Woodlore customer Paul Savoie kindly sent in the following article and photos:

Dear Woodlore,

Over the past two years I have purchased most of Ray’s DVDs from a local Canadian supplier; I noted that Ray always seems to have his NATO Crusader Cup with him. Shown below are a few photos illustrating some of the modifications I have made to the BCB Crusader Kit. I found the “clip-on” BCB Crusader Cup Hanger to be a rather precarious arrangement and an accident waiting to happen when handling boiling water over an open fire.

I made a new hanger using 3 mm (1/8 inch) diameter 304 grade stainless steel wire with corresponding modifications to the Crusader Cup and lid. The notches on the cup’s rim/lip keeps the wire hanger upright and very secure (see photos below):

Similar modifications were made to more securely attach the BCB supplied hanger:

I suspect the BCB hanger was designed to be more multi-functional (e.g. can be reshaped by hand to make a finger splint, wrap a broken tent pole or other gear repairs etc.). I believe the same hanger can also be found in some of their pocket-sized survival kits. I prefer my wire hanger since it is less prone to bending, hangs better from any branch or hook, it is easier for me to make the corresponding modifications to cup/lid, and takes up less room in my kit.

From my perspective the holes or slots on the side of the cup are not an issue since the cup will never be filled to that level and drinking or pouring liquids is done from either end of the cup, and not where the hangers are attached. Either modification is very secure and works quite well. I consider these minor modifications a refinement of an outstanding piece of kit.

I expect I am not the first one to think of this but thought Ray, and perhaps your Woodlore team/clients, may be interested.

P.S. The slots for the BCB hanger need to be cut a little lower than illustrated below, to allow the lid to fully seat onto the rim of the cup. I corrected my error when I drilled the holes a little lower for the wire hanger!

Paul J. Savoie Ontario, Canada