Basic Beginner Bushcraft Tools 2021 - What you need to get started.
The fundamentals to get you started on your bushcraft journey.
More than just edged tools, this video shows you my best bushcraft gear 2021 and the reasons why I have chosen them to be part of my kit.
My DD hammock, Morakniv and Laplander are all particularly great additions to my kit.
I am not sponsored by the kit companies and was not given any freebies to make this video. This is my genuine bushcraft kit.
00:00 Basic Beginner Bushcraft Tools 2021 - What you need to get started
01:10 Bags
3:28 Shelters
04:12 Kit for sleeping
05:38 Cordage
06:43 Cooking
08:55 Gloves
09:48 Snoods and clothing
10:25 Navigation
10:48 Edged tools -axes
10:37 Sharpening
15:04 Knives
18:18 Saw
20:11 First Aid Kit
This video is part of our Bushcraft Essentials Series
Where to buy just some of the kit I mentioned...it's not an exhaustive list - let me know in the comments if there's something missing you want to get your hands on
My new bag: Helikon EDC Cordura: geni.us/73wIf3
Helikon Poncho: geni.us/WrbBit
Karrimore Sabre 45 Litre: geni.us/D2lS
DD XL Hammock: geni.us/NxI9
Silk Hammock: geni.us/TfZMU
Foam roll mat: geni.us/3QA64S1
Survival bivvy bag: geni.us/SrH6U
550 Paracord: geni.us/yRww0
Stanley cup: geni.us/oapZ5
Nalgene bottle: geni.us/o7LNsOe
Crusader mug: geni.us/aBOXy
Fireproof gloves: geni.us/U6Y3N
Merino wool base layer: geni.us/Bymoybe
Lambswool jumper: geni.us/g6rF7ZA
Laplander folding saw: geni.us/awQRMy
Lanksy blade medic: geni.us/B6OIQ
Falkniven sharpening stone: geni.us/EZFy
First Aid kit: geni.us/mBXtX
Mora Companion Knife: geni.us/afbB
Mora Black Knife: geni.us/jaAdq
Israeli bandage: geni.us/p7LP
Whilst we are not sponsored by any of these products, the video and/or the description may contain some affiliate links. This means if you buy one of the products we recommend, we’ll make a small commission which helps us continue to make our videos. We never recommend anything we haven’t used or don’t 100% believe in.
Stay strong, brother. Being open is a very hard thing to do. Your teachings are helping so many both physically and mentally (including me). Your honesty, integrity and core values shine through in every single video. Keep up the great work and take time (without the camera present) to keep enjoying the fresh air and the Great British Outdoors.
Big love to you from Scotland, look after yourself x
The bic lighter can be attached to a small zip tie to prevent fuel leakage. Then it can be connected vertically to a chapstick roll with about a foot of paracord wrapped in duct, gorilla or gaffers tape. To prevent from losing either. A spare cotton ball soaked in petroleum jelly, can be placed in the cap. The empty bic can be useful even when empty, the plastic can be shaven for tinder, the wheel when rolled but not sparked can make a firestarter for the shaved plastic, when used that child safety device can then be removed with leatherman pliers can also be made into a improvised fishing hook and sharpened. If carefully removed, the two springs underneath the sparking wheel and the fuel cable button, can be bent into fishing hooks and a snare.
I hope those good days have returned for you Nick, I've only just been through my personal trauma, a home invasion and have been diagnosed with PTSD. Four months in bed unable to walk, been trying so damn hard every day to get things back on track but it's one foot forward and three back at the moment, as you would know. Seems like the only time I'm not back there is when I am drowning myself in information from people such as yourself, it gives me motivation to try healing my mental and physical state so I can get back to my roots and start enjoying the outdoors and little things again. Stay strong and thank you for being so open, I can say it has helped me, Thanks from Aus
Towards the backend of my Army Career I was using a Helikon Racoon 20ltr Assault pack in Multi Cam. I passed that on to my youngest boy and he uses it for Army Cadets (little bugger Robs all of my old buckshies). Now that I'm a "Civvi" I bought a Helikon Racoon 2 in Black, it's only 20ltrs but due to having buggared "Infantrymans" ankles and knees, my days of hauling Anti-tank kit strapped to an full issue Burgen are long gone. So I'm trying to keep the weight down by sticking to a minimum of 25ltrs of kit for bush craft. The old adage that if you have space in your kit, a soldier will fill it with Sh|t. Thank you so much for your videos Royal, they are a great help, I can't wait to get back out under the trees.
