I tend to think of my gear as "burnished", think of the pattena that old leather has, like an old pair of shoes or WWII engineers waistcoat! That's how I like my gear. I remember meeting an old poacher who was of renown where I lived, he had this canvas slip. all battered and worn on his shoulder, I knew he was a wonderfull shot from the tales I'd heard though he was shy as I was the new forester in the district. After much coaxing and rollups he let me see what lay beneath that slip...( I was an affectionado of shiny things back then), and it was an old battered springer rifle with iron sights. I was slightly non-plused, but he explained that this was his tool and that was all you needed. It taught me a lesson and to this day though I have some pretty space age gear I still love the depth of colour on my dutch oven and the fact that carbon steel shows in its depth the love and care that a cherished tool can take on. Remember that a blackened pot is more fuel efficient, a well pollished boot is more waterproof, that Simo Häyhä is the worlds greatest ever defender of his country and the best sniper ever with his iron sighted rifle.
Just because its plain and simple doesn't mean its not good, what did they build scara brae or the pyramids with? what tools did my forebears use in their forge, what ancient tools and processes to some of the craftsmen and women on this site use to create things of beauty and wonder that we all lust after.
Age can bring beauty to people and things. It's how we percieve and use those things that make us what we are
Goatboy.
, but I do like my gear to be used, not kept looking showroom clean.
