Using A Tarp Or Basha With The Handy Hammock

 

I Recently Wrote A Post On The Much Talked About Handy Hammock, Including The Associated Video Review. And Briefly Mentioned Trying A Tarp Or Basha In Conjunction With The Hammock. I Have Now Tried This And Here Are My Findings.

Back in October I wrote a blog post regarding the UK designed Handy Hammock, which is the lightest self supporting hammock in the world. I was lucky enough to be sent one to try out and as you will see in the video review I did, I was very impressed with it. However, this particular design of hammock was mainly aimed at the beach, garden users, due to the reason you can pitch the hammock without the need for two tree's. And as we are bushcrafters spending a lot of our time in woodland, it goes without saying there are usually ample tree's to chose from for a typical hammock or tarp setup.

But that doesn't mean we should dismiss this innovative design. In the appropriate situation, this hammock could be a great asset to any outdoors mans (or womans) kit. And with the addition of a suitable shelter, like a tarp or basha, it soon becomes an alternative and fun way to sleep or relax outdoors, without being affected by the elements.

Now I already knew that the guys at Handy Hammocks were working on a prototype canopy that would custom fit the current setup. But as it wasn't yet available for general release, I decided to have a play around myself, with an old British army basha.

Once I had erected the Handy Hammock in the comfort of my own garden (TIP: Always test out your new gear or ideas in your garden before venturing out into the field) it didn't take long to realise that it would be a relatively simple conversion of various items, to put together a form of shelter for the hammock. The British army basha was the perfect length to stretch between the ends of the supporting struts.

And with the addition of a couple of karabiners and a few short lengths of paracord, the basic shelter was set up.

All that remained now was to peg out the corners using bungees. This worked fine, but due to the ridge line of the tarp (not an actual paracord ridge line) being so low to the hammock, it didn't leave much head room under the tarp. Ideal for heavy rain, but in finer weather would have been a little restrictive. So a couple of walking poles attached to the side loops of the tarp soon sorted that out, raising the headroom underneath to a more acceptable level.

As I mentioned earlier in the post, the guys at Handy Hammock are working on a prototype canopy, which they are in the process of fine tuning, to get it just right. But as you can see from their photo, the concept is both innovative and fit for purpose. I for one am looking forward to trying one of these canopies on my Handy Hammock, when they are released for general sale in 2013.

That said, although not the prettiest of setups, I would be more than confident to spend a night or two using the Handy Hammock, in conjunction with an appropriate tarp or British army basha. Knowing that I would get some degree of protection from the rain, if required. This setup won't in any way be as good or replace the canopy concept that we eagerly await from Handy Hammocks, but for me will do for now and I enjoyed playing around with the different ideas.

Homemade Bushcraft & Backpacking Kit Using Recycled Rubbish

If You Are Just Starting Out In Bushcraft, Don't Have Any Disposable Income For Buying New Kit Or Just Want To Make Some Cheap And Lightweight Backpacking Gear, I Can't Think Of Anything More Rewarding Than Making Your Own Homemade Bushcraft Gear Out Of Things You Would Normally Throw Away

I don't know about you, but I always get a good sense of satisfaction when I cobble something together out of old odd and ends, that would otherwise be trashed. And in today's climate, if you can recycle anything into something re-usable, it has to be a positive thing, right ? So what exactly can we make out of our old food tins, pop or soda cans and cardboard drinks containers ?

The first item that springs to mind and one that I have used on numerous occasions is the humble bean tin. This readily available piece of rubbish can be modified to suit many a bushcraft situation. Whether it be a small billy can for boiling water, a simple hobo stove or meths style alcohol burner. All of which could be used together as a budget diy cook set.

Another commonly used item of rubbish, that we simply throw in the bin once the contents have been consumed is a pop, soda or beer can. These are great for making cheap (very cheap) and lightweight alcohol stoves, ideal for brewing up when out on the trial. They hold just enough meths (Denatured alcohol) for a good rolling boil on a decent size billy can or suitable cup, like the BCB Crusader mug.

