The origin of your fork and spoon in the 1960s/70s kit is from the early "ultralite" movement that used the motto "Ounces add up to pounds, pounds equal pain". All manner of gear saw drastic surgery being performed, from shortening toothbrushes and mess utensils to cutting logo tags, even exterior pockets, out of clothing and gear to save weight. This ethos, along with Leave No Trace principals, spelled the end of carrying sheath knives, hatchets, and other "woodcrafting" implements. Getting folks to "Leave No Trace" became a bit easier once you convinced them that weight savings was an added benefit.
I have seen a lot of “ultra lite” guys & gals get nuts with things. I know some long distance/thru hikers that get nuts with it. Down to only cold soaking food to minimize weight of fuel and so on as Sarge was saying.
@@honorableoutfitters I never got afflicted with the "ultralite" virus. Marriage and the military negated my long distance opportunities so the need wasn't there. By the time "ultralite" got into full swing I was put off by the predilection of some to make being "ultalite" a goal in and of itself rather than as a means to an end so never pursued it enthusiastically. That's not to say I didn't take steps to lighten my load (like using a sheet of plastic as a tent). But when UL got started as a "thing" it was controversial as many thought going too far would result in health and safety gear being left behind, and I fell into that camp. How can you tell the UL guy at the campsite? He's the guy asking to borrow your knife, your lighter, your towel-----
While people were definitely going a bit overboard then, I don't think they can claim inventing the idea. I'd have to say Nessmuk has that honor, out of necessity.
@@ronjones1414 Backpacking (trekking as it was known back then) has always been a battle of weight and bulk. I recently did an overnight with vintage and reproduction gear with a base weight of 22 pounds. Not bad once you consider the amount of canvas, wool, and rubber that goes into it.
I learned to hammer metal in Jr. high school, so I made my own cooking gear. The skillet was the same size as the pot and the pot holds the plastic BSA cup. I only used the pot since it had the pour spout.
When cooking over a stove bring the handle of the frying pan closer to the pan at an angle. You will then be able to find the sweet spot to balance the pan and cook. In the 1960s and 1970s we actually processed wood and built fires and boiled water over fires and cooked over coals we used leather gloves when using the ax, hatchet and saw for acquiring and processing wood, and handling hot pans and pots. In stead of using a pot holder when cooking. Although never mentioned in the BSA manual that I know of gloves made the tools and cook kit work. Too hot to touch with gloves then use a stick or a walking staff with a notch to place or remove the pot by the bale. For a pan over coals a green stick or pliers were used. Keyhole fire was always preferred because the fire and coals were separated for different tasks. Round fire ring for boiling and making coals, and connecting shallow trench for cooking over coals with less smoke. We always brought an either a spade or long handle round shovel when camping. For latrine trench, fire management, leveling ground or clearing brush or weeds. If patrol event canvas buckets were used. Troop events two metal buckets. Those fire buckets held soapy water and rinse water with bleach. Recommend bring safety glasses when processing wood. Best cook or mess kit is the one you actually use to cook, bake, boil or fry over different heat sources. We also brought some food that did not require cooking either due to time constraints during backpacking, or competition during Camporees, or due to weather, or late arrival or early departure. And we used the heck out of a 3 cup thermos for cold camping.
Really cool. I don't camp any more. So I am wondering why I find myself watching a video on cook ware. My answer would be that I'm a gear fan. I find old kit and the history of it always fascinating. So, thanks for sharing this.👍👍⚓⚓🇺🇲🇺🇲
I have several older kits and a newer stainless steel one. I think the older ones might be missing pieces but i need to dig them out. The stainless steel one I have is older as it has a diffent style handle on the pot and a heavy plastic cup with measure lines on it. Now I am not affraid of using my canteen cup to drink out but a heavy plastic one is one you don't have to think about your lips burning before drinking. I have one or to heavy tan plastic cups from a larger old camping kit that I keep handy. The fun thing is to sit back and think of the stories the old kits could tell you. I do like the flat ware in your kit. My think as it was hardly used he didn't think of adding them. Either dad, uncle or grandpa made them. To bad he didn't get good use out of them but better for you.👍
I am in the same mindset my friend, I only use plastic, enamelware, OR my extra large steel cup to drink in. My extra large cup disperses heat by the time it travels to the rim but still makes a great hand warmer in the cold weather. 😎
Mineral oil is traditionally used to coat metal during storage, such as pots, pocket knives and eating utesiles, since mineral oil was (sort of) safe to eat, but you usually washed it off before you go camping.
