Bushcraft Gear ON A BUDGET | Everyday objects up cycled | Make your own kit!

[@jefferyneedham1581]

I am 52 years old and a disabled Marine and I've had good times and hard times nonetheless a true mark of a mans abilities is using what you have and improving on it. God bless you Sir and I definitely will look forward to future posts like this..

[@kylewilkinson6975]

Jeffery, I did not serve because draft was not on and I was of age after Nam and not anything after for a while. That said I know us civilians aren't supposed to salute so I'll just thank you for your service and sacrifice. Let's go Brandon

[@jefferyneedham1581]

Thank you Sir for your kind words and I was glad and grateful for the opportunity of serving when I did serve. That said; I'm just one of many that did my part , nonetheless even civilians paid their dues from the waitress pouring coffee in a far away diner to the guy throwing trash to keep our cities clean. We are all Americans and no matter what the job or occupation that we choose in life it keeps us going and everyone is important nomatter what the job is. As a veteran I'm nothing special just a jarhead who did his best. God bless you and happy holidays..

[@fredfreiberger7878]

Pill bottles are my choice for a match / fire kit

[@ImaSMACKHEAD982]

Justification

[@no_handle_required]

Ooorah. Thank you for being there, so we could enjoy what we have here.

[@najroe]

My tip is to put matches head down, that way damp fingers wont make them wet, learned that the hard way after dunking through the ice, being that cold fine motor skills are gone so picking just one match is nearly superhuman feat, managed to get half of the matches damp before one worked. also I dunk stack of cotton makeup pads in molten candlewax, let them soak and squee them out forming waterproof firestarters that can be started with a ferrocerium rod if you "fluff it up" first.

[@jamesbowen5573]

I was thinking that, plus they won't strike on striker

[@bobritter7197]

This is excellent advice. 👏👏👍

[@dizzysdoings]

If you put wax on the match heads, it makes them waterproof.

[@williamirelan9332]

Try dipping match heads in clear lacquer or nail polish thinned down. I sure miss stike anywhere matches. I've used paraffin , beeswax ,and harder wax like bayberry and soy they all tend to clog the striking surface though they work.

[@dizzysdoings]

@@alhart6126 you only need a thin coating of wax on the match head itself. As long as you don't use the small wooden matches, it works just fine. If the wax is too thick, just scrape it off with your fingernail.

[@ArcturanMegadonkey]

The silica gel in that tube would be best left in there as it absorbs moisture and would help keep everything dry.

[@jamesbowen5573]

100%

[@LVThN_von_Ach]

@@hiddenvalleybushcraft5683 why did you put that strip of rubber in the lid?

[@lukeearthwalker7970]

@@LVThN_von_Ach Good fire starter

[@paulfranks195]

@@lukeearthwalker7970 Bitumen roofing felt too. No idea which is superior, but I am always impressed by the knowledgeable comments section. Enjoy your day.

[@kaceesavage]

@@LVThN_von_Ach 5:00

[@asmith7876]

Thrift stores can produce amazing finds, even better than the dollar store because most of that stuff is cheap. The thrift stores often have items discarded by family members when someone passes away, old school stuff, made like it isn't made anymore. I've acquired incredible wool clothing, old pots and pans, all kinds of stuff. I have to say that basket fire grill is GENIUS!

[@ianmurray4081]

Great advice! I've almost completely kitted myself out via thrift stores. There are some awesome finds! I managed to get myself a U.S military "mutant parka" approximately $1,000 USD ( custom made), for $10 CDN. I've even gone as far as making up " go bags" and the likes for my vehicle. My vehicle seats 4, and I have 4 small bags of generic items individuals would need plus vehicle recovery and a larger size first aid kit since I work around public settings and travel highways 4-5 days a week. I do switch out seasonal clothes and items. I run a Late Spring-Summer and a Early Autumn- Late Winter rotation but ensure that all the batteries and what not are changed out and assorted items are freshened up or aired out. Cheers 🍻 everyone, take care and stay frosty.

