This brings back many memories. While in Vietnam, in 1968 at Vandergrift Combat Base, we used the US mess kit. What I loved about this kit, when you finished chow, we attached the “tray” by the hook, onto the handle. We then dipped the entire kit into boiling water a couple times & then put it back into our haversack for our next meal. The canteen cup was fantastic for coffee and shaving. The USMC used all our gear for several purposes.
I just grabbed 5 of the Serbian ones for my family to use while hiking and camping. What an awesome piece of gear! It immediately impressed me having the designated canteen for cooking and cleaning set aside within it. Too often it's hard to budget water effectively when packing it. I wish I'd had one of these about 30 years ago when I was in the Scouts!
Don't know what have it, but original also have spoon, fork, knife-can opener nicely folded one to it other. Also there is version where all components are from aluminium (same as main pot) so you can boil something in every part. . That is great. Just ordered one for 15$. Proud to be Serbian for this one!
😂 Uncle was not so happy to use one of those 30 years ago. Let's hope if the 4 month mandatory service comes back mine atleast won't constantly taste like rubber tires and pee.
Beware the cook kit rabbit hole! I was recently told that I have become a collector of these things. In my defense, they are all cleaned up, set up and ready to use! LOVE the Sportsman's Guide
Very true! I was always advised to make friends with the fellas who were working the Chow Hall. A little extra helping of "this" or a bigger piece of "that" goes a long way when you're cold, tired and or starving. And thirty years later, I still remember three of them to this day.
actually, the us mess kit works well if you put water in the bottom and the top tray for a different food. we do hot dogs in the poaching water and beans in top. I love it.
Hell yeah they melt. That's why you have to be very careful when cooking with them. Only use coals and pay attention to what you're doing. It's just aluminum. Unless you get one of the really old ones I have one I don't believe is aluminum it's pretty rugged. Just like a lot of the cub scout kits. The old ones are metal the newer ones were aluminum... and the ones from the last few Years on are stainless steel...
Thank's Sootch for the video on these awesome older and newer mess kit's. I do need one more kit for us to be able to have 1 for each one of us. I'll go there and check out all their stuff👍🏼
The US mess kit was used to serve Class A food (hot cooked meals) in the field. The mess truck, one in each infantry company would come out in the field and set up a line serving the food from Thermal containers. They could actually cook on the spot on field stoves, but that was rare. You would tuck the handle of the old style cup in your video in your waist line and get your hot coffee. The other two parts were joined together by laying the two part compartment over the handle and held it with one hand. You would then find somewhere to sit or simply stand and eat your food. After that you would dump any food waste in a trash can and proceed to a line of three clean trash cans that had immersion heaters in to make hot water ( to kill germs). The first had GI soap and a brush. The entire cup, mess kit and knife fork and spoon fit on the long handle and they are dipped into can 1 and scrubbed. Can 2 and 3 are used to remove the soap and last you swing the the entire kit in the air to air dry, which usually does not take too long because of the very hot water. After that you would fill your canteen from the Lister bag which was supported by three tall tent poles or from the 'water buffalo' tank trailer.
Ok, but that's rather like saying some people smoked all their lives but didn't die of cancer until the end of it. The effects of asbestos fibres on the human body for example, often don't appear until twenty years or more after the exposure to the material. Although smokers might die by being run over by a bus, it seems silly not to try and minimize any risks involved whilst still enjoying camping and the outdoors.
Great video, really enjoyed this and I liked how comprehensive it was. It is tough to compare kits unless you have good videos like this to view. Thanks!
I use the swedish mess kit for everything from camping, emergency car kit to my families BOB's. Not the lightest or the cheapest but they are designed to cook food in adverse conditions, not just reheat rations. Plenty of videos on youtube about them and mod's / additions and articles on the web. Thanks for the video take care God bless.
I have the Yugoslavia kit, the one you reviewed was missing the cutlery. It should come with a stainless nesting set of knife, fork and spoon. They slip down inside a pocket in the canvas bag for storage.
Hey Sootch, Thanks for the cool video. Since I live in NYC i can't have some of the cool guns like on your other channel, but I have found a lot of good information on this channel that I can apply without having much problems. Sometimes the simplest things/ideas are the most reliable in a situation. Thanks and keep the great videos coming.
@@SensiblePrepperI have been a fan of your videos for several years now. Well rounded innovative offering ideas and multiple options the budget minded in addition practical survival skills in a humble non condescending way. Good portion of my survival bags are based on your videos.
I carried the German one all through school as my lunch box and would highly recommend the German model the American comes open all the time accidentally and there goes your food
John Smith -I think it's great you found the German mess kit useful as a lunchbox. I have used an East German one for years when backpacking. I use the space inside to carry camp stove and fuel canister. It may be an old design, but it was very well thought out. It's great that you can cook stuff in the top cover and boil water in the large lower part at the same time.
