Whats in My Bushcraft Kit: Water Containers

As I set here making a cup of tea on my coffee table with some of my bushcraft kit (Crusader Cook System and a cotton ball) and a bottle off rubbing alcohol, because my microwave died. Three things occur to me.  One my girlfriend is probably thinking, "Great, just what he needs even less technology".  Two I am not missing the microwave.  Three that every bushcraft kit and comprehensive survival kit needs a vessel to carry water and a container to boil it to make it safe to drink. 

The container should be 32 ounces (a quart or liter), or as close to it as possible to make it compatible with chemical purification methods, which are calibrated for 32 ounces, should you not be able or allowed to have a fire.  Good choices are canteen and canteen (metal) cup style combinations, or all metal water bottles like Klean Kanteen which can be put directly in the fire.  Just make sure the metal bottle is thick walled and the weld holding the bottom on is strong or the metal bottle does not have a weld.  A good example of a canteen is a mil-surplus canteen and metal canteen cup, or the Nalgene water bottle with GSI Glacier Cup with the water bottle nests in.

Klean Kanteen

Nalgene Bottle Nesting in GSI Glacier Cup

Heavy Cover Boil Cover

I use the The BCB Crusader Cook Set  See the pictures above.  It consists of the pattern 58 water bottle with drinking cup, a metal canteen cup, and a stove.  The stove can burn wood, fuel tables, and green gel.  If I use a cotton ball as a wick I can use rubbing alcohol, drinking alcohol over 100 proof, and dry gas (alcohol).  The canteen cup can be put directly on a fire without the stove.  I bought the stainless steel metal cup (cooker) instead of the nonstick one  I thought it would hold up to high heat better.  I painted the outside with Rustoleum High Heat Paint.  I would like to get a metal lid (boil cover for the metal cup from Heavy Cover.  The one that comes with it is plastic and I am afraid it would melt.  This would keep fire debris out of you water as well as reduce boil times.  They also make a lid for the current style of U.S. canteen cup, which I would like to get for Sean whom loves military gear.

I have also used the GSI Glacier Cup and Nalgene Bottle combo and love it as an inexpensive alternative.  I think everyone should own a GSI Glacier Cup for every water bottle they own.  The GSI Glacier Cups are a $12 investment, are light, and because they nestle take up very little room.  The cup and bottle are a twenty dollar investment to get started in bushcraft,  I would love to hear what you use or like in the comments section.  Until next time keep your knives sharp and your powder dry.

Bushcraft Kit for Maine Spring, Fall, and Winter

In Maine we have four seasons we call them mud season, tourist season, deer season, and snow season.  I have heard they roughly equate to the rest of America's spring, summer, fall, and winter.  My current bushcraft kit is configured for the colder months of the year.  In Maine the winters can be pretty brutal. Many nights it is zero before the windchill.  You have to get out of the wind and stay warm.  A bushcraft kit should be adequate for indefinite survival or having enough gear for a fun trip into the woods.   You can think of a bushcraft kit as extreme minimalist camping.  I am rebuilding my bushcraft kit after my previous one was stolen during home invasion.  I want to share the evolution of gear as I rebuild it with you.

This is what is currently in my pack before I adjust it for warmer months.  I will go into greater detail on each item in my kit later, explaining more about each item in later entries.

This is the backpack I keep the kit in. The kit fills all the side and top pouches. The large center portion is empty with room to hold food and clothes.  The rolled up wool blanket is part of the kit.  I believe this is a must have item in the Maine woods in the cold seasons.  This was a great bag that L.L.Bean stopped making around ten years ago.  I paid $49 for this bag and it is still kicking.

My primary cutting tool is an Enzo Tracker knife and I love it.   O1 high carbon steel with a scandi grind.  My secondary cutting tool is a Bahco Laplander saw, which is the benchmark that all other folding survival saws are measured.  It is high quality and only cost around $25.

I use the BCB Crusader Cook System and Patten 58 Water bottle.  My secondary container is the ubiquitous nalgene water bottle in blaze orange.  The BCB kit has a stove and metal canteen cup for boiling water and plastic cup for drinking out of.

I have my First Aid Kits I & II and my Cordage Kits in a used Crystal Light container sealed with electricians tape.  These containers can be used for extra water containers.  The First Aid Kits hold gauze, pads, band aids, tape, and field dressings.  The Cordage Kit is wrapped in dollar store high visibility nylon twine and inside is the dreaded jute twine, paracord, electricians tape, and duct tape with roll flattened.


I also have a Shelter Kit containing two tarps from Walmart, they were about $10 each, and are made of a blue grommeted windbreaker material.  The Fire Kit contains an assortment of lighters matches and tinder contained in my Crystal Light containers.  The kit also contains a good ferrocerium rod that costs about $10.

My Food Procurement Kit consists of three yoyo automatic fishing reels and three wire snares.  I also have some snare wire (dollar store picture hanging wire) in my Miscellaneous Supplies.  In my Miscellaneous Supplies I also have a bandana, duct tape, MRE beverage bags, Chapstick, a needle, and thread.

Around my neck I carry a my compass on a length of papacord is is a Silva compass that I have had for 22 years.  I also carry a multi-tool the Gerber Suspension.    I also have additional gear I pack from time to time, like hiking binoculars for Colleen, and a Brew Kit for me.   I would love to hear comments on what people think I am missing and should have.  This Bushcraft Kit is an evolving thing and I would love feedback.

Until next time keep your knives sharp and your powder dry.