[@davidjacobs828]

@@hiddenvalleybushcraft5683 "apocalypse fantasist"? Get back to me in 4 years. You'll need a pen and paper. I do not dispute or challenge your survival and bushcraft expertise. It's probably equal to mine. Your problem is,(evidenced by your opening statement in quotation marks above) your knowledge of world geopolitical history and the manufacture thereof, is equal to that of a stoned goat. ... You're gonna need your skills sooner than you think.

[@dndlab1]

Me and my son we have started bushcrafting onna budget and I cannot tell you how much we have bonded by doing this and learning together, thank you so much for the help you have given us. It means the world to us!!!

[@stewartjones8518]

The shopping basket can also be put in a stream with some rocks in it to keep things like milk , beer ,bottled water amongst other things nice and cool in the summer months

[@Zero_Reaper13]

Its great to have shiny new gear but the ability to diy your own gear is a good skill to practice and keep.

[@robertkirk4387]

I use lots of old plastic medicine containers for all sorts. Salt n pepper shakers, fishing kit, fire lighting, coffee and creamer mixed etc.

[@brucematys8597]

Fantastic video Nick. I more or less started the same way. Perhaps instead of electrical tape, try duct tape as it is flammable, thus another form of tinder, plus most dollar stores have it bright colors. I drilled a series of small holes on one side of the pot lids for venting pressure and straining tea leaves when pouring. Cheers.

[@Wayneawebb]

Genius as always. Please keep em coming. RIP my Tea, Coffee & sugar kitchen set.

[@gezdonaghy2456]

Brilliant stuff Nick, so important to get the RECYCLE message through and protect the environment. So refreshing to see an instructor of your caliber and pedigree using everyday items and converting them to your needs rather than running out and buying expensive "trendy" equipment, this is real !!!

[@robdubyuh420]

This reminds me of my childhood right here. Improvising with things we found to have camp fires and prepare for "adventures". These videos are also very calming I love the chilled vibe of the channel. Thanks for all the free lessons that you give us. I plan on making a little fixed camp in my garden this year and will try this

[@Paul.Douglas]

ANYTHING that can make fire is NEVER outdated.

[@hildegardkhelfa]

I really especially enjoyed this video, since I am a huge fan of upcycling and DIY stuff, plus know how it is having to deal with low budget (what leads just to more ideas and creativity). As much as I enjoy to get my hands on tools, I am more old school and prefer exactly those kind of things. And your ideas are a great inspiration because I am just breeding over some projects I may start over the next years with kids of low income families. A vague thought right now, but like those seeds you start to plant. They grow and develop. It is just so obvious how nature is balm for the soul and I think, creating such things will be a lot of fun for the kids. So, thank you very much!

[@NothingToNoOneInParticular]

I use dryer fluff, terribly flammable, free and fluffs nicely after being crammed into a container. I like a refillable lighter, a fire piston & charcloth and usually have a few storm matches. As far as kit, I inherited a lot of stuff. Mainly the stuff I've bought is water purifying systems. Great vid dude!

[@brixham20]

These are most definitely the best instructional videos I've ever come across. Simple and precise. Nick you're a great teacher and your enthusiasm is what makes them watchable. Definitely the go to for advice. Keep up the great work, you guys deserve many more subs.🤙🤙🤙

[@OldManGlitch]

I did something similar years ago, to keep from getting a pressure cooker issue, I drilled 5 drain holes in the lid. It helped a lot.

[@angelmonroe1750]

I dip the phosphorous end & a large amount of stick in melted wax, not as many matches in the tube, but a lot easier in the rain. For the tube wrap, use Gaffer/Gorilla tape (it is a good fire starter fuel) chapstick is a good fire starter when combined with cotton wool/tissue

[@geoffrey6000]

Stumbled on your videos yesterday. Can't get enough. Seriously the best bushcraft channel on youtube, and the nicest most humble guy to top it all off.

[@davemc9268]

Get a piece of string or paracord, tie a couple of knots on top of one another. When you gather the matches together have the knot on the bottom with the lose string coming up through the matches. Little pull on the string would free the tightly packed matches. Stretch a length of racing bike inner tube over the length of the tube; say 700x23. Would give you far more inner tube.

[@kylewilkinson6975]

And insulation

[@krisqueen5939]

Good ideas

[@richardelliott9511]

Great tips, I've never been a fan of innertube tinder but carried at "no expense" it is looking like a better idea than I had allowed.

