Recent content by norseman55731

I was lucky enough to know Mike and went on his "hunt or starves" years ago. He will be truly missed here in Iowa, and around the world.

Great stuff Mike! Care for an apprentice in the future?

I've worn Red Wings for years. I got my first pair issued to me when i was a wilderness ranger, and I have bought an additional pair on my own.

I love your idea of powder in a zip lock for dipping your feet. Simple, but brilliant!

Thats brilliant. I didn't know I needed to make one of thus until just now...

Would Horace Kephart be out of place? I know Jim Vickery, hell of a nice guy, and a GREAT oral story teller.

I recently carved a spoon from a green cut hawthorn for a frind of mine. While it was green it carved beautifully. I am working on a kuksa for my wife with a cured piece now, but I think I am gonna have to scrap it and get another green piece to work on. Hawthorns are a non-native invase here...

I have been mulling over the idea of carving my own canoe paddle. What kind of wood did you use?

I would highly recommend this book. The author does sometimes put a spiritual twist on things but they are limited. I wish there wasn't such a lean towards native spitiualism here in the States when people head outdoors. It seems to give us a stigma. Why can't we all be bushcrafters?

I have heard of using spruce rootlets, but not pine. I think I have the same book in my library. I have never made rootlet cordage, but I would imagine for added strength you would want to twist the roots into cordage. I would try it both ways and test the strength.

Would lamp wick work, or is that too narrow?

Could you make a clay fly wheel for the pump drill? If you let it air dry for a day or two I thin it would be hard enough. I admire and understand you desire to keep the project as primitive as possible. I hope you find something that works, and that you will share your results!

Harvest the nettles after the leaves have dropped in the fall, or you can collect the dead stalks of last years growth. I collected some from last years growth an Monday and I am working on making some cordage. I'll be posting it on my blog when I get done (possibly this weekend)...

Has anyone ever tried River/Black birch Betula nigra bark as a fire starter? http://www.enature.com/fieldguides/detail.asp?allSpecies=y&searchText=river%20birch&curGroupID=10&lgfromWhere=&curPageNum=1

Here is a site with tons of DIY alcohol stoves you may want to look at. http://zenstoves.net/