This greatly skilled instructor and dear friend of mine passed away December 5, 2019. Mors you taught me more than I could ever have imagined.thank you
I had an opportunity to take a wilderness survival course with Mr. Kochanski. I have never before (and have never since) met someone with such a depth of understanding and ability to "get it done". The experience and lessons learned taught me alot and served me well in my career working in the bush. I still carry my Mora knife regardless of whatever other fancy kit I may own. I'm very glad to have found this channel if for no reason than to listen to a true master again. A very sincere thank you Mors. Best regards.
Port Angeles, Washington. February. One of my gloves somehow got torn all the way down the inner seam, ring finger, right hand. And it was snowing. So I found a huge cedar, sat under it, dug through my EDC for a needle and small hank of 550. Parenthetically I carry a pair of electricians scissors along w/ my Leatherman Wave and find that those, along w/ a Mora blade accomplish almost anything. As I unwound a strand of the 550, threaded the needle, repaired my glove and burned off the slop, I gave thanks for guys like Mors, Canterbury and Les. The walk home through silent snowfall was warm & pleasant. So warm that I might have even found pleasant sentiment toward two guys named Cody 🦶🏼and Bear 🐻
as long as this channel is here i will always tune in and watch;i could sit and listen to Mors all day or anyone who was taught by him...he is a fountain of knowledge only a fool would ignore him
(I admit I didn't watch all of it) To be honest most of it is just common sense really - It kinda of depends on where you're from. If you're from the west then I would agree you need to learn/gain most "survival" knowledge skills, but if you're from outside the west most of it you already practised when you were a young kid... Even today go to a 3rd world country to a remote village and see for yourself.. The limited stuff you could buy today i.e. food/water etc. most people still couldn't hack it there even today bcoz there's no power or gas. It was allot worse 20 years ago when I was a teen bcoz you had to barter or use credit. To feed yourself you had to grow it yourself, and the only fuel you had was dung, wood & dried thorn/bushes etc (wood was a luxury bcoz it had a cost). We had our own sugar (from sugar canes) but sweets was rare, so you can imagine the joy & happiness when we used to come across some honey bees :D, or wild grapes etc. as kids lol I challenge people even in this day & age to go to a poor country where there's no power (most villages), and see how long you last. It wont be long for people in the west lol
Miss you Mors, thank you for all you shared and I’m grateful to be able to still hear your words of wisdom and lessons through video. God Bless those you loved and their memory of you.
As the great Mors pointed out the more you know causes you carry specific items. His wisdom is priceless. Boiling it down to the foundation of drink and sleep.
Thank you Mors... You speeches are never to long as every moment is full of valuable information. I had to chuckle at the coffee can or #10 can use for a pot as I been doing that one since my grandpa taught me that one from his hunting days. When he was done with a 2 quart of coffee I got my prized cooking pot all for myself as a kid. Which was the perfect size for the quart sized kid that I was. I would even wash my dirty socks in it. As bird hunting had lots of muddy places for a young man to get his socks dirty. Thanks for giving back to all of us. You may not be a millionaire but your probably a far richer man in so many other ways.
When it comes to preserving yourself and or your friends or family the presentation can never be to long this is what what my Grand dad told me back in the mid 50's when i was a runt and was getting bored listening to him . When he was done he said okay show me now what you need to stay alive I was lost I did listen but after a few seconds I was not paying attention at all . So he went trough the whole thing again this time i was alert .Then he and dad tested me constantly for 2 weeks then we were of for 2 weeks to the lake where I stayed by my self it was up to me to do everything to take care of my self . I did just that used every thing I was shown and had so many more questions when it was over and have been asking questions ever since at 75. I can still pick up things and all my kids who are now all men learned as I did the hard way and they have since taught there own children . so i am very happy about that you take care stay as healthy as you can some time that's full time job in it's own wright . Happy Trails and thanks for everything you've done for us all .
Mors, you are one of the salts of the earth my friend, and I appreciate your dedication over the years and all of your due diligence. You may not find the big names giving you credit where its due in your videos and such, but I have no shame (not that im a big name haha). I respect what you have done for the community over the years, and have taken the likes of one who has trained under you. I cringe to see the "chair" you are sitting in the this video, but wish you all the best Sir. Lord forbid when you are gone, I will certainly give the credit where it is due. You are an inspiration to say the least, and I thank you personally for all you have done for the whole. Best wishes, cheers Mors
I am a huge fan of yours for decades and always wanted to meet you, but didn't think it would be like this! Your "Bushcraft" book is a bible for me and a book every outdoors person should both read and study. Thanks for all the great nemories Mr. Kochanski.
The best and humblest person I've ever listened to on UA-cam. Not only is he also an excellent writer, his book is the ultimate Bible about bushcraft and outdoor living. Long life Mors.
