A Survival Item From Tree Bark? - The American Frontier

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  • čas přidán 10. 04. 2018
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Komentáře • 422

  • @johnlamarca9439
    @johnlamarca9439 Před 6 lety +148

    Makes people appreciate that twine and rope you just go buy in the hardware store.

    • @CraftQueenJr
      @CraftQueenJr Před 4 lety +3

      John La Marca tried making yuca string once. I got three feet I couldn’t rip. Took three hours.

    • @MountainGuerrilla
      @MountainGuerrilla Před 2 lety

      all the new stuf is made by machine, actually in this era there would have been hand crank devices for making cordage out of vegetable matter.

  • @the-chillian
    @the-chillian Před 6 lety +82

    One thing we don't appreciate in these days of machine-made everything is how much labor went into even the simplest items before industrialization. Imagine having to sit there working for so long just to make what amounts to a piece of twine!
    No doubt you could buy a ball of spun twine in the towns, but even that took far more labor than we expect.

    • @theviral5
      @theviral5 Před 6 lety +6

      ChrisC I guess it would all boil down to time vs money. Some things just don't change!

    • @the-chillian
      @the-chillian Před 6 lety +5

      Yes, although by the 18th century their manufacture had become a regular specialized industry in England, and it wasn't that expensive to import them to the colonies. The old 17th century practice of burning down a building you were abandoning to recover the nails -- these structures were poorly built and weren't intended to be permanent in the first place -- didn't actually last very long.

    • @Agamemnon2
      @Agamemnon2 Před 5 lety +6

      It's easy to underestimate how massive a change the industrial revolution really was. It's only until you start to consider how hard it was to make something used every day that the miraculousness of a giant steam powered machine doing it quicker and in massive volume becomes apparent. Of course, with industry came a large-scale move away from craftsman jobs into industrial jobs, not necessarily an improvement for the working man and woman.

    • @lovecats6856
      @lovecats6856 Před 3 lety +1

      Makes me think of Oscar from Corner Gas excited about scrounging a piece of twine

    • @MannequinMG
      @MannequinMG Před 2 lety +1

      They had simple machines that could twist rope by cranking it though, so rope for ships could be made much faster.

  • @wereyouaking
    @wereyouaking Před 4 lety +89

    Protip when cutting spiral cordage, stab the knife into the stump and hold the sheet with 2 hands.

    • @VoxNerdula
      @VoxNerdula Před 4 lety +12

      Also if you don't want to splice then feed the ropes to a dog. It will all come out as one piece when you pull it out the other end. I find it highly likely our forefathers knew about this.

    • @daveyboy647
      @daveyboy647 Před 3 lety +3

      @@VoxNerdula lol?

    • @theMightyWhytey
      @theMightyWhytey Před 3 lety +4

      @@daveyboy647 yes. Certainly lol. Your ancestors would not have approved this method but they would certainly laugh (assuming they ever wasted their time by watching ther pooch poop)

  • @Tsiri09
    @Tsiri09 Před 6 lety +86

    This guy is a magnificent teacher! What he teaches could save someone's life. I love watching these videos!

  • @frankieb9444
    @frankieb9444 Před 6 lety +354

    Next video: How to handle your neighbor when they catch you taking bark from their tree.

  • @maxwellbuhler8493
    @maxwellbuhler8493 Před 6 lety +41

    john was just determined to break all the cord haha

  • @ToqTheWise
    @ToqTheWise Před 6 lety +31

    "Ya see how it looks almost like a cantaloupe?" ...no.

  • @gardenlady1293
    @gardenlady1293 Před 6 lety +44

    Awesome job guys! I am a spinner/weaver so enjoy any fiber arts information!

    • @CharlotteHenleyBabb
      @CharlotteHenleyBabb Před 4 lety +2

      At the Jamesdown Native American village, they showed us how to make short cordage from grass...same idea.

  • @Seventy4days
    @Seventy4days Před 6 lety +378

    i feel like if there was an apocalypse this channel is going to be something that we wished we all watched sooner

    • @Lady_Jewels
      @Lady_Jewels Před 5 lety +30

      Except, in the apocalypse, there won't be electricity or CZcams.
      Start practicing now, or buy a book.

