Building a Saxon House with Hand Tools: A Bushcraft Project (PART 1)

We build a bushcraft saxon house (pit house) with hand tools only. Part 1 focuses on building woodworking stations and digging the pit foundations for the anglo saxon house. The pit house is also known as Grubenhaus across Europe and Germany. With our previous bushcraft viking house project, we started building the viking camp first, without building work stations. Now we take our time and begin with building a woodland workshop. First we choose a site for the foundations of our saxon house. There was a large pine tree in the way so we used a vintage traditional crosscut two person saw to cut it into sections and clear the site. Then we marked out the area for our pit house or grub hut, and began digging the foundations. We then used the saw horse to take the bark off the pine logs using a drawknife. We used a sledge hammer to drive the logs into the ground and then a chisel to create a notch in one of the logs. This will now be our bark peeling station for making rafters for the roof of the saxon house. We also built a log chopping block and axe work station. Much of the wood we will be using is from my old bushcraft camp. We will be adding cast iron cooking and over the fire cooking to this camp series. Part 2 will focus on building a few more woodworking stations and then we will begin on building the anglo saxon house! Thanks for watching and hit subscribe if you want to follow us on the adventure!
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#saxonhouse #saxon #bushcraft #taoutdoors

[@TAOutdoors]

WATCH PART 2 HERE: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZnLIZWSinbSEqsk

[@DaNiKzz]

YAY new series!!! CAN'T wait till it's gonna be finished!!!

[@HatchetSurvival]

i love it!

[@janicekidson9704]

The pit houses that were used back in the day were for storage and looming, as it was a cool and humid place, wich prevented the fibres from becoming brittle. They were never houses people lived in. Google "Sachsenhof Greven" to find pictures of a pit house and the longhouse they lived in, just like all the other germanics. Oh, and by the way: The roofs were most of the time aligned with the East-West direction, for the firesmoke to be drawn out better by the openings in the gable top. So. Pit houses were never living spaces.

[@plaguezero]

Hey Mike, dude, watching you and your Dad sawing that fallen tree at the beginning looked back breaking, like, seriously! if you were to have raised it and have a saw horse underneath it at each end, to raise it higher, you wouldn't risk your backs as much and you would have had a far easier time of sawing through it, than you did here! if you are to do this again, I would totally raise it as suggested here, don't risk your backs, and why make things harder for yourself than it needs to be?

[@AngelinaT1972]

Food looked amazing. I really like all these different projects that you guys are doing. I can't wait to see the progress of this Saxon Pit House. That pallet cabin still looks good. God bless you guys.

[@vicentefernandez9084]

I used to work construction some years ago. There were a couple of big, buff young dudes who struggled with carrying a couple buckets of stones. Then, there was this 70-something, tiny little old man who would carry two 25kg cement bags at a time in his back by using a strange contraption he made out of wood and rope, and he did it like it was NOTHING. I learned then to never underestimate older people, especially people that come from a craft, and listen VERY intenly to what they have to say. Wisdom really does balance out physical prowess, and your dad's one of those people, from what I've seen. Respect!

[@KingJamesBibleBeliever-de9fy]

Good advice: Always respect your elders!

[@sylvainlopes3053]

Like you said, it's not the total amount of weight you carry, it's how you carry it. I learned that by using commercial contraptions to help relieve my back when I moved from my apartment. It's unbelievable how "easy" it gets when you do things the smart way.

[@nicholasricci9760]

The sandman, great series

[@DigitalNeb]

The relationship between you and your Dad is just beautiful man.

[@TAOutdoors]

Thom Curry cheers!

[@christianmueller7326]

"Just a father and son that want to spend a little time in the woods" Wish more people would have this kind of mindset

[@kylehoward7051]

@Joe Blow Never give up mate. Keep trying and alive remember to be the best you can. Even though it is extremely difficult, try to remember that even though your Dad wasn't the best to you, that doesn't mean you have to be like that. Try to be the best to your douter and Dad. Sorry if anything was spelt wrong, I am dislecsic

[@kylehoward7051]

Good job mate

[@defiantgoon4061]

I wish my father was alive so I could do this. I regret not having that father/son relationship with him

[@mitzunare]

This freaking dude just showed me 4 different ways to split fire wood in less than 60 seconds. O_O 5:07

[@SiXiS4]

last one is not really practical appart if u have super soft wood

[@KairosVI]

literally exactly what i thought XD

[@CausingChaos.]

