Hi, new subscriber here, the British crusader mk1 canteen kit is far superior to the American one . The British stainless steel cup has a non rolled lip , meaning it can be used to dig holes ,plus shave tinder ( like a 90 degree knife spine ) The mk2 crusader kit is inferior . The mk2 stove however ,is excellent, ... My own kit is a mk 1 kit combined with the stove from the mk 2 . Kit ... the mk 2 stove is compatible with a trangia alcohol burner plus can be a twig stove if small fuel is used . The stove and cup also works as a space heater with the cup inverted on top of the stove with a bcb fire dragon fuel block or tea light candles ... inside Great video ..
Water is my Kryptonite. I've been backpacking and camping for 50 years, starting as a child in Boy Scouts. I spent 4 years in the Army in the desert southwest where the importance of water was burned into me. Where I camp in National Forest land has water almost everywhere...almost. If I know I'll be near water I'll take my MSR Guardian and US GI canteen I've had for over 40 years and maybe a Nalgene bottle. But there are areas where you have to bring all your water in and I have a 6 Liter MSR Dromedary bag, omg I love those things. Empty they weigh nothing but full can carry a gallon and a half, 12 pounds of water. Add a Nalgene or two or one of the 2-quart canteens you showed and you have a lot of water. Used sparingly and correctly it can easily last a long weekend of camping. It's my understanding that canteens and cups aren't issued anymore, Camelbak only. Sad, I cooked SO many MRE meals in my canteen cup. I'm getting the Pathfinder flask for Christmas, can't wait!
Blackie, that is a French canteen cover it fit there 1954 pattern and the airborne canteen they were designed for use during there war in Vietnamese. The one I have looks like an oversized USA kidney canteen and cup. The canteen is aluminum and the cup is stainless with the butterfly wings. I think it holds a liter and a half.
Howdy Blackie! I found your RU-vid site a little over a month ago... it may actually be more than two months now that I think about it. I want to tell you I really like your videos! You seem to have a lot of common sense, which in today's world is an uncommon virtue. Thank you for sharing your knowledge! Merry Christmas!
Blackie, Thank You for sharing this video on Military surplus canteens and cups , pots , covers , you are right about there not always having a Water Buffalo around. Thanks Again Sir, You and Mrs. Blackie and Family, Bear Too . Have A Merry Christmas and Happy New Years. God Bless Y'all.
👍 Nice review of these canteen options. I carry the SRO stainless flask you mentioned in my haversack mainly for its convenience. Generally this is paired with a belt canteen. I have the 2 liter canteen in my backpack when going for more than an “overnighter” and 2 more in my truck. Recently my preference has been a combination of a Nalgene Oasis canteen w/ titanium cup (which has a lid, handles, and a bale) combined the British Crusader set. I live in TX, camp here, NM, and in AZ. Water sources are scarce so the Grayl has limited value IMHO. If it held a full quart or liter I might feel differently.
I like the old school USGI and replacement Nalgene bottle set up. Their availability is a perk but there such a versatile set and there's alot of aftermarket adds for them. I added a compass pouch onto my cover for the fuel cells and fire items. Was a great mod
Good video! Something to keep in mind with the British canteens, there are many fakes out there. Buy from a known source like Ray Mears to get the real thing. The fakes will leak and aren’t near as durable. If you run an PLCE type belt kit, the British canteens or 1 ltr Nalgene bottles work better than the USGI canteens for making a “ruck shelf”. Merry Christmas!
Back in my day I used a 32oz coke plastic bottle nun at all had cup got snow out the streams and rivers it rains 235 days out year In the only rainforest in America I looked. For those magical vines you cut clean water comes out no luck yet
As other commentators have said , the British Army canteen is 2 Imperial pints, 40 fluid ounces. They call it 1 litre nowadays but I think if you measured the contents it would still come out as 40 fluid ounces. Two points for our friends across the pond. Number one, reverse the '58 waterbottle in winter to prevent the spout freezing over, obviously reduce the amount of water in the canteen , to allow for extremely cold conditions. In winter adding a paracord loop to the spout, this will take the weight of a full bottle far better than the thin plastic cap retainer, obviously you use the loop to attach a longer length of cordage when you need it. This will enable you to refill your waterbottle from holes in the ice or streams down steep gullies. Secondly, if reversing the waterbottle in winter adding a large loop "handle" of duct tape , or similar, to the bottom (but now the "top" ) will enable you to pull the waterbottle out of it's canteen pouch when you are wearing gloves or mittens. A bonus recommendation is that you put the stainless steel Crusader cup on top of the canteen so you do not have any delays in putting on a brew. Have a great Hogmany everyone , Happy Trails.
Merry Christmas Blackie. I want to say that the artwork now showing on your youtube tabs are wonderful. Hell I have seen a couple I wanted to buy to hang in the man cave.
Hi Blackie. Yes Newer issue '58 pattern take One Litre of water. Original older ones took 2 Imperial Pints = 40 Oz as opposed to 1 US Quart = 32 US oz's. Back in the Mid '70's as a UK Army Cadet, I used to use a '58 Pattern water Bottle in a standard '58 carrier and a 1945 Aluminium US Water bottle in a French cover. The '58 whilst providing more water used to taste of warm plastic and I much prefered the cooler water US water bottle in the Summer heat !
