What a great idea to demonstrate simple knots. As its so easy to get carried away with the complexity of it all. The whole point of bushcraft on a few turns...simplicity. Many thanks Giles 👍.
Another wonderful video, I've watched probably many hundreds of hours of bush craft videos on here and you are without a doubt the most relaxed and you make things so easy to understand. Bravo Giles.
Some nice tips there. I will however, have to compliment you on your orderly and very nice garden. The joys of urban filming, Police Sirens and Seagulls, but at least no chainsaws.
Great to hear from you Robert. Thanks for commenting. The garden is all my wife’s hard work 😳!!! And yeah, no peace in suburbia 😕 - you are lucky to have land 😊👍 Cheers
Thanks for making this video Giles, and keeping it simple and accessible with regards to the knots. I'm a recent convert to tarp camping and I'm loving it, inspired by your videos in many respects. Cheers!
Thanks very much indeed- really appreciate those kind words. And so glad you got something from the video. The simplicity and versatility of tarp camping is deffo appealing 😊👍Cheers 👍
Good evening sir I really enjoyed your demonstration of the Polish Lavuu and the Zeltbahn. I've been watching and waiting for your next video I've watched all of them. Bernie's Bimbles did a tribute to you you used a fire bowl and the canvas palatka. Next month I'll be going to Colorado to camp for the first time in 30 years. You are a a inspiration to me. I watch Kent Survival,TA
I love your simple two knot approach. Another much maligned knot that is just as 'real' as any other is the shoelace knot, or bow. I use the bowline, clove hitch, thumb knot and a couple of others... because I can whereas you have shown you don't need a lot of knots. Enjoyed the video, as always.
Thanks very much Perry. I hope you got something from this video. I over simplified the knots because I am acutely aware that quite a few people hate doing them ! So I tried to be totally simple. But you’re right, having the right knots is great and can make life easier - not just camping !!! 👍
@@gilesbinyon I'll never forget the day at the hardware store I had to wait till everyone else had tied down their loads and driven off because I couldn't remember how to do a truckies' hitch and secure my load properly. I was younger then, of course, hahaha
Whoops I hit the send button too soon as I was saying I watch all the English bushcrafters. And many many more that are all over the world it was really a shame about nagualero I got the news through Bernie's bimbles was one of the first videos I watched of his. I'm with you in spirit keep up the great work your friend Dave Arizona
Great Giles. Like the way you demonstrated how simple it could be. Others seem to think that making things complicated makes them look more knowledgeable. In fact just the opposite is true. I will watch this again I am sure. Keep happy and healthy.
Nice one Giles always good to see video's on kit and setups I've got a few canvas tarps my biggest one is 4x4 it's so heavy and bulky it never really gets used atvb jimmy 😎😎👍👍
Thanks for watching Jimmy really appreciate it. Yeah, cotton canvas is always gonna be heavier than synthetics 😐 but keeping things to a minimum can ease the burden 👍 Cheers Mate
👍 Informative, with a different take on knots .. the KISS Principle. Yes, knots as practised by many You Tube Bush Crafters and Survivalists could tend to be intimidating for some. Me, I have learned some easy basic knots and have a short length of cord handy for 'fiddling' with when the hands are idle and as such practice these knots. Doing this helps the fingers develop 'muscle memory' enabling one to knot something without really thinking about it. Also, taking the time to understand 'how' the knot actually works and not only concentrating on the mantra, i.e. 'The rabbit goes down the hole, around the tree (and sometimes vanishes forever 😁) etc, etc,' helps one to create a specific knot differently .. method, angle, etc. A nice share .. thank you. Those old school capes and tarps will never lose their appeal and functionality .. and will, if properly cared for, outlast many modern versions thereof. Take care ..
Thank you Tommy. Your kind comments are always so welcome. And yes, carrying around a piece of cord for everyday practice is an excellent way of becoming familiar with various knots 👍 You’re right about the old capes/tarps but they have to be stored dry - thx again 👍
The prussik is a great knot.I have a permanent 4x4m tarp on a ridgeline in a wood i manage,which is held by prussiks.In the 2 years it has been up,they havnt needed adjusting.(only the ridgeline has been retied each end to adjust for tree growth every year).I even used prussiks ascend and descend when i had to climb 2 oaks to take out dead wood over our camping area last week.Thanks for sharing Giles,another informative and inspiring video.
Thank you very much Don - appreciate your comment. And interesting to hear of your successful use of the Prussik knot. There are many friction hitches out there but sometimes the Prussik is just the job ! 👍
Thank you very much for another nice comment - it’s appreciated. Yeah, you can’t beat ‘ garden camping’ - and a great way to introduce the kids to camping too 😊👍
Good one again. I learned several things from this video. One of personal interest, I have a wool blanket with “NVA” on it and I always wondered what it stood for. Now I know. National Volks Armee. Thanks Giles.
I survived years and years of camping with just the prussik, overhand (again is that even a knot? Lol) and the overhand's big, posh brother the Figure of Eight. Nowadays, I know quite a few, but I just learn them for fun or to complete a specific craft project.
If there's one that's easy and super useful I picked up recently, it's "Joe Robinet's" (clearly he didn't invent it, he just showed me for the first time!) Canadian Jam knot. It's just overhands tied a certain way and it makes a handy ratchet that actually works!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and set up’s for your camp. See a lot of people getting inspired by your videos and I’m definitely one of those. Keep up the great work and again thanks! Cheers
Good to see you again, Giles. I enjoyed watching this interesting and informative video. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and ideas, I liked your take on the knots that can be used. Take care, and as always I look forward to your upcoming videos.
