Watch this BEFORE YOU BUY this SURVIVAL KIT!
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- čas přidán 9. 02. 2024
- This week we're back in the woods to test Amazon's Best Selling Survival Kit. In last week's video I went over the contents of the kit and gave some first impressions. On this video I'll use it to set up a mylar lined lean to, fire heat reflector, start a fire and spend a night winter camping in the rain. For this survival challenge, I'm using only what's in the kit which makes for some interesting challenges, especially when collecting fire wood for the night. After having to make do with the items in this kit, I can say for sure I'd have traded the whole thing for just one quality tool or a sleeping bag.
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GEAR I USE:
Backpacks - kifaru.net/CLAYHAYES
Archery Gear - www.3riversarchery.com/
Tents & Tarps - seekoutside.com (enter clayhayes5 at checkout for 5% off!)
Optics - www.vortexoptics.com
Clothing - www.firstlite.com/
Camera Gear - amzn.to/47HZFrz
Essential Backcountry Gear - amzn.to/3u6H0If
Surviving Alone by Clay Hayes - amzn.to/3Qqou3l
You can also connect with me on my other media outlets!
Website: www.twistedstave.com/
Facebook: / clayhayeshunter
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Im 57 years old now, and have been woodsing it for 50 years now, including many extended stay solo backpacking wilderness hikes. Ive seen so much garbage being passed as "survival" products that in the end would give someone false hopes which could lead to potential fatalities in the worst case scenario. Thank you for having a following large enough to reach a lot of people and to show them from a professional standpoint that many of these "kits" have inferior if not almost useless components when truly put to the test. Props my friend for maybe saving a life.
Some use the term PCC or pre-combat checks and PCI, pre-combat inspections. In a more generic sense, IMO using "pre patrol checklist" or "pre departure (deployment) routine" works most of the time. The latter includes using all the items or at least ensuring completeness and good condition/repair before rolling out. That way, no surprises when the kit is required. If not "build your own," the approach at least requires "re-build your own." A long time ago I was responsible for all the survival gear. I decided to try it all out and make sure it worked. The first item I checked proved immediately useless, and I realized that most of the stuff was there to give a semblance and nothing more. By the time I left, the kits were no longer just a semblance.
Clay's excellent video and mind set is a credit to his professionalism.
@@nevisstkitts8264well said, and I too am acquainted with all of these terms and acronyms. And yes, you can either build your own or rebuild your own, I agree. Granted I don't look at it from a combat situation but rather someone who's going out to smooth it as George Washington Sears said, but woodcraft, hiking, camping, and the impromptu "do what i can with just what I have" scenario.
While some kits out there do possess some relatively quality components, I've never seen one that did not need to be augmented in some fashion to accommodate the individual's particular environment, which typifies the need to augment an existing kit.
I could not agree more about Clay, he is a stand-up member of our outdoors/survival/archery community. I've been watching his videos pretty much since he started his channel, and he is indeed a fantastic representative of what we do.
I came to say thanks to Clay for suffering so we don't have to, but you put it so much better.
@@nevisstkitts8264exactly. Test all your gear before YOU are the one being tested. I beat the shit out of all my knives before I go on a trek. Some gear is cheaper and considered budget like the cold steel drop forged hunter but what matters is if it's dependable. You have to test anything that your life can depend on
There is a ton of omissions from that kit but, on the bright side. When the rescue team finds your body... your ears should be clean with all of those Qtips😂
Fellow N. Idaho guy here, I wanted Mylar in my kit because of its reflective abilities, but same issue. My solution... I went to a craft/fabric store and picked up a few yards of ripstop tent fabric then hit the Home Depot for some spray adhesive. I laid the ripstop out, spayed the adhesive along one edge to get the mylar laid out as square as possible. Once that set, I opened it like a big taco and glued the rest of it. Once set, I trimmed, folded and sewed the edges. Then I ran it through durability testing and was blown away at how well it held up to a torch and sharp knife. Night and day difference.
