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Best Haversacks for Minimalist Bushcrafters

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When venturing into the wild, a lightweight haversack is key, but first, let’s discuss the materials they are made from. While high-quality leather looks and feels great, it’s generally too heavy for a lightweight haversack. Polyester is light and affordable but often lacks the robustness needed for bushcraft. The top materials for lightweight bushcraft haversacks are:
1. Waxed Canvas
  • Pros: Extremely durable, develops a rugged patina over time, and is highly water-resistant. It’s tough enough for the most challenging conditions.
  • Cons: The heaviest of the three materials and not very breathable.
2. Oilcloth
  • Pros: Lightweight, excellent water resistance, and easy to clean. Perfect for keeping your gear dry.
  • Cons: Slightly less durable than waxed canvas and potentially flammable.
3. Nylon
  • Pros: Lightweight, strong, and flame-resistant. Cordura 500D is a heavier-duty variant that’s exceptionally durable and water-resistant.
  • Cons: Less water-resistant than waxed canvas or oilcloth unless treated. Can melt and drip under high heat, posing burn risks.
For minimalist bushcraft haversack, consider these lightweight options:
  1. Helikon-Tex Bushcraft Satchel
    • Material: Cordura 500D (heavy-duty nylon)
    • Weight: 1.06 lb (500g)
    • Features: Multiple pockets and compartments, large main pocket with a heavy-duty zipper, side attachments for tools, and a solid shoulder strap with quick-release buckles.
    • Price: $59 – $73
  2. Campcraft Outdoors XL Haversack
    • Material: Waxed canvas
    • Weight: 0.85 lb (390g)
    • Features: Adjustable shoulder strap, extra-large single pouch, heavy-duty stitching, hand waxed for water resistance.
    • Price: Around $45
  3. FJÄLLRÄVEN Greenland Shoulder Bag
    • Material: G-1000 (poly-cotton, waterproof, and weather-resistant)
    • Weight: 0.64 lb (290g)
    • Features: Large main compartment, smaller sub-compartments for organization. Wax supplied by the company for added waterproofing.
    • Price: Around $135
 
For oilcloth haversacks, visit Etsy. The main advantage of oilcloth haversacks is how lightweight they are. Some are in the range of 6-12 ounces! Happy hunting. For classes on survival and bushcraft, go to my shop tab, click on the class you want to attend, pick the date that works for you and go to the checkout. “I’ll see you in the wild!”
 

Primitive Power-Lighting a Fire with Tinder Fungus and a Ferro Rod

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In this video, I show how to light a fire with tinder fungus, a ferrocerium rod and the spine of my knife. 

Top Ten Essential Medical Preparedness Books That Could Save Your Life!

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  1. The Ultimate Survival Medicine Handbook by Joseph Alton M.D. and his Nurse wife Amy Alton
  2. Living Ready Pocket Manuel: First Aid Fundamentals for Survival by James Hubbard
  3. The Complete Medicinal Herbal: A Practical Guide to the Healing Properties of Herbs by Penelope Ody
  4. Where There is No Doctor by David Werner
  5. Where There is No Dentist by Murray Dickson
  6. A Book for Midwives: Care for Pregnancy, Birth, and Women’s Health by Sheila Kitzinger
  7. Ditch Medicine: Advanced Field Procedures for Emergencies by Hugh Coffee
  8. Wilderness Medicine: Beyond First Aid by William W. Forgey
  9. The Survival Medicine Handbook: A Guide for When Help is NOT On The Way by Joseph Alton M.D. and his Nurse wife Amy Alton
  10. The Modern Herbal Dispensatory: A Medicine-Making Guide for Herbalists by Thomas Easley and Steven Horne

***DON’T FORGET: Nurse’s PDFs; Wilderness First Responder manuals

Ready for Anything: The Top Ten Must-Read Books for Ultimate Preparedness

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Top Ten Preparedness Books: 

