18th Century Frontier Gear Review with Nathan Kobuck

[@FrontierTradingCompany]

Want to support the channel? Feedback is critical as I learn and grow, and I appreciate any feedback -- positive or negative -- here in the comments section. You can support me financially by pledging $3, $5, or $10 per month toward FTC on Patreon ($10 will get your name in the comments section at the end of each video). Still want to support? Copy the link to this video and share it with a friend! Be sure to check out the video description for useful links and information!

[@2gpowell]

Thanks for keeping your channel alive. We need this for future generations.

[@FrontierTradingCompany]

Maaaaaany years to come! Thanks for watching!

[@TurkeyCreek-ek8mj]

Excellent, excellent video! Glad to see you back on KZbin. TC

[@FrontierTradingCompany]

Thank you!!

[@haroldconner2645]

Thank you for the information

[@FrontierTradingCompany]

Thank you for watching 🤝

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Well done Alex. I take green coffee beans, dry roast them and after placing them in a leather bag pulverize them with the hatchet … best coffee EVER! Should you ever make your way up here to Upper Canada, perhaps we can go on a trek.

[@FrontierTradingCompany]

Thanks for the tip!! I will keep you in mind, that would be a dream come true!

[@rebeccaback3287]

Verry glad to see you back, looking for future videos for many years to come. I like your presentation. I have learned something from this video! I have helped assemble a team of 5 people we will be doing 18th century reenactment. David Back.

[@FrontierTradingCompany]

Thanks for the consistent support! Great to hear you are getting a group together!

[@johnovanic9560]

Great video glad to see you back. I got into buckskinning back in the mid-70s and I know that's not the same as the 18th century re-enacting. Some of my kit is handmade some is not. I take pride in the things that I can recreate and don't worry about the things that I cannot. For me it is not about the authenticity of my gear but can I survive with it. So I guess you could say that I am a twentieth-century longhunter while I still Don the accoutrements of yesteryear.

[@FrontierTradingCompany]

Absolutely! Some stay in that area of the hobby and thrive! I’ve spent the past year or two diving a little deeper into the harder core 18th-century stuff during these college years… so far it hasn’t taken the fun out of it but if perfecting my equipment and such ever becomes a stressor, that’s where I’ll draw the line. Thank you for putting so many years into the hobby. Your generation has set the bar and I hope mine keeps on pushing it! The bottom line is to HAVE FUN (and do some service to our heritage) and too many people lose sight of that!

[@johnovanic9560]

@@FrontierTradingCompany indeed enjoy the ride my friend

[@andreweden9405]

Let that poor kitty up on your lap, that's where he's trying to get!😢 It's great that you're keeping that knife as a family heirloom. However, I can tell you that it is definitely not correct for your period. I would look at some of the research done by Ken Hamilton, as well as the knives he makes. Also, the Hoosier-based maker Kyle Willyard is a master, and both his tomahawks and his knives are functional works of art! I'd be happy to give you some good informational "jumping-off points" in terms of knives and tomahawks if you'd like. Edit: Thanks for letting the kitty on your lap!🙏😁 Edit No. 2: And it looks like you've gotten yourself a VERY nice tomahawk! That actually reminds me a lot of Kyle Willyard's work.

[@FrontierTradingCompany]

Really appreciate the tips, thanks!

[@blackpowderpassion9108]

Great video!!!loved all the information this video provided...love the job you did on the kibler kit ..(love the color)

[@FrontierTradingCompany]

Appreciate it! Thank you!

[@ColtenHenderson]

Great video. Rember that horses were a thing back then, so larger items like the buffalo robe and blankets would have been hauled on them. They would have carried multiple blankets for trade stock with the locals. Be it for straight across trade or just bribery. The horses would have been used to haul the few hundred pounds of skins back to market

[@FrontierTradingCompany]

Great reminder, thank you!

[@Hidetannerslife]

Great video. Gun covers are called sheaths. The poll on your axe is great for dispatching game, multiple uses in trapping, and the axe is great for removing the contents from a skull for tanning

[@karladenton5034]

Welcome Back! Congratulations on graduating from college! Re food - flour or cornmeal brings breads and journey cakes / pancakes to the table. (BTW, love the violin key stopper on your salt pig) Interesting discussion about not cutting leather laces in a circle since I've always wondered how the grain of the leather would affect the finished product and how to make rawhide rope. Another skill worth getting is how to make short lengths of cordage from plants. Being able to just twist to get thread or fine cordage is a skill that has come in handy on more than one primitive camping expedition for me. It's been great to see your evolution from Boy Scout to apprentice Longhunter. LBP would be proud.

