Ray Mears & Hammocks

**c0wb0y_hubs** · 05-02-2013, 18:00

I know that people have discussed this amazing bushcraftsmen before, but I thought I would share a series that I came across. I realize that each episode is almost and hour long, but they're quite interesting. (I just said "quite", which proves I've probably watched a little too much of Ray for the day)

There's a hammock made of bark in the first link.

In the second video around the 7:00 minute mark he briefly demonstrates his setup, and around the 14:00 minute mark he talks about the tear down for several minutes.

ENJOY!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9I2fISwZHeI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wT3fGpAQU9w

**FBG** · 05-02-2013, 18:22

I want his tarp. End of story.

**zukiguy** · 05-02-2013, 18:40

Ray Mears videos are great. I put him way above Les Stroud and way, way, way above everybody's favorite Bear Grylls.

His hammock setup costs a small fortune and it doesn't look to be available on his website any longer. The tarp and bugnet looked good but I wasn't a fan of his hammock (looked a bit short). He loves big cord that's kind of overkill too.

He carries a lot of knowledge in his head rather than gear on his back. I like the idea but I don't have the skills to pull that one off.

**OldRagFreeze** · 05-02-2013, 19:16

I'm on a Ray Mears binge lately and you're not helping.

**craige** · 05-02-2013, 20:26

Originally Posted by FBG

I want his tarp. End of story.

You sure? 2.7m x 1.75m £105 ($160)
http://www.raymears.com/Bushcraft_Pr...chie-Flysheet/

I do enjoy his shows though, anyone seen the one with Ewan McGregor? that has hammocky stuff as well.

**FBG** · 05-02-2013, 20:33

Originally Posted by zukiguy

Ray Mears videos are great. I put him way above Les Stroud and way, way, way above everybody's favorite Bear Grylls.

I just recently watched a lot of Les Stroud's programs and before that Ray Mears'. (I'm still trying to fight my way through the first episode of Grylls) There were two show topics that really caught my eye. Even though the shows covered nearly identical skill sets, there were very noticeable differences in the shows mostly due to the time span between when Ray shot his program and Les his.

In Africa both followed the San Tribe. Ray's footage shows mostly people in their traditional clothing, fully embracing the hunt, and all it entails, as a means to survive and keep the family fed. The tribe, as a whole, used bushcraft in their daily lives. By the time Les starts shooting his program the people are mostly clothed in modern t-shirts and shorts and hunting is no longer the primary source of food for the tribe. So little emphasis is placed on hunting that the young men of the tribe don't bother learning the skills needed to carry out a successful hunt. At first glance it's evident that these people have become heavily reliant on modern "conveniences".

In Alaska, both spent time with the Inuit peoples and the shows are very similar, but Les doesn't show any footage on how to build an igloo. At first I don't think anything of this as Les does have video on how to dig out a snow shelter and I figure they went with this because it's easier. Later Les explains (perhaps in the DVD extras?) that he wanted to show how igloos were made, but he was unable to find anyone that still practiced this survival skill. Whereas Ray has video from start to finish on an igloo build and even goes into some of the details needed to successfully build one.

It's really kind of shocking how quickly bushcraft skills are tossed aside and forgotten when modernization comes into play.

**FBG** · 05-02-2013, 20:38

Originally Posted by craige

You sure? 2.7m x 1.75m £105 ($160)
http://www.raymears.com/Bushcraft_Pr...chie-Flysheet/

I do enjoy his shows though, anyone seen the one with Ewan McGregor? that has hammocky stuff as well.

I said I want it, never said I wanted to pay for it. :P It weighs about the same as what I just bought, even though the measurements are smaller.

**Catavarie** · 05-02-2013, 20:43

FBG, it is also apparent when Ray goes to the Amazon and asks the locals how they make a fire with traditional methods and when they fail they say that is is a skill they don't use since they now have lighters. Then Ray shows them how he does a hand drill (the method they were attempting) and gets a flame, then they "relearn" the skill from him and the next day they are successfully spinning sticks on boards to make fire.