I have 5 folding saws. I started with one from a store here (Canadian Tire). Was alright for a while, but the pin holding the lock button in place fell out. I twisted a piece of paper clip in the hole, but bad job with ends sticking out in the way. I then got a different one at the same store. Was alright. But then I seen so many people going on about Silky in their videos and decided to try one and bought it on Amazon. That was the F180 Professional. Cuts really great. It fits in my pocket (closed). I can put a lanyard in the hole and the blade doesn't cut into it when I close the saw. Then I decided to get a bigger Silky for cutting these wide trees, so I ordered the Silky BigBoy Professional. Loving it! I don't use that one as much, as I don't cut alot of wide stuff, so my F180 is used alot more. I more recently bought a second Silky F180 Professional, just in case I ever end up breaking the first one. I really love that saw and wanted my backup replacement to be that same one.
My heart goes out to those who serve and the burdens they bear after. I'm loving your videos. One thing I'll say, though, is that an off-the-shelf first aid kit could leave you woefully under-prepared. They're just not meant to support someone who is hours (or even days) from care, who is doing the type of physical work with sharp tools in an environment that wants to eat you. My rule is that I never swing an ax or wield a chainsaw without a tourniquet nearby. Y'all be safe!
You mentioned that all these things are tools. Remember that Self care is a survival tool as well. I hope you take some time for yourself to recharge. I also have cptsd and being outdoors is one of the best things i can do for myself. I just watched your video where you talk about mental health and taking that 15 minute fresh air break to get out of the house during the winter darkness to avoid getting depressed. Thank you very much for that. It was a great reminder to not hibernate myself indoors hiding from the world. With covid, that has been the tendency. I try to get out at least for a short walk but longer is better, in nature is better, overnight hiking would be the best. I love your channel and how you present things. Gratitude!
Not sure if you were a medic in the UK military but your knowledge of the medical items impressed me as a medic here in the US. Not that any of that gear is complicated but you'd be surprised about how little non medical folk know about it. That alone gets you a subscribe from me. Cheers from the US!
With the COVID 19 lockdown there a lot of people out there are thinking of what if the worst happened bushcraft videos will be needed
Besides, as far as I know, the tang of the Companion is also 3/4 I very much agree with this video. It's always the difference between what you need and what you want. I'm a long time professional bushcraft outdoor survival instructor and I do have some fancy stuff as well. Still I can manage with a 250 euro (about 220 British Pound) kit, all included, and do well. I also lean very much to a basic budget kit in my courses. For the 72 hour scenario it all has to fit in a day pack so max 35 liters (maybe 45 in wintertime). Just add a loud whistle in case you get lost.
thank you for this. i'm not exactly a novice, but, I'm still learning. one of the things I like to consider and talk about is the most important tool. our brains. knowledge does not add weight (but, does lighten the load). memory or experience brings it home. I appreciate your budget consciousness, as I think people tend to spend too much. Wanting the best (nothing wrong with that in theory) tends to cause people to overlook the perfectly adequate, at 1/8 the cost....I'm looking to assemble (on paper) a full kit for a set budget...I'm thinking something like $350 or $425 (USD); enough to get a kit, but, low enough to not be a tremendous barrier to entry. One of the things I also think about is how different personal philosophies can be. One of my best friends is an "ultralight" hiker/camper. To describe our differences in one sentence, he carries gear, I carry tools. I make what I don't have. Ironically, our kits weight almost the same. (~20kilos, though I don't usually measure in French) 🙂. At 200#, 90 kilo or 14 1/4 stone, my pack is a bit heavy. I'm hoping to slim down to 15-16k (under 40lb) as I'm not getting younger, and my body objects to certain silly ideas that once seemed clever....The other load-lightening "tool" i'm looking to add is foraging. I understand the concepts, but, don't have the detailed knowledge, and therefore, confidence to make good use of that. Great video. looking forward to binge-watching your stuff. 🙂
I have a few of the Morakniv Companion knife. I'm not a beginner, but I still use that one as my smaller knife. I didn't different jobs with it. Carve, cut out notches, skin the bark of wood, make shavings or feather sticks. I love this knife. I do also like having a bigger, heavier knife for other , bigger jobs, like cutting branches off tree, baton wood into smaller size, chopping chunks out of wood and chopping bigger branches into shorter pieces, etc. Along with my knives, I also like to have a my _Silky F180 Professional_ folding saw. When closed, it fits in my pocket and I use it plenty for cutting wood. Maybe cut thick branch or thin tree trunk to a specific length for building a shelter or furniture, etc.
I like to buy rope from sailing shops. It's non stretching and uv resistant. I think I've been using something like 5-6mm diameter for ridgelines and lashings when doing campcraft. As for bottle and cup combo I have plastic nalgene 1L widemouth bottle which sits perfectly in a GSI glacier cup for which I also got a lid from pathfinder store. All of that fits in a nice and insulated MOLLE bottle pouch.
