He has a decent re-wilding/survival rant blog that leaves you wanting more. How can you not like a guy with a road-kill squirrel puppet? He doesn't post much but what he does is well-done. While you're out that way, have a look at to get in on the conversation: http://www.urbanscout.org/ http://rewild.com/index.htm
Category: primitive technology
Making Containers via Primitive Process Pottery
I wanted to re-blog this excellent post about functional pottery construction from “Survival Sherpa”. I’m no great pottery maker but appreciate the craft for sure. Have a look.
by Todd Walker
Coffee drinkers like myself usually have a favorite mug or cup. My all-time favorite “tankard” developed a crack and DRG trashed it. A sad day indeed!
My sob story may seem petty, but there’s nothing trivial about not having a way to “contain” stuff. Think of all the ways you use containers daily. Then imagine all your modern containers being gone… poof, no more. Welcome to the Stone Age!
Here’s what else disappears with your containers. Your ability to…
- Cook stuff without skewering it on a stick
- Collect, disinfect, transport, and drink water
- Raise plants and livestock
- Store food without stuffing it in an animal stomach
- Dispose of waste
- Personal hygiene
- Ferment food and drink
- Make medicinals
- Gather food
- Keep stuff clean
- Organize stuff
- etc., etc., etc….
This is why containers are king!
After attending a local two-day primitive pottery class, my respect and appreciation for the humble container grew…
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Yucca Fiber Skirt
A great yucca fiber project. Check this out and more good stuff on UncommonCate.
Yucca fiber processing is an ancient art. I first became interested in yucca fiber in my time at The Clovis Site (an important archaeological site on the high plains of New Mexico). People have used yucca for ages past in every form. From raw leaves, to finely spun yucca yarn, the leaves have been used in every form. The book Treading in the Past: Sandals of the Anasazi showcases many excellent examples of yucca fiber in all forms as used in sandals. Yucca is also used for cordage, bags, nets, and really anything fiber related.
I start by chopping down a yucca plant. I happen to have access to narrow leaf yucca. All I use is an ax. The difficulty with yucca is the pointed tips, so I begin by gathering the leaves up, holding them up with one hand, leaving the base of the plant exposed. With the other…
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A Couple More Medieval Tools
When I say Medieval... The pump drill goes way back in time. At least into Dynastic Egypt and probably well beyond. Drills like these are made from perishable materials so we only have the drill bits and generally do not know to what they were attached. From and archaeological point of view, it's a bit … Continue reading A Couple More Medieval Tools
Willow Pack Baskets!
Bridgette and I worked on some willow basketry last week at the Echoes in Time gathering in Champoeg, Oregon. We spent the week with our friend Mick and his family with his fantastic vardo. I have wanted a new pack basket for quite a while and the great Oregon basketmakers provided some excellent materials for … Continue reading Willow Pack Baskets!
Bamboo Arrow Instructable
I just posted a "how to" for bamboo arrows on Instructables. It is impossible to teach a complete class in this way but I've done what I can. If you have an interest in arrowsmithing, have a look by clicking the arrows above.
Disclaimer
Something to keep in mind when learning a new skill. A Primitive Technology Disclaimer. I firmly believe that in Preindustrial Societies, the onus of learning was on the pupil. Anyone who wants to succeed will find a way to learn. Real learning is an active endeavor. We learn best by carefully observing and doing. There … Continue reading Disclaimer
Ancient Dutch Ovens and the Ceramic Hibachi
"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
Making Tools
Back to the beginnings. Larry Kinsella is a great flint knapper and an all-around talented guy who, amongst other things, recreates stone-age technologies from his home near Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site (one of the great cities of the prehistoric world) in Illinois. Back in 2008, Larry, prompted by Tim Baumann, created a great lithic … Continue reading Making Tools
Henry Miller, a fine young man
Definitely watch this if you believe in a real handcrafted lifestyle. He has obviously been given the right encouragement and access to knowledge. Many parents would scoff at these things or actively discourage some of these activities. I'm glad to know there are other parents out there with an open mind and encouraging this thirst … Continue reading Henry Miller, a fine young man
The Open Fire Yurt – update
From the Spiritsintent website...Open Fire Yurt Open Fire Yurt with smoke cowl This is our latest afghan yurt, or the open fire yurt as we call it, seen here with a smoke flap type wheel cover, to allow for the open fire whilst ensuring the rain does not enter. Check out the rest of their remarkable work HERE.
Ghillie Making at Winter Count 2014
One of the many things taught at Winter Count this year was shoe making in the form of carbatina or ghillies. These are relatively simple shoes notable for their one piece construction and generally involve very little sewing. I am interested in how things are learned and for me, the process is more important than … Continue reading Ghillie Making at Winter Count 2014
Ultra Minimalists, Part 1
Learning a thing or two from the past...Part 1, 21st century americans are not the first to minimalize. This is a lengthy ramble. So long in fact, that I have broken it into several posts to be trickled out over the coming days, weeks, or months. Skip on to the fun stuff if you aren't … Continue reading Ultra Minimalists, Part 1
Bone Fish Hooks
Antler and Bone
Some of the antler and bone projects from the recent weeks.
Blackwater Draw Atlatl 2013
A few photos from the Blackwater Draw Atlatl 2013.
New Quiver
Finished up the quiver. It's been unfinished for at least a year and this weekend finally saw some completion. It's a time for closure on unfinished projects.
Jack Boots
The Shoemakers' Shop of Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia has posted an excellent photo-essay of making a pair of 18th Century Jack Boots. Their leather work is phenomenal and shows real craftsmanship. Any leather worker can appreciate this even if they never intend to make a pair of shoes. This pair is particularly interesting with the fire-tempering … Continue reading Jack Boots
Speaking of Distance Archery
653 meters! Mónus József here is a multiple record-holder in Hungarian traditional long-distance archery. In an archery contest in inner Mongolia, he made a successful 653m shot (nearly half a mile) with his home-made bow. Click the link to see the original page or HERE for more information about Hungary.
Preindustrial Craftsmanship 