For those New to survivor man, the best part of this clip was the camera malfunction, taking us back to countless episodes of survivor man. Les how I miss your show. It always felt real because it was real.
Ryan Otte I always found that to be one of the more impressive examples of his willpower. Running on fumes and knowing you’ve got to set up a camera shot for the next scene or day or whatever and then still take your ass back up that hill to retrieve your camera, then walk all the way back again. man I really do miss that show.
Lostboy Josh O’Neill Les Stroud had no camera crew. When you saw him walking back, it was to retrieve his own equipment. He was completely alone, always.
"This is REALLY long everyone - sorry about that" Les, we WANT longer stuff! We want more episodes. We actually LIKE listening to you talk and like learning stuff from you. Why are you apologizing?
I had a copy your book Survive while I was homeless in Mesa Arizona 6 years ago. I used to read it every day and it gave me so much comfort and knowledge back in those days as much as it does now. (No longer homeless) Thanks Les, you're awesome 🤘
@@magnumxlpi Stayed in the shade and slept during the day to avoid heat exhaustion. Tried to make what little money I could. Had a cheap diet of peanut butter and flour tortillas 😄 Took in as much water as I could! Mesa is a decent sized city, Plenty of outdoor faucets to choose from.
@@goldmanjace His were far better than the others, by simply having the metal containers. What is your idea of a REAL kit? You can't buy a REAL survival kit. The only way to get a kit where everything in it is top notch is by putting your own kit together. What would you call a real kit? A survival kit is meant to help you live through a survival situation. Those metal containers would come in so incredibly handy it cannot be overstated. Being stranded out in the bush with no way to carry or boil food or water could easily kill you. Those containers could even let you carry fire from one location to the next. Very helpful.
I remember the amazon episode where he smashed up a pebble with his knife pommel, rubbed the chunks on a wet twig, then pretended to sharpen his knife on that mess, because it was getting dull from hacking through the jungle. After about two strops over his gravel encrusted twig he said 'ooh yes, thats coming along nicely'....and I never watched his show again.
@@futuresonex Agree that Grylls is essentially a fool/tool compared to Stroud. That said, I bought the Gerber "Grylls ultimate knife" with flint over 12 years ago, have put it through tons of fishing, camping, and sailing tasks - and it has held up really well. (Has held up better than Grylls body, I suspect).
@@vaprex -- Not all of the Gerber Bear Grylls stuff is junk. I have the little hatchet, and I like it pretty well...other than the fact that it's got that damn 'BG' logo on it!
LES! Can you do 48 hrs with your survival kit in the back country for the next video? I'm mean, I know you can, we would like to see you do it. Thanks for the great content. Love it
@@Ebiru2387 same man. This isn't a shot at anyone in particular but if you want low attention span 1 minute videos then watch TikTok. I hear it's great. Not for me though. I like this well explained knowledge being presented. I'll take 60 minutes over 60 seconds any day. When I have time anyways lol.
I bought the Survive book with your self narrated Audible audiobook 4 years ago. I also got the British SAS and Army self defense pocketbooks as well. Great references that I keep going back to for part of my shelter in place plans. Thank you Les.
I have Backpacked extensively for more than 30 years, through Wilderness, Rural, and even Urban environments. The main things I learned that have carried over to every other area of my life are: Knowledge weighs nothing, most skills are transferable, weight on your body needs to be ruthlessly trimmed to as little as possible, carry items that have multiple uses, items that you are going to bet your life on should be the best you can afford, and that no matter the "Sport" or venture, there will be a company that will try to sell you kit that you could make yourself.
Christopher Fisher I agree totally except that the best gear isn’t necessarily the most expensive but the best gear is the stuff you are most comfortable and knowledgeable about in real life situations
@@loganabbott6142 The best may not be the most expensive, but there are different price-points. Something like a KA-BAR, for example, is more expensive than Les's own Camilus knife, but it's a heavy duty field knife, designed with digging, prying, and other "abusive" tasks in mind... including splitting firewood by hammering the spine with a rock. Things a more normal knife isn't.
@@loganabbott6142 I agree with you, but I think Chris's point was that whatever you choose to put in your kit, even at the personal level you mentioned, to not skimp on quality. If its worth carrying, its worth having a quality product. And to Les' point, its not a weekend play kit, its a survival kit. Quality components generally cost more money.
@@Just_A_Dude i carried k bar 45 years ago although i will say i never had one fail it is not a full tang knife in design and they do bend i went to full tang slab sided knives years ago
Glad to see the survey flagging in the large kit. As a former surveyor that stuff is amazing. We used it in place of tape, string, and of course flagging a trail. Doubled up it makes a very strong tough piece of cordage. Have made belts for my pants, tied around my boots when the laces we’re giving out, lost track off all the things we tied together with it. Use it to build a shelter and you have built in signalling. One of the most useful things you can have in the woods.
@@bjellison905 that would be a really dumb and non survival way of making the instructions, if youre anywhere near experienced in the outdoorsXD but i think you might be right... safety regulations or something maybe
Appreciating Led Stroud more and more. He keeps pace. He exhibits a continuing decency and humility as a teacher. He keeps it real. The more I camp the more his knowledge retains relevancy. One of the great Canadians. Him and Gord Downie.
LOL, I had the same thought for the NB hunter safety course in the early 80s, the only exception was the marking tape, but I always carried a roll or two in my gear and pockets anyways.
Hey Les. one more tip I was introduced to from a friend I thought was smart. regarding first aid kit. 1. ask your doctor to prescribe Motrin 600 or 800 as a painkiller. usually they are cool about this. instead of carrying the whole bottle. get a straw . cut it in 3rds and pinch and seal one end. drop the motrin or Ibuprofen into the straw and then seal it shut with your multi tool pinching one end and using a lighter to seal the same end. you have a small addition and space saving item for your first aid kit. this also works great for ointments and other meds. i thought it was a great idea.
Very true and good advice. I'm so headache-phobic that I even carry eight (200mg) ibuprofen in a little key-fob on the same ring as my car and house keys, lol.
One thing I would add: permanent marker. Write a name, date, and bearing on flagging tape, write reminders on your arm, some (not all) have flammable ink.
I would add a mint tin (the curiously strong kind). Great for holding small things together, very lightweight, and I've been using mine lately to make charcloth. You can also use leaves, grass, etc, and it will catch the slightest spark from the crappiest firestarter.
Les, growing up my Dad was our Scout Master. I look back often. Now an adult in my late forties I realise how much he loved us (ALL HIS SCOUTS, not just his 4 sons). He pushed us in survival and first aid because "This is what will save your life when nobody else can." The very first campout he ever took us on after he became our leader, was a "survival campout". LOL! Incidentally my 1st Merrit Badge was wilderness survival. Talk about a boost to your psyche as a young man! That was the weekend I realised my Dad was a man's man. He built an elaborate shelter. He made a fishing pole and caught fish. He made a one paper match fire. Over the years he made frog gigs and taught us to cook eggs in paper bags and boil them in paper cups. The 1st 2 things I remember him giving me were my scout knife and block of magnesium with a ferro rod on it. He still carries his original survival kit, that he used to show us what really mattered, behind the seat in his truck. It has gotten him/us out of a few sticky situations. It goes with him everywhere. His kit was no nonsense just like yours! KUDOS from me!
@Daisy Fields I was in the Army too. What part of mountaineer wilderness survival was half of what you learned in Basic? Are you talking about the US Army?
