Do you guys have a piece of legendary gear?

[Green Ganesha]

• Camillus Becker TacTool also incapable of being damaged by earthly forces, I've had this one not quite as long as the Roebucks boots - but I fear what apocalyptic event might transpire should they ever clash with one another. I've split a few cords of logs, prepared 3 dozen meals, mounted a freakin tire, dismantled a dog house, eviscerated a steel basket subwoofer and enclosure, slashed miles of brush and branches, and killed 2 snakes with this tool and could practically sell it as a brand new instrument today. God himself is jealous that I have one and he doesn't. If they still made 'em, I'd buy 5 more. Because some jerk's probably gonna steal mine eventually.

Shovel, you inspired me to go looking. I found a brand-new Camillus Becker TacTool on eBay. Ended up costing only $56. It's definitely built to last! Thanks for the tip.

After watching a few auctions, it looks like they're typically going for $75-$100, with But It Now prices of $100-$200.

 

[VWVagabonds]

Every drop of water that has passed our lips (well, almost every one) for the past year has gone through our Katadyn Water Filter. It has saved us many hundreds of dollars and has saved the dump from thousands of little plastic bottle.

The Orikaso Foldflat Plates and Bowls. They weigh nothing, are great cutting surfaces when flat, and folded origami style work well as camp flatware.

 

[TeriAnn]

And of course, the land rover... cant go anywhere without that.

I'd have to agree with Linus. My legendary gear is my 1960 Land Rover. March 2008 will mark 30 years since I bought her. During that time I've built many memories driving and camping in her.

Growing up, I discovered that going fishing with my dad was a way to get lots of quality one on one time. My mom & sister didn't like going fishing or camping. So the trips became our special father daughter time.

I still have a small Western sheath knife and WWII era surplus canteen and belt my dad bought for me when I was 11 or so. I haven't used them for many years, but I keep them for the memories of the times spent with my dad.

Other camping gear came and went. I had pretty much stopped back packing during college after my Parents moved about 1000 miles away. I kept my gear though. Then almost 30 years ago I learned the joys of Land Rover travel and camping and my gear focus changed from light weight to functionality. Old unused gear slowly got sold & new gear bought. Except for that little bone handled sheath knife and canteen. Other than my fishing poles, it was the only camping gear that was mine during the years my Dad and I were camping together.

 

[Big_Geek]

This is a great thread! I'd have to nominate the Tilley Hat. Mine is a T5, khaki/olive. I've had it for about two years and LOVE it. I almost cried when I realized I'd forgotten to take it with me to the Expedition Trophy!

 

[mountainpete]

This is a great thread! I'd have to nominate the Tilley Hat. Mine is a T5, khaki/olive. I've had it for about two years and LOVE it. I almost cried when I realized I'd forgotten to take it with me to the Expedition Trophy!

I love my T5 too... one problem - tough to wash out Halibut blood.

Pete

 

[robert]

I've got an entrenching tool that was my father's that I've carried in each of my vehicles over the years- it's stamped 1943.

I had a Eureka Timberline until about two years ago- I received it as a gift in the early/mid-eighties and carried it all over the place (lived in it for ten weeks one summer too). It had plenty of ripstop repair tape on it (in several colors) and had long since had the original zippers replaced. It finally got to the point I didn't want to put another zipper on it, it was worn thin in a few places and it smelled pretty bad.

I've got a North face Aerohead tent that's been a ton of places too- it's still in good shape.

North Face Moraine internal frame bag I received in the eighties. I've used a Gregory for the last few years though.

Coleman Peak One gas stove and Peak One single mantle lantern both from the eighties (more items from my Boy Scout days). Both work just fine and get used regularly.

I've probably got other old gear too, but nothing comes to mind at the moment.

 

[Green Ganesha]

This is a great thread! I'd have to nominate the Tilley Hat. Mine is a T5, khaki/olive. I've had it for about two years and LOVE it. I almost cried when I realized I'd forgotten to take it with me to the Expedition Trophy!

x3 on the Tilley Hat. Mine is a T3, olive/olive.

http://www.tilley.com/chart.html

 

[Big_Geek]

x3 on the Tilley Hat. Mine is a T3, olive/olive.

http://www.tilley.com/chart.html

If I bought another I'd get the T3 for the wider brim, but the T5 fits under the hood of my rain jacket and helps to hold it out giving me more "breathing room" in the rain.

 

[JohnnyS]

My Wiggy's Ultima Thule sleeping bag has never let me down.
I lived in it for about a year at 7200 ft. and it never let me get cold regardless of whether it was drenched, covered in snow, how cold it was out, etc..
It's looking a little rough after 12 years or so but I still know it will keep me nice and warm.
It does suck having to get out of it on a cold morning though!

