What's going to be the latest 'Must Have' bit of Ray Mears' kit?

[dogwood]

Sadly blanket production has ceased at Witney in 2002

http://www.witneyblanketstory.org.uk/wbp.asp

What a loss! 400 or 500 years of tradition -- and amazing blankets -- gone.

This depresses me.... I didn't realize they had stopped.

but because of the decline in use of blankets you can pick up absolute minters from charity shops for next to nowt.

Wow, the prices you mention are amazing. I think anyone on this forum who isn't hitting the charity shops looking for Witney blankets is making a mistake.

I know the next time I'm in the UK I'll make a point of it.

By the way Tom, you can find a ton of the green and black striped Early's in Canada, I gather they were really popular there. Great blankets...

Thanks for the info Tom!

 

[tombear]

Hi Dogwood
since I visit the charity shops near where I work alot I'll try and pick up all the Whitneys as I can (there was non this last week but its pot luck) that are as new for trade goods. I should have done it before.

Since I can't resist boasting how cheap things are I won't be asking for much in swaps for them, if any turn up. Now I have said this it almost guarantees I never see another fit to aquire!

I'm a bit of a cheapskate so so far haven't picked up any that were more than a fiver.

Anyroad If any turn up I will post in the relevant section.

Off to turn the slightly used yellow one into a blanket shirt, will inflict pics on folks when its done.

ATB

Tom

 

[RAPPLEBY2000]

I heard somewhere long ago, that Orange crepe' paper could be used, it would work fine as long as it's dry, though the second it rains the stuff disolves!

as for the what should we buy?

How's about that green (I'm assuming Ventile) coat that always seemed to be 5 times too big and long for him, you know the one with shopping bag size pockets

I can't see the "Waay tooo big" fashion doing well.

 

[Tiley]

as for the what should we buy?

How's about that green (I'm assuming Ventile) coat that always seemed to be 5 times too big and long for him, you know the one with shopping bag size pockets

I can't see the "Waay tooo big" fashion doing well.

Well, the generous sizing does seem to suit his increasingly generous frame! A little birdie told me that the garment in question, which also doubles as a marquee, was custom-made for the great man by a friend of his. Who made it and what it's made of could spark a whole new thread...

 

[RAPPLEBY2000]

Well, the generous sizing does seem to suit his increasingly generous frame! A little birdie told me that the garment in question, which also doubles as a marquee, was custom-made for the great man by a friend of his. Who made it and what it's made of could spark a whole new thread...

Oh...no!
(I need a smiley that's woefully sighing and shaking it's head )

 

[Klenchblaize]

NO more jokes about Ray's size here PLEASE! The "Grand Correction" has begun!

Cheers

 

[rik_uk3]

Leave out Ray's size please, its not only rude, but tiresome.

 

[Chopper]

NO more jokes about Ray's size here PLEASE! The "Grand Correction" has begun!

Cheers

Leave out Ray's size please, its not only rude, but tiresome.

Hear hear, well said!!!!

Why get sooooooooooooooo personal.

 

[mart]

Snow shoes or carribou fur undies. Mmm toasty nacks.

 

[RAPPLEBY2000]

I wasn't saying he was big, I was saying his jacket was too big!

 

[Tiley]

Mea culpa. Apologies for the comment on the great man's size. Please consider it withdrawn.

 

[redandshane]

Oh come on ! its a great TV series, I personally really like the balance between history and skills ;but he is getting a wee bit lardy I particularly enjoyed him running in snowshoes because he could

 

[John Fenna]

Compared to many on this site (myself included!) RM is positively skinny!

 

[Matt.S]

Compared to many on this site (myself included!) RM is positively skinny!

Quite right! I think a lot of Mears-size-related comments are an issue of pot vs. kettle considering the average girth of the membership of this forum. (Mind, I'm a positive hunter-gatherer racing snake so my opinion is either irrelevant or just very objective...)

Could we please have a few less "Ray Mears is a fatty, LOLz" comments?

 

[bushscout1]

Getting back on topic, I've only just had a chance to watch last week's episode of Northern Wilderness on iplayer (the one about David Thompson - Koo Koo Sint).

I just wondered whether anyone recognised the shoulder bag Ray was using, he can be seen carrying it at various stages throughout the programme, but it is quite clearly seen during a close up of him walking along a ridge (around 2.5 - 3 minutes in). He can also be seen with it around 8 - 12 minutes in during a sequence when he lights fire with a flint & steel and then is climbing over some fallen trees in the forest.

 

[Rabbitsmacker]

hi, i saw the side pack he was using and he also used it wild food. if i'm correct its an Australian army butt pack from their webbing sets, almost identical to the US ALICE equipment option. like the dutch if they see a good idea they pinch it and usually make a good job of development.
they use a mixture of PLCE and ALICE fittings and materials. it can have a shoulder strap added as Mears has done. at either end is a webbing attachement that he clips the water bottle pouch to via ALICE clips. the bag is finished in AUSCAM 'jelly bean' camo which re-enforces my suspicions as to what it is. very well made stuff and a good side pack option.

 

[John Fenna]

A suit and tie plus hairgel and a comb!

 

[DFCA]

Having just watched a couple of episodes again on me sky+ (and watched a few episodes of Rays older stuff, it has to be a proper crooked knife!

(Not that I might have just purchased me a blade some moments ago!)

Just need to practice NOT cutting me fingers off with it now I guess!!!

All the best
Dave

 

[Amon81]

Well I'd have to say the SFA would be a big one.

Not that I got one of the awls and large crooked knife blade off his site.

I also got A Journey to the Northern Ocean: Samuel Hearne after I went to see him in A Journey with Ray Mears, only about 60 pages in, good reading so far.

 

[treefrog]

....and then there's Rays cap. Looked to me like a Seeland Kvigtind cap.