    • @jre-1337
      @jre-1337 Před 5 lety +25

      The purpose of the channel is twofold: historical information, and future information.

    • @rageface-blt7008
      @rageface-blt7008 Před 5 lety +18

      Makes me wonder how valuable books would be In a apocalypse.

    • @waynewatters9283
      @waynewatters9283 Před 5 lety +17

      It is also a bunch of fun, especially if your grandson claims to his friends that his grandpa is an expert at bushcraft because he lived it as a young boy in KY and then a little in the Army. What am I to do? I watch videos and teach him what we both are learning. I don't know where he got the idea, probably his father.

    • @MrEmiosk
      @MrEmiosk Před 5 lety +10

      @@Lady_Jewels It was kinda Ray's point, stating that we'd all wished we'd watched these videos while we still could've.

  • @vrardis524
    @vrardis524 Před 6 lety +15

    Love videos like this! Especially the bark cordage, such a useful skill. With the hide, you don't need to cut it in a circle - you can use the shape the scrap is in, wet the strip and leave it to hang dry. It will naturally straighten out.

    • @JusBidniss
      @JusBidniss Před 5 lety +7

      Yes, I was just thinking the same thing! Nothing magic about the circle shape in terms of the strength of the leather, since it's all going to have a 'short' side and 'long, ruffled' side anyway, so might as well not waste it cutting a circle. Also, holding both the leather and knife is a bit awkward. Seems an easier way would be to drive the knife into the stump, and use both hands to control the leather, being able to slide it up and down the blade while stretched between the hands, and maintain a more even width, dodging imperfections in the leather, etc.

  • @kathywolf4558
    @kathywolf4558 Před 6 lety +15

    The thin roots of coniferous (pine, spruce) trees work well for cordage and basket weaving.

  • @gabrielcaballero4817
    @gabrielcaballero4817 Před 6 lety +23

    Cordage from trees? Now that's extremely useful and convenient!

  • @copperbear8310
    @copperbear8310 Před 6 lety +5

    When splicing in another section, I usually take the "tail end" of the piece that I'm adding and splice it into the second leg of my cordage. The new strand ties the two old strands together and you don't have a tag end sticking out from your cord.

  • @Gottaculat
    @Gottaculat Před 3 lety +11

    For those who missed it, yes, he said, "brain tan."
    You actually smush up the animal's brain into a paste that is used in a tanning process. The brain contains the tannins needed for preserving the hide. Grizzly, I know, but tanning is a dirty job, no matter how you go about it.

    • @lovecats6856
      @lovecats6856 Před 3 lety

      In England they used urine

    • @carptone2056
      @carptone2056 Před 3 lety +1

      @@lovecats6856 I think id prefer the brains

    • @janinedear-barlow
      @janinedear-barlow Před 2 lety

      @@lovecats6856 and Israel in Bible times. That's why they were unclean.

  • @phirewerk
    @phirewerk Před 6 lety +50

    Red Hibiscus Tropical plant very very very strong when corded.

  • @kfmoses4580
    @kfmoses4580 Před 6 lety +11

    This is exactly the sort of thing I was hoping to see one day when I started following you for the cooking videos. Thanks!

  • @randywatson8347
    @randywatson8347 Před 6 lety +6

    That is so awesome. I can imagine back in the days they have many things to do for prep.
    My dad used to do a double by taking a cordarge, apply some saliva and rub/twist it between his lap and palm of his hand.

    • @mrslocalvore5265
      @mrslocalvore5265 Před 6 lety +1

      Synthusiast that's called " thigh roling" I just learned how to do this with dried nettle stalks. You Dad obviously knows what's up ☺👍

  • @pammentzer3584
    @pammentzer3584 Před 3 lety +2

    Wow! This makes me so grateful for things like my shoe laces!

  • @aislinngraves4291
    @aislinngraves4291 Před 6 lety +16

    brilliant. In the desert, you can do the same thing with yucca fiber or cedar bark.

