What Camping Gear did Australian Bushmen use 100 years ago?

[@stellanstellan8708]

Great video, please skip the music when you are talking as it is taking focus from your message.

[@TheBeardedBushranger]

Cheers mate. I'll actually take into consideration this request, cause I've had similar comments on my other channel. This is an older video I've reuploaded, but going forward I'll be using less / minimal music in my videos

[@stellanstellan8708]

@@TheBeardedBushranger Thanks for your reply to my comment. Music can heighten the content and add emotional connection in the introduction or in sequences in between the informative sections. Just make sure the level is even with the talk so one does not have to turn up or down all the time. Keep up the good job!

[@TheBeardedBushranger]

Yeah mate I usually keep it the way you've just said .. but I've had complaints about the same thing with this particular video before, so the mixing wasn't done well! Will keep that in check with future videos @@stellanstellan8708

[@Peakoilcompany]

I actually liked it. The rooster was great too. And you're uncovering good old folk music too. But I get that some folks prefer it quieter.

[@robertozee5024]

I love this channel already. You've got some beautiful country there sir. Greetings from Alabama!

[@TheBeardedBushranger]

Thanks for watching mate! Alabama sure looks beautiful as well. I love the look of some of those southern states.

[@simonh6371]

My Grandad who was born in 1913 spent time during the Depression in the 30s doing something similar to the swagmen or US hobos, albeit not in such a wilderness setting. He cycled around western England looking for work and as a kid told me tales of how he'd weathered rainstorms sitting upright under a tree, kept dry by an oilskin and sou'wester, the type that sailors used to wear. Or how he'd slept one night on a big mound of gravel which was dropped on the roadside for some repairs. He did a bit of foraging too and showed me how to cook nettles as a veg side, a bit like spinach. Also as a kid I was always fascinated by reading about expeditions like the Burke and Wills one, and reading about swagmen. One scene I remember was from the Mel Gibson film Gallipoli where they are off to enlist and get lost in the desert, being saved by coming across an old camel drover, who has never been to a city, and is flabbergasted to hear about there being a war, and he asks them what the hell Australians are doing going to fight Turks, because Britain is at war with Germany. Later in my early 20s I got to watch Les Hiddins in Bush Tucker Man which I loved, it was shown on TV here on Sunday mornings.

[@TheBeardedBushranger]

I love these old stories of the old folks. They really went through tough times that I think we have lost in this day and age. I gotta check out that movie as well. Did you ever get into Malcolm Douglas .. just like Les Hiddens he was a bit of an icon for Bush tv in the Australia.

[@simonh6371]

@@TheBeardedBushranger I have watched a couple of Malcolm Douglas episodes, I know he was an icon down under. I've watched the entire Jack Abasalom series too, need to re-watch that. Neither of them were on TV here in Pommieland as far as I know, just found out about them by reading comments under Bush Tucker Man yt vids. Yep the Gallipoli film - entirely Aussie made in 1981 - is very well made and worth watching. I also saw the Anzacs miniseries with Paul Hogan in it back in the early 80s here on TV, I've rewatched that on youtube too. Another Aussie miniseries I watched back then was Vietnam, starring Nicole Kidman.

[@TheBeardedBushranger]

@@simonh6371 Cheers mate, if you like oldschool mini series, I'd reccomend the mini series 'A fortunate life' based on the book by bert facey. It's on amazon prime I think (don't know if you get different shows though over pommieland)

[@jimcy1319]

I had the very same 1946 model British army knife, gave it to a mate in the army when I left, loved it always stayed sharp, wished I'd kept it. The marlin spike was used by sappers when doing rope work or lashings, the cavalry units used it for cleaning the horses hoofs of stone's.👍

[@TheBeardedBushranger]

Cheers mate. I've heard about the cleaning of hoofs on the horses as well. Since finding out about the marlin spike I've actually been using it on our farm to untie knots and it is bloody handy! Thanks for watching.

[@mrhalfstep]

Ahhh! Now I get it. I've been wondering what the significance of the SWAG MAN branding was. Sounds like a swag man was very similar to a Hobo here in Depression Era America. Walked (tramped) and road the freight rails to find work where he could.

[@TheBeardedBushranger]

Yeah pretty much mate. The swagmen walked around the country looking for work where they could. Riding the rails wasn't as big for the swagman since our railway networks were not as developed as the U.S. Our swagmen go back to the early 1800's as well .. and were also known to be hardy bush men in our harsh Australian wilderness as Australia was no way near as developed as the states was during that time. The swag is basically a bedroll .. although the oil skin or sometimes canvas wrapping was unique to the swag.

[@rhys5567]

My uncle died when i was young too. Ive got his camping set including his billy, compass, and watch. My gramps died too and i have his WWII entrenching tool from when he served. I still use them. The billy nearly everyday. I stop and remember them. Some of my favourite things.