Popcan stoves are really easy to make and there are many video tutorials on how to do this. I remember the first one I ever made and the satisfaction I got from filling it up with fuel, lighting it and boiling my first pan of water. These make a great backpacking stove, due to their weight and size and can be used in conjunction with all manner of kit you may already have.

So you've got your bean tin billy can and popcan fuel burner. All you need now is a windshield/pot stand for your burner to sit in and billy can to sit on. It's possible to place a suitable billy can directly on top of the popcan stove. But I decided to make my own multi-use potstand, which could also be used to take heat gel or hand cleanser, which also makes a good source of fuel for your burner. I made this using an old tuna can and some stiff wire, to create some retractable arms.

The beauty of this little cook set, that we have put together for little or no money, is the fact that it all fits conveniently inside one another, creating a small and compact unit. And that's the great thing about making your own bushcraft kit out of recycled rubbish. You can pick and choose what items you want to use to create your diy gear, depending on size or shape. If one type of tin can doesn't fit in with your setup, chuck it away, have another rummage in the bin until you find one that does.

Cardboard drinks or juice cartons are another great source of trash that can be recycled into cups or water carriers. And the clever thing about cardboard packaging is that it can be flattened when not full of liquid, taking up less room in your pack. Also, they are much lighter than any plastic or stainless steel water bottle you may have.

I realise that this application of a cup/water carrier isnt as robust as the plastic or stainless containers, but they do work (See Video Demo Below), cost nothing and may get you out of a tricky situation. Water can be vital in a survival situation so any means of collecting it is a bonus.

So, there we have it... A few ideas to get you rummaging around in your dustbins at home, to gather enough recyclable items together, enabling you to make your own homemade diy bushcraft gear.If you are looking to make lightweight stoves or associated kit for backpacking, here are a few other budget bushcraft ideas you may want to try :

Budget Bushcraft Collapsible Water Bottle DIY Trangia Burner Potstand How To Make A Bushcraft Candle - Insect Repellent Version DIY Meths Burner Potstand

What I Use To Capture My Bushcraft Media

I Am Often Asked What Type Of Camera I Use To Capture Photos For My Blog And Videos For My JesterBushcraft Youtube Channel

But before I start, I would just like to make something clear (As you have no doubt already realised). I am, by no means a professional photographer or video maker. In fact I'm not even a good amateur photographer.

I am simply a person with an interest in the outdoors, wildlife, bushcraft etc. that likes to keep a record of what I get up to. And for that reason, I have to use some form of camera. And as people are asking the question, I thought I'd write this short blog post, to explain what I use when out and about doing my thing. My Photography Kit : Fujifilm FinePix S9500 (With 2gb XD Flash Card) Maxsima Remote Shutter Release Control Cable For Above Canon PowerShot A3100 IS (With 8gb SDHC Flash Card) Cheap Telescopic Tripod Small Flexible Leg Pocket Tripod Wide Angle/Macro Lens 2x Teleconverter Telephoto Lens My Photography Requirements : The majority of my camera usage is photo images for my blog and video for my Youtube Channel - JesterBushcraft. I tend to take quite a lot of photos of fungi, insects, plants and wildlife. And some of these images are taken relatively close up and so I require a good macro facility. I also need quite a large memory capacity for the amount of video I take when out in the field shooting Bushcraft reviews, tutorials or outings. When trying to capture wildlife on film it is always an advantage to have a reasonable zoom facility. I prefer not to use the digital zoom on my cameras, as the quality of the image is lost in shaky or grainy footage. A tripod is essential to me, as I take a lot of footage of myself demonstrating kit or bushcraft techniques

Brief Pro's & Con's Of My Kit :

Fujifilm FinePix S9500 (With 2gb XD Flash Card) - My S9500 is a bridge camera between a point & shoot camera and a DSLR.

I really like the fixed lens which has a considerable manual zoom, which is great when trying to capture wildlife on still images or video. When using the video mode, it allows me to zoom in on the subject without any loss of focus.

