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NCO
08-25-2010, 09:37 AM
While fixing a knife I had an epiphany. I own an extremely high quality, one shoulder carried, backpack which I have been using as travel pack, when going on train and so on. I figured that with some mods it would make an excellent 3 day pack. When I slam my felt blanket in a plastic bag and hang it outside the backpack, or with a strap on my other shoulder, everything else I will need will go in there nicely.

Note that this is a late spring/summer/early autumn kit for leisure use. Not a BoB or anything like that.


This is the bag. Made by Savotta. Which basically manufactures all combat gear the FDF uses.
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ZLDsoqZPBAg/THURpI9hBaI/AAAAAAAAAVk/RB0hDlA2EJE/Kuva0174.jpg

Here we have my leisure firekit, a colt lighter, backed up with two full boxes of matches, which are wrapped in plastic, some natural tinder, A puukko (the one I restored) and a Leuku (the bigger thing), sharpening stone, map case(at the bottom), the blanket, fork, spoon and a knife, steel tripwire(can be used like paracord), a leather strap(for stuff) and a coffee pan(aluminium, doubles as a kettle. Also houses the fire making kit).
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ZLDsoqZPBAg/THURpikLEiI/AAAAAAAAAVw/-IZqOlgIT7c/Kuva0171.jpg

Here, represented food(naturally I will carry larger amounts), steel thermos, a light tarp, water bottle and a space blanket.
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ZLDsoqZPBAg/THURpdamj5I/AAAAAAAAAVo/eadUMwMqmLk/Kuva0173.jpg

On my person (pockets) I also carry a firesteel, first aid kit, can opener, paracord, little snack, water purification tabs, tabs for viper bites, canteen filled with water and extra tinder.

Remember that the time of year I intend to use this kit there is food literally everywhere and water is never an issue here, as long as you can at least boil it.

I have yet to weight the kit, but all in all, it will be pretty light.

What you think?

Pal334
08-25-2010, 12:25 PM
Looks like it fits you needs. A good example that an individuals area/climate etc, dictates what "stuff" is appropriate.

Winter
08-25-2010, 01:44 PM
I like it, it would work well here me thinks.

Rick
08-25-2010, 01:48 PM
The only things I don't see are some means of signaling, mirror or whistle, or a compass.

NCO
08-25-2010, 02:36 PM
For signaling, cellphone. You have reception everywhere except some remote places in Lapland, and I am 600km away from Lapland.

Compass, I have a country full of pine trees. you can tell north by looking at the bark color. Where the dark bark goes highest, theres north.

I was testing the set today. Went on some city wasteland and made some coffee. I noticed that my tarp was WAAAYYYYY too BIG. Didn't even care to open it up. I'll have to downsize it a bit. Maybe I just get one of those ponchos.

I have some pictures about my short test run(poor quality, I know, cellphone camera):

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ZLDsoqZPBAg/THVgrkiAFcI/AAAAAAAAAV4/1xNqJASJ6c4/Kuva0186.jpg http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ZLDsoqZPBAg/THVgrxSrDTI/AAAAAAAAAWA/Xdy_4cykHPk/Kuva0180.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ZLDsoqZPBAg/THVgsKSpGHI/AAAAAAAAAWI/7PIKFx_1TX4/Kuva0182.jpg http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ZLDsoqZPBAg/THVhA2hCYsI/AAAAAAAAAWc/nXcQH3p5Gm0/Kuva0187.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ZLDsoqZPBAg/THVhAm7i2UI/AAAAAAAAAWY/vBby6o2sBBM/Kuva0176.jpg http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ZLDsoqZPBAg/THVgr93gQ7I/AAAAAAAAAWE/Y7KgAvaf-I4/Kuva0177.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ZLDsoqZPBAg/THVhAgeCm0I/AAAAAAAAAWU/MEVKS5id9S0/Kuva0179.jpg http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ZLDsoqZPBAg/THVhAc3TD8I/AAAAAAAAAWQ/cyephPlb-RI/Kuva0184.jpg

This is how I left the place:

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ZLDsoqZPBAg/THVhA6s52HI/AAAAAAAAAWg/zv5Cs1sQxgo/Kuva0189.jpg

Winter
08-25-2010, 02:41 PM
Good to get out and about. Thanks for sharing.