I use my g.i. mess kit everyday. it came warped, but it works fine. in fact I have 2 of them. one's for a guest. I cook and eat out of pan....my dog eats out of the tray....wash and hang to dry, and she's ready to go again when ready. have a few pathfinder cooking pots/skillet. love them too. I liked a couple of these kits, I think I will add them to my dining experience.
I have a Polish mess kit and Polish canteen with cover, I bought a strap to put around the Polish mess kit, I have cooked in the mess kit and it worked well
I used dog collars to go around my East German mess kits. Someone showed how they cooked ramen in USGI skillet, didn't look like it did right. I always use canteen cup for that. CCT is great learning to use cup. The Japanese mess kits were also called rice cookers. Several vids showing how to cook rice. They also use Trangia kits now.
I use my old boy scout cook kit. It has a pot with lid nested with a plastic drinking cup inside the fry pan & plate. This was my backpacking kit throughout my youth along with 2 stainless steel army surplus canteens with cups. I still use them on occasion.
I like the German one the most, than the USA one next. Thanks for showing theses Surplus mess kits Sootch00 an i hope you had a awesome Christmas Sir. Long live the republic my friend
Ahhh the wonderful "snuskburk" design. I have owned one of those since my military service in Sweden they look like the German version you have but oval shaped, we also used the regular old fashioned Trangia which is really great but a little bit bulkier in the backpack because of the shape, but it also have more cooking versatility/capacity than the snuskburk which is more of a one man stove.
I haven't even started watching the video yet I have to post a comment. I haven't thought about the sportsman guide and years they're still around definitely got to check them out and if they still send out catalogs I am so in
By the way I enjoy your broadcasts . I watch them with my great nephew. I've gotten to the age where I can't remember a lot of things that I'd like to teach him and your broadcasts help me juke my memory... now when I was over in Korea , most of the contingent of Colombian soldiers had this mess kit that was the cats tuxedo, it had 3 or 4 pieces plus utensils and a stove and it all was stacked up like a Dinner bucket from when I was a lad . I tried to trade all kinds of stuff for one and those fellas wouldn't trade it for anything I couid get my hands on . they saw what we were using and wouldn't have none of it .
Worth mentioning the Yogoslavian comes with a nested spoon, knife and fork. And most places sell them full this way and I was surprised you didnt show them considering how they slide into a canvas pocket inside the pouch
Hahaha! Loved the canteen cup. I had an old white gas stove issued to me in the USMC. It fit into a two-part metal container. I would heat water in the lower part of the container along with a can of chow. When we transitioned to MREs, I would put one of them in the hot water. Oh, I would dual-purpose the water and use it for a hot shave in the field. While shaving would put the canteen cup on to warm water for a cup of Joe. Freshly shaved, I had a hot meal and a hot cup of coffee. BTW, I still have one of those stoves. Much heavier than modern white gas stoves, but I can't part with it. Will hand down to my son and grandson.
The downside is the handles can become too hot to touch. The flame licks the lower portion of the metal handles. I often have to use a glove or damp hankerchief to handle the canteen cup. With my Coleman 533 stove, this is often an issue. The high output of the stove quickly heats up the handle. Otherwise, its a good choice for lightweight hiking, as it nests well with my water canteen, plus a Trangia alcohol burner in a drilled out large tuna can to act as a windbreak & stand.
It doesn't matter what mess kit you get. If you don't wash them properly after each use you WILL get the G.I. Trots. That's why we had the 55 gal garbage cans filled with soapy water and clean water for rinsing and Water Immersion heaters in them to keep them boiling.
I had the silver mess kkit in the boy scouts. I used it many years. It had everything you needed I carry a plastic canteen now and easy to clean with a few drops of bleach, or baking soda and water. Much lighter and quiet.
I have a Swedish kit complete with alcohol stove and the pot stand/wind shield. I use it for two person cooking. I love the Yugo kits because of the price I can leave them places like vehicle, office, home. I usually leave out the canteen and small cup and pack the inside with a stove and other gear. The shape packs well too. My PSK is packed into the Nesting cup from a Swiss canteen/bottle.
Lol my dad told me Korean military ones are so old that they are discolored and dented! They cook rice with the old canteen cup and metal lid but they work really well.
I picked up a Polish mess kit from Fleet Farm for $10 or $15 before they stopped selling military surplus. Some stains, probably from storage or (ew) old food, but nothing that some steel wool couldn't handle. It's easily one of my favorite pieces of camping and Scouting gear... but then again, I say that about a lot of surplus. Heh. Now if only I could use the Sootch code at the actual SG outlet store...
The US kit was never meant to be a field cooking kit. It's meant to be used as a portable tray for eating at a field mess. It performs poorly for cooking in the field. The other kits shown were actually meant for field cooking.
True to a certain extent. I have owned several of them. I used the so call pan for frying. While it can be done, the hot fire distorts and discolors the metal.
Awesome Serbian mess kit! Just blew the competitions away! Very ingenious. Hope I can get one. Thank you once more for doing a really great job out of the army's mess!