Most boyscouts I know are over dramatic drama queens. Their general life is usually boring and sheltered so when something happens thats even remotely exciting they over react. I watched a guy screaming at people on the road driving past his RV on fire like it was some sort of nuclear bomb. He was trying to stop people without any authority from driving past him. People did anyway but I guarantee you he was a boyscout. What would the world do without all those eagle scout projects were some kid puts a garbage can in a park people uses once every 5 years? lol thank goodness for all those eagle scout projects saving the world. That was the day you found out your dad was a man's man 😂😂😂😂
Ti BOT with a separate bail. Contractor bag (5 mil). Space blanket (layered, non-rip). 550 paracord 25’. Gorilla Tape. Fatwood. Cotton bandana. Quart Ziplock freezer bag. Photon flashlight. ALOX Swiss Army Knife (Farmer). 6” striker. Sylva Ranger 2.0 Compass. It all fits in the BOT. On my belt: Fixed Knife (Benchmade Pukko with striker), Folding Knife (XcEST-Delta), Headlamp, TRD (paracord), PFAK (first aid), Ti Canteen/stove/cup/spork (Keith). Pockets: Azimuthal Pocket Transit (Brunton). Silky PocketBoy. Bic lighter. Gorilla tape on a plastic card (like a credit card) Cargo Pockets: Contractor bag, Sol emergency bivy in a ziplock bag, map of the area. I wear a shemagh. I have a “Survival kit,” and a duplicate of what’s in it on me. Sometimes I include a “Hobo” fishing kit on the belt. The gear I have on me (belt, pockets, wear) is around the $1250 price point. I doubt anyplace would make that as a kit and sell it. I despise the “pockets full of junk” approach that most premade “survival kits” use (look what they do for $20 that I did for $1250). The wire they give you is enough to make A (one) snare with. You’d want a dozen if that’s what you were trying to use as a source of food. And if you are doing that, how many people know how to process small game for meat? Birthday candles for fire/light? A pocket knife made of pot metal? Space blankets that shred? A fishing kit with hooks for gold fish? A plastic button that claims to point North? Paperclips? A comb? I’ve seen some stupid crap in premade “survival kits” My favorite is people that think they will boil water in an Altoids tin.
I am a big fan of Stroud. I really appreciate how "harsh" he has been on his own commercial kit. After watching the video I feel I can say without offending; Les, please come up with a better knife that you can be proud to carry and sell. The barracuda and it's little brother are crap. Nobody coats a knife in titanium, it is difficult to sharpen and does not hold an edge. I have bought knives that are less expensive and have more quality. Love ya Stroud and thank you.
I do keep needle and thread and used it when I was an in extreme cold and the sealant on my snowpants seams froze, crystallized, and flaked off. Within an hour my pants were falling apart. I would have gotten out ok because we were close to camp, but my trip would have been over without the needle and thread. And if I had been injured and not able to get back to camp, that could have saved my life.
I must be hard on gear because I use the needle and thread often but you do need to know how to sew. I carry dental floss instead of thread because it is very strong and can be used as tinder in a pinch.
@@mamabear3901 I've got upholstery thread and a leather needle in my car, along with super glue and a standard sewing kit. Upholstery thread is super strong and can be used for all manner of things, and leather needles are sturdy enough to sew almost any material, short of reseaming boots
I've been a follower of yours since yourpremiered your first show. I'm a woman survivalist. You and Tom Brown Jr are my mentors. You are the best. So glad you're are sharing your wisdom.
"Don't know who this character is..." turns the package to show us....proceeds to cut Bear's head off....CLASSIC Les Stroud. LMAO Thanks for the great video sir.
I always enjoyed watching "Survivorman" on TV. Les put his soul into that show. Better than Bear Grylls, because Les didn't go running to a hotel after the days filming had stopped. A person could really learn a lot from Les Stroud.
Hotel survival can be a challenge : bedbugs, burglars , germs, roaches and other wildlife like palmetto bugs in Florida, staying warm while shutting off a noisy heater, trying to sleep while noisy college kids party next door .
Absolutely, but one thing Bear did do for me was change my approach. I always though the fact of rolling in to the wood with just a knife and canteen to be bad ass. So even though he was in hotels, my approach was not taking instruction from his shows, I took it upon myself to learn how to use the woods to replace all that garbage brought in packs, while learning the value in not having the luxuries. I'm glad i did.
Plus he filmed everything his self les is the ultimate survivor if he had went to a hotel he would've said it to the audience I strive to be more like les
Bear grylls done stuff tht looked good on TV like drinking elephant dung etc were it doesn't actually work I've seen les saying something to tht extent might look good but not real or true
Fantastic stuff! A few minor quibbles just from my experience though; the fresnel lens is very nice to have. You genuinely can make a fire on a sunny day with them. Plus, a big plus if you're 50+ years old, they're great to magnify stuff! I honestly can't read finer print on some items and it's super nice to have if you're digging for a splinter. Also the little spark wheel of the PSP is a very good striker IMO. It's not as robust as large fire steel and it won't ignite marginal tinder, that's true. But it's super effective with the Tinder-Quik they package it with and it's dead simple to use with one hand. Really it's no more useful than a dead BIC lighter (actually it's about the same thing) but the fuel can't leak and you can mail it. PSKs generally don't come with a lighter because doing so greatly limits how they can be shipped and probably over half of them will be sold via the internet or catalog. Otherwise great stuff! Your 'group kit' is a tad less than my personal kit. I prefer a bit more gear because I am not Survivorman! 😉
Agreed. Get a page sheet magnifier....POOF! saves matches and lighters and ferros. Even the "heavier" sturdy pocket lenses can save you fuel and matches for when it counts. I'm disabled and I can't use a bow hand drill. Closest I can get to primitive is flint and steel or fire piston
The only REAL survival show on television! Gotta make a comeback Sir Les you've helped many. Take it from a backcountry guide in the Rockies, ive come across so many in distress every year and I swear, besides my experience and training of more than two decades, you have popped in my brain on occasion to save the day.
15:30 "These are survival kits, not weekend play kits" Man that perfectly sums up what annoys me about more than half of the "survival" content on youtube. most of the time instead of gear for survival it's more akin to "Extreme camping kit"
My survival kit, includes EVERYTHING I might need immediately to hand, when away from homebase. Or as much as is humanly possible, stored in one of the upper pockets of my square frame backpack. And I am ALWAYS updating/ editing it. However I LIVE primarily outdoors.(Not homeless, am a Mountain man). Therefore, my survival kit will be different then the survival kit , of the occassional back packer/ camper.
Your candor and honesty make you my most trusted source. AND the fact that you did all your own survival alone without a crew on Survivorman. I trust your word.
For thread I carry dental floss. It is very strong and a small roll of waxed floss contains hundreds of feet. A curved needle fits in the container also. Yes, I did use it a few times. Sew up a hole in your P-Coat or Navy blanket. There is enough to make a section of rope. It is a good fishing line or garott if you need that sort of thing.
Out of all the survival experts out there, Sir, You are by far the truest and most honest expert that I truly trust. I appreciate your content! Keep it coming and God bless!
There are only few that are the real deal. Here is the man who I believe is the NUMBER ONE REAL DEAL. I have watched every "Survivor Man" episode many tines, and every time I learned some tiny thing, I had missed before. I believe that everyone should create their own kit. I have stuff in a small 4 x 5 x 2 gift tin, some of which Les would frown on, but it WORKS FOR ME. While watching I remembered that I had left a bandanna out of my "have-r-sack" kit, That is now fixed. See, watch and learn, never assume you have everything covered. Thanks Les. ;-)
Thx Mr Stoud for your honesty & detailed info. The video was long BUT worth the time. i'd trust any recommendations you'd make. I also loved how you gave the "why" of the items. If they were good, bad or a maybe. lol. In a pinch, I'd take any of these items. I'm not military or a survivalist. I do live in FL & am constantly updating my hurricane/ bugout bag for emergencies (I know it's not the same, but a lot of the tools could be used. I'm the kind of person that would rather have it~ then not. Like you stated, you never know if you're gonna be in one of these sits). As I have lost power for several days or not had/ run out of things. Now I have a family & need to make changes to my supplies. The keep on hand (in pockets) tips verse stored in a container were great. Now I want to buy & read your book! Thx again!! 💚 Gonna find another one of your vids!
