Before I started writing I read many articles from an author known only as Schwert on the outdoors-magazine.com website which has now come to pass. It was because of the influence of this author that I started to write. Below is the only article I can now find from him and I wanted to share it.
Nessmuk and his Tools
https://blackbooksdotpub.files.wordpress.com/2021/05/nessmuk-and-his-tools.pdf
Just a couple of more knots and applications to add to the 25 basic knot course. Mainly to do with tying eyelets and fixing torn tarp corners. handy to know for emergency’s.
Three months before my ID courses lots to try and learn.
Spore Print Colour ;
White – Amanita, Cantharellus, Hydnum, Lactarius, Macroleiota, Mycena, omphalotus, Oudemansilla, Russula
Green – Chlorophyllummolybdites
Pinkish Brown – Entoloma, Lepista
Chocolate Brown – Agaricus
Rust brown – Cortinarius, Gymnopilus
Cinnamon Brown – Austropaxillus, Chalciporus, Cortinarius, Suillus
Olive Brown – Boletus
Purplish Brown – Hypholoma Psilocybe
Black – Coprinellus, Coprinopsis, Coprinus, Leratiomyces, Panaeolus, Parasola
Odours ;
Phenolic (Agaricus xanthodermus) carbolic, Iodine like disinfectant
Farinaceous – floury or mealy (Agrocybe praecox, Clitopilus prunulus, some Inocbe, some Tricholoma)
Foetid – foul or rancid (Amanita, Cortinarius peroetens, various Russula and especially Stinkhorns
Fragrant – perfumy fruity (Craterellus cornucopiodes, Lepista nuda)
Spermatic – like semen (some Inocybe note all are toxic
Fishy – (some Russula)
Like Anise – (some Agaricus)
Like bitter Almond – (some Some Agaricus not palatable)
Like Bleach or Chlorine – (some Mycena)
like cucumber – (Mycena epipterygia)
Raphanoid or Raddish like – (Mycena vinacea, Volvopluteus gloiocephalus)
Like Raw Potatos – (some Amanita)
Like Formic Acid – squashed ants (some Amanita)
Like fenugreek or curry powder – (Cortinarius austroalbidus, Piptoporus australiensis)
Like garlic – (some mycena, sometimes Marasmius oreades)
Like Artichoke – (Cyptotrama asprata)
Like bubblegum or boiled sweets- (Entoloma aromaticum, some russula)
Like rotting cabbage – (Marasmiellus affixus)
Like Burnt Grass – (Gliophorus graminicolor)
Like apricots – (some Cantharellus)
like Rotting flesh – (Stinkhorns such as Aseroe rubra, Clathrus archeri)
Like Sour Milk – (Ileodictyon)
like Faeces – (Colus hirudinosus)
from Wild Mushrooming A Guide for Foragers
https://www.agpath.com.au/wp/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Permiculture-Baw-Baw-March-1st-2012.pdf
I was reading a book by Jeff Motes “Once Upon an Apocalypse” book 2 and started carrying this system of gear everyday and haven’t looked back. Belt Mounted 1) a cutting tool 2) a way to have light 3) a way to write and 4) a way to create fire. Anything more than this goes in a shoulder bag.
In my pocket I always have a small Bic Lighter and a Benchmade Griptillian when not able to carry gear on my belt.
“Everyday Carry, or EDC, generally refers to small items or gadgets worn, carried, or made available in pockets, pouches, or bags on a daily basis to manage common tasks or for use in unexpected situations or emergencies. In a broader sense, it can be a lifestyle, discipline, or philosophy of preparedness”.
An EDC kit isnt meant to be a Survival Kit or a Bug Out Bag. It consists of the basic items, to have on hand in helping you respond to situations, that could arise at a moments notice and not have to be reliant on always having a full kit available. Your more likely to carry lightweight, easy to grab gear and leave heavier items and large bags behind during the normal course of the day.
Considerations:
Remember multi tasking gear
limited Space
Limited Weight
Potential uses of tools
How to carry items; key rings, Carabiners, belt, Bum Bags, Maxpedition Pouches, Shoulder Bags-Jack Sacks
Your Particular needs. How dangerous is your locality or how far do you travel.
Remove anything with no real purpose
Practice to find multiple uses for items
Keep revising equipment
Selection of equipment; Signalling, Defense, Fire Starting, Lighting, Tools, First Aid, Survival, Cordage, Navigation
Always have an EDC and preferably an IFAK.
