Building A Bark Canoe In 12 Hours? - Elm Bark Canoe Part 2

Special thanks to Erik Vosteen for his help and expertise on this project!
Visit Erik's Website Here ➧ www.burntmud.co... ➧➧
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[@townsends]

Quick drone flying lesson: Don't do what we did at 12:12

[@jojolowe2019]

These are still some very beautiful shots^^

[@thehighhopes5336]

That's awesome. Great job. Respect from Baltimore.

[@MarkWladika]

Underwater drone shot; very advanced!

[@DekranWolfe]

2 seconds later..."What an immersive experience." In more ways than one. lol Great video as always guys

[@yahwehskid4819]

Have you heard of the round shaped type of vessels made from Buffalo skin's the name escapes me but I'd love to see you try it!

[@benschloman6389]

Let’s be honest, off camera you rubbed some nutmeg on the canoe.

[@townsends]

You know how we do it

[@T_bone]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@rosemcguinn5301]

:)

[@SeymoreTheDisappointed]

Get some nut on it for good luck

[@dylanlawhorn5309]

Hahahahahahah so true

[@mbogmire]

I wish I had a quiet blue man to follow me around and help me make boats

[@alexanderlapp5048]

I wish I could follow someone around and help build things and not have to talk much.

[@footrot17]

But then you get that thing from Eiffel 65

[@OkieDokieSmokie]

@@footrot17 not that there's anything wrong with that

[@unclestarwarssatchmo9848]

Yeah my blue guy only deals me drugs badadi badada

[@michael-dm2bv]

hare krishna or a smurf?

[@SmallMartingale]

I was on the edge of my seat the whole time thinking "oh man, that bark is gonna crack"!!! Needless to say I'm blown away that it work so well. Awesome!

[@jessiepapabear4272]

I find myself holding my breath as your folding the sides as if I was right there. Lol. I so enjoy you guys.

[@townsends]

It was nerve-wracking to say the least!

[@suspectsez4203]

Me too!

[@christopherch7307]

Every bend and hammer tap I was going Ohhh no don't crack.

[@jkrause365]

@@townsends I can imagine.

[@davidsain2129]

So did I!

[@UnclePutte]

Beautiful work! The river's a lot more of a humbling experience when you're on a canoe of bark, I'll say.

[@BigHorseFilm]

I love the acoustic guitar score in this video, very fitting with the atmosphere. Great video, I like the production & pacing.

[@WanderingYankee]

Feels like I'm playing Poly Bridge :)

[@End3rWi99in]

This has fast become one of my favorite channels on KZbin and has inspired an interest I never knew I had. Thank you!

[@bfowler4350]

I found this channel a few months ago, and I'm so glad I did! I love history, and ALL this stuff is left out! Making canoes, washing clothes, cooking, and even making deserts that the Washington's enjoyed! Thank you!

[@AbbreviatedReviews]

I really didn't think it was going to bend as well as it did. This whole project is really amazing.

[@1walter2808]

Very impressive! Your commitment to teaching others of our nation's past is honestly commendable. Thank you so very much!

[@TheConservativeCanadian]

I am so thankful for a lot of your videos. Not only are you putting out quality tutorials for people such as myself to learn from and make my personal projects that much easier to accomplish, but you are ensuring our history doesn't fade with time. Your channel is one of my absolute favorites. God bless you, your family, and the work you do.

[@gsomers248]

Congratulations! I'd never heard of this type of canoe before and am absolutely amazed by your 12 hour build. Incredible! Thank you for creating this fascinating content.

[@adrianfirewalker4183]

I've seen, heard of, and read about, many different materials for building Canoes (dugouts, Birchbark, reeds, canvas, aluminum, fiberglass, even space-age materials) but I never even dreamed of Elm Bark! I LOVE THIS CHANNEL!!!

[@lacybookworm5039]

You should have that canoe 🛶as part of a living history museum. This video and the one before was very instructional.

[@ladyofthemasque]

Seconded! If there's room in your shop, you could hang it overhead, maybe? Or donate it to Conner Prairie, or a similar organization there in Indiana?