I read your book "SURVIVE", took notes and, acting on your advice, made my own kits. The small Gerber multi-tool you gave a "no" to works great in a fishing kit, manipulating cordage and in other situations. It's a big yes for me, especially for redundancy purposes. The Camillus belt knife (shown on the table) I bought for $50 is awesome. Can't beat the price. I own other knives, Mora's, Helle Tamagami, SOG, but for sheer robustness, durability and versatility it serves on the front lines. The fact it has a built in sharpener, a storage compartment for tinder, a mirror, flashlight, whistle, ferro rod with striker on the back of the blade and a place to wrap cordage . . . the only thing I did to it was swap out the cordage for 100' of number 15 bank line.
Thanks Les, great video. I appreciate the critiques, there is so much garbage out there. One aspect I think worth mentioning is that items in a kit should be in high vis colours. Also, I know you don’t have need of one, but I don’t know why none of the kits have a mini bic lighter in it? If it is too cold for it to work, put it in your glove or hold it in your hand for a few minutes. If it is wet, shake the water off and flick it until it sparks. The fuel doesn’t go bad and you can make hundreds of fires from one lighter. And a lighter is much more forgiving when you don’t have good dry tinder. For my money, its the fire maker that works best 99% of the time, and i would still carry a backup method, such as firesteel, for the other one percent. Thanks for all the good work you’ve done, you’re the real deal.
Looking good for someone who's caught every parasite in the world. Glad to see your channel is doing well. You've provided my family with many hours of infotainment.
This guys is the reason I tried to go backpacking and want to give it another go. I prepared correctly but... didn't practice correctly and over-exherted myself day one.
That magnesium flint fire starter is priceless! I carry one of those on my keychain. I always have my bic lighter but the magnesium is just as reliable if not superior in its own way.
I love the addition of the steel pot to boil water/cook. I always bring something to boil in but this includes the survival kit as well. I'll have to pick one up. Thanks for all the wisdom Les
the whole "empty the contents onto your body" is a great point. I already do that and always have but not for that reason. I can't believe i never thought about the whole LOSING IT ALL and AT ONCE. "Can't lose my pockets" pretty obvious but i never truly considered that. I just thought it felt less bulky if had it on my person instead of filling up my backpack.
6:11 *picks up orange packaging survival kit “I don’t know who this character is” (I think we all know who that character was. Lol) (And yes Les, you are way better than him)
I made my own kit, a smaller version of my "smalls' equipment gear. 4 ways to start a fire, a small and medium "folding" knifes. a small fishing kit and a few things I just want. This stuff is "backup". I would never go into any form of wilderness without some equipment. What less says and does is great, it works for him. My stuff works for me, and that is vital. What Les recommends is super and should be considered for your kit, but if it doesn't work for you, well I'll let you think of the result. Keep up the great stuff, Les, your still the best. ;-)
I got one of those “survival knives” when I was a kid back in the 80’s. I thought it was so cool. It had one of those wire survival saws in the handle. I thought that was really awesome. Until I tried to use it in my backyard and it snapped in half. A few years later I got a “higher quality” one. It made it most of the way through a small stick before snapping in half.
@@xhunter628x Stopping multiple times a day to make a fire and boil water isn't as practical as using two tiny tablets to make 1 litre drinkable. Sometimes it's incredibly difficult too, like in a storm or snow.
@@edwardfletcher7790 if its raining or there is snow, why do you need to purify the water? Catch the rain with the survival blanket and drink it. Melt the snow. What am I missing? Enough tabs to purify a gallon would be a good addition though to get you through a day
Oh, Les... It is so good to see you back man. Been watching your shows since you started, you have always been an inspiration to me and that led me to start my own survival journey. After suffering from severe malabsorption and becoming 100% disabled, I turned to the wild to heal. I am getting my master naturalist certification, and I particularly love wild foraging (only known edible plants!) and the medicinal purposes behind them. I am also a volunteer fishing instructor with Texas Parks and Wildlife building fish traps, small game snares and creepy crawly attractors. Thank you for EVERYTHING you have done for all of us wild ones out there. Bless you, you appreciated.
I remember I've stumbled upon the one with the plane crash scenario on TV, and I was so mesmerised and tense. I had my jaw open the whole time. Bear Grylls never did this to me.
That fresnel lens you dismissed so fast is one of my favorite items.. Not only is it an unlimited source of fire but you can also quickly sterilize small quantities of water with the sun and nothing else.
I'm going to be frank; I would not trust water 'sterilized' with that. It's not a worthless item if you know how to use it, but is also conditional on weather conditions _and_ time of day so isn't great for emergencies especially in a kit like this.
@@TheAkashicTraveller Not really. If you use a small container, especially if it is reflective you can sterilize or at least get close enough it pretty quickly. Something like a plastic pop bottle lid will work.
As an avid backpacker, I've been gifted lots of items branded as survival gear. In my experience, most of it is either of poor quality or totally superfluous. I'd recommend buying individual items of high quality that provide for your specific needs depending on your local environment. Here in Virginia, I need something to carry water, a tarp to keep the elements off me, insulation to combat the cold, and a hammock to keep me off the ground, cord to suspend the tarp, and a fire starter in case the night gets too cold. As long as you have a fire going, you can get wet wood to burn with good fire management
Cool thing about Les is that he keeps things professional. He doesn't call people out by name, hes only ever passingly made references to dumb things different people do. I admire that, no need to burn bridges or start drama.
The sad thing about Grylls is that he knows all the right things to do, he should anyway given he was in the SAS, he chooses to show the sensationalist BS that could get people killed anyway. In other words he values making money over peoples lives.
WOW LES THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO DO VIDEO. THIS WAS EXTREMELY HELPFUL AND INSIGHTFUL. AWESOME. YOU ARE VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE AND YOU ARE DEFINITELY A SURVIVOR. GOD BLESS YOU AND ALL OF YOUR LOVED ONES.
My friend who is a canyoneering guide in Utah told me that those paracord bracelets and belt hook kits can be useful; however, having paracord that tightly bound and twisted can weaken and or damage it and it shouldn't be expected to hold weight like it normally would.
You picking apart the BG kits cracked me up, Every time I see them I laugh. The most important survival item you can have is your brain, knowledge and skill are number 1.
When you're commenting on the fishing supplies, I've long suspected that it is part of every commercial kit to spur people to look for water. You need water, and it would make things easier for SAR. :P But also, when people started this kind of conversation in the 50s and 60s, they had the WWII vintage navy survival manual which was written for aviators lost on the Pacific. As such, them being there is almost a ritualistic, religious presence. Just like the picture of the firebow. Expected, so that has the needed trappings of a survival kit, and they build confidence of people who buy rather than build kits The little pocket kits are mostly there for confidence building factor. Any kit that fits in a pants or shirt pocket is going to be "inadequate" in my opinion, particularly coupled with only a multitool or Swiss Army Knife. But.. better than nothing. Which is why I'm surprised you rated the bracelet as you did- I find they are easier aren't any harder to lose than a properly packed away pocket kit (no matter who makes it), but offer a much greater hazard for snagging initiated injuries which lead to survival situations.
Are there any expirations on NDAs and contract information? Id be really interested in hearing the rough budgets for Survivorman over the years and how big it was for Discovery. Give insight to how reality cable works
When you are talking about survival it's all about food, water and warmth - the worst problem being wet and then it freezes. Fishing is the easiest way to get a good piece of food and there are always rivers, lakes, canals and coastlines around. A good water filter is an essential - kept close to your body in cold conditions. And a TOWEL for all the numerous uses it has - not least to dry yourself off if you get wet. Douglas Adams knew what he was talking about!
Thank you for making these kinds of videos. It always cracks me up when I see those kits. Anyone with any time in the woods knows they are a waste of money, space and weight.
4:22 Puts down the Spark-Lite, one of the best (one-handed!) firestarters on the planet, and is included in the U.S. military fire-starting kit. 17:00 Approves of Wet-Fire, which notoriously become useless if the little plastic bag they come in tears (they’re a hexamine/esbit-type fuel that evaporates if left out of packaging... VERY bad for survival; use Tinder Quik, petroleum-laced cotton balls, instead). While I agree with everything else Les said and greatly respect his opinions and experience, he missed the mark on those two I listed. Sorry, Les. 😉
That rolling flint he showed is nothing like the Spark-lite products, he properly labeled it. If your going to get one get a proper one, like the ones you mentioned in your above comment not a cheap knock off like the one in that kit, not a huge market for "one-handed" fire starters. Wet-Fire works fantastic, when stored properly in a hard cased container you will never run into an issue of a punctured packaging, and will save yourself minutes of hassle starting fires.
