Scrounge List: Sleeping Bag in a Spam Can

I came across this and had to share. I probably won't find one at a garage sale up here, but it's definitely on my "scrounge list."

http://www.popularmechanics.com/military/a14532075/air-force-sleeping-bag-in-a-can/

There's a goo-tube link on the web page. The dude that posted this actually opened the can! Interesting, but I would have been inclined to keep it as an artifact. How many of these, unopened, can there be left?

BTW, out of curiosity, what's on your "scrounge list?"

This stirs memories from the 50's. Gerry Mountaineering, at the time a cutting edge innovator in climbing technology, had a blurb in his catalog about producing bags for DOD that were sealed in 'Spam cans," much like the one depicted. I believe he was providing his standard down mummy bag, which was definitely not the GI mummy bag, but a much warmer, lighter, and more compact model -the absolute best at the time.

I know. As a college student, I slept many nights in my mil surp mummy bag, filled with down and light feathers. It was decent, and warm enough, but a tad on the heavy side.

After a stint in the Army as a draftee, I purchased a Gerry bag, and used it for the next twenty years. A marvelous item, it kept me warm down to -30F on several occasions, weighing all of three pounds. It was eventually stolen,or I might still be using it today....

Wiggy Bag, vacuum packed.

https://www.wiggys.com/sleeping-bags/sleeping-bag-accessories/vacuum-packaging/

Top of my scrounge list is a WW1 - WW2 era, complete Kukri knife set. I had the complete set, including original leather wrapped sheath. Unfortunately, over years, I lost the sheath and accompanying small knives and only have the big Kukri left - which is not in the best shape.

These era specific and original knife sets, command a good sum of money. However like many things, the forgery market rules and without first seeing in person, makes it hard to identify the real from the modern knock-offs.

Former members of the Gurkhas do still make them by hand in Nepal. They do have some nice ones for sale, but they are new, not WW1 or 2.

Kukhri House Thamel

No affiliation

I do have a couple of Wiggy bags, and they are warm and durable. Not the lightest and don't pack the smallest, but they are good.

Wiggy's bags are awesome and I'm sure their vacuum sealing is great, but c'mon- a SPAM can! How cool is that?

Yes, I know about those. There are some very nice knives on that website, however I still would like an era specific knife - if only for sentimental reasons.

I totally understand.

I did get one of their knives a few years ago, and the shipping cost more than the knife did! It is nice though.

I wrote to the ghurka regiment in the 70s and they sold me an issue kukri for a modest price. Less than 10 pounds I think.
qjs