[@TheBeardedBushranger]

Thanks for sharing!. A lot of my items have that sentimental value to them as well. Makes you appreciate it more, because there is a story behind it. Thanks for watching.

[@AB-zz2yl]

Just subscribed mate, good luck with the channel, I had one of those pocket/jack knives when I served in the British Army, and it was an old piece of kit when I got it but it just kept on taking a beating. As a young soldier I was told the Marlin spike was used by the artillery guys on shells, I believed it for a while too 😂

[@TheBeardedBushranger]

Thanks for subscribing. I'm loving all these stories I'm getting around the Marlin spike haha your's is one of the best so far.

[@UrbanKiwiana]

Definitely loving it,im actually learning new things from you I didnt know. An I love a bit of history which makes you're content super appealing and immersive. Thanks. Have an amazing day..

[@ROE1300]

👍 Excellent video. Pity I cannot get most the Aussie new production gear here in the U.S.. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@TheBeardedBushranger]

A lot of canvas gear you could get over there is going to be pretty similar I'd say. Do you have oil skin jackets there?

[@ROE1300]

@@TheBeardedBushranger Oh yes, I can acquire all the soft goods, or something very similar. It was the tea pot shaped Billy can I was referring to. Also, the SWAGS available here are either not as good or very expensive. I have crafted one together with gear I already have.

[@riversendoutdoors342]

Nice bunch of gear, good info.

[@TheBeardedBushranger]

Thanks mate. It's a bit of an old video I reuploaded. I need to do an updated one.

[@behindthespotlight7983]

10:11 here in the US if one cleans a vintage blade, firearm or coins it drastically diminishes their collector value. However in the case of the 1946 pocket knife, because it is still being used today for its full utility, I would be inclined to de-rust it, profile the blades, lubricate the metal and give the scales a once-over with some all purpose machine oil or even WD-40. I noticed it crunching during the 1940’s sailor impression. That’s what got me thinking. Anyhow I’m a new sub and enjoy your videos from the Olympic Peninsula in Washington. Approximately 17 miles from Canada.

[@TheBeardedBushranger]

Thanks very much mate. Seems like you have a wealth of knowledge, I appreciate that. Yeah I haven't cleaned this blade for that reason, having that vintage look ... but it is collecting a bit of rust on it now.

[@southernlandsolo7839]

Thanks for the great vid Luke. I am always checking the op shops for old billy cans. I recently found a modern barista's milk jug for a couple of bucks. I converted it into a small billy can with a lid. I can hang it over a fire for tea, soups and stews. Great fun to improvise like they did back in the day.

[@TheBeardedBushranger]

Yeah op shops are great for finding hidden treasure. I recently found a wool coat at my local op shop which will be great for a historical camp. Old spoons and pots and pans are also good finds.

[@kurts64]

Awesome vid, some great gear there! 👍👍

[@TheBeardedBushranger]

Thanks for commenting again 😉

[@Aileen-n1u]

Great information. A must need to know . Thanks for sharing . Just wondering if you have a book list on great reads on Australian history you would like to share with us.. 😊❤

[@TheBeardedBushranger]

A really interesting read is the book Folklore of Australia .. also the Bush by Don watson is a great place to start.

[@miken7629]

If you don't mind using modern materials to make your swag, they make Duck Canvas that is not waterproof but you can coat it with "Spar Urethane" which is a clear waterproof polyurethane plastic you can paint onto canvas and remains flexible, the price for Spar Urethane is high, it is cheaper to by alternative waterproof canvas online. An alternative waterproof canvas is Mybecca 600 denier Polyester canvas which is backed by "Polyurethane" making it waterproof on one side. Ottertex 600 denier Polyester waterproof canvas is "PVC" backed and the material I used for my Hobo Bedroll. Regular canvas can be painted with Latex Paint and remain flexible but that alone won't waterproof it, regular canvas has to be sealed first. I have not tried but I understand they make an acrylic sealer/primer that you can find at paint stores that will waterproof canvas, I might run a test some day.

[@TheBeardedBushranger]

Cheers mate, thanks for the tips, lots to try out there

[@liamh2001]

My favourite hat to take anywhere is a kangaroo leather hat. Crushable, hardy, totally waterproof but still super cheap. Wear it every day to work in the vineyards.

[@TheBeardedBushranger]

I need to get myself one of those!

[@longrider42]

If I may ask, what is the ratio of Linseed oil to mineral oil? I would like to make an Oil Skin Tarp. I just subbed but I've watched several of your video's. I can no longer hike due to well, back and next problems. But I do bicycle camp. I ride a two wheeled recumbent. So I big Tarp would come in handy.