I think a key to these kits is to look at the clothing a person wears, for example I personally wear base layer clothing (boxers, wool socks and a linen t-shirt), cargo-pants, wool jumper, a waxed cotton angler's chile jacket, comfy hiking shoes and neckerchef. The base layer is the foundation that keeps me warm , the outer clothes are what over the majority of protection from the elements - but having cargo-pants gives me at least 6 pockets (2 on the knees, 2 on the hips and 2 on the arse), then the chile being waxed cotton offers a fair amount of waterproofing and has way more pockets than I could ever need and then some.
@@minedustry No wonder they kept getting lost in crazy situations, should have bought a vehicle that didn't break down. Hasn't been a Rover in 20 yrs worth a damn
My father didn't even know what survival kit is, yet all his life he was carring a small folding pocket knife - right in there, in his pocket, and a lighter, as he smoked. One thing that comes to my mind, Les, in all your videos ( or similar productions by others) you are in your ... pants. Usually whatever happenes, we have our trousers on. Conclusion? anything that will help you survive should be right there. Any kit, tied to you can be lost. During avalanche, mudslide, surviving from sinken boat, crashed plane or car... you name it. Anything bigger, sticking out of your body can be hooked by something else and ... " good bye my love, good bye" as per song by Demis Russos. Unless you have it tied to your belt let's say, like some of the knifes, multitools and their scabbards, you can loose it easily. That's why in my opinion good practice is to carry esentials as close to your body as possible, perfectly if the pockets are zipped. Petrol lighter will evaporate within days, but the gas one will serve year or years. They are small, light. A knife? most important, the blade should be proper size and sharp. Multitools are in my opinion useless. They usually weight much more then folding knives, their handles are not compfrtable for longer work and most of their inventions are useless in the forest etc. A saw for wood we can find in folding knives too. Pliers? Are they that needed? In the forest? Arctic? Desert? Don't think so. If you are in a car, u have some more tools in the boot, unless you are city boy, and your knowledge ends on clicking your smartphone. In that case however, pliers won't help you at all, one can even hurt himself. Fishing hooks? What for? Everyne who has been fishing once in his life, knows that you can spend three days with the fishing rod in your hand waiting for that personality in the water and .... nothing. Useless for me. Better to prepare some trap, basket from bush branches where possible. Better results. Paracord? that's ok. A few mettres in your pocket, or around your body along weist belt... Any piece of string. Could be used to make a bow, so we can ... throw arrows high to let someone know where we are. Some dry grass attached and lit could leave sign to others on the sky... Plastick bag ... for protection against rain, cold, wind, for collecting water ... A piece of candle. Simple candle. Won't evaporate, spill or whatever. Just throw into your pocket. Gives you light, warms you ... keeps the fire for longer if you want to save gas lighter, and wood is just a bit too wet.... A flash light ? what about a key ring for the keys sitting in our pocket. Ok, small, not powerfull, but gives you some light, doesn't it? Nowdays the led light are pretty powerfull. Some first aid like plasters are good idea too. Sure, stuff like metal container to boil water would be perfect etc, but so would be gas stove etc etc. minimum is minimum. difference is, what you are able to make from it. Great videos Les, perfect job.
For those New to survivor man, the best part of this clip was the camera malfunction, taking us back to countless episodes of survivor man. Les how I miss your show. It always felt real because it was real.
Yes, also those occasional shots where the editor showed him walking back to retrieve the camera were for real. He took on two jobs out there.
Ryan Otte I always found that to be one of the more impressive examples of his willpower. Running on fumes and knowing you’ve got to set up a camera shot for the next scene or day or whatever and then still take your ass back up that hill to retrieve your camera, then walk all the way back again. man I really do miss that show.
Les Stroud : Survivorman : The BEST and only AUTHENTIC Survivor Show!
Lostboy Josh O’Neill Les Stroud had no camera crew. When you saw him walking back, it was to retrieve his own equipment. He was completely alone, always.
@Feldgrau Fox What is the point of being marooned without clothes? What were you doing to get stranded naked?
"This is REALLY long everyone - sorry about that"
Les, we WANT longer stuff!
We want more episodes.
We actually LIKE listening to you talk and like learning stuff from you.
Why are you apologizing?
It's something we Canadians do, sorry about that
@@righteousred723 😂
I had a copy your book Survive while I was homeless in Mesa Arizona 6 years ago. I used to read it every day and it gave me so much comfort and knowledge back in those days as much as it does now. (No longer homeless) Thanks Les, you're awesome 🤘
How did you survive in the summer?
@@magnumxlpi Stayed in the shade and slept during the day to avoid heat exhaustion. Tried to make what little money I could. Had a cheap diet of peanut butter and flour tortillas 😄 Took in as much water as I could! Mesa is a decent sized city, Plenty of outdoor faucets to choose from.
Nicholas Joyce .
@@nickjoyce896 Glad you have place now. I pay alot for mine but i dont care cuz i hate being homeless i know how it feels.
Good for you Nicholas. Sincerely.
As a retired Army Ranger, I so appreciate that you called em play kits You couldn't be more right!
his kit is a play kit aswell bro
@@thomasluczak2868 how?
@@thomasluczak2868 I guess you're a Bear Grylls nut-hugger, huh?😂😉
@@goldmanjace His were far better than the others, by simply having the metal containers. What is your idea of a REAL kit? You can't buy a REAL survival kit. The only way to get a kit where everything in it is top notch is by putting your own kit together. What would you call a real kit? A survival kit is meant to help you live through a survival situation. Those metal containers would come in so incredibly handy it cannot be overstated. Being stranded out in the bush with no way to carry or boil food or water could easily kill you. Those containers could even let you carry fire from one location to the next. Very helpful.
@@goldmanjace meep meep
"Dunno who this character is..." slices the Bear's head in half LOL
Laughed hysterically at that. Hahahaha
Bear Grylls, I can't stand that idiot. Everything he does is wrong! I call him "Mr. How To Get Killed In The Woods!"
I remember the amazon episode where he smashed up a pebble with his knife pommel, rubbed the chunks on a wet twig, then pretended to sharpen his knife on that mess, because it was getting dull from hacking through the jungle. After about two strops over his gravel encrusted twig he said 'ooh yes, thats coming along nicely'....and I never watched his show again.
@@futuresonex Agree that Grylls is essentially a fool/tool compared to Stroud. That said, I bought the Gerber "Grylls ultimate knife" with flint over 12 years ago, have put it through tons of fishing, camping, and sailing tasks - and it has held up really well. (Has held up better than Grylls body, I suspect).
@@vaprex -- Not all of the Gerber Bear Grylls stuff is junk. I have the little hatchet, and I like it pretty well...other than the fact that it's got that damn 'BG' logo on it!
Gollum: "What has it got in it's pocketses?"
Les: "paracord, space blanket, matches, .... "
No ring though
explain this one
LES!
Can you do 48 hrs with your survival kit in the back country for the next video?
I'm mean, I know you can, we would like to see you do it.
Thanks for the great content. Love it
That would kind of reek of advertising, but I for one would love to see it.
I'm pretty sure I remember an old episode where he did
Tim Manley he did. S07 Ep02 Transylvania
@@leeroby3328 yeah I was going to say just fire up almost any episode :D
Season 7 Ep. 2-3 Transylvania and Season 7 Ep. 6 Tonga
When the camera fell, he meant to edit it out, but at some point changed his mind and left it in. Cool move.
Les you dont need to apologize for a long video. we eat that stuff up
That's the best part of RUclips. No short 2 minute clips for the mindless. Give me a 30 - 60 minute video any day!
We wanna see Les footage
I have to agree.
Yyuuuuppp longer the better!