Thanks very much Adrian. It’s great to get your comments and i hope you got something from this slightly different (for me) video. Take care my friend 👍
@@gilesbinyon You are most welcome, and thank you :) There is something I thought of to ask you about. You mentioned that one of the tarps/capes was waxed, which made it heavier, so presumably the one you use on most of your videos is not waxed or oiled. Do you just rely on the swelling of the canvas to resist the water when it rains? And if so, is it effective? I'm looking into getting either one like yours, or even an oiled/waxed canvas tarp, so I was wondering about this. Thanks in advance for any replies/info about this.
@@adrianhyde thx Adrian. I waxed this Romanian cape because I had one before and it just seemed to leak a tiny bit in heavy rain - I had seen waxing done on YT and thought I would give it a go. It seemed to do the trick. But from now on I will try first without waxing - as you say the natural swelling of the fibres could be enough. The waxing adds weight and stiffens the fabric but also makes it more robust - thus I use my old waxed one cut down as a ground sheet 😊 The NVA Zeltbahn was secondhand. I had to repair and wash it (cold with Nikwax detergent) so then I rinsed it in Nikwax Canvas Proofer just in case. This didn’t add any noticeable weight or stiffness and so far it’s been great 😊👍hope some of this helps 👍
Thank you for this video ! It gave a lot of information and inspiration ! Thanks again and keep those great videos coming. Greetings from the Netherlands
Thanks for the video I think it was very informative you made it very clear to understand the use of natural materials ie canvas takes me back to my childhood in the early sixties my dad used to make me a ridge tent out of his tarpaulin of his wagon the tent would stay out all summer in the field at the back of my house. I did my first all nighter when I was seven years old my company was our two Alsation dogs who took care of me, great memories, thanks again.
Thank you for this informative video. Your method of knots work well for you & you are right to say the best way is what ever works for you. the instruction you gave didn't miss & hit the wall Giles. well done.
Another great video Giles 👍🏻 I'm looking at getting either a tarp or cape soon and this has really helped me with how I'll set up camp. Looking forward to your next video in this Q&A series.
Thank you for such a relaxed and accessible rope and knot talk-through. We use the cinch a lot at work because the kindergarten children like to hang and bounce on ropes.
Thank you very much Bagarius. Glad you got some use from the video. And yeah, I have to agree with you - what an excellent piece of kit the Lavvu - yous guys knew what you were doing when you designed that 😀👍
Thanks Sarah. Freya has always felt the cold 🥶 and now she is rather elderly. I would love to have her with me but I don’t think she would be happy wild camping 🫤 but she does come when the family go camping 😀👍
Good old eye splices, used them on the farm, ahead of the curve in the boy scouts, then in the navy boot camp I got to teach others how to use them and other knots and splices.
Thanks again Kokopelau. Appreciated. Yeah, the eye splice isn’t hard to do in 3 strand. I never learnt how to do it with kernmantle line though 🤔 Cheers 🔥⛺️👍
@@gilesbinyon I learned how in the 60's in the Navy. Easy easier and safer with 3 strand like you use. At least since you use natural fiber I assume you're using 3 strand.
Great video I love my canvas I have the zeltbahn and a few lavvus to I dnt have a palatial yet but certainly want on I’d like to see u do more lavvu camping with out the centre pole also useing the lavvu my favorit setup is to pitch a half with the centre pole then turn the second half upside down and button it to one side of the already pitch shelter the using a walking stic or stick / pole to prop up with a line the other end this the create a long lean to with a closed off end for ur head etc and a compleat open side from chest to feet lean to there is a video on my channel of this set up I’ll find it then add a link to it for ur thoughts
Here the video I did on my channel this is a great set up for all wethers as u can learn the end of the lean to section as you plz for more or less coverage. czcams.com/video/mtvBjTQDnMA/video.html
Thank you very much Paul. That sounds like an interesting Lavvu set up you have created. I’d love to see the video. I’m not sure if links can be sent via YT comments 😐 I’m thinking of putting my email address on the channel profile page, but not sure this is wise 🤔Cheers 👍
@@gilesbinyon I have included the link to my video already mate in these comments alternately u can email me via my email or Fb or Instagram in my profile information on CZcams
Giles, do your neighbours think that they are living next door to an eccentric with all these things that you do regards testing gear and lighting fires 😂😂? Like the way you say ground sheet, now they try to reinvent it and say 'foot print' Love what you do. ATB Cheers from the mountains of NZ 😀😀
Love your “no knot”! Have you seen the Romanian ponchos that are camouflaged? Varusteleka did have them, but I think have sold out, they are my favourite along with the NVA and the Norwegian diamond shaped poncho. I have 3 NVA that will join to make a structure like the Lavvu, Bly have 2 of the Romanian though, wished I had another. I do love my canvas Palatkas, although the weight is a bind. Talking of binds, although the thumb knot will work on natural fibres, I’m pretty sure it won’t on paracord or other man made cords (with the possible exception of tarred bankline).
Thanks very much Mat. I really appreciate your comment and the info you give too. Sounds like you enjoy these basic military capes too ! (PS try the overhand/thumb knot in para cord - it works - but don’t expect to be able to untie it if it has been under load !!!) 👍
Revisited this and enjoyed it all over again. Where did you learn your knots? Watching you set up the poles you displayed a fluidity born of obvious practise and I would think some form of formal training. I got mine in the engineers and later hanging off a sailing boat.
Thanks very much as always Mr FMF !!! Sounds like you have a similar background in knots and lines. Yeah, spent my whole adult life working with ladders and lines - 31 years in the Fire Service and in the last part (to top up wages !!!) also a second job self-employed roof and chimney access work. ‘If you look after your kit it will look after you ….’ etc and all that…… Once again a very slow reply - sorry. Take care 🇦🇺🦘
Have you ever tried making a ridge line or Rope? I've used jute twine from the garden centre to make some respectable looking and performing rope, its a very cost effective and satisfying way of getting nice rope whenever you need it and I much prefer it to the modern PP rope.