With it being a similar size to an SLR, it can be quite bulky to carry around and eats batteries. but when used correctly takes great photos.

I also have the addition of my Maxsima Remote Shutter Release Control Cable which allows me more control over my macro photography, eliminating any camera shake when trying to capture that ladybird or fungi in all its glory.

Canon PowerShot A3100 IS (With 8gb SDHC Flash Card) - This is a point & shoot 12.1 mega pixel camera, that I use most of the time when out in the field. It is small, compact, easy to use and lasts for as long as I need (most of the time) on a single battery charge.

It has several functions, like macro and video, that I use all the time and with its 12.1 mega pixels, produces clear and crisp results, that a lot of my readers have commented on in the past.

My only gripe with this camera is when using the video function. If I want to zoom in on my subject, I have to stop recording, zoom in, then re-focus and continue filming.

Tripods - I have 2 very cheap tripods that I tend to carry with me. The telescopic one, which I paid £1.00 for from a car boot sale and the flexible leg tripod which fits in my pocket or in the zip compartment of my camera bag.

The main tripod is used in many forms, some more obvious than others. Mainly as a stand for the camera when filming myself demonstrating kit or bushcraft techniques. But also to use as an extension of my arm when filming myself walking through woodland, whilst still talking to the camera. This gives a great new prospective of the video footage, from a totally different angle.

I have also used this particular tripod for a temporary shelter support, when sheltering from the rain... "Improvise, Adapt & Overcome "

The tripod is essential when sitting for long periods waiting for that elusive deer to appear from the shrubs, whilst also keeping the camera steady when zoomed in.

The small pocket tripod is just handy for a quick photo, that requires a shot of yourself or a steady macro shot close to the ground (fungi for example).

Additional Lenses - I have also recently acquired 2 add on lenses for my Fujifilm FinePix S9500 camera, which accepts 58mm thread lenses to be added onto the existing fixed lens.

These lenses are a wide angle/macro lens and a 2.5x magnification teleconverter (telephoto) lens. These both give me that little bit of extra magnification to get the perfect shot.

Wired Shutter Release Cable Review For Fujifilm FinePix S9500

 
My Review Of An Alternative Wired Shutter Release Cable For Several Models Of Fuji Digital Cameras, Including The FinePix S9500

So, what exactly are we talking about here ? Well its a Maxsima Remote Shutter Release Switch Cable For FujiFilm FinePix digital cameras. And is compatible with the following models of Fuji digital cameras : HS20EXR, HS22EXR, S20 Pro, S100FS, S200EXR, S9000, S9100, S9500, S9600, IS-1, X-S1, HS25EXR, HS28EXR, HS30EXR, HS33EXR

I currently use a Fujifilm FinePix S9500 digital camera for shooting the majority of my stills photography, when out in the field documenting my Bushcraft blog or related Youtube videos.

Quite a lot of my photos are of close up or macro images of fungi, insects and wildlife etc. And I often found myself with my camera setup on a tripod, working my way through the menu to set the self timer function going, so as not to create any un-necessary camera shake.

Now, whilst this wasn't any great problem, I just thought it would be a nice option to have access to a form of remote shutter release, that would eliminate the need for accessing the self timer function every time.

A simple press, focus, capture...





This option has the advantage of being able to take the photo, when I want to take it and not when the self timer elapses, possibly when the insect or flower has moved.

So I went in search of a suitable wired remote shutter release cable on the Internet. And with all products available on the market, there are two options.

The original product, made by the same company that manufactures your camera

or

A similar product, that does exactly the same thing, by a different company at a fraction of the cost.

This second option isn't always the best to go for as the products you receive last for a few months then fail on you.

But having read the customer reviews (See Amazon Listing Above) on this particular model of remote shutter cable, I was prepared to give it a chance.

Specifications :

Unit Length : 8cm
Unit Width : 2.5cm
Unit Depth : 1.5cm tapering to 1cm
Cable Length : 90cm (Approx)

The remote shutter release cable unit, that I purchased came with a mini usb connector which attaches to the usb socket on my Fujifilm FinePix S9500 camera. This may vary depending on your model of camera.