minimalism is nice. I carry an Alice frame, wrapped in cotton clothes line, paracord, and bankline, right behind the kidneypad is a small pillow sized mosquito net. bungied to the bottom of the frame is a GI MSS (compression bag, gortex bivy, heavy bag, and or light bag) wrapped around the MSS is a flexable cutting board, protects it, and functions as a cutting board, snow shovel, kneeling pad, imediate tinder cover, etc, bungied above the MSS are two Molle 2 sustainment pouches, with a molle waterbottle pouch between them. One of the pouches has all "camp" items. a dry bag, with a change of night clothes, socks some bandaids, a bar of soap, a little towel, toothbrush, nail clipper, a little (2x1.5x4in)hand crank flashlight, with weather radio, a little solar panel, and a USB power out. as well as a mora companion, tp, and a roll of drop cloth The water bottle pouch has food, and water. a 4 inch x4" butterfly handled pot, of the stainless variety on the bottom, a 40oz stainless waterbottle, a plastic bowl that "pops" into the top lid of the pouch, the zippered pouch on it has a 3 tined fork slash frog gig, a swiss army knife,spoon, a fire kit, some bandages, little sharpening stone, water tabs, a bit of folded aluminium foil, a few nails (used mostly to plank cook fish), a bottle of tylenol, rolled up, and threaded threw the molle webbing on the side, is 2 contractor bags, and four 13 gal bags. the other pouch is simply food. its a revolving door of whats in there, but I like to bring meat potato's and vegitables, fruit, nuts, grains, lintils, beans, soup mixes, just add water pankakes, butter, oil, salt, pepper, all that jazz, winter is nice, more meat, less kale. in the summer, is the can weight worth a can of salmon, or sardines.... I think so. any additional food will be shoulder baged if needed. above the 3 pouches, is a rolled up tarp, and heavy ponch/tarp (the german GI one, rubberized fabric, brownish OD, weld seam belting the front. highly recomend) as well as various cordage. the bungie holding these, hooks into the D rings on each of the sustainment pouches, allowing them to be unhooked, so the tarps can be swong back like a lid, revealing my 20in wetterlings, telescoping fishing pole/tackle, a 6x9 or so teflon cookie sheet and anything else that is stuck in there...might be an E tool/trowel, or a spoting scope, or a take down 22 belted on left side I have a pouch (german GI) about 9x7x4. that has room for a metal water bottle, and every little thing I need for immediate survival, and a smaller pouch for ammo, belted on right side is a sidearm, folding saw, a Mora S1 laminated steel, and a mora robust. It may sound like alot, but its really not, everything is worth what they take up vs what they provide. look at tools, shelter, food. conveniences. it can be scaled for season, and task to some degree. when I get to camp, I can unhook the pouches from the frame, and stalk with just the belt gear, and alice frame to strap anything too, such as wood, or fingers crossed grouss or rabbit tools, I have a saw, an axe, 3 mora's a pocket folder, and a swiss army knife, axe is over half the weight, and could be dropped on less than 5 day trips, I have my scalpel (S1) my beatin knife (robust), my back up knife (companion), my utility knife, and my carving knife for shelter I have the MSS, with both bags its rated to -50 (which is meaningless, but get it out of the wind, and off the ground, and you'll be in good shape (its about 13lbs), 1 tarp, one poncho. if its cold enough, ill bungie a wool blanket, and or thin hospital blankets over the whole pack. for food, the hunting fishing is a perk/recreation. I bring food, and water. but forage, hunt and fish leisurly. good food is usually worth the wt/volume. lots of conveniences, a band aid ain't ever saved a life, but they make a day with a nasty knick on a finger a lot better. headaches, sunburn, and blisters oh my. again, everything here in my opinion is worth the wt/volume do I have fault tolerances? 5+ blades, a firesteel on my neck, 4 bic lighters, dry tinder in 3 spots, and three metal vessils.. I think im good Living in Minnesota, and having a love for winter. I tend to go out in some pretty harsh weather. there is a huge difference between 30, 0, and -30. its all about taking it slow, and regulating your body temp, you can split wood in a T shirt, and you should have adiquite boots layers, pant layers, top layers, head layers( personally I like a billed ball cap, with all 3 of my top layers having a hood, easy to peel back as needed, hard to lose peices, keeps the sun off my eyes, and keep the hoods out of my face), hand layers, goggles, scarf, crampons gaiters as needed, snow shoes are easy enuff to make, just remember, they attach to the front of your foot, and the back needs to fall down when your foots lifted A note on the sidearm, it is usually a 7 rnd 6in barrel, 357 revolver (2rnds of .38 special, 3 rnds of 357, then 2 rnds of bear load) if i have no other firearms, or if I have my 10/22, or my bolt action .223. if I have a shotgun, or rifle, id rather have a 17rnd 9mm. if im trapping I will prob have my 22lr revolver. we have bear, large cats, moose, wolves, and of course shady people
Your spot on with this one brother ! I'm 64 and have removed or replaced all my gear over the years . I've shaved off 25 to 30 lbs. using light weight gear and multifunction tools .
As always, Mr Kochanski, an absolute pleasure to listen to you share your knowledge. I sincerely appreciate your dedication to the education of others. You are a real inspiration to all of us young or old. I am 51, and I always learn something new from you, thank you so much.
I have used one of the mylar shelter things when I was stranded in my truck, I spent the night in the cab, engine didnt run because of an alternator, then in the morning I sort of made a bag out of the foil sheet and put a few things in it and just carried it. those things are great and strong.
I'm always reminded that aside from firearms, the only gear that went out and came back again on the Lewis and Clark expedition were their cookpots. Everything else was replaced or discarded on the trail. Containers can be made in the bush and used for cooking, but the example of Lewis and Clark illustrates the importance of a good cookpot.
THANK YOU so much for verbalizing what I've been commenting on for the past year, on superficiality being prioritized over practicality. Anyone who spends anytime in the woods knows that it doesn't take much to be comfortable. Being knowledgeable doesn't mean walking out into the sticks with a pocket full of EDC items. Being knowledgeable dictates that one chooses the right gear, not no gear. Again, thank you Mors.
You are a wise man. You don’t talk about purchasable glitz but practical and a available items and their multiple uses. Many aspiring survivalists and campers would do well to heed your advice.