I'm not a veteran, so I don't pretend to know what you're going through on that level. But I have PTSD from a horrific back surgery that has left me disabled and know the struggles PTSD pollutes your life with. I can relate on that level, and you have my admiration for being strong enough to show your human side; based on the comments here, you're very encouraging to many people. This was another wonderful video. I've spent a lot of time surfing bushcraft topics and watching lots of videos, but no one has addressed the latrine topic. I thought maybe you would when I saw the shovel on the table. When you're at a base camp for several days with multiple people, what's the tried and true approach to sanitary and manageable latrines? Thanks for all you do.
Your dedication to the health and well-being of our veterans is inspiring. Thank you for your effort and persistence.
Brilliant stuff! Not a novice but I love seeing how other pros do their load outs and what they carry. Never too old or experienced to learn! I was/am a ground sleeper as well, from mountains to sub-zero temps and also came into the hammock late in the game. I can't say any bad thing but keep your backside covered when its a bit chilly! Regarding PTSD, depression, anxiety... I can't stress enough that you cannot deal with it alone, nor should you. But dealing with it now is and will be better than dealing with it later. At the very least is find a support person. The more the better! Prayers and thoughts out to any and everyone that's going through it!
Well put.
Those Moras though! I'm lucky and have some expensive kit but I keep using my ten quid Mora all the time. They're simply a good product regardless of the price.
Thank you for your knowledge. Watching your vids teaches me a lot especially knowing it’s ok to recognise myself and that in doing so shows me how to stay strong as what you as many others have done for us and what you have experienced you’re still giving and moving forward. Thank you.
Hi Nick, I had 22 years of LEO, with 7 years on the Bomb squad. Some of my favorite schools were with "The Brit's" . One was with the guys that responded to the subway bombing. Thanks for sharing. Stay safe.
Thorough. Quick to the point. And incredibly informative! Excellent video and I can't wait to explore more of your videos
‘Just gotta ride it out’. Well said. Keep going matey, you’re not alone.
Perfect video fully breaks everything down and explains every bit of kit you could carry, hope you're doing better, ptsd can really rough you up at times, look after yourself brother 🤝
Thanks for taking the time out of your busy life to share this. Hoping you get those happy days back sooner than later 😊
That was a good, clear piece of information. I like the way that in going through the different tools, you're establishing a philosophy of what you're expecting to face. It was excellent. Thank you.
Thanks for being here, I have watched many of your videos. I aspire to do more ‘real’ motorcycle adventure camping and your videos have been great. Thanks also for being present with your well being. Like many you cover it well but better you are also upfront about it. There is healing magic in the wilds, not sure what to offer other than wishing you well and stay the course.
Thank you so much for everything, skill, commitment, honesty, and still being able to make a video while being in the darker spaces of our minds, best vids out there, really helpful. Top Bloke.
Hang in there brother and stay strong. Doing a great job. I'm a retired decorated combat vet and struggle with the same issues...but we can over this!!
Another really good folding hsnd saws are the corona razor tooth 10 or 8 inch,and the fiskars,both are half the price of the bahco laplander
Thank you again for your excellent approach to teaching( ive been a trainer for 20 years so I know a good teacher when I see one). And thank you for being so open about mental health and your own struggles. A great leader leads by example and you are doing just that! Be safe, be strong!
I've been on and off looking for a good bushcraft knife for almost a decade, but couldn't find one that fit me. After months of research and googling, I woke up one day and just made a leather sheath for my orange Mora Companion. Has been my go-to knife for years now, and ever since I made that sheath 2 years ago I don't really think about switching to a different knife. The orange elements on the knife make it easy to find, the leather sheath is not that blindingly orange as the original sheath, and is overall more comfortable, it's great.
Just can't beat a mora, pointless even trying and spending a fortune
Fantastic video for beginners like myself. I did come here for the tools but realised that knowledge and experience trumps all. The gear you have displayed is easily affordable and you explained it very well. Your honesty at the end has made me subscribe. Cheers to you mate.
I am over the moon your channel come across my feed! Love the information 👌. I'm 43 and about to start bushcraft, self teaching and expect to learn from my mistakes! Again thank you for the informative content! 🇨🇦
Nick, love the vids. Not a novice but the more knowledgeable people like you make me is always appreciated. Like your honesty and presentation and believe you guys are the best people to learn from, that have real time experience. You are the real heroes. Keep the vids coming. Much love & respect 👍
Stay strong 🤜. Thanks for another great video.