Thanks for watching and commenting. I’ve never tried laying up rope from garden twine but it sounds like a cool idea. The ridge line I use is also jute. It is standard three strand so very easy to put an eye splice in the end 👍
Excellent video again Giles and very informative. I had never heard or seen the no knot before even through my cub/scout day's but I shall definitely be giving that a try now! A quick question if I may, do you get more length in front of the shelter when laying down with the plough point or the /_ lean to type shelter please? Can't wait for your next outing as I ALWAYS enjoy your videos 😁👌
Thanks very much Mike and thx for watching too. The weather protection is slightly better in the plough share set up. The wind must be reliably coming from your sheltered side - then you can use the full length of the diagonal (consider fire position if using it for all night heat). This set up usually means less wind blown rain getting at you (as long as you remember to set up in the right direction if there is any wind). Likewise it seems to provide a bit more wind protection. Hope some of this helps. Cheers 👍
Love seeing all the different capes. Question: why do you say the hood part should be the one staked to the ground? Is it that the doubles up material makes it stronger? I always try and put mine up so that any dripping water does not come in the arm holes which would otherwise be upside down and not keeping the water out.
Thanks very much for watching and making that good point Miguel. Yeah, it is to do with the correct weathering. With the arm holes down the flaps are in the correct position to shed any rain. Cheers 😊👍
I have two triangle zeltbahn, still trying to figuring out the best way to pitch them into a good freestanding singlepole sleepable lowfaced protective shelter
Thanks very much for watching and commenting Marcus. I know the capes you describe but I don’t have any. I know they button together in various ways. It may be just having a few practice trials in a garden or park may give you the best option for your particular needs. Good luck ⛺️👍
Good to see you back Gyles. Great video again. Would you never leave prussiks on the line or even attach them ready for camp? I don't use natural fibres, I may use some old climbing rope that's okay for this purpose but not it's former job. I tend to use as light a material as I have tarps and tents. I don't own any of those you use there.
Thanks very much Mark. Yeah, you are absolutely right - it’s handy to leave the Prussik Loops ready on the ridge line for quick deployment (I do) Cheers 👍
Great video! Been looking at all your content, really nice man. How come you often use square poncho shelters like the zeltbahn instead of using the polish lavvu?
Thank you for checking out all the channel content Foger. It is very much appreciated. I think the main reasons I tend to use the square ponchos is because they can be setup as a lean-to type shelter or a ‘plough share’ type shelter. The ‘plough share’ provides a good sheltered fire/cooking area with rain protection from above. Thx again 😊👍
Hey Giles, looks like you use a softer cord for small loops and such, what kind of cord is that? I'm out of my old paracord and would prefer (k)not to buy more plastic than necessary. Cheers!
Thank you very much Schizo - really appreciate you watching and taking an interest in natural fibre cordage. Yeah, the smaller stuff is braided cotton cord. But it can be tricky to find - a lot of cordage has a braided cotton sheath but a synthetic core !!! Try searching ‘100% cotton rope’ or ‘cotton sash cord’ . Hope this helps - good luck 😊👍
Thanks very much for watching and commenting. Yeah, the truckers hitch is a brilliant knot. However, the running end has to be tied off under tension at some point, and this can make its release, especially with wet natural fibre line, somewhat difficult. I have used a ‘niteize’ tension device before which is the same principle as the truckers hitch but uses a jamming cleat to trap the line and so can be easily adjusted in all conditions. Thx again for that useful comment 😊👍
Very informative and nicely explained! I am after a ridgeline for my two Romanian palatkas, and I would like something like tared 3-strand hemp, just for the smell. But I am wondering what diameter you use on your ridgeline? I was thinking of going for an 8 mm but surely 6 mm will be good enough? The 6 mm has a breaking point of about 250 kilos. //Best regards
Thanks very much Anders - appreciate you watching and commenting. Yeah, hemp is considered better quality than jute and 6mm would do the job alright. But you may want to consider ease of handling the lines. If you intend using Prussik Loops to position your tarp/shelter then they are better to be of less diameter (and ideally softer) than the main ridge line. So sometimes having a line which is slightly and ‘unnecessarily’ of larger diameter is sometimes good for handling. This is especially true of natural fibres in an outdoor environment I think, because the swelling sometimes makes it necessary to work the knots loose. (My ridge line is 8mm 3 strand jute and the Prussiks 6mm braided cotton). Cheers 👍
Hi Love the video's. Just wanted to ask you more about Zeltbahn shelter? I've purchased two of them, the ones I got where WW2 replica's plain tree camo. Now the thing is I'm 6 foot 1 tall and I'm just having some issues with what shelter set ups I can do with them both to fit my length. I've already connected both to make a large type string ray design but just are wanting ideas of how else I might be able to use them better. Can you recommend any type of different set up for these. Both Zeltbahn are triangle in shape.