I think the kit items one chooses to carry starts with the clothing on your back. What else you carry is largely dependent upon whether or not one has some form of conveyance. Examples are a horse or mule, canoe or other water craft, snow machine or pull-able sled, vehicle or aircraft. If one has no conveyance, this type of lightweight, multifunctional survival kit makes a great deal of sense. Kits must be durable, appropriate for the season, climate, elevation and skill level. What yoy carry also depends upon. the skill level, knowledge and fitness of the person who goes out into nature. Mr. Kochanski can get away with a minimum carry list even for cold climates because he has so much knowledge and experience in the outdoors. I believe he average male adult in good physical condition carry up to about one sixth of their body weight on their backs, or about 35-30 pounds in a backpack without too much undue fatigue. If I had a conveyance I would carry at least one or more of the first five items. Duplicates of the first five categories are especially important, because the loss of any of the fist five would make it very hard to replace it. . I think it is important to be "tool heavy", things like a good knife, axe, saw, saw, awl and perhaps a crooked knife, since these items are made of metal and are all but impossible to manufacture in the wild. I would devote at least half of my pack weight to cover elements (see below), the remainder to everything else including food. Here are Dave Canterbury's 10 "C"s of Survivability: 1. Cutting tools-full tang knife, forest axe, bucksaw, sturdy needle or tweezers, crooked knife, awl, frog gig, fish hooks, lures 2. Combustion devices-ferro rod, BIC lighters, magnifying glass, fire piston and "sure fire" objects" that will still burn when wet 3. Cover elements-Clothing, headgear, gloves, footwear, gloves, sleeping bag, wool blanket, tarp, bivvy, reusable space blanket 4. Containers-made of metal like a mess kit, coffee pot, bush pot etc. Two allows you to cook food/boil water at the same time 5. Cordage-51- paracord, tarred bankline, mule tape, climbing rope 6. Compass-plate type with signal mirror and movable bevel, in case you have to walk out to affect self rescue 7. Cotton Bandanna-3 feet square, a thousand uses (first aid sling, container, for making char cloth, washing one's body etc 8. Candling device-preferably a headlamp with flash mode or a least a good flashlight with fresh batteries 9. Canvas Sail Needle-many uses, as a tweezer to remove stingers, thorns or slivers, as a hole punch of for repairing clothing 10. Cargo tape-a thousand uses like repairing tarps, making containers, use as tinder, as cordage etc Five redundant and multifunctional items I'd add are a second cutting tool of a different type, a second metal container, a vial of 2% tincture of iodine, a set or slingshot bands and pouch and some form of sharpening device for your edge tools like a stone or diamond coated rod. Other useful items are a Rite-in-the-Rain notebook to leave information for rescuers if they find your camp while you're out hunting/fishing/trapping/foraging and a good carpenters pencil, some bug dope, all medications you take daily plus a few pain medications, something to treat minor burns. A small fishing kit can hep put protein in the pot the first night. Plus a good pack like the ILBE Main Pack and a the Sealine dry bag that fits it, which will keep all your cover elements and clothing dry and can be used as a flotation device if necessary. Plus a few items for signalling for rescue and navigation like a good metal whistle, a flare gun and flares, a topo map of the area and a few comfort items like photos of the family, a toothbrush, bar or soap, beeswax candle and something to read or play with like a survival manual and a deck of cards to help pass the time away. All of these kit items can be used for their primary talk, but also for things like first aid, navigation, obtaining food and making potable water But all the gear in the world doesn't replace being fully prepared for wilderness survival. Being prepared means staying physically fit. It means leaving a travel itinerary with your general location and a well-defined "go search for me time" with a responsible entity like your spouse or relative, a forest ranger, the local fire department chief or the town Mayor's office.Preparation means learning survival priorities, and how they may change if the weather changes. Preparation means knowing and practicing survival skills and knowledge you can rely upon IF THE SHIT HITS THE FAN, including and understanding the psychology of survival. Preparation means having experience using all the gear you choose to carry. You don't want to have to use an items for the first time, in the dark or in really bad weather, in a real survival event. And preparation means being risk adverse. Avoid risky situations or behaviors in the first place and be smart enough to not try some of the kind of foolish risks yo see on many of the survival shows. Survival is about maintaining your core body temperature by using strategies and gear to avoid hypothermia or hypothermia, and remaining fully hydrated. Get those three things right and its half the battle. And maintain a positive frame of mind if you're stuck out there for a couple days. Think about how to survive and shut out doubt or fear as much as possible. If you become fearful, remember this: many people have survived your exact situation, by keeping their mind focused on the tasks they need to perform to stay alive and make it through that first night. It won't be fun, but you can and will survive if you are prepared, and have the skills, knowledge, experience and nonfunctional kit items.
@Paul Smith: Good question, Paul. It sounds like it aught to be a knife with a history of committing crimes. Hee hee... Seriously though, crooked knives are fine carving blades which are curved near the tip, designed for cutting tasks which are difficult to impossble if using a straight-edged knife or small axe.For example shoeing a horse, or carving a concavity into wood to make a bowl or cup. I hope that answers your question.
It has been said it takes two things to accomplish something in this world. Brains and money, the more you have of one the less you need of the other..;
Fantastic, it was a pleasure watching this. Thank you for taking the time to share a small percentage of your massive knowledge. Big respect to you sir, live long and healthy.
The Man, The Myth the Legend, Rest easy Mors Kochanski Sir You were an Inspiration to All and taught so many, Thank You for your knowledge. Men like you don't exist anymore. You will be missed. 🤝🏻☘️
10* 10* 10* Absolutely! The more you know (and have tested your gear and your skills) the less you carry, ... and the less weighted equipment as well !!!! I keep seeing everybody carrying base camp equipment, and wonder how I can carry less than 15-20 pounds and be safely and totally equipped for what may happen.
and an odd tip for snake country, this coming from someone that spent a good number of years in rattle snake country, get thick leather, and make a braver that simply laces up, ankle to top of calf. it's not 100% fang proof, but it will massively improve your odds of surviving a strike to the ankle. that being the common place if your walking. weighs nothing, and can save your butt
Watching this really made the difference in a search I have been looking for. Thank you for all you have done for so many of us over the years and paving the way for us to continue the experience... ATB Mike
Thank you Mors. I also like your newer instructional videos where you have a former student help also. Your advice is priceless for the outdoors man and also inspiring!
