No Cord Twist Disc, Bush Coffee and Update ReallyBigMonkey1 2026-09-26 | No Cord Twist Disc, Bush Coffee and Update
Axe Talk And Rehafting A Hatchet Into A Camp Axe ReallyBigMonkey1 2024-05-24 | Hatchets, Camp axe, boys axe. Whats the difference? In this video I talk about these things and, I take a store bought Marbles 655 hatchet and remove the handle and add a longer handle to make it a fantastic cheap boys axe! I also talk about an upcoming project involving another bicycle and trailer.
Old School Kochanski Style Wilderness Survival Kit ReallyBigMonkey1 2024-05-10 | Mors Kochanski loved the seven cup pot to store his survival kit in. Heres my version of it with a few updated items to cover any wilderness survival situation. I also show how it could be carried. His version was aimed towards cold weather but can be modified for other climates or environments.
Bugnet Tarp House And Cheap Amazon Cot Advice ReallyBigMonkey1 2024-04-26 | When camping bushcrafting or wilderness living, wouldn't it be great to have a tarp shelter that the wind could cool all while keeping bugs out? Well I found a gazebo bug net that came in four panels that zip apart to be made smaller. For the first time, I tried to rig it up on my Tarp shelter hut out in the woods. I also offer some good advice for if you plan on buying one of the cheap backpacker style camp cots from Amazon.
Testing Rope Techniques While Scouting For Fatwood ReallyBigMonkey1 2024-04-12 | Fatwood,heartwood,pine lighter, heart of pine, sapwood, whatever you know it but it works! Its a bushcrafter campers favorite natural fire starter. And its often thrilling to seek and find. I scout out a new area in the video and test out some new climbing belaying ascending gear on a mild drop off before I use it on anything really steep.
Machete Chopping And Campfire Lobster A La King ReallyBigMonkey1 2024-03-29 | I polished some machetes in my last video and tested them but didnt chop with them, we do in this video for firewood so we can cook the easiest meal we have ever cooked over a campfire. Lobster A La King!
Machetes Edge Polishing, Does it Benefit anything? ReallyBigMonkey1 2024-03-15 | When you sharpen a machete, it makes it cut better. When you polish a machete, it makes it look cool and helps ward off rust. But, does a polished edge make it cut slice or chop any better? Here I show you how to polish one to a fine edge. I also test before and after and the results are not what you think they would be!
Hillside Swamp Shelter Revisions And The Gear Cradle ReallyBigMonkey1 2024-03-01 | Everyone remember my swamp shelter? Well this is the updated version! Its great for off the ground camping in wetlands, swamps, muddy, rainy of snow covered areas. Also perfect for hillsides and areas where the ground is all uneven. In the original set up I weaved a web of rope. For a more simple approach, I made a fixed web out of one inch wide polyprolene webbing and I made a dedicated triangular tarp for this set up.
Daves Fast And Easy Sharpening Methods For Bushcraft And Survival Knives ReallyBigMonkey1 2024-02-16 | Several have asked how I keep my blades sharp. Generally I dont let them get extremely dull because I'll strop them after every trip. Mine usually just need touching up so I show my two favorite methods I use. I show my Worksharp station, my Japanese waterstones and my strops.
Pencil Sharpeners, Winter Survival Kits And Neck Knife Safety ReallyBigMonkey1 2024-02-02 | Can pencil sharpeners be used for making fire starting shavings? Yes but, a knife can do that and a whole lot more! I often get asked why I dont carry a pencil sharpener and in this video I pretty much show why I do not. I also show an example of a winter time minimalist survival kit and I talk about the safe way of wearing a neck knife.
Backyard Breakfast, Red Corn Polenta And Goodbye 2023 ReallyBigMonkey1 2024-01-19 | We say good bye to 2023 with a backyard breakfast over the fire pit. We cook eggs sausage and something all new to use, Red Corn Polenta! No matter if you call it polenta or grits, its all dried crushed corn. And it is good.