SiXiS4 it’s still a way to split wood

[@DrengrMike]

Dammit you son-of-a-bitch you beat me to this comment

[@ShortwickCreations]

That trick of flipping the axe with the wood stuck on.. mind blown

[@Tipi_Dan]

There is very little available on KZbin more enjoyable than watching my British friends preparing "comidas rancheras" in sideways rain---- and doing a surefire bang-up job of it! I have made just the same--- virtually indistinguishable--- at sundown twilight in the Nevada desert. Under more amenable weather conditions. Except I added crisp bacon to the roll. American bacon.

[@patrickretsel7048]

It’s so nice to see a father and son team up for these projects.......my son is away in the Navy and it makes me miss him even more as we do projects together too.....keep up the good work.

[@KG-qy9dq]

I am absolutely enjoying these home building with hand tools series', keep 'em coming! and Thank you!

[@MissGroves]

Bushcraft, cooking and experimental archeology all in one video, marvelous!

[@nobodynever4326]

Next video: Building a dragon proof fortress with hand tools

[@denimadept]

They'll need to use dragon hide for that. According to JK Rowling, the Welch Green should be available.

[@adamgeigerjr6995]

& a moat ...

[@private15]

What else do you use to make a dragon proof fortress??? (Other than a dragon skin)

[@aersi9400]

@@private15 I presume Oliphaunt Tusks for structural support

[@mrkrunch4340]

@@denimadept if you can take down a Welsh Green for its skin, you don't _need_ a dragon proof fortress!

[@MrMunchauzen]

quickly becoming one of my favorite channels with these series. love the no talking portions at the beginning, always mesmerizing.

[@Andrew-oq4oh]

I think making bushcraft homesteads is a fantastic way to expand the channel! I love your content, keep up the good work!

[@billthemailman9195]

Watching you peeling bark is so satisfying.

[@JREACHER1954]

TA Fishing + TA Outdoors = TA Village

[@lanasmith4795]

The problem is they're clearly trying to move to TA indoors. What width the number of lodgings they are creating

[@brettlineback4701]

Your dad is amazing. I wish that my father and I have what you guys have. Cherish these moments

[@darenpayne7530]

Here I was thinking you'd never be able to top the Viking house series and.....BAM!!….you hit us with a Saxon house!! Can't wait to see it take shape!

[@harveycovey2215]

Oh, my friend. Enjoy this time with your dad! I lost mine in 2015 and I sorely miss him. I too spent his last year's at my camp in northern Minnesota building our little cabin together. Now that he is gone, I am the old man and with my younger brother, we've turned our cabin into a full home together. These years with Dad and now John have been the very best of my whole life! I love watching you two work together. It's a very precious gift to spend time with your dad like this.

[@zare618]

Somehow I stumbled upon Viking house series,I liked it very much and now this.....You got yourself a subscriber, well played, sir.

[@argotheslicer1654]

anglo Saxons or more closer to early british people im sure and the vikings were dutch

[@Dunebuggy2012]

looking forward to watching the progress.

[@thingsretiredpeopledo3060]

Omg, a Saxon house (squeee!!!) And my dad, who worked at a northern Ontario lumber mill in his youth, called that kind of saw a 'pit saw' for exactly the reason you've described. I am so looking forward to watching you guys build this project!

[@simon2183]

Nothing beats a hot cup of tea with a TA Outdoors video in the afternoon, love it.

[@jaydnfindthisaccondiffsoun9642]

Bloody fantastic! Can’t wait to see the overnighter...

[@hutchewah]

Hello from Oklahoma. I absolutely love your series. My dad and I go hiking, fishing, camping and whatever else we can think of. its built a fantastic bond between us and created wonderful memories. totally looking forward to your Saxon pit house.

[@mt22l99]

Are you planning on making the houses from history a series? Edit: thanks for all the likes

[@98jf5]

Big Chungus that would be so sick

[@susanbrown2909]

Big Chungus Why not..

[@mt22l99]

Yeah like Celtic

[@swirrllfolfsky9803]

Great idea

[@ETChausse]

CHUNGA chunga chunga chunga CHUNGA chunga chnunga chunga

[@tjdillon9827]

I admire you and your old mans relationship.. you guys are blessed. Great vids

[@wellox8856]

More house builds please! Love these types of long videos of you guys in the woods!

[@jasonfisher6692]

These building project videos are much better than the ones on TV. No fake drama, no "reality" actors, just real building and family. Keep up the great work. My son and I will be watching these together for inspiration for our own projects.

[@underthewoodsoutdoors]

Excellent Mike! With all the work that went into the viking house, I can't wait too see what goes into this build! Cheers!!