[@gewgulkansuhckitt9086]

Exactly. It won't last long if used as a canoe until it falls apart, but it doesn't have to be waterproof to become a museum exhibit.

[@adrianfirewalker4183]

Respectfully, it should be used. Maybe another can be made for a museum, but use the first one until it no longer floats

[@adrianfirewalker4183]

Respectfully, it should be used. Maybe another can be made for a museum, but use the first one until it no longer floats.

[@daleannharsh8295]

@@adrianfirewalker4183 Agreed! I'd have as much fun and film as many videos as possible....

[@OvGraphics]

3 years ago to Townsends is like a couple of minutes ago to me. Having so many books in my collection talking about going up river and up creek....building craft on the spot, seeing it done is amazing. The dugout build was knucklebusting fantastic, but the elm bark build just blew me away. Like everyone else you had me expecting disaster every minute but you pulled it off. Wow!

[@awldune]

When you put it in, I was like "are you kidding me!?!" and then it actually worked!

[@theWZZA]

Nah, it was money in the bank.

[@hugodesrosiers-plaisance3156]

It's Canada Day, I'm off work, I have a cold beer, the day ahead of me, my cat purring by my side, AND THEN I SEE TOWNSENDS UPLOADED A NEW VIDEO. Heck, you really wanted to make my day, huh?

[@playingonthephone1469]

A nutmeg flavored ale I am assuming 🤔

[@playingonthephone1469]

Touche 👍

[@ladyofthemasque]

Happy Canada Day!

[@LilyoftheValeyrising]

Hugo Desrosiers-Plaisance that’s great. Happy Canada Day. I saw a Canadian flag out in a town near me in Maryland. They must be Canadian.

[@cloudraker100]

Hahaha, I just worked on my canoe- repaired the gun whales. (Very Canadian i know). Now its rum and coke, watching this video. Life is good.

[@covelokiddkidd7686]

Truly amazing sir !! Thank you for what you do. It feels like I'm watching a live feed from the 18th century. I love history

[@JessieHTX]

Thank you. I love these woodworking and canoe videos. I live near Big Thicket and the Piney Woods of Texas, and the history of the area is obviously closely tied to the trees.

[@LittleBunnySunshine]

Canoe??? Can-Do!!! You guys are amazing!!!👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@gtbkts]

LittleBunnySunshine. Yes, I would say that it went swimmingly. Lol.

[@LittleBunnySunshine]

Indeed! It was smooth sailing!

[@admiralgoodboy]

LittleBunnySunshine canoes dont have sails

[@lesahanners5057]

Such a feeling of satisfaction came over me when I saw you launch your canoe. It gave me shivers for a minute it looked so truly 18th century. This was such a wonderful experience, seeing you build this canoe from tree choice to paddling on the water. I'm sure there is no feeling like it and you should be so proud of yourself for accomplishing this. How truly amazing that you were able to bring to life this method of canoe building. Thanks Jon for all of your efforts and that of your crew, for bringing this to us, to see for ourselves the ingenuity of our ancestors. Have a great day!

[@rangermarsh7510]

Kind of like watching my old friend Roy Underhill on the Woodwright's Shop. Nice job. All you need is a few sharp tools and a lot of bandages.

[@thestranger2749]

That guy never went a day without bleeding i swear!

[@ericdee6802]

Roy had an amazing show, whatever happened to him?.

[@markcaselius5993]

Truly amazing, no nails or screws. I was holding my breath as you folded those ends. Great video.

[@campfireswithcoffey1951]

Your videos continue to be so inspiring, educational and sure hope classrooms are watching as I think seeing them will help facilitate a better understanding of period history. You guys are great!!

[@maxallister66]

Simply amazing. You guys have made our ancestors proud. The canoe should go on public display for others to enjoy. Thank you so much for sharing this.

[@dubbydub9245]

"What an immersive experience to build this canoe." Thankfully not SUBmersive, am I right?

[@MrDknuckle]

another great video ... like Jessie I held my breath as you folded the ends all the while repeating "don't split, please don't split " in my mind .. the more of these I see the more I believe that you would be right at home in the 18th century -- bravo

[@Shay45]

This is so awesome how they used to do all these amazing things just by hands and simple tools

[@Shay45]

@waterside I know and it's amazing.