@@Ebiru2387 same man. This isn't a shot at anyone in particular but if you want low attention span 1 minute videos then watch TikTok. I hear it's great. Not for me though. I like this well explained knowledge being presented. I'll take 60 minutes over 60 seconds any day. When I have time anyways lol.
I bought the Survive book with your self narrated Audible audiobook 4 years ago. I also got the British SAS and Army self defense pocketbooks as well. Great references that I keep going back to for part of my shelter in place plans. Thank you Les.
I have Backpacked extensively for more than 30 years, through Wilderness, Rural, and even Urban environments. The main things I learned that have carried over to every other area of my life are:
Knowledge weighs nothing,
most skills are transferable,
weight on your body needs to be ruthlessly trimmed to as little as possible,
carry items that have multiple uses,
items that you are going to bet your life on should be the best you can afford,
and that no matter the "Sport" or venture, there will be a company that will try to sell you kit that you could make yourself.
Christopher Fisher I agree totally except that the best gear isn’t necessarily the most expensive but the best gear is the stuff you are most comfortable and knowledgeable about in real life situations
@@loganabbott6142 The best may not be the most expensive, but there are different price-points. Something like a KA-BAR, for example, is more expensive than Les's own Camilus knife, but it's a heavy duty field knife, designed with digging, prying, and other "abusive" tasks in mind... including splitting firewood by hammering the spine with a rock. Things a more normal knife isn't.
@@loganabbott6142 I agree with you, but I think Chris's point was that whatever you choose to put in your kit, even at the personal level you mentioned, to not skimp on quality. If its worth carrying, its worth having a quality product. And to Les' point, its not a weekend play kit, its a survival kit. Quality components generally cost more money.
@@Just_A_Dude i carried k bar 45 years ago although i will say i never had one fail it is not a full tang knife in design and they do bend i went to full tang slab sided knives years ago
Very wise and concise advice, sir.
Glad to see the survey flagging in the large kit. As a former surveyor that stuff is amazing. We used it in place of tape, string, and of course flagging a trail. Doubled up it makes a very strong tough piece of cordage. Have made belts for my pants, tied around my boots when the laces we’re giving out, lost track off all the things we tied together with it. Use it to build a shelter and you have built in signalling. One of the most useful things you can have in the woods.
Plus tie some of it to your essentials like cutting tools.or fire rods so they are much harder to lose if you drop them
@@jlogan2228
And spray every thing with blaze orange paint. The pink shows up even better.
@@benson098123around me, bright blue works great.
Those instructions in each kit, I was thinking tinder the whole time.
Right? I'm gonna call Les out, and say that the instructions could be used for tinder! lol
Probably got fire retardant ink on it
@@bjellison905 that would be a really dumb and non survival way of making the instructions, if youre anywhere near experienced in the outdoorsXD but i think you might be right... safety regulations or something maybe
Literally came here to say that. Once you add it to the cotton ball, you've got a decent tinder pile lol
Appreciating Led Stroud more and more. He keeps pace. He exhibits a continuing decency and humility as a teacher. He keeps it real.
The more I camp the more his knowledge retains relevancy.
One of the great Canadians. Him and Gord Downie.
Your kit is very close to the survival kit we were taught to make in N.H's hunter/ safety course. So cool. That was back in the 70's
LOL, I had the same thought for the NB hunter safety course in the early 80s, the only exception was the marking tape, but I always carried a roll or two in my gear and pockets anyways.
Hey Les. one more tip I was introduced to from a friend I thought was smart. regarding first aid kit. 1. ask your doctor to prescribe Motrin 600 or 800 as a painkiller. usually they are cool about this. instead of carrying the whole bottle. get a straw . cut it in 3rds and pinch and seal one end. drop the motrin or Ibuprofen into the straw and then seal it shut with your multi tool pinching one end and using a lighter to seal the same end. you have a small addition and space saving item for your first aid kit. this also works great for ointments and other meds. i thought it was a great idea.
Very true and good advice. I'm so headache-phobic that I even carry eight (200mg) ibuprofen in a little key-fob on the same ring as my car and house keys, lol.
Survival rule #1: Don't cut that table.
When camera falls, I see a dent in the table...I want to know how much trouble he got into for that one!
lol
yes!
I love your channel so much. So glad I found it.
One thing I would add: permanent marker. Write a name, date, and bearing on flagging tape, write reminders on your arm, some (not all) have flammable ink.
Sharpie makes a Mini Sharpie.
I would add a mint tin (the curiously strong kind). Great for holding small things together, very lightweight, and I've been using mine lately to make charcloth. You can also use leaves, grass, etc, and it will catch the slightest spark from the crappiest firestarter.
Les, growing up my Dad was our Scout Master. I look back often. Now an adult in my late forties I realise how much he loved us (ALL HIS SCOUTS, not just his 4 sons). He pushed us in survival and first aid because "This is what will save your life when nobody else can." The very first campout he ever took us on after he became our leader, was a "survival campout". LOL! Incidentally my 1st Merrit Badge was wilderness survival. Talk about a boost to your psyche as a young man! That was the weekend I realised my Dad was a man's man. He built an elaborate shelter. He made a fishing pole and caught fish. He made a one paper match fire. Over the years he made frog gigs and taught us to cook eggs in paper bags and boil them in paper cups. The 1st 2 things I remember him giving me were my scout knife and block of magnesium with a ferro rod on it. He still carries his original survival kit, that he used to show us what really mattered, behind the seat in his truck. It has gotten him/us out of a few sticky situations. It goes with him everywhere. His kit was no nonsense just like yours! KUDOS from me!
What are the contents of you're fathers kit?
Sounds like your dad is a great father and an all-around great guy!
@Daisy Fields
I was in the Army too. What part of mountaineer wilderness survival was half of what you learned in Basic?
Are you talking about the US Army?
You say "kudos from me" like your opinion is worth anything. Wow this kit got a kudos from super boyscout Chris I think I'm going to buy it (sarcasm)
Most boyscouts I know are over dramatic drama queens. Their general life is usually boring and sheltered so when something happens thats even remotely exciting they over react. I watched a guy screaming at people on the road driving past his RV on fire like it was some sort of nuclear bomb. He was trying to stop people without any authority from driving past him. People did anyway but I guarantee you he was a boyscout. What would the world do without all those eagle scout projects were some kid puts a garbage can in a park people uses once every 5 years? lol thank goodness for all those eagle scout projects saving the world. That was the day you found out your dad was a man's man 😂😂😂😂
Ti BOT with a separate bail. Contractor bag (5 mil). Space blanket (layered, non-rip). 550 paracord 25’. Gorilla Tape. Fatwood. Cotton bandana. Quart Ziplock freezer bag. Photon flashlight. ALOX Swiss Army Knife (Farmer). 6” striker. Sylva Ranger 2.0 Compass. It all fits in the BOT.
On my belt: Fixed Knife (Benchmade Pukko with striker), Folding Knife (XcEST-Delta), Headlamp, TRD (paracord), PFAK (first aid), Ti Canteen/stove/cup/spork (Keith).
Pockets: Azimuthal Pocket Transit (Brunton). Silky PocketBoy. Bic lighter. Gorilla tape on a plastic card (like a credit card) Cargo Pockets: Contractor bag, Sol emergency bivy in a ziplock bag, map of the area. I wear a shemagh.
I have a “Survival kit,” and a duplicate of what’s in it on me. Sometimes I include a “Hobo” fishing kit on the belt. The gear I have on me (belt, pockets, wear) is around the $1250 price point. I doubt anyplace would make that as a kit and sell it.
I despise the “pockets full of junk” approach that most premade “survival kits” use (look what they do for $20 that I did for $1250). The wire they give you is enough to make A (one) snare with. You’d want a dozen if that’s what you were trying to use as a source of food. And if you are doing that, how many people know how to process small game for meat? Birthday candles for fire/light? A pocket knife made of pot metal? Space blankets that shred? A fishing kit with hooks for gold fish? A plastic button that claims to point North? Paperclips? A comb? I’ve seen some stupid crap in premade “survival kits” My favorite is people that think they will boil water in an Altoids tin.
