Ive always wanted to do this and have been looking at the savotta tents over a tipi.
https://www.survivalsupplies.com.au/savotta-fdf-10-jsp-tent-set-140022136
The problem with a tipi is no one imports the one I like and I’m not sure if its UV rated for Australian conditions. I also prefer the colour of the Savotta over a tan tipi.
I did a course on this with Paul Kirkly some years ago but while I have time at the moment , I wanted to brush up on my skills now I’m in an area with more introduced species.
Identify trees by their bark
Conifers
Leaf, Bark and Fruit
Common British
Winter
Autumn
Spring
From a distance
By buds alternate
Opposing
Cheat Sheet
Free Online Course
https://woodland-classroom.teachable.com/p/kickstart-your-tree-id-skills
https://www.uwsp.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/leaf-winter-tree-id-key.pdf
I purchased one of these not knowing exactly how to fit it into my gear. Then decided to use it as a every day carry item in a backpack in case I had to boil water instead of filtering. It never occurred to me to use it in conjunction with a Grayl. I am now looking for the Wildfare version with a larger base. My original came from the Aussie Storm Shop and have contacted them to see if they are available.
Alternatives ?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SADvQGqjZy0
Use with a Grayl
Hacks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtlFrgXl0eE
Coghlans Mug (I think this is the right size)
I like the hobo tin stove idea. Im now looking for a tin to suit.
Maybe use something like this across the top
https://www.survivalsupplies.com.au/firebox-scout-accelerator-cross-bars-shbb2
Third Locking Position
Also known as a coyote well or gypsy well. Do they work.
Had a little splurge and purchased some titanium cookware from Alton Goods. Ill be testing these out over the next few months. I haven’t owned much titanium in the past preferring stainless steel.
I was mainly interested in a new plate and bowl and got lost in the website. The tongs Im not to sure of the tip is very narrow but Ill find out how they perform cooking a steak. The alcohol burner looked much larger in the site pictures also. Initial impressions . It may require a small wind shield.
Ive been looking at several twig stoves on the market. All I knew was I wanted one with a large hole in the front for feeding fuel.
The plate and bowl Ill be comparing to other brands upcoming I like having things for a while and testing them before doing a complete write up. The billy pot I really wanted as the aluminum pot I use for cooking in van I wanted to upgrade to another material.
I went over some old clips of using fatwood and figured out what I was doing wrong. I was taking shavings using the edge of the blade and trying to ignite. Firstly you have to take scrapings using the 90 degree spine. I thought this deserved a post of its own to point out the basics.
I saw this project on youtube and wanted to give it a go. I called around to local antique dealers and found one cleaning out his back shed and was throwing out a lot of old steel for scrap. He offered me some old files for free so I grabbed as many as I could for a mate that’s into making knives out of them. We used his workshop to cut the file and found it it wouldn’t spark until the sides were smoothed. We polished it up a little and applied gun blue to stop it rusting, leaving enough of the file edges in for looks. It was cut to fit an Altoids tin in length. I didn’t bother drilling a hole in the end for a lanyard.
On the off chance I searched for fat wood in Australia and it came up at my local hardware store. It wouldn’t light by itself using a ferro rod. A cotton ball had to be used for the initial ignition and then it went off and burnt for almost 4 minutes. I still have to try using a scandi grind to see if the shavings are finer. Id also like to split the kindling into smaller pieces to place in my fire lighting tin or have a pre-shaved hand full in a small bag.
Ive finally started using more Altoids tins rather than tobacco tins to reduce weight and to try and have more intent towards my kits and carry only what is necessary and nothing else.
I don’t remember where I saw this, I believe it was a custom knife maker on youtube who was making custom flint and steel kits. He wrapped the the char cloth in another piece of calico. This prevents the pieces of flint and the steel from breaking apart the char and also stops everything from rattling, making noise. The two extra pieces are also there to make extra char cloth.
I must have redesigned this fire lighting pouch several times now. In an attempt to get it to the stage of being the most practical for the way I use it. I still swap items in and out depending on what Id like to practice for the day in terms of flint and steel or man made tinder’s. The core elements remain the same. I don’t like having items in my pockets. If I’m going to carry a SAK Id also place this on my belt in another pouch.
ITEMS:
Princeton tec Headlamp
2 types of cordage. The 30 feet of number 36 bankline is disposable line the other 2 meters of lawn mower starter cord is for utilizing in a firebow. (better grip, than paracord.)
Bearing blocks for firebow
Exotac Candle
Fallkniven DC4 Sharpener
Trekker Butane lighter. Id rather one of these to a BIC, however I always have a BIC in my pocket.
In the Altoids tin:
Sewing needle
Wazzoo fire card
Fresnel lens
magnesium rod
bees wax firestarters
Uberleben tinder wick
Im amazed I could fit many of the items in an Altoids tin. The char cloth is for the Fresnel lens. I came to the conclusion I only needed the minimal amount of man made tinders for emergencies. I prefer using natural tinders. I still have to dig out a ranger band to place around the tin, the only disadvantage of not using a tobacco tin.
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