UPGRADED MY SURPLUS GEAR

[@prestongivens3594]

Nice video, Blackie! The thing that I love about all of your videos is how you often take surplus or even junk materials, and add your magic ingredient: KNOWLEDGE! The result is something useful, and possibly even lifesaving. This is the essence of woodscrafting, and it’s the magic that you bring to us. 💪💪 Thanks, Blackie!

[@kenbarrett6466]

I can see where adding 3 complete .. dog food bags could function as a browse bed to enhance things even further . And don’t you just love how pine straw will get into anything you’re trying to do outdoors down here in the south . But hey we do have fat wood , pine pitch , if the straw is dry emergency tinder and pine cones do make a good coal long lasting coal bed ..

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

very true a quick bed as well as more gear i can use to broken down cars or to sacrifice if i got to

[@choirboyzcutleryoutdoors]

Absolute fantastic video my friend! I tried not to miss a single episode!!

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

Thanks for the visit

[@timlacy2284]

Blackie , Another Great Video and Outstanding Information .I appreciate you taking and sharing of your time and knowledge. I myself are making updates on my Ranger Roll . Yes , You Are The Master Woodsman and Buschcrafter Thanks Again. Tim L.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

Much appreciated

[@jamesmadden3583]

@@BLACKIETHOMAS oooo

[@neitzsche5150]

Thanks!

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

thank you !

[@kurtbaier6122]

I have been using a system I developed for several years down to 20 degrees with seasonal clothing on. I take an SOL product Mylar double size heat sheet and put some squares of clear packaging tape where I will pin it to the woobie. Joined together it made a water proof tarp and insulated sleep bag. The SOL Mylar is bonded to plastic so it is able to stretch and is quiet. With a some grommets in the woobie and shock cord it makes a good hammock under quilt. For ground use I do bring either a foldable zip or air matt.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

sounds good

[@knifelore1647]

Blackie, I was a member of the 101st at Fort Campbell, an the only thing I might add to that is a jungle hammack. That with the Ranger roll. Are awesome,

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

true a hammock is a big help

[@daveedwards6567]

Once again great video big thanks Blacky

[@kennethwilson8633]

Good kit but I always used a wool blanket instead of a poncho liner inside my poncho got a sleeping bag but it gets a bit colder in Michigan.and Germany. Have fun be safe.

[@shastaham7630]

Good idea. I use both. I am considering talking a surplus wool blanket and adding grommets (8) and ties around the edges. I have already added additional grommets and ties to my Arcturus emergency blanket.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

Great tip!

[@louisj.prezioso2565]

Blackie I enjoy your videos, I just recently came across them . The shirt your wearing looks like the boy scouts explorer uniform the green epaulets gave it away ,keep up the great work

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

yep i worked as a summer camp shooting sports instructor for a few yrs

[@davidr.8999]

I have several poncho liners but the best one has a zipper - custom like - allows for zipping into a light weight sleeping bag etc.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

yep i have seen those

[@frogmorepipester7490]

Down an Dirty! Cheers from the South Carolina Lowcountry!

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

thank you safe journeys to you

[@kevinstanley5352]

Brother you are an excellent teacher much appreciated!!

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

I appreciate that!

[@oldminer5387]

Great idea Blackie, thank you. I will add one of these rolls to my car kit, best to be prepared.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

Absolutely!

[@oisin666666]

Nice jacket again. Used to wear it in 88/89 in service.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

i love mine it has served me a long time

[@ClintHollingsworth]

Heck, I'm gonna try this set-up in the Cascades this summer!

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

You should!

[@hammerhound168]

Blackie , those ponchos are easily repairable. Same system/ procedure as repairing tents. Wally world even sells the stuff. Just need to know which type( silnylon or polyurethan) material it's made from.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

very true

[@jeffrichards5106]

Great emergency kit Blackie, well done! Look forward to your ground pounder video Sunday. 👍

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

Coming soon!

[@smoothvern165]

Awesome, Blackie! Great upgrade! Always useful content!

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

Glad you think so!