I am a big fan of Stroud. I really appreciate how "harsh" he has been on his own commercial kit. After watching the video I feel I can say without offending; Les, please come up with a better knife that you can be proud to carry and sell. The barracuda and it's little brother are crap. Nobody coats a knife in titanium, it is difficult to sharpen and does not hold an edge. I have bought knives that are less expensive and have more quality. Love ya Stroud and thank you.
We don't need any more personalized knives! Mors liked Moras and he was right. My Garberg is all I need. Shop around.
@@barrybogart5436 moras are the best! They will last you your whole life and maybe then some! (if you take care of it)
At one point before he hooked up with Camillus I think that Helle made a Les Stroud knife. Helle makes some terrific knives! Like Moras on steroids.
I could watch Les talking about any aspect of survival
"I cant stab this table or I'm going to get in big trouble" proceeds to strike magnesium shards onto it.
Haha!
LOL
Doh!
it's just too much fun jus,t something you got to do
ferrocerium*
"i dont know who this character is"... looking at Bear Grylls.
Les - "Idk who this character is"
Me: sees bear grylls "HA got em!"
And fucking decapitated him awesome
TheDarkestNight i LOL’d.
@@jasonhancock5918 yes that was what I noticed too 😂😂😂
I do keep needle and thread and used it when I was an in extreme cold and the sealant on my snowpants seams froze, crystallized, and flaked off. Within an hour my pants were falling apart. I would have gotten out ok because we were close to camp, but my trip would have been over without the needle and thread. And if I had been injured and not able to get back to camp, that could have saved my life.
I must be hard on gear because I use the needle and thread often but you do need to know how to sew. I carry dental floss instead of thread because it is very strong and can be used as tinder in a pinch.
I carry superglue. Not sure how useful it is in the cold, but I glue anything that's falling apart in the field.
@@mamabear3901 I've got upholstery thread and a leather needle in my car, along with super glue and a standard sewing kit. Upholstery thread is super strong and can be used for all manner of things, and leather needles are sturdy enough to sew almost any material, short of reseaming boots
I love the camera drop at 24:43, it really put a smile on my face. also i'm loving the episodes of Survivor-man on the channel!
I've been a follower of yours since yourpremiered your first show. I'm a woman survivalist. You and Tom Brown Jr are my mentors. You are the best. So glad you're are sharing your wisdom.
Absolute, huge help as always. Less. Trusting your judgment over any other. Makes perfect sense. Thanks
"Don't know who this character is..." turns the package to show us....proceeds to cut Bear's head off....CLASSIC Les Stroud. LMAO Thanks for the great video sir.
(Camera malfunctions) "Oh, for f***s sake" - I lost it!
used to watch you years ago and laughing from BG show, love that youre active here. Thank you
I always enjoyed watching "Survivorman" on TV. Les put his soul into that show. Better than Bear Grylls, because Les didn't go running to a hotel after the days filming had stopped. A person could really learn a lot from Les Stroud.
Hotel survival can be a challenge : bedbugs, burglars , germs, roaches and other wildlife like palmetto bugs in Florida, staying warm while shutting off a noisy heater, trying to sleep while noisy college kids party next door .
@@BeefT-SqMaybe 'Man vs Hotel' should have been Bear's show?
Absolutely, but one thing Bear did do for me was change my approach. I always though the fact of rolling in to the wood with just a knife and canteen to be bad ass. So even though he was in hotels, my approach was not taking instruction from his shows, I took it upon myself to learn how to use the woods to replace all that garbage brought in packs, while learning the value in not having the luxuries. I'm glad i did.
Plus he filmed everything his self les is the ultimate survivor if he had went to a hotel he would've said it to the audience I strive to be more like les
Bear grylls done stuff tht looked good on TV like drinking elephant dung etc were it doesn't actually work I've seen les saying something to tht extent might look good but not real or true
Fantastic stuff! A few minor quibbles just from my experience though; the fresnel lens is very nice to have. You genuinely can make a fire on a sunny day with them. Plus, a big plus if you're 50+ years old, they're great to magnify stuff! I honestly can't read finer print on some items and it's super nice to have if you're digging for a splinter. Also the little spark wheel of the PSP is a very good striker IMO. It's not as robust as large fire steel and it won't ignite marginal tinder, that's true. But it's super effective with the Tinder-Quik they package it with and it's dead simple to use with one hand. Really it's no more useful than a dead BIC lighter (actually it's about the same thing) but the fuel can't leak and you can mail it. PSKs generally don't come with a lighter because doing so greatly limits how they can be shipped and probably over half of them will be sold via the internet or catalog.
Otherwise great stuff! Your 'group kit' is a tad less than my personal kit. I prefer a bit more gear because I am not Survivorman! 😉
For real the fresnel lens is like the ultimate survival tool.
Agreed. Get a page sheet magnifier....POOF! saves matches and lighters and ferros. Even the "heavier" sturdy pocket lenses can save you fuel and matches for when it counts. I'm disabled and I can't use a bow hand drill. Closest I can get to primitive is flint and steel or fire piston
The only REAL survival show on television! Gotta make a comeback Sir Les you've helped many. Take it from a backcountry guide in the Rockies, ive come across so many in distress every year and I swear, besides my experience and training of more than two decades, you have popped in my brain on occasion to save the day.
15:30 "These are survival kits, not weekend play kits"
Man that perfectly sums up what annoys me about more than half of the "survival" content on youtube. most of the time instead of gear for survival it's more akin to "Extreme camping kit"
My survival kit, includes EVERYTHING I might need immediately to hand, when away from homebase. Or as much as is humanly possible, stored in one of the upper pockets of my square frame backpack. And I am ALWAYS updating/ editing it. However I LIVE primarily outdoors.(Not homeless, am a Mountain man). Therefore, my survival kit will be different then the survival kit , of the occassional back packer/ camper.
Your candor and honesty make you my most trusted source. AND the fact that you did all your own survival alone without a crew on Survivorman. I trust your word.
"I won't lose my pockets."
Sobriety has a lot to do with the likelihood of losing pockets.
"Why is the rum always gone?"
For thread I carry dental floss. It is very strong and a small roll of waxed floss contains hundreds of feet. A curved needle fits in the container also. Yes, I did use it a few times. Sew up a hole in your P-Coat or Navy blanket. There is enough to make a section of rope. It is a good fishing line or garott if you need that sort of thing.
Out of all the survival experts out there, Sir, You are by far the truest and most honest expert that I truly trust. I appreciate your content! Keep it coming and God bless!
There are only few that are the real deal. Here is the man who I believe is the NUMBER ONE REAL DEAL. I have watched every "Survivor Man" episode many tines, and every time I learned some tiny thing, I had missed before.
I believe that everyone should create their own kit. I have stuff in a small 4 x 5 x 2 gift tin, some of which Les would frown on, but it WORKS FOR ME.
While watching I remembered that I had left a bandanna out of my "have-r-sack" kit, That is now fixed. See, watch and learn, never assume you have everything covered. Thanks Les. ;-)
if u put the safety blanked over ur head sitting and the candle between ur legs, its actually really warm fast !
Thx Mr Stoud for your honesty & detailed info. The video was long BUT worth the time. i'd trust any recommendations you'd make. I also loved how you gave the "why" of the items. If they were good, bad or a maybe. lol. In a pinch, I'd take any of these items. I'm not military or a survivalist. I do live in FL & am constantly updating my hurricane/ bugout bag for emergencies (I know it's not the same, but a lot of the tools could be used. I'm the kind of person that would rather have it~ then not. Like you stated, you never know if you're gonna be in one of these sits). As I have lost power for several days or not had/ run out of things. Now I have a family & need to make changes to my supplies. The keep on hand (in pockets) tips verse stored in a container were great.
Now I want to buy & read your book! Thx again!! 💚 Gonna find another one of your vids!
