Free Gear!

Here is a video about some stuff you can use in your kit to drop ounces for free:

http://jasonklass.blogspot.com/2009/01/free-ul-gear-to-lighten-your-pack.html

Great tips!

I participate in 1600-1700 era reenactments throughout the year. One of the main things I use for fire starting is Char Cloth squares. Cut up an old t-shirt and use a mint tin with a small hole in the top. Drop some in the tin and put it in a fire until the hole stops smoking and you have a cloth that will hold any spark you throw at it. Perhaps I use an old school backup for the matches, but a flint and steel has come through for me before.

Youtube has quite a few videos on making char cloth.

Hee, hee. You mean like this one? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7uLVGrAt1M&feature=channel_page

Very, very much so! Great video.
Little Otter

So Jason, I followed your link to the youtube video, and then saw the one about your gear closet. Man, are you organized. I better not show it to my wife, she might make me follow suit.

I liked the video that you originally posted on this thread. I saw that some commented on the durability of the Styrofoam cup. I think you can replace that with the fancy paper cup with insulation from Starbucks. Or, you can steal them from work. Anyways, I liked the video, keep them coming.

Thanks man! Unfortunately, I'm not as rganized as you think. The closet got cluttered on a mass scale shortly after that video was taken. I should do a follow up.

Jason,
I think that this video is a good for everyone. It shows that lightening up can be easy and inexpensive. It also shows that a basic paradigm shift has to take place mentally to go from classic weight to lightweight.

I always like your videos... Especially the survivor man spoof.

Hey Jason,
Here's a freebee favorite of mine - steel cans. I know steel sounds heavy, but it's really not that bad, especially when you factor in the gain in durability (nearly indestructible). My old grease pot with homemade handles weighs 5.2oz, and a coffee can of similar size only weighs 3.2oz (without bail and cooking lid - I have yet to make them for that size).

I've never owned one of those fancy side-cut can openers, but I did find a way to easily make a good cooking lid. By using cans with easy-open tops (like the Progresso and coffee cans below), you can use the lip which remains after opening to hold your lid in place. Find another can of similar diameter, and use a standard can opener to open it. Presto, you have a lid.


The set below is very similar to the set you use. Instead of a tealight stove, I opted for a cut V8 can since it holds a bit more fuel and it's a tad more durable. The plastic lid is from a peanut can. It does a good job of keeping everything inside.

Hey Eric,
Nice setup! I like how you did the lid handle with paracord. One question: How do you pur water with the bail without burning your fingers? Gloves or something?

It's funny how simple solutions escape us sometimes.
Hold the bail in one hand, use a stick/rock/multi-tool/tent stake/spare sock/hat or just about anything in reach to tip the can from the bottom.

DK

I've just been using a bandana, but just as theepdinker suggests, almost anything can be used to tip the pot. I did make a cozy for it, but it's too snug, making it hard to fit around the pot while it's hot. I'm going to make a new one so the pot can just be dropped inside. A cozy would also be nice to have if the pot has been used over an open fire. Keeping it inside the cozy would prevent all that icky soot from getting everywhere.