I have one that is stainless steel thicker came with a plastic cup . I believe I got it at Yellow Front about a year or so before they closed Chandler AZ . Iooked for another. I found one at Sportsman, but it was so thin I would be afraid to use it . Hopefully I can still find one, perhaps in your link . Horse back camping . Thank you .
Thanks for watching, the one in the link is a heavier duty one compared to the Ozark Trail that you can get at Walmart. Have fun on the trail my friend, a bit jealous. I always wanted to do that with my horse and was never able to get there.
Had a set in the 80s.....wish I never got rid of it. Had the canteen and also the nesting cutlery kit as well. All brand new one year for Christmas. Loved it!!! All had nice bright BSA markings and then I decided to grow up. Haven't seen it since. Way too bad. Kicking myself now for the last several years since getting my kids into scouts being den leader and cubmaster. Very disappointing.
They are common on ebay friend but many people are concerned about the aluminum. If you can find yourself a WWII steel version you have yourself a winner. It's a bit heavy but cooks wonderfully!
You can find a small stick and run it through them to have a longer or cold handle to cook with. The stick absorbs quite a bit of heat, rather ingenious!
Dave Canterbury hinted around at possibly reproducing a stainless steel BSA style messkit in 2025. I'm surprised nobody has made a better version of this kit yet. I'm hoping to see one with a carbon steel skillet sometime in the future.
If only we could 'mix and match' to make the best kit. The blue steel fry pan is much better than an aluminum one; the 'surprise' innovation at the end is really good; and metal cups are 'the worst' in terms of burns.
A cook kit is ‘designed’ for cooking in. A mess kit is ‘designed’ for standing in a chow line to be filled with cooked food. People think the items failed when they are ‘used’ for cross purposes and they don’t get the results they expected. Can a MESS kit be used as a COOK kit, sure but don’t be disappointed.
True! The design of the 1915 "cook kit" was designed for both worlds! Scouts were expected to cook as a patrol and individually and the design fit both pretty well in my opinion.
A cook kit is used to cook meals in, a mess kit comes from the military use of having soldiers bring their plates to a mess tent to receive prepared food. It is fairly often used interchangeably today but some sticklers like to point out the difference even though in the field mess kits were used to cook in.
With all the popularity of BSA in the era, it boggles the mind to see how the U.S. military didn't have a good system during WW 2. Except for the Marines nobody had a real backpack. as standard issue until 1944. And the mess gear was only good for going through a chow line.
Enjoyed your video! Especically the shortened silverware. The curl on the handle is what makes them great. I have collected some Boy Scout stuff including some of the cook kits you have shown. I have created a playlist with these items reviewing and using them. I would like to share with you the list to tell me what you think. I tried my best to research the gear using old Boy's Life publications from the "Wayback Machine". My channel isn't monitzed, so im not trying to promote myself. Thanks very much for your videos! th-cam.com/play/PLBXZMNeFA86uOEJjejKfLecZA1RuWCSE7.html&si=x_r2AaTtDwCj5yBS
Check out the suggested gear! www.amazon.com/shop/honorableoutfittersmr.dyersmusings?ref=ac_inf_hm_vp. 🎉
The origin of your fork and spoon in the 1960s/70s kit is from the early "ultralite" movement that used the motto "Ounces add up to pounds, pounds equal pain". All manner of gear saw drastic surgery being performed, from shortening toothbrushes and mess utensils to cutting logo tags, even exterior pockets, out of clothing and gear to save weight. This ethos, along with Leave No Trace principals, spelled the end of carrying sheath knives, hatchets, and other "woodcrafting" implements. Getting folks to "Leave No Trace" became a bit easier once you convinced them that weight savings was an added benefit.