[@FrontierTradingCompany]

Really appreciate it! Thanks for the tips!

[@dougdukes1039]

Can you talk more or do a video on using the Ritt remover on the leather please. I tried that and the leather came out black, and so hard, it broke. I have some of the chrome died leather, that I would like to change the color a bit. Thanks for the video.

[@FrontierTradingCompany]

I will do a video on this at some point - I imagine this process would only work with veg tan leather.

[@markraymond3198]

When giving a knife back then there would be a coin exchange with knives otherwise it's bad luck. So you know what to do.. Thank you,

[@lusolad]

Its cool to see that you want to evolve and get things right. Not sure a lot of folks want to do those things.

[@garywesthoven1745]

All of your videos are very enjoyable. I have some wooded land, lots of creek bottom and open wildflower ground if you ever want another location to enact from. I am east of Napoleon four miles.

[@TexasRanger-lf6jc]

Just discovered you and you have amazing videos!! You just gained a subscriber!!

[@moorshound3243]

I always like a cup, then i can have a hot drink on the go as i heat a meal up. This is great thanks for posting.

[@Real11BangBang]

Great video!

[@FrontierTradingCompany]

Thanks!

[@hatfieldmccoy0311]

Hey brother, I was wondering if they still do this, I grew up in South Eastern Kentucky, we had been in that holler for over 200 years and the Cherokee side of my family moved there after running off the Trail of Tears and hiding. Both of the original cabins are still standing and being lived in by my family, one built in 1790, my mamaw and papaw live in and just now got running water. I grew up around 18th century history and stories on all sides Dads people are scotts irish and enrolled shawnee indian in WV. I am an eagle scout, went to the Marines as an Infantryman for 12 years got out and continued where I left off. Moved to Ohio for work and been wanting to get more involved in this stuff and would really enjoy getting into the Longhunter school.

[@FrontierTradingCompany]

Definitely come and check it out! There is a thriving historical community out here in Ohio. You will have to register to attend the School of the Longhunter - there is a small fee (well worth it) and you’ll want to be prepared to camp - but every year there are a few folks who turn out in jeans that are just getting started in the hobby. I’ll be advertising it big time this year on Instagram and KZbin so keep an eye on my media for the dates and speakers/etc once they are confirmed! Wherever you are in your journey it’s a great spot to learn more and find your way forward. There are some real OG’s like Kobuck and other speakers, and some real beginners like me. Highly, highly recommend it. I really respect and appreciate your connection to your heritage!

[@survivalscott8545]

Could u show us where or how u made ur items and like how they waterproof and the process, or a good website to buy from

[@Hidetannerslife]

Skitagon Chaga isn't an 18th century term

[@lusolad]

Where did you get your hunting shirt? Did you make it? Where did you get the pattern? Is it copied after from a historical example?

[@FrontierTradingCompany]

It is from Smoke & Fire Co. in Waterville, OH. I believe they still sell the same pattern but in a slightly shorter rev war style.

[@lusolad]

​@FrontierTradingCompany Should the sleeves be pleated and former closer to the arm? Was thinking of doing that. Or do you think not all hunting shirts had that feature?

[@JJ-JOHNSON]

The more knowledge you have, the less you'll carry in the woods.

[@FrontierTradingCompany]

Love that phrase! Might hear me drop this in a future video!

[@WildwoodCastle]

Looking forward to it...

[@briansherrillruralliving9708]

Good to see you back. I always enjoy your videos and this is a good one. Hope to see new ones in the future

[@FrontierTradingCompany]

Many years more content to come! Thank you for watching!

[@ILoveMuzzleloading]

So great to see you both together! This was amazing.

[@FrontierTradingCompany]

Ethan - praise from you goes a long way. Really appreciate you watching and grateful for all you do for this community!

[@lanced3256]

Hey!! What a great kit review absolutely loved it. Super comprehensive kit. I love to hear the breakdown and kit gear reviews. Thank ypu for bringing this to us. look forward to the next one. Best wishes!!