Thanks for watching the videos Drew - appreciated. Yeah, it sounds like you have a couple of repro shelters of the original WW2 Zeltbahn. I don’t really have much experience of these. They are a bit smaller than the NVA Zeltbahn I use (from the later Cold War period). I am short and can get away with using the NVA Zeltbahn (which is about 5’ 10” square) in a ‘plough share’ type configuration. As you are taller you would certainly need to connect your two older pattern ones together and should probably aim to set up a ‘half pyramid’ kind of shelter I would think. But I have not tried this yet myself. If you have a garden this is a great place for experimenting with shelter set ups. An additional Zeltbahn would probably allow you to construct a bigger shelter and I believe 4 of those capes make an enclosed tent similar to a Lavvu. Other options for military cape shelters are the Polish Lavvu (ideally size 3 for you but these are expensive now) or, of course, one or two NVA Zeltbahns. I think the Hungarian Zeltbahn would be a bit small for you. Cheers Drew ⛺️🌲
Giles had a idea for the UCO FIRE PIT that may interest you and only cost a £1… made a video on it is it ok to post a link to it here as you can’t contact you to send it? Cheers Phil
Thanks very much Phil. Would love to see your UCO mod. Not sure links are possible in the comments 🤔 I tried to put an email address once and it would not get posted up 😐 I think I may put a contact email address on my channel profile perhaps soon 🤔👍
Idk if the two turn prusik is a non-synthetic cordage thing, but my experience with synthetics tells me it absolutely must be three times through itself or it WILL slip!
Thanks very much again Tom. And that’s an interesting point about synthetic cordage. I do find that if you use thinner and softer line for the Prussik loops than the main (ridge) line, you should be able to get away with the standard Prussik Knot. Good knotting my Friend !!! 👍
@@gilesbinyon so I questioned, in my mind, your claim of two turns being the "standard prussik" knot, as I've never been taught that way and I looked it up. Wikipedia says "two to four turns depending on the material" so, I suppose mine is the "average prussik knot" and yours is the "minimal prussik knot" and our differences are down to the materials used. Well, I live and learn! Thanks for the inspiration to expand my horizons again, Giles
Cheers Alan. Yeah, my ridge line is 8 mm. You could go thinner but for ease of handling it doesn’t really make sense. Thicker would be fine if you don’t mind carrying some extra weight. It’s good, by the way, to keep the Prussik Loops of thinner (and ideally softer) material. Thx very much for watching and commenting 😊👍
Thanks Desmond. Yeah, would love to take her but she is elderly and has a few issues and so I don’t think she would like it. But she does come away on family camping trips and stays in the car which she really does enjoy 😊👍🐶🦮
You're always so chilled out..luvvly jubbly..the way it should be...you're great and inspirational.✌️✌️✌️👍👍👍
Thanks so much Patrick - that’s a great comment and thx for the support (mange tous, mange tous) 😊👍
@@gilesbinyon Always keep the vids coming..great stuff✌️✌️✌️
PS:- You've a cool sight hound like my old 'Bailey' I knew I liked you!!
Ahh ! Thx again Marty. Bailey and Freya would love to meet 😊 - they recognise their own type of breed don’t they 😊👍
What a great idea to demonstrate simple knots. As its so easy to get carried away with the complexity of it all. The whole point of bushcraft on a few turns...simplicity. Many thanks Giles 👍.
Thank you for the kind comment and for watching too - hope some of the line handling ideas help 👍
Another wonderful video, I've watched probably many hundreds of hours of bush craft videos on here and you are without a doubt the most relaxed and you make things so easy to understand. Bravo Giles.
Wow! That’s a lovely comment which is really appreciated (but I’m not sure it’s deserved !!!). Thank you very much 😊👍
Lovely established garden . Lovely dog . Love your vids 👍
Thanks so much Stina - glad you liked 🙏👍
Cheers Giles,great video,no messing about 👍
Thank you very much Export Wild. Yeah, try to keep things straight forward in the vid 👍Cheers
Some nice tips there. I will however, have to compliment you on your orderly and very nice garden. The joys of urban filming, Police Sirens and Seagulls, but at least no chainsaws.
Great to hear from you Robert. Thanks for commenting. The garden is all my wife’s hard work 😳!!! And yeah, no peace in suburbia 😕 - you are lucky to have land 😊👍 Cheers
I have never considered the 'no knot' and your guidance on setting up has been well worth watching, thank you Giles.
Thank you very much Michaela - hope you get something from it 😊👍
Love watching your videos they are thanks for doing them
Thanks for watching Keith and also for the nice comment too - cheers 👍
Thanks for making this video Giles, and keeping it simple and accessible with regards to the knots. I'm a recent convert to tarp camping and I'm loving it, inspired by your videos in many respects. Cheers!
Thanks very much indeed- really appreciate those kind words. And so glad you got something from the video. The simplicity and versatility of tarp camping is deffo appealing 😊👍Cheers 👍
Great demo and yes I agree keep your knots simple and that way you are unlikely to forget them.
Thanks very much for watching David. And I whole heartedly agree with your comment too - thank you 😊🙏👍
Cheers for this one. Thinking of buying 2 Plash Palatkas for the next hunting season.
Thanks very much for watching Jesse. Hope the Palatkas work out good for hunting 👍
Good evening sir I really enjoyed your demonstration of the Polish Lavuu and the Zeltbahn. I've been watching and waiting for your next video I've watched all of them. Bernie's Bimbles did a tribute to you you used a fire bowl and the canvas palatka. Next month I'll be going to Colorado to camp for the first time in 30 years. You are a a inspiration to me. I watch Kent Survival,TA
Thanks for watching all the videos David and your kind comment - I hope you have a fantastic Colorado camp. ATB 👍
I love your simple two knot approach. Another much maligned knot that is just as 'real' as any other is the shoelace knot, or bow. I use the bowline, clove hitch, thumb knot and a couple of others... because I can whereas you have shown you don't need a lot of knots. Enjoyed the video, as always.
Thanks very much Perry. I hope you got something from this video. I over simplified the knots because I am acutely aware that quite a few people hate doing them ! So I tried to be totally simple. But you’re right, having the right knots is great and can make life easier - not just camping !!! 👍
@@gilesbinyon I'll never forget the day at the hardware store I had to wait till everyone else had tied down their loads and driven off because I couldn't remember how to do a truckies' hitch and secure my load properly. I was younger then, of course, hahaha
Thanks Giles. Some really helpful information in this video. I will seen you on the next one. Cheers.