I now keep one in my jeep as well to lay on the ground when I break parts on the trail 😁
If others are building a pack, this is a great, lightweight, and durable addition to make a bad situation into a comfortable night's stay in the woods👍
I did something similar with a bed sheet, 6 tubes of silicone and camo spray paint. Sewed fringe on it, paracord tie outs.
Was a ridiculously heavy beast but can be passed down to my kids😂
Sewing required almost 80' of artificial sinew .... All by hand😭😆
Kernmantle is the term for paracord and climbing rope. There is a fabric sheath surrounding a linear fiber inner.
Get you a good strong appropriate size limb and put the wire saw on it for a good bow saw.
Place your poles in the ground first then wrap your mylar on for a fire reflector.
Make a bare stick frame and lay the mylar over it then cover with bowels that way it's supported well and still reflective and rain repellent but not hanging down on you.
I like how you are trying this on your property before needing it. I tried a cable saw years back and threw it away. I liked your previous video about surviving a cold night without a tent or sleeping bag. I have spent a night or two being cold in my 50+ years out in the wilds. Knowing how to build and maintain a fire is a must. I used to take a hatchet, my knife, a tarp (canvas) and some matches (dipped in paraffin) and baling twine and head up to the mountains in NE Washington pretty much year-round. It would have been nice to have access videos like yours back then. You are providing a good service to those that might not otherwise have access to the information. I learned things the hard way, I am still making it out, although not as much the last several years. I look forward to watching more of your videos.
I purchased a higher quality cable saw years ago for like 20 bux. Still sucked. Those saws snag. Got a bahco laplander and now I'm happy.
They have a saw that is the style of the rope saw but has a chainsaw chain. Works a lot better
You did pretty good considering what you had to work with. Ordinary person probably wouldn't have survided the night unless they found a hollow tree to shelter in. You really should market a kit. People trust and respect you and would love to support your efforts.
The problem with real dudes marketing a real kit is woodsers like us already have a way better kit than he'd recommend for retail. And the kit he could sell would be like what's already out there. There's a few really good kits and a few more who recommend self builds well. If you'll notice about Clay is that his kit is conventional and pretty large basic gear. His survival stuff is like EDC gear plus very basic kit.
It's about skill. Imho, I Believe that's his most valuable product he sells.
But yes yes yes! I agree and I want to see the video of him recommending a get home bag, 24hr minimal carry kit for winter.
@@ManInTheWoods76 good points. I don't think we're the target market. Well maybe me,lol. I'm a country boy woodsman but not a survival guy on Clays level by any means. I think he's got the street cred to make bank on something like this. God bless him if he does I say, he's earned it.
@@timothylongmore7325 right. I'm the same as you. I need more skills. I tried a friction fire for 3 hours last year. No good. I said SCREW IT is ferro rod from now on.
@@ManInTheWoods76 did you see Clays overnighter where he spent 8 hours getting his fire going? That is on my short list for this year! Oh yeah, and fero rod fire,lol.
@@timothylongmore7325 yessir, if it's the same one I'm thinking. All I use is ferro. But I keep a chunk of fatwood in my kit. That combo is quite easy. Some say I cheat. I say I'm warm.
No survival kit will ever save you if you don’t have the knowledge or experience on how to use it. Sharpen your mind as it is the most important tool you have
As a cheap person, I am definitely one of these people that buy this kind of stuff, so thanks for shedding some light on this. 😂
😜
it's cheaper to put together your own kit
@@hyperboreanforeskinyes it is. I have the same kit, I just take some stuff with me. I live in NYC so it's not that serious for me.
Saving up to be Jewish.