    • @catsaresharp5781
      @catsaresharp5781 Před 5 lety

      im rather late i just Said that only not yakka
      Forgot the plant name
      Got poked A LOT

    • @CraftQueenJr
      @CraftQueenJr Před 4 lety +1

      I’ve tried both. Cedar was a bit too dry. Yuca fivers are really short so you have to splice a bunch.

  • @randallhawkinson4727
    @randallhawkinson4727 Před 5 lety

    Very well done, Gentleman. At "the Park" in Monterey, we teach the 4th graders the importance of rope, its many uses and how it's made. Being Mexican California (1830) we use Sissal as was typical back then. Unfortunately, we only have 25 minutes for all this; so, so use pre-made, two stand Sissal twine to eventually make a 12 stand rope they get to keep. I am the only volunteer that explains "cordage" to them. At 9 and 10 years of age, they're not going to care; but I believe 30 seconds demonstrating this pays off in their eventual appreciation of their day with us. Until watching this video, I was self taught. Thanks to you both, I wasn't too far off! Another keeper for my video file and personal growth.

  • @edieboudreau9637
    @edieboudreau9637 Před 6 lety +1

    Really enjoy these segments. Thank you both.

  • @gaslightstudiosrebooted3432

    Great job, great miniseries! Thanks Jon!

  • @hipsterypunkery
    @hipsterypunkery Před 6 lety +83

    "What did he use for rope?" "Human hair...from my back"

    • @ragebash13
      @ragebash13 Před 5 lety +4

      I understood that reference!

    • @lescobar195
      @lescobar195 Před 5 lety

      @@ragebash13 So did I.

    • @bozzskaggs112
      @bozzskaggs112 Před 4 lety +1

      "Human hair...from my back". That's what SHE said!

  • @Gottaculat
    @Gottaculat Před 3 lety +1

    Makes you truly appreciate a good spool of Dacron.

  • @darel470
    @darel470 Před 6 lety +4

    I really like the idea behind this, I love Dan's channel! And this channel is awesome as well, great partnership!

  • @josephcukjati728
    @josephcukjati728 Před 6 lety +9

    I Imagine that the first person engineering the mechanization of this process, as trivial as it is by modern standards, must have been incredibly wealthy given how time consuming this seems.

  • @yarnyknots
    @yarnyknots Před 6 lety +3

    I'm so excited about this series! Thanks Townsends!

  • @vertigo0331
    @vertigo0331 Před 6 lety +1

    This is the coolest channel I never knew I wanted! Great job. I've been marathoning your videos and I've written pages of notes

  • @thegalli
    @thegalli Před 6 lety

    Really enjoying this series so far team, thanks so much!

  • @Ascham1
    @Ascham1 Před 6 lety +7

    Two of the best YT channels out there. Another great episode.

  • @prehistoricliving
    @prehistoricliving Před 5 lety

    This is one of your best videos yet. Very informative, fun to watch, great job!

  • @roseyknows2637
    @roseyknows2637 Před 4 lety +1

    DAMMMMM that little bushcraft knife must be super sharp. It went through that pelt like it was nothing.

  • @markcaselius5993
    @markcaselius5993 Před 6 lety

    Really enjoying this new series. Lots of good info packed into very enjoyable settings.

  • @vaylonkenadell
    @vaylonkenadell Před 6 lety +1

    I'm really enjoying this series so far. Great stuff!

  • @kaidenrigg3683
    @kaidenrigg3683 Před 6 lety +3

    I am absolutely loving this new series! When I open a package from Jas Townsend and Son it’s like Christmas all over again.

  • @SluggerStark
    @SluggerStark Před 6 lety

    I am loving this series and learning lots! Great collaboration! 👍✌

  • @JusBidniss
    @JusBidniss Před 5 lety +2

    I love the idea of the two-ply reverse-wrap technique for making primitive cordage, for a couple of its properties: First, by twisting in one direction and wrapping in the other, the opposing twists/wraps push against each other, holding the cordage together and preventing it from unraveling. Second, if you imagine a given length of bark getting twisted/wrapped into a piece of cordage that ends up being 1/4 the length of the original bark, that means the resulting cordage is 4 times stronger than the bark fiber was initially, because you're packing all that original length into a shorter final length, yet not losing any of the tensile strength of the original, just compacting it. He also was a bit vague in the beginning on the reason for the offset versus twisting in the middle, but it's because you don't want your 'add-on' splices lining up in the same spot, weakening the cordage in that spot. You always want to keep these splices a few inches apart as you add each new piece. And he's right about the muscle memory -- if you have enough raw materials on hand, before you know it, you've twisted up several feet of the stuff. An excellent demo of the skill!