NCO
08-25-2010, 03:01 PM
That was actually the first time I did the kettle holder like that. I usually just have one Y stick and a long stick...
Nevertheless that method was quick to do and worked like a charm. I really like the ability to adjust the heat by lowering or raising the kettle with the notches.
The only difficulty was that everything down there was damp, from ground to dead branches. Thank god for birch bark.

Living in a city I sometimes feel the strong urge to go in some bush where no-one can see me and just be there. This was a little bit about that too. I'm a country boy in the wrong place.

Winter
08-25-2010, 03:22 PM
I sometimes feel the strong urge to go in some bush where no-one can see me and just be there. .

I feel ya man.

Old GI
08-25-2010, 03:22 PM
That was actually the first time I did the kettle holder like that. I usually just have one Y stick and a long stick...
Nevertheless that method was quick to do and worked like a charm. I really like the ability to adjust the heat by lowering or raising the kettle with the notches.
The only difficulty was that everything down there was damp, from ground to dead branches. Thank god for birch bark.

Living in a city I sometimes feel the strong urge to go in some bush where no-one can see me and just be there. This was a little bit about that too. I'm a country boy in the wrong place.

Ahhh. The lament of the city dweller.:thumbup1:

NCO
08-25-2010, 03:30 PM
Ahhh. The lament of the city dweller.:thumbup1:

That's what you call it? We call it "being Finnish"...:smash:

crashdive123
08-25-2010, 03:45 PM
Nice pics. Thanks for letting us have a look.

NCO
08-25-2010, 03:51 PM
My pleasure. I've been enjoying the pics you guys have posted on for a long time without giving anything back, due to lack of a camera.
Now that I finally have something to take digital pictures with, even though crappy ones, I'll be posting a lot more stuff here.
I'm actually waiting to go to eastern Finland at the beginning of next week and will definitely get you guys some pics of real forest.
That bush on these pics is just city wasteland between two major roads. Just enough to go hiding...

Rick
08-25-2010, 04:02 PM
Looks like you have everything covered!! The pics were just fine. Gives a nice view of everything. Thanks for taking us along.

NCO
08-25-2010, 04:20 PM
I radically downsized the tarp I had. It was originally even bigger than I remembered. Something like 6m x 6m. The piece I cut out from it is about 230cm long and about 230cm wide. Perfect for a light shelter.

Beans
08-28-2010, 02:03 AM
I sometimes feel the strong urge to go in some bush where no-one can see me and just be there.

I now live in a rural area but when I living in the LAS Vegas Area I would take my jeep or motorcycle and just go out in the desert area and sit. My son grew up that way and he still enjoys it. Now he takes my grandson out to the desert with him.

I would look for desert sheep, Jack rabbits Etc. Enjoying what nature presents even a surprise summer rain. Storms no, light summer rain yes
I still do it in this area, however we have much more wildlife here. Last summer I counted 21 mule deer under a large shade tree. I watched until they started getting nervous then I drove off. I didn't want them to leave the shade. The same day in a different area i counted 14 wild turkeys in groups of 3-4.

Alaskan Survivalist
08-28-2010, 02:19 AM
Put it to the test! Rep sent. BTW it was the heroic story of the Finns in WW II that got me interested in the original Arctic Warfare type biathlon. I still do it weekly in winter months. Is that what you are doing in your avatar?

NCO
08-28-2010, 04:27 AM
I now live in a rural area but when I living in the LAS Vegas Area I would take my jeep or motorcycle and just go out in the desert area and sit. My son grew up that way and he still enjoys it. Now he takes my grandson out to the desert with him.

I would look for desert sheep, Jack rabbits Etc. Enjoying what nature presents even a surprise summer rain. Storms no, light summer rain yes
I still do it in this area, however we have much more wildlife here. Last summer I counted 21 mule deer under a large shade tree. I watched until they started getting nervous then I drove off. I didn't want them to leave the shade. The same day in a different area i counted 14 wild turkeys in groups of 3-4.