@@kevinfields7500 I also unfortunately live in NYC
Good morning Clay and family. Just a quick note on wire saws. When I was a kid and bought them at Sears Kmart etc, they would always break pretty quick. The trick to longevity and efficiency was to bend a stick and make it into a bow saw. BushcraftIng a buck saw frame is even better because it's all about making that cable tight. Bending a wire saw around a tree branch is like folding metal back and forth until it breaks so keeping it tight and straight help it last and works far better. Felix and his Victorinox SAK builds entire camps with kitchens using thumb size poles for 90% of it. Limiting the size of the material to the tool saves the tool and energy. Also, a surprise finger biting knife and dead compass in a survival kit seems a new level of evil corporate greed lol. I also noticed your bed lay of putting your branches to the outside this time, very cool to see. One last piece of mental kit...I have read where the tiny roots of a pine have the same fire qualities as the rest of a pine tree. It seems the little roots can become lit and burn underground after you are gone. Think of how a fuse still burns after you throw an M80 firecracker to sink in the water only slowly. I've never seen it mentioned in a thousand videos setting camp in pine trees so I'm not sure what a real fire threat it is, but I do remember that the source I read was one I truly respected like Mors etc. Again, not calling it a fact but worth community discussion if it could start forest fires 2 days after you leave camp. All the best as always brother and thank you for another great education video. No telling how many fingers alone you saved with that knife warning. God bless you, your family, and America. We need competent moral men that teach sons to be strong self sufficient patriots who understand duty more than ever.
Not daughters? And the Forest Service routinely teaches about catching roots on fire. Bothers me to no end when building a dakota firepit.
Yes -- in a time of need, the second cut using the wire saw in my compact kit will be as a taut straight "edge" in a bow saw. If there's a decent multitool or SAK saw handy, it'll be the first use for the wire saw . . .
No worries. The forest service starts so many fires, it doesn't really matter if we start a few.😅
As a retired firefighter I can tell you your comment on tree roots burning is a real thing. Regardless of how they caught fire they can burn (punk) for a long distance. (Usually from the host tree burning but campfires can do this too).
Just some info for your followers. I'm in N Idaho, what I've found as a durable replacement for a mylar space blanket is Radiant barrier house wrap. This product is reinforced with strands sumwhat like tyvek it does have pin holes for breath ability but reflects radiant heat back fantastically. Used it on a project so I'd bought a 1000 sqft roll, price wasn't bad.
Definitely looking forward to seeing your kit
"Pssh glowsticks, strobe lights; we are on track"
Had me cracking up!
Great work with what you had!
When you get to the point of making a video about your personalized survival/emergency kit, could you also go over what you would bring for a homemade medical kit?
Yes, perfect video idea. You show us the kit you’d build. Can’t wait
One of those snags did break up high on me like that and started to fall directly where my dog was standing. I hit the falling trunk with both palms and snapped the falling section in half pushing the trunk just past my dog. I was super lucky. Definitely a tip everyone should pay attention to.
And I bet your dog looked at you like, "what the heck are you doing?" Lol
@@8626John exactly...
3:21 there are several ways to use a wire or commando saw. Forming a u-shape during cutting will compromise the life of the saw very quickly. The saw should be used so the wire stays as straight and tight as possible. IMO making it into a bow saw or buck saw using a flexible branch is a good way to go. If hand-held, use stout sticks for toggles. Before departing for the field, lube with wax saw blade lubricant. While using on green wood, clean and wax (chapstick/lip balm) after it clogs.
I was looking for this comment. Cheers!!
My dad always sent me out with one of those reflective tarps- it was red on one side and reflective on the other. He had a story about how it saved his buddies life deer hunting in Yancy County, NC on a single digit night. Ive spent a lot of cold nights with a blue tarp wrapped around me and those are very warm (a lot of condensation). I like the idea of leaving a note behind with your time/date/direction of travel in case a rescuer comes along. I have never heard of that.
I watched your victory on season 8 of alone as a way to distract and coop with losing my fiance at the time.
Congrats and thank you for the advice.
Better man today because the knowledge you share.
Looking forward to your kit video! I would try to use that cable saw as a bow saw, but it may be still slower than that hatchet 😂. For Mylar, another trick is use itself to wrap around a coin/stone to tie to.
Lastly, I would wear the poncho for some green house effect and waterproofing.