Homemade Stealth Bivy Sack With Variable Camo ReallyBigMonkey1 2024-01-05 | Bivy sacks are for camping, usually used by ultralight backpackers due to their light weight and minimal size. I created one thats thick, and very durable and uses various camo covering to match the surrounding environment. Instead of it being out in the open, it uses whats called "Drag Bag" methodology. In other words, build it, then drag it inside a fallen or downed tree for further camo or stealth qualities. Its great for hidden camping, hiding from or viewing wildlife or even Bigfoot. Its heavy duty enough that the idea is to leave it set up for a month or two. Let the animals get used to it being there, let it become part of the natural environment. Then, sneak in quietly and slip inside the bivy and the animals or maybe even Bigfoot wont suspect anyone is there!
The Duct Tape Match Experiments ReallyBigMonkey1 2023-12-22 | Duct tape has been known for years as a wilderness survival tool when it comes to fire making. wrap it around a match to extend its burn time or, wrap it around a container and use it as a firestarter. How about a match that has enough burn time that you can just stick it in a fire structure, light it them do nothing but watch it grow into a self sustaining fire? Lets see if its possible.
Bushcraft Camping Table, Chairs, Shelves, Bungees, Tent Pegs And A Bike Rack ReallyBigMonkey1 2023-12-08 | This is a collection of tips and ideas for all campers and bushcrafters. I show improvised gear and custom made items for camp chairs, tables and shelves. I also show how an exercise ball can be used as a chair or part of a sleep system.
The Ultimate Outdoor Kitchen And Grill ReallyBigMonkey1 2023-11-24 | Ever get tired of cooking over a campfire squatted down? Ever get tired of not having a grill to cook on? I take care of both those problems with my all new ultimate outdoor kitchen and grill! Its all stainless steel and fits inside one tub.
40 Year Old Miratex Raft, Optimus SVEA 123, And Comet Coffee Percolator ReallyBigMonkey1 2023-11-10 | 40 to 50 year old backpacking camping gear still usable? Yes it is! I found a 40 plus year old Miratex Sword Fish raft at a thrift store for 5 bucks still in the original packaging! I wanted to test it out on camera and I felt it was fitting to use my 40 year old Optimus SVEA 123 backpackers stove with my 40 to 50 year old Comet coffee percolator.
Spooky Scary Campfire Stories 2023 #ghoststory ReallyBigMonkey1 2023-10-27 | Halloween comes once a year, most of the year my channel is bushcraft camping and survival but we like to set aside the last upload of October for some true scary spooky campfire stories. We have three stories this year and a surprise photo at the end.
Bushcraft Camping Sawhorses, Bowl Stand And Tree Shelf ReallyBigMonkey1 2023-10-13 | Whether its bushcraft, camping or wilderness survival, you always want multi use gear. I started out making a small pair of portable sawhorses for holding wood for processing. I then realized, they could be used as a pot or bowl holder over a fire! Then, it hit me they could be modified with sheet aluminum to become tree shelves! They are truly a multi use item. I also talk about my Three River Blades One-Seven machete and how its held up after one year of use.
The Ranger Band Shelter And A Bug Hammock On The Ground ReallyBigMonkey1 2023-09-29 | When most build A frames for outdoor tarp camping and survival shelters, they secure the frames with paracord or maybe bankline. I was inspired by a recent podcast of Atlantic Bushcraft Adventures where Robert mentioned that Ranger Bands can do almost anything. This got me to thinking, will they hold a frame together? I give that a try here and also try an idea I saw on Bushcraft USA where a guy used a bug net hammock as a ground bivy sack. Lets see if these two ideas work!
The Two Dollar Swamp Shelter ReallyBigMonkey1 2023-09-15 | When camping in a swamp, Wetlands or any area that's muddy, slushy or wet, its always a struggle finding places to put gear or other items to keep them dry. I found a Tri Sail shade tarp at a Bargain Bin for two dollars and was inspired to test a radical new set up! Lets see how this goes.
The One Tool Fire, Hatchet Version, Saw Version, And Machete Version ReallyBigMonkey1 2023-09-01 | When it comes to campfires, survival fires for signaling, warmth and cooking and water boiling you need to know multiple ways of starting a fire. Why limit yourself to one method? Or one tool? But its good to know multiple methods and tricks to process everything you need with one tool from tinder to kindling to fuel.
