|
||||||
  |
 A parang handle making project This is a small parang ‘gift’ project for a friend. I will have to make the wooden handle for it, as well as a sheath. The blade was purchased from the Bidor parang maker some time back. A standard blade sold everywhere. I decided to do this project for two reasons. As a gift and more so as a ‘practice’ at making handles for parang. Continue reading Putting in a wooden handle for a friend’s parang  Personally, hammock is the best jungle shelter One of the best ways to camp in the jungle is by using a hammock with a tarp over. The hammock keeps you off the ground, away from the wetness of the rain and creepy crawlies. Personally, it is by far the single type of shelter that is practical and jungle friendly.  I guess the Parang makers have gone upscale in terms of operations I have always heard about the Bidor Parang. One local jungle survival instructor I know swears by the Parangs from Bidor. So, on an early morning drive back to Kuala Lumpur from Kedah, I decided to take a detour off the main highway, in search of the Bidor Parang maker.  The Parang which is a gift to me from Apai74 This is a beautiful Sarawak Parang blade I received from my friend Apai74. Apai74 or James is no stranger in knife forums like BritishBlades and MKF. I got in touch with him some time back through a mutual friend and a few months ago, James’ package of ‘Parang’ arrived at my office. Oh…what a beauty.  The parang blade I got from Johor My jungle Parang is probably the second most important thing I carry whenever I head into the jungle (besides my Mora fixed blade). I recently bought a Parang blade from a maker in the southern state of Johor. I immediately fell for the blade because of its shape. It reminded me of the Parang Ray Mears used in his book ‘Bushcraft’. Though I doubt the quality of the blade, I decided that it would be a good piece to try my hands on putting a handle in. Continue reading Putting a wooden handle for my jungle parang blade  Which backpack to choose for Malaysia jungle? How do you choose a jungle backpack for use in Malaysia? This is one question I get very often from friends. An important and valid question considering the amount of investment that’s going into this piece of outdoor gear. More often than not, people purchase packs based on brands, fanciful designs and whatever’s current. It is also common that people choose a particular pack because of the ‘prestige’ feeling that comes with the brand. I know this because I am one of them …well, at least I used to be. Continue reading Choosing a jungle backpack for use in Malaysia One can find many types of camping stoves sold in Malaysia. From the ancient kerosene wick stoves to high tech (and VERY pricey) MSR stoves, finding a portable stove really is not difficult. It is a piece of outdoor gear one can get quite easily in Malaysia.  The Wild L7 camping stove uses easily available butane gas canisters I probably have a piece of every type of camping stove available in Malaysia. From simple DIY methylated spirit stoves to multi fuels. I don’t know why I have this fascination with stoves but probably because there is a small voice in me that is very concerned about how food is cooked in the bush. Food after all is a BIG thing for me. Continue reading Camping stove in Malaysia; the WILD L7 portable stove
Adidas kampung- shoes for the tropical jungle
The Adidas kampung is a popular shoe when it comes to choosing the right shoe for tropical jungle of Malaysia. This cheap yet practical piece of footwear has decorated the feet of Malaysians for generations, especially among rubber tapers and estate workers for as long as the independent of Malaysia perhaps. Its light, fully water resistant and simple design makes it even more attractive among those venturing into a jungle that is constantly wet and humid. Continue reading Adidas kampung; the ultimate tropical jungle shoe  The pair of jungle boots I use for longer and tougher treks. This is my jungle boots, another one of my gear for tropical rainforest Malaysia. I have tried many types of shoes but have found only two types that are suitable for the Malaysian rainforest jungle and terrain. For easy to medium type of terrain in the Malaysian jungle, you would have got to go with the Adidas Kampung (that’s another story though). But if you are going into the jungle for longer period of time, then the jungle boots may be your best option. Here I have a pair of boots which I believe to be from the Vietnam War era. I got this from a surplus shoe vendor in K.L. He got it bulk from the States and I believe this particular model has been superseded with newer (and better perhaps) models. Anyway, for less than RM100, I can’t complain. The boots are almost brand new and were in perfect condition. My pair of jungle boots is size 11.5 and it has a marking ‘RO-SEARCH’ (I have not a clue what this means) engraved on the soles. What goes well with this pair of jungle boots is a pair of leech socks to keep em blood suckers out. I have recently added the leech socks into my tropical rainforest gear kit. After years of sharing my blood with the jungle leeches, I suddenly come to realize that all the blood that I lost plus the itch scratching that I have endured is simply plain unnecessary. Or perhaps I have grown beyond the years of being ‘gung-ho’ and have become more of a ‘softie’ person…favoring to avoid the scaring bits and possibilities of infections. The leech socks are actually not all that technical or special actually. The one that I have is made of plain beige colored cotton with a drawstring at the top. I have used it on several occasions and have found them to be quite effective. The only down side of it is that it tends to slip down as the drawstring sometimes comes undone. This can be easily rectified I suppose, using a bungee cord or stretch band instead of a string. Below is my leech socks.
Leech socks There are better looking leech socks for sale definitely. Some are made of polyester material with already sewn in elastic calf bands. These will of course cost more but if you are heading into the bush often, they are perhaps the better choice. Mine costs me only RM15 when I bought it last year in Endau Rompin. Yes, they are so simple that I reckon anyone can make a set themselves as long as they have a sewing machine. All you need is to actually find a suitable material that is comfortable to wear with your shoes and the weaving of the material is tight enough to keep the leeches out. Add a drawstring or better still an elastic band and you are all set. SEE also other entries on outdoor gear by clicking on the following links: |
|||||
|
Copyright © 2010 - All Rights Reserved |
||||||