Definitely looking forward to that next video.
@clay hayes: "The unsolved mystery of the 200 Q tips" or the best survival parody ever. The little hatchet killed me, too. Great job and well executed.
The sound of that Mylar crinkling, would drive me nuts.
Looking forward to the kit build. Thanks for sharing.
Can't wait to see the kit you put together. I appreciate you sharing the knowledge brother!
Thank you for the great video. Looking forward to seeing your kit build.
Thanks for the torture test! Lol love the way you actually put this stuff to work! We love ya brother! Keep on keeping on! Love to meet ya one day! God bless.
Awesome video Clay, as per usual. I can't wait to see the kit you're going to put together, really intrigued to see how you would go about it
Great video and fun to watch. Keep up the great work.
Best Bush Rave I've ever been to. Thanks for taking us along
I am looking forward to seeing the kit you will create 🙂
You are correct sir! Let us preach and teach the truth. All the world is in desperate need of the truth. WE are men of Courage, let us stand up or give up!!
Love the content, clay! And I can’t wait for the next episode, showing your kit 10-4!
Thanks! I loved it!
I have 2 of these “survival” kits. One was a gift and other for a subscription.
Ones in my bug out bag and the other in another 72-hour rucksack.
You certainly put it to the test but you’re an experienced survivalist. Having a proper bag will help you; may be uncomfortable but you won’t die.
The next biggest hit show.. Clay’s …naked rave! I just love you and your videos!!
You got a lot more out of it than expected, I think. Looking forward to the next one.
Taking one for the team Clay.
The fact that a woodpecker on redbull would make it through the brach faster than the tools is comical😂! Always love your videos and been watching since Alone!
I was just checking your older videos and this one popped up... They're incredibly entertaining
Looking forward to your kit build. Thank you for another great video.
I think ill put one together..with my grand son..if i can get up to new England this spring..it will be fun and educational..
Nicely done!
Looking forward to the good kit!
That was fun!
great video, thanks! can't wait for the next one
Great one, thx.
This is such a great video, I’d really love if you could do more like this one, maybe next time testing out different survival kits on the market, both low end and high end, and then maybe a recommendation for what someone can get that is worth it. Then also maybe a video on how to build your own or maybe augment different kits with things you recommend that would help!
Super.
Everyone is an expert! Can’t wait for your kit rendition.
Watching you use that tiny "axe" was hilarious. Very entertaining.
💯 I'd rather have only 5 items of my choosing (same size bag.)
Even for the same price constraint:
$4 Big ferro
$18 cheap Mora knife
$1.50 Steel dog bowl
$1.35 Large hankey
$19 Nylon poncho
$3 Bank line or para
$13 headlamp
$8 Coleman folding saw
$2 button compass
It would fit. And I guess just 9 items.
And I guess I gotta put a 90 on the spine first. If that's overpriced, I can adjust accordingly.
Thanks for doing another video. With that said, I felt sorry for you while watching almost the whole time
I enjoyed watching what you were able to do with the crap kit.
Very entertaining video, Clay! 😆 Big take-away for me: You don't really need water purification, as long as you have plenty of glowsticks and cue tips.
The bag looks good. I do hope you brought back up equipment if needed.
Glad to see you survived this. 😀
Buen video , interesante. Cuando armó refugió con un nailon de toldo ,a los extremos los ato cruzando un palo corto , enrollo la punta del nailon al palo ,y ató del lado de adentro , así el nudo no se desliza haciendo tope contra el palo, también le dan fortaleza al conjunto en caso de que soplen vientos fuertes . Gracias por compartir tus experiencias ,saludos Aníbal Masneri 💪🏾🇦🇷
Killer! I made a comment on the last video about it being nice to see what you’d use and obviously on this video you mentioned that. I’m excited to see what you’d include!
One thing i havent seen in any survival kit is some type of sharpening stone to maintain an edge on your knife or axe. It wouldn't take up much space and would pay itself off in dividends.
Looking forward to your recommendations for a survival kit.
