berry collector

[torjusg]

It would probably be very possible to weave such a picker from shoots too. I have some willow shoots in storage, but I have a feeling that isn't strong enough for the ribs. Maybe hazel or birch saplings would be good for that.

I was originally planning on using the willow for something else, but it's such an interesting idea, that I may have to gather some more.

 

[jamesoconnor]

Och well theres alwahys this also...
http://www.oddensnorskhusflid.com/BlueberryPicker.htm

 

[Toddy]

Neat

D'you know the ancient Britons used huge versions of these on carts to gather the heads off their wheat, oats and barley crops? There's an argument that the Romans came here for the crops to feed the Empire. They'd exhausted the Sicilian farmlands (still a problem) and our green, lush Isle was just irresistable

atb,
Mary

 

[Don Redondo]

I must be so sad and just trawl the internet to fill some empty void in my life but......
http://www.amazon.com/8039-Fruit-Harvester/dp/B0007WFDUI/ref=pd_sxp_grid_pt_1_1/105-3969274-9842057

Hope this might help.

sort of.. but not.

 

[dommyracer]

Does anyone remember the episode of World of Survival where the Evenk showed Ray how to use a basket and centrifulgal force to 'swipe' the berries from the low bushes?

I think this is designed for larger fruit, but y'know....

 

[Heathenpeddler]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Swedish-BERRY...tcZphotoQQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

This one looks good and should give enough info for a make

 

[Moonraker]

I had a look at these a while ago. I found a rather nice old example that was used in France for collecting Myrtille (Vaccinium myrtillus - Billberry/ Blueberry etc) which can be found here;

PEIGNE À MYRTILLES - (BLUEBERRY COMB)

The side view does not seemt o work on the English page but it is seen when you put the cursor over the picture in detail on the French version here

http://museum.agropolis.fr/pages/expos/aliments/fruits_legumes/objets/peigne.htm#

It was the nearest thing I came to for an idea of how to construct one outdoors as it is made of wood, including the teeth (some metal used on the back presumably to help it last longer)

You use them literally to 'comb' the blueberry bushes, collecting the berries into a basket. The same method is still used but more often now with metal toothed ones like in Scandinavia.

The web page has some details of dimensions which may help. Looking at the image it appears the teeth are formed by cutting a series of parallel slots into a piece of wood, presumably ;with the grain' and using a hardwood. I imagine you could use a similar technique with a piece of bone such as a deer scapula perhaps which may be a bit more resilient.

It is a tradition that is continued in the Montagne Ardéchoise (Ardeche Mountain )region in the S of France, where they have an association dedicated to gathering myrtle. They have a nice graphic which shows the technique for gathering:

And a series of detail photos here;

http://www.myrtille-ardeche.com/page30.php3?lang=fr

Including this close-up of the comb in action;

http://www.myrtille-ardeche.com/

It would be interesting to find out other techniques and utensils that used to be used for gathering other forms of fruits, berries and nuts. For instance, I can't see the comb working so well with blackberries And there must be some way to reach those big juicy ones always up high and out of reach

 

[Toddy]

Nice links Thank you.

For blackberries, rasps and the like, you have to hold the branch and comb upwards along the underside where the berries grow. Blackcurrants grow in bunches and again you have to lift the branches......well, we did. It's quicker and less stickifying than doing it all by hand; and not so jaggy with the brambles

Fruits like blaeberries have small crisp leaves that don't get so easily caught in the tines.
I reckon a small basket and a narrow bone or antler comb would work very well for fruit collecting on bigger leaves shrubs, and the illustration Simon showed of the carved wooden one........something other than spoons and netting needles to carve, folks

Cheers,
Toddy

 

[anthonyyy]

I’d imagine the easiest way to make something like that would be to start with a hair comb and cut away some spikes to make the gap wider. It could then be used on its own or afixed to a scoop.

 

[Toddy]

I’d imagine the easiest way to make something like that would be to start with a hair comb and cut away some spikes to make the gap wider. It could then be used on its own or afixed to a scoop.

Funnily enough I'm sitting here playing with an Afro comb that I use now (got my hair cut from waist length to shoulder length recently) for beating down the weft on a tapesty loom, and was just wondering how effective those long springy, wide spaced tines would be for berries
I use a fork to strip elderberries off their stalks, so the idea is sound.

Cheers,
Mary

 

[anthonyyy]

: (got my hair cut from waist length to shoulder length recently)
Mary

I hope you made something useful out of the fur you cut off. Waste not want not.

 

[warthog1981]

nae bother

Try and have mine ready before the bramble season

 

[jamesoconnor]

And mine!!

 

[SquirrelBoy]

For those interested in the berry collector Ray Mears used in his latest BBC program Wild Food, here`s a pic