I brought several of the Serbian/Yugoslavian mess kits and they have always came with heavy duty lock together KFS and the knife has the built in can opener
The Italian kit is my favorite one. It gives three good cooking pots / frying pans and since nothing goes in it the store I can keep all sorts of goodies inside the pot. Plus the two cups are shallow enough I can use them as frying pans.
I've got a Swedish mess kit. It's got the main cooking pot, the lid which can be used as a plate or a fry pan or a cup, a windshield, a spirit stove, and a container to carry more fuel for the stove. I like it.
That's cool. Ya should check out the british or canadian mess tin. Good for cooking fresh rations . Mess service food . Foor from ration packs . Boiling and purifying watter. Storing survival kits inside .
I love that WW2 kit. It is lightweight and I use it to carry spices, a rag, plastic spork, and a spare mini bic. That and my Stanly cook pot nestled into a Walmart stainless 18 oz cup is all anyone would need imo. My cook pot also carries my MSR canister, my pocket rocket, extra tea, and another mini bic.
great video - you did forget one point about the american mess kit - the groove down the center of the lid is actually made to fit over the handle and the loop locks into the handle to create a complete trey - similar to the German kit - i have both - they are both excellent
Ok looked through a few of the responses, and didnt noticed if any mentioned that the German and Polish are made to invert the lid "cup" back onto the base to act as a warmer for the liquids that you might be drinking. Also having had 1 each of the US & German when I used to horse back ride cross country they make for excellent storage for dry tinder and fire supplies. Thx for the reviews. And Happy New Year's to yall and my the Lord of Peace keep yall safe in health this year.
In the NZ Army I used two US Cups Canteen one for drinking one for cooking/shaving lol in Support Company most of us used small fry pans with folding handles
I had my US surplus mess kit for decades but sold it. For me, weight is a huge consideration so when I load up my "bug out bag" I am very mindful of each and every item that I place in it. I've learned that you can substitute many good quality useful items for ones that are heavy. In the old days, I took my surplus medium ALICE pack and loaded it up to the gills with everything but the kitchen sink, then I tried to put the pack on and couldn't even lift it off the ground! lol That made me realise that if sh*t did ht the fan, I'd be leaving the fan and other things home. I was in the service and we routinely did a duffel bag layout with all our GI issue gear. I used this concept when selecting every "EDC" and "BOB" item. I didn't realize it but I've been a prepper since after I got out of the service in 1979. I now have bags set up with good quality, useful gear that can serve many purposes and are affordable, well made and light. I've had to rethink every aspect but use the "mothership" concept. Basically, whatever doesn't fit in my "BOB" or "EDC" goes into a few large plastic storage tubs I keep in the garage to use as a replenishing "mothership" for all my bags. Whether you subscribe to a BOB, EDC, get home bag, urban carry bag or any other utilitarian conveyance, you can easily replenish it from the mothership. Early on, I've always asked myself "How much stuff do I really need?" Theer is no shortage of books on the market and articles on the internet that addresses this. It comes down to affordability, common sense, practicality, usefulness and weight. I was in the Navy Seabees so we didn't have to carry hundreds of pounds of gear on our backs. We did have military training and were expected to use weapons, gear and learned tactics in addition to our "day jobs". We had to stay fit too to pass our "evals" and had "mount out" exercises and many opportunities to carry fully loaded ALICE packs as well. I didn't mean to go on a tangen but "weight" was what I wanted to mention. lol
As a danish veteran I have used some of the American kit. In the beginning we had a lot of hand me down equipment from the US and westgermany. The US kit was good. I havent tried anything else to be honest. Just one thing. It’s noisy as hell. So be carefull not banging it together. I think that goes for all the kits But just have that in the back of your head. You can cook and boil food and water, over embers or a firehole, but a clanck from two pots banging together, can be heard for miles at night. A really good video mate 😊🇩🇰
The USGI is stailess with a coating for a an anti-glare and the lid slides over the handle and locks in so both lid and pan can be carried with one hand across the chow line.
Spent time with US FS and I never used a US mess kit. I carried two canteen cups and a 'Stanley' nesting camp set I modified. It was stainless about 7" tall and 4" round. I threw out the plastic cups and kept the inner cup. The top was drinking cup size. I kept coffee and salt and pepper in side it. We mainly carried minute rice or noodles and the meat components from MREs. It's impossible to carry 30 days of MREs. Once on a sub I was told that food was what limited their underwater mission time. I told them we were under the same constraint. I had a team mate who carried a South American mess kit that was pretty awesome. Can't remember which country. Most countries us US or European equipment. Good vid!
I know the American kit what is designed to go through Chow lines primarily. But of course you can cook and people do Cook out of them all of the time. I have a couple of them. And they are always fun to use.
In the 1980s german Bundeswehr we stowed the mess kit, clip-together cutlery and esbit cooker in the "kleine Kampftasche" (basically the modern breadbag) that went on the "load carry belt and suspender" ( Koppel mit Koppeltragehilfe)
The Swedish Army mess kit is still considered to best kit to get because it's thicker and stronger than all the others. The typical kit sells for over $100 used but ironically was going for $10 unissued about 8 years ago. The main advantage with the Swedish Army kit is the versatility and the completeness for independent field use without the need for other tools.