[@redpillnibbler4423]

Excellent ideas 👍 My old 35mm film canisters are also great for storing matches and tinder,I use non safety matches as they can be struck on many surfaces - heads dipped in candle wax for waterproofing,and packed out with cotton wool lightly impregnated with Vaseline for tinder.Bicycle inner tube stretched over the film canister can be cut for tinder or rubber bands.you could also put a mini ferro rod in with the matches.Cost = pennies 👍

[@crispianbarlow5184]

I use the same method of film canisters (I work in SE Asian jungles), and I also carry a flint & more cotton wool/vasaline balls.

[@dougdixonhull]

I love this type of DIY gear video and it just shows you don't have to be a gear snob to have fun in the woods. I use a home made cat-tin stove and it is brilliant and cost me nothing.

[@jblewis1975]

I always carry matches (in a waterproof container) when I'm out, in addition to a lighter and a ferro rod. For something as important as fire, I go with the rule of three, especially since none of this takes up much room in my pack. Great video, thanks for sharing!

[@trevormegson7583]

You just made my Sunday better. Great Ideas. Once had a 'go to' camp where I took an old grill oven shelf and hid it away in bushes when not there. Laid it on top of a few stones around the fire when I needed it. Working my way through your back catalogue of vids. Loving watching. Thank You.

[@FidoHouse]

Great video. Punch a hole in lid of your Billy can and pressure problem solved. Love the shopping basket pot stand. I like to scrounge for old BBQ grills and oven racks as they are ready-made for high heat and food contact - just cleaning them up first. Too big to pack about but great to leave at a base camp, worry-free. Looking forward to more DIY suggestions.

[@mnmikeoutdoors8595]

Don’t the holes for the wire bale handle provide relief for any pressure?

[@Grizzly907LA]

Back in the day my Dad had a friend who would take old oil barrels, clean them up, cut a slit into them, and weld up a frame, attach the metal from the slit to some hinges and made grills out of them.

[@Imightberiding]

A proper video. It seems the majority of people on KZbin have forgotten or never understood what "Bushcraft" is really about. Any fool with a pocket full of money can buy the latest, expensive gear. There is much more satisfaction & sense of accomplishment when a person utilizes what is at hand & makes something themselves while keeping the few $ he may have in his pocket.

[@pauljoslyn154]

Another great video. So inspiring to get people outside and enjoy the fresh air. Also teaching people self reliance and you don't need deep pockets to enjoy this.

[@mjohns66]

One of the channels I look forward to every Sunday. Definitely more of a "light hearted" bushcraft channel. Not one of the look how awsome/good/tough I am channels. Still very informative and humble

[@suecollins3246]

And it's _such fun_ to make your own stuff and scratch around in thrift and charity stores!

[@MrJondoolan]

Great to see you promote items that don’t cost a small fortune, really enjoy watching these royal, thanks

[@aynsleycooper365]

🤣...to the sound of my hysterical laughter, you've turned Julie into a bin surfer!. "I threw one of those tubes away yesterday" she declared, diving head first into the recycling, returning clutching this afternoon's project in her hand... Nice upload. Thumbs up! ...a minor PS, she was so keen, I did wonder whether to ask her if she'd ever woken up in a skip. On balance, I decided discretion was the better option...

[@alanevans4232]

Great video but, you forgot to mention the most important thing about making your own kit and, that is the immense sense of satisfaction and achievement that comes when you have crafted something that works as youu want it to.

[@whoever6458]

I had one of those metal camping cups but it didn't come with a lid. This was annoying because debris would always fall into my water while I was boiling it over the fire. Finally, I noticed that I had a scented candle in a jar that had a metal lid and, as the candle burned down, I wondered whether that lid would fit on my cup. It turns out it was a perfect fit and, after removing the plastic thing out of the inside of the lid, it became the perfect cover for my camp cup!

[@HoofinBob]

Love it all, ex Aus mil surv instructor. out bush/jungle we used an old cotton sleeve for a makeshift milbank bag. You can go one better then by alternate filling it with charcoal/river sand to treat/filter. In our basecamp we used the charcoal built filter. just leave hanging and refill after patrol.