[@Stoney_AKA_James]

Excellent

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

Thank you so much 😀

[@krishoogstraat6866]

Great advice .

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

Thanks for watching!

[@thevirginiabushcrafter8833]

Excellent Demo

[@mikebsbd]

Excellent idea and thank you for sharing.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

Glad you liked it!

[@mouseblackcat5263]

Here in the Midwest Wasteland it is common for winter temps to drop below Zero with Sustained Winds of 40 n 50 MPH. Not often much precipitation but its extremely easy to Freze to Death in under an Hour without sufficient shelter. :/

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

correct if you live in such areas ya better have a plan for a car breakdown at least to buy time till help can arrive

[@hiramhaji7813]

Great video

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@MichaelR58]

Blackie , good video and tips , thanks for sharing ,God bless !

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

Thanks 👍

[@jem6205]

Nice video. I tend to go a different way. My rule of thumb for my vehicle kit is that comfort and usability comes first. That normally means that they include a 3 day get home kit with two giveaway bedrolls. I tend to lean on the side that if I am not willing to go on a weekend camping trip with it, then it doesn't make it in a kit. For longer trips like 4+ hrs away, I would add a "settlers kit" to the vehicle. I have given away old bed rolls to people on the road and made more. I have also had my vehicle broken into. My thought process on that is keeping the giveaway bed rolls visible for quick grabs. Vehicle supply kit in a box in the back that easy to access but not in front by a door. And my get home and "settlers" kit is in a locked trunk that is hidden or bolted down. When any vehicle is broken into it is normally quick grab or full on vehicle theft. The right anti theft system and parking in reasonable safe spots is all that is normally required to keep safe. When I can't avoid parking in a questionable location, then I keep my vehicle in line-of-sight or take the stuff with me.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

well thought out gear sets thank for the comment

[@robbiemear2374]

What would a settlers kit include?

[@jem6205]

@@robbiemear2374, a settlers kit are the items that you would take with you if you were to go somewhere and dont know when you would be home again. Think vehicle camping but packed in a large cooler with wheels, or things you can pack on a cart, so that you can pull stuff behind you while on the move down a path. Almost like a no limit kit. Stuff like a scotch eye wood drill bit, large frying pan, large pot, drawknife, several large nails, heavy canvas, large cooler, ranges and fuel, chairs, spair set of clothes for each person in the vehicle in a waterproof space saver bag, sleeping systems,...

[@Cetok01]

Love your channel, Blackie. Good plan and kit. However, I wouldn't want to use 550 or other similar cordage for a tourniquet; it would further damage the tissue and blood vessels. Definitely a desperate measure. You want flat cordage such as mule tape, or at least some substantial padding under paracord to spread the stress.

[@shastaham7630]

Yet another outstanding video, Blackie. What is the pouch on the left side of your belt?

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

a phone case i created from an old army pouch

[@anthonyjacobs6790]

Another entertaining and educational video, thank you.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

Thanks again!

[@kenbarrett6466]

I’ve been just thinking about what I have and don’t have in my truck .. basically all that’s missing is a bushpot , grill , ensolite pad .. everything else of the 10 cs are well covered , some of the sleep system may be harbor freight tarps and moving blankets .. I even have the same plastic

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

good job with a little extra you will have what you need

[@danmcelroy6584]

That is something I need to work on for my vehicle! Thanks for sharing it. 👍👍

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

Any time!

[@barrycartner3855]

Please forgive me if you have previously answered the following question. Have you ever considered using a vehicle windshield sun reflecting mat as your ground protection?

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

yes they will serve well for that

[@MH-ls1xi]

Slip in a couple drum liners and you have yourself a pretty versatile kit.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

yep that would be a good addition

[@garyprice9015]

Blackie can u do a show on the pathfinder belmont blanket i see every one else doing shows on the blacket u have here

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

i will look into it i dont have one of their belmonts but i will see what i can do

[@hiramhaji7813]

That is a great ranger roll for your vehicle

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

yep glad you like it

[@alf3553]

Great idea Having all that ready to go 👍

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

Thanks 👍

[@james_lessick892]

I'm going to make this for sure, totally Outstanding 👌🤠👍

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

Please do!