[@app2530]

I seriously feel like these videos need to be archived in a museum or something. Well done everyone involved, thank you Townsends.

[@davidcramb5793]

I love living history, and Townsend's are one of the best. This canoe build was fantastic 👍

[@AuditorsUnited]

all these build methods can go a long way into build everything like shelters to furniture... thanks this is very inspiring

[@robertcole9391]

By far one of your best videos John. Excellent!

[@GlassArtist07]

Thank you Jon and all your crew - what a fantastic video.. not quite fully instructional, but a great demonstration of just what can be accomplished by a couple of guys, a few tools, and a good understanding of their materials! I look forward to viewing even more videos from you folks like this one - actual projects that date to colonial times, being accomplished by dedicated re-enactors!

[@sonnyg3940]

I always enjoy your videos but I especially appreciate you doing the hard work so that we can see how this was done. Thanks for the excellent video!

[@stonecutter2]

What a step into history to be doing this - thanks for taking us along into the adventure and experience!

[@deceptionception]

He's slowly building up his fleet

[@Planclanman3]

Mans is going to storm Florida soon.

[@Marlaina]

@@Planclanman3 As a FL resident, I’m okay with that.

[@williamobrien2107]

I read a first hand account of someone that was raised with the Indians in Michigan. I think it took place in the 1700’s. He mentioned traveling with four of them and when they came to a river they peeled the bark from a tree, made a canoe and traveled via the river for a few days. Then they hid the canoe and finished the trip on foot. I always wondered how they made the canoe. Now I know. Thank you very much.

[@Ana-ko9px]

I am glad you are passing on your knowlege. It shows how simple things were only 150 years go.

[@rogerhwerner6997]

It is astounding what human ingenuity an accomplish. Building this using period tools and locally available natural materials must be extremely satisfying. I'd love to see the building of birch and spruce bark canoes. Great program!

[@PrescoFlex]

I know you’ve stated that this is essentially disposable. But what kind of life can be expected from a boat like this in your current climate, proper care considered?

[@Urizen156]

I was wondering the same thing. I think in the first video they said it would last about a week, but I was wondering if it would be worth wax sealing it or using resin to seal it, to make it last longer.

[@timothylongmore7325]

The bark gets extremely brittle when dry and molds quickly if wet ... so. If it were possible the ancients ( and Townsend ) wouldv'e figured it out. Spruce bark last a little longer. See Nomadic woodsmans build. Very in depth , 6 parts. For longevity birchbarks the way to go.

[@iLitAfuseiCantStop]

While watching this process I can't help but think the people that made these canoes I'm sure never imagined that one day someone would be able to watch the process on a little device held in ones palm. Thanks for keeping history alive John! 🚣

[@trishayamada807]

Makes me feel like I too could build a canoe.

[@battleb0ng420]

teamwork makes the dream work

[@kaylawuvscookies]

Or just, y'know, buy one.

[@BothHands1]

lol idk about all that. But i can definitely watch these guys make one and stare in awe at their handiwork. I was really skeptical at first, seeing the bark, i thought there was no way lol

[@adreabrooks11]

Try it! I might recommend something similar to start (they have an excellent video for making a dugout canoe as well) - but you never know what you can do until you try!

[@trishayamada807]

Adrea Brooks I’ve started making more food and items for my house and family rather than buying made items. I had failures along the way but they taught me to try again.

[@kungfuasgaeilge]

A great couple of videos! I generally know your channel (I click every time when it pops up, but I may have missed a few videos) as a historical cooking channel, but these bigger projects are just fantastic. I love cooking and I love history, so most of your videos are a wonderful marriage of both that I look forward to, but I also love bushcraft, so these videos are like an extra special treat for me :) I really like the attention to historical accuracy in all your videos, I can see your respect for the people that lived in that era in how you embrace it so fully and honestly. It's very clear that this isn't some facade put on for youtube. To see guys who can handle an axe, have some knots comfortably under their fingers... you do things properly for sure. On this canoe specifically, it should be realised that this is a solid piece of experimental archaeology. Ok, the knowledge still exists to some small extent, but here it is expounded in video, readily available for any who may need it all over the world, for research or otherwise. I don't think that could have been said about this process before your videos. Just think of what you had to go off in researching the project! A dodgy photo of a scale model. Well done, thank you, and keep doing what you're doing. You're doing it right!

