New ax for my third line

I have tested two different ax models the first with 37cm (14,5 inches) the second with 50cm (19,6 inches).

Both are from the company hultafors. (The classic line).

I like both of them but the long version is much easier to handle for my stuff.
But also a little bit heavier.

Maybe I will keep both but my main ax will be the 50 cm version.

Testing out cheap camo net

Ghillie Suits

Just some old school ,,garden tactical''  ghillie suit variations I' ve build in the last years

Left synthetic right jute/burlap ghillie veil

 Complete suit jacket, trousers, hat

This one is a full synthetic. Its much lighter than regular burlap.

Full ghillie suit bdu top and bottom

Pics

Testing new sleep options here you see an improvised bucktent.

The camp was hidden quite well.
You always should use the shadows for your advantage.

Smock Kit

This is my smock kit.

From left to right:

-first aid kit
-wool socks, underpants
-wool gloves, beanie cap
-pioneer kit with stuff like wire, lighters, swiss army knife, water purification tablets, filter, vaselin cotton balls, trashbag, etc, etc

Chest pockets
-camo scarf
-compass
-right in the rain

-Uk goretex jacket
-mtp poncho with 550 cord and expander

Right now i am testing new mess kit options

Esbit alcohol trekking cook set stainless steel (cs985)
Trangia 27 non stick ha the trangia set ive modified with an titanium pot instaed of two ha aluminium non stick pots.

The titanium one gives me the ability to cook on open fire. (Better than alu)

The esbit stainless steel set isn't my main cookset it's more a lightweight option for short trips.

Teaser gear update for next tour firs, 2nd line 3rd line bravo will follow soon

Improving old ghillie veil with new dyed burlap

Military history

German dessert camouflage / Tropentarn / Wüstentarn

Right now I am testing german dessert camouflage which is also used in Afghanistan. Here in a late fall/ winter environment.
I really like the high contrasts in this sheme.

Winter Multicam + German overwhites

As you might know I already wrote some words about the MC pattern when and why I choose it.

I spoke about the usage in a winter environment and that I mix and match it with german snowcamo.

In the following pictures I will show you how it works in different spots.

Just the MC pattern... it is quite noticeable that even the small white spots offer a little bit concealment in this snow environment. For me this fact is the reason I choose it as my main winter camo setup out of my 4 patterns.

Here in combination with an overwhite trouser (german snow camo, old version)

I like this setup because my smock pockets are still easy to operate with.

The following 2 pictures show that a mix out of overwhites and "normal" patterns are often a better choice than pure overwhites easpecially while you on the move.

Note that the ground is covered with snow ---> Trousers with snow pattern.

The treeline is instead very barely ---> Jacket normal camo

The next picture offers a funny fact about the coyote brown I choose for my backpacks.

Can you spot the 130 litre pack? 

But for op's or low ground movement complete overwhites are often the better choice.

Autumn flecktarn

Just some new pics from a 3 hour orientation exercise

Smock Kit/ first line stuff

Here are some pictures from the stuff i use to have in my smock.
Unfortunately these are a little bit dark caused to the lightning conditions.

This is a baseline of the stuff I use. I always try to keep the front pockets relative empty and/ or only soft equipment in it. Crawling is much easier... Another advantage is that I have flexible space to put something specific in my first line when I need to.

Berghaus paclite goretex jacket, Helikon poncho mtp, expander, 120l trashbag, us woolgloves, flaslight, basic ration, construction stuff like 550 cord, tape, wire, etc.  sawyer mini, platypus style bottle, medic stuff like emergency blanket

Boonie hat, fleece cap, neck scarf, mosquito net, medic stuff

and... lighters lighters lighters almost everywhere

From the inside of the jacket I removed some fabric to make the whole thing lighter.

The camo pattern is an improved pencott badlands sheme. It's my pattern for fall environment.