I was just going to write something similar. The Swedish kits are the best for sure. I´m lucky enough to have both the steel (basically a unicorn these days) and aluminum versions, including trangia stove, heatshield/base and the fuel bottle.
@@sgthl Get a pot lifter to pick up heat shield and pot if handles accidentally get heated and a small set of utensils and you now have a full kitchen in the field.
The american mess kit also came with knife, fork and spoon. Wasn't really used to cook in, as one other said it was used in the chow line to get your food.
US MESS KIT was never designed to be feild carried. Its for the mess-hall. The handle side slides into the plate side to form a mass hall tray. Mess utensels are designed to slide over handle aswell to dip clean the whole unit on wash drums.
I've used a German kit since about 1979. A Swedish one more recently. It has rings on the extended handle for inserting a longer stick, perhaps a bayonet. I keep a mini-stove, can of fuel, coffee, jerky, soup, whatever I can get in there. Got em in my truck, ATV, dirt bike, day pack, camel back...
I looked for any demonstration videos you mentioned making but found none? Great video. Searched for "sootch" and "sensible prepper" as you suggested on SG but no hits... ATB - Luther
This brings back many memories. While in Vietnam, in 1968 at Vandergrift Combat Base, we used the US mess kit. What I loved about this kit, when you finished chow, we attached the “tray” by the hook, onto the handle. We then dipped the entire kit into boiling water a couple times & then put it back into our haversack for our next meal. The canteen cup was fantastic for coffee and shaving. The USMC used all our gear for several purposes.
I just grabbed 5 of the Serbian ones for my family to use while hiking and camping. What an awesome piece of gear! It immediately impressed me having the designated canteen for cooking and cleaning set aside within it. Too often it's hard to budget water effectively when packing it. I wish I'd had one of these about 30 years ago when I was in the Scouts!
Don't know what have it, but original also have spoon, fork, knife-can opener nicely folded one to it other. Also there is version where all components are from aluminium (same as main pot) so you can boil something in every part. . That is great. Just ordered one for 15$. Proud to be Serbian for this one!
😂 Uncle was not so happy to use one of those 30 years ago. Let's hope if the 4 month mandatory service comes back mine atleast won't constantly taste like rubber tires and pee.
Beware the cook kit rabbit hole! I was recently told that I have become a collector of these things. In my defense, they are all cleaned up, set up and ready to use! LOVE the Sportsman's Guide
"An army marches on its stomach....." - Napoleon
Very true! I was always advised to make friends with the fellas who were working the Chow Hall. A little extra helping of "this" or a bigger piece of "that" goes a long way when you're cold, tired and or starving. And thirty years later, I still remember three of them to this day.
I carried the US kit in Vietnam, if you try to cook with it the bottom will burn out in minutes. It is for holding food only, not cooking it.
That's what you get for using C4
actually, the us mess kit works well if you put water in the bottom and the top tray for a different food. we do hot dogs in the poaching water and beans in top. I love it.
from pearland TX?
Hell yeah they melt. That's why you have to be very careful when cooking with them. Only use coals and pay attention to what you're doing. It's just aluminum. Unless you get one of the really old ones I have one I don't believe is aluminum it's pretty rugged. Just like a lot of the cub scout kits. The old ones are metal the newer ones were aluminum... and the ones from the last few Years on are stainless steel...
Lowest bidder baby!
I remember the US surplus stuff we used in the late 1970s when I was in the Boy Scouts.
Go, back. To scouts.
i never cooked in my mess kit while I was in the field, but I often used my canteen cup for making Ramen noodles in .
I cooked out of mine for 2.5 years of fairly rough extended bivouac
Steven DeAtley college 100
@@wyomarine6341 My experience as an Army Infantryman was the same as yours. The canteen cup was much used to heat beverages.
If you cooked with it over fire you would never clear CIF without buying a new one! I still use one camping.
@@wyomarine6341 Thank you so much for your service.🇺🇸👍
Great video. The only local surplus store we had went out of business after over 30 years of business. Was a sad day indeed.
Thank's Sootch for the video on these awesome older and newer mess kit's. I do need one more kit for us to be able to have 1 for each one of us. I'll go there and check out all their stuff👍🏼
The US mess kit was used to serve Class A food (hot cooked meals) in the field. The mess truck, one in each infantry company would come out in the field and set up a line serving the food from Thermal containers. They could actually cook on the spot on field stoves, but that was rare. You would tuck the handle of the old style cup in your video in your waist line and get your hot coffee. The other two parts were joined together by laying the two part compartment over the handle and held it with one hand. You would then find somewhere to sit or simply stand and eat your food. After that you would dump any food waste in a trash can and proceed to a line of three clean trash cans that had immersion heaters in to make hot water ( to kill germs). The first had GI soap and a brush. The entire cup, mess kit and knife fork and spoon fit on the long handle and they are dipped into can 1 and scrubbed. Can 2 and 3 are used to remove the soap and last you swing the the entire kit in the air to air dry, which usually does not take too long because of the very hot water. After that you would fill your canteen from the Lister bag which was supported by three tall tent poles or from the 'water buffalo' tank trailer.