[@TheBeardedBushranger]

Hey mate, so I use a pretty standard 50 / 50 ratio mix. There are multiple ways to make an oil skin, including using bees wax instead of mineral turpentine. There is also aparently a difference between linseed oil and boiled linseed oil (boiled tends to cure faster) I used boiled linseed oil and mineral turpentine and I found it gives a great water proof tarp. I have also experimented on both thin contton material, and also 100% cotton canvas for a more durable tarp. It's great fun to make, usually takes 2 or 3 weeks to cure .. but the smell often stays for a lot longer. Good to hear you still get out there on bicycle camps! No matter what stage of life your at, it's always benificial to get outdoors.

[@fourtyfivefudd]

The thing about using linseed on canvas to make waterproof tarps is that even though it’s completely dried, the linseed will still continue to slowly eat away at the fabric. So they only last a few years before you need to make a new one.

[@TheBeardedBushranger]

Very true, not to mention the mineral turps that I mix in with it.

[@agjld7]

That spike on your pocket knife is a Fid or Marlin Spike. It's for tying and untying knots in ropes and wire.

[@TheBeardedBushranger]

Thanks mate .. I found this out after I made this vid so I included it in text. Great to always be learning.

[@limeybonesjones7395]

was it common for swag men to carry firearms for hunting and protection back in the day ?

[@TheBeardedBushranger]

Not so much the swagmen, as they were usually poorer folk who couldn't afford firearms. The more wealthy settlers usually always had firearms for hunting and protection though.

[@herbsmith6871]

Very cool my friend😎

[@alanholley2031]

Enjoyed that mate, nice to see the water bag collaboration too 👍Cheers

[@TheBeardedBushranger]

Cheers mate. Yeah I finally got round to getting my own water bag which I'll be using from here on in.

[@joseuribe430]

thanks for sharing. Really cool stuff. I too like old gear over ultra light weight high tech stuff

[@TheBeardedBushranger]

Yup, and if you can learn to go with less .. your old gear doesn't need to be too heavy.

[@joseuribe430]

@@TheBeardedBushranger thanks

[@JoeBob-jz8ym]

It’s a Hoof pick on the knife.

[@TheBeardedBushranger]

Yeah I've heard this one before as well!

[@mickgately5423]

i have the exact same clasp knife,

[@TheBeardedBushranger]

Good on ya mate .. quite a few of em got around it seems.

[@budget-adventure]

All the gear mate great work, but are you catering to an American audience? Isn’t it swagmen here and not swag man?

[@TheBeardedBushranger]

Yeah I'm guessing swagman when talking about 1 and swagmen when talking about more then 2 ... but pronoucing it 'swagmen' in Australia can mean both with our accent haha

[@budget-adventure]

@@TheBeardedBushranger ha ha yeah your right

[@Homeyomey]

How cold does it get out there?

[@TheBeardedBushranger]

Where I live in the south, in winter it can get down to -1.c to -2.c at the coldest. Usually during the day it is around 5.c. But if I head up into the mountains during the winter, you can get down to temperatures around -10.c Certainly not as cold as Europe or North America.

[@markmueller5508]

What State are you in.

[@TheBeardedBushranger]

Vicco

[@Boksburg1982]

Nice jackknife, it was standard commonwealth military issue. The marlin spike is for splicing rope and small diameter wire. I have my father's which he was issued in WW2 when he served in the Royal Navy.

[@TheBeardedBushranger]

Yeah there seems to be quite a few of them floating around. I've been using the marlin spike on our farm to help with any old stubborn knots.

[@jimroberts2111]

Hey mate would love to see you do a more traditional swag setup. I would study the Yukon pack used in the States, as this was more akin to the old swagman. Maybe a haversack/dillybag to go with but you can wrap pretty much everything essential up in the swag itself and wear it as a backpack. Will allow you to move much easier, carry much more, etc

[@jimroberts2111]

To add to this, think of something such as "Canvas Cutter"s bedroll system but work as a backpack. Will allow you to bring more cushioning and keep your hands free for bushcraft tasks. Food for thought.

[@TheBeardedBushranger]

Yeah currrently I love pairing my traditional swag with old canvas backpack as it gives me that freedom, but I've been meaning to get a haversack for a while as well. It's fun to mix it up for different trips. I'll look at the yukon pack

[@jimroberts2111]

@@TheBeardedBushranger More or less the Yukon pack is the concept of rolling your bedroll up with everything in it and foregoing a traditional backpack so as to sleep warmer and bring only the essentials stuffed inside. The traditional swaggies did much the same, you can find a lot of poetry and old references where there are lists of certain swagmen that passed away, or rather the items that were contained in their swag. You can carry a fair bit this way, and just strap the bedroll (with kit tucked inside) to your back instead of a pack. For essentials, or things you will need whilst walking, you can wear a haversack over one shoulder. I think this would be the most apt recreation of how the swaggies managed their kit.

