Traditional American Woodsman In 2008

[runningboar]

My grandfather was a true american woodsman, I am not sure the world is big enough anymore. Chris

 

[Polymath]

And there's stuff to be said about the traditional stuff. People in times past pretty much figured out what worked and what didn't.

The next big thing that is going to solve all the problems shows up every so
often and hangs around for a few years - sometimes decades.

I remember when butter was evil and margarine was the cure. Then, lately,
we find out that margarine is even more evil and butter isn't so bad.

I figure the more un-natural and complicated something is to make, that
much the more it loses in value.

I like wool, butter, honey, wood, canvas, leather. I believe God already
provided most of what we need. If it requires jumping through hoops,
it may not be that necessary.

 

[siguy]

i use what works. alot of the time this means old fashioned type gear. i love my slipjoints and the centuries-old pattern that opinels follow.

for clothing i wear pants and shirts and a hat. what they are made of doesn't much matter to me, but i don't like loud fabrics, or bright fabrics or uncomfortable fabrics. because of this i go for wool, denim, and canvas an awful lot. i even wear a fair amount of cotton, when it makes sense.

 

[Macclint]

I have quite a bit of the canvas and leather, but I do combine with a lightweight synthetic tarp. I'm only willing to carry so much weight for that warm homey feeling.

 

[Bushman5]

Its 2008 how does the gear and bushcraft of the Traditional American Woodsman fit in?You know they guy with the big beard,dressed in wool,carrying a lever action rifle,sounds like Santa except for the rifle.I this hi-tech modern world is there still a place for wool,canvas,Zippo,Buck,etc?

lots of us out there that continue to use traditional skills and tools, clothes etc. we are called HOODLUMS.

 

[BASIC]

have you ever been to "Da U.P" of Michigan eh? What you just described can be found sitting in every local pub/restaurant/gas station once you cross the Mighty Mac.

Not only the UP there are some form of Yopper AKA Redneck,Woodtick,etc.everywhere even in NJ,I'm one.You do have to include Carhartt,chainsaw and a pick-up to our list of gear though.

 

[Stainz]

I was born in Brooklyn... had a fig tree trapped in concrete behind our brownstone. I got to Prospect Park on the weekends to see trees. I love my wooded backyard... had it for 30yr. I've camped - backpack tented in the Smokies... hated running out of TP. Carried a SAK. Now, I have real goodies - and want that 'roughing it' again, despite my selling my 93 Dodge p-u, bought new, to buy a new '05 Jeep 2WD Liberty. Yeah, a soccer mom's ride - but comfortable. I'll carry more TP when I 'go'... and I'll have a proper knife or two - a B R this time... maybe a S&W 625MG in .45 Colt, too... ought to be decent protection. Times have changed. Like Bear Grylls, I'll have a good CC, too.

Stainz

 

[1894]

Its 2008 how does the gear and bushcraft of the Traditional American Woodsman fit in?You know they guy with the big beard,dressed in wool,carrying a lever action rifle,sounds like Santa except for the rifle.I this hi-tech modern world is there still a place for wool,canvas,Zippo,Buck,etc?

Let's see , when I go hunting :

Wool : Socks , pants , shirts , coats , hats, CHECK ( red and black plaid from the waist up to boot )
Lever action rifle : CHECK Thats all I carry for deer and bear (mostly Marlins one just turned 71 years old last year , youngest one is only 36 years old )
Buck : Dads Buck pocket knife , and my western or Camillus in a leather sheath CHECK
Zippo : Nope , upgraded to carying several bics

Add leather mittens with wool liners , wood and gut snowshoes , compass not a gps , leather sling for the rifles , I'm sure there is more

Never felt I was lacking by not jumping on the latest and greatest bandwagon.

Phil

 

[m. wohlwend]

I think there is room for traditional and modern tactis in the woods. I like my gortex, but I also wear some wool because wool will keep you warm when you are wet...as far as woods guns, pretty much a bolt action for me, but I started on a lever, and while autos are great, a wheel gun in the hands of a good shot is just as effective. So I think you have to pick and choose what makes you feel comfortable and works for you, only experience will decide that for you.....

 

[Darbyfett]

i think i was born a century to late.l

I hear you there.

 

[Troop]

Yeah, you can get by just fine with traditional clothing and equipment.
But to be honest, there have been lots of advances made in camping equipment.
The old stuff (canvas, wool, leather, etc...) was heavy!
The old mountainmen often had a mule or horse to carry his equipment around.

Back when I was a Soldier we still had the old canvas shelter-halves and they sucked BIG TIME!!!:grumpy:
Especially once they got soaked!:thumbdn:

We also still had the old wool "long johns", wool pile-cap, wool watch-cap, and wool 5 button sweater when I was in the Army....and I hated them too.
Modern polypro underwear is much more comfortable in my opinion.

There's certainly nothing wrong with a lever-action rifle, but I prefer an AK-47 or AR15 based rifle.

Some old traditional things are great (heck, my EDC folder is a Buck 110), but there are lots of old gear that I don't miss at all.

You complain too much to have been a Grunt. You must have been in a REMF unit. I had the same crap when I was in, too. However, I did like the wool sweater, though.:thumbup:

 

[pitdog]

Someone on here must fit the description....come on let's see your best Mountain Man pics !!!