Thanx for sharing this information. I am a retired Military type. This is very informative remedial training. . .carry on, Be Safe, IN GOD I DO TRUST !!!
OK as far as it goes. A lot is dependent on where you are in the world, the weather, the season, and the temperature. I am closer to 80 years old than I am to 70. I have run a large (450 square miles) trapline in Northern British Columbia for 43 years. When it is -30 C. And 3 feet of snow, I require different gear than when I’m in the bush in middle of summer, e.g. in summer I don’t need snowshoes, but I do need a rifle, which I don’t need in winter (grizzlies are denned up). Basically, I need an ax, a means of making fire and warm enough clothes if it’s winter.
I enjoyed this. I wish I had 1/10th of this guys knowledge. Apart from being a boy scout (my troop disbanded for some reason before I made it to first class), long long ago (in my 30s now), I have very little survival knowledge. But I just bought a tent for my son, wife and I, and we test drove it in our backyard this weekend, so i'm starting to get schooled up!
the title said it all. Nice video, glad you posted it. Thanks for sharing. One item, many uses. Something I try to keep in mind all the time. Even when I'm not out in the woods.
39:44 Condoms are a must on any trip. It has many uses including a bladder and yes, it has other uses as well lol. But I have used it to keep cell phone and other items dry (put them in and tie a know) It takes very little space and very stretchable when filled with water etc. Always throw like 5 or 10 in your pack. He just calls it a balloon ;)
A couple points I would add is that cotton is not bad for survival as long as it is dry. Damp or wet cotton is bad and cotton does not dry very well. On the mylar blankets these are only good for about an hour or less most of the time when held against the body. As soon as you get condensation they lose their effectiveness unless you have additional insulating layers.
I'd say the more the know the less you HAVE to carry. I grew up living off the land, and once spent a year out in the middle of nowhere all by myself. I know how to get by in the wild. But I also like my creature comforts, and I don't mind carrying them. It's good to learn how to get by with almost nothing, or with nothing. You should be able to go into the woods with nothing but you hands, build a fire, build a shelter, and feed yourself. But once you can do this, I don't think there's anything wrong with taking a few luxury items.
The title is one of the more informed opinions I've seen on all these youtube channels about wilderness survival, knowledge is a multi-tool. You're someone I could talk to for hours around a camp fire. When you mentioned the size of the pot was too small for your liking, I was like, "this guy gets it." Every survival TV show I've seen, these people take these tiny pots. It's insane. It makes me want to ask them: Why even bring a pot?!?! Why not just bring a metal canteen cup?!?! I'm certain you know the difference, but it always bothers me when people conflate Bushcraft with survival. Bushcraft is primitive living. Great video!
This greatly skilled instructor and dear friend of mine passed away December 5, 2019. Mors you taught me more than I could ever have imagined.thank you
Sorry for your lose my friend.
Condolences. Sad i just now found him
rest in peace.
what a great loss to the community, died on my mother's birthday, sorry for your loss and certainly ours.
I'm so sorry .his lessons live on
It is so wonderful that this legacy has been recorded.
Copy that
The "Mors" you know, the less you carry!
Good one
the knowledge of old timers like this man is very precious .
Thank you for all the wisdom. Mors was everyone’s grandpa that passed down the woods knowledge
I had an opportunity to take a wilderness survival course with Mr. Kochanski. I have never before (and have never since) met someone with such a depth of understanding and ability to "get it done". The experience and lessons learned taught me alot and served me well in my career working in the bush. I still carry my Mora knife regardless of whatever other fancy kit I may own. I'm very glad to have found this channel if for no reason than to listen to a true master again. A very sincere thank you Mors. Best regards.
I always end up back to his videos....thank you and all that you did for us sir....rest in peace! You are remembered!
Glad to see this mans videos coming back around he has more true knowledge then anyone Iv seen
We lose a great teacher but his teaching must live on
Port Angeles, Washington. February. One of my gloves somehow got torn all the way down the inner seam, ring finger, right hand. And it was snowing. So I found a huge cedar, sat under it, dug through my EDC for a needle and small hank of 550. Parenthetically I carry a pair of electricians scissors along w/ my Leatherman Wave and find that those, along w/ a Mora blade accomplish almost anything. As I unwound a strand of the 550, threaded the needle, repaired my glove and burned off the slop, I gave thanks for guys like Mors, Canterbury and Les. The walk home through silent snowfall was warm & pleasant. So warm that I might have even found pleasant sentiment toward two guys named Cody 🦶🏼and Bear 🐻
as long as this channel is here i will always tune in and watch;i could sit and listen to Mors all day or anyone who was taught by him...he is a fountain of knowledge only a fool would ignore him
(I admit I didn't watch all of it) To be honest most of it is just common sense really - It kinda of depends on where you're from. If you're from the west then I would agree you need to learn/gain most "survival" knowledge skills, but if you're from outside the west most of it you already practised when you were a young kid... Even today go to a 3rd world country to a remote village and see for yourself.. The limited stuff you could buy today i.e. food/water etc. most people still couldn't hack it there even today bcoz there's no power or gas. It was allot worse 20 years ago when I was a teen bcoz you had to barter or use credit. To feed yourself you had to grow it yourself, and the only fuel you had was dung, wood & dried thorn/bushes etc (wood was a luxury bcoz it had a cost). We had our own sugar (from sugar canes) but sweets was rare, so you can imagine the joy & happiness when we used to come across some honey bees :D, or wild grapes etc. as kids lol
I challenge people even in this day & age to go to a poor country where there's no power (most villages), and see how long you last. It wont be long for people in the west lol
Your not getting older Mors,you are getting better. Like a fine wine.