Toggles for handles on the cable saw. Might make it easier. Any wax from candles, if the kit has them, would possibly make cutting easier.
Dozens of inferior tools don't add up to one good one, as always.
With that fragile Mylar blanket, it might work better to string it up as a lean-to tarp after building the debris lean-to underneath. Any time that stuff touches ANYTHING, but especially rough branches, it will shred. Or you can build a layered shelter: ridgepole, framework of the smoothest possible branches, drape the Mylar over that, then a secondary ridgepole and build your insulated bough layer on that.
Nice, realistic video, though - thanks!
Thanks!
Many thanks 😊
Very interested to see your future video of the kit! Thank you for the review of what’s available out there on the Amazon. Definitely need some tea or coffee in the improved kit, maybe there’s something that can be made from the pine needles? And a way to make it not taste like pine needles? That’s asking a lot right…Love the details you gave on the compass. Would you have any tips like if you have no compass and no landmarks just stuck in the thick bush, maybe went looking for water and/or firewood and got turned around and lost and it’s high noon so can’t tell which way is east or west. Thanks again!
Idk how they can even call it an "Emergency Med Kit" if it doesn't have at least 1 tube of _Super Glue_ in it. IMO every Med Kit should have at least 2 Tubes of Super Glue in them! You can use it to close open wounds, to fix broken items or to seal holes and it can be used to start a fire in a pinch by mixing it with Cotton Fibers like a Cotton Balls or Q-Tips. It's all around handy item to have that takes up basically no space or weight.
The good stuff is Type 3 - 550 Paracord.
The thing on that goofy multi tool is actually a _fish descaler_ not a saw, you can tell that it's for descaling fish by the V shaped notch on the front of it which is supposedly for removing a stuck fish hook and by it's lack of sharpened teeth. 👍👍
Really looking forward to seeing what kind kit you would but together and recomend as a what do we really need in a bug out economic cisis situation, on the move using the skills you have .Love your channel and have respect for your knowledge and expieriance lots of miss information and unnecessary crap tools and equipment hard to make a desision and spend hard earned money on whats really going to help you in this situation.
Regards Rob
You did a fantastic job with the gear you had. I do have to say, if someone is getting into bushcraft I would have to steer them away from this kit. Craig.🇮🇲🇮🇲🇮🇲
Thank you Clay.
I’m old enough to remember building my own kit, before Amazon, long before.
As a comparison challenge could you make your kit fit in the Amazon kit bag? Just a thought.
Nicd video thank you
Kernmantle is the term for paracord and climbing rope. There is a fabric sheath surrounding a linear fiber inner.
Good video explaining how a bunch of marginal "survival" items might not help a person survive, especially if they were injured. A good, sharp, medium knife for batoning firewood, reliable fire starting kit, and some 3 mil plastic would've been better than the kit's basic contents (and, of course, some good cordage!). I prefer lighter cordage than 550 paracord. A bonded mylar tarp would be a more durable reflector than a plain mylar sheet, but most are only 5'x7', hence the recommendation of a 3 mil. or better painter's drop cloth in at least a 9'x9' size. A cheap folding saw would be much better than that wire saw, too.
...and don't forget to include some GOOD duct tape to fashion tie out points for a tarp that is more versatile.
The Sawyer company makes some very small water filters which last a long time. I carried a "Squeeze" model filter and a CNOC 2 liter water bag on my 1,100 mile hike of half of the Appalachian Trail last year - no issues, no illness (except for Norovirus, which I got from another sick hiker).
I would love to see what you would put in a decent affordable survival kit
When is the video of your survival kit coming out? Can't wait!!!
Good video! I don't think anyone on Earth has ever successfully used one of those wire saws. I'm surprised the rings stayed attached. Maybe The Q-Tips work as dry tinder with the heads fluffed up?
one trick is on those saws is to use a couple sticks through the rings as handles, makes it far easier to use on the hands.