Thanks as always Jon. Take care 👍
Whoops I hit the send button too soon as I was saying I watch all the English bushcrafters. And many many more that are all over the world it was really a shame about nagualero I got the news through Bernie's bimbles was one of the first videos I watched of his. I'm with you in spirit keep up the great work your friend Dave Arizona
Thank you again David. It was such a sad shock about Nagualero yes awful……
Thx for commenting my friend
Nice job. 👍 Very helpful. Thank you!
Thank you! Delighted if you got something useful from it 😊👍
Great video Giles, very informative and some great basic knots, very useful.
Thank you kindly Paul. Glad if you got something from this and thanks for taking the time to watch and comment. 😊👍
Enjoyed that! 😊
Thanks very much Lindsay 😊👍
Great Giles. Like the way you demonstrated how simple it could be. Others seem to think that making things complicated makes them look more knowledgeable. In fact just the opposite is true. I will watch this again I am sure. Keep happy and healthy.
Thanks once again Dave - really appreciate the comments. And delighted if you gained something from it 😊👍
Nice one Giles always good to see video's on kit and setups I've got a few canvas tarps my biggest one is 4x4 it's so heavy and bulky it never really gets used atvb jimmy 😎😎👍👍
Thanks for watching Jimmy really appreciate it. Yeah, cotton canvas is always gonna be heavier than synthetics 😐 but keeping things to a minimum can ease the burden 👍 Cheers Mate
excellent spot on ,delivery unsurpassed love your passion ,not bad them old squares of canvas .
Thank you Simon. Yeah, the old school type of stuff can be made to work okay methinks 😊👍
Thanks for the lesson, Giles. Lovely back garden by the way. 👍🙂
Thanks for watching Brian. The back garden is my wife’s hard work !!! 😊👍
Great tips. Keep up the good work. 👍
Thanks very much for watching and commenting. I hope some of the ideas might help you. Cheers 👍
THANK YOU Very much Giles dear friend 🌲🌲🌲
Thanks very much as always Ofer. I do appreciate you watching the videos and your kind support 🌲⛺️😊👍
👍 Informative, with a different take on knots .. the KISS Principle.
Yes, knots as practised by many You Tube Bush Crafters and Survivalists could tend to be intimidating for some.
Me, I have learned some easy basic knots and have a short length of cord handy for 'fiddling' with when the hands are idle and as such practice these knots.
Doing this helps the fingers develop 'muscle memory' enabling one to knot something without really thinking about it.
Also, taking the time to understand 'how' the knot actually works and not only concentrating on the mantra, i.e. 'The rabbit goes down the hole, around the tree (and sometimes vanishes forever 😁) etc, etc,' helps one to create a specific knot differently .. method, angle, etc.
A nice share .. thank you. Those old school capes and tarps will never lose their appeal and functionality .. and will, if properly cared for, outlast many modern versions thereof.
Take care ..
Thank you Tommy. Your kind comments are always so welcome. And yes, carrying around a piece of cord for everyday practice is an excellent way of becoming familiar with various knots 👍
You’re right about the old capes/tarps but they have to be stored dry - thx again 👍
@@gilesbinyon 👍 .. yep, the dishes are never done until dried and packed away 😊.
I enjoyed this video's focus on tarp shelter setup, tarp options and knots.
Thank you kindly Richard - appreciate the comment 🙏👍
Thanks for an informative video, and by the way - nice garden.
Thank you kindly (my wife does the garden 😉) 😊👍
The prussik is a great knot.I have a permanent 4x4m tarp on a ridgeline in a wood i manage,which is held by prussiks.In the 2 years it has been up,they havnt needed adjusting.(only the ridgeline has been retied each end to adjust for tree growth every year).I even used prussiks ascend and descend when i had to climb 2 oaks to take out dead wood over our camping area last week.Thanks for sharing Giles,another informative and inspiring video.
Thank you very much Don - appreciate your comment. And interesting to hear of your successful use of the Prussik knot. There are many friction hitches out there but sometimes the Prussik is just the job ! 👍
Some great information there Giles,looking forward to your further adventures 👍
Thanks so much John 😊👍
Look forward to trying some of this with my daughter in the garden 👍
Thank you very much for another nice comment - it’s appreciated. Yeah, you can’t beat ‘ garden camping’ - and a great way to introduce the kids to camping too 😊👍
Good one again. I learned several things from this video. One of personal interest, I have a wool blanket with “NVA” on it and I always wondered what it stood for. Now I know. National Volks Armee. Thanks Giles.
Great - thanks Steven. Glad you got something from the video and thanks as always for watching and commenting ⛺️🍺🍺👍
Thanks for this Giles, such a helpful, simple video. Was getting a bit overwhelmed trying to learn all the knots i supposedly needed to know!
Thank you very much Henry - glad you got something from the vid 😊👍
I survived years and years of camping with just the prussik, overhand (again is that even a knot? Lol) and the overhand's big, posh brother the Figure of Eight. Nowadays, I know quite a few, but I just learn them for fun or to complete a specific craft project.
If there's one that's easy and super useful I picked up recently, it's "Joe Robinet's" (clearly he didn't invent it, he just showed me for the first time!) Canadian Jam knot. It's just overhands tied a certain way and it makes a handy ratchet that actually works!
You are an excellent teacher. Thank you. X
Thank you very much for those positive words 😊👍
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and set up’s for your camp. See a lot of people getting inspired by your videos and I’m definitely one of those. Keep up the great work and again thanks! Cheers
Thank you very much indeed for watching and your kind comment 😊👍
A very informative & interesting video Giles.Thx
Thank you kindly Dug. Hope you get something useful from it or at least a couple of ideas 👍
Simple stuff done well👌😎 Many thanks bro, hope you are keeping well
Thank you very much Marty. Your kind comments appreciated as always - Cheers 😊👍
Good to see you again, Giles.
