money, I tend to follow the maxim of "Buy quality and only cry once".
Notice that I didn't necessarily say expensive- I own multiple Mora knives because to me they epitomize excellent value at a bargain price.
My friends and family have learned the hard way how particular my outdoor gear choices are, and now the smart ones just get me outdoor retail gift certificates instead.
Geo
My magnizium block with fire steel on it, I bought this out of curiosity
The idea is great but I have always use my fero rod or flint and steel
The idea is great but I have always use my fero rod or flint and steel
forestwalker
Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
One of those "chainsaw chain pocket saws". The one good thing about it is that you get a good workout trying to cut anything with it.
I bought one of those as well, many years ago, thinking it was a good idea. Now it hardly ever gets taken out. If the wood is too big for my folding saw then I will come back another day with a bowsaw in my rucksack.
I did lend it to a friend who was taking out some hazel in her garden, some of which was growing close to a wall, with very little clearance to work a regular saw, and in this respect the pocket chainsaw performed admirably.
Some folk like them, and I got told off a while back for saying how rubbish they are, but yes, couldn't cut polystyrene.
I must admit, my pocket chainsaw has never been used in anger!!
Sent from my hidey hole using Tapatalk... sssh!
Sent from my hidey hole using Tapatalk... sssh!
A "survival tin", something's not too bad, but had a mini fake Buck 110 knife that was as sharp as Bruce Forsyth's jokes! Must has spent hours as a kid trying to get that cheap stainless steel thing sharp - inexperience of youth! Oh well.
Made me laugh this thread as funny thing is that a lot of people's posts above seem to mention a lot of things that straight away make me think of Sports Direct, like cheap walking poles, cheap Hi-Tec boots that sole will separate from boot just looking at them, etc.
Made me laugh this thread as funny thing is that a lot of people's posts above seem to mention a lot of things that straight away make me think of Sports Direct, like cheap walking poles, cheap Hi-Tec boots that sole will separate from boot just looking at them, etc.
I have to confess that I have one of those too. I think I have used it once and I was not imoressed, these days common sense prevails, if I can't cut it with the saw on my SAK then it is a job for an axe.
I'm a huge fan of grimlocks but only really for attaching things to a plate carrier, so not really typical bushcraft use. I used four on the back to attach a camelback and one on the left shoulder to attach a rifle sling. Their advantage is that they release under a load of 50 or so kilos so you don't get hung up on gear if it catches when descending. They are handy for clipping gloves quickly too.
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