[@treebeardtheent2200]

Bicycle tube rubber is also good for making your own washer for Sawyer type water filters. con: being thin, it does not work with all squeese bottles like the Sawyer2 silicone ones. pro: done right with a small hole, this thin washer does not fall out like common hose washers or the kind that Sawyer uses.

[@matthewvelo]

Reminds me a lot of the kit I put together as a thirteen year old to start doing overnight camps. Back then, even army surplus gear seemed expensive! It also reminds me how much I miss 35mm film canisters for waterproof match containers. Cheers Nick.

[@jonbridge8064]

A small hole or two in the billy can lid can help reduce the pressure. In Australia we have similar vitamin C tubes made in aluminium. Another great video Nick!

[@peetsnort]

And you can boil water in it.

[@jeffnix8549]

Read a lot of the comments and agree 100%. Great ideas and great saving to boot. Also agree that it's your enthusiasm that draws people in to watch. Never miss your channel and watch each one several time. Keep up the great work and stay safe .

[@stephenbrierley8122]

Wonderful.This should be part of the school curriculum.I use to sneak a bit into PSE lessons.My boss turned a blind eye bless her.

[@sion-music]

Great video, I hope you make more of these DIY gear on a budget videos :)

[@motohobo]

I love upcycling. Been making mini survival, fire making,first aid and shtf kits from vitamin and pharmaceutical tablet tubes for many years. Great fun to do, cost very little, small, light and last for years. I like to "wrap" mine with duct tape. It has so many uses.

[@krisqueen5939]

I would like any suggestions you have to use my pill bottles?

[@pcareo-dactyl3327]

I'm a 15 cm ferro rod man myself, in a duct tape/cable tie holster I made, and half a hacksaw blade attached with paracord (And 2 lighters, 1 with food, 1 somewhere else) Also in this day and age, hand sanitiser is ubiquitous and also the best tinder when paired with the above IMO

[@no_handle_required]

The basket pot holder is such a lightbulb moment. Nicely done.

[@paulmorgan3238]

Nice video Nick, it's good to see someone pushing people towards using and repurposing what they find, as opposed to buying some over priced item that does the job no better. Resourcefulness is without a doubt the most overlooked survival skill.atb mate.

[@susanp.collins7834]

Yes - and so much stuff nowadays is overpriced AND poorly made. I am a South African State pensioner living on an income of R2090 per month. I examine 'disposable' stuff 15 times before I throw it away. I have a TOTALLY enviable collection of butter containers, margarine containers, plastic peanut butter jars and I put food in them for the freezer.

[@jonathanhughes8670]

Great tips, this will be perfect for the family to be involved in making their own kit and spending time outside!

[@denniskeith1314]

Nice. Just a suggestion. When you put the matches in the tube, you put them in with the heads up towards the opening. If you put them in heads down, when you remove them you won't get the striking head damp (from rain, sweat, etc.) You can also put the striking strip in the tube with the strike surface against the side of the tube without worrying about the matches self striking and it takes up almost no space at all.

[@olliewiddowson9902]

Bloody love this. Good old squaddie engineering. If its stupid and it works then it's not stupid, it's genius.

[@OldNavajoTricks]

If it's stupid and it works, it's not stupid, it was your superiors idea... Is usually the way :-)

[@sleazy1drache]

Practicality and common sense. I agree, that's the best base for any endeavor

[@EdwinDekker71]

Great video! I got some scrap leather the other day from a guy who makes motorbike saddles that I'm using for making pouches etc, just use an awl to punch holes in it and then use paracord to sow it together. It helps to melt the end of the cord and cut it so it has a sharp pointy end. Innertube also works great for securing Mora knives to the sheeth btw! God bless.