[@FrontierTradingCompany]

Thanks, really appreciate it!

[@danielirvine3109]

Keep up the good work.

[@FrontierTradingCompany]

Trying my best, thanks for watching!

[@potatertot360]

As someone who did a very different kind of reenactment stuff, I'd ditch the fork and just carry a knife and spoon. Hard to go wrong with those. I laughed at the comment about the knives all made by the same company. I think I still have one of those kicking around in my stuff somewhere...

[@wanderlustjake]

Great to see you back, being a newbie I find your videos interesting and helpful. Thank you for doing this one. I think it’s great that you are trying make your kit authentic. Makes me want to up my game. Question, do you know what style you would call Nathan’s leggings? I’ve seen them folded/tied that way in a picture at Ft. Ligonier and am curious. Looking forward to more content from you.

[@FrontierTradingCompany]

Appreciate it! As for Nathan's leggings, as far as I know they are standard pattern leggings but he is wearing them with the flap tied forward whereas I wear mine with the flap tied back. I see most people today wearing them flap-back, but Nathan put on a great presentation the day before this was filmed discussing legging depictions from the time period and I believe several were worn flap-forward. Hope I can continue to serve as inspiration while you improve your own kit! Staying stagnant in the hobby is no fun. Keep raising the bar 🤝

[@markmorse9445]

This is a great rundown

[@FrontierTradingCompany]

Thanks for watching!

[@mattshoaff1]

Thank you do much for this video. This is one of the best gear review I've ever seen.

[@FrontierTradingCompany]

Really glad I could help! Thanks for the comment!

[@earlshaner4441]

Good afternoon from Syracuse NY brother and everyone else thank you for sharing your information

[@FrontierTradingCompany]

Just passed through Syracuse yesterday on a trip into Canada to see some F&I War sites! Thanks for watching!

[@earlshaner4441]

I just got home from a 4 day re-enactment camp out last weekend at Greene New York

[@gorbalsboy]

Excellent vid,Very kind of the fella to give you a knife,all the best from sunny Troon

[@FrontierTradingCompany]

For sure! Nathan is the best.

[@Kilroys_Info_Dump]

I have a camping-kit idea for "items and clothing you specialize in to sometime into 1900, Personally I've been using items from the 1870's Ish to like the frock coat you have any Ideas for a kit (also include links to any website you deem worthy)

[@FrontierTradingCompany]

I'm not sure I understand your question but unfortunately I think the timeframe you might be looking for is outside my scope of knowledge. Regardless, I wish you all the best as you improve your kit!

[@J_C_Firelocks]

Welcome back! This is a very educational video. It's on my list to make it to one of the School of the Long hunter events.

[@FrontierTradingCompany]

I highly recommend it! Great event to level up your knowledge and get to know some big names in the community.

[@Bill_tyler]

Where are you guys meeting up at? Is it a rendezvous? Reenactment?? How do I find communities like this?

[@FrontierTradingCompany]

This was at the School of the Longhunter at Prickett’s Fort - this event is an annual series of lectures and camping open to participants - not necessarily a public event - it happens every year and you can find more information with a Google search! Searching “Living history events” could be a good one and I believe sites like ilovemuzzleloading and smoke&fireco keep lists of events happening nationally.

[@mysgvus1]

I'm curious about those wool stockings. Did those come from south union mills? I couldn't find them on the website? thank you!

[@FrontierTradingCompany]

They did! Here is the link: www.southunionmills.com/hand-knit-stockings/ You may want to contact them first to confirm wait times, these are a unique product and wait times vary up to a few months depending on their inventory!

[@JamesWilliams-he4lb]

Love it. Having Kobuck sit with you there was probably comparable to several years of me sifting through good info vs bad info when I was your age (not quite 20 years ago). You're lightyears ahead of the buckskinners who got me into living history - great friends, but weren't super concerned with recreating authenticity. See you out there and keep your powder dry.