Hot Weather Wilderness Survival Kit In Your Pants Pockets ReallyBigMonkey1 2023-08-18 | Theres a big difference between winter survival kits and summer survival kits. Also a big difference in how large a kit is and if youre willing to carry that kit. How about a full kit that you dont have to carry in a pack but all in your pants pockets? Lets explore that possibility.
How To Not Baton Your Knife ReallyBigMonkey1 2023-08-04 | Everyone knows how to baton a knife and why we do it. As far as the fire making aspect of batoning, you can split wood without batoning and, you can get by without batoning or splitting any wood at all. Lets have a look at these methods.
Compass Bubbles, Dead Reckoning And A Trick For Navigating Through A Dense Forest ReallyBigMonkey1 2023-07-21 | Compass Bubbles, how do they happen and how do we get rid of them? How do we navigate with a compass? What is Dead Reckoning? We look at those questions and attempt to shine a light on those subjects and, I show a very accurate trick for navigating in a dense hilly forest.
Chef Daves Creamy Crab And Shrimp Over Wild Rice #campfire #campfire_cooking ReallyBigMonkey1 2023-07-07 | Does campfire cooking have to be boring and plain? No! You can cook like a gourmet chef out in the wilderness if you want to and eat like a king. Here, we have some rare Bineshii rice covered in a shrimp sauce with crab meat. All over a fire on a homemade grill! #campfire #campfire_cooking #campfirecooking
Tree Cot Shelter For Camping Or Survival ReallyBigMonkey1 2023-06-23 | #bushcraft #camping In the summer time, elevated shelters are the way to go for bushcrafters, campers and even survivalists. During summer camping the ground is littered with ticks, ants, spiders, scorpions and often times snakes. Hammocks work but they aren't very roomy. Tents work but if you're near a creek or in a swamp they often get wet of flooded out. Theres just something extra fun about taking a bunch of unrelated components like rope, a tarp, a bug net and what ever else and building a shelter custom fit to the trees you find in the wilderness.
Bicycle Trailer, Table, Shelter, Shovel and A Knife ReallyBigMonkey1 2023-06-09 | Last video I showed my off road bushcraft camping bug out bicycle and trailer. That was my earliest version. I had a second version that I finished years ago and never showed on video! Its a different trailer, a travois style and it doubles as a hand cart, a camp table and part of a shelter frame! I also throw in a new shovel and knife I wanted to talk about.
The All New Bug Out Bushcraft Camping Bicycle ReallyBigMonkey1 2023-05-26 | Five years ago I built a three wheeled bicycle for wilderness use. It was a three wheel inline bike that held a duffel bag or backpack for bugging out, camping, survival or bushcraft without the need for gas. The only issue was it didnt steer very well. I modified the set up and still kept the qualities I wanted. Large wheels and a height for ground clearance and a narrow wheel base so I could fit through trees and the forest without having to stick to established trails.
Polish Lavvu Shelter Mods And New Camo Mesh ReallyBigMonkey1 2023-05-12 | Multi use gear is always good for camping survival or bushcraft. The Polish Lavvu is a rain poncho and it doubles as a very heavy duty shelter. It's used by Polish military and generally uses one pole in the center. My mod is to make a rectangular frame out of saplings. In a previous video I showed some Realtree camo mesh for hiding your shelter. I recently bought some multi cam mesh that has a lot more green in it to try on this video.
Chef Daves Tamaya Blue Corn Pancakes And Prickly Pear Syrup #lodgecastiron ReallyBigMonkey1 2023-04-28 | The only thing better than cooking over a campfire outdoors is cooking something from another region! Im used to southern campfire cooking but not much from other parts of the U.S.A. My friend Chris sent me a pack of Tamaya Blue Corn Pancake mix from Native Seeds/SEARCH. He also sent along some Cheris Desert Harvest Prickly Pear Cactus Syrup. We mix up and cook this delicious stuff over a Lodge cast iron griddle out in the woods next to our favorite creek. #lodgecastiron
Making An El Cheapo Axe Sling/Sash #DIY #homemade ReallyBigMonkey1 2023-04-14 | When kayaking or canoeing, you have the ability to carry more gear. Most importantly a larger axe. Its easy to pack in a small axe but how would one carry a larger axe? I thought and came up with an idea for an axe sling or what kinda looks like a sash. With all the axe weight on the back I needed a counter balance on the front so I added two pockets and filled them with parts for a survival kit. #DIY #diy #homemade
Meeting Water Needs With An Altoids Survival Tin ReallyBigMonkey1 2023-03-31 | The Altoids survival tin has slowly become a favorite kit amongst survival enthusiasts. I personally dont like them as a do it all kit because it rarely meets water needs amongst other needs it cant fulfill in the wilderness. Theres no room for a canteen or water carrying or boiling device in such a small kit. In this video we test a method to see if its possible to boil water from folded aluminum foil from a survival tin. I also show several other viable options.
