Size of wool blankets

Posted by: Frankie

Size of wool blankets - 06/04/09 02:40 PM

I wanted to buy some Mac Ausland's wool blankets for a while now and was thinking, since I'm on my own, I could save some money and buy the less expensive twin size. But after leafing through an old Boy Scout manual, I came to realize that I should get the Queen size:

Posted by: CANOEDOGS

Re: Size of wool blankets - 06/04/09 02:48 PM

when it come to blankets i would get the best and biggest.
a Hudson Bay four point maybe??--
Posted by: Frankie

Re: Size of wool blankets - 06/04/09 03:00 PM

The Hudson Bay blanket is very thick and heavy. I was thinking two Mac Ausland blankets instead and layer when needed... What do you think? I'll think it over.
Posted by: MDinana

Re: Size of wool blankets - 06/04/09 03:08 PM

Sacre bleu! Eet eez, hou doo yoo say... een French! (You have to pretend I'm Maurice Chevalier)

What is that? A boy scout crepe? Lol...

OK, enough ethno-centric jokes (though my grandmother is French-Canadian...). Isn't a regular poncho liner about "double" size? I find that I can fold that over myself and be covered, though I tend to kick it off me. A Queen might be nice, but too heavy? Plus, would you want your insulation under you, where that cold ground is, or over you? I suppose it depends on your choice of sleeping environments for the blanket.

Out of curiousity, who came over and tied that kids feet, since he's already rolled up?
Posted by: Chris Kavanaugh

Re: Size of wool blankets - 06/04/09 03:48 PM

Buy the queen. When you meet your's there will be enough blanket.

Pre sleeping bag bedrolls were not the skinny bits of canvas flopping behind a cowboy saddle, but sometimes huge affairs of quilts,blankets and canvas requiring an entire wagon or second pack animal.

Wool is one insulator that doesn't lose it's loft between you and the ground. That illustration shows a method that works.

Sleep is probably the most ignored aspect of survival except
by Mors Kochanski. A warm fire, water and food mean nothing if you exaust your body clock. This ultralight business means nothing if you're lying down and need another pound of insulation.

If a queen sized blanket or sleeping bag wieghs to much, just go to a blacksmith and cut 6" off of that sword everybody buys first.
Posted by: KenK

Re: Size of wool blankets - 06/04/09 05:37 PM

Originally Posted By: Chris Kavanaugh
If a queen sized blanket or sleeping bag wieghs to much, just go to a blacksmith and cut 6" off of that sword everybody buys first.


That was REALLY funny ... and oh too true.

Men seem to judge quality not only by the length of their swords, but also the thickness. So many folks seem to take pleasure in absurdly thick stock.

Um, we are talking about knives here ... right?

Back to topic ... what is your take on the lower cost loom woven wool blankets that some "surplus" dealers sell? Like these:

http://www.vtarmynavy.com/wool_blankets.htm
Posted by: Henry_Porter

Re: Size of wool blankets - 06/04/09 05:53 PM

Mmmm...exactly how to fold a burrito.

http://mexicanfood.about.com/od/techniques/ss/burritofold.htm

Careful when camping in El Chupacabra territory!
Posted by: Chris Kavanaugh

Re: Size of wool blankets - 06/04/09 06:27 PM

Surplus blankets come with the same caveat as all surplus. If it isn't unissued or stated used excellent pass.
Anything that has a high nylon count more than 10% is compromising warmth. many of these blankets will have inferior or even recycled wool. As long as you're going to buy one might as well get virgin 100% if affordable.
Posted by: clearwater

Re: Size of wool blankets - 06/04/09 08:35 PM

What is the right size for a match coat?
Posted by: Lono

Re: Size of wool blankets - 06/04/09 09:02 PM

Think about this Frankie - if you're going to wrap an injured person in a wool blanket you're either close to help or not far from the trailhead - who carries a wool blanket on any hike of any distance anymore? I carry a cheap $12 wool blanket in the back of my car for picnics, and wrapping up bloody injured people after accidents. They get to keep the blanket if I use it on them.

For wrapping an injured person far from the trailhead use their sleeping bag; for recovery from hypothermia, put one sleeping bag inside another sleeping bag. With zippers you still have better access to potential injuries than wrapped up in a blanket.
Posted by: Chris Kavanaugh

Re: Size of wool blankets - 06/04/09 09:19 PM

Clearwater, If you mean the blanket secured by a simple belt in earlier centuries a full should be enough.
Posted by: CANOEDOGS

Re: Size of wool blankets - 06/04/09 11:01 PM

when i think "Canada-blankets" i always think about trappers at 40 below-but i've been north into the canoe country i also know it can be really hot-not just warm but hot..the two blanket idea would be a better idea for year round use as it can get cold and nasty in the summer a week after it so hot you can't walk the carrys-
Posted by: Chris Kavanaugh

Re: Size of wool blankets - 06/05/09 03:12 AM

Of course any reader of PEANUTS knows Linus can do more with a blanket than all the survival gurus and their signature knives put together whistle
Posted by: trailtoa

Re: Size of wool blankets - 06/06/09 06:43 PM

What is the biggest bang for my buck for a couple wool blankets to throw in the car for emergencies? I am assuming a surplus blanket for this, but all the surplus blankets I have looked at smell bad.

What is my biggest bang for the buck for a wool blanket to sleep in overnight in the woods. I would be expecting temps between 45 to 55 degrees?

Posted by: Lono

Re: Size of wool blankets - 06/06/09 08:18 PM

I don't know about bang:buck, but the blankets for car/emergencies at Emergency Essentials are $14 ea plus min shipping, and don't smell.
http://beprepared.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_CW%20B100_A_name_E_Wool%20Blend%20Blanket
Posted by: MDinana

Re: Size of wool blankets - 06/06/09 09:28 PM

www.majorsurplus.com

There's been some caveat emptor warnings on the main ETS site about these folks. They had a 5-pack of wool blankets a few years ago for $50 or so. I have 2 in my car, 1 in the girlfriend's (she has another already) and 2 in my BOB.

yeah, they smell. Some folks swear by fluffing them in the dryer with multiple dryer sheets. I just hung them outside for a few days.