"A good meal ought to begin with hunger." French Proverb. All animals need to eat. All the time. As humans, we eat every day if we are lucky. An average Westerner will have about 275,000 meals in a lifetime, not including snacks, munchies, and other nibbles. Once upon a time, we all caught, gathered, and … Continue reading Ancient Dutch Ovens and the Ceramic Hibachi
Category: bushcraft
Making a Traditional Turning Saw, part 1
Bucksaws, bowsaws, and other frame saws are often lumped together into a single category in modern American or British English (unless you happen to be a traditional hand woodworker of course). And why should anyone care anyway? Bucksaws are replaced by chainsaws, bowsaws have become cheap, pot-metal, throw away abominations, and turning saws are replaced … Continue reading Making a Traditional Turning Saw, part 1
Bucksaw Again
For this project I moved my little operation into the living room of the house. Creating sawdust and wood chips for the dogs to track around in their boredom is a real bonus. But, on to the show... Making a Bucksaw for carpentry, bushcraft, or just because they're cool. The little bucksaw I built last … Continue reading Bucksaw Again
Edwardian Camp Equipment
From The Army and Navy Co-operative Society Store, London 1907 Waiting for the plumbers gave me a few minutes to put up this post. This is a lot more than a bunch of nifty images (but it is that as well). There are some excellent items here that should give some inspiration for fabricating some classic … Continue reading Edwardian Camp Equipment
New Acquisitions
I don't buy a lot of tools but this past week added one old, one new, and created one to add to my pile. I found this old shoe anvil at out local pawn shop/junk store last weekend and couldn't pass it up. It will help with my ever increasing level of shoemaking and might … Continue reading New Acquisitions
Field Testing
Field testing the nearly finished rucksack. It still needs a few closures and bits but is essentially as finished as anything I make. It's poorly packed for a quick hike and not very full. More pictures to follow when I get some time off to tramp around with it. Features: Heavy, waxed canvas truck tarp … Continue reading Field Testing
Wooden Pack Frame
One of many projects happening around here this yule-tide season. A new classic-style rucksack is being sewn, much leatherwork is occurring, and this pack frame is being finished. The wood is shagbark hickory (Carya ovata) made from a bowstave section and some other scrap from the pile. All was split before finishing so the grain … Continue reading Wooden Pack Frame
Preindustrial Craftsmanship 