The Tops Hog 4.5 one of my all time favorite knives this stays in my GHB. Im never far from it. Just fits the hand and so user friendly. Ill try and do a review in the next few weeks.
Tarps I own. Ill start largest, smallest then what I use the most. My larger tarps are DD hammock tarps in 3×3 and 4×4 Id alo like a 5×5 these are in olive but Id like to get some in coyote if they do another run in that colour. These fold up the the biggest of the ones i have and have been gradually redefined into my shelter box in the back on the 4×4 to set up as cooking, toilet, sanitation stations.
The smallest I have is the Snugpak and this also folds up the smallest in diameter and is kept in my GHB for no other reason but for the minimal weight. The military hootchie stays in my hunting gear which is the only time I use multicam now. Nice heavy duty material this has lasted me 8 years. Great piece of kit.I may buy another and stich them together to have a larger size, I just find the size better for me. The one I own I believe is slightly smaller than the model in the links.
The tarp I am currently testing out is by Alton Goods in a 3×3 m size. It folds up smaller than the DDs and has more tie off points and i will be using thsi during my level 2 training and will post a review after more use. So far the only thing I dont like about the Alton is the big bright white logo on one corner. I purchased it to hide in the bush not stand out. The colour suits the bush here nicely.
My level 1 course i used my hootchie and it was not large enough. I had it tied high and the pegs I used were light weight titanium. They lasted one day and I made timber pegs. The wind picked up and not only pulled the pegs out but bent several and tangled the hootchie cord. I later changed to 3mm paracord which doesnt tangle as easily and prefer to make my own pegs after setting up using heavier alloy pegs now.
There was another student that had the DD 3×3 and that was set high but tied to the ground. He could sit up in it and also no wind blew underneath. That thing never moved. The first thing I did when I got home was order a 3×3.
I also have an oilskin tarp made by Remote Projects but I havent used it enough to do a review but worth checking out. Im trying to go more and more traditional how ever weight is also a consideration.
Ive had to borrow some pictures. My breathing /asthma has been playing up and Ive just come off being dosed up with antibiotics and steroids. When the posts are short and Im not using my own pictures then it usually means my health is playing up.
sizing
Snugpak Stasha 244×163 cm 96″x64″
Hootchie 276×176 cm
https://www.wildearth.com.au/buy/dd-tarp-4×4-olive-green/DD-97170
https://www.survivalsuppliesaustralia.com.au/Snugpak-Stasha-G2-Shelter-OD?b7=z1
A mate asked me which ponchos I would recommend and I haven’t found many lately that Ive really liked. They seem to be made of lighter and lighter nylon material. The ones I own are from left a multicam model I imported from the US many years ago that I can no longer find and still remains my favorite in a ripstop. A valhalla Tactical model I use for light weight trekking in my GHB, a Hazard 4 that Ive just noticed have come out with a liner version and an old Australian army ozcam made in material and not nylon which has lasted me 20 years from The kit Bag. I just never liked ozcam.
The Hazard 4 would have to be the best on the current market but expensive. Ive hardly worn this one due to be too hot where I used to live.
I have actually contacted Platatac and suggested a poncho made from the same material as their bivi bags which I think would really suit the Australian climate.
How could I not show off this face.
I have a Platatac Mesh Organizer I use for spare clothing and also as a pillow That Ill be taking on the level 2 bushcraft course. Inside I have a spare jocks and merino socks, Ice Breaker thermals, Shemagh, Buff, Merino beanie, 2 extra sets of gloves -full finger merinos and a finger less possum blend, along with carrying mechanix gloves for harder work, an insulated pillow That I blow up halfway, spare shoe laces and a second bandanna for wiping out pots or filtering water.
https://platatac.com/catalogue/caps/platatac-special-projects-multicam-beanie.html
https://platatac.com/catalogue/bags/platatac-sb-packable-organiser-mesh.html
Almost finished just need some longer straps made up. Have a Snugpak TS1 Liner inside a Snugpak Special Forces 2 bag, inside a Platatac Burrow Bivi bag. rolled up with a ground sheet and Sea to Summit mat. Im waiting to put in the second special forces 1 bag to see how the weather is going. I figure I can take a Helikon Tex Swagman roll and line the bag with that as well if the temperature drops.
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