[@garyprice9015]

Thank u sir and do u still have the blackbird2 available

[@boomshanka8743]

Good stuff Blackie, many thanks. The toughest part of this system to source is the poncho, the USGI surplus supply seems to have dried up. There are a number of commercial ponchos I have tried - the Angolan surplus one is just terrible as well as expensive, the Helicontex one is better but smaller than the USGI one and expensive, but the Bushcraft Outfitters poncho is not that expensive and is made with webbing loops rather than grommets (which always pull out when under load). I am seriously considering getting the Wiggy's poncho liner, it isn't cheap but I trust his sleeping bags to be well made and accurate in terms of temperature rating.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

CONTACT 1-334-898-1770 thats kaufmans they are open mon thru fri 9 til 4 they have ponchos

[@misolgit69]

in Ray Mears early books he says as a pre teen he couldn't afford to buy gear so he started out with plastic sheets and biscuit tins seems to be a universal tale amongst those who know

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

you learn a lot for such gear and how to protect your gear as well

[@rtaylor61]

Great video. I didn't notice. Was there any reflective material in anything that would be wore as outside material in case of a "night hike"? And is that a Buck 110 on your hip?

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

Not that I know of and your correct that is a buck 110

[@hamletharris7729]

Great Video Period

[@davekelly9657]

Very cool 😎. Thanks 👍👍

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

No problem 👍

[@jenniferbauman4802]

Good video good stuff. God bless. From Glenn CATT in Massachusetts.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

thanks

[@robbiemear2374]

Rather than refolding a plastic drop cloth I stuff it into a worn out sock. It makes a long thin roll

[@robertevans8126]

Shared

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

thanks

[@TripleAAA53]

PERFECT !!!!!

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

glad you like it

[@hardtrooth1776]

Hello Blackie i seen you built a shelter with some thin white and blue thin cordage what was it?

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

thats nylon stuff you get in the fishing section at walmart i use it as cheap cord to cut and not reclaim when i leave

[@JasonGutierrez]

Blackie, what type of jacket are you wearing in this video? I got a great M-65 but this looks more like an m-51? Thx! Love your videos!

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

it is a german moleskin shirt (1980's) love these for field use

[@JasonGutierrez]

@@BLACKIETHOMAS very cool! Thx brother! God bless!

[@ASMRbei]

You’re exactly how I picture an American person!

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

why thank you..i think lol

[@adrianjagmag]

Would it be possible to do this with two tarps instead of the Poncho liner? Tarps are very very cheap over here.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

sure it would

[@Jeremy-km4dj]

what boots do you have? looks like the rocky V2

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

i got them from surplus they were issue boots

[@myleswilliams1835]

Have you ever reviewed / used the 1928 haversack system? I am thinking it would make a good 1 summer night camp pack

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

i have looked at it and my thoughts were to add an inner sack to help contain gear.. a friend has a 1928 and i may do a video on it in the near future

[@myleswilliams1835]

@@BLACKIETHOMAS It seems to be an easy way to pack and unpack at camp. The problem, I think, is accessing things while on the move if needed.

[@fredfreiberger7878]

Blackie how many stakes do you recommend a person to carry

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

i carry 6 and make more if need be

[@Plain-Ole-Chuck]

Nice upgrade .. I hope you never need it !!

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

You and me both!

[@azhomeboy2000]

No argument duct tape works well for patch work. If youd like a more permanent and durable repair, try Gear Aid ripstop repair tape and then a coat of seam seal.

[@michaelpincavitch5245]

Cool video. Hey blackie I have a Ruger old army stainless 45 cap and ball in box with manual. 1979 model. It's for sale if you know anyone?

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

those are in demand for sure

[@HircineDaWolf]

gunbroker

[@brianvannorman1465]

Interesting. Cousin, your links are appearing opposite of where you are pointing. Looks like you scavenge....excuse me, repurpose a lot of stuff. I do, too. It's not like I can print money. Cut up a garden hose and string the cut pieces together to make a seat. From Backwoodsman magazine.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

thanks for watching