[@MackV99]

Awesome work guys, always enjoy the content you guys bring!

[@calebpoehler8525]

Wow John, amazing! I didn't know you had such incredible woodsman skills! I could watch six hours of canoe building, there's something about it that's so beautiful.

[@caseycarroll9733]

That's like perfect one of your best videos thank you

[@JordanRodkey]

It's amazing what ingenuity people have when things get rough. Thanks for keeping this part of human art around in a way people can see and appreciate!

[@daleannharsh8295]

Wouldn't these videos have been great during American History class?!

[@WanderingYankee]

Now that I've found this channel, they will be!

[@flintsky7706]

Good teacher

[@HBButler01]

Those canoes are a work of art of days gone by, it’s amazing how something so simple from Nature went away and yet after some reading on the build, you’ve recreated a classic🙌🏼

[@bwanabwana9523]

Good job, amazing you guys were able to do this on the first try !

[@glamdring0007]

Very well done...the debarking instructions in video 1 and putting it all together in video 2...simply outstanding!

[@CooterCoy]

This type of canoe appeals to me more so than the dugout canoe. The dugout canoe looked like a lot of work whereas this one here looks relatively simple.

[@joseaburto1641]

@愛 Yeah, as a temporary solution, this bark canoe fits perfectly. Maybe poachers or hunters sought out these methods when dealing with small time frames and not many resources for a dugout canoe. In Chile, native like Onas or Yagan people used pelt-made canoes due to the lightness and some bark canoes have been discovered as well.

[@andrewholdaway813]

It's definitely the better canoe... for as long as it lasts!

[@mikeappleget482]

The dugout canoe is like a cast iron skillet; with proper maintenance it’ll last a lifetime. Sure..you can buy a cheap Wal-Mart pan for a faction of the cost, but it won’t last very long and you’ll have to replace it again and again.

[@WayPointSurvival]

This was fantastic! I loved every minute of this canoe build and launch. Thank you for reviving an amazing part of American history!

[@Mojova1]

No nutmeg or maize!? Great video. Greetings from Finland and have a great summer.

[@SmallMartingale]

Awesome! I know I'm never going to make one of these but still I feel like I've learned so much from this series. Thank you so much for taking the time and effort to bring us this project. It was great!

[@easternWashington.]

Is there a way to stop this beautiful canoe from deteriorating?

[@Warhammered]

That's what I'm hoping. It's a shame that type of canoe is only considered temporary. There should be a way to preserve it (even if using modern methods and materials).

[@KairuHakubi]

seems this is just a paper-airplane canoe. something to enjoy temporarily.. how sad.

[@1OpinionatedQueen]

I have seen other wooden canoes covered on the outside with pine pitch

[@HMan2828]

Dry it slowly and rub it a lot with beeswax or boiled linseed oil. You can repair cracks that develop in the drying process with pine resin. You can also dissolve the pine resin in the boiling linseed oil and butter the bark with a bunch of coats of that. I would probably also replace the twine fasteners with something a bit more... permanent.

[@howtowithelizabeth7513]

eastern Washington maybe cover it in waterproofing sealant like what u put on a deck ??

[@maryellen6153]

Wow. This make me feel like I've stepped back several hundred years! Straight off the pages of early America history books! Made it come alive. Thank you!

[@netdog713]

very cool! Do you ever consult with any indigenous people when you work on projects like this?