Thank you, Mors, for teaching so many people how to be self sufficient and wilderness prepared and for preserving ancient, native knowledge.
Miss you Mors, thank you for all you shared and I’m grateful to be able to still hear your words of wisdom and lessons through video. God Bless those you loved and their memory of you.
Incredible. He casually mentions something and bang there is another nugget of gold to add to the 30 he just gave you. A knowledgeable man.
May have to watch this video two or three more times just to ensure I pick up all the wisdom packed into it. Thank you
Mark Young if the reflective surface was a glass mirror it is another fire startng method
Mark Young
There's something soothing about an old guy just going on about what he know and sharing what he's learned
As the great Mors pointed out the more you know causes you carry specific items. His wisdom is priceless. Boiling it down to the foundation of drink and sleep.
Thank you Mors... You speeches are never to long as every moment is full of valuable information. I had to chuckle at the coffee can or #10 can use for a pot as I been doing that one since my grandpa taught me that one from his hunting days. When he was done with a 2 quart of coffee I got my prized cooking pot all for myself as a kid. Which was the perfect size for the quart sized kid that I was. I would even wash my dirty socks in it. As bird hunting had lots of muddy places for a young man to get his socks dirty. Thanks for giving back to all of us. You may not be a millionaire but your probably a far richer man in so many other ways.
I like it how ticks and mosquitos are above drowning in the list of fears - sounds about right to me!
I had 2 Times Malaria. It Was bad . I nearly die.
Mors Kochanski (November 10, 1940 - December 5, 2019) RIP and thank you.
When it comes to preserving yourself and or your friends or family the presentation can never be to long this is what what my Grand dad told me back in the mid 50's when i was a runt and was getting bored listening to him . When he was done he said okay show me now what you need to stay alive I was lost I did listen but after a few seconds I was not paying attention at all . So he went trough the whole thing again this time i was alert .Then he and dad tested me constantly for 2 weeks then we were of for 2 weeks to the lake where I stayed by my self it was up to me to do everything to take care of my self . I did just that used every thing I was shown and had so many more questions when it was over and have been asking questions ever since at 75. I can still pick up things and all my kids who are now all men learned as I did the hard way and they have since taught there own children . so i am very happy about that you take care stay as healthy as you can some time that's full time job in it's own wright . Happy Trails and thanks for everything you've done for us all .
Mors, you are one of the salts of the earth my friend, and I appreciate your dedication over the years and all of your due diligence. You may not find the big names giving you credit where its due in your videos and such, but I have no shame (not that im a big name haha). I respect what you have done for the community over the years, and have taken the likes of one who has trained under you. I cringe to see the "chair" you are sitting in the this video, but wish you all the best Sir. Lord forbid when you are gone, I will certainly give the credit where it is due. You are an inspiration to say the least, and I thank you personally for all you have done for the whole. Best wishes, cheers Mors
I am a huge fan of yours for decades and always wanted to meet you, but didn't think it would be like this! Your "Bushcraft" book is a bible for me and a book every outdoors person should both read and study. Thanks for all the great nemories Mr. Kochanski.
The best and humblest person I've ever listened to on UA-cam. Not only is he also an excellent writer, his book is the ultimate Bible about bushcraft and outdoor living. Long life Mors.
minimalism is nice.
I carry an Alice frame, wrapped in cotton clothes line, paracord, and bankline, right behind the kidneypad is a small pillow sized mosquito net. bungied to the bottom of the frame is a GI MSS (compression bag, gortex bivy, heavy bag, and or light bag) wrapped around the MSS is a flexable cutting board, protects it, and functions as a cutting board, snow shovel, kneeling pad, imediate tinder cover, etc, bungied above the MSS are two Molle 2 sustainment pouches, with a molle waterbottle pouch between them.
One of the pouches has all "camp" items. a dry bag, with a change of night clothes, socks some bandaids, a bar of soap, a little towel, toothbrush, nail clipper, a little (2x1.5x4in)hand crank flashlight, with weather radio, a little solar panel, and a USB power out. as well as a mora companion, tp, and a roll of drop cloth
The water bottle pouch has food, and water. a 4 inch x4" butterfly handled pot, of the stainless variety on the bottom, a 40oz stainless waterbottle, a plastic bowl that "pops" into the top lid of the pouch, the zippered pouch on it has a 3 tined fork slash frog gig, a swiss army knife,spoon, a fire kit, some bandages, little sharpening stone, water tabs, a bit of folded aluminium foil, a few nails (used mostly to plank cook fish), a bottle of tylenol, rolled up, and threaded threw the molle webbing on the side, is 2 contractor bags, and four 13 gal bags.
the other pouch is simply food. its a revolving door of whats in there, but I like to bring meat potato's and vegitables, fruit, nuts, grains, lintils, beans, soup mixes, just add water pankakes, butter, oil, salt, pepper, all that jazz, winter is nice, more meat, less kale. in the summer, is the can weight worth a can of salmon, or sardines.... I think so. any additional food will be shoulder baged if needed.
above the 3 pouches, is a rolled up tarp, and heavy ponch/tarp (the german GI one, rubberized fabric, brownish OD, weld seam belting the front. highly recomend) as well as various cordage. the bungie holding these, hooks into the D rings on each of the sustainment pouches, allowing them to be unhooked, so the tarps can be swong back like a lid, revealing my 20in wetterlings, telescoping fishing pole/tackle, a 6x9 or so teflon cookie sheet and anything else that is stuck in there...might be an E tool/trowel, or a spoting scope, or a take down 22
belted on left side I have a pouch (german GI) about 9x7x4. that has room for a metal water bottle, and every little thing I need for immediate survival, and a smaller pouch for ammo, belted on right side is a sidearm, folding saw, a Mora S1 laminated steel, and a mora robust.