Very interesting video,,and I learn more , I haven't even tried use Mylar Blanket as reflector, but in future am gonna do that, Thank you for video :D
Thanks for watching!
Great video as always my friend, but I'm still waiting for your survival kit and what items you use for perfect night in the woods or perfect for survival. Thanks again for the great videos
Can't Wait to see your kit clay will be one to watch out for and takes some notes. I myself have stayed clear of those cheap kits and built my own on professionals recommendations like yourself on what works. Dont skimp on quality and price when it just might save your ass
It was painful to watch this video based on what was in the kit! If it were the only thing I had available, I would make the best use of it as you did, but I certainly wouldn't go out of my way to purchase it! Great video!
Very fashionable!!!! LMAO - can't wait to see your kit.
That looked like a rough night haha
I think this video proves the best kit is one that you put together yourself, maybe using some components of store bought kits, to suit your area, and potential situations that could happen. Store bought kits are usually 'micro sized' items, not particularly useful for more than one night, if even that.
I would put the mylar on a thin layer of baughs on the roof and put another thin layer of baughs and sticks on top of it to hold the mylar on place, this is faster then what you did and totally water proof roof. And you would not have to cut the mylar sheet when you leave fold up the mylar take it with you.
10:55 lmao here I was thinking that little axe was the best tool showcased so far in the video. Little did I know...
Its funny but about 5 yrs ago I bought a "survival" kit. I paid like 60$ for it. It was junk but I was excited because I had never done a rough camp. After the first overnighter I decided the kit was pretty much a complete kit. It was just everything needed to be upgraded. So over 2 years I replaced each peice(limited funds!) I then added water storage, a 60s or 70s boy scout looking cook set. You know the one that everything stores inside like a pan and deep lid. Then as I was about to invest in a decent sleeping bag and cook set my health went south. So now I build home MREs, practice fire starting in case the power goes out. In general I practice once in awhile in just home survival stuff.
Hey Mr. Clay, you have great videos, especially about bows. Im a new subscriber here, just wondering if you ever tried building the Japanese Long bow. I would love to see your version of it.
Great overnighter Clay. At least it was for us Thanks for doing this so hopefully we don't have too. Looking forward to your take on the matter. Are you planning something as minimal and packable as an addition to your regular gear? More of an emergency thing or more of a macro kit that is basically an inconvenient overnight kit it you get turned around or stuck do to a medical issue?
Nate
Looking forward to seeing your video of a REAL survival kit. If i had to use that little axe thingy, I would have tried to lash a longer handle to it, maybe making it a little better.
Good British Victorian explorer voice. The kit is mainly junk but would be maybe better than nothing. Thanks good honest video.
Tip. Wrap the Q tip with a strip of the alcohol prep pad from the 1st aiid kit and spark with flint
Thanks.
lol never doubted you would survive. U survived in Alaska with nothing but a bow. Great video Clay!
And the rest of the contestants had 10 items? 😂 How was that fair.
He was in British Columbia, Canada - not Alaska.
good review mate its only the basic of basic, a stronger tarpaulin axe knife and a pot would be about the better things to have and a ferrous rod
for a chain/ring saw use a stick in each eyehole to make a good handle on each ring. You will saw way better this way.
After watching your video one of many more I am learning thank you so much I still have a lot to learn love to you and yours frome a fellow youtuber paul in p.a
Char dandelion root and crush it to make coffee. Add sticky weed, which is a natural stimulant!😊
ROTFLMAO !!! Idahos best party animal, even the owls had a hoot 😂😂😂
Great video! IMO, the only way to "survive" with a kit like this, is to have the skills and experience to be able to make due with subpar gear. Looking forward to your "better build out" sequel!
Clay, you know what you need to do. Is that 'kit', what would you do to make a 'like' kit with actual things that would work? I would say don't worry about cost, but what would you do? I think that would be an excellent video as a follow up to this!
“This thing sucks!” LMAO!!!
Love it, Im going to leave a Note for my Resuers ... what did it say, Gone for Coffee, BRB LoL