Fire Kits, Fire Kits, and More Fire Kits
Tag: 18th century
Prototyping a New Belt Pouch
I’m calling this one the Ranger Bag –
It takes a lot of work to prototype a new bag design. To get just the right shape and proportion, find the right materials, and choose the appropriate construction technique is a big deal; especially if it’s going to be done well.
I wanted something that looked like it appeared out of the preindustrial world of the 18th century or before. As an archery person, I think I take my personal style from the “what would Robin Hood wear?” collection. But honestly, this one owes much of its design to the military belt pouches of the early musket days.
What do I plan to use it for you ask? I wanted something that would accommodate a few essentials including a fire kit, compass, notebook, spoon, whetstone and the like.
So if you follow along here you have seen several bags just like this one posted in the past year and so far, they have sold like hotcakes, as they say. It is a popular shape, size, and design so I think this will become a mainstay in my shop.
It is a very adaptable design as well and could be fitted with internal pockets, a wrist strap or d-rings and become a clutch purse or removable backpack pocket in its own right.
It’s always nice when plans actually work.
Fire Kits on the Production Bench
The shop has been a little slow with outside projects and day work taking over my hours. However, I do get a few things done along the way and some projects are coming to a completion. I have a load of FLINT & STEEL fire kits on the way for late winter purchase and have put the first up in the shop today (https://www.etsy.com/shop/LostWorldCrafts). There are a surprising number of steps to getting even a simple composite toolkit like these together from the metalwork, leather cutting, dying, sewing, adding the findings and closures, and finally photographing to get them posted in the shop.
I had already designed the pouch style early in the summer and a few sold quickly so my next step was to get some high quality fire steels from within my Maker Family. I put in the order with my old friend Eric and he produced these extremely beautiful strikers for the project.
I decided to sew up this round without measuring or marking the stitch line to give them a rustic look. I have mixed feelings about this so I may go back to the more uniform looking stitch marker for the upcoming bags. Each bag will be a little different, with variations on the closures and any added features as whimsy strikes me along the way.
If you aren’t familiar with flint & steel fire-making the tinderbox serves a two-fold purpose; to provide a chamber to make charred tinder and to hold and protect the tinder from moisture over time.
To up the ante, so to speak, on this kit I included a flint from Knife River North Dakota. Some real primo stuff. Needless to say, the high carbon steel strikes very well and produces great sparks. A kit like this will become an heirloom and will only improve with age.
As always, my designs are informed by 18th Century style and are designed for hard use in the wild. If you are interested, wander over to the shop or follow the blog to find out when the next round will be in the market.
All the best to you and thanks for stopping by!
Traveler’s Wallet
Once again, I am producing some large, traveler’s wallets. While some are waiting their finishing touches, here’s the first of six. They are all of the same general size and design but each has some variation in shape and closure type.
I think my dying is improving. Having read more on the subject, I’ve been able to create a nice overall finish. The dye is applied in many diluted layers and hand rubbed to force it into the leather.
The leather is from a 6 – 7 ounce vegetable tanned cowhide that was a real beauty. The side was just shy of 30 square feet. To start working the nine foot long hide, I had to move my operation into the kitchen and onto the floor for initial cuts. Maybe someday I’ll have a shop table big enough to accommodate something this size again.
This wallet is perfect for keeping everything in one place for log term travel or to be used as a small clutch purse.
The thread is heavyweight bookbinder’s linen in dark gray (nearly black) so is absolutely period correct for the reenactors out there.
If you are interested in this or some of our other work, check out our Etsy shop, look at the previous sales, and read the reviews.
Have a great day!
Large Possibles Bag
Another possibles bag completed and out the door. This one was designed, at the request of a customer, to fit a specific case that would fit inside. This is clearly my favorite “go to” design and will make an excellent bushcrafter’s kit.
This one is about 3 1/2″ deep and a little over 12″ by 9″ inside the body. Front and back are 7 oz. leather and the gusset is about 5 oz. to give some flexibility.
All the hardware and rivets are solid brass for all weather use and this one features a flat pocket inside and out to organize small items.
The gussets are cinched to keep the top contracted but can be opened if necessary.
The security strap is left open so that objects can be tucked under if desired.
Obviously, I like this design and all its variations and I hope the new owner can put it to good use for many years.
Deluxe Possibles Bag
More shameless promotion from the workshop. This is my new, deluxe model possibles bag for the right mountain man or woman. This design has proven to be practical and popular. The leather is veg-tanned Hermann-Oak and all sewing is double-needle saddle-stitch. The hardware is premium solid harness brass. This bag will only get better with time and wear. I’ve been carrying the same design for a decade and it is just getting more beautiful with age.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/669145808/deluxe-shooting-bag-possibles-bag?ref=shop_home_active_1
Seven Years at a Time…
An old look at the life of man –
Seven years to childhood’s sport and play,
Seven years in school from day to day,
Seven years at Trade or College life,
Seven years to find a Virtuous Wife.
Seven years to pleasure’s follies given,
Seven years to labour hardly driven,
Seven years for some a wild Goose chase,
Seven years for wealth a bootless race.
Seven years for hoarding for your heir,
Seven years in weakness spent in care,
Then die and go – you should know where.
The artist depicts it in ten stages, then you die, but who’s splitting hairs? All roads lead to the same end. It looks like I need to get on to Pleasure’s follies for a couple more years.
Possibles Bag
Here is an update on the most recent possibles bag I have been working on:
Sorry the photos aren’t so great but here is the description: Made from 7 oz (~3 mm) Hermann-Oak full-grain harness leather top dyed and antiqued Fiebings medium brown with a single patch pocket inside. It still needs a little edge detailing, waxing and buffing before it is truly done but that will happen later today.
Rustic, laced construction, unlined, 18th century “English-style” bag. The main pocket is 8 x 8 inches (1.5 litre in volume), while the overall body length is about 12 inches.
The eared shape is to keep the bag from riding around to the front or back of the torso during use. This leather will age nicely and will last longer than any of us with normal rugged use.
1 1/4″-wide strap extends to about 56″ to fit the most well-padded or heavily coated hunter. Going out for trade in the next couple days.
The Graces of Archery
Satire on archery from 1794. More at the British Museum.
Tavern Interior by John S.C. Schaak 1762
John S.C. Schaak active 1760-1770
Video walkthrough:
Detail: tavern, chair, table, basket, food, sideboard, meat, pie, plate, knife, fork, fire, hearth, fireplace crane, cucumber, lemon sausage, meat hook, beef, bird, bird cage, bottle, glass, bread, mortar and pestle, chocolate pot, spit turner, soldier, cooking pot, tongs, serving boy, raised cooking surface, fry pan, jug, game birds, rabbit
Preindustrial Craftsmanship 