I remember these mess kits from when I was a boy scout. I'm 70 yrs old now and I haven't seen one of these kits since I was in the scouts. I know they're probably available on-line but I'm sure they're pretty expensive by now.
If you remove a quarter of an inch around the rim of your steel "Plate" it will still fit in the skillet and will also drop inside of the skillet to make a fitted lid
Blackie, my dear, sainted elocution teacher at the larney Catholic Convent I attended for twelve years would DIE! I LOVE listening to your lovely, laid-back, relaxed Southern drawl. But 'urp' for 'up'? Darling Mrs Maas would have KILLED you! Y'awl tayke cayair now!
something similar happened with the military issue canteens and canteen cups, they were originally aluminium but at one point it was decided that was not productive so they were switched to 'rustless steel' after a year or so production went back to aluminium when it was worked out that US had sufficient stocks in reserve, according to the article I read it was perfectly feasible to find men in one unit being equipped with all aluminium all steel or a mix particularly if they were in a relatively new unit or one that had been brought back strengthened and re-equipped because by then the retrieval and refurbishment program was well on its way with all sorts of equipment recovered from war zones brought up to standard and shipped back home for re-issue
That's a beautiful steel skillet. WOW! Got my old 1950s Aluminum set, going to look for the steel version, didn't know there was one. I've got a small cool handle too, love it, but I want that steel BSA set. I agree: it's perfection, it's simple, it's bomb proof. You never cease to amaze, LOL. TY!
The BSA kits are great. I prefer the USGI set myself. "But it has no pot!" 2 canteen cups. 1 with a lid. 1 stove. I have a 65 dated mess kit that is stainless. Love it. Also have 3 canteen cups. 2 wire handle, 1 bar handle. I usually have 5 canteens with me. 2 on my pistol belt, 2 1 qts on my ruck and 1 2qt on my ruck. I normally only take 2 canteen cups, but can take the third if I'm out for a long trip. The BSA kit is classic though. It has been around longer than the military mess kit as it is today. Dates back to at least the Civil War. Older in a non-kit form. Rodger's Rangers used a similar kit, just no folding handle on the skillet and a larger boiler. That was the 1750s. Blackie, I really do get you I think. I started out doing re-enacting, went in the Army, now do camping. A lot of knowledge to be gained by looking to the past and to the military when it comes to bushcraft.
Blackie , Outstanding Video and Information Thanks, I Greatly Appreciate you sharing your knowledge and wisdom and time. You Are A Great Teacher. Yes You Are The Master Woodsman and Buschcrafter. Have a great weekend.
I have my old aluminum one from boy scouts that after 30 years has started to get holes in it. Awesome set, time for me to look for a new one I think 🤔
I found an aluminium set,complete with box it came in.probably should have kept it,but donated it to the boyscout museum.think I would rather have the steel set.most my pots are st.steel anyway.the founder of the scouts is here in Ottawa ,Illinois
Thank you, Mr. Thomas! Been lookin' for some camping /prepping cook/mess sets for me & my wife. Got a cheap "Non-Stick" Coleman Family Cook Set but it's more for bugging in. If you know what I mean. Got a cheap Coleman tent too, a 4-person Skydome. Mostly just cheap junk but it should do until I can build or buy better. Main thing is blankets , sleeping bags, tarps, & maybe a pair of camping hammocks/bivys. Mostly want to get more tools & knives. Maybe a ninja sword. Have a GREAT day, Neighbor!
Hey Blackie. I’m and old Navy vet. I have been enjoying your videos and how you share your wealth of knowledge. I have an unrelated question for you. I watched someone strike sparks off of an Ontario SPAX and start a fire using char cloth. I’m always looking for ways to reduce weight and increase the multi purpose aspect of what I carry. Are you aware of any tomahawks, hatchets or axes that will throw sparks with a piece of chert or flint ? I appreciate your advice in regards to this. Thank you for all you do.
I have the aluminum version of this set and like it a lot but the cup is plastic and I would love to trade it out for either a aluminum or steel cup. Can you tell me how to get one or what mite work as an alternative to either of them? also i am trying to find the silicone lip protectors that they make for metal cups. I have this set paired up with a small folading wood stove called a pocket cooker that works very well together.
any of the modern camping nexting sets would work if your looking for a more modern set as to the cup look on ebay often the old set will pop up with damaged fry pan or some thing and you can get the set for cheap to replace your cup
