Do any readers know of an alternate source for the small rectangular mess tins offered by SAS in Europe? I have emailed them several times with no answer.<br><br>Thanks<br>Ted Fisher (whitehawk)<br><br>

check out http://www.sportsmansguide.com/ item number CX1M-49698 2 sets of used french mil. mess kits. Each kit has a 1 3/4 x 6 1/2 x 4 3/4 -&- 5 x 6 x 4 1/2 -&- 2 x 6 x 4 1/2 pan (2 of the pans have handles) all nest together for a 7 x 5 1/2 x 3 unit. for $9.97 -2- pack.<br><br>"Stay Frosty"

Thanks much I will check them out.<br><br>Ted Fisher (whitehawk)<br><br>

Hey there again I just found a photo of them go to <br>http://www.sportsmansguide.com/<br>then mid way down on the right and look for<br>March - Gov't. surplus new (a red button) click on that and then go to the bottom of the page, and go to page 29 or so. <br><br>"Stay Frosty"

I see that you were pointed to a source of British (or French or Dutch) mess tins. They can be had from several other sources here and in the UK, but besides the old British nesting mess tins, there are some similar items you might be interested in. There are some aluminum tins from Trangia, in Sweden, (www.trangia.se) that are available from Europe (www.cotswold.co.uk, etc., and esp. from www.globetrotter.de), and some from Markill (available at www.vaude.de).<br><br>

Do you know of any United States sources for trangia?<br><br>Thanks, this is what I am looking for.<br><br>

No; I think even the mess tins with handles were not available here. REI/MSR were the distributors, I think, but the availability of almost any Trangia item has been sketchy the past couple of years. I had trouble finding a teakettle in that time, and finally located a source, Wilderness Furnishings, just outside of Houston, where I live. I spoke with the owner a bit about Trangia stuff, and he seemed to be knowledgable about the distribution. He indicated it was hard to get stuff. I'll check with him when I get a chance. I am about to order some tins, Markill and Trangia both, for my own needs - Trangia from Globetrotter and Markill from Vaude, plus a couple of other items. The price of the Trangias are 4.52 for the small and 9.07 for the large, just converting the price in Deutschmarks to dollars. Customs can be a crapshoot, as is shipping and handling. I'll let you know how painful it is to get them this way. Sometimes it is great; I've gotten stuff from the UK in a week and paid very little shipping, relatively speaking, and no duty, and other times, I've gotten soaked.<br><br>

I carry a U.S. Army (with canteen cups) & West German Army Messkits (complete with stove and fuel). These cover everything! I also carry a "Hobo" knife!! Does anybody know what a "Hobo" knife is?

One thing to keep in mind with rectanglar mess kits is that it is very hard to clean them. "Stuff" gets into those little corners, and is a real bear to get out, 'specially if you cooked in the thing...

I have a Case XX Hobo knife with green jigged handle. I love it!