[@pappy1812]

Just stumbled across your channel and can't tell you how nice it was to find someone creating this stuff on a budget. I was losing heart with the whole outdoors thing watching other channels because of the cost. I saw a water purification jug on a channel and thought it was brilliant but when I looked it up I found it to be well over a £100 and I just don't have that money. Many thanks for sharing your knowledge

[@tedsamuels3203]

Now, that was awesome. I love the basket 🧺 idea 💡 WHAT WE LEARN IS WHAT WE KNOW ? THANKS..NOW , ALL I NEED IS A CUP OF TEA 🍵

[@paulomarceloarantes]

Great content as usual. I particularly like DIY videos, and this one was really good. Making use of some things from home for bushcraft is the way they used to do it, back in my grandparents' time, without internet, amazon, ebay or specialty stores. From the haversack to the pan, from the knife to the mug... Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Greetings from 🇧🇷

[@a.ramosakadrumgrl6677]

I used to work at a grocery store, a box of matches fell off the shelf once and ignited. They can still ignite without the striker. Great ideas using food canisters for a pot and a shopping basket for a pot stand!

[@lincolndave1966able]

Love the shopping basket pot stand, like all the best ideas, it's just so simple.

[@leelo1972]

Reduce reuse recycle!! I love the fact that the shopping baskets were removed from the environment and re-used , awesome video! Keep making them

[@brenturquhart7090]

Great idea, I use a similar kit when I camp, but can I add one thing. After wrapping the electrical tape to the end, you could continue to wrap the rest of the tape to an amount you are happy with. Essentially you are putting a roll of electrical tape on the end of your match kit. The tape is designed to stick to itself for a longtime without any ill effects. So when you need some, which you will, it’s there for you to use. Ask any electrician, the best waterproof bandaid is paper towel wrapped with electrical tape. I fixes any holes in a tent, or coat. You could wrap a bit of the electrical tape to a twig and when lit, the twig will stay lit for a long time. Like duct tape, it’s great for almost anything, except ducts. Also, I would use Hurricane Matches. They won’t blow out easily. One of those trick birthday candles are a good idea. The ones that won’t blow out. I bring those every time I go camping. When camping in the wilderness, I always wrap Duct tape on to itself over and over itself anywhere I can so I always have a roll of Duct tape whenever in need. I remember one trip, while portaging in Algonquin Park, where my dad and I put a good size hole on the side of our cedar-strip canoe. It was all the way through and we were three days in. Thankfully Both of us had rolled duct tape on the middle of our paddles, that were were able to fix the hole. So well that we continued on with our trip as if nothing happened.

[@josephjones611]

Your mind is always going to be your best survival tool. Thinking in advance and giving you self any advantage you can will help . Slot of things can have multiple uses imagation is your only boundary. This video proves that.

[@kokopelau6954]

Thanks for a trip down memory lane. Doing stuff like that is how I grew up in the country. Frequently is we couldn't make it we didn't have it.

[@Tom_Bee_]

So I FINALLY got around to building a super-budget friendly match-safe, as inspired by this very video. I had all the stuff laying around in the house, so it cost me exactly nothing on the day. I added some upgrades, which is why I'm commenting. I used extra long, cut down cooks matches, as per this vid, and a fizzy vitamin pill case, also as per. Then I covered the outside in safety orange, hi-viz duct tape. Now something I've noticed about duct tape out in the wild, the edges being super sticky, gather dirt from the environment/pocket and gold onto it. The more turns of tape used, the worse this is. So I did what I usually do to fix this, where possible, by covering the sideways seams in ranger bands (thin sections of bicycle inner tube.) Of course, both gaffer (duct/duck) tape and inner tube (ranger bands) make excellent emergency tinders bc they burn easily and merrily. Ranger bands are a good way of strapping little bits of kit together as well... So since they were already on the match-safe, I used them to attach a Bic lighter (with cable tie button lock) a small, but good, cheap, Chinese ferro rod with a mini striker for the rod and finally, a little sliding top tin packed with Vaseline soaked cotton wool to take sparks. So now my basic match safe has three ways to make fire and three types of emergency tinder included. Brilliant. I love it. Thanks for the inspiration and know how much I appreciate all your hard work on this channel!

[@gilbert7794]

Great video showing how real bushcraft is done using everyday items to survive.

[@auroraistracy]

from Canada . I have a permanent camp so we bought some cheap Dollar store plant stands and use them for pot stands and a quick table for hot pots next to the fire. Cheap and quick.

[@seasoldier3902]

BZ! Another gem of wisdom to be placed in the jewellery box of knowledge.