It may sound like alot, but its really not, everything is worth what they take up vs what they provide. look at tools, shelter, food. conveniences. it can be scaled for season, and task to some degree. when I get to camp, I can unhook the pouches from the frame, and stalk with just the belt gear, and alice frame to strap anything too, such as wood, or fingers crossed grouss or rabbit
tools, I have a saw, an axe, 3 mora's a pocket folder, and a swiss army knife, axe is over half the weight, and could be dropped on less than 5 day trips, I have my scalpel (S1) my beatin knife (robust), my back up knife (companion), my utility knife, and my carving knife
for shelter I have the MSS, with both bags its rated to -50 (which is meaningless, but get it out of the wind, and off the ground, and you'll be in good shape (its about 13lbs), 1 tarp, one poncho. if its cold enough, ill bungie a wool blanket, and or thin hospital blankets over the whole pack.
for food, the hunting fishing is a perk/recreation. I bring food, and water. but forage, hunt and fish leisurly. good food is usually worth the wt/volume.
lots of conveniences, a band aid ain't ever saved a life, but they make a day with a nasty knick on a finger a lot better. headaches, sunburn, and blisters oh my. again, everything here in my opinion is worth the wt/volume
do I have fault tolerances? 5+ blades, a firesteel on my neck, 4 bic lighters, dry tinder in 3 spots, and three metal vessils.. I think im good
Living in Minnesota, and having a love for winter. I tend to go out in some pretty harsh weather. there is a huge difference between 30, 0, and -30. its all about taking it slow, and regulating your body temp, you can split wood in a T shirt, and you should have adiquite boots layers, pant layers, top layers, head layers( personally I like a billed ball cap, with all 3 of my top layers having a hood, easy to peel back as needed, hard to lose peices, keeps the sun off my eyes, and keep the hoods out of my face), hand layers, goggles, scarf, crampons gaiters as needed, snow shoes are easy enuff to make, just remember, they attach to the front of your foot, and the back needs to fall down when your foots lifted
A note on the sidearm, it is usually a 7 rnd 6in barrel, 357 revolver (2rnds of .38 special, 3 rnds of 357, then 2 rnds of bear load) if i have no other firearms, or if I have my 10/22, or my bolt action .223. if I have a shotgun, or rifle, id rather have a 17rnd 9mm. if im trapping I will prob have my 22lr revolver. we have bear, large cats, moose, wolves, and of course shady people
What about mylar? ;-)
Murica, MA gun give me MA freedom hur dop.
Too true, been carrying less and less lately.
You know this is a good video if woodbeard is watching it✌️
Your spot on with this one brother ! I'm 64 and have removed or replaced all my gear over the years . I've shaved off 25 to 30 lbs. using light weight gear and multifunction tools .
Mangle the pot lid so that if the pot falls on the ground it should stay on not to loose its contents. I love this utilitarian way of thinking.
Hearing you say-
‘Fiddle Faddle’ made my heart glow. Glad I came across your channel.
Listening and learning, I've lived in the bush for a time. I miss it, you can never learn to much, thank you for the knowledge.
This man was a pioneer in Bushcraft. RIP Mors Kochanski 1940 - 2019.
Lots of valuable world class tips. Thank you so much.
Growing up in Alaska, this guys book was the first one I found that addressed anything that was outside my door. Thanks, sir.
I could listen to Mors for hours and hours. Thank you.
I love these videos. It’s like downloading a lifetime of experience.
As always, Mr Kochanski, an absolute pleasure to listen to you share your knowledge. I sincerely appreciate your dedication to the education of others. You are a real inspiration to all of us young or old. I am 51, and I always learn something new from you, thank you so much.
BrightWater Bushcraf
I have used one of the mylar shelter things when I was stranded in my truck, I spent the night in the cab, engine didnt run because of an alternator, then in the morning I sort of made a bag out of the foil sheet and put a few things in it and just carried it. those things are great and strong.
I'm always reminded that aside from firearms, the only gear that went out and came back again on the Lewis and Clark expedition were their cookpots. Everything else was replaced or discarded on the trail. Containers can be made in the bush and used for cooking, but the example of Lewis and Clark illustrates the importance of a good cookpot.
Much respect Mors. Keep up the good work.
A wise man! A great loss but, his legacy will live on.
THANK YOU so much for verbalizing what I've been commenting on for the past year, on superficiality being prioritized over practicality. Anyone who spends anytime in the woods knows that it doesn't take much to be comfortable. Being knowledgeable doesn't mean walking out into the sticks with a pocket full of EDC items. Being knowledgeable dictates that one chooses the right gear, not no gear. Again, thank you Mors.
You are a wise man. You don’t talk about purchasable glitz but practical and a available items and their multiple uses. Many aspiring survivalists and campers would do well to heed your advice.
I was in a rifle company in Viet Nam, USMC you are so RIGHT-ON !!!
I think the kit items one chooses to carry starts with the clothing on your back. What else you carry is largely dependent upon whether or not one has some form of conveyance. Examples are a horse or mule, canoe or other water craft, snow machine or pull-able sled, vehicle or aircraft. If one has no conveyance, this type of lightweight, multifunctional survival kit makes a great deal of sense.
Kits must be durable, appropriate for the season, climate, elevation and skill level. What yoy carry also depends upon. the skill level, knowledge and fitness of the person who goes out into nature.
Mr. Kochanski can get away with a minimum carry list even for cold climates because he has so much knowledge and experience in the outdoors. I believe he average male adult in good physical condition carry up to about one sixth of their body weight on their backs, or about 35-30 pounds in a backpack without too much undue fatigue.