  • @wynnkidsnannylorivance4111

    I loved this one! Great real life application of information. Thank you so much!

  • @TheWheatHead84
    @TheWheatHead84 Před 6 lety +6

    That is very interesting and useful. Thanks for sharing such great knowledge.

  • @Deilais
    @Deilais Před 6 lety +2

    These videos are really awesome and interesting, can't wait to see more

  • @mrnobody89
    @mrnobody89 Před 6 lety +3

    This is great. If one needed stronger cordage and had time, one could made several lengths of these and plait them together. A 4-strand plait is pretty simple and makes round, thicker and stronger cordage. One could even splice these lines together while plaitting to make a longer rope.

  • @phillipcroyle
    @phillipcroyle Před 6 lety

    Great knowledge video, very well done you two.

  • @markatkinson9963
    @markatkinson9963 Před 6 lety

    Thanks for bringing these old skills to your channel. I will definitely check out Dan's channel. I enjoyed this emesly.

  • @sky.the.infinite
    @sky.the.infinite Před rokem

    COALCRACKER BUSHCRAFT!
    Love that you guys featured Dan!
    Can’t believe I’m only just now finding these gems!

  • @karl7108
    @karl7108 Před 4 lety

    Thank You for another valuable set of instructions gentlemen. Sincere regards.

  • @robsadler5605
    @robsadler5605 Před 6 lety

    Amazing video! I'm very much looking forward to this series!

  • @HaphazardHomestead
    @HaphazardHomestead Před 6 lety

    There are so many great plants out there, just waiting to be appreciated! This is a great series!

  • @kenjett2434
    @kenjett2434 Před 6 lety

    My new favorite video this is a great skill to learn. I remember learning this when i was a young boy. I used the skill for fishing making trot lines and bank lines.

  • @christopherreynolds4506

    I actually was having a bad day. I noticed a bunch of earplug lanyards lying around at work and thought, " Could I weave these into a rope?" So I looked up this video and tried it. It worked and was very relaxing, to learn a new a new skill.

  • @richmikesell7166
    @richmikesell7166 Před 6 lety

    A very useful skill indeed! Thanks so much for posting this video!

  • @verdatum
    @verdatum Před 6 lety +1

    Nice! I have a quarter acre of tulip poplar (and hickory). It's nice to find instructions for making cordage with something easy to find! I love videos like this. Keep up the great work!

    • @janinedear-barlow
      @janinedear-barlow Před 2 lety

      Sally pointer does videos on making cordage from nettles.

  • @adamburdt8794
    @adamburdt8794 Před 6 lety

    This is hand down the best guest. Very informative, with cool real life skills for surviving and even flourishing in the wild. Not just in dats of old. You can use these modern day

  • @sallison6013
    @sallison6013 Před 5 lety

    Thank you Dan! The circle thing is so cool!

  • @MajorGenralDizz
    @MajorGenralDizz Před 3 lety +1

    I am a huge fan of Dan. Awesome to see these two together.

  • @yuktithegreat5390
    @yuktithegreat5390 Před 2 lety

    Thanks for introducing this man to us! Love your channel nd now his too!!

  • @andylundberg2932
    @andylundberg2932 Před 6 lety

    I am really digging these collaboration videos!

  • @pyro3446
    @pyro3446 Před 3 lety +1

    the west coast tribes used cedar, lasts longer and you can keep bugs out with the water you have to soak it in

  • @tomdrake9121
    @tomdrake9121 Před 6 lety

    Great series, hopefully it will produce many more videos!

  • @mkivy
    @mkivy Před 5 lety

    I admire ur talent and information obtained from experience and education....thank u all...

