I'm considering a bushcraft series too

The winter is here, though. The roofs are covered by frost all around the celtic capital in every morning now. Time to review my own gears, do a season rotation in my backpack to prepare for winter bushcraft. As I've been selecting clothes and equipments to swap them for a cold weather ones, I've realized that there are things I lack. More precisely, my life would be easier with them in the woods. For example a 100% wool blanket (swedish officer's blanket or an NVA blanket), a pair of toasty, robust wool pants and so on. I've been using US BDU, dutch army sleeping mat and british sleeping bag for such an adventures in wilderness. I know, things mentioned above might sound a little bit old-fashioned, but don't forget: wool is one of the best, if not the best, insulator. Even when it's wet. So, I was surfin on the net for a while and seen loadsa heart-warming, vintage, army stuff and some beautiful handcrafted things as well. I have to admit that I always evaluated the good, old things more than hyper-modern gizmos. Those old crafted products have soul, smell good, call up many memories from our childhood and you can feel the 'sweat n blood' of the wise craftman who made 'em. It does not mean that I'm not glad that we have 1000D Cordura, PALS webbing and military plastic hardwares now. These things are lighter, stronger and more versatile than old waxed canvas, leather and metal buckles. BUT! Remember, all the modern things come from some older, well-developed pattern. Just have a look at the PALS webbing. It's the same method how mankind have been waving baskets or wicker walls. Thus the term 'old' does not necessarily mean 'bad' or 'wrong'. In my opinion old things mean thousands of years of progressing, developing, usage and therefore it's equivalent trustiness, durability and well-tested in my dictionary. I bet you, there are thousands of people out there, who think on the same way about these objects. That's why I'm considering to widen my range with a bushcraft series, when I got a real beast industrial sewing machine. I do bushcraft too and I know that outdoor series are not always fit completely to a bushcrafter's needs. Sometimes they are just to 'shiny' or 'cute-looking' or too thin or kitschy. That's why lots of bushcrafters go for a vintage army stuff. They are kind of old-fashioned guys...on a good way. They don't need this nowadays business glare. They like the good old John Wayne's style 'sleepin in the desert on my wool blanket with my head laid on a saddle' kind a lifestyle. All they need is durability and reliablility. Nutin fancy...and I can truly understand you guys. I'm one of you. Therefore I've decided to do some research on those old school equipments in the upcoming winter. I do belive there are loadsa great techniques to learn about such gear making and it's gonna be fun and an enjoyable challenge to interiorize our grandpa's disappearing knowledge, what I respect so much. This decision means to find sources of quality materials, more tools, studying all the new materials and what kind of techniques they demand to get the most out of them. After this journey to back in time, I hopefully can come up with something like this:

This is a Frost River pack from the States, what I don't want to copy it. I just willing to become one of the guys who has the skill to make a product which is at least this quality for those who love the traditional way of life and honor our forefathers' huge knowledge.

Good bye Pfaff 332

I've sold my old little fella on this week. The Pfaff 332 is a well built, pure beauty from the 50's. This one was a fully refurbished instance by a german sewing machine technician. Thus he was immaculate. Unfortunatelly he wasn't strong enough for some specific works. Especially when the design structure exceeded 8 layers of 1000D Cordura. Now, it looks like I have to take a little break till I can get my hands on a stronger industrial sewing machine. Thank God my lil fella has been taken away by a very nice local woman. So, I'm sure he's in good hands now. Good bye my good old friend. You will be missed... :(

Sneak Peek: workin' on a new design of Bahco Laplander pouch

Everybody likes sneak peeks. That's why I've decided to provide insights into my workshop. Lately, I've been working on a new design of my Bahco Laplander folding saw pouch. I've mentioned many times on other websites that Bahco Laplander is the best folding saw on the market. Fortunately Bahco doesn't make a factory pouch for this great lil fella. So, the chance is ours to create some very cool and handy pouch for it.

Here are some pics of my old and new design of Bahco Laplander folding saw pouch side by side. Click on 'em!

I increased the grab loop on the front to facilitate operating in gloves, made the flap cut in a steeper angle to guide your hand better and taken away the Velcro loop from the front to preserv the concealment effect of MC. Plus I've cut a longer stripe of elastic and folded its ends between the Cordura fabrics. Thus gives a neater finish to the pouch. Fraying wasn't a problem on the older design either, because I'm using hot knife to melt cuttings.

 

Also increased the loop on the back strap and the box stitch too, replaced D-ring with Tri-Ring which prevents sidewise sliding, taken out one of the PRYM snap fasteners and sewn a 5" long Velcro stripe onto the back, this offers a wider belt compatibility and reduces movement.When I assembled the PRYM fastener I put a double folded piece of Cordura fabric beneath, as a washer to prevent tearing.

 I decreased the folded part with a half inch. It's not too much, but helps to get your tool easier or slide it in faster. Yet, keeps the saw stable. Hidden all stitches which is possible and used industrial fabric glue on the two layers of Cordura. It makes the pouch smoother looking and increases durability.

Color-matched hardwares for PenCott patterns

Well, PenCott camo family is quite new on the market. So new that they don't have their own camo webbing, binding tape or Velcro yet. In addition there is no exact color match notification for solid color accessories either. Unlike the USMC standard (MARPAT camo pattern requires Foliage Green 504 or Coyote 498 hardwares) or US Army is pairing Tan 499 (new Coyote Tan) with their MultiCam camouflage now. Therefore I thought I give you a quick overview what's on the market so far and look swell.

Hyde Definition recommend their Greenzone pattern for temperate climate. There are couple of attempts already, but based on facts, this camo still the best with olive drab accessories:

This good idea of color match came from Whiskey Two-Four.

Badlands camo offers more good choices. It works well with Foliage Green 504, thanks for the greenish-bluish-greyish details in the pattern:

 

The uniform is made by an italian company, called S.O.D. Gear .

It also works well with Coyote Brown (Tan 498) hardwares and soft goods, because of the dark brown areas in the pattern. But, it might be too dark or too much for certain terrains and light conditions sometimes:

This great pack is a Predator BDU product.

The best choice, in my opinion, is the old Coyote Tan. Thanks for its greenish shade and being not too strong/dark color it just works great with Badlands. Whiskey Two-Four also recognised that potential in CT and came up with this well built Plate Carrier:

Here is a ref pic from my stock what shows you how efficiently old CT can blend in with Badlands and minimizes fracture in camouflage:

I have to mention here that Badlands does its job well not only in arid environment, but temperate climate as well. Especially as a transitional camouflage in autumn or early spring. Check the gallery out for ref pic from Kit Up! And then finally the Sandstorm from Hyde Definition.

Sandstrom clearly aims units which operate in desert environment. For such surrondings the best solid color options are Tan 499, Khaki Criminal or Sand. The first two color codes are the officially recommended solid colors for Multicam now. Here is a sample pic on Military Morons' website what presents the LAP from Grey Ghost Gear:

Hope this little guide helps to chose the best solid color accessories for your mission! Be safe guys and bless ya all!

PenCott Badlands Cordura fabric has arrived!

I've recieved a nice, long, rounded package via An Post today. It's came from Hyde Definition, thanks for Lawrence and Rachel. The well wrapped treasure is 60" wide, 5 yard long Cordura sheet in PenCott Badlands camo pattern. So, guys new color option is in stock now...You can find more pics in Gallery how cool PenCott camo is on the field.

 Proudly made in U.S.A.

I like my new floor pattern ;)

Original...no doubt.