[@maryellen6153]

Sadly, most indigenous people groups have lost a lot of knowledge, just as our own culture has. Most of us know nothing of how to turn raw materials into soap, clothing, or medicine. Much less how to get our food from the wild, or how to produce food from seed or farm animals. 45 years ago, two of my older siblings (there were 9 of us) went to live among the Native Americans in northern Ontario. At the time, there were no roads in there. No modern conveniences. Hunting/trapping was basically the livelihood. My sister and her husband lived in a small log cabin, without electricity or plumbing. Boiled water from the lake, to drink. They heated and cooked with wood fire. In winter, went skating on the lake for miles. Her husband got his pilot's license, and in summer landed on the lake on pontoons. Of course, in winter the lake was a vast ice airstrip. She came home 5 years later and taught me how to make moccasins out of elk leather her husband had tanned. How to line them with rabbit skin, and how to do intricate beadwork. She had learned from the native women, as her first baby was strapped as all the native babies, in his moss-lined cocoon, onto his board, propped up against a tree, to watch his mother as she worked. Today, that same area is vastly changed. Roads, modern lifestyles, etc. And Government money for the natives to buy their boxed macaroni dinners. They don't do what their elders did only a generation ago. Hardly anyone knows how anymore.

[@terzanole]

@@maryellen6153 Exactly. Too much of our culture has been destroyed by foreign influences

[@Taller2A]

Absolutely fascinating. Thank you Jon and everyone else in the team for showing us this.

[@timberdrifter8225]

nice work guys! great instructional video.

[@wombatone5577]

With time and energy you have done it. As the bark dries animal fat could be rubbed on the outside to stop cracking! Terrific design and great workmanship!

[@Iconoclasher]

👍 No, for you it was not an immersive experience (12:14) If I built it it would be an IMMERSIVE experience....and baptism! 😂 Amazing project! 😊

[@KnightsWithoutATable]

You could make one of these with stone basic tools. It would take longer, but you could still do it. Amazing piece of technology and definitely has been around for a long time. It is really great that you recreated this with such basic directions.

[@jamstagerable]

Can you please try to briefly explain the process used to remove the bark from the tree?

[@brandonrichter6910]

Watch the previous episode...

[@jamstagerable]

@@brandonrichter6910 Ahhhhh 🤦‍♂️ Thanks lol

[@stauffap]

Amazing content. People nowadays just can't imagine anymore how you can build things without epoxy, plastic and power tools. I try to go back to figuring out how we can build things with with sustainable materials found in nature. This channel helps a lot. It helps us understand how we can build things required for our hobbies or lives while not filling our planet with poisonous garbage, that won't decompose. Channels like yours certainly inspire a lot of people, who try to build things with sustainable materials.

[@jroar123]

I see the problem! You’re barking up the wrong tree.... I asked my Chihuahua if she liked this video, she said it was ruff.

[@mikeappleget482]

The 700 Club should hire you as a joke writer!

[@ezswann8176]

Ruff haha

[@dwaynewladyka577]

Your joke is pretty poplar here. Your humor really spruced up this comment section. We knew it wood (would).

[@talianeely2536]

And the tree "sheds" it's bark...

[@gopens89]

Came to this channel for the cooking videos but got sucked in to the other projects. I've never been particularly interested in this kind of thing but it's so fascinating to watch this process! Thanks for bringing this content to those of us who otherwise would have never learned about these things!

[@bobriemersma]

Surely they had work gloves or even mittens on the frontier? Splinters, ouch!

[@GrumpyIan]

Those were probably a luxury item.

[@claytonpaisley9721]

Lol they didn't even always have shoes. When you work a lot without them your fine. I rarely wear shoes or gloves and I do all kinds of outdoor work. I rarely get injured. When you don't have shoes or gloves, you "grow your own".

[@cholulahotsauce6166]

Splinters are unlikely from soft green wood.

[@noonenowhere6920]

I've been watching the channel for years, this might be my favorite video. Great job.

[@michaeljames4904]

_Ray Mears entered the chat_

[@playingonthephone1469]

exits chat

[@feastkey]

I’ve been eagerly awaiting this part two. Your canoe builds are amazing, please keep it up.

[@nicolemarly6202]

Hello elm bark daddy

[@nicolemarly6202]

@@gidget8717 Hi Gidget 🖐🐸

[@mrdanforth3744]

Good ol' Nicole

[@rosemcguinn5301]

Hi unique Nicole! Sorry I'm late. Memorial service, family stuff, etc.

[@rosemcguinn5301]

@@gidget8717 Hey there Gidge

[@rosemcguinn5301]

@@mrdanforth3744 Good ol' Mr D

[@malcolmsmith9232]

Brilliant project! You can see your pride in the finished canoe!