If I had a conveyance I would carry at least one or more of the first five items. Duplicates of the first five categories are especially important, because the loss of any of the fist five would make it very hard to replace it. . I think it is important to be "tool heavy", things like a good knife, axe, saw, saw, awl and perhaps a crooked knife, since these items are made of metal and are all but impossible to manufacture in the wild. I would devote at least half of my pack weight to cover elements (see below), the remainder to everything else including food. Here are Dave Canterbury's 10 "C"s of Survivability:
1. Cutting tools-full tang knife, forest axe, bucksaw, sturdy needle or tweezers, crooked knife, awl, frog gig, fish hooks, lures
2. Combustion devices-ferro rod, BIC lighters, magnifying glass, fire piston and "sure fire" objects" that will still burn when wet
3. Cover elements-Clothing, headgear, gloves, footwear, gloves, sleeping bag, wool blanket, tarp, bivvy, reusable space blanket
4. Containers-made of metal like a mess kit, coffee pot, bush pot etc. Two allows you to cook food/boil water at the same time
5. Cordage-51- paracord, tarred bankline, mule tape, climbing rope
6. Compass-plate type with signal mirror and movable bevel, in case you have to walk out to affect self rescue
7. Cotton Bandanna-3 feet square, a thousand uses (first aid sling, container, for making char cloth, washing one's body etc
8. Candling device-preferably a headlamp with flash mode or a least a good flashlight with fresh batteries
9. Canvas Sail Needle-many uses, as a tweezer to remove stingers, thorns or slivers, as a hole punch of for repairing clothing
10. Cargo tape-a thousand uses like repairing tarps, making containers, use as tinder, as cordage etc
Five redundant and multifunctional items I'd add are a second cutting tool of a different type, a second metal container, a vial of 2% tincture of iodine, a set or slingshot bands and pouch and some form of sharpening device for your edge tools like a stone or diamond coated rod.
Other useful items are a Rite-in-the-Rain notebook to leave information for rescuers if they find your camp while you're out hunting/fishing/trapping/foraging and a good carpenters pencil, some bug dope, all medications you take daily plus a few pain medications, something to treat minor burns. A small fishing kit can hep put protein in the pot the first night. Plus a good pack like the ILBE Main Pack and a the Sealine dry bag that fits it, which will keep all your cover elements and clothing dry and can be used as a flotation device if necessary. Plus a few items for signalling for rescue and navigation like a good metal whistle, a flare gun and flares, a topo map of the area and a few comfort items like photos of the family, a toothbrush, bar or soap, beeswax candle and something to read or play with like a survival manual and a deck of cards to help pass the time away.
All of these kit items can be used for their primary talk, but also for things like first aid, navigation, obtaining food and making potable water But all the gear in the world doesn't replace being fully prepared for wilderness survival.
Being prepared means staying physically fit. It means leaving a travel itinerary with your general location and a well-defined "go search for me time" with a responsible entity like your spouse or relative, a forest ranger, the local fire department chief or the town Mayor's office.Preparation means learning survival priorities, and how they may change if the weather changes. Preparation means knowing and practicing survival skills and knowledge you can rely upon IF THE SHIT HITS THE FAN, including and understanding the psychology of survival. Preparation means having experience using all the gear you choose to carry. You don't want to have to use an items for the first time, in the dark or in really bad weather, in a real survival event. And preparation means being risk adverse. Avoid risky situations or behaviors in the first place and be smart enough to not try some of the kind of foolish risks yo see on many of the survival shows.
Survival is about maintaining your core body temperature by using strategies and gear to avoid hypothermia or hypothermia, and remaining fully hydrated. Get those three things right and its half the battle. And maintain a positive frame of mind if you're stuck out there for a couple days. Think about how to survive and shut out doubt or fear as much as possible.
If you become fearful, remember this: many people have survived your exact situation, by keeping their mind focused on the tasks they need to perform to stay alive and make it through that first night. It won't be fun, but you can and will survive if you are prepared, and have the skills, knowledge, experience and nonfunctional kit items.
@Paul Smith: Good question, Paul. It sounds like it aught to be a knife with a history of committing crimes. Hee hee...
Seriously though, crooked knives are fine carving blades which are curved near the tip, designed for cutting tasks which are difficult to impossble if using a straight-edged knife or small axe.For example shoeing a horse, or carving a concavity into wood to make a bowl or cup. I hope that answers your question.
Ive probably watched this 20 or 30 times n i swear it gets better every time !
Rest in peace and the lord have mercy to your soul. And your right saying the more you know the less you cary in all a our life
Loved this! Thank you!!
Allways good to listen to Mors
Thank you for all the information Mors.
1 man, 1 table, 20 items = a few thousand lifetimes of human ingenuity
Thank you Mors, some real pearls of wisdom...atb...dave
Excellent as always from Mr. Mors!
thank you for your willingness to share your knowledge it is much appreciated
chris
your golden knowledge is much appreciated !
thank you so much for sharing your world.
Rudy
Thanks for sharing your wisdom!
- Martin
One of my guiding principles is "Knowledge Weighs Nothing."
I miss Mors new videos. RIP
It has been said it takes two things to accomplish something in this world. Brains and money, the more you have of one the less you need of the other..;
I never thought about dental floss, and now I know where ticks hide. lol. Keep talking, I'm listening!!! :-)
Fantastic, it was a pleasure watching this. Thank you for taking the time to share a small percentage of your massive knowledge. Big respect to you sir, live long and healthy.
Thank you, Mors!
I take Mors' " Bushcraft" 17:39 book on every excursion into the bush. It's a valued classic.
Thankyou for your knowledge and your great humility in sharing your knowledge .