[@jimroberts2111]

Probably the greatest benefit of this method would be the ability to bring a larger bedroll or more cushioning inside it for a comfier and warmer kit. An example might be an oilskin tarp, inside of which is rolled a wool blanket or two, a sheepskin or two, and then your billy and spare clothes. Meanwhile a haversack on your shoulder might contain your water, dillybag, fire kit etc.

[@Peakoilcompany]

The skewer on the knife is great for splicing rope

[@ronaldwhite5670]

That was good, real good, thank you.

[@mathewweeks9069]

Your awesome be safe out there

[@sethmoking]

I love the idea of taking a kerosene hurricane lamp backpacking, but the problem is that if they tip upside at all they leak kerosene everywhere. Next, you've got to carry extra kerosene with you, because those lamps don't burn very long on one fill. And last, filling up those lamps from a bottle is a pain in the butt. I haven't figured out how to do it without spilling everywhere. And then emptying the lamp back into the bottle is impossible, too. How have you overcome these challenges? Great video, btw.

[@TheBeardedBushranger]

Hey mate .. yeah the spilling part is a real issue haha. My antique lamp has a little crack around the lid, so when it sloshes around while walking kerosone spills out. I tend to use the newer one though because of that. I have filled it up before and had it running on a low burn all night and it is still going in the morning. The youtube channel Waypoint surival has a good little tutorial on how to make a hobo pocket light .. this will be something I'll be looking at making to take on my hiking journeys, while leaving the kerosene lamp for my bushcraft builds at my porperty that I can leave hanging up.

[@xyzxyz8911]

This backpack is a fantastic piece of kit.

[@paulmckelvey7925]

The spike on the

[@paulmckelvey7925]

Knife is used for undoing knots in thick rope.Most likely a Mariners knife.

[@TheBeardedBushranger]

Yeah I've heard about this. Splicing rope as they say

[@moorshound3243]

Just finished reading dairy of a Welsh swagman, great book about a fellow from Welsh Wales who travelled to Aus and living as a swagman or hobo.

[@TheBeardedBushranger]

Cheers, I'll have to look into it.

[@simplylifeau]

Thanks for the run down Like and for keeping traditional gear alive…👍

[@TheBeardedBushranger]

Thanks for watching. It's definantly a journey as I try and look for stuff that is more and more authentic.

[@KennethBaxter-v4r]

Good day Luke it’s is great to see the swagmen still around today , great videos I enjoy them great job mate .

[@TheBeardedBushranger]

Thanks for watching mate. I'll be posting plenty of swagmen videos this year.

[@DmitryKDV]

This is a interesting video. Thanks so mutch you.

[@TheBeardedBushranger]

Thanks for watching.

[@dyslectische]

I have so Australië long jack here in the Netherlands. Good against rain and snow. Its really warm . I have it now for about 10 years now.

[@TheBeardedBushranger]

Is it an oil skin? They really are great jackets for outdoors .. only downside is they are quite heavy.

[@dyslectische]

@@TheBeardedBushranger no its not. More modern one . Its make from pvc.

[@michaelsewell3706]

Good luck with the new channel. I need to catch up on your videos .just got back from a 2 week vacation in the wilds, no wifi. I am looking forward to hearing the folklore stories.

[@TheBeardedBushranger]

Cheers mate. That trip you did sounds awesome!

[@michaelsewell3706]

@@TheBeardedBushranger 5 nights at a place called Kagga Kamma and 6 nights in Tankwa Karoo National Park in the west of South Africa.

[@malacarabushcraft1451]

Buen equipo clásico, me suscribo 👍

[@TheBeardedBushranger]

Thanks

[@tiagomateiro]

One thing that I like in the old vibe gear is that it feels like they have a soul. If you know what I mean. Loved man, thanks for sharing 👊🏽

[@TheBeardedBushranger]

Yeah I'm so fascinated in the old history, going out on a trip with this gear makes you feel like your living that history just a touch!

[@tiagomateiro]

@TheBeardedBushranger It probably also makes you more appreciative of today's comforts, right? It makes me more grateful, for sure. Love your videos, man. Take care! Cheers and blessings from Brazil 👊🏽

[@TheBeardedBushranger]

Absolutely. Cool to see someone all the way from brazil watching.

[@KatooR-Outdoor..]

Great vedio ❤

[@TheBeardedBushranger]

Thanks for watching.

[@annettehewitson6426]

As bloody Australian myself,you for got the bloody wheel barrel,and every state ,territory,the swagger change in what he had to carry,please research before you tell yarn of Australian,bloody galah.

[@TheBeardedBushranger]

😆 good on ya mate. Have a great day

[@raelenehenry1488]

As a fourth generation Aussie in my late 40's what on earth are you on about? I think this bloke has done a great job!