Thanks Nick. Great video, keep up the great content. Watch many videos on KZhead but yours are hands down the most informative and helpful 🤙
Love the vids, learn something with each one I watch. Wish I could do one of your courses but stuck in Oz and will be for a while. Keep up the good work and stay well.
Kind of addicting watching all of these bushcraft survival videos. Who could have guessed there would be so much stuff to learn? Just getting familiar with the gear could take a while. Fun stuff. Maybe useful, too. Who knows, right?
Love your videos and always down to earth honest advice , very much appreciate all the work you put in 👍
man , I like and deeply respect your attitude to this issue . excellent .
As ever so informative Nick thank you bud
The Renault axe is perfect, I just see the head geometry and want to smack som wood with it, a dream those old axes are a dream!
Keep you head up your a inspiration to watch stay strong , thank you for you service
Great video, lots of good points about kit. Everyone assumes bush craft kit is about knifes and axes but your clothing and sleeping equipment is just as important.
Awesome, practical advice. Thank you.
I love the last part. Well done.
Another awesome video guys, I've just book a survival weekend in October in cornwall and I am currently updating my kit to suit, more of the same just love the attention to detail and the great tips along the way. Can't wait until you have some spaces for next year for us civilians 😊👍
Thanks for the info. Enjoy the fresh air. Great job on the video.
Thank you for all the information. And let me wish you now a soothing, healing time in nature with your comrade and a better, easier time ahead. Please take care.
Thank you for the flash of personal vulnerability at the end. I found Arthur Janov, who developed primal therapy, particularly helpful. Extreme experiences elicit extreme responses, which must be accessed, felt, and processed. Yet that perfectly natural fact is pathologized by modern psychiatry which brands them "mental illness" and buries them with drugs or electroshock. You need a safe place to feel including to make noise if necessary without a well-meaning individual calling an ambulance or the police. Journalling can help: commit to writing 3 or 4 pages in a lined notebook keeping all censors off i.e. don't worry about spelling, grammar, whether it makes sense or not, just write.
I hope the good times come very soon, sir. This is a great vid, I’m off out on my first adventure on the 13th. I’m going with some pals, so we’re able to save some cash and weight by pooling our equipment. Thanks for the encouragement and advice as always!
I suffer with cyclothymic depression, so great respect to you, boss.
Hey God bless you man thank you for sharing your knowledge and more importantly your service.
Thank you for this. My son and I would like to start with some Bush craft to get in the outdoors more and get away from electronics and the daily grind. This is most helpful as I am a complete newbie
Thank you for all the great info. I am looking forward to your compass lesson. Wishing you well from Canada.
Hi Nick great video as always but I'd just wanted to say thanks for the last bit with tilly it made me feel better after having a bit of a harsh month at work and not having the time to go out into the woods, and getting back to nature. Take care
Very informative video, thank you. Love you're Dog companion, always there when you need a hug.
Hang in there, mate. This too shall pass. Thanks for another great video. "Get comfortable with how it works" must one of the most fundamental pieces of wisdom for any tool you will ever be relying on (especially in a pinch); familiarity, technique and respect always beat bad-assest and shiniest. Looking forward to the compass vid.
I really appreciate your videos and it's Ok not to be Ok. Martin Green hit the nail on the head with his comment. There's a lot of love and respect for you on here. I taught my boys some basic bushcraft and one of them still goes out with his coke can penny stove and my old poncho. On our first expedition, his first lesson was recognising what was actually needed, we returned to base and he thinned his kit out. The second one was matches get wet very easily. The third was how comforting a wind-up radio was.
Love the vids Nick. Been into bushcraft probably since doing LRRPS as a forward observer 25 years ago. Love the fact that you keep it real without the instagram fakeishness some have. Sympathies with the PTSD brother. I suffer and understand.
Nice choice on the edc pack! What you do gives joy to many Stay healthy
Ordnance Survey. As i'm just starting to learn about this subject can't wait to see the video, thanks nick great stuff as always.
good day sir, I went back to watch this vid. and just wanted to wish you and your family well.
In my humble opinion, your contribution to veterans and the world of bushcraft is astounding. I've got no words of support that you haven't already heard or read in the comments. Please accept my virtual 'pat on the shoulder'. Keep up the good work Nick.
Hi Nick as always the greatest level of respect. I really enjoy your content
Oi Nick! Greetings from Louisiana across the pond. Great viddy mate. Bloody brilliant info for beginners. Keep on keepin on.
Hope you are doing well, my friend. The videos you left us are well worth rewatching many times. Hope you and your family are doing well.
Thanks for the great info, hope you feel better soon.