The Man, The Myth the Legend,
Rest easy Mors Kochanski Sir You were an Inspiration to All and taught so many, Thank You for your knowledge. Men like you don't exist anymore. You will be missed. 🤝🏻☘️
Thanks for yet another gem! Looking forward to my paper copy of Bushcraft. You are an inspiration, sir. I thank you and your crew for all you share!
You are making SO much sense here. It’s refreshing to hear the 100% practical knowledge that you’re sharing.
My hat is off to you, excellent work sir!
10* 10* 10* Absolutely! The more you know (and have tested your gear and your skills) the less you carry, ... and the less weighted equipment as well !!!! I keep seeing everybody carrying base camp equipment, and wonder how I can carry less than 15-20 pounds and be safely and totally equipped for what may happen.
+John Lord Use the mylar on a wooden frame for a massive survival mirror ...
and an odd tip for snake country, this coming from someone that spent a good number of years in rattle snake country, get thick leather, and make a braver that simply laces up, ankle to top of calf. it's not 100% fang proof, but it will massively improve your odds of surviving a strike to the ankle. that being the common place if your walking. weighs nothing, and can save your butt
Your knowledge and wisdom and experience has aided me. Thank You
Watching this really made the difference in a search I have been looking for. Thank you for all you have done for so many of us over the years and paving the way for us to continue the experience... ATB Mike
Wow. Thanks for the videos. So much valuable information about stripping away unnecessary gear for a survival kit.
Thank you Mors. I also like your newer instructional videos where you have a former student help also. Your advice is priceless for the outdoors man and also inspiring!
you are the man,thanks for all your wisedom
atb
steve
Pearls, pearls and more pearls from the master Mors Kochanski.
Thank you sir
:)
Thanks Mors! Good to see you back making awesome videos again and Happy New Year!!
Just the title "The More You Know, The Less You Carry" tells me I'm in the right place.
That is without doubt the best saying i have heard in a very long time.
A masterclass, you the man Mors ~Peace~
Zed Outdoors Your not the man that's for sure!
Zed Outdoors, you may not be "the man" but *you're* at least reprazenting (it's a Bristol ting) *PEACE BROTHER* ...because that's what we need more of
Witam, Panie Kochanski. 😉
Thank you so very much, you are gracious to share your knowledge with everyone
Wow. a legend among men. I am so excited about your channel. From Calum 55 years old in Scotland.
Thanx for sharing this information. I am a retired Military type. This is very informative remedial training. . .carry on, Be Safe, IN GOD I DO TRUST !!!
Ohhhh I just realized that I carry most of that or alternatives on my hiking staff
OK as far as it goes. A lot is dependent on where you are in the world, the weather, the season, and the temperature. I am closer to 80 years old than I am to 70. I have run a large (450 square miles) trapline in Northern British Columbia for 43 years. When it is -30 C. And 3 feet of snow, I require different gear than when I’m in the bush in middle of summer, e.g. in summer I don’t need snowshoes, but I do need a rifle, which I don’t need in winter (grizzlies are denned up). Basically, I need an ax, a means of making fire and warm enough clothes if it’s winter.
injens Jesus man that is huge
I enjoyed this. I wish I had 1/10th of this guys knowledge. Apart from being a boy scout (my troop disbanded for some reason before I made it to first class), long long ago (in my 30s now), I have very little survival knowledge. But I just bought a tent for my son, wife and I, and we test drove it in our backyard this weekend, so i'm starting to get schooled up!
Great video love it. Very educational and so right, the more you know the less you carry! I've watched several of your videos now and subbed!
the title said it all. Nice video, glad you posted it. Thanks for sharing. One item, many uses. Something I try to keep in mind all the time. Even when I'm not out in the woods.
39:44 Condoms are a must on any trip. It has many uses including a bladder and yes, it has other uses as well lol. But I have used it to keep cell phone and other items dry (put them in and tie a know) It takes very little space and very stretchable when filled with water etc. Always throw like 5 or 10 in your pack. He just calls it a balloon ;)
Thanks for the insights! To be honest I am still quite the tinderfoot, but I look forward to practicing the skills I have learned.
could listen to this guy for hours
Thanks as always for so freely sharing. I resolve to work on my skill set to carry less this year. ATB. Greg
Thanks, Mors.
A couple points I would add is that cotton is not bad for survival as long as it is dry. Damp or wet cotton is bad and cotton does not dry very well. On the mylar blankets these are only good for about an hour or less most of the time when held against the body. As soon as you get condensation they lose their effectiveness unless you have additional insulating layers.
I'd say the more the know the less you HAVE to carry. I grew up living off the land, and once spent a year out in the middle of nowhere all by myself. I know how to get by in the wild. But I also like my creature comforts, and I don't mind carrying them. It's good to learn how to get by with almost nothing, or with nothing. You should be able to go into the woods with nothing but you hands, build a fire, build a shelter, and feed yourself. But once you can do this, I don't think there's anything wrong with taking a few luxury items.
Thank you for sharing your wisdom :) i will carry and teach it.
Great video, thanks for sharing your knowledge.
The title is one of the more informed opinions I've seen on all these youtube channels about wilderness survival, knowledge is a multi-tool. You're someone I could talk to for hours around a camp fire. When you mentioned the size of the pot was too small for your liking, I was like, "this guy gets it." Every survival TV show I've seen, these people take these tiny pots. It's insane. It makes me want to ask them: Why even bring a pot?!?! Why not just bring a metal canteen cup?!?!
I'm certain you know the difference, but it always bothers me when people conflate Bushcraft with survival. Bushcraft is primitive living.
Great video!
Fantastic Video. Keep up the great work. Nick.
Yes sir. Thank you.
Very informative. I saw a few things that I'm going to employ! Thanks.
Thank you sir for this endless source of knowledge.