18th Century Long Hunter Woodsman kit
- Thread starter TheNative
- Start date
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Come along to the amazing Summer Moot (21st July - 2nd August), a festival of bushcrafting and camping in a beautiful woodland PLEASE CLICK HERE for more information.
would be interested too
ALos I'd do a bit of research around historical trekking seems to be the phrase used by the reenactors alot and there are some great sites out there for inspiration
one of my favourite beingwoodsrunnersdiary.blogspot.com
No problem Lee I'll send it to you too.
That blog is a good un enjoy reading it when I get chance.
That blog is a good un enjoy reading it when I get chance.
Good stuff! Makes you realise what a hard life these guys would have had. Presumably they would also have had to carry a musket, powder, shot etc as well as all their trapping kit, so they would have been pretty well laden.
Something I always come away with from doing more traditional/old school kit is how much more effort is required
It adds to the fun but I dont think i would of wanted to do it for my entire life.
Mind you I have the advantage of knowing the 21st century comforts.....
It adds to the fun but I dont think i would of wanted to do it for my entire life.
Mind you I have the advantage of knowing the 21st century comforts.....
Another question.
Do you have a millbank or similar to filter the water prior to boiling? Modern day water has less pleasent extras lurking in it.
And no cup? How'd you survive without tea or coffee?
Do you have a millbank or similar to filter the water prior to boiling? Modern day water has less pleasent extras lurking in it.
And no cup? How'd you survive without tea or coffee?
Thanks that would be great
the chap also has a youtube channel if I can remember his name I'll add it - used to be a regular poster on here too at one point
It is a very romantic idea but your right in reality it was a tough and often short life
Leloup is his name.
Yup hard life and not as easy as the rose tinted glasess view of things woukd have you believe
Yup hard life and not as easy as the rose tinted glasess view of things woukd have you believe
Elen Sentier
Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Great post! Does the 18th century theme extend to clothes too? I have an image of you in powdered wig - I know that's not right, but do you go for all-natural fibres and so forth? Do you trek long distances with this gear?
Well it shames me to see someone actually using 18th century style kit as I've been building up a set for years now and never actually used it all together. I've got rather wrapped up with the material culture/research/making stuff aspect of it. I've just recieved a couple of wool felt hat blanks from Parkins in Oldham (cost about 8 quid each) to make a wide brimmed hat for practical use and a tricorn to ponce about in. I need to turn myself a round low dome hat block once I have worked out what diameter a 25 inch circumferance head is (luckily they only introduced oval blocks in the 19th century).
I'm also waiting on a piece of 3/4" veg tan strap from Hostile Hides over in Bolton to finish a bedroll strap/cloak carrier. Once again my maths let me down and I ordered 2 foot shy of what i needed last time. Being a masochist I made the 3 buckles I needed from a 1/8th thick brass hinge.
If TheNative dont mind I'll put up some pics of what I have made or other wise aquired when I get home.
ATB
Tom
I'm also waiting on a piece of 3/4" veg tan strap from Hostile Hides over in Bolton to finish a bedroll strap/cloak carrier. Once again my maths let me down and I ordered 2 foot shy of what i needed last time. Being a masochist I made the 3 buckles I needed from a 1/8th thick brass hinge.
If TheNative dont mind I'll put up some pics of what I have made or other wise aquired when I get home.
ATB
Tom
I'll look forward to the photos of that either in this thread or your own.
Must have a root around my kit and come up with an 18th inspired set up
Must have a root around my kit and come up with an 18th inspired set up
Great write up dude!! Its good to see some diversity with what people use kit wise on the forum!! Looking forward to our traditional (esk) camp coming up now!!!
Ps its just reminded me seeing your haversack, would it be cool if i pinched it one day this week to get a template still? I might have to borrow your hawk too
Iv been asked to make two trail hawk sheath and i cant for the life of me find the templates for the ones i made for you! 
Ps its just reminded me seeing your haversack, would it be cool if i pinched it one day this week to get a template still? I might have to borrow your hawk too
Iv been asked to make two trail hawk sheath and i cant for the life of me find the templates for the ones i made for you!
Very nice set up. Good way to recreate a lot of the traditional tools and items with more available replacements.
As far as winter use, longhunters actually carried good amounts of gear. They typically went into the woods with three horses per man to carry the gear to a base camp. They also had cabins set up in certain locations. While they did spend a lot of time on foot, traveling long distances, it wasn't that simple. For a later perspective from a backwoods trapper, which still utilizes much of the same equipment, check out Woodcraft by EH Kreps: http://woodtrekker.blogspot.com/2011/05/woodcraft-by-eh-kreps.html In his book he deals a lot with winter travel and set up.
As far as winter use, longhunters actually carried good amounts of gear. They typically went into the woods with three horses per man to carry the gear to a base camp. They also had cabins set up in certain locations. While they did spend a lot of time on foot, traveling long distances, it wasn't that simple. For a later perspective from a backwoods trapper, which still utilizes much of the same equipment, check out Woodcraft by EH Kreps: http://woodtrekker.blogspot.com/2011/05/woodcraft-by-eh-kreps.html In his book he deals a lot with winter travel and set up.
Sure can...
I think i will be the least traditional one there as most of my bits are period military odds and sods.. But ill do my best to blend into the crowd 
Cant wait now!!!
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For insulation I find a roll matt made from bracken works very well! I have a few friends who also share the same style and period kit as me and as it happens we are planning a 3 or 4 night trip into the forest with this kit. Will be like the Daniel Boone challenge