The Camp Axe Show Down, Swedish, Spanish, American and German Axes ReallyBigMonkey1 2023-03-17 | When camping bushcrafting or surviving youll need firewood or need to build a shelter and in some cases a small cabin. Full sizes axes can be too bulky for backpacking or any kind of wilderness travel, hatchets can sometimes not meet the requirements. In comes whats deemed the camp axe, or sometimes pack axe or camp axe. Here we show discuss and compare the four top axes from Sweden, Spain, America and Germany.
Bushcraft Camp Camo Vs Survival Shelter Visibility ReallyBigMonkey1 2023-03-03 | When bushcrafting or camping, you kind of want to blend in. Be stealthy, be unseen. If things go wrong and you find yourself in a bad situation, or survival situation you need to be seen to be rescued or found. In this video we explore how to go stealthy or, how to bring a loud visible shelter that can be hidden with various camo. Im experimenting with what seems to be some ground breaking camo mesh material thats a real game changer.
BPS Knives BK06 Camping Knife vs. Savage CSH #customknives ReallyBigMonkey1 2023-02-17 | Im always on the lookout for a new knife for bushcraft, survival, camping or just plain outdoor use. Ive heard a lot about BPS knives and decided to take a look. I couldn't decide which to choose from so I got two! I compare them against each other here to see if one is better than the other.https://linktr.ee/bpsknives
Actually Using A Minimalist Survival Kit Overnight #wildernesssurvival ReallyBigMonkey1 2023-02-03 | Minimalist Wilderness Survival kit, Simply put its the smallest kit you can take to make it through a survival situation. We make them, we show them, we take them. But how many of us actually test them overnight? Its always good to know if it works, what to expect. Will I be cold? Is this kit complete? Here I show how minimal gear can actually turn a cold winters survival situation into a quite comfortable overnight stay. #survivalkit #survivalsimulator #wildernesssurvival
Big Cat Lore, My Moka Pot And Creek Exploring ReallyBigMonkey1 2023-01-20 | I was planning a solo overnight trip in my hammock but came across a huge surprise so I didnt spend the night. I did set up and use my Moka pot and then explored the area creeks.
Monopod Coffee, Plasma Lighter And A Surprise Package ReallyBigMonkey1 2023-01-06 | Coffee is good, coffee is fantastic over a campfire! Today we experiment with a new one legged monopod to support the coffee percolator. We also try a new plasma lighter that also doubles as a flashlight. This could be a very viable option for survival due to its small size and dual use. We also take a look at a surprise package and see whats inside.
Gingerbread Cake, Coffee And Goodbye 2022 ReallyBigMonkey1 2022-12-23 | Gingerbread cake and coffee is always a good way to snack during the holiday season. I am used to muffins, bannock and rolls at camp. Ive never tried Gingerbread cake so this is an exciting new test. And, we say goodbye and good riddance to 2022 and hope for a much better 2023!
Trench Fire Vs Ground Fire, Which Is Better? ReallyBigMonkey1 2022-12-09 | No matter if its camping hiking bushcraft or survival, we all use campfires. Most fires for cooking or warmth are on the ground. Some dig an oblong trench for the wood or what's also known as a trench fire. What are the advantages of both? Which is better? Lets compare the two and find out.
Camouflage And Stealth, What Works And What Doesnt #camoflauge ReallyBigMonkey1 2022-11-25 | Theres an allure to camo and stealth. We often like to camp hidden from others. Sometimes we need to hide to capture photos of wildlife, in some cases maybe even in the search for Bigfoot? And for some folks, camo makes a fun game of hide n seek in the woods. Lets explore camo in this video. My thoughts and ideas on what works and what doesnt.
