Adventures of an Imperfect Man In Search of a Handmade Life
One of the better things about modern communication is the ability to meet and talk to people from nearly all parts of the globe. I have been in communication with Jacob from Botswana for years now and he has shared some photos of the beautiful backpack he made based on my earlier design. That one … Continue reading Jacob’s Beautiful Leather Backpack
(from the Paleotool vault) I just had to reblog this fine article from 74 Footwear Design... "Camille Poirier patented the first back pack on Dec. 12, 1882 in Duluth, Minnesota (Patent No. 268,932). Initially called the Pack-Strap the pack is today referred to as the Duluth Pack. The basic design of the Duluth Pack already … Continue reading The Duluth Pack – The First Patented Backpack…
If you know me at all you know that I am interested in pack baskets. Because of this, they catch my eye when I'm browsing historic images. I could find no information whatsoever about this one. I suspect maybe Tibet in the early 20th century? Pack baskets have been underrated in the west. I'm glad … Continue reading A Nice Pack Basket
Thanks to Survival Sherpa for posting this look at making a pack frame. Making a quick, three stick pack frame is a valuable bit of knowledge. How serendipitous that this came up (seems to be a lot of convergent thinking around my world lately) as I am beginning to tweak my own wooden pack frame … Continue reading How to Improvise and Use a Three Stick Roycroft Pack Frame
And an interesting basket. Pack frames are nearly universal historically as most cultures encounter the drudgery of carrying heavy loads over long distances. I am always searching for historic images to delve into to look for inspiration. Here is a nifty pack frame from the early 20th century of a charcoal maker from Japan. The … Continue reading Japanese Pack Frame
Found on Tumblr. The basic necessities never change. Just the execution and materials.
I had a friend shoot a few pictures of the rucksack in action. My only regret is that it could be slightly bigger. But then again, I'd just fill it with more stuff. It should last a lifetime and beyond. Not exactly dressed up here. I'm wearing the old caulking and painting shorts. If I … Continue reading Rucksack
Another reblog. Markus has done an excellent review of pack baskets here.
Its fair to say that my personal interest in woven Mexican Huarache footwear extends to everything woven. As far as I know despite all the technological advances in history, woven Huaraches just like woven baskets cannot be made by machine and have to be made by hand. In someways this makes basketry and Huarache weaving one of the highest forms of craft.
For more information on the craft of Mexican Huarache footwear please visit Huarache Blog.
Although basketry is one of the earliest forms of craft in the world, its unclear how long woven Basket Packs have existed for, but many old designs are still used in many countries around the world.
Some old paintings and prints help trace Basket Packs to 1400-1500’s.
The Adirondack Pack Basket as it is known today is traditionally made…
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The next step in finishing the pack frame... Here's a detailed photo of the naked frame with an initial coat of oil & pine-tar coating. This will weatherproof the whole thing and make the rawhide less appealing to critters (I caught my dog licking one of the lashings this morning). This mixture is about 60% … Continue reading Varnish
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
I just have to reblog this!
Camille Poirier patented the first back pack on Dec. 12, 1882 in Duluth, Minnesota (Patent No. 268,932). Initially called the Pack-Strap the pack is today referred to as the Duluth Pack.
The basic design of the Duluth Pack already existed in the blanket bag, or knapsack and had been in use for at least 100 years by the British Army prior to the patent, especially during the American Revolution. But Camille Poirier added a few improvements including a sternum strap, tumpline and an umbrella strap to hold an umbrella, or sunshade above the users head while hiking.
With a budding wilderness recreation movement in the USA, the Duluth Pack designed for ease of use went onto arguably become the first world’s first recreational backpack.
Incredibly today and over 130 years since its patent, the Duluth Pack is still is available and being made in Duluth, Minnesota, USA.
Which new products…
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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
As if the evenings weren't busy enough. I had the urge to create something large from leather. This is probably my biggest project of this type to date. It's a bit heavy compared to lightweight nylon of modern packs but it will probably outlive me. It took the better part of an oak tanned cow … Continue reading Backpack
Preindustrial Craftsmanship 