Thanks Scotch! Great review as always. Love the backdrop. Very authentic. And love your closing phrase!!!
My whole life camping as a Boy Scout using aluminum cooking kits with aluminum canteen with no problems. Great info Sootch!!
Ok, but that's rather like saying some people smoked all their lives but didn't die of cancer until the end of it. The effects of asbestos fibres on the human body for example, often don't appear until twenty years or more after the exposure to the material.
Although smokers might die by being run over by a bus, it seems silly not to try and minimize any risks involved whilst still enjoying camping and the outdoors.
@@StevenKeery Snow flake !
@@hettro-cv6082 : Bit slow on the old reposte there, perhaps the aluminium has had more effect than you thought.
@@StevenKeery When you choke on your next can of soda remember it wasn't the can snow flake!
Thinking if you found yourself in an shtf or a full out Teotwawki situation, a little cheap metal won't be your biggest problem.
I used to have one of the American kits when I was in the Boy Scouts.Thanks for posting this review.
Thanks so much. The old shall become new again. 👍👍 I love old stuff. Hope you had a great Christmas.
Great video, really enjoyed this and I liked how comprehensive it was. It is tough to compare kits unless you have good videos like this to view. Thanks!
I use the swedish mess kit for everything from camping, emergency car kit to my families BOB's. Not the lightest or the cheapest but they are designed to cook food in adverse conditions, not just reheat rations. Plenty of videos on youtube about them and mod's / additions and articles on the web. Thanks for the video take care God bless.
We use "A LOT" of military gear. Thanks for "ALL" the videos you share with us. Take care & Happy Holidays. - Marco
Great video very interesting heading to Sportsman Guide website right now thanks looking forward to the videos to come from this subject
Thanks for watching Steve!
I have the Yugoslavia kit, the one you reviewed was missing the cutlery. It should come with a stainless nesting set of knife, fork and spoon. They slip down inside a pocket in the canvas bag for storage.
Hey Sootch, Thanks for the cool video. Since I live in NYC i can't have some of the cool guns like on your other channel, but I have found a lot of good information on this channel that I can apply without having much problems. Sometimes the simplest things/ideas are the most reliable in a situation. Thanks and keep the great videos coming.
Thanks for watching Brother! It's a shame that you guys have those restrictions but I'm glad I can help in different areas.
@@SensiblePrepperI have been a fan of your videos for several years now. Well rounded innovative offering ideas and multiple options the budget minded in addition practical survival skills in a humble non condescending way. Good portion of my survival bags are based on your videos.
Don't waste money on mess kits save your money and move!
I wondered about all the guns in the background too. I thought maybe he was expecting visitors. 😊
I carried the German one all through school as my lunch box and would highly recommend the German model the American comes open all the time accidentally and there goes your food
John Smith -I think it's great you found the German mess kit useful as a lunchbox. I have used an East German one for years when backpacking. I use the space inside to carry camp stove and fuel canister. It may be an old design, but it was very well thought out. It's great that you can cook stuff in the top cover and boil water in the large lower part at the same time.
Used it while serving. Old but still useful.
@@colmcorbec7031 Looks like a lot of extra storage in the German one, both in the middle "bowl" and under it.
Never thought of it that way
Quality: made in Germany
Thanks for the video Sootch, you know I love the channel. As always God bless you brother!
Used to cook with mine on camping trips and sometimes in the field before the days of flameless heaters in MREs.
I use my g.i. mess kit everyday. it came warped, but it works fine. in fact I have 2 of them. one's for a guest. I cook and eat out of pan....my dog eats out of the tray....wash and hang to dry, and she's ready to go again when ready. have a few pathfinder cooking pots/skillet. love them too. I liked a couple of these kits, I think I will add them to my dining experience.
I have a Polish mess kit and Polish canteen with cover, I bought a strap to put around the Polish mess kit, I have cooked in the mess kit and it worked well
I used dog collars to go around my East German mess kits.
Someone showed how they cooked ramen in USGI skillet, didn't look like it did right. I always use canteen cup for that.
CCT is great learning to use cup.
The Japanese mess kits were also called rice cookers. Several vids showing how to cook rice. They also use Trangia kits now.
I bought a couple of Yugoslav kits and love them. Planning to pick up a German/Polish one now...they look very useful. Thanks for the vid!
Thank you again for your video! Greetings from switzerland ;)
Thank you very much for your good work. Regards from Spain.
Theres only one thing missing here one of the most popular mess kits around. THE CZECH 3 PC. MESS KIT😎
ČSSR CZECHOSLOVAKEI
Yup 100% agree i have 4 of em
Wicked cool! You always have the best content!!!
