[Seldom Seen]

#1 Pocket chainsaw, these are just awesome. Anyone with 2 hands can use one. Spend the few extra bucks and get the handles, the sticks I use for handles while camping always leave something to be desired. So much faster and easier than an axe for getting firewood.

#2 Roll top aluminum table by Slumber Jack. These cost around $80 but are really worth it. Super sturdy and folds(and rolls)up to a nice slim package. Flimsy tables are for the birds.

#3 Mountain House freeze dried meals. Easy to make and very tasty. Nice and light, all you need is boiling water. The packets last for at least 5 years, big #10 cans last for like 30 years. Not nasty like most MRE's(three lies for the price of one IMO). I eat Mountain House even when I'm not camping. Made in Oregon to boot.

I will be adding more, but please feel free to share what you've found to work well also!

[Seldom Seen]

#4 Sweet Water Gaurdian water filter. Since I'm not a real big fan of the pills(altho I do have a bunch as backup) I bought a SW filter last year. Works great, shoots water out on both strokes. Filter supposed to last 200 gallons, so I'm lookin at buying a couple more replacement filters. I do wish it came with a hard case of some kind tho. I tried to fashion one out of a pistol case but the filter was just too fat. Gotta keep my eyes peeled for a case with more depth.

#5 Coleman space-saver bags. You put in articles of clothing, seal and then squeeze out the air through a one way seal on the bottom. They seem to hold a vacuum(for awhile anyways)and they keep your extra clothing dry which is a real benifit for the NW . They come in a varity of sizes.

[Delta Lady]

Where whould you get a pocket chain saw...???

This sounds like it would be handy in my yard.

[Seldom Seen]

You can find them in a lot of sporting goods stores. You can see and order them here (http://www.directmart.com/prods/pocket.html). They really are very handy. The can they stow away in is the size of a shoe polish can. Good for BOBs.

[Delta Lady]

Great..Thanks.

I'll check out my local Bass store.

[Seldom Seen]

Natural High freeze dried foods are pretty good too it seems. Been testing them out lately and have been very pleased. Some of the deserts are great. Hard to keep those in the house, gives my self discipline a workout :D

[Hamilton Felix]

Good pocket saws work. Cheap pocket saws come apart very quickly. The range goes from very good to incredibly bad. Make sure the one you carry will work.

I carry a Busse Steelheart II, probably one of the most indestructible pieces of steel in existence. But most folks won't want to spend this much on a knife. Becker Knife & Tool has some good-for-the-money camp knives.

Again, avoid suprises in the field. Make sure it works and suits your purpose(s).

[fruit loop]

Needless to say, a Swiss Army knife.

Coleman camp shower. They're solar heated. Fill it up, hang it outside, then have a warm bath.

Coleman Extreme ice chests. Claims to keep ice for five days - and it did! In 90 plus degree heat!

Cast iron cookware. It NEVER EVER wears out. I'm using the Lodge frying pan that my mother got for a wedding present in 1954 and handed down to me. Dutch ovens? Get one and a Dutch Oven cookbook. It stews! It bakes! It fries!

Greatland (Target store brand) propane camp stove. Works great and it's light and easy to carry.

Machete. Use it to chop those weeds out of your way and for hand to hand combat.

Coleman battery lanterns. They look just like their fuel lanterns but run off either 10 D size batteries or 2 six volts. I recommend the six volts because they seem to last longer. These aren't a fire hazard and light a whole room nicely.

LL Bean canvas boat and tote bags. These NEVER wear out. They come in several different sizes, including a large ziptop version that you can use for luggage.

[Seldom Seen]

Best lantern I've ever had is my Coleman North star propane lantern. It uses a single tube style mantle and is about 1 1/2 times as bright as my dual mantle sock style propane lanterns. It is kind of a fuel hog,5 hours per pound is about it.

I like using propane(my fuel of choice) as I can store it indefinitely. I use butane when hiking,but for car camping propane is king IMO.

I also like the cast iron fruit loop. Teflon ain't your friend.

[Seldom Seen]

Paha Que shower/outhouse tepee. Go here (http://www.pahaque.com/) to check it out. At the site,go to camping(just underneath tents) and click tepee. They explain it much better that I can. I have found that this is now a must have while camping. It's very well made and thought out,well worth the price. Having a shower while camping is so nice.

[SmartAZ]

Get your pots and pans at a restaurant supply store. A 6" fry pan runs about $12 and the 18" model is about $27. They are almost as nonstick as Teflon and they won't dent just because you drop them. Cast iron? That stuff is HEAVY! Not to mention the rust in your food and the carbon buildup. (Don't tell me about seasoning - I've tried all the methods!)

You need a Bic lighter. No other brand is worth carrying out of the store. There are nicer kinds for daily use, but when you have to bet your life you need a Bic.

For casual camping you will really appreciate a barbecue lighter. But test it before you leave town.

[Seldom Seen]

Slumberjack self inflating sleeping pad. Keeps me nice and toasty. Had to take out my fleece liner,got to hot. Ex-wife sleeps in a hammock(I have a cot)and used the same model sleeping bag as me,plus a liner and sleeping bag sheet AND a quilt over the top. Neither of us used a tent. She keeps mostly warm(claimed her backside got chilly),but I'm now sold on sleeping pads. I don't know how cold it was(early last march),but a mile or so up the road was blocked by a couple feet of snow. Daytime temps got into the low 50's I think. Night cooled right down,frost everywhere.