You did a great job as always. Keep up the great work 👍
All good Royal… you’ve got this mate
Another great Vlog Nick keep ya chin up Oppo you are doing an amazing job imparting knowledge and providing a service. Lots of help out there im sure you know. Great vlog well done. Russ ⚓
knowledge of this man is awesome
Such a great channel. Love this guy.
A good piece of kit is a plastic bottle cutter tool to make cordage from any bottles you find. There are thousands of uses for plastic cordage as you can heat gently or pour boiling water on it to make it become tight on whatever it’s lashed to and it will not break or lose its tightness in hot or harsh subzero temperatures & you will also be ridding the countryside of unwanted rubbish. 🙏🏻🌹🐝 great videos and info. Thanks for taking the time to help.
@@hiddenvalleybushcraft5683 indeed yes
I couldn't agree more! There are actually some videos on KZhead that show you how to make your own. Some of the videos are AWFUL - they make me wonder if I'm not holding my phone upside down! But it's an OUTSTANDING, 5 star idea. And they're not BIG. They're wee little gadgets that can easily fit into a corner of your pack. Traditional hobos would have LOVED them!
Just watching video, really like the way you tell people not to buy the most expensive equipment to start with.I have watched others who tell you to spend £100S on this and that. I got a lot of my gear from car boot sales. All in good usable condition. Keep up the great work. Stay safe and well.
Another informative video Nick. I use the small molle medics pouch that folds out; I put stuff in it that is useful for going walkabout. Comes in handy for around the house as well! I was a "ground sleeper" until I discovered the hammock and tarp; with paracord, it is versatile, inexpensive and widely available to buy. Never too old to stop learning from others! Thank you for taking the time and making the effort to pass on your experience and knowledge.
I hope next week is better for you Nick!
Great video... keep up the great work 👊
You have lovely gear. Keep up the good work. Thank you 🙏
Hey man. Just found your channel and really enjoyed your easy to follow and clear video. Wishing you all the best with everything and keep up the good work. Peace ✌🏽
Great video, keep 'em coming! 👍
Keep them coming mate. Much love from Downunder 🍺🤘❤️💯
Good stuff Nick. Go at your pace. Some days we all look out the window and say "why can't I". Keep kicking 👍🇬🇧
Just found your channel through the black scout survival group.....great content you are a natural instructor...thank you for the work you do....
Just found you - looking to start and learn; I'm now binge watching!! Thanks friend :)
I'm really enjoying your videos. So practical and down2earth. I'm getting ideas for my next simple overnight trip. Thankful also for your openness about PTSD at the end. Hope you're feeling better than when you made this video. May the Lord shelter your soul.
Really good first aid KIT!!!
Open and honest! I suffer a similar affliction and suffered a stroke. I got a dog and he is now my best mate! I guess you could say he is my therapy dog? I spend a great deal of time out in the wilds and for new people to wild camping/bushcraft/whatever the the first-aid kit should be a primary consideration. Know where your arteries are. Know how to stop profuse bleeding. In the kit yes tourniquet and Israeli bandage are essential but you must know when, where and how to use them. So get trained in at least first aid!
Great info my friend! Thanks for sharing 🤠
Cheers for the information mate.
Good stuff! There is not much more pure than the love of a dog.
ThIs helps a lot, I am new to this and starting in bushcraft this type of video I have been trying to find it helps me find good stuff for a good price
Looking forward to the map video been struggling with this 😁🏕🗺 . Thanks so much 😎🤙 🌬🔥 Hope your feeling better soon mate 🏴
Can’t help it Nick I’m a kit monster ! love trying out new kit etc spent loads over time but still use 58 webbing kit water bottle mug etc and my Karrimor SF Sabre 35 Ive had for years very durable and ideal as a day sack they do more colours now so just go a black one. Loads of stuff you showed there I have versions of. Good vid. 👍
Nice one, enjoyed it!
Ahhh, I'll be watching this right now. 👍
Great video thank you, really practical and informative!
Great informative video straight and to the point
Look after yourself mate, you’re doing an incredible job on this channel…..I love your content and presentation.
Thanks for the video dude, very informative. I've had a pretty shit life thus far, was going to join the engineers when younger but didn't for a while host of reasons beyond my control, and wanting to get out there in to nature and start doing this kind of thing for my own wellbeing, and because it's something I've always loved doing. I'm a tree surgeon and have been off for 3 months now after taking a saw to the back of my hand so these videos have been a great help and reaffirmed my love, and need to get out there and start doing this kind of thing. Rambling now but anyway, thank you.
Hang in there man. Scars you can’t see you are the ones that tear you up. You’re doing great work; keep it up.