I enjoyed watching this interesting and informative video. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and ideas, I liked your take on the knots that can be used.
Take care, and as always I look forward to your upcoming videos.
Thanks very much Adrian. It’s great to get your comments and i hope you got something from this slightly different (for me) video. Take care my friend 👍
@@gilesbinyon You are most welcome, and thank you :)
There is something I thought of to ask you about. You mentioned that one of the tarps/capes was waxed, which made it heavier, so presumably the one you use on most of your videos is not waxed or oiled. Do you just rely on the swelling of the canvas to resist the water when it rains? And if so, is it effective? I'm looking into getting either one like yours, or even an oiled/waxed canvas tarp, so I was wondering about this. Thanks in advance for any replies/info about this.
@@adrianhyde thx Adrian. I waxed this Romanian cape because I had one before and it just seemed to leak a tiny bit in heavy rain - I had seen waxing done on YT and thought I would give it a go. It seemed to do the trick. But from now on I will try first without waxing - as you say the natural swelling of the fibres could be enough. The waxing adds weight and stiffens the fabric but also makes it more robust - thus I use my old waxed one cut down as a ground sheet 😊 The NVA Zeltbahn was secondhand. I had to repair and wash it (cold with Nikwax detergent) so then I rinsed it in Nikwax Canvas Proofer just in case. This didn’t add any noticeable weight or stiffness and so far it’s been great 😊👍hope some of this helps 👍
@@gilesbinyon Yes, thank you :)
Thank you for this video ! It gave a lot of information and inspiration ! Thanks again and keep those great videos coming. Greetings from the Netherlands
Thank you kindly for such a kind comment. Appreciate it. 😊🇳🇱🇬🇧👍
Fantastic video! great information for setups!
Thank you very much and glad you found something useful from it 👍😊
@@gilesbinyon you are very inspiring!
Thanks for the video I think it was very informative you made it very clear to understand the use of natural materials ie canvas takes me back to my childhood in the early sixties my dad used to make me a ridge tent out of his tarpaulin of his wagon the tent would stay out all summer in the field at the back of my house. I did my first all nighter when I was seven years old my company was our two Alsation dogs who took care of me, great memories, thanks again.
Thank you very much for your comment Stuart. And it sounds like you have many happy memories of the outdoors when you were a child 😊
I love the NVA Poncho/Zeltbahn.
Thank you!
The Romanian Pash Palatka is also very good. is just like the NVA Zeltbahn but in olive.
Thanks very much Jenny. Appreciate you watching and I totally agree with you about these military capes/shelters 🔥😊👍
Thank you for this informative video. Your method of knots work well for you & you are right to say the best way is what ever works for you. the instruction you gave didn't miss & hit the wall Giles. well done.
Thank you very much Allan. Appreciate the nice comment 👍
I believe you are READY TO JOIN THE CIRCUS as a rigger!
Ha ha ! You’re right James - although I may be able to do stuff front-of-house …..according to some of my friends I am bit of a clown 😐😂👍
Thanks. Really helpful. I'm looking forward to trying some of these tips out. Hopefully it will allow me to carry a lot less kit.
Thanks for watching and your supportive comment. Really hope some of the info was of use 😊👍
Another great video Giles 👍🏻
I'm looking at getting either a tarp or cape soon and this has really helped me with how I'll set up camp.
Looking forward to your next video in this Q&A series.
Thanks very much Vegan Wanderer. I hope this informs you somewhat regarding the square military capes. Cheers 👍
Thank you for such a relaxed and accessible rope and knot talk-through. We use the cinch a lot at work because the kindergarten children like to hang and bounce on ropes.
Thanks very much Catherine. Hope you got something from it. Looking forward to your next vid !😊👍
If you could just complete ONE thought, just ONE time, that would be GREAT!
Thanks @lisah9394 🫤???
Nice one Giles. The 'no-knot' is a new one to me and I'll definately give it a try. Cheers.
Thanks John - glad you got an idea or two from the video 😊👍
Giles this video was just the ticket👌 I am just starting out with bushcraft and wild camping so this video was an enormous help. Thank you 👍
Thanks for the comment David. And glad if you can get something from the video 😊Cheers👍
Splendid presentation. Best knot demo I've ever seen. The Polish lavvu has always been my favorite - being Polish ;-{)🖖
Thank you very much Bagarius. Glad you got some use from the video. And yeah, I have to agree with you - what an excellent piece of kit the Lavvu - yous guys knew what you were doing when you designed that 😀👍
Fantastic lurcher there, would you not consider bringing the dog out on your travels?
Brilliant for keeping warm at night!
Thanks Sarah. Freya has always felt the cold 🥶 and now she is rather elderly. I would love to have her with me but I don’t think she would be happy wild camping 🫤 but she does come when the family go camping 😀👍
Come back Giles we miss you.
Hey thx very much Yeti Dodger. Always nice to hear from you and sorry slow reply. Hoping all good with you 🏕️🔥🌲🌳
Good old eye splices, used them on the farm, ahead of the curve in the boy scouts, then in the navy boot camp I got to teach others how to use them and other knots and splices.
Thanks again Kokopelau. Appreciated. Yeah, the eye splice isn’t hard to do in 3 strand. I never learnt how to do it with kernmantle line though 🤔 Cheers 🔥⛺️👍
@@gilesbinyon I learned how in the 60's in the Navy. Easy easier and safer with 3 strand like you use. At least since you use natural fiber I assume you're using 3 strand.