Oh yeah, I wear a sock hat to bed,as otherwise the top of my head gets real cold. Also my two dogs sleep in the bag next to my feet. That probably helps out some too. Still had to unzip some after a while,I got so warm.

[Seldom Seen]

Propane refill adapter. Refilled my good 1 pound cylinders from my 20 pound tank. Did just what it said it would,took about a minute. I don't know if 1 pound of propane got in the little tanks or not,kinda doubt it but I didn't weigh them. I bet that I got 2/3 to 3/4 pound in there tho. With propane prices it cost me around 40 cents to fill each one,versus waiting for them to go on sale for a buck and a half each. Cheaper and more convenient(don't have to buy a mess of cylinders during sales),works well for me.

[Ought Six]

I have an adapter hose that lets me use the 20 pound tanks on gear designed for the little one pound tanks.

BTW, I reccommend the Century brand two-burner tabletop campstove over the Coleman. The Century is made in Illinois, and has the same type of construction, stainless steel sealed burners, etc., as the Coleman, and it is a few bucks cheaper. The Coleman in made in China.

[timbo]

SS, on your propane refill of the little ones: When the guy fills my propane tank on the motor home(I think its a 40 or 45#) they have all told me that it only fills to about 3/4s to allow for gas expansion. I guess it would be the same for the little ones as well.

['plain o joe']

Needless to say, a Swiss Army knife.



Victrinoix (sp) Makes a fold out STAINLESS STEEL knife, with all the goodies on the outside of the knife.

54.95 at Lowes... lockable blades, will not rust.

[Seldom Seen]

SS, on your propane refill of the little ones: When the guy fills my propane tank on the motor home(I think its a 40 or 45#) they have all told me that it only fills to about 3/4s to allow for gas expansion. I guess it would be the same for the little ones as well.

Timbo, could be. I can tell that their a little lighter after I refill em than new store bought ones. But for the money I save I will deal with it. If any show any rust or any signs of leakage then they get tossed right out. I'm not that cheap.

[Shadowfane]

If you are doing self-inflating mats, go for the Thermarest.

OLDer coleman stoves ROCK if you know how to maintain them...

[Ginger Quill]

Paha Que shower/outhouse tepee. Go here (http://www.pahaque.com/) to check it out. At the site,go to camping(just underneath tents) and click tepee. They explain it much better that I can. I have found that this is now a must have while camping. It's very well made and thought out,well worth the price. Having a shower while camping is so nice.

Seldom Seen,

I looked at that shower, and I like the fact that it's lightweight. About 8 years ago, I made my own from PVC pipe - I would post a pic, but I don't know how yet on this board. The downside is that you need a tree to hang the shower bag from. That's not usually a problem where I camp. Some of the shower tents I've looked at run about $189, and I made mine for about $25, waterproof camo shower curtain included :D There's nothing like a nice hot shower when I'm camping! I like mine because I can look up at the trees, but it gets a little cold if there's a breeze.

My last trip I realized that it's time to replace a lot of stuff. Tent, bag, stove are all in excess of 10 years, some going on 20. Definitely time to get new stuff, but it has to be light and easy for me to set up.

Thanks for your threads about what works, and what doesn't :)

[Kimber]

With all due respect to the pocket chainsaw, I personally think you need to allow for a real all-around axe or hatchet.

A couple that are very nice are the Gransfors models - check out the hunting axe. The IItis if you want a reasonably priced full size axe. And the Belt Axe, which I don't own yet, but am hoping to get shortly - It's a bit pricey.

The best source for these I've found so far is:

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.asp?page=43408&category=1,41131&ccurrency=2&SID=

David

[Seldom Seen]

Kimber I followed the link. That belt axe is beautiful. I'd love to have one,but I'd almost be afraid to use if for fear of hitting a stone or just marring it up.

I agree that hatchets and axes have their place and should not be left at home. IMO its not an either or situation. I have a hatchet that stays on my web gear. I keep my tools sharp,makes life easier. That said,I've found I can cut thick wood faster with my pocket chainsaw,with less work too. But it can't split or hammer in tent stakes :D

[north runner]

I have one of those belt axes (no sheath) and no way I paid $119 for it. Mine though has different steel & handle. It curves the other way. When I saw it my brain registered viking combat or throwing ax design with that high tip on top. Pretty cool weapon :)

[Kimber]

North Runner,

Ditto on the Viking angle. :D

Where the heck did you buy it?

David

[Hamilton Felix]

Hey Seldom Seen, I know you can refill the small propane cylinders from the 20 lb. size; I have one of those adapters. However, I'm told the new 20 lb. cylinders with the government-mandated overflow prevention device will not work when inverted with the adapter. I guess I'll find out, as soon as my last old style 20 lb. tank goes dry and I have to replace it.

That is a pretty hatchet, Kimber. I thought "Viking bearded axe" right away. My Busse Steelheart II will suffice as a small hatchet. But if I can carry the weight (like when we're "car camping" with a truck and not counting ounces), I sure do like an axe or at least good sized hatchet.