I read your book "SURVIVE", took notes and, acting on your advice, made my own kits. The small Gerber multi-tool you gave a "no" to works great in a fishing kit, manipulating cordage and in other situations. It's a big yes for me, especially for redundancy purposes. The Camillus belt knife (shown on the table) I bought for $50 is awesome. Can't beat the price. I own other knives, Mora's, Helle Tamagami, SOG, but for sheer robustness, durability and versatility it serves on the front lines. The fact it has a built in sharpener, a storage compartment for tinder, a mirror, flashlight, whistle, ferro rod with striker on the back of the blade and a place to wrap cordage . . . the only thing I did to it was swap out the cordage for 100' of number 15 bank line.
Thanks Les, great video. I appreciate the critiques, there is so much garbage out there. One aspect I think worth mentioning is that items in a kit should be in high vis colours. Also, I know you don’t have need of one, but I don’t know why none of the kits have a mini bic lighter in it? If it is too cold for it to work, put it in your glove or hold it in your hand for a few minutes. If it is wet, shake the water off and flick it until it sparks. The fuel doesn’t go bad and you can make hundreds of fires from one lighter. And a lighter is much more forgiving when you don’t have good dry tinder. For my money, its the fire maker that works best 99% of the time, and i would still carry a backup method, such as firesteel, for the other one percent. Thanks for all the good work you’ve done, you’re the real deal.
Looking good for someone who's caught every parasite in the world. Glad to see your channel is doing well. You've provided my family with many hours of infotainment.
This guys is the reason I tried to go backpacking and want to give it another go. I prepared correctly but... didn't practice correctly and over-exherted myself day one.
That magnesium flint fire starter is priceless! I carry one of those on my keychain. I always have my bic lighter but the magnesium is just as reliable if not superior in its own way.
I love the addition of the steel pot to boil water/cook. I always bring something to boil in but this includes the survival kit as well. I'll have to pick one up. Thanks for all the wisdom Les
Les is so badass he didn’t even link us to where we could buy his kit
but in all realness, if anyone is interested Walmart sells it lmao
@@chrish8904 really?
@@Shadowwind4 just search "les Stroud survival kit" and itll pop up. Walmart did for me
@@chrish8904 $89 and out of stock at Walmart!
@@chrish8904 thats a third party
"This would make a nice little friendship ring..." LOL! That's why we love you!
the whole "empty the contents onto your body" is a great point. I already do that and always have but not for that reason. I can't believe i never thought about the whole LOSING IT ALL and AT ONCE. "Can't lose my pockets" pretty obvious but i never truly considered that. I just thought it felt less bulky if had it on my person instead of filling up my backpack.
Definitely making a great argument for wearing cargo pants anytime I travel.
Lots of pockets!!
Thanks for all the Great Episodes.Getting lost in them ia total bliss.A True Hoss.
6:11 *picks up orange packaging survival kit
“I don’t know who this character is”
(I think we all know who that character was. Lol)
(And yes Les, you are way better than him)
And then he shows the camera of him cutting his head in half
6:10
I made my own kit, a smaller version of my "smalls' equipment gear. 4 ways to start a fire, a small and medium "folding" knifes. a small fishing kit and a few things I just want.
This stuff is "backup". I would never go into any form of wilderness without some equipment.
What less says and does is great, it works for him. My stuff works for me, and that is vital.
What Les recommends is super and should be considered for your kit, but if it doesn't work for you, well I'll let you think of the result.
Keep up the great stuff, Les, your still the best. ;-)
When I was homeless and in the woods my knife, hatchet, .22, and what my grandfather taught me was my kit. Actually gained weight.
I got one of those “survival knives” when I was a kid back in the 80’s. I thought it was so cool. It had one of those wire survival saws in the handle. I thought that was really awesome. Until I tried to use it in my backyard and it snapped in half. A few years later I got a “higher quality” one. It made it most of the way through a small stick before snapping in half.
Was expecting the cup kit to cost like $40 when he said much more expensive, its only $20
There really should be water purification tabs in both kits.
@@edwardfletcher7790 it's a boilable container for a reason...
@@xhunter628x Stopping multiple times a day to make a fire and boil water isn't as practical as using two tiny tablets to make 1 litre drinkable. Sometimes it's incredibly difficult too, like in a storm or snow.
@@edwardfletcher7790 if its raining or there is snow, why do you need to purify the water? Catch the rain with the survival blanket and drink it. Melt the snow. What am I missing?
Enough tabs to purify a gallon would be a good addition though to get you through a day
@@edwardfletcher7790 Get a Lifestraw then. Water tabs are only good for very short term.
Oh, Les... It is so good to see you back man. Been watching your shows since you started, you have always been an inspiration to me and that led me to start my own survival journey.
After suffering from severe malabsorption and becoming 100% disabled, I turned to the wild to heal. I am getting my master naturalist certification, and I particularly love wild foraging (only known edible plants!) and the medicinal purposes behind them. I am also a volunteer fishing instructor with Texas Parks and Wildlife building fish traps, small game snares and creepy crawly attractors.
Thank you for EVERYTHING you have done for all of us wild ones out there. Bless you, you appreciated.
Youre the best Les.
You need more love.
you've earned every plug for your products, Les. Thanks from Nova Scotia.
Cutting that show boat's head off made me just....
... So happy.
Thanks, Les. I'm going to go read your book again.
just realizing this. did he do it on purpose? lmao
Gear is not survival it's a mindset. I have loved watching your shows... I have picked up lots of tips...thank you!
I remember I've stumbled upon the one with the plane crash scenario on TV, and I was so mesmerised and tense. I had my jaw open the whole time. Bear Grylls never did this to me.
That sounds kinky tho.. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
Bear grylls job was literally to eat nasty stuff, and jump off things, while talking loudly. lmao
I just started watching the Survivorman Series, and this dude is the truth. Awesome show, thanx guyz.
That fresnel lens you dismissed so fast is one of my favorite items.. Not only is it an unlimited source of fire but you can also quickly sterilize small quantities of water with the sun and nothing else.
And if you break or lose your eyeglasses you can still read a map and compass!
I'm going to be frank; I would not trust water 'sterilized' with that. It's not a worthless item if you know how to use it, but is also conditional on weather conditions _and_ time of day so isn't great for emergencies especially in a kit like this.
@@farmerboy916 How would you not? UV sterilization is one of the most tried and true methods...
@@timjon1122 Because you have to expose all of the water at the same time for a while for it to actually work.
@@TheAkashicTraveller Not really. If you use a small container, especially if it is reflective you can sterilize or at least get close enough it pretty quickly. Something like a plastic pop bottle lid will work.
As an avid backpacker, I've been gifted lots of items branded as survival gear. In my experience, most of it is either of poor quality or totally superfluous. I'd recommend buying individual items of high quality that provide for your specific needs depending on your local environment. Here in Virginia, I need something to carry water, a tarp to keep the elements off me, insulation to combat the cold, and a hammock to keep me off the ground, cord to suspend the tarp, and a fire starter in case the night gets too cold. As long as you have a fire going, you can get wet wood to burn with good fire management
Les Stroud “sees a Bear Grylls survival kit”
"I don't know who this character is but let's see his kit..."
Hahahaha LOL
The most important thing is the list of survival tips from Les Stroud!
"I dunno who this character is...." THE SHADE
Cool thing about Les is that he keeps things professional. He doesn't call people out by name, hes only ever passingly made references to dumb things different people do.
I admire that, no need to burn bridges or start drama.
6:10
The sad thing about Grylls is that he knows all the right things to do, he should anyway given he was in the SAS, he chooses to show the sensationalist BS that could get people killed anyway. In other words he values making money over peoples lives.
Very deserved shade... hahah
WOW LES THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO DO VIDEO. THIS WAS EXTREMELY HELPFUL AND INSIGHTFUL. AWESOME. YOU ARE VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE AND YOU ARE DEFINITELY A SURVIVOR. GOD BLESS YOU AND ALL OF YOUR LOVED ONES.
you make me proud to be a Canadian , thank you sir.
@Howdy Folks He's from Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada. So, yes, he is Canadian.
