Fire Kits, Fire Kits, and More Fire Kits
Tag: bushcraft
Hunter’s Pouch
I think of this type of bag as a forager bag, mainly because it is the type I carried in the late 80s while working on a High Adventure summer program teaching outdoor skills. It’s really just a classic shooting bag; the type that could be found just about anywhere in North America or Europe for the past three hundred years in similar form.
7 ounce Hermann Oak leather is thick but supple. Antler toggle closure keeps contents secure.
Double needle saddle stitching for flap and pocket.
Interior pocket to separate small items.
Heavy, harness brass buckle and pure brass rivets complete the bag.
Find this and more at our online shop Lost World Crafts on Etsy.
Possibles Bag
These have been my most popular item over the years but they are fairly time-consuming to make. They also use a lot of leather and generally a fair bit of hardware, especially if the strap is leather with a buckle. However, they are a lifetime investment and have made quite a few people very happy as they break in and age with use.
More projects underway will be available in the Etsy shop soon: https://www.etsy.com/shop/LostWorldCrafts.
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.
Small Possibles Bag for the Belt
Sometimes it’s nice to have the security of a bag strapped closely to the body and not swinging around your neck and shoulders. This little 9 x 5 x 2 inch design has done quite well over the past year and has been a popular seller in the shop.
Available at Lost World Crafts on Etsy.
Flint and Steel
This will be the last one for a while as I have other projects in the hopper.
This is available at our online shop Lost World Crafts where you can find a more detailed description of the kit.
Please check out the shop and consider following us as things are constantly being added and sold.
Catching Up
I like to add a little character and variety, even if I’m just making the same thing again and again. I want to believe that this is what my ancestors would have done, toiling away in the craft to make a living. It keeps things interesting and more human than the soulless, mass-produced consumables.
Thanks for looking. If you are interested, these generally don’t last a day on Etsy so check it out soon if you want one. Please follow the shop if you would like to keep up with the latest offerings.
Happy Camping!
Improving on a Design
I decided that my kit bags, although nearly perfect for their function, could use a little more room. Outdoorsmen and women can never have too many nooks and crannies about themselves to store little necessities. With this in mind, I have made the bellows sides bigger to accommodate about an inch in thickness. It might not sound like much but it does add up as survival gear can be a very fluid thing.
This is a traditional fire kit with TINDERBOX, FLINT, and FIRE STRIKER. This handmade leather belt pouch is constructed from 7 oz veg tanned cowhide and closes with a vintage pewter button. The pouch measures approximately 5 x 3 inches and bellows out approximately 1 inch (interior). The pouch is hung from a belt loop that will accommodate a 2 1/2″ belt.
The FIRE STEEL is a collaboration with my good friend Eric at Colonial Iron. It is hand forged high-carbon steel and sparks beautifully. I am including a flint blade made from Knife River Flint (North Dakota). The sheet metal TINDER BOX is a mint tin that is perfectly sized for the job of making and storing charred cloth or punkwood.
The body of the bag is double needle saddle stitched sewn freehand using yellow saddle thread. The bag has been treated with dubbin (beeswax – neatsfoot oil formula made here in the shop). The pouch works well independent of the kit if you carry the fire kit in your pack.
This is a handmade item so please look carefully at the photos for details of the construction and appearance.
This kit is currently available in my Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/LostWorldCrafts
A Touch of Color
Colored saddle thread was on sale at my supplier last month so, guess what? I’m going to try it out on some upcoming projects and see what the reception is. Nothing too flashy, just a bit of red, yellow, or blue on the horizon.
Fire Kits Again
These Flint and Steel Fire Kits are hard to keep in stock. Since I don’t mass-produce things, I’m pretty slow at filling the shop. We did well enough last year that I still haven’t caught up but hope to in the coming weeks and months. Please check out the shop and consider making it a Favorite to keep up on the new listings.
With the addition of a little tinder, the first few fires are on me.
Preindustrial Craftsmanship 