  • @southernwanderer7912
    @southernwanderer7912 Před 6 lety

    Very good information. You can use pine tree roots to make cordage as well, either single strand or twisted, depending on what you need it for and how strong it needs to be. I hope you'll make more of this type of video.

  • @jasonmorello1374
    @jasonmorello1374 Před 6 lety

    A technique I know of for leather cord/stripping is a spiral pull. Place a the disk started like he did, against the knife blade pushed tip into a wood base, so that as you tug the leather, it pulls the body of the leather to the wood, and cuts the strip. with practice, you can pull the whole strip fairly quickly and very evenly from the disk to the very center. a second blade or a spaced peg helps a lot to do this fast.

  • @thebardisashieldmaiden1754

    I love these informative videos. Something I can add to my reenactments and survival tactics. Thanks.

  • @righteousviking
    @righteousviking Před 6 lety

    This was incredible, thanks so much guys!

  • @JeffGloverArts
    @JeffGloverArts Před 6 lety

    Great stuff! Please continue!

  • @cetyl2626
    @cetyl2626 Před 2 lety

    Dan's knowledge here really shines, it's just overflowing.

  • @cavemantrees7829
    @cavemantrees7829 Před 5 lety

    Love the video, ☺. Poplar trees make really great walking sticks. 🌲

  • @skeetsoldier
    @skeetsoldier Před 6 lety

    Great video! More of this, please!

  • @MrDknuckle
    @MrDknuckle Před 6 lety

    this new series is great, really enjoying it

  • @b.m.hm.j.h3310
    @b.m.hm.j.h3310 Před rokem +3

    my question is, how do you deal with the ends for optimal security, how do I tie it off and make sure it doesn't come undone?

  • @pixelcook4124
    @pixelcook4124 Před 6 lety +4

    ive always loved the skill of making cordage so thanks so much on making a video on it! ~Luke

  • @derpherp4530
    @derpherp4530 Před rokem

    Always like seeing two great content creators coming together to.... create good content.

  • @MissGroves
    @MissGroves Před 6 lety +1

    That's very similar to straw work cord. You twist the one on the right twice, swap it under or over the left hand thread which becomes the right hand side ready for the next two twists

  • @lindatisue733
    @lindatisue733 Před 6 lety +2

    Thanks for another great video

  • @jeff2178
    @jeff2178 Před 6 lety

    This is awesome, please more videos like this

  • @kenwoodfl
    @kenwoodfl Před 2 lety

    Really enjoyed this, thanks!

  • @MrBigCookieCrumble
    @MrBigCookieCrumble Před 6 lety

    So simple, yet so amazing.

  • @FloryJohann
    @FloryJohann Před 3 lety

    Wow, very informative.
    Thank you.

  • @gophervision
    @gophervision Před 6 lety

    Top notch video, thank you!

  • @jimfrattaroli9
    @jimfrattaroli9 Před 6 lety

    great stuff! thanks guys

  • @LeginNoslen
    @LeginNoslen Před 6 lety +207

    Can you recommend a filling porridge for when you forage for cordage?

    • @southernwanderer7912
      @southernwanderer7912 Před 6 lety +12

      I know you didn't ask me this question, but I recommend Kasha (roasted buckwheat).

    • @jenniferikelman5516
      @jenniferikelman5516 Před 6 lety +40

      I see what you did there. Don't forget you can add some borage (edible blue flower) to the top of your filling porridge, while you forage for bark to make cordage.

    • @southernwanderer7912
      @southernwanderer7912 Před 6 lety +5

      Right. And any fruit you find along the way as well, such as blackberries.

    • @PersonaRandomNumbers
      @PersonaRandomNumbers Před 6 lety +45

      If you have leftovers, you might need cordage forage porridge storage!

    • @KazakhToon
      @KazakhToon Před 6 lety +10

      Jennifer Ikelman quite the homage to the famous borage porage there. Excellent when you need to forage for cordage for portage and such... like.

