Military Surplus Mess Kit Comparison

Military Surplus Mess Kit Comparison from Different Countries including the German, Polish, Italian, Serbian and U.S. Military. Thanks to Sportsman's Guide for Supplying these Mess Kits. #MEsskits #Surplus #Militarysurplus

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[johnbgrayiv]

This brings back many memories. While in Vietnam, in 1968 at Vandergrift Combat Base, we used the US mess kit. What I loved about this kit, when you finished chow, we attached the “tray” by the hook, onto the handle. We then dipped the entire kit into boiling water a couple times & then put it back into our haversack for our next meal. The canteen cup was fantastic for coffee and shaving. The USMC used all our gear for several purposes.

[billmcyrus]

I just grabbed 5 of the Serbian ones for my family to use while hiking and camping. What an awesome piece of gear! It immediately impressed me having the designated canteen for cooking and cleaning set aside within it. Too often it's hard to budget water effectively when packing it. I wish I'd had one of these about 30 years ago when I was in the Scouts!

[jefferysullivan]

Beware the cook kit rabbit hole! I was recently told that I have become a collector of these things. In my defense, they are all cleaned up, set up and ready to use! LOVE the Sportsman's Guide

[hettro-cv]

My whole life camping as a Boy Scout using aluminum cooking kits with aluminum canteen with no problems. Great info Sootch!!

[ericwhitlow]

Great video. The only local surplus store we had went out of business after over 30 years of business. Was a sad day indeed.

[rickbourne]

I remember the US surplus stuff we used in the late 1970s when I was in the Boy Scouts.

[terrancewilhite]

I carried the US kit in Vietnam, if you try to cook with it the bottom will burn out in minutes. It is for holding food only, not cooking it.

[wolfman]

I use the swedish mess kit for everything from camping, emergency car kit to my families BOB's. Not the lightest or the cheapest but they are designed to cook food in adverse conditions, not just reheat rations. Plenty of videos on youtube about them and mod's / additions and articles on the web. Thanks for the video take care God bless.

[ShinobiHOG]

"An army marches on its - Napoleon

[stevendeatley]

i never cooked in my mess kit while I was in the field, but I often used my canteen cup for making Ramen noodles in .

[DannyWalker]

Thank's Sootch for the video on these awesome older and newer mess kit's. I do need one more kit for us to be able to have 1 for each one of us. I'll go there and check out all their stuff👍🏼

[KaylynnStrain]

I have a Polish mess kit and Polish canteen with cover, I bought a strap to put around the Polish mess kit, I have cooked in the mess kit and it worked well

[franklabollita]

The US mess kit was used to serve Class A food (hot cooked meals) in the field. The mess truck, one in each infantry company would come out in the field and set up a line serving the food from Thermal containers. They could actually cook on the spot on field stoves, but that was rare. You would tuck the handle of the old style cup in your video in your waist line and get your hot coffee. The other two parts were joined together by laying the two part compartment over the handle and held it with one hand. You would then find somewhere to sit or simply stand and eat your food. After that you would dump any food waste in a trash can and proceed to a line of three clean trash cans that had immersion heaters in to make hot water ( to kill germs). The first had GI soap and a brush. The entire cup, mess kit and knife fork and spoon fit on the long handle and they are dipped into can 1 and scrubbed. Can 2 and 3 are used to remove the soap and last you swing the the entire kit in the air to air dry, which usually does not take too long because of the very hot water. After that you would fill your canteen from the Lister bag which was supported by three tall tent poles or from the 'water buffalo' tank trailer.

[alexarcano]

I have the Yugoslavia kit, the one you reviewed was missing the cutlery. It should come with a stainless nesting set of knife, fork and spoon. They slip down inside a pocket in the canvas bag for storage.

[backcreekcabin]

Thanks Scotch! Great review as always. Love the backdrop. Very authentic. And love your closing phrase!!!

[Harshhaze]

My mess kit:

1) Knife
2) Canteen
3) Fire
4) Wife

Thanks for the video. Need all I can get to make it past New Years

[PDInfantryman]

I bought a couple of Yugoslav kits and love them.  Planning to pick up a German/Polish one now...they look very useful.  Thanks for the vid!

[marodriguezsr]

We use "A LOT" of military gear. Thanks for "ALL" the videos you share with us. Take care & Happy Holidays. - Marco

[RodneyBellco]

I used to have one of the American kits when I was in the Boy Scouts.Thanks for posting this review.

[loganinkosovo]

It doesn't matter what mess kit you get. If you don't wash them properly after each use you WILL get the G.I. Trots. That's why we had the 55 gal garbage cans filled with soapy water and clean water for rinsing and Water Immersion heaters in them to keep them boiling.