Great video I love my canvas I have the zeltbahn and a few lavvus to I dnt have a palatial yet but certainly want on I’d like to see u do more lavvu camping with out the centre pole also useing the lavvu my favorit setup is to pitch a half with the centre pole then turn the second half upside down and button it to one side of the already pitch shelter the using a walking stic or stick / pole to prop up with a line the other end this the create a long lean to with a closed off end for ur head etc and a compleat open side from chest to feet lean to there is a video on my channel of this set up I’ll find it then add a link to it for ur thoughts
Here the video I did on my channel this is a great set up for all wethers as u can learn the end of the lean to section as you plz for more or less coverage.
czcams.com/video/mtvBjTQDnMA/video.html
Thank you very much Paul. That sounds like an interesting Lavvu set up you have created. I’d love to see the video. I’m not sure if links can be sent via YT comments 😐 I’m thinking of putting my email address on the channel profile page, but not sure this is wise 🤔Cheers 👍
@@gilesbinyon I have included the link to my video already mate in these comments alternately u can email me via my email or Fb or Instagram in my profile information on CZcams
Giles, do your neighbours think that they are living next door to an eccentric with all these things that you do regards testing gear and lighting fires 😂😂? Like the way you say ground sheet, now they try to reinvent it and say 'foot print'
Love what you do. ATB Cheers from the mountains of NZ 😀😀
Ha ha ! No they don’t THINK they KNOW they are living next door to an eccentric !!! 🤣😂🤣😂 And I can’t post up what my wife thinks ….. 🤣😂🤣😂👍
I have 2 plash planka, love them ...Been everywhere with them! ...I might even be more minimalistic than u hahahahha!
Thanks very much Stephen - appreciated. Glad you like the military capes and great to hear you are going minimal too 😊👍
Love your “no knot”! Have you seen the Romanian ponchos that are camouflaged? Varusteleka did have them, but I think have sold out, they are my favourite along with the NVA and the Norwegian diamond shaped poncho. I have 3 NVA that will join to make a structure like the Lavvu, Bly have 2 of the Romanian though, wished I had another. I do love my canvas Palatkas, although the weight is a bind. Talking of binds, although the thumb knot will work on natural fibres, I’m pretty sure it won’t on paracord or other man made cords (with the possible exception of tarred bankline).
Thanks very much Mat. I really appreciate your comment and the info you give too. Sounds like you enjoy these basic military capes too ! (PS try the overhand/thumb knot in para cord - it works - but don’t expect to be able to untie it if it has been under load !!!) 👍
Revisited this and enjoyed it all over again. Where did you learn your knots? Watching you set up the poles you displayed a fluidity born of obvious practise and I would think some form of formal training. I got mine in the engineers and later hanging off a sailing boat.
Thanks very much as always Mr FMF !!!
Sounds like you have a similar background in knots and lines. Yeah, spent my whole adult life working with ladders and lines - 31 years in the Fire Service and in the last part (to top up wages !!!) also a second job self-employed roof and chimney access work. ‘If you look after your kit it will look after you ….’ etc and all that……
Once again a very slow reply - sorry. Take care 🇦🇺🦘
Have you ever tried making a ridge line or Rope? I've used jute twine from the garden centre to make some respectable looking and performing rope, its a very cost effective and satisfying way of getting nice rope whenever you need it and I much prefer it to the modern PP rope.
Thanks for watching and commenting. I’ve never tried laying up rope from garden twine but it sounds like a cool idea. The ridge line I use is also jute. It is standard three strand so very easy to put an eye splice in the end 👍
Excellent video again Giles and very informative. I had never heard or seen the no knot before even through my cub/scout day's but I shall definitely be giving that a try now!
A quick question if I may, do you get more length in front of the shelter when laying down with the plough point or the /_ lean to type shelter please? Can't wait for your next outing as I ALWAYS enjoy your videos 😁👌
Thanks very much Mike and thx for watching too.
The weather protection is slightly better in the plough share set up. The wind must be reliably coming from your sheltered side - then you can use the full length of the diagonal (consider fire position if using it for all night heat). This set up usually means less wind blown rain getting at you (as long as you remember to set up in the right direction if there is any wind). Likewise it seems to provide a bit more wind protection. Hope some of this helps. Cheers 👍
Love seeing all the different capes. Question: why do you say the hood part should be the one staked to the ground? Is it that the doubles up material makes it stronger? I always try and put mine up so that any dripping water does not come in the arm holes which would otherwise be upside down and not keeping the water out.
Thanks very much for watching and making that good point Miguel. Yeah, it is to do with the correct weathering. With the arm holes down the flaps are in the correct position to shed any rain. Cheers 😊👍
I have two triangle zeltbahn, still trying to figuring out the best way to pitch them into a good freestanding singlepole sleepable lowfaced protective shelter
Thanks very much for watching and commenting Marcus. I know the capes you describe but I don’t have any. I know they button together in various ways. It may be just having a few practice trials in a garden or park may give you the best option for your particular needs. Good luck ⛺️👍
Good to see you back Gyles. Great video again. Would you never leave prussiks on the line or even attach them ready for camp? I don't use natural fibres, I may use some old climbing rope that's okay for this purpose but not it's former job. I tend to use as light a material as I have tarps and tents. I don't own any of those you use there.
Thanks very much Mark. Yeah, you are absolutely right - it’s handy to leave the Prussik Loops ready on the ridge line for quick deployment (I do) Cheers 👍
Great video!
Been looking at all your content, really nice man.
How come you often use square poncho shelters like the zeltbahn instead of using the polish lavvu?
Thank you for checking out all the channel content Foger. It is very much appreciated. I think the main reasons I tend to use the square ponchos is because they can be setup as a lean-to type shelter or a ‘plough share’ type shelter. The ‘plough share’ provides a good sheltered fire/cooking area with rain protection from above. Thx again 😊👍
Hey Giles, looks like you use a softer cord for small loops and such, what kind of cord is that? I'm out of my old paracord and would prefer (k)not to buy more plastic than necessary. Cheers!