[@jessicadurand7217]

this was such a cool project to watch! Congrats on all that work paying off guys. You just need to keep in mind that wind will have a big impact on it because it sits so high out of the water.

[@thunderheads4103]

Awesome video. I'm glad to see the channel progressing with its content and the filming of the videos. The Drone following above across the water was a very nice touch. I remember the days when Thompson's was called Jas Townsend and the video which is one of my favorites of all time, the soup stew and hash in the green death. Thank you for making the videos after all of these years, I enjoy them very much

[@sultansofswingers]

These outdoor projects are so interesting to watch. I definitely thought the bark wasnt going to last, but you guys always power through. Great job guys!

[@Alberad08]

Thanks a lot for sharing such an impressive piece of documentation! What a delicate process and how easy might that fragile hull had become pierced here, but you gentlemen made it work.

[@westonward735]

That is just incredible! I have seen many things but this is something completely out of left field. I know how hard you work to make these videos and it is truly appreciated. I love the cooking videos also.

[@TheBigBadWolf85]

Easily one of the best channels on KZbin. Townsend's could easily be on cable television ( Discovery or History) I'm feel very privileged that its here and free

[@briankesterson4365]

That is amazing! I have seen highly artful types but this quick make type is fantastic and proved that if you needed to make one quick it could be done back then too. Two thumbs up!

[@melcrose]

Airchair quarterback here - On any place that needed a lot of power (like the tie to hold the clothespin on the ends) I would have done multiple hemp loops with a lot of extra, run a stick in and started spinning. The twists would tighten it easily and at the end you'd just need to tie the stick to something to hold it. But don't trust me, I've never done anything like this! AMAZING to watch it - I wish you'd done a long series on it! :)

[@joybickerstaff194]

Now that took dedication, and a lot of patience! I can imagine the stress from a-z. It’s beautiful, I bet it was a great feeling to be out on the lake n it! Job well done!!!

[@deerjohn8041]

What a wonderful project. Thank you so much for taking us along.

[@walker3551]

I appreciate this kind of stuff, rediscovering lost skills and knowledge for people

[@johntaylor2441]

With regard to production quality, this is definitely one of your best. Really enjoyed the way you combined instruction and entertainment!

[@vincemarquel5614]

Truly enjoy watching your crafting skills in such a automated world thankyou for not allowing this knowledge to be lost

[@walterpalmer2749]

This is a rudimentary canoe but I love it. Very creative and this would be enough of a craft to get you home or "make do" in the back country. AND I didn't see you have to use any pitch or sap to fill any holes or cracks. Amazing. I could see this being used in the smooth backwaters or swampy regions.

[@samanthacrafts1185]

Good job! It looks so neat! I like how determined you were, despite obvious possible risks and challenges.

[@KairuHakubi]

ahhhh so cooool! looks a lot more swift and agile than the hollow log canoe. I bet it was really satisfying back then when you had to get across a river and you had limited time and availability.. to just get it right, and off you go.

[@WGSen]

Absolutely genius engineering. I am constantly amazed to learn about how people did these things!

[@tobyque9399]

Such brilliant craftsmanship for such crude resources!

[@loganbagley1976]

This was a fascinating build. I'm impressed. That little darter came out nicely. Love the channel and content.

[@nicholasricardo8443]

10:45 You're one of the few people I've seen who knows how to stern a canoe outside of my summer camp! I adore your videos

[@kimiOfDieLinke]

Wood is such a miracle alike material. I'm honestly impressed evereytime I watch one of your building projects.

[@Tiger74147]

I'm so amazed you guys had two canoe successes, first pass each! Wow!

[@daveyjoweaver5183]

Wow! What a beautiful piece of quick craftsmanship! I was so looking forward to part two and it was Great! Thank You Kindly! Love, Light, Peace and Calm Waters! DaveyJO in Pa.

[@forex_shark6042]

What a beautiful little boat that seemed to work soo well!

[@mattt9298]

Very cool. Really enjoyed going with you on this build. Thanks.

[@explorerlee340]

I don't know why but I love the guitar background music so much! 🎸