  1. The Disaster Preparedness Handbook-by Arthur T. Bradley 
  1. How to Survive The End of The World As We Know It-by James Wesley Rawles 
  1. Build the Perfect Bug Out Survival Skills-by Creek Stewart 
  1. The Prepper’s Blueprint-by Tess Pennington 
  1. Where There is No Doctor-by David Werner, Carol Thuman, Jane Maxwell 
  1. The Ultimate Survival Medicine Guide-by Joseph Alton, MD 
  1. Emergency War Surgery-by the U.S. Department of the Army 
  1. The Ultimate Guide to Wilderness Living-by John McPherson and Geri McPherson 
  1. The Complete Guide to Emergency First Aid-by Paul McCarty 
  1. Nuclear War Survival Skills-by Cresson Kearney 

Honorable mentions and other books to have on hand:

Nurses PDFs 

Preparedness/Survival Fiction: Any books written by James Wesley Rawles 

Down and Dirty Old School Preparedness: Any old books by Ragnar Benson such as Survival Poaching 

Medical Information: Any material by Joseph Alton, MD and his wife; Where There is No Dentist-by Murray Dickson 

Homesteading/Long-Term Survival: The Encyclopedia of Country Living-by Carla Emery

Discover more survival and preparedness content at Arcturus Primitive Skills Institute!

     

Extreme Wilderness Medicine: APSI Instructor Teaches Suturing Skills for Wilderness Survival

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Extreme Wilderness Medicine: APSI Instructor Teaches Suturing Skills for Wilderness Survival Using Fishing Line

In this video we show how to perform suturing using fishing line in an austere environment. #survivalskills #suturing #fishingline #wildernessmedicine #firstaid #survivalguide #outdoorsurvival #emergencypreparedness #survivaltactics #DIYfirstaid #survivaltraining #natureskills #bushcraft #selfsurgery #fieldmedicine #prepperskills #suturetechniques #survivalhacks #fishinglinesuture #wildernessfirstaid #wildernessfirstresponder 

Life-Saving Tactics: Mastering the Tourniquet for Emergency Situations

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Life Saving Tactics: Mastering the Tourniquet for Emergency Situations

https://youtu.be/uOoSIjooYqk?si=3jfoG4IuTwoibv89

How to use a tourniquet. #survivalskills #firstaid #tourniquet #wildernesssurvival #emergencypreparedness #outdoorsafety #survivaltips #bleedingcontrol  #preparedness #lifesavingskills #survivaltraining #learntosurvive #stopthebleed 

Emergency Ready: The Ultimate Bugout Bag Checklist

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Bugout Bag Kit List: We live in extremely uncertain times, from the port strikes, to the war in Ukraine, and to the soon-to-be apocalyptic war in the Middle East between Israel and Iran. We have no idea what is coming, but we all need to be ready for any emergency that may present itself, and I cannot recommend enough, having a bugout bag for yourself and each of your loved ones. Please see the checklist below.

1. Shelter (You want to regulate your body’s core temperature)

  • Tent, rainfly, hammock or tarp: Lightweight, rain-proof, and weather-resistant.
  • Sleeping bag: You want a bag with down insulation. Down insulation is lightweight, compressible, and has the excellent ability to maintain warmth. This is what you want for cold weather.
  • Blanket: You want wool, it is easily compressible, lightweight, and is excellent for warmth, even when wet. You can even sleep with 2-3 wool blankets sandwiched in a tarp on the ground.
  • Emergency space blanket/mylar blanket: Use to keep you warm, for signaling, and for an emergency shelter. Drape it around your shoulders, sit against a tree, light a candle and warm yourself inside the emergency blanket.

2. Food/Water

  • Water purification device: Filters and devices such as a LifeStraw.
  • Water bottles or bags of water: Portable and easy to pack
  • Water purification tablets: Easy to pack and small.
  • Non-perishable food: MREs, freeze-dried food, energy bars, hard candy.
  • Mess Kit: Portable stove, cook pot, plate, cup, spork

3. Med Kit

  • Basic first-aid supplies: Bandages, antiseptic wipes, gauze, adhesive tape.
  • Medications: Personal prescriptions, allergy meds, antihistamines, pain-killers, heart-burn meds, (optional but recommended-Epipen, Narcan).
  • Tools: Tweezers, multitool, scissors, safety pins, cloth sail needle.
  • Tourniquet: Gunshot wounds, apply so you don’t bleed out.
  • Corn starch: Stops bleeding effectively.