Thank you very much Schizo - really appreciate you watching and taking an interest in natural fibre cordage. Yeah, the smaller stuff is braided cotton cord. But it can be tricky to find - a lot of cordage has a braided cotton sheath but a synthetic core !!!
Try searching ‘100% cotton rope’ or ‘cotton sash cord’ .
Hope this helps - good luck 😊👍
A truckers hitch maybe more useful here, as well as provide a quicker release....
Thanks very much for watching and commenting. Yeah, the truckers hitch is a brilliant knot. However, the running end has to be tied off under tension at some point, and this can make its release, especially with wet natural fibre line, somewhat difficult. I have used a ‘niteize’ tension device before which is the same principle as the truckers hitch but uses a jamming cleat to trap the line and so can be easily adjusted in all conditions. Thx again for that useful comment 😊👍
hi there!
thanks for the video.
what shoes you wearing?
Thank you for the comment. Yeah, these shoes are Craghoppers - not sure what they are called 🫤 Cheers 👍
@@gilesbinyon thank you
Very informative and nicely explained! I am after a ridgeline for my two Romanian palatkas, and I would like something like tared 3-strand hemp, just for the smell. But I am wondering what diameter you use on your ridgeline? I was thinking of going for an 8 mm but surely 6 mm will be good enough? The 6 mm has a breaking point of about 250 kilos.
//Best regards
Thanks very much Anders - appreciate you watching and commenting. Yeah, hemp is considered better quality than jute and 6mm would do the job alright. But you may want to consider ease of handling the lines. If you intend using Prussik Loops to position your tarp/shelter then they are better to be of less diameter (and ideally softer) than the main ridge line. So sometimes having a line which is slightly and ‘unnecessarily’ of larger diameter is sometimes good for handling. This is especially true of natural fibres in an outdoor environment I think, because the swelling sometimes makes it necessary to work the knots loose. (My ridge line is 8mm 3 strand jute and the Prussiks 6mm braided cotton). Cheers 👍
@@gilesbinyon Thank you for the quick reply! I belive I will go shopping later this week. 👍
Hi Love the video's. Just wanted to ask you more about Zeltbahn shelter? I've purchased two of them, the ones I got where WW2 replica's plain tree camo. Now the thing is I'm 6 foot 1 tall and I'm just having some issues with what shelter set ups I can do with them both to fit my length. I've already connected both to make a large type string ray design but just are wanting ideas of how else I might be able to use them better. Can you recommend any type of different set up for these. Both Zeltbahn are triangle in shape.
Thanks for watching the videos Drew - appreciated.
Yeah, it sounds like you have a couple of repro shelters of the original WW2 Zeltbahn. I don’t really have much experience of these. They are a bit smaller than the NVA Zeltbahn I use (from the later Cold War period). I am short and can get away with using the NVA Zeltbahn (which is about 5’ 10” square) in a ‘plough share’ type configuration. As you are taller you would certainly need to connect your two older pattern ones together and should probably aim to set up a ‘half pyramid’ kind of shelter I would think. But I have not tried this yet myself. If you have a garden this is a great place for experimenting with shelter set ups. An additional Zeltbahn would probably allow you to construct a bigger shelter and I believe 4 of those capes make an enclosed tent similar to a Lavvu. Other options for military cape shelters are the Polish Lavvu (ideally size 3 for you but these are expensive now) or, of course, one or two NVA Zeltbahns. I think the Hungarian Zeltbahn would be a bit small for you. Cheers Drew ⛺️🌲
Giles had a idea for the UCO FIRE PIT that may interest you and only cost a £1… made a video on it is it ok to post a link to it here as you can’t contact you to send it?
Cheers
Phil
Thanks very much Phil. Would love to see your UCO mod. Not sure links are possible in the comments 🤔 I tried to put an email address once and it would not get posted up 😐 I think I may put a contact email address on my channel profile perhaps soon 🤔👍
You can put web site addresses in the comments.😁
@@gilesbinyon czcams.com/video/_aDZP4kyPqE/video.html there you go mate
Idk if the two turn prusik is a non-synthetic cordage thing, but my experience with synthetics tells me it absolutely must be three times through itself or it WILL slip!
Thanks very much again Tom. And that’s an interesting point about synthetic cordage. I do find that if you use thinner and softer line for the Prussik loops than the main (ridge) line, you should be able to get away with the standard Prussik Knot. Good knotting my Friend !!! 👍
@@gilesbinyon oh yes. Always thinner loops!
@@gilesbinyon so I questioned, in my mind, your claim of two turns being the "standard prussik" knot, as I've never been taught that way and I looked it up. Wikipedia says "two to four turns depending on the material" so, I suppose mine is the "average prussik knot" and yours is the "minimal prussik knot" and our differences are down to the materials used. Well, I live and learn! Thanks for the inspiration to expand my horizons again, Giles
I meant Barney's bimbles
Can you tell me what diameter the ridgeline is? Wanting to try some jute rope. Thanks Also that about the guys etc?
Cheers Alan. Yeah, my ridge line is 8 mm. You could go thinner but for ease of handling it doesn’t really make sense. Thicker would be fine if you don’t mind carrying some extra weight. It’s good, by the way, to keep the Prussik Loops of thinner (and ideally softer) material. Thx very much for watching and commenting 😊👍
Hi Giles why don't you take your dog camping 😁
Thanks Desmond. Yeah, would love to take her but she is elderly and has a few issues and so I don’t think she would like it. But she does come away on family camping trips and stays in the car which she really does enjoy 😊👍🐶🦮