[@jamesgraham7083]

So refreshing. So glad they are not talking or stressing about time problems and drama!

[@frankproper4718]

i'am a recent subscriber to your channel and i enjoy your videos bring back memory of my dad and i when i was younger we did everything together fish, hunt i miss that. Enjoy your time together i miss my dad everyday

[@callyboygid]

It really is nice to see a father and son enjoying each other's company. This resonates with me, as it's a big part that was missing from my life. I spend as much time as I can out in the woods with my little boy. I aim to correct the errors of my family before me. Love this, it's inspiring. ❤🤝👍

[@teddyadonia]

Me: Making myself some scrambled eggs and watching this video. They: Making a gourmet meal in middle of a forest. Me: Slowly stop eating and looking at my meal 😂

[@vapidcunt887]

These fuck'n Pikies at that dawg!!!

[@TheEpicPancake]

I mean, all they did was throw beef, tomatoes, bell peppers, and seasoning into a pan and slap it on a tortilla. Looks relatively simple.

[@casinodelonge]

Looks delicious, and of course anything cooked outside tastes 5 times better and if its on a fire, ten times better

[@bethkrager6529]

@@TheEpicPancake thats steak fajitas for ya. Though i bet the flavor would be richer if they pre marinaded the steak with the seasonings and some lime juice.

[@TheEpicPancake]

@@bethkrager6529 For sure, but my point is more that if you can throw eggs into a pan, in all likelyhood you can do the same with steak, peppers, onions, and seasoning as well. People make a far bigger deal of cooking than it deserves.

[@bjohnston95]

Through all of your videos that I have watched with your dad in them, I say the same thing every time......That man is a beast!

[@roadweary5252]

Dude you could build a shoebox out of wet paper towels and I would watch. Awesome as always!

[@jessestrong7269]

I’m a few mins into this video and I just wanted to say how wonderful I think it is to see you working with your dad like this. I shared a similar relationship with mine and when he passed in 2018 I was lost. Cherish these moments, don’t take them for granted. I’m not trying to cast a shadow or sound glum. I’m just saying, it’s a great thing to see and even more for you because there’s so much footage of the time spent. This makes me smile and I appreciate you sharing your lives with us.

[@TheReTurnersFlips]

Thank you thank you thank you for flipping the axe around when it got stuck in the log!! So many people try and power through and I'm screaming "LET THE TOOL DO THE WORK!"

[@CB-xr1eg]

Calm down dear, it's a video!

[@vidiotzak]

Lol, I was thinking to myself he should use a drop chop when his axe got buried in the log, then he did!

[@wenglishsal]

You are awesome, loving the Father & Son bond you two have... And to watch you work, is fascinating.. Looking forward to more posts from you both.. Best wishes from Wales.. :D

[@bushcraftybert113]

Viking long house .... check Saxon pit house ........ check Norman keep.. .......... watch this space Great project Mike , look forward to seeing the progress

[@ptaylor5014]

Yeah then after the Norman keep it will be The Great Eastern Temple in Japan, they will need extra hands to build this baby so a call up for "SMITH" might be required ha ha ha

[@leroym6762]

Greetings from the US. You and your Dad make a great team!

[@chamilton9182]

I love all your videos, but the ones with your dad are extra awesome!! He's a nice chap and very funny. Glad you two are doing another father son project together. Can't wait to watch more.

[@cnmckenna]

Seeing you having the opportunity to work with your dad makes these videos worth every minute of watching.

[@75blain]

Realy enjoy seing your dad in for the adventures. Great vids. Cheers 🍺

[@kenprepp7259]

Think these are the only videos I don't mind just watching. No need for words. No need or desire for you nor me to fast forward. Just relax and watch. Thank you !

[@Saint_Vincent1735]

I'm looking forward to the Saxon house build and your wonderful Bush cooking

[@ashthesensei]

So glad ur keeping the house building going always look forward to coming home and watching ur content

[@twarspite0135]

This is fantastic. So much better than any television lol.

[@ArielleViking]

I agree, I watch very little TV these days with all the awesome content on KZbin from TAoutdoors, TAfishishing, Bushcrafttools and so many of the other Subscribers of these 3 channels are also budding KZbinrs with great content. So many of the people who comment on here are worth watching on KZbin too.

[@MrCoalcracker79]

These home builds keep me coming back over and over. Every time a new video is uploaded I can't wait to watch it.