4. Tools and Equipment

  • Multi-tool: Get a Leatherman such as the Wave.
  • Survival knife: Get a Mora Black or Mora Pathfinder.
  • Paracord/#36 bankline, cordage: So many uses.
  • Duct tape: For repairs, first-aid, signaling, cut into strips to light a fire, and make emergency fixes.

5. Navigation and Signaling

  • Map and compass: Always have a physical map, find them at MyTopo, get a Suunto mc2 compass.
  • Whistle: Use for signaling.
  • Portable charger, solar charger or power bank: For your iPhone, electronics, etc.
  • Walkie-Talkies: For comms between your teammates.
  • GPS with batteries: Most reliable method; map and compass are a backup to your GPS.

6. Clothing

  • Clothing: Waterproof coat, multiple layers when cold, you want real wool.
  • Extra dry socks and clean underwear: Keep yourself dry, clean, and comfortable.
  • Rugged footwear: Broken-in, durable, think Salomon shoes, they are the best in my personal experience and affordable. Merrell’s are good and affordable but tend to make your feet hot in my experience.
  • Gloves: Protect your hands when grid down and in rugged environments.

7. Personal Items

  • Hard Cash: Bring cash for emergencies, and if grid down, bring silver such as American Silver Eagles.
  • Toiletries: Soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, wet wipes which are easier to pack than toilet paper, gold bond.

8. Self-Defense

  • Hand Weapons: Buy a full-tang tomahawk, a good utility tool and self-defense weapon. Carry a good knife for both bushcraft and self-defense. I like my Mora Pathfinder. For something more intimidating, try the Becker BK9, it looks like a short sword. Also consider a foldable saw like the Bahco Laplander or Silky Gomboy.
  • Firearms: Just buy a Glock in .9mm.

9. Miscellaneous

  • Flashlight: Get a Sure Fire with extra batteries. A headlamp is also a good option.
  • Fire-making: You want a minimum of 3 ways to light a fire, such as fero rod, lighter, matches, or perhaps flint and steel. Put in a small bag, also add tinder.
  • Outdoor contractor bags: Buy at Dollar General, cheaper and more rugged than regular trash bags.
  • Notepad and a pen: Use for notes.
  • Cotton Bandannas: Many uses, bandaging, signaling, making char cloth, mark a waypoint, filter water.

10. Optional Items

  • Fishing kit: For gathering food.
  • Bivvy sack or emergency tent: Bring for a quick shelter.

Pro Tips:

  • Check your inventory and the condition of your gear once a month.
  • Mod your gear based on your own personal needs. Example, for me that would be including both Claritin-D and Xyzal for my allergies.
  • Get your family and practice bugging out twice a year at a minimum. Try it in warmer months (spring, summer) and cold months (fall, winter).
  • Try to keep your bag at 25-30 lbs or less, because ounces equal pounds, and pounds equal pain.
  • This list is highly modifiable!

Rise and Shine: Crafting the Ultimate Mountain Man Breakfast

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Mountain Man Breakfast:

Ingrediets:

Breakfast Sausage-2lbs

½ Onion Diced

½ Pepper of your choice (banana, bell, jalapeno)

Smoked Paprika to taste (optional; other seasonings)

Add in 4 Hashbrowns or 1 Potato diced

Add 6 eggs

Add shredded Colby Cheese

First brown the sausage, then cook the onion and pepper(s). Add your seasoning. Throw in your hashbrowns or diced potatoes. Add 6 eggs (or up to a dozen if feeding more). Cook about 10 minutes or until done. Add shredded cheese and melt it in the dutch oven. Enjoy!