There is one simple switch on the unit which is pressed halfway to focus the camera, then fully depress to take the shot (As you would with any digital camera).

There is also the option to use the unit with your camera set to the "Bulb" setting. You then simply press the button on the unit and push forward, which locks the switch in position, until you are ready to close the shutter again, by sliding the switch back towards you.

This particular model of remote shutter release cable costs far less, than the Fujifilm RR-80 and seems to perform very well. I have never owned the original RR-80 so cannot compare the two.

I have included a short video review below, which you are welcome to watch and demonstrates how easy the unit is to install and use with your camera.

How To Make 550 Paracord Bracelets Using A Single Length Of Cordage

So how do you make paracord bracelets out of a single length of 550 cord and why would you want to ?

Well, in my mind there are 2 reasons why you would need, or want to learn how to make a 550 cord bracelet. And be more inclined to use a single length of cord, rather than 2 separate pieces as shown in many video tutorials you can watch on Youtube.

Firstly, lets look at why you would need a 550 parachord bracelet...

As we all know, any bushcrafter worth his salt, will carry some form of paracord in his or her pack. The uses for paracord are endless and here are just a few for starters :

1. Tarp/Basha Ridgeline
2. Tarp/Basha Guy lines
3. Bow Drill Set (Bow String)
4. Securing Items To Rucksack
5. Securing Debris Shelter Framework
6. Repairs To Broken Straps, Bootlaces etc.

I could go on, but you get the idea and have no doubt already been shouting out other ideas (Please include them in any comments you may leave).

So lets imagine you have your paracord in your pack and you have used it to setup your tarp ridgline, along with some guy lines. But later on in the day your bootlace snaps or you decide to have a go at the bow drill...

"Damn It ! No More Paracord"

You can see where I'm going with this cant you... If you were wearing a bracelet with 550 paracord, problem solved. Simply remove your bracelet, untie the cord and away you go.

Wearing the bracelet has got you out of a sticky situation, which is what surviving is all about. Getting through challenging situations with what you have on you or can find around you.

In this example it was just to repair a bootlace or try your hand at the bow drill. But you never know when it could be used in a more serious situation. You may HAVE to create fire, to keep warm or cook a meal. You may HAVE to fashion some sort of splint on an injured person.

With this still in mind, it brings me onto why you should use a single length of paracord.

You have no idea when or for what you are going to need that paracord which is around your wrist. And likewise you have no idea what length of cord you are going to require to get you out of that sticky situation. So it makes sense to have the longest piece of paracord you can possibly have built into your bracelet.

If the bracelet is made up of 2 pieces, as is commonly demonstrated in a lot of video tutorials, you may find that your cord is just a couple of inches short for what you need to complete your task, which would be a great shame. And could potentially be the difference of creating a strong and rigid debris shelter or one that may collapse when you need it most.

I'm talking extremes here, but you see my point. Why have 2 shorter lengths of cord when you could have one long length which can be cut down to size, if required. The 550 paracord bracelet that I carry contains 2.5m of cord, which is a reasonable amount of cordage for a lot of tasks you may find yourself needing to carry out.

I generally keep the paracord complete, when making my bracelets i.e I leave all the inner strands intact, rather than removing them. Reason for this being, my bracelets are for practical use, not just to look nice.

If you want to make a bracelet, just to look good, by all means remove the inner strands, as it makes the bracelet more comfortable on your wrist.

There are also different buckle (or fastening) options. I use the contoured buckles, which are curved and shape to your wrist better. But the straight versions are fine and are more readily available. Some buckles even have a small emergency whistle built in, which is a great addition to have.

If you don't want to use a plastic buckle or cant get your hands on any, simply use a loop and knot method, which is equally as good as a means of fastening the bracelet to your wrist.

The stitch or weave used to create the bracelet is called the Cobra Stitch (Weave) and once learnt is really easy to do and you will be rattling these bracelets off in no time.