[@shaypattinson1873]

Love the sound of this project can’t wait well done on the Viking house 👍🏻

[@hunterroudenis602]

I enjoy watching you and your dad making things, I can’t wait to watch this series

[@FelixImmler]

What a cool construction to raise the logs! Greetings from Switzerland Felix

[@ruthclark3996]

So glad to see that you and your dad are doing another project together...... love the banter back and forth... and the English accent...... I'm lovin it. :)

[@timothyqtully807]

Mike watching your vids make me feel like I am part of your family. It is amazing how much strength your dad has at his age. Your are both God blessed. Keep doing the good work. Waiting for the next one.

[@Catmoore60]

I keep humming ‘I’m a lumberjack and I’m ok...’ through the sawing bits.

[@gracefrazier4775]

Really enjoyed this video! Appreciate your approach with the work stations and taking your time (giving more opportunity for research). Thank you for sharing.

[@biglouca.]

I love that you and your dad are doing this together I wish that my dad was still around so that we can spend time together but I guess god needed him keep up the good work love your Chanel all the way from across the pond 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦

[@lorikettle2519]

Looks like another great build! Congrats, getting close to 1M subs Mike! Great watching all videos with you and your Dad! Love it!

[@jm4672]

You are blessed to have a father that has the love he has for you to do the things together like y'all do is awesome y'all are both blessed

[@fuzz4brains]

Some archaeologists believe they put a raised floor over the pit, this helped with damp and storage.

[@PaulSchortemeyer]

- Sounds like my basement 😆

[@neilspinney1840]

Lol

[@KJ-pu8dw]

That would make sense. Surly when it rains they would have a muddy hole?

[@boydsmith4903]

@@KJ-pu8dw Yep, the year I hand dug a basement, was the year the realtor said the flood came only once every 500 years.

[@austin2842]

This makes a lot of sense, especially in a cold camp climate. I imagine the alternative would make for unpleasant living conditions.

[@DS-cy5sz]

I love your reasoning for doing this build. Just a father and son wanting to spend time together. Keep the videos coming and the cooking. Making me hungry!

[@mikeinthewoods2193]

But...where is Dustin!??! 😂 Either way, lovely to see you and dad doing stuff together again. 😁

[@Phirlax]

Graeme you are still strong as an ox and dont let anyone tell you otherwise. I just hope and pray that I am that strong and able in 20 more years. Love the series already.

[@TarqPick]

I really appreciate how you explain what you're doing, why you're doing it, and show people what your plan is. If you did an American log cabin next, I'd be one of your biggest fans!

[@MrYouslayme]

Yall.. commented before about how me and my son enjoy watching ur vids.. we just did an overnight trip tried to do as many of the things that we had watched yall do as possible.. now we wanna try to make all these work stations... thanks for the inspirations...

[@jurriaandejongh8677]

Amazing to see another series after that amazingly inspiring viking house. And I hope you know, how lucky you are, to be doing this with your dad. :)

[@boydsmith4903]

These guys are my old world cousins from that strange mix of Viking, Scot, and English brew. Really enjoyed their energy and creativity.

[@nicholasplamondon3991]

Having debarked a fair number of trees I would suggest flipping the draw knife over so that the flat back side is up facing you. It will make it a lot easier to take off the bark without damaging or digging in to the wood.

[@JohnDoe-zl6ph]

nicholas plamondon I noticed that they were using the draw knife upside down as well.

[@1firstjoker]

Lol good troll m8

[@keithklassen5320]

Just like a chisel, you use the bevelled edge to control the depth and bite, eh? Makes sense.

[@LM-gq1om]

You can NOT imagine how much I enjoy your channel, absolutely amazing. Your Dad has wicked strength !

[@MILITARYSURVIVAL]

SUPER VIDEO

[@denniswhite166]

I like your idea of setting up different stations for all the types of procedures you do. I am looking forward to you and your Dad working together on this project.

[@bellhillforge6119]

I love the bipod lever you used to lift the logs off the ground! If you added a T-handle to the end of your cord, you would be able to apply more lifting force.

[@iamnowhome]

Love watching the love you to have for Father and Son thanks for making these possible

[@aaronstock96]

Yes! This is excellent, thank you!

[@ktbaduk]

I don't care what part of the world your in there is just something proper about seeing a father and son tackle a project thank you guys for sharing your building journey with us!

[@patricksimonton2300]

OMG!!! Im from Texas and those are awesome looking fajitas!!! I love ya'lls channel. Thanks for all you do!