Always great thanks for all the help
Thanks for these great videos, very entertaining and helpful! God bless brother🇺🇸
Thanks Matt! I appreciate you watching!
God Bless!
Love the backdrop for the video!
It does make a good back drop :) Thanks Joseph!
Are we related bc we have the same name lol
I use my old boy scout cook kit. It has a pot with lid nested with a plastic drinking cup inside the fry pan & plate. This was my backpacking kit throughout my youth along with 2 stainless steel army surplus canteens with cups. I still use them on occasion.
The Yugoslavian kit comes with cutlery set here. It is a great kit to have when you are out for a day.
I did not know you had this on SG... That is great!
I like the German one the most, than the USA one next. Thanks for showing theses Surplus mess kits Sootch00 an i hope you had a awesome Christmas Sir. Long live the republic my friend
Ahhh the wonderful "snuskburk" design. I have owned one of those since my military service in Sweden they look like the German version you have but oval shaped, we also used the regular old fashioned Trangia which is really great but a little bit bulkier in the backpack because of the shape, but it also have more cooking versatility/capacity than the snuskburk which is more of a one man stove.
I haven't even started watching the video yet I have to post a comment. I haven't thought about the sportsman guide and years they're still around definitely got to check them out and if they still send out catalogs I am so in
By the way I enjoy your broadcasts . I watch them with my great nephew. I've gotten to the age where I can't remember a lot of things that I'd like to teach him and your broadcasts help me juke my memory... now when I was over in Korea , most of the contingent of Colombian soldiers had this mess kit that was the cats tuxedo, it had 3 or 4 pieces plus utensils and a stove and it all was stacked up like a Dinner bucket from when I was a lad . I tried to trade all kinds of stuff for one and those fellas wouldn't trade it for anything I couid get my hands on . they saw what we were using and wouldn't have none of it .
I have a Romanian copy of the M31 that has slightly different strap attachments. Excellent kit, one of my favorite parts of cooking on the camp.
I've got a couple of mess kits. They're round and look like the USA kit. Thanks for your hard work
Worth mentioning the Yogoslavian comes with a nested spoon, knife and fork. And most places sell them full this way and I was surprised you didnt show them considering how they slide into a canvas pocket inside the pouch
My mess kit:
1) Knife
2) Canteen
3) Fire
4) Wife
Thanks for the video. Need all I can get to make it past New Years
Solid List :) Especially including the wife! lol! Thanks Brother!
Happy wife makes a happy prepper. Lol.
Thystaff Thywill she’s already smoking hot :D /well done lol
First thing after shtf I'm collecting up wives.
If thay wanted you to have a wife..... They would give you one!!!!
Thanks great video 'hope you and your family had a Merry Christmas '
Best piece of field cooking gear ever invented is the canteen cup.
Hahaha! Loved the canteen cup. I had an old white gas stove issued to me in the USMC. It fit into a two-part metal container. I would heat water in the lower part of the container along with a can of chow. When we transitioned to MREs, I would put one of them in the hot water. Oh, I would dual-purpose the water and use it for a hot shave in the field. While shaving would put the canteen cup on to warm water for a cup of Joe. Freshly shaved, I had a hot meal and a hot cup of coffee. BTW, I still have one of those stoves. Much heavier than modern white gas stoves, but I can't part with it. Will hand down to my son and grandson.
@@michaelrobbins3559 the m-1952 squad stove. Had one, loved it
@@mankokennewick5802 Yes! Thanks; I had forgotten the nomenclature.
The downside is the handles can become too hot to touch. The flame licks the lower portion of the metal handles. I often have to use a glove or damp hankerchief to handle the canteen cup. With my Coleman 533 stove, this is often an issue. The high output of the stove quickly heats up the handle.
Otherwise, its a good choice for lightweight hiking, as it nests well with my water canteen, plus a Trangia alcohol burner in a drilled out large tuna can to act as a windbreak & stand.
It doesn't matter what mess kit you get. If you don't wash them properly after each use you WILL get the G.I. Trots. That's why we had the 55 gal garbage cans filled with soapy water and clean water for rinsing and Water Immersion heaters in them to keep them boiling.
I remember it well. Yet we still had knuckleheads that were too lazy or too stupid to clean up their kits.
This is one BIG plus that came to mind with the Serbian kit which sold me on it, having its own canteen which would be used for cooking then cleaning.
That's, what depends are for
I have some old Boy Scouts canteens and mess kits. I also have 2 old Boy Scouts backpacks. Those are pretty cool.
I had the silver mess kkit in the boy scouts. I used it many years. It had everything you needed
I carry a plastic canteen now and easy to clean with a few drops of bleach, or baking soda and water. Much lighter and quiet.
I just found an unused Polish one in my basement. It's stamped 1988 but apart from the dust could be straight out of the factory.
I have a Swedish kit complete with alcohol stove and the pot stand/wind shield. I use it for two person cooking. I love the Yugo kits because of the price I can leave them places like vehicle, office, home. I usually leave out the canteen and small cup and pack the inside with a stove and other gear. The shape packs well too. My PSK is packed into the Nesting cup from a Swiss canteen/bottle.