Thank you so very much for all of the information, tips, hints, and advice you have, and constantly give us, Blackie !!!! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, to you and yours !!! As well as, to all of the people watching !!! May 2024 bring you continued blessings !!! Keep up the great work !!!
Blache’, thank you for the video. I was surprised to know that they had a 2 quart collapsible canteen in Vietnam. When I was there I never found one I haven’t heard about one. But your video made me go do some research got me off on a while here about the old World War II backpack and haversack and how to put them together. I really do appreciate that very much good video is always been watching you since 2014.
I usually carry one bottle and cup. And one canteen cook set. Using a Nalagene canteen. Then I carry two trangia burners. And a set of cross bars for a Trangia burner. This way I use my canteen set to cook in and the cup setup to heat my coffee in. I use to use only one burner/stove setup. But I got tired of my coffee or food getting cold while I fixed the second item. Snowpeak makes an item called hotlips (made of silicone) which you put on your metal drinking container to keep from burning your lips. Works good. But easy to loose. Glad there are two in a pack. I have been considering going to a 64 oz bottle to carry more water. But, would have to change the way I am carrying my gear.
When I go for a short walk in the summer of 10k or more, instead of a water bottle I carry one or two plastic sport flasks. One in each cargo pocket. It takes a bit to get use to it banging on your leg but that doesn't take long. Two give me a quart of water. That's if it is really ot and I am draining sweat. Normally on flat ground I don't need water. If I want a bit extra, I add a few drops of lemon juice. Two one quart canteens if I am going to be out for quite a while.
Hiya Blackie, I've always explained the difference between US and UK canteen as a couple of glugs, but, quoting the comparison charts 1 US quart is equal to 0.94 Litres 🎅 Merry Christmas to you and Mrs B 👍
Good video Blackie, given the heat and distance between water sources here in in the Ozarks I carry at least 2 GI type canteens and a Grayl filter, sometimes more. The sets from the Pathfinder shop are well worth the cost if you have the cash to spare. Two of them and a Grayl filled will cover a dry night stop if used with care and will find a water source early next day.
Hi Blackie, greeting from Australia 🇦🇺, thank you for your time to make these videos, merry Christmas and a happy new year to you and your family and bear 🐻
Really like the later 1980s Swiss bottles in winter, about 750ml capacity, the Oasis canteens or the Dutch Avon bottles, the bigger ones, basically a taller US GI bottle made with thicker plastic in the summer. If a bigger capacity is needed I'll use the Platypus collapsible bottles as well. Prefer the GI size system over the Crusader, it has an infinite amount of add on's and things that are compatible with it and personally don't like the P58 Osprey bottles. If a plastic cup is needed with the GI mug i have a large Swedish Foldacup. Have a fantastic Christmas Blackie!!!!
Great Video and Info ! They have a nesting stove that fits over the nesting pot for the canteen ! Also my canteen allows water to be drank while wearing a Gs Mask ! tjl
There’s not much of a difference in the bottle sizes.The British bottle is 1 liter and ours is 1 quart. 1 liter equals 1.1 quarts. Thanks for the video Blackie, I love your content.
Blackie... here's a heads up on a canteen I recently picked up at an antique store. It's an Israeli army canteen made of the same material the U.S. plastic ones are. It comes in a nylon case with a velcro holding strap and Molle attachments. the canteen is nine inches high, and four and a quarter inches wide and two and a half inches thick. I've never been able to find out anything in the internet about it other than it.s currently not in use by the Israeli army. Mine is stamped 1989. Also, I'd love to get my hands on one of those British canteen's and cups but no one carries them in this country.
that description sounds like the South African issue 2 litre canteen also stated to be used by the Australian army for extended in country use also copies are available under the Mil Tec brand
First off I hope you and your loved ones have a merry Christmas and a happy new year Blackie! This was a good video man! I like that British canteen, very nice. Keep up the great content brother!!
Hey Blackie- I also have the same 2QT canteen that you have and its perfect for me when Im using the chainsaw in the woods. It provides plenty of water for what Im doing. If Im wearing my bushcraft vest, I have one plastic canteen on one side and a steel canteen on the other side. Thanks for the video and advice-
Thanks for the video mate. The second canteen you showed is not from Sweden but from the swiss army. Why do i know this ? I was issued the same one in my good old army days. Cheers and merry Christmas
I have a vintage Polish aliminum canteen with original cork seal and its wool pouch that has clips to attach a shoulder strap. this one is a half liter capacity canteen. there is no cup to go with it
Blackie, this seems to be a sore subject to some. But, have you had any experience with the Russian VSD cook set. The canteen is metal (aluminum) but very small mouthed. The pot and cup are wonderful to me. I just wondered if you had any experience with the set. Thanks...
I noticed that my canteen cover has developed a sour smell after repeat wetting it to cool the water. What do you use to eliminate the odor? I don't want to bleach the color out of it.