Thank you brother! How many items did you alter in your day? 😆
I have seen a lot of “ultra lite” guys & gals get nuts with things. I know some long distance/thru hikers that get nuts with it. Down to only cold soaking food to minimize weight of fuel and so on as Sarge was saying.
@@honorableoutfitters I never got afflicted with the "ultralite" virus. Marriage and the military negated my long distance opportunities so the need wasn't there. By the time "ultralite" got into full swing I was put off by the predilection of some to make being "ultalite" a goal in and of itself rather than as a means to an end so never pursued it enthusiastically. That's not to say I didn't take steps to lighten my load (like using a sheet of plastic as a tent). But when UL got started as a "thing" it was controversial as many thought going too far would result in health and safety gear being left behind, and I fell into that camp. How can you tell the UL guy at the campsite? He's the guy asking to borrow your knife, your lighter, your towel-----
While people were definitely going a bit overboard then, I don't think they can claim inventing the idea. I'd have to say Nessmuk has that honor, out of necessity.
@@ronjones1414 Backpacking (trekking as it was known back then) has always been a battle of weight and bulk. I recently did an overnight with vintage and reproduction gear with a base weight of 22 pounds. Not bad once you consider the amount of canvas, wool, and rubber that goes into it.
Love the shortened fork and spoons and how they interlace in the fingers. Brilliant idea!
Thank you, I'm sharing the idea with my Scouts at the next meeting!
I learned to hammer metal in Jr. high school, so I made my own cooking gear.
The skillet was the same size as the pot and the pot holds the plastic BSA cup.
I only used the pot since it had the pour spout.
Fantastic collection and greetings from England..i have a 60s/70s kit myself. Lovely to use .
Greetings brother and thank you!
When cooking over a stove bring the handle of the frying pan closer to the pan at an angle. You will then be able to find the sweet spot to balance the pan and cook. In the 1960s and 1970s we actually processed wood and built fires and boiled water over fires and cooked over coals we used leather gloves when using the ax, hatchet and saw for acquiring and processing wood, and handling hot pans and pots. In stead of using a pot holder when cooking. Although never mentioned in the BSA manual that I know of gloves made the tools and cook kit work. Too hot to touch with gloves then use a stick or a walking staff with a notch to place or remove the pot by the bale. For a pan over coals a green stick or pliers were used. Keyhole fire was always preferred because the fire and coals were separated for different tasks. Round fire ring for boiling and making coals, and connecting shallow trench for cooking over coals with less smoke. We always brought an either a spade or long handle round shovel when camping. For latrine trench, fire management, leveling ground or clearing brush or weeds. If patrol event canvas buckets were used. Troop events two metal buckets. Those fire buckets held soapy water and rinse water with bleach. Recommend bring safety glasses when processing wood. Best cook or mess kit is the one you actually use to cook, bake, boil or fry over different heat sources. We also brought some food that did not require cooking either due to time constraints during backpacking, or competition during Camporees, or due to weather, or late arrival or early departure. And we used the heck out of a 3 cup thermos for cold camping.
Thank you for sharing brother. You brought back some memories for me!
Really cool. I don't camp any more. So I am wondering why I find myself watching a video on cook ware. My answer would be that I'm a gear fan. I find old kit and the history of it always fascinating. So, thanks for sharing this.👍👍⚓⚓🇺🇲🇺🇲
I appreciate your support and I'm happy that it brings you fond memories my friend!
Really cool kit I had one very similar in the past. It was either my grandfather’s or uncles.
I'm surprised you don't have a whole stack of them laying around yourself!
@@honorableoutfitters with a bunch of my gear, I gave a bunch away and such after the brain surgery…😢
That scout should have patented that flatware idea. It’s great
Right!
I have several older kits and a newer stainless steel one. I think the older ones might be missing pieces but i need to dig them out. The stainless steel one I have is older as it has a diffent style handle on the pot and a heavy plastic cup with measure lines on it. Now I am not affraid of using my canteen cup to drink out but a heavy plastic one is one you don't have to think about your lips burning before drinking. I have one or to heavy tan plastic cups from a larger old camping kit that I keep handy. The fun thing is to sit back and think of the stories the old kits could tell you. I do like the flat ware in your kit. My think as it was hardly used he didn't think of adding them. Either dad, uncle or grandpa made them. To bad he didn't get good use out of them but better for you.👍
I am in the same mindset my friend, I only use plastic, enamelware, OR my extra large steel cup to drink in. My extra large cup disperses heat by the time it travels to the rim but still makes a great hand warmer in the cold weather. 😎
Mineral oil is traditionally used to coat metal during storage, such as pots, pocket knives and eating utesiles, since mineral oil was (sort of) safe to eat, but you usually washed it off before you go camping.