[@mountainbearoutdoors]

some of the most fun you can have making your own kit that is often better than off the peg, I didnt realise how water proof those little tubes were until your demo, I might have a crack at making one, thanks!

[@optomisticostomistsmith501]

Love it all Nick lod tricks and hacks that would have saved me tons of money. Please keep the home born products coming. It opens up bushcraft to all. Many thanks.

[@N7Tigger]

I carry two bic lighters, a ferro rod, storm proof matches and a fresnel lens. I also carry cotton ball tinder and beeswax candles. I don't mess around when it comes to being able to light a fire the second it is neccessary.

[@elizabethraworth64]

Great video. I will do this with my little 5 year old granddaughter. She would live this.

[@susanp.collins7834]

Please don't. Please don't teach your granddaughter to play with matches...

[@thepunisher9698]

Love this video, i enjoy ppl sharing cheap diy things you can do as many of us are usually broke lol so thank you sir!❤😊

[@ingrids27ec39]

I like your practical, down2earth approach. Preparing for a cold night out with budget gear gives me hope. It does require us to use an inventive mindset. And it can be done. Thanks for these ideas and tips.

[@baronedipiemonte3990]

Absolutely great program Nick ! The ability to survive in the field is largely dependent on having a Fire, and Potable water - you can never have too many ways to make a fire, and safe water. My fire kit (contained in two empty med bottles) consists of Bottle 1) Lifeboat matches, Cigarette lighters- one wrapped in Gorilla tape -, Ferro rod, Magnifying glass, Regular matches. Bottle 2) Fire balls "cotton balls covered in Vaseline" . For Water I have 1) stainless US canteen cup, and stainless 17oz canteen bottle, 2) Sawyer filter, 3) Purification tablets. My first piece of kit for water was a large stainless pet feeding bowl for $1 U.S. at the Dollar Tree. Which now (at least mine) sells 110 lb Paracord in several colors on 25ft spools. Your shopping basket cooking / pot stand is great. You can get them in the states at office supply stores for $5 or less. Or if you see a discarded stove, one of the inside racks.

[@baronedipiemonte3990]

@ivan schafeldt It's not "mine", and definitely not to be used in any manner that can affect someone's well being. I don't know what your Paracord is ? I'm simply passing information on it's availability and price... It's primary use is as Cordage... Lashing or securing gear, equipment, as a ridgeline for a tent or shelter, to lash cut branches or small diameter trees together for various uses... Where do you get the idea that anyone here is going to use it for parachuting, abseiling, or similar endeavors ? This type of cordage is properly known as Paracord because it's similar in production to the cordage used on parachutes... and that's what everyone who is even a beginner novice at bushcraft knows it as. You can use shoe laces, twine, bank line, even electrical wire or dental floss for many of the same things we use Paracord for.

[@baronedipiemonte3990]

@ivan schafeldt Oh gee, didn't I just say where the name came from ? If you are interested in an argument or confrontation, I'm not going to accommodate you. Have a nice day or whatever !

[@AlexanderJenkins-n2r]

I love that you're being candid about having to be really thrifty when you started. It makes perfect sense that thrift and Bushcraft can go hand in hand. Solving problems in the woods is really very like solving them living on a shoe string in the middle of no where. You demonstrate it well and take away the stigma by being so articulate and well put together! One constructive criticism idea: I think I'd leave the silica in my match tube to absorb moisture in the air that might weaken the matches over long storage. In my area it's humid 9 months of the year. I understand this is the case in much of the UK too. If you were concerned with it getting loose in the wild and causing harm to the environment. I've seen similar results by putting a few grains of dry white rice in with your gear. Thanks for another great video!

[@joanneallan9227]

I’ve only just discovered this channel and it’s amazing. The way you teach is spot on and it’s easy to understand.