The Evolution Of My Tree Grills #outdoorcooking #camping #outdoorlife ReallyBigMonkey1 2022-11-11 | Bushcrafters can find solitude when camping in swamps or wetlands. Hanging a hammock is easy but finding a way to cook over a fire in a swamp is a tough one. That's exactly why I created my tree grill. Over the years I built a total of three different versions. They have evolved over the years and excel at uses in also muddy and snow covered areas. Let's have a look at three of these versions and how they set up.
Scary Campfire Stories With My Dad And Brother #ghosts #ghoststories ReallyBigMonkey1 2022-10-28 | Last year I did a video on scary campfire stories by myself. Several people requested another version for this year so I asked my Dad and Brother to join me! #campfire #campfirestories #scarystories #ghosts #ghoststories
Building A Shelter With My AGAWA Boreal 24 ReallyBigMonkey1 2022-10-14 | Most Bushcrafters and Survivalists carry a folding saw like a Silky Gomboy or a Bahco Laplander. These are fine for crafting but not great for firewood or any large diameter chores. Bow saws are often too bulky to backpack in so this is exactly where a folding bow saw comes in handy! Here Im showing my new AGAWA folding bow saw. Its fairly lightweight, easy to pack in and does excellent on firewood and in some cases felling trees.
Four Dollar Raft Cover, Belt Survival Kit And Survival Ideas ReallyBigMonkey1 2022-09-30 | Ever worry about sharp rocks when rafting? I used to avoid them but I recently decided to build a heavy duty raft cover to avoid rocks. I recycled a bunch of old grill covers and lawn mower covers from the Bargain Bin return store. I also found a survival belt there that inspired me to turn it into a survival kit. I also found some weird C clamps that were meant to hold fake heads for training hair dressers. You know me, I turned them C clamps into camera mounts. Lol. #diy #diyprojects #diyideas #diyproject #recycling #recycled #recycleideas
Axe Vs Machete, Which Should You Carry? ReallyBigMonkey1 2022-09-16 | In Camping, Hiking, Survival or Bushcraft theres always been the choice of carrying an Axe or a Machete. Theres no clear cut answer due to variables but in this video we take a look at the different kinds of cutting tools and the uses and benefits of what they can do for you.
Solo Rappelling, Am I Being Safe And Gopro Accessories #gopro #goprohero8 ReallyBigMonkey1 2022-09-02 | Solo Rappelling, Climbing, Mountaineering or Rock Climbing. Most of these outdoor activities are done in groups or pairs. Can you do it safely solo? In my younger years I often just used rope and a carabiner. No safety equipment, it was risky but luckily I didn't get injured nor did I film much of it. I recently decided to get some safety equipment and wanted to do it right. I'm presenting my techniques here for us to discuss. #climbing #rappelling #outdoors #mountaineering #gopro #goprohero8
Can You Make Coffee Or Tea Over Tealight Candles? ReallyBigMonkey1 2022-08-19 | Boiling water, purifying water, making tea or coffee during camping. Its usually done over a campfire. What if it's raining? Everything is wet? There's a fire ban? You're trapped under a tarp? You can use an alcohol stove, isopro stove or twig stove but, will tealight candles work? Lets test that idea and see!
The Portable Elevated Shelter And Bungee Bed ReallyBigMonkey1 2022-08-05 | For sleeping outdoors nothing beats the comfort of a bungee bed. No number of sleeping pads or any hammock that I know of beats the lesser known bungee bed. I show it here combined with my brand new homemade woodland camo elevated tent shelter. I show how it's set up here but it can also be used as a ground tent in a minimalistic faster set up.
Tips To Stay Cool During Hot Weather Camping ReallyBigMonkey1 2022-07-22 | Camping during hot weather is miserable unless, you know a few tips and tricks. I have learned over the years that whatever hurts you during winter camping can actually help you during the heat of the summer. Some of these tips seem very unusual but quite effective when utilized properly.
Paracord Bed Table And Chair Out In The Woods ReallyBigMonkey1 2022-07-08 | Most survivalists, bushcrafters and campers carry paracord. It's uses go way beyond just lashing and cordage chores. I show how it can be used to make an on the spot bed, table or chair. These methods can be used for fun during camping or for emergency uses if kept in a survival kit. The used for paracord are limitless.