[@FrontierTradingCompany]

Really appreciate this, thank you! You guys paved the way for my generation to keep pushing the bar! Ultimately it’s all about having fun - I get a lot of enjoyment out of the details and the history, other guys just want to hit the woods with the limitations of a past time as a challenge - I have nothing but respect for the way it’s been done in the past but if I can use this platform to keep pushing the standard I’m honored to do so! Grateful for your support 🤝

[@orionoutdoorsandworkshop5617]

to form your cows knee. wrap gun tightly in some kind of cling wrap. MOISTEN,( it doesnt have to be dripping wet) your leather and wrap it tightly to the shape and form your looking for. fasten it on as you will for use and let it dry at least overnight. when you remove it it will have taken and hold the shape of your rifle lock. this is how many of us form knife sheaths as well. its great to see a young man choose to practice living history and strive to do it right.

[@Codystader1234]

Where did you find the pattern for your tumpline a d moccasin

[@FrontierTradingCompany]

Nathan has a great series of blog articles (search buffalotrace1765 online) on moccasins and there are several KZbin videos available online that demonstrate the construction. Eventually I will make one of my own! As for the tumpline, there isn’t necessarily a pattern, just a method of weaving - I will also make a video about that process eventually - likely this year. Until then the best tumpline video I’ve found is by Snowalker13 and it is actually a recap of the Prickett’s Fort event that this same video was shot at. Hope that helps!

[@jaybird4610]

Great inspirational video. Please continue sharing what you’ve learned.

[@rodneybrook6361]

Where is a good place to acquire a good 18 century knife to go with a period shot bag?

[@rickminer7528]

This was pretty cool and showed what the men actually "got by with". I love the history behind all this and look forward to your next outing.

[@FrontierTradingCompany]

Appreciate it! Many more to come!

[@FlintlockOperator]

Thank you for an incredible video!

[@FrontierTradingCompany]

Thanks for watching and for all you do for this community!

[@Texican-1836]

Damn! We've missed you!

[@FrontierTradingCompany]

I’m baaaaaaack!!

[@Texican-1836]

@@FrontierTradingCompany Awesome!

[@danielkuchta8318]

What caliber is your rifle?

[@leoscheibelhut940]

Super helpful and informative! Great channel.

[@FrontierTradingCompany]

Appreciate it! Lots more to come!

[@SOvideography]

This is a great, informative, video! Good to see Mr Kobuck, I have learned a lot from his blog. Great to have you back, and making videos.

[@FrontierTradingCompany]

Appreciate it! Many years to come!

[@neanderthalnonsense]

Great video

[@Scottmiller1974ohio]

Like the video but gotta argue about the blanket pin. Pins very much like that were traded to the native tribe by the British and French. From the 1600s on ..not to mention all the scotish and Irish settlers that fought for and against the crowns .that would of brought them from home and the knowledge of how to make them here trade broaches in various sizes and shapes have been found from the UP to the carolinas

[@FrontierTradingCompany]

Please link any sources or evidence! I’m happy to be proven wrong - I’m familiar with the small inch wide silver trade pins/brooches but not anything so large as to pin a blanket - if you have evidence of blanket pins, specifically, I’ll be happy to spread it around!

[@bcru3rds]

Great to see you back.

[@hangtough503]

Beautiful video. Subd. D😎🇺🇸🤙

[@BrettWarner-fv9is]

Nice set up, one thing though the term bedroll didn't come around till in the 1830s or so. They would've just called it bedding or just blankets, from all the research I've done.

[@Graybeardforge]

I love the family heirloom knife. I have two of them myself. Made by Western co. In boulder colorado usa. Knives were made from 1920 to 1970s. Depending on the manufacturing stamp at the base of the knife.

[@kalan4787]

What happened to your video where you described your longhunter garb? It's not up anymore. You had kitted yourself out EXACTLY the way I had wanted to dress for Frontier Scouts and was using your video as a reference (how I found your channel in the first place)

[@edwardfletcher7790]

Your tomahawk is a fighting style one, not designed for chopping wood. The low muffled audio and background noise makes this video a difficult watch ☹️

[@charlesquick3091]

I have a question... It is documented that wood canteen's, glass bottle canteen's, leather bags, and tin canteen's were in the colonies during the revelation so my question is why wouldn't people have tin canteen's on the frontier? They might not have been frequently seen but they surely would have been carried by some people.

[@stevelabecki7980]

Learned a lot thanks for sharing! If possible could you tell me where you bought your Oil canvas from?

[@amel2784]

Finely ground coffee, like you find in K cups, is too fine for dropping into hot water. It is hard to dream and it leaves a foamy bitter substance floating on the top of your coffee. Better to go with a coarser grind.