[@marcellorho4038]

Great idea for matches I also use the same boxes for salt, sugar and coffee Greetings from Northern Italy

[@richbuilds_com]

I love the homemade bushcraft gear videos. Everyone seems to be doing 'gear reviews' these days and forgetting what bushcraft is about: Working with what you have to hand. I'm often asked what the difference between survival and bushcraft is: Survival is living with what you have to hand, bushcraft is thriving with what you have to hand ;- )

[@richbuilds_com]

@@hiddenvalleybushcraft5683 Way Point Survival ( kzbin.infovideos ) does a lot of DIY stuff. Worth a watch :)

[@markwray8614]

Great advice and great ideas 👍

[@akcarlos]

absolutely, one of the best reliable cookers I have is an old hobo stove I made from a powdered milk tin.

[@joshwalker4506]

Like an episode of blue Peter, brilliant as always Nick

[@jito7377]

I love budget friendly/self made gear videos.

[@thefucrew9865]

I also use Nuun drink tab and diabetic sugar tab tubes. They aren't as long as yours, but they get the job done. Keep up the great work !!!

[@astrobreaux]

i roll my tape straight then add various size cordage and inner tube bands to hold the cordage in place. i also have a few that are fishing kits instead of match boxes. if you dehydrate the built in silica gel in your containers it will help to keep humidity from drowning your matches.

[@fmkfmk3835]

good video. for the basket.... I leave the handles in place (of course rubber removed) I put them outside to cook... (open to the outside) and I let them go back to their place to carry things with them (like a bundle on the shoulder)

[@forgetoforest5316]

love the video, brilliant....very much close to my own way of thinking, i really hate waste and truly believe that if something can be retasked, reused or recycled then it absolutely should be... one small addition to the billy can though for safety sake a small hole drilled or punched in the lid massively reduces the risk of it going pop...once again brilliant video.....

[@paulgee6111]

I had a similar kit when I was a lad. I used an old shoe polish tin and the matches were dipped in melted candlewax as a second line of defence from moisture.

[@FrenchViking466]

Having the ability to improvise is such an important skill to have. In terms of fire my bug out bag contains a bundel of 5 magnesium sticks a bundle of 5 BIC lighters and two pocket magnifyingglass to start fires when there’s sunlight, i might add some matches now haha. I absolutely love your videos, keep going strong mate!

[@mikafoxx2717]

Getting a dollar store magnifiers sheet and putting that in the rear of your backpack adds virtually no bulk of weight bit gives you a large surface area for concentrating heat

[@susanp.collins7834]

Those plastic fizzy-tablet containers are AWESOME. I have 3 of them wish I had more.

[@FerndaleMichiganUSA]

BOTH! Matches and a tricked-out mod lighter.

[@amandafoster2743]

Awesome - this would be an amazing lesson if I was younger and still a Scoutleader! Mind I might do this myself. Thank you

[@baronedipiemonte3990]

You aren't old until they engrave your name on marble or granite

[@duvessa2003]

Terrific! I’ve only encountered plastic grocery baskets in the U.S. but I love up-cycling and the creativity of others can spur me on to be more creative. I do want to mention that the Stanley Adventure Camp Cook set is pretty perfect and can be had on Amazon, these days, for about $17. I think I pd $11 for mine before the pandemic. Walmart usually has these things for even less. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel on that one unless you want to. It’s got little straining holes on the top that will also prevent it from becoming a pressure cooker; 2 little nesting cups inside, a cool handle...

[@bushmandan8645]

Absolutely love these cheap, budget ideas! I am certainly going to attempt these, keep up the good work!! Very educational

[@mannihh5274]

I like your approach to upgrade cheap common items and craft it to meet your needs. In my early days I was on a budget as well, so I got used to looking around and imagine, how to utilize it - it got my second nature and up to now, I can't buy anything and leave it untouched, I always find something to make it better suiting my needs. Dollar Tree, T€DI and similar bargain sales are great places to find cheap items you can utilize with quick and easy mods. #1 - matches are wider at their tip, so if you store half of them tip-up and the other half tip-down you can fit in more in your container. Folding the striker surface into a 'harmonica' makes some of the chemical-agent-dots pop off, compromising the striker - better roll it and finish it off with a strip of paper and a small piece of tape. These containers come in several sizes - I found a small one, that perfectly fits (with lid on) into a large one and made a hobo fishing kit out of them. The small one is the actual fishing kit with quite some line wrapped around the outside and the inside filled with hooks, swivels, sinkers, lures. Including a lanyard at the bottom it fits snuggly inside the big tube, preventing the line from coming undone - ready to 'rock-and-roll'. #2 - bail handle can be bend half-way around the pot and at a 90° upwards to the holes - so the handle doesn't get in the way during tranportation, no need for extra space . #3 - pot-stand can be made slim and foldable by cutting it, leaving the mesh bottom and two rows of wire, then altering the handles to attach to the first wire of the mesh and fold into the basket, making it some 4cm thick and portable - when folded out, it stops at the sidewalls and makes a sturdy pot-stand. To make the handles smaller, just bend the straight handle around a round object, keeping the hangers parallel.