Howdy Folks hes canadian but i think lives in america. Not sure tbh.
Makes me want to BE Canadian!
My friend who is a canyoneering guide in Utah told me that those paracord bracelets and belt hook kits can be useful; however, having paracord that tightly bound and twisted can weaken and or damage it and it shouldn't be expected to hold weight like it normally would.
You picking apart the BG kits cracked me up, Every time I see them I laugh.
The most important survival item you can have is your brain, knowledge and skill are number 1.
love bringing candles, the wax makes the fire so much stronger and easier to establish
When you're commenting on the fishing supplies, I've long suspected that it is part of every commercial kit to spur people to look for water. You need water, and it would make things easier for SAR. :P But also, when people started this kind of conversation in the 50s and 60s, they had the WWII vintage navy survival manual which was written for aviators lost on the Pacific. As such, them being there is almost a ritualistic, religious presence. Just like the picture of the firebow. Expected, so that has the needed trappings of a survival kit, and they build confidence of people who buy rather than build kits
The little pocket kits are mostly there for confidence building factor. Any kit that fits in a pants or shirt pocket is going to be "inadequate" in my opinion, particularly coupled with only a multitool or Swiss Army Knife. But.. better than nothing. Which is why I'm surprised you rated the bracelet as you did- I find they are easier aren't any harder to lose than a properly packed away pocket kit (no matter who makes it), but offer a much greater hazard for snagging initiated injuries which lead to survival situations.
Your hilarious Les! Love this video. "Friendship ring" for the wire in BG's kit! 😂😂😂
" i don't know who this character is!" 😂😂 priceless
Salt would be greatly appreciated in that kit. Good kit Les!
"I don't know who this character is." had me 😂🤣😂
I was with you on all those nights les, and often relive them over and over, much love
Are there any expirations on NDAs and contract information? Id be really interested in hearing the rough budgets for Survivorman over the years and how big it was for Discovery. Give insight to how reality cable works
Watch his interview on joe rogan experience
Didn't expect to find you here XD
@@bjellison905 That JRE episode sucked and it wasn't because of Les. Joe was being a disrespectful host.
@@MrPickles1987 is it a recent interview or from before spotify? Jre sucks now
Look, a wild shit talker
24:40 LOVING IT.....thank you Mr Stroud. Great vid and enjoyed very much that you left that in.
"I don't know who this CHARACTER is"
LoL.... Justly earned.
When you are talking about survival it's all about food, water and warmth - the worst problem being wet and then it freezes. Fishing is the easiest way to get a good piece of food and there are always rivers, lakes, canals and coastlines around. A good water filter is an essential - kept close to your body in cold conditions. And a TOWEL for all the numerous uses it has - not least to dry yourself off if you get wet. Douglas Adams knew what he was talking about!
I like the Les Stroud Productions intro. Pretty neat.
me too!!
I will not forget the moment i laid my eyes on SURVIVORMAN!!
The best survivalist out there. No bull shit straight to the point. Thanks for the real useful knowledge Les.
Im rolling....” I don’t know who this character is” hahaha
Thank you for making these kinds of videos. It always cracks me up when I see those kits. Anyone with any time in the woods knows they are a waste of money, space and weight.
4:22 Puts down the Spark-Lite, one of the best (one-handed!) firestarters on the planet, and is included in the U.S. military fire-starting kit.
17:00 Approves of Wet-Fire, which notoriously become useless if the little plastic bag they come in tears (they’re a hexamine/esbit-type fuel that evaporates if left out of packaging... VERY bad for survival; use Tinder Quik, petroleum-laced cotton balls, instead).
While I agree with everything else Les said and greatly respect his opinions and experience, he missed the mark on those two I listed. Sorry, Les. 😉
That rolling flint he showed is nothing like the Spark-lite products, he properly labeled it. If your going to get one get a proper one, like the ones you mentioned in your above comment not a cheap knock off like the one in that kit, not a huge market for "one-handed" fire starters. Wet-Fire works fantastic, when stored properly in a hard cased container you will never run into an issue of a punctured packaging, and will save yourself minutes of hassle starting fires.
Thanks Les, I really appreciate the care you take for all of your videos!
I can vouch for the Camillus knife as being really solid. It's survived years of abuse.
Kyle Snavely I had a Camillus knife once. Broke first time I used it!!
@@endtimer77 that's why i stick with knives from ESEE, Ontario, Cold steel and Kabar for survival purposes.
Really? The only camillus knives I've seen in my area are cheap with plastic handles
I found Les's to be really solid. A lot of batoning on mine.
I think a key to these kits is to look at the clothing a person wears, for example I personally wear base layer clothing (boxers, wool socks and a linen t-shirt), cargo-pants, wool jumper, a waxed cotton angler's chile jacket, comfy hiking shoes and neckerchef. The base layer is the foundation that keeps me warm , the outer clothes are what over the majority of protection from the elements - but having cargo-pants gives me at least 6 pockets (2 on the knees, 2 on the hips and 2 on the arse), then the chile being waxed cotton offers a fair amount of waterproofing and has way more pockets than I could ever need and then some.
I bet Bear carries one of your kits...
He's not that smart
@@SurvivormanLesStroud Haha, well said. Stay safe Les.
They have a land Rover full of everything behind the camera
@@minedustry No wonder they kept getting lost in crazy situations, should have bought a vehicle that didn't break down. Hasn't been a Rover in 20 yrs worth a damn
Why? It's not like he is ever out there alone!
This is so cool. I remember watching u years ago. Cool to see u back around. I got rid of cable like back in 2013
Take a look at the esee mess tin kit. Best I’ve seen so far in terms of kits like these.
My father didn't even know what survival kit is, yet all his life he was carring a small folding pocket knife - right in there, in his pocket, and a lighter, as he smoked. One thing that comes to my mind, Les, in all your videos ( or similar productions by others) you are in your ... pants. Usually whatever happenes, we have our trousers on. Conclusion? anything that will help you survive should be right there. Any kit, tied to you can be lost. During avalanche, mudslide, surviving from sinken boat, crashed plane or car... you name it. Anything bigger, sticking out of your body can be hooked by something else and ... " good bye my love, good bye" as per song by Demis Russos. Unless you have it tied to your belt let's say, like some of the knifes, multitools and their scabbards, you can loose it easily. That's why in my opinion good practice is to carry esentials as close to your body as possible, perfectly if the pockets are zipped. Petrol lighter will evaporate within days, but the gas one will serve year or years. They are small, light. A knife? most important, the blade should be proper size and sharp. Multitools are in my opinion useless. They usually weight much more then folding knives, their handles are not compfrtable for longer work and most of their inventions are useless in the forest etc. A saw for wood we can find in folding knives too. Pliers? Are they that needed? In the forest? Arctic? Desert? Don't think so. If you are in a car, u have some more tools in the boot, unless you are city boy, and your knowledge ends on clicking your smartphone. In that case however, pliers won't help you at all, one can even hurt himself. Fishing hooks? What for? Everyne who has been fishing once in his life, knows that you can spend three days with the fishing rod in your hand waiting for that personality in the water and .... nothing. Useless for me. Better to prepare some trap, basket from bush branches where possible. Better results. Paracord? that's ok. A few mettres in your pocket, or around your body along weist belt... Any piece of string. Could be used to make a bow, so we can ... throw arrows high to let someone know where we are. Some dry grass attached and lit could leave sign to others on the sky... Plastick bag ... for protection against rain, cold, wind, for collecting water ... A piece of candle. Simple candle. Won't evaporate, spill or whatever. Just throw into your pocket. Gives you light, warms you ... keeps the fire for longer if you want to save gas lighter, and wood is just a bit too wet.... A flash light ? what about a key ring for the keys sitting in our pocket. Ok, small, not powerfull, but gives you some light, doesn't it? Nowdays the led light are pretty powerfull. Some first aid like plasters are good idea too. Sure, stuff like metal container to boil water would be perfect etc, but so would be gas stove etc etc. minimum is minimum. difference is, what you are able to make from it. Great videos Les, perfect job.