[@iraqafghanistanmarine6905]

Watching you and your dad build these projects is very endearing. Your relationship is how a father and son relationship should be. Cheers!! 🍻

[@OakKnobFarm]

After you have a complete Saxon House and Viking Longhouse it sounds like you'll be ready for war and conquest across the wood lot :) You'll need 10 friends, and some Nerf swords and arrows

[@tanaka6691]

It's nerf or nothing

[@alwyssdionines9453]

@@tanaka6691 i remember the ads, are they still doing that kijd of advertising?

[@raider1822]

Love the way the G looks to do all the work....... love your stuff guys 👍

[@green123o4]

You bought the Opinel with you! Yes! That makes me so happy 😂😂😂

[@noneyobizness3201]

this is just awesome to stumble upon over my drifts of internet videos today made me remember my dad taking a log home builders course. Such a lot of work and such value in the craft. Thank you for this!

[@donutoplack2436]

Love the channel. Was gonna go out and build, but it won’t stop snowing here

[@PaleGhost69]

How dare you use that word. Don't you know it's offensive to people around this time of year?

[@vidiotzak]

Lol, we just got 3' of that stuff in 24hrs a couple weeks ago here in the high desert in central Oregon

[@inveniamviam8916]

I appreciate how you make various workstations before beginning anything,it doesn't seem a lot but when the real work starts,its definitely a bliss🙌

[@sjoerd-frisokornelius8223]

You did an amazing job!

[@gregoutdoors7]

1, 2, 3 ... GO! Here we go again 👍🏻. Graeme, pace ur self, don’t let Mike work you too hard 😊 Enjoying your videos Mike, Thanks from Kentucky 👍🏻

[@Captain_Mattt]

it’s the perfect place your woodland🌳

[@be1rva]

It’s been 3 years and am still enjoying this series..❤

[@simonelorandi4394]

the famous US-saxon's tomatoes!!! Despite this is a really interesting series! Great job!

[@audiotechlabs4650]

Fantastic! Mike you and your Dad are so fantastic! 1st. the pallet cabin, then the Viking house, now the Saxon house, a logical progression. This will be your best yet! Good to see Graeme again! Carry on, mates! Thanxz

[@byecameron]

YES! Almost to a million subs! So happy to see this channel grow, you guys deserve it :)

[@TAOutdoors]

Cameron Bye thank you!

[@chriscooker521]

I like how you are focusing on the work stations prior to the build! Really enjoy watching you guys! Keep adding the cooking segments in the videos with the recipes! Thats always the best part of being out there.

[@elykllieno597]

Great new series can't wait for future episodes

[@adrianjas284]

The construction scenes, shot in silence, were so beautiful. And relaxing too! The hard man's ASMR ;)

[@elishughes3765]

Loving the vids keep it up, you’re honestly a true inspiration 👍🏼

[@fernafer7803]

Me encantan tus proyectos.... Laburás con tu viejo.. comen juntos... Naturaleza... Felicitaciones maestro..!!! Gracias por compartir el video...!!!

[@seth_fto]

can't be a ta outdoors video without cooking!

[@Missy-the-Maligator]

Thanks so much for this... I'm from Leipzig and realy proud to be an Saxonian Folk

[@vidiotzak]

Ha! Was just thinking of telling you about that drop chop when your axe doesn't cut all the way through, and the next log you cut you did it!

[@ps222513]

Really enjoying the change up on the station after the pallet cabin. Ingenious idea to build the work stations and make the saxon pit house a more enjoyable build. I am learning a lot! Thanks for sharing.

[@nokyster]

yay new series😀 love your videos guys keep up the good work👍

[@lydiaderhake2532]

I love your dad. He's absolutely fabulous.

[@leograbsch787]

There seem to be some different reasons for why they buildt houses that way. They also didn´t just do it in Great Britain but all over Europe. Usually when these houses where smaller, they weren´t made as living houses but for storing food that could stay cool down in the ground during summertime. Bigger ones of these could be used as living houses and then mostly had a fire pit in there too. By building into the ground you also loose the necessity to build walls which would be more difficult and also had to be strong enough to hold the weight of the roof. Putting the roof just on the ground around the pit was much easier. Wind and weather were also smaller problems that way. So as living houses it was cooler down there in summer and easier to heat up during winter. There are still other reasons possible, but I think it would be to much for now. I do very much enjoy your videos and try to follow them as often as I can. You always say it´s not your intend to be very historically accurate so I´m very fine with that and look forward to the next videos about this pit-house. Greetings from Germany!

[@casinodelonge]

what about the issue of flooding??