 

[p1michaud]

The Tilley Hat!

This is a great thread! I'd have to nominate the Tilley Hat. Mine is a T5, khaki/olive. I've had it for about two years and LOVE it. I almost cried when I realized I'd forgotten to take it with me to the Expedition Trophy!

The venerable Tilley Hat. I've had one since 1997 that I've worn every camping trip, two trips in Europe, once Arizona and it's still in great shape! What I really love about it is when it rains the brim gets stiff and water does not drip down your neck unlike other hats. It also floats!

I was fortunate enough to visit the Tilley store in Toronto Ontario in 2000 this is also the same location as their manufacturing facility (not sure if all their products are manufactured there or not). I also had to opportunity to meet Alex Tilley right in his store. He, his wife and daughter all work there!

If you ever go to Toronto here is the address:
Flagship Store
900 Don Mills Road
Toronto, ON M3C 1V6
(416) 441-6141

When you first walk in there is a museum of sorts showign off various hats. Most of these hats are the ones descriped on the "BRAG TAGS". I saw the one that was eaten by an elephant twice and it atill looks useable! :shakin:

Cheers,
P

 

[p1michaud]

Legendary gear

This thread has so many pieces of legendary gear. Way too fun.

My old school Gerber multi-tool, the one before the safety locks.
My Petzl Tikka headlamp, it just won't die.

Unfortunately I lost my old school Gerber on a canoe trip. I nearly cried… I’ve purchased two since, forgot one at the peak of Mt. Kathadin in Maine but it was never found. I finally came to the realization that I should give my last new one away because I was not worthy… My best man got it and loves it.

The Petzl Tikka headlamp is one good lamp. It’s biggest challenge was when I used it to blow in insulation in my attic. That stuff gets everywhere but it still works!

My MSR Wisperlite International

Superb stove, very reliable and light weight.

Not something most swiss army knives have.

The swiss army knife. I’ve been able to keep this one for nearly 15 years now. Funny, too bad I could not do the same with my Gerber multi tool! My Swiss Army knife goes everywhere I do.

I use a coleman lantern from the 1970's.. dont know if that qualifies for lengendary... or not... but it works flawlessly to this day. It was my dads so it means more to me after he passed.

I was surprised that no one posted up more Coleman stuff. I’ve used a coleman lartern for many years, it works great looks brand new. Great piece.

There is one item that I have recently resurrected is the old two burner Coleman Stove similar to what was posted in the attached picture by Linus Tremaine here: http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=111541&postcount=25

I have owned one of these stoves for many years now and it was originally purchased by my grandfather. My grandmother gave it to my when he passed away. This old stove is bent, rusted, re-painted, etc… but it has never missed a beat. It had been sitting in my parents garage from 1996 to October 2007. I brought it home, added fuel to the tank, pumped it up and it fired right up like it was new! Very impressive.

 

[Wanderlusty]

I almost cried when I realized I'd forgotten to take it with me to the Expedition Trophy!

Seriously...he almost cried...

 

[Dave Bennett]

Poncho liner, M-65 field jacket (with liner), MSR Pocket rocket, Gerber Multiplier, Glock .40, Gerber Auto-Opener, fleece beenie, nomex flight gloves, Stihl 044, Filson "tin" pants, 1945 steel canteen cup, GI issue machete, "moon beam" GI issue flashlight, Craftsman tool set...

I can think of alot of things I pack around that have been "legendary" over the years

 

[LC/LR4Life]

My Wenger Swiss Army knife. Countless journeys for over 20 years. Close second - my Dana Design Astralplane 'overkill' backpack.

 

[Scenic WonderRunner]

I have always felt your spirit.....Carl

Great stuff!

Its not gear but it means just as much to me if not more, than my tent, knife, cook stove, or sleeping bag...

I have this hat, not any hat but a very special hat to me. I would fight for this hat and defend it to the end. What would you ask, is so special about that hat? Why would that hat be anymore special than yours, or hers, or theirs? Let me tell you...

That hat is brown and round, that hat was bought from a bloke down under, that hat has traveled with me from one end of this country to the other end (48 states), that hat fits me just perfectly, that hat has that little bend right here---> that makes it snug as a rug over my mug, when the wind blows it stays on, when it rains it keep my eyes dry, keeps my head warm in winter and cool in summer, has a little joey on the inside upper, and is made from all natural sources, alas it is starting to show its age, has a little spot here ---> and another there ----> but in the end what makes that hat so special to me is...

One day I had a son and when he started to travel with me he woke one morning and put on the hat, that is when I knew why that hat was so special to me, because he put it on and has worn it on every trip we have gone on together and he is what makes that hat for me more special than any trip I would see. This hat has been passed quietly to someone special to me, in that hat you see!