To create a more striking pattern, use 2 different colours of cord. Yes, I know this means using 2 lengths of cord, but this is aimed at the more fashion conscious bushcrafters... LOL

The Cobra Stitch is a really easy skill to learn and once mastered, allows you to create other projects that you may find usefull when bushcrafting or short of something to do on those rainy days.

These projects are great for kids too and I have already taught my 7 year old how to make key rings and bracelets for her friends at school.

If you would like to learn how to make a 550 paracord bracelet and how much cord you will require, feel free to watch my video tutorial below.


If you find the tutorial usefull, I would be interested to hear how you got on and maybe see some of your photos of your creations.

Niteize Figure 9 Rope Tightener Review

 

Recently purchased a pair of Nite Ize Figure Nine rope tensioners, which I intended to use for setting up a no-knot ridge line system, in conjunction with my tarp or basha. This is my review...

"My name is Mick from JesterBushcraft and I am addicted to gadgets"... There, I've said it...

I must confess, ever since I saw James Bond for the first time, I have been a big fan of gadgets. And gadgets in the bushcraft/outdoor world are plentiful, some good and some not. So when I came across the Figure 9 Rope Tensioners from Nite Ize, I was interested to learn how they performed.

As they were only a couple of pound (£) each, I took the plunge and bought a pair from the well known online auction site. My idea would be to use one of the Figure nine's at either end of my 550 paracord ridgeline, making a no-knot system, rather than the Evenk knot/Taut line hitch combo.

When I received the package in the post, I was quite impressed to see how small the Figure 9's actually were. Measuring just 40mm x 30mm and weighing in at a meagre 3.5g each.

They were also well packaged with clear instructions on the inside of the packaging, giving you an example of 2 different ways you can use the Figure 9 (Loop System & Fixed End). You also get a little promotional leaflet, highlighting some of the other Nite Ize products in their range, like carabiners, torches and key chain accessories etc.

 

The Figure 9 is made of aluminium and the load limit is 50lbs (22.5Kg) and will accept cord/rope thickness of 2mm (1/16") to 5mm (3/16"). All the load limit and cord sizes are etched onto the Figure 9 itself so you will never forget the gadgets limitations. Plus there are simple step by step instructions on how to use it, on the reverse of the Figure 9. But to be honest, they are very straight forward to use, as you will see in my video later on in the post. There are larger versions of this product, which will accept larger size rope, should you require it. And they also do a carabiner version, which is basically the same but with a carabiner style clip rather than the enclosed ring.

Rather than explain my experiences in text, you may be interested to watch the video below, which shows me demoing the Figure 9 out in the field along with my British army basha. I do mention in the video that this particular no-knot system would come into its own in the winter time, when we are more likely to be wearing big gloves or mittens, which make tieing knots more difficult.



I intend to use this system for my tarp/basha setup, whenever I go out into the woodland, from now on and am sure it will serve me well.

As a quick and easy rope tensioner, this is one gadget I will be keeping and hopefully using for some time.

Handy Hammock - The Worlds Lightest Self Supporting Hammock Setup

Every Once In A While A New Product Appears On The Market That Makes You Think "Wow, That's Clever" And This Free Standing, Lightweight, Collapsible Hammock Ticks All The Boxes.

 

I was recently given the opportunity to field test and review a new portable hammock, that is completely self supporting and doesn't require the need for any tree's, which is ideal if you want to relax in comfort on a beach or in the garden.

British Design And Manufacturer...
The British company behind this ingenious hammock design is Handy Hammocks and have spent 20 years perfecting the idea of how to make a hammock stand up on its own two feet (literally !)

With hammock in hand, weighing in at just 1.53kg and all nicely contained in its drawstring bag, I set off for my local woodland hoping to learn how to set up a hammock with no trees.

I wanted to see how easily I could complete my hammock setup, straight from the bag. So I purposely refrained from checking the hammock components, prior to coming out. But I did allow myself a quick 5 minute look at the full colour instruction booklet.

