I’m having bushcraft withdrawal symptoms and have been trying to get my gear in order for my next trip. I wanted something to keep my pots in however I had to purchase the large model in order to fit the 2 lt bush pot. The only place where I have found waxed canvas purposely made for the 2 litre, the 3.5 litre bush pots and a skillet are at Camp Craft Outdoors.
This is part of my attempt at becoming minimalist. Only one plate knife fork and spoon.
The Firebox premium Small Cowboy Plate is hard anodized inside and out so you get the cooking performance of aluminum’s excellent heat conducting properties yet your food is in contact with a highly conductive scratch resistant ceramic layer, which tolerates very high temperatures and has the perfect micro structure to accept a seasoning. Use with a Pan Lifter so you can use your cowboy plate as a second fry pan.
A couple of new ferro rods arrived from Survival Supplies Australia. A 5×1/2 inch Dragons Breath which I wanted to replace my smaller rods. The larger versions are much easier to use. Id like to attach a piece of deer horn onto the end for a better grip. Out of all the ferro rods I have owned this one is probably the best that I have tested. A Wazoo Necklace also came in the package in the black bushcraft version with a leather necklace. I misplaced my old one that had a magnet in the necklace cord which I think finally gave up the ghost and fell off. I wore that every where.
Ive been trying to figure out the sink system for the new van build. Its one thing I don’t like is drilling holes for water flow outs in floors and having to get paperwork signed off for 240 volt electrical and LPG gas fittings. I thought the easiest way to design the sink is to use Jerry cans underneath the sink and pressurize them to the tap and have the run off to another colored can. Filtering the system was also a consideration. Many of the caravan RV styles of filters don’t last very long and require repeated replacing of the filter element. The Sawyer simply screws onto the tap and can be back flushed like the smaller counterparts. I can just attach it when I require drinking water.
Ive been re-reading Camping and Woodcraft by Horace Kephart. Choosing a Kephart? There are several on the market from Condor, ESSE, PKS, Kabar and Bark River. Each also having differences in steels, lengths and grinds.
I think out of all of the brands available. If I could get my hands on the Bark River 3V that would be my number one pick. Its a 5 month wait on a ML knives hand made version being my second favorite. However since the 3V is still in production I’m thinking of getting a kit in the Enzo Brisa in Curly Maple to put it together myself. I like the 80CrV2 steel and it will give me a project to do. I have placed a pre-order for a Bark River. Ive been looking for a Bark River Nessmuk for some time and didn’t want to miss out on another limited run. The BK62 interests me, however I’d have to place a 90 degree spine on it, swap out the walnut grips to micarta and maybe shorten the blade.
Lots of new activity along the pathway. Some are established burrows while others are lays, freshly dug. I tried contacting several departments to find out if there are any wildlife surveys in the area to volunteer. I was greeted with the same answer every time.”I dunno”.
People walk this track every day and never notice all the wombat activity, at-least a few rabbits digs and I suspect a fox.
I always forget to do before pictures of vehicle builds. So far to pass the roadworthy, Ive had to change the sump plug, weld the K-Frame, replace tire rod ends and front rotors.
Ive removed the safety cage at the front to allow moving between the seats and the rearwood paneling will get painted. bed will come to the front of the wheel archesstandard looking LWB Sprinter