I would do the exactly same thing IF I had a car.
The thing is that I cannot afford to have one. I'm a college(well, equivalent anyway) student, so there is not much extra money laying around.

I have applied and got in a new school though, a vocational school(or a trade school). Learning to become a boat builder!
Good thing is that this new school is in a much smaller city so I will be a walking distance away of some really nice forests!:tongue_smilie:


Put it to the test! Rep sent. BTW it was the heroic story of the Finns in WW II that got me interested in the original Arctic Warfare type biathlon. I still do it weekly in winter months. Is that what you are doing in your avatar?

Test, I intend to.

About the avatar, No, that's just me in the Finnish Defense Forces doing a 40km ski march.
Basic stuff. That was actually one of the best marches ever.
The snow was good all the time so it was really light and fast to move.
I actually don't have a clue about the AW Biathlon! What it has in it?

EDIT: Ok, just googled the biathlon thing and yeah, I know that sport! Just not the english translation.. :D

Alaskan Survivalist
08-28-2010, 05:09 AM
The modern sport has evolved into something with no resemblance to the original sport that was actually military training. I started in the 60's and never had any interest in the modern sport but still do it the old way, just by myself without competition. My clothing is similar to yours.

http://i540.photobucket.com/albums/gg346/akmofo/IMG_0812.jpg

NCO
08-28-2010, 09:49 PM
I suppose those are not over whites?
And yeah, that old version is still part of our training, in it's own form.
First you ski with your squad and you all are pissed about it, then you get ambushed. You react, judge the force of the enemy, either kill them or pull back. If you can kill them you do that, evacuate the wounded and dead and keep on going, if you have to pull back you do a fighting retreat and loose the enemy by going fast and furious for a good 10km, set a mine on the tracks, do a loop and counter ambush the following enemy. Basic stuff that you could learn by reading a Finnish war novel...

Alaskan Survivalist
08-28-2010, 10:05 PM
Yes, over whites over army parka. I used GPS to make a 5 kilometer loop that circles back to a field for shooting. Ski 5 km and shoot 5 targets at 100 meter, ski loop again shoot at 150 meters, again at 200 meters and at 250 meters on the last loop. It's a hell of a workout for an old man.

your_comforting_company
08-28-2010, 10:10 PM
This is how I left the place:

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ZLDsoqZPBAg/THVhA6s52HI/AAAAAAAAAWg/zv5Cs1sQxgo/Kuva0189.jpg

I love that. Most excellent. Thank you

NCO
08-28-2010, 10:13 PM
Sounds like a good drill to do! :)

You could do variations of it too. ski 2km, shoot a doubletap at 25m(standing on skis), ski 3km two doubles at 50m(first standing, second kneeling, both with skis), ski 4km shoot 5 targets from 150m(prone, no skis) and ski 5km and shoot 5 targets from 300m(prone, no skis).

By the way, from which stance you shoot and do you have your skis on?

EDIT: Sorry Comfy(if I may) We were posting at the same time. Yeah, I prefer to leave the places tidy when I leave them. I did leave the kettle holder stick-set-thingy there, leaning on the fallen birch, if someone else want's to use it...

Alaskan Survivalist
08-28-2010, 10:27 PM
My favorite is kneeling with poles crossed for rest. I also shoot prone, standing and bring a foam pad to shoot sitting (I cheat). I use bindings that can be stepped into and released with the tip of my pole. Skis on kneeling, prone and standing.

NCO
08-28-2010, 10:43 PM
Are the bindings stiff, like in downhill skiing? Anyway, step-in style bindings feel a bit alien to me... This is the style I'm used to. Quickly on quickly off.
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e393/maalpuri/Varia/P3090550.jpg

Oh well. In combat situation, or BOB self defense situation, the last thing you want is to have your skis on while in a firefight. Sure, a quick double tap at target from short range with them on is absolutely sensible. But if you have to go prone and maybe start to maneuver to a better firing location, the skis will be a pain. If you are fired at, or are about to, fire back, get down, loose the skis, continue firing.