  • @blakedavis4802
    @blakedavis4802 Před 4 lety

    A stronger more durable, uniform cordage can be made by folding the fibers in half. Reverse wrap. As the materials start to thin, take some more fibers, double them and blend in. Repeat. The problem with the 1/3-2/3s method here is the “lump” that forms in the splice. If you try to use it for a bow drill, that’s the first place it breaks. If you keep each length equal, and blend in, than you can control the uniformity of the cordage. Plus the addition of new material is more durable and stronger.

  • @RicaRoseHopeful_Voluntarist

    Awesome, thank you Townsends!

  • @aztec999999
    @aztec999999 Před 5 lety

    Love both your shows

  • @Aethelvlad
    @Aethelvlad Před rokem

    These two make such an amazing duo

  • @randybugger3006
    @randybugger3006 Před rokem

    I twist cordage the other direction. Twist away, roll it back. Cedar bark makes really soft cordage. 3 ply is the same technique but each strand has to maintain its position in the orde. An easy way to practice is to use 3 different colors of fiber.

  • @bobriemersma
    @bobriemersma Před 6 lety +3

    Watching the hide-string part of this I kept thinking "Wow, how handy a modern sharp pair of scissors would have been back then. That one tool could almost make a person into a factory on the frontier." But I'm sure with experience sharp speciality knives of the time period for leatherwork did much the same thing.

    • @trishoconnor2169
      @trishoconnor2169 Před 6 lety +2

      I always take a pair of scissors camping, even though if necessary my hunting knife will do anything the scissors will do. There's something to be said for "modern" tools!

  • @garyhamiltoniii1215
    @garyhamiltoniii1215 Před rokem

    Damn Mr coalcracker bushcraft himself. Another great video man keep them up. Special guests are awesome

  • @PersonaRandomNumbers
    @PersonaRandomNumbers Před 6 lety

    Incredible, truly! One could really be self-sufficient out in the world, just with the right knowledge.

  • @5argetech56
    @5argetech56 Před 6 lety +70

    1775.. The First Frontier.
    2775.. The Final Frontier.

  • @candiedginger8729
    @candiedginger8729 Před 6 lety +1

    Many weeds can be used for cordage as well, milk weed and nettle come to mind.
    You can also use this twist and wrap method in your hair to create 2 strand braids.

  • @tank123103
    @tank123103 Před 6 lety +8

    This is such a great channel

  • @mikebrooka9395
    @mikebrooka9395 Před 6 lety

    Mulberry bark is great for this. Branches approaching one inch need to have outer bark whipped off, usually over the naked green branches. What makes mulberry a great tree to use is that it grows back super fast and you almost can not kill them. The branches 1-2 inch are work but you can use the dried wood as a strong light weight structure timber... Such as kittys, lean to's, etc. On drag kittys, use oak or compatible woods for the drag feet. Fruit woods provide similar results in a survival situation but don't cut off the hand that feeds you or others that may pass by.
    I hope this helps some one with survival, hobby, sustainable resources, camping, or just teaching kiddos something they can make or craft.
    Take care from Oklahoma,
    Mike and Vee

  • @johnclarke7626
    @johnclarke7626 Před 5 lety

    Very useful. My yard is full tulip poplar. Gonna try it.

  • @jhgreen14
    @jhgreen14 Před 6 lety

    Such a great series.

  • @Kathleen67.
    @Kathleen67. Před 6 lety

    Very cool, good to know!

  • @linskeptikat9069
    @linskeptikat9069 Před 6 lety +3

    So interesting! Thank you for this. Also I love the music. Could you please list what it is and where it might be available?

  • @HomsteadingThePioneerWay

    great to know thanks, love these shows

  • @michaelagius6814
    @michaelagius6814 Před 6 lety

    Love this video series from Townsends. Did anyone else have trouble following the instructions with this video? Wish they had picture and picture with a constant view of the cordage making.

  • @seamus6387
    @seamus6387 Před 6 lety

    Nice video! This also tells you one thing after you spend some time making cordage. Mainly that when all cordage and rope was made like this that you just didn't cut a rope without thinking like we do now. It was too much work to make the stuff to waste it like we do now.

  • @Oukoyami
    @Oukoyami Před 6 lety +1

    Awesome, That was very interesting.