#MountainManBreakfast #OutdoorCooking #CampfireCooking

Purple Dead Nettle: The First Spring Medicinal Every Forager Should Know

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Today (April 2024) I did a video on the edible and medicinal uses of Purple Dead Nettle (PDN) as part of my series on Youtube called the Bushcrafter’s Pharmacy. PDN is an early plant, usually arriving in April. Due to it being an early plant it is a harbinger of spring. PDN usually is seen growing soon after Snow Drops. I will give you three places local to me where I find it growing: the softball field across from the cemetary off of Dowling Street in Montague, MI. I also spotted it growing on the ridge behind the wesco in Montague. In Whitehall, MI I have found it growing nearby the bike path behind the White Lake Library on the south end of Whitehall, as well as in forests. PDN has a square stem, giving a forager a clue that this plant is in the mint family, and because it is a mint it has carminative properties. The plant only lasts 6 weeks, April through May. The top of the leaves are a dusty purple color and become more green the further you go down. As the plant grows older, it goes from purple to more of a soft pink color. The flowers typically range from purple, pink and white. The leaves grow opposite each other and are heart-shaped. The plant is edible, but not tasty. It is packed full of nutrients and will keep you alive if you have to eat it on the fly. If you do have to eat it, try to make a salad out of it and other plants and ingredients. Then try to find some salad dressing. Medicinally, the whole plant is astringent and is therefore good for wet conditions (like bleeding). It is also diuretic making it good for kidney problems and UTIs. The plant is also styptic meaning it stops bleeding. The plant is antimicrobial, antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory. These properties make PDN a good plant to choose for making a poultice for wounds. To make a poultice, mash it up with the butt of your knife or other implement. In a past class I used the butt of my atlatl, a technique that was used by ancient indigenous people. Once the plant is mashed up, apply the poultice to your cut or wound, then secure it in place with some type of make-shift bandage. If the plant is a little too dry for a poultice and it does not stick together, add some water to it from your canteen, or make a spit poultice by chewing it then applying it to your wound. In my video I used a cut strip of cotton t-shirt as my bandage. In my opinion, the most interesting thing about PDN is that it has antihistamine properties and can be used for allergy relief. As an allergy sufferer, I was glad when I first learned this about PDN. To make allergy medicine, I have found tinctures to be the most useful. To make a tincture using PDN, chop up the leaves of the plant, place them in a mason jar, then fill it to the brim with 180-proof grain alcohol. Seal it and let it sit for about 6 weeks. Once it is done, take 1-2 ml three times per day. This is why I call PDN the Claritin of the forest. In preparation for hard times, it is wise to stock up on allergy medication and PDN. PDN is an immune system modulator making it useful against colds and flu. It has an anti-inflammatory effect in the lungs. Although I have yet to try it, I would imagine PDN would work well with Mullein for lung ailments. If you need a laxative, make a tea out of PDN and drink it. Or you can use PDN to make a salve for any skin conditions. The plant is also nervine, meaning it calms the nerves. If you get a chance this early spring, try working with PDN. If you want to learn more about wild plants and survival skills, you have come to the right place. Go to my shop page and select the classes subcategory. I hope to see you at my class very soon. Train as if your life depended on it, because someday it will. I will see you in the wild! -Art

Cattail: The Survival Superplant With 100+ Uses

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Today I got to thinking about the many uses of Cattail. I have been to many survival schools and at one of them, the survival instructor pulled up a Cattail, peeled off the long leaves and had us eat the raw stalk. I actually did not mind the taste; I put some salt on my second helping of Cattail and it reminded me of celery. There is a reason why Cattail is known as “nature’s supermarket.” Cattail can be found in wetland areas, along streams, ponds, or even in ditches or drainage areas. I literally find it growing in the ditch in front of my house. In spring, eat the young shoots while they are edible, like I once did. The yellow pollen from the head can be used as flour. The inner part of the root can be chopped up, dried and ground up into flour as well. Mash up the root and make a poultice out of it for cuts, stings, burns and wounds. The stems contain a sap that is good for toothache and burns. Put on a sunburn as the sap has pain-killing properties. You can use the long leaves of the plants to make baskets or sleeping mats. Try braiding the leaves to make cordage. Use the fluff in a t-shirt as a type of absorbant bandage for heavy bleeding, or you could fashion it into a diaper. Cattail also makes a fine tinder that falls under the category of a flash tinder. To make good tinder, harvest a few cattail heads with the stalks attached, tie them together and hang from the rafters and let them air dry for 2-3 weeks. The dried cattail stalk has been used as a hand drill when making primitive fire or as a spindle for a bow drill fire. You can transport fire by soaking a cattail head in fat or oil, then lighting it. This fire will burn for about 6 hours. You can also use it this way as a torch. Arrow shafts can be made from dried cattail stalks. You can even build a wigwam type shelter from cattails. Come on out to Arcturus Primitive Skills Institute and I will show you these and other uses for this versatile plant. See you in the wild. -Art

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