[@FloridaPete1948]

Nick, I love all three of your ideas in this video! I've used 100% cotton bath towels since my USN days 50 years ago. And for years I've saved the cotton lint from the dryer filter after drying the towels(I dry my towels separate from other fabrics). Cotton lint, just like cotton wool, makes excellent tinder( I use lint and/or birch bark with my ferro rod). So instead of tissue wads to separate the matches from the striker strip, use several "wads" of cotton lint. I believe the lint will help get the rubber burning much easier and faster. Worth a try?

[@baronedipiemonte3990]

@ Pete... Most definitely !

[@frankhupp1572]

Use a small extendable tube for blowing on the fire. It can be made from an extendable back scratcher with the scratcher removed and the other end of the the tube removed. Keeps face out of the fire and the smoke.

[@beetooex]

You just made me think. The pegs in a British army IPK kit are hollow aluminium tube. I bet they'd work for blowing into the base of a fire.

[@seanthomasdowd]

I wax the matchsticks with old melted candle stubs and halfords will give you old inner tubing for nothing

[@hunterG60k]

Love this video, such a great idea. As kids we're always making and re-imagining, as adults we're encouraged to BUY, CONSUME, feed the capitalist beast! I miss being a kid and seeing a thousand different uses for a fairy liquid bottle. I'm trying to get some of that creativity back so thank you for the inspiration. Also, happy to support the channel, love what you do and the reasons you do 😊👏

[@fredetricko5555]

Love the concept of recycling and that of creating tools

[@markkoehler5110]

Love the shopping basket grill idea. Thank you

[@installtekzdotcom9777]

Some great shouts in this, thanks. The cheap coffee tins can be used for making charcoal and distilling water/alcohol too. Coincidentally I've also been working on these match fire-starters today. Although I wrapped the matches in tissue then about to dip them in melted candle wax. My (unrelated) top tip: rub a little Vaseline into cotton wool makes excellent improvised candles

[@mikafoxx2717]

(mostly) cotton drier lint also works as a free alternative to cottonballs

[@susanp.collins7834]

Nick (just subscribed, by the way!), this video, and in particular, your comment at the end ' - a bit of fun to make.', really resonated with me. I am a 67 year old South African on a State Pension of R2090 per month and I simply don't have the money to rush off and buy things or order things on Amazon. I live in a caravan and over the last 20 years I've had a BALL turning one thing into something else, repurposing things and making one tool do two jobs. (I think it's why I love Jamed Bender and Way Point Survival so much!). A lot of people give me weird stuff that they don't want any more and one of them was a soft shell, red fabric pencil case with see-through plastic panels, two zip up compartments and an individually sectioned part for pens/pencils. I repurposed it into an EDC and it holds over EIGHTY items. I just drop it in my handbag or backpack and I'm good to go. It weighs less than 400gms.

[@paulwalters5317]

Great video. Going to make the match container with my daughter 😀

[@johntjones3037]

Warmest wishes for continued success! Congradulations! For your level attainment! Love you and Amber!

[@simonwoodward438]

I use those tubes for matches and spares like a needle & thread and cable ties. Really like the sugar pot as a camp pot.

[@susanp.collins7834]

One of the best tips I ever encountered was squeezing dobs of toothpaste onto baking paper, covering them with baking soda (not baking POWDER!) and letting them dry. They become much smaller and you can pop them into a tiny pill container. They work like a dream!

[@Anthonybrod1]

Awesome video againg Nick, I found my self really inspired by your mind set and philosophy. Its be real pleasure to watch your videos, keep up the great work.