Author Archives: Campfire Kev

CRUSADER MUG as Used by Ray Mears, Bear Grylls

I’d seen both Ray Mears AND Bear Grylls using this steel mug type so figure that’s a good enough recommendation for anyone. I also like this design: has some real advantages – the shape means it can be used as a cup or a bowl; you can clean it with anything to hand, sand, grass etc. (because its Steel with not paint or coating, unless you like the taste of PTFE, I prefer sand), and cook direct on the flames with it too.

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It’s an army issue cup called the CRUSADER CUP CANTEEN. It’s an awesome piece of kit – you know it’s good if Bear Grylls takes it with him, as he travels with almost nothing! Only a knife, water bottle and this crusadar mug most of the time… it’s the ultimate example of “Get Tuff with your Stuff” minimal gear! The 0.75 litre capacity is incredible in a ‘cup’ and means it can be used for BIG drinks, re-hydrating dried food, collecting foodstuff in the bush, and for eating from – 0.75 litres of beef stew is enough for anyone, in one helping anyway! The design of the handle means it’s a really solid grip and also helps prop up the mug when used directly on the fire – being thin metal it also sheds any heat build up pretty quick. Designed to fit beneath the NATO ’58 pattern army water bottle, the Crusader Cup Canteen doubles as a drinking mug or cooking pot. Constructed from high-grade matt finished stainless steel. Compatible with the Crusader field cooking unit (also available separately). The mug also features handy internal measuring scale (0.25 l/0.5 l) ideal when rehydrating meals etc. Volume: 0.75 L (1.58 pints). Size: 13.5 x 10 x 10cm (5″ x 4″ x 4″). Weight: 290g (10oz).

Note: watch out for cheaper replicas, e.g. from Gelert – thay are NOT the real thing – but the real thing does come re-badged as a bushcraft item, but it’s made in the same factory – you can tell by looking for the serial numbers imprinted in the steel.

Prices from £15.00 each from StrikeForceSupplies.com, our favourite and local Army Surplus supplier – Friendly service, 15 years in the business and now with a new MASSIVE warehouse in Frome, Somerset chock full of gear…!

Here’s the Crusader in use on a recent Canoe Trip:

Coffee in the Crusader steel mug - out of the rain....

Coffee in the Crusader steel mug - out of the rain....

The Crusader mug used straight on the fire, cooking up some porridge for breakfast

The Crusader mug used straight on the fire, cooking up some porridge for breakfast

Swag n Tarp set up…

Australian ‘Razorback’ swag set up under a (British) Wychwood ‘Rogue Shelter’ makes a perfect open fronted campfire shelter like a one man Baker Tent also called the Campfire tent, but without all the poles and heavy canvas.

The shelter will catch the wind a bit in bad weather though, but perfect for normal conditions or even heavy rain without Big Wind… The Swag will shed any amount of rain that gets in, and the advantage of a big fire out in front is a big one: heat bounces around inside the shelter and you have a great feeling of being out on the open air.

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Winter On the River Wye – a photo-tour

A selection of photos from our Winter Season trip on the River Wye in first few days of March. Weather was good except for one night with 50mph winds and snow! The tarps took a real pounding and had to be collapsed down over the canoes as the wind ripped down through the Symonds Yat canyon – I’ve never seen such violent winds so it was a real test of the tarp rigs.

Strong winds and rain on the last day too meant we had to lash the two canoes together to make a catamaran for better directional stability – but we had some beautiful crisp morning sunshine too so we were lucky for early march overall – a fantastic eventful trip: Kelly Kettle tea kept the cold out at regular stops along the route. Bring on the Spring Trip!

Arriving at the start point: two canoes on one roof rack: always makes me nervous…!

Our hand built Apache Canoe – A beautiful boat which handles like a dream. Wood finishing on the Gunwales gives it a quiet sound that doesn’t spook wildlife or fish… We’ll be doing a full review of this canoe here very soon.

Still morning after 50 mph winds through the night: does it get any better than this…?


In the foreground is our own handmade Swag – full review and tips on how to make one coming soon… This was our first test of it and it performed perfectly: still can’t beat an Australian-style “Swag Bag” for wild camping – a tarp over the top is all that’s needed if there weather turns wild (as it did for us on this trip!)

Morning Camp scene...

Morning Camp scene...

Trip’s Over – Soaking wet but invigorated – this army poncho really keeps the rain off!

Pic Of The Day; "Old Red"

Old Red is our new canoe – an Old Town Discovery 158 in classic canoe red. We just returned from her maiden river trip, on the River Wye – here’s a great picture of Old Red pulled up at the bank, while Hawkeye looks out for birds in the woods on the river bank. We’ll post a full report of the trip here in the coming days – it was a great trip – still very wintery, no sign of green in the trees – just some early wild garlic out in the woods, and a few daffs and snowdrops. The birds were urging Spring on though with fantastic chorus of song coming from the woods and riverbanks.

"Old Red" with Hawkeye in spotting birds, on the river wye. Click for larger image.

Wye River Webcam – Winter Season Trip early March 2009

Update: See our River Wye Video clips. We’re planning our Winter Season Wye trip at the moment – heading off for 3 days on the Wye in a few days time with some great new gear which we’ll be trialing and reviewing. We’re checking the river levels regularly on a couple of webcams, a great way to see conditions where your heading, it’s surprising how many places have a webcam somewhere online: