Camping Old School

     Seeing that I've been interested in classic clothing (1900-1950) for quite some time and grew up in the woods, it was only a matter of time before the two combined. After reading an article on classic camping in a copy of Wilderness Ways by Steve Watts, I became interested in that lost style of camping. My desire to camp in this way has grown since then. I have been buying and collecting any object pertaining to this genre for the last few years and I plan to make my yearly birthday campout in this vein. I look forward to this coming event seeing as I have not slept under canvas for at least 30 years or more.
     If you are curious as to what I'm blabbering about here, the new godfathers,Steve Watts and David Westcott have a blog about this style of outdoor living called campandtrialblog.blogspot.com and both have written books most notably Westcott's new classic,Camping in the Old Style. In a recent interview on reddirtsurvival.com, Steve Watts said he and Westcott have a series of books on the subject soon to be released.
     Well, I'm off to the woods. I hope you all had a fine holiday season and the gods smiled brightly on your family. Until we meet again.
Jerry

More Posts After Holidays

I'm going to take off for the holidays and should start up again in mid January.
Jerry

Three Cheers for Blackie!

     I wanted to take this opportunity to mention a YouTuber that ya'll may or may not be aware of. I'm not sure how long Blackie from Shaman's Forge Bushcraft has been posting videos but I wish he would post more often. To my knowledge, he's not some international hero of bushcraft. However, in the last few days it's taken me to watch all his videos, I have learn many things I did not know. His down to earth southern manner allows him to present facts to viewers in a common man sort of way. He obviously enjoys what he's doing and it seems that you are learning these things together. One video answered a long unknown question I had about the almost useless Boy Scout mess kit's history and another taught me the purpose behind many classic pocket knifes. The second managed to convince a long time SAK carrier to start carrying a trapper in the woods.
     In an endless sea of bushcrafting videos, the struggle for your subscription space is a selective one. I, myself, have spent many hours searching for videos and presenters that are worthy of my time and respect. There's a few channels that I look forward to posting on a regular basis and even fewer that I wish posted daily. Blackie is one of those that that I wished posted daily, but unfortunately does not. I think I may go watch his series on kukris again. If you are looking for a channel hosted by a regular guy that has a lot to teach check out the Shaman's Forge channel at blackoracle69.
Thank you for your time,
Jerry

I Can Start a Fire With That?

     I thought my first article for Boar Valley would be about something that has just begun to bother me. Just like most of us all , I was gung ho about making and using charcloth in my fire kit. There are any number of videos on YouTube that can teach you how to make it. Although, it was a bit of a pain , I was sure this was the best and most accurate way to practice my primitive fire skills. I made every effort to ensure that I had a tinder box full of charred cloth and spare cotton sheets to replenish my supply. As my research continued, I started to realize that the common belief that everyone used charcloth in their fire kits is a common misconception.
     The fact that it is possible to make and char many things such as certain plant fibers is often mentioned by survival and bushcraft YouTubers. However, as soon as it's mentioned it is forgotten. I'm not sure the reason behind this. That may be the reasoning behind my writing this article. I have recently been lucky enough to come across a couple of videos that explain the truth behind the historical use of charcloth and the actual ingredients of an old woodsman's tinder box. The fact that most people did'nt have the time to char cloth or have any to waste on a fire seemed logical to me but left me wondering why this has become forgotten. I want to take this opportunity to say that I'm not bagging on anyone who has posted charcloth videos or written about making it. It does have it's value and I still use it from time to time. Many of those that have posted such videos on YouTube are great teachers and have made me a better human being. I also want to thank Steve "Critter" Davis of Dave Cantebury's fantastic wildernessoutfitters channel and Keith Burgess of the historicaltrekking channel for posting videos pertaining to and showing how to using charred plant fibers. I'm sure there are more, but those spring to mind. Hopefully, many more will post videos like these and let others know that there are easier ways to get char for their kits.
     I hope ya'll realize my true intent behind this article. I bear no one any ill will. I had simply noticed certain comments in some videos that motivated me to bring this topic up. I got the impression that many out there are unaware of the ability to char plant fibers or even that dead coals from a past fire can be used to start a new one. My greatest hope is that those like Critter will make more videos that make those who enjoy the outdoors as mush as I do open to more possibilities.
     That being said, I hope to make this blog into something that I can be proud of and that we all can use as a forum to pass information back and forth between all of us that love the wildernesses as much as we do. Thank you all and don't hesitate to comment or ask questions. Just don't be a dick!
Jerry