Great video! "This just trips my trigger." LOL!! 🤣
The German one has been on my list for a while and I got the SG page saved on computer and they have some great prices.
Great review! I'm the same way, I love the surplus military stuff, doesn't matter which country. I think it's all pretty cool.
Mess kits are good for light duty cooking. I carried and used one for a long time for camping :)
I found the flat silver one at a goodwill. That what my husband used in the 80s and 90s.
Lol my dad told me Korean military ones are so old that they are discolored and dented! They cook rice with the old canteen cup and metal lid but they work really well.
I own a Yugo kit love it you're missing the silverware it comes with a fork, knife with can opener and a spoon.
Good stuff. I prefer to use surplus gear. Thanks for sharing, keep up the good work!
Great stuff Sootch! I too collect vintage militaria, especially WW II. By the way, got a "Long Live The Republic" t- shirt for Christmas!!!
#nationaldivorce
the republic is in its last days
Thanks for sharing and the code !
I picked up a Polish mess kit from Fleet Farm for $10 or $15 before they stopped selling military surplus. Some stains, probably from storage or (ew) old food, but nothing that some steel wool couldn't handle. It's easily one of my favorite pieces of camping and Scouting gear... but then again, I say that about a lot of surplus. Heh.
Now if only I could use the Sootch code at the actual SG outlet store...
I've seen lots of. army surplus but none like what you have . i always enjoy your videos
Thanks Tex! I appreciate you watching.
I like the Serb kit I sent a few home to friends when I was deployed. Brings back memories. .
The US kit was never meant to be a field cooking kit. It's meant to be used as a portable tray for eating at a field mess. It performs poorly for cooking in the field. The other kits shown were actually meant for field cooking.
The YU kit too...
I cooked with the American Kit . I fed the unit assigned with many hot meals. F%ck You
My name Mike Easterday
Wintersburg Outback - settle down, Beavis.
True to a certain extent. I have owned several of them. I used the so call pan for frying. While it can be done, the hot fire distorts and discolors the metal.
Awesome Serbian mess kit! Just blew the competitions away! Very ingenious. Hope I can get one. Thank you once more for doing a really great job out of the army's mess!
I brought several of the Serbian/Yugoslavian mess kits and they have always came with heavy duty lock together KFS and the knife has the built in can opener
Like the Yugo also, but not crazy bout plastic. Great review
The Italian kit is my favorite one. It gives three good cooking pots / frying pans and since nothing goes in it the store I can keep all sorts of goodies inside the pot. Plus the two cups are shallow enough I can use them as frying pans.
The Italian kit must make some good pasta.
I'm amazed it didn't come with a colander.
Outdoor SurThrival they all come pre-seasoned with olive oil, garlic, and Parmesan cheese.
That's Rascst!
If you are serious, your racist. If your not then thanks for the reply. Besides mess kits are not a race. :)
@@mattm5001 my wife is Italian... and your not racist
Thank you!
I always trust the M31 German messkit.Greetings from Belgium💪👍
I've got a Swedish mess kit. It's got the main cooking pot, the lid which can be used as a plate or a fry pan or a cup, a windshield, a spirit stove, and a container to carry more fuel for the stove. I like it.
That's cool. Ya should check out the british or canadian mess tin. Good for cooking fresh rations . Mess service food . Foor from ration packs . Boiling and purifying watter. Storing survival kits inside .
Very good. Thank you very much
To save room in your back pack you can store food and utensils inside the mess kit. The small loop on the Polish kit is to fasten a stick handle.
nice video. i like that you are doing surplus items
I love that WW2 kit. It is lightweight and I use it to carry spices, a rag, plastic spork, and a spare mini bic. That and my Stanly cook pot nestled into a Walmart stainless 18 oz cup is all anyone would need imo. My cook pot also carries my MSR canister, my pocket rocket, extra tea, and another mini bic.
great video - you did forget one point about the american mess kit - the groove down the center of the lid is actually made to fit over the handle and the loop locks into the handle to create a complete trey - similar to the German kit - i have both - they are both excellent
Ok looked through a few of the responses, and didnt noticed if any mentioned that the German and Polish are made to invert the lid "cup" back onto the base to act as a warmer for the liquids that you might be drinking.
Also having had 1 each of the US & German when I used to horse back ride cross country they make for excellent storage for dry tinder and fire supplies.
Thx for the reviews.
And Happy New Year's to yall and my the Lord of Peace keep yall safe in health this year.
Great video thank you
In the NZ Army I used two US Cups Canteen one for drinking one for cooking/shaving lol in Support Company most of us used small fry pans with folding handles
I had my US surplus mess kit for decades but sold it.
For me, weight is a huge consideration so when I load up my "bug out bag" I am very mindful of each and every item that I place in it.
I've learned that you can substitute many good quality useful items for ones that are heavy.