Alaskan Survivalist
08-28-2010, 11:18 PM
I use pilot bindings. They realease easily either standing with a pole pressing center button or lifting latch that can be done from any position.

http://i540.photobucket.com/albums/gg346/akmofo/IMG_0960.jpg

These bindings have a ridge that fits in the boot tread to stop side movement and the boots use two pins and the second is adjustable and spring loaded that allows the heel to rise but will keep it down locked in grove unless you are purposely lifting heel.

http://i540.photobucket.com/albums/gg346/akmofo/IMG_0816.jpg

I like them so much I use them on touring skis, Telemark skis and my downhill skis. I'm a little unorthodox in most things.

http://i540.photobucket.com/albums/gg346/akmofo/IMG_0959.jpg

NCO
08-28-2010, 11:29 PM
Oh those! Modern stuff... I was confused about what you said about doing it the old way! The "modern style" skis have their pros and cons. They are light and fast on pre-made tracks, but in real snow they are almost useless. We actually separate the two types all together. The modern ones are called just "skis" and the old style are called "crosscountry skis" for that they can actually be used for the task. The beauty of the old style is that you use them with felt lined rubber boots! So, you have a shoe that is actually useful and warm and you can ski with them.

Alaskan Survivalist
08-28-2010, 11:40 PM
I think you cannot see the witdh of these skis properly in picture. The touromg skis are the widest I could find but still best on trails and firmewr snow. The middle pair are state of the art and fast wide and a cross between downhill and cross contry skis. These have metal edges and scalloped botom for climbing. Thses are not the flimsy skating skis you think they are.

http://i540.photobucket.com/albums/gg346/akmofo/IMG_0961.jpg

The white skis are US Army surplus that I got new and they are really just civilian down hill skis. Most my sking is off trail.

NCO
08-28-2010, 11:45 PM
Now that explains a lot! :) If that's the case, they are near perfect!
For a guy this young, I'm paranoid and old fashioned when it comes to skis.. Haha.

AirborneEagles
09-27-2010, 06:43 AM
I like the bag, nice and the items are easy and well thought of.

However, I can't tell by the picture, but if that is a can of soup, I would go with vacuum sealed dry foods, which are lighter and the can foods go bad in certain situations (hot days, etc).

Also, if your cooking pot is aluminum, I would change to stainless steel. Aluminum is poisonous and can cause other ailments when you cook food in it and it gets into your body and affects parts of the brain. Stainless steel is a sure way to go to be safe.

Other than that, include a solar blanket and extra parachute cord with a rolled up tarp and that looks like a nice setup. Way to go.

Cool pack by the way.

Rick
09-27-2010, 07:46 AM
AE - You need to offer up some documentation on the aluminum. That's been around for a long time and discredited with study after study. However, if you have something new I'd be interested in seeing it. By the way, you do know that aluminum is the most abundant element on earth, right? And you never drink out of aluminum cans?

Here are some facts from the Alzheimer Society.

http://alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?categoryID=200137&documentID=99&pageNumber=1

NCO
10-06-2010, 03:26 PM
I like the bag, nice and the items are easy and well thought of.

However, I can't tell by the picture, but if that is a can of soup, I would go with vacuum sealed dry foods, which are lighter and the can foods go bad in certain situations (hot days, etc).

The bread is dried.., besides as you might have read from the original post, The can was there to represent the fact that I remembered that I will need food.



Also, if your cooking pot is aluminum, I would change to stainless steel. Aluminum is poisonous and can cause other ailments when you cook food in it and it gets into your body and affects parts of the brain. Stainless steel is a sure way to go to be safe.
I'm a smoker, I get my share of poisons regardless.. Besides, if the army uses aluminium canteen kits it won't do anything serious...



Other than that, include a solar blanket and extra parachute cord with a rolled up tarp and that looks like a nice setup.
There is a tarp in the pic, I use army issue tripwire instead of paracord cause the paraC cost's so much around here, and by solar blanket you mean "space blanket"? I got one of those in there too.