So, once I had found my spot (clear of any tree's) I emptied the contents and started to follow the instructions. I have to say the instructions were a lot clearer the second time I completed the hammock set up, but were never the less fairly straight forward to follow.

Lightest Self Supporting Hammock In The World...
The first thing you notice about the hammock design, is the quality of the individual components. Like the ingenious hammock supports or struts which, in effect, form the hammock stand. These are made from aircraft grade zinc alloy, making this the lightest self supporting hammock in the world.

There is no guess work in setting up the Handy Hammock, thanks to the simple but clever idea of using base plates, connected with cord. Simply place the base plates on the ground with the cord stretched between the two and secure using the anchor pins.

  
Each high impact Nylon moulded anchor plate (Of which there are 4) are cleverly secured using 3 anchor pins, creating a strong fixing point for the four corner guy lines.

Then assemble the two struts, which is as quick and easy as putting up an umbrella. Insert the ends of the struts into the base plates and hang your hammock on the other ends.

Climb in and relax, free of any overhanging "widow maker" branches.

My initial setup, whilst referring to the instruction booklet and making the odd mistake, took me just under 20 minutes, straight from the bag.

However, on only my second attempt, I halved that time and set up in under 10 minutes.

Handy Hammock Details

Weight : 1.53Kg
Supports Up To 125Kg
Manufactured From Aircraft Grade Zinc Alloy With Kevlar Bracing Cords & 2.5 Dyneema Guy Lines.

When I first got into the Handy Hammock, I was to say the least, a little apprehensive, but climbing in and out of the hammock is the same as you would do with any normal setup. And I have to say was very comfortable, both in the sitting and horizontal position.

The hammock itself has good width to it, allowing you to position yourself on a diagonal for a more comfy lay.

Ideal For The Beach
This style of hammock design is perfect for using on the beach, but would require the addition of special beach anchor pins which are 600mm in length rather than the 300mm pins which come as standard with the hammock kits. This hammock would also work well in anybodies garden, where lack of suspension points are an issue.

This forward thinking hammock company are also planning to launch additional products, which will allow the "Handy Hammocker" to tailor their setup to whatever requirements they may have. Innovative add-ons such as a canopy system, heavier-duty hammocks, integrated sleeping bag, mosi-net, stowage system, extra guy sets (for marshland) and so on.

I know this particular form of hammock suspension is not going to be for everybody, as the hardened bushcrafter or backpacker likes to use the conventional setup using two trees to hang their traditional hammock from.

But I still feel that the Handy Hammock will have it's place in the market, especially for people on holiday who like to spend time on the beach or anybody who likes lounging about in the garden, as a more comfortable (and fun) alternative to the lounger or deckchair. Not only that, if you are a hill walker and want a novel way to chill out when you reach your destination, why not try the Handy Hammock. I guarantee you will have people queuing up to ask you about it, or even asking you to have a sit in it.

Hammock In A Bag...
The whole hammock setup, suspension, supports and all (hammock in a bag) are compact and light enough to be carried in a suitcase or rucksack, when traveling or walking in the hills. Which makes the Handy Hammock a great piece of kit for anybody wanting a fun and comfy way to relax when venturing outdoors.

If you have a decking area or balcony at your home, the anchor base plates can be permanently fixed using appropriate fixings, allowing you to setup your Handy Hammock in super quick time, whenever you feel the need to relax.

As I mentioned earlier, the Handy Hammock is relatively new to the market and the designers have big plans to improve on the design (if possible), the packaging and range of additional products. Making this a versatile, fun and quality hammock suspension system for young and old, serious outdoors people and those who just like to relax in style.

Learn More...

Please feel free to visit their website www.HandyHammock.co.uk where you can watch a fun (but informative) cartoon video, that explains the basic details of the hammock. You can also see my review of the handy hammock in the video below, which also includes a 40% discount code, valid until the end of October 2012... Don't Miss Out !


I really like my Handy Hammock and look forward to taking it on holiday with us or just relaxing in the garden, regardless of whether there is somewhere to hang a hammock !