[@daverissel]

Great video, keep them coming and congrats on graduating. Hope to see you at Prickett's Fort again in 2024.

[@Scottmiller1974ohio]

Again so happy to see someone of ur age with such a passion for history .dont just read about it ..live it ...hope to see more from u soon.

[@hillbillyhistorian1863]

Any sources on period felt hats being black more often than brown?

[@robertmccann5838]

Good job striving for a better impression. Best of luck.

[@winterhorse290]

You spend the first year buying everything that look “old time”. Then the rest of your life trying to get rid of it.

[@conniefritz9594]

Pemican would be an authentic food

[@HistoryOnTheLoose]

One of the most difficult things to do is unroll your kit to be scrutinized. It takes an open mind and desire to learn and improve....with a good deal of guts thrown in. Well done. Good to see you back.

[@FrontierTradingCompany]

Really appreciate this. I used to be so fiercely protective of my gear despite its wild inaccuracies. Maturity and time spent on period material really brought me around to sacrificing vanity for improvement. This is a great hobby because it fosters lessons that reach far into your personal and professional life.

[@saucycardinal3322]

Loved the closeups of the cat. Great videos as always, glad to see you back on here

[@FrontierTradingCompany]

More videos coming soon!

[@FrederickMohler]

Alex, as Nathan has spoken, hunting and trekking make for a true test that show what a longhunter actually would carry as basic necessities. Your gear will diminish accordingly. Thinking minimal is key to survival and becoming true to the period. Began my own journey in 1982.

[@FrontierTradingCompany]

Thanks for putting so much time into the hobby! Guys like you have paved the way for my generation. Great advice - thanks for watching and appreciate the comment!

[@richardmeyers8781]

I'm always amazed at how much time so many of you all spent pretending that having your things hand sewn. When in fact nothing you carry unless it's an original that has not been touched in every single way by fossil fuels. There is no way want so ever to get away from it. Not even a gun made by Herschel House. You drive a car to what ever event you go to. Please give me a break. I have been doing this before you were born. Take this hobby with a grain of salt.

[@FrontierTradingCompany]

Thanks for putting so much time into the hobby! You all paved the way for my generation to keep on raising the bar!

[@moorshound3243]

Chill out dude. We are just having fun doing this stuff.

[@HistoryOnTheLoose]

I, too, have been doing this for many years. One thing that time well spent will instill in older generations of pursuers in this is patience. Patience for newer pursuant to discover their way with occasional advice. Acceptance, encouragement and support are also dividends of invested years. Honestly, in spite of your claim, I don't think you've been doing ANYTHING like this for any amount of time, as none of the characteristics I've mentioned are evident in your comment. Any pursuit you may have undertaken has been done so in a vacuum as very few others would support such attitude and behavior in their groups. I can tell you that none of that would be tolerated at my fire.

[@recondrone6826]

Very fine thread of having enough gear to survive for extended times vs mobility for long distance travel . If you wanted to take everything including the kitchen sink you had a pack animal or two so life would be easier on those longhunts and have a base camp. I'm sure most long hunters used pack animals and traveled in groups of several men then once a base camp was set up they could leave a individual to protect the base camp, gear and pack animals while the others explored for a few days with minimal gear harvesting the game. Hauling out your skins also required your 4 footed friends to take them to market/fur traders. Long hunters were a special breed of rugged fearless men that had to make logical life saving decision almost daily. I was born and raised in Kentucky's biggest city but I was fortunate enough to have a father and a couple of grand parents that loved the outdoors and taught my three brothers and me how to hunt, fish, hike and minimal survival skills. I always thought of Daniel Boone exploring the virgin forest and streams of Kentucky and how he must have felt seeing this vast wilderness and the wild game when I was out in the woods hunting or hiking! 🦊🦬🦝🦌🦨🐻🐇🦫🐿🦆🦅🌲🌳

[@FrontierTradingCompany]

All good points here, thank you!

[@martykelley2001]

WATERPROOF WAX AND LINSEED OIL I USED TOILET BOWL WAX RING , MELT IT DOWN WITH 4 TABLESPOON OF LINSEED WITH WAX RING BRUSH IT ON , WHILE IT'S HOT