Good video. God bless. From Glenn CATT in Massachusetts.
Thank you brother!
💯You can buy your own modern stainless steel version here! amzn.to/3L0uBLZ
I have one that is stainless steel thicker came with a plastic cup . I believe I got it at Yellow Front about a year or so before they closed Chandler AZ . Iooked for another. I found one at Sportsman, but it was so thin I would be afraid to use it . Hopefully I can still find one, perhaps in your link . Horse back camping . Thank you .
Thanks for watching, the one in the link is a heavier duty one compared to the Ozark Trail that you can get at Walmart. Have fun on the trail my friend, a bit jealous. I always wanted to do that with my horse and was never able to get there.
Had a set in the 80s.....wish I never got rid of it. Had the canteen and also the nesting cutlery kit as well. All brand new one year for Christmas. Loved it!!! All had nice bright BSA markings and then I decided to grow up. Haven't seen it since. Way too bad. Kicking myself now for the last several years since getting my kids into scouts being den leader and cubmaster. Very disappointing.
They are common on ebay friend but many people are concerned about the aluminum. If you can find yourself a WWII steel version you have yourself a winner. It's a bit heavy but cooks wonderfully!
Walmart sells a all steel boys scout cook kit
Yes they do! I have seen some Walmarts sell the aluminum version by Coleman too but it is REALLY light gauge aluminum
Why are there two holes in the handles and what can you use them for?
You can find a small stick and run it through them to have a longer or cold handle to cook with. The stick absorbs quite a bit of heat, rather ingenious!
Dave Canterbury hinted around at possibly reproducing a stainless steel BSA style messkit in 2025. I'm surprised nobody has made a better version of this kit yet. I'm hoping to see one with a carbon steel skillet sometime in the future.
That would be cool! I can't wait for Dave's carbon steel folding handle skillet
If only we could 'mix and match' to make the best kit. The blue steel fry pan is much better than an aluminum one; the 'surprise' innovation at the end is really good; and metal cups are 'the worst' in terms of burns.
Agreed my friend. I hate those aluminum cups
A cook kit is ‘designed’ for cooking in. A mess kit is ‘designed’ for standing in a chow line to be filled with cooked food. People think the items failed when they are ‘used’ for cross purposes and they don’t get the results they expected. Can a MESS kit be used as a COOK kit, sure but don’t be disappointed.
True! The design of the 1915 "cook kit" was designed for both worlds! Scouts were expected to cook as a patrol and individually and the design fit both pretty well in my opinion.
What's the difference between a cook kit and a mess kit?
To me, the mess kit is what you put food on to eat, and a cook kit is the stove, pots, etc.
A cook kit is used to cook meals in, a mess kit comes from the military use of having soldiers bring their plates to a mess tent to receive prepared food. It is fairly often used interchangeably today but some sticklers like to point out the difference even though in the field mess kits were used to cook in.
With all the popularity of BSA in the era, it boggles the mind to see how the U.S. military didn't have a good system during WW 2. Except for the Marines nobody had a real backpack. as standard issue until 1944. And the mess gear was only good for going through a chow line.
Enjoyed your video! Especically the shortened silverware. The curl on the handle is what makes them great. I have collected some Boy Scout stuff including some of the cook kits you have shown. I have created a playlist with these items reviewing and using them. I would like to share with you the list to tell me what you think. I tried my best to research the gear using old Boy's Life publications from the "Wayback Machine". My channel isn't monitzed, so im not trying to promote myself. Thanks very much for your videos! th-cam.com/play/PLBXZMNeFA86uOEJjejKfLecZA1RuWCSE7.html&si=x_r2AaTtDwCj5yBS
Thank you and happy New Year! I enjoyed your spin on them brother!