In the old days, I took my surplus medium ALICE pack and loaded it up to the gills with everything but the kitchen sink, then I tried to put the pack on and couldn't even lift it off the ground! lol
That made me realise that if sh*t did ht the fan, I'd be leaving the fan and other things home.
I was in the service and we routinely did a duffel bag layout with all our GI issue gear.
I used this concept when selecting every "EDC" and "BOB" item.
I didn't realize it but I've been a prepper since after I got out of the service in 1979.
I now have bags set up with good quality, useful gear that can serve many purposes and are affordable, well made and light.
I've had to rethink every aspect but use the "mothership" concept.
Basically, whatever doesn't fit in my "BOB" or "EDC" goes into a few large plastic storage tubs I keep in the garage to use as a replenishing "mothership" for all my bags.
Whether you subscribe to a BOB, EDC, get home bag, urban carry bag or any other utilitarian conveyance, you can easily replenish it from the mothership.
Early on, I've always asked myself "How much stuff do I really need?"
Theer is no shortage of books on the market and articles on the internet that addresses this.
It comes down to affordability, common sense, practicality, usefulness and weight.
I was in the Navy Seabees so we didn't have to carry hundreds of pounds of gear on our backs.
We did have military training and were expected to use weapons, gear and learned tactics in addition to our "day jobs".
We had to stay fit too to pass our "evals" and had "mount out" exercises and many opportunities to carry fully loaded ALICE packs as well.
I didn't mean to go on a tangen but "weight" was what I wanted to mention. lol
There were also stainless steel versions from polish mess kits. The aluminium one's cost about 3 dollars a piece in Poland.
Also, titanium , versions. For rookies.
I have the Serbian kit , it also has the fork spoon and knife that had a can opener. I have 2 of them and use them hunting they are great.
Well i tied a stick to the back of that gi mess kit and used it as a paddle worked pretty good.
Glad you had one then.
As a danish veteran I have used some of the American kit.
In the beginning we had a lot of hand me down equipment from the US and westgermany.
The US kit was good. I havent tried anything else to be honest.
Just one thing. It’s noisy as hell. So be carefull not banging it together.
I think that goes for all the kits
But just have that in the back of your head.
You can cook and boil food and water, over embers or a firehole, but a clanck from two pots banging together, can be heard for miles at night.
A really good video mate 😊🇩🇰
The USGI is stailess with a coating for a an anti-glare and the lid slides over the handle and locks in so both lid and pan can be carried with one hand across the chow line.
Spent time with US FS and I never used a US mess kit. I carried two canteen cups and a 'Stanley' nesting camp set I modified. It was stainless about 7" tall and 4" round. I threw out the plastic cups and kept the inner cup. The top was drinking cup size. I kept coffee and salt and pepper in side it. We mainly carried minute rice or noodles and the meat components from MREs. It's impossible to carry 30 days of MREs.
Once on a sub I was told that food was what limited their underwater mission time. I told them we were under the same constraint.
I had a team mate who carried a South American mess kit that was pretty awesome. Can't remember which country. Most countries us US or European equipment.
Good vid!
I'm from Serbia and my father had one like you showed when he was in the military
I know the American kit what is designed to go through Chow lines primarily. But of course you can cook and people do Cook out of them all of the time. I have a couple of them. And they are always fun to use.
In the 1980s german Bundeswehr we stowed the mess kit, clip-together cutlery and esbit cooker in the "kleine Kampftasche" (basically the modern breadbag) that went on the "load carry belt and suspender" ( Koppel mit Koppeltragehilfe)
The Swedish Army mess kit is still considered to best kit to get because it's thicker and stronger than all the others. The typical kit sells for over $100 used but ironically was going for $10 unissued about 8 years ago. The main advantage with the Swedish Army kit is the versatility and the completeness for independent field use without the need for other tools.
I was just going to write something similar. The Swedish kits are the best for sure. I´m lucky enough to have both the steel (basically a unicorn these days) and aluminum versions, including trangia stove, heatshield/base and the fuel bottle.
@@sgthl Get a pot lifter to pick up heat shield and pot if handles accidentally get heated and a small set of utensils and you now have a full kitchen in the field.
Good stuff buddy. Thumb's up video!~John
The american mess kit also came with knife, fork and spoon. Wasn't really used to cook in, as one other said it was used in the chow line to get your food.
US MESS KIT was never designed to be feild carried. Its for the mess-hall. The handle side slides into the plate side to form a mass hall tray. Mess utensels are designed to slide over handle aswell to dip clean the whole unit on wash drums.
I have plenty of those US military kit, when our supply NCO were getting rid of them. Those comes with matching fork and spoon.
I've used a German kit since about 1979. A Swedish one more recently. It has rings on the extended handle for inserting a longer stick, perhaps a bayonet. I keep a mini-stove, can of fuel, coffee, jerky, soup, whatever I can get in there. Got em in my truck, ATV, dirt bike, day pack, camel back...
I looked for any demonstration videos you mentioned making but found none? Great video. Searched for "sootch" and "sensible prepper" as you suggested on SG but no hits... ATB - Luther