Simple Swiss Fences for the Homestead

This video shows how to make simple Swiss type fences with nothing but some poles and a mallet. Very interesting and shows various other types of simple fences used in Switzerland, as well as by pioneers in America.

[@Nativesurvival]

ive seen similiar fences at a place called sturbridge village near me which is a whole village circa 1630's with water powdered gris mill and lumber saw with a blacksmith etc its a living history village with staff living there tending the animals and making wool clothes, they use stone as well as wood fences all in a similiar manner as the ones you showed. I too studied them when i saw them as they are indeed very interesting, i can see them around a fortified camp in the woods too... great vid

[@sylvanramble1757]

I was looking for a way to make a small edging around my garden with free twigs and small branches. This video, and your instructions using small twigs and branches are perfect. I can't wait to get started!

[@mr.iforgot3062]

Thank you! Great idea and tutorial. I'm now finished building it around my shed. Just guessing but I'd say, 1/16th of an acre I've enclosed with this method. I had only Oaks to utilize and I didn't want to sacrifice any living one's, so as you can imagine Oak is not always straight, but there's plenty of naturally fallen material that's not rotten on my large property. It took some time to pick out straight, strong pieces and haul them to the area I was enclosing, but it wasn't that bad. I took my time and because fire is the norm where I live, I've reduced a tiny bit of fuel for the next burn. Every little bit helps, my shed is far away from the house that when it catches and my newly built fence catches fire (because it will) I'll have more of a chance at my house not burning. Thanks again!

[@mr.iforgot3062]

I've gone through extremely great lengths to build a clear zone around my house and built from brick. My roof is metal also, but do not think for a minute that a person could be safe when a raging fire storm happens. Even my house isn't fully fire proof. And the intense heat could easily make it an oven inside and kill from just heat alone, regardless if it flames up or not. I'm completely paranoid of fire now because of my experience.

[@evalera38]

looks easy enough. 1 question- Why are you wearing 2 watches?

[@shanek6582]

Looks like the right arm one is a compass

[@DobruchT]

+RoseRed99 LOL - I had the same question. Then I thought - ah, one for European time, and one for home time. Then, when he was already home, I just thought - what?? Shane's suggestion (second one is a compass) makes sense. :))))

[@TheStudentOfTheWoods]

Just Wood! Just Perfect! Very incredible!

[@derekjeter2387]

Hey John this is Derek. I just watched your video on different types of fences in Switzerland. I really enjoyed it and thought it was interesting at how a person can build their own fence using natural resources and not costing much money except for a mallet and probably a shovel or post hole digger. I love fences built out of natural logs.

[@blakeframework2952]

You can never have too many watches

[@haggispixi]

That.. is really clever. Didn't even cross my mind to build them like that. With plenty of surplus logs..it's totally a great way to build something simple and sturdy. I'm impressed.

[@downbntout]

I saw the diagonals between two uprights in Norway. The uprights were tied together with thin green whips, which dried into strong ties. Nice still shots.

[@PinewoodCH]

How could I have missed this one ? nice stuff!! Did not know that museum.... I have to cross the Röstigraben and go check that out!

[@RobWhittlestone]

Hi PinewoodCH check out www.ballenberg.ch I was there - it was fantastic and I want to go again. There is so much to see, you definitely need a whole day. I totally recommend it. There's something similar in UK - check out www.wealddown.co.uk near Chichester on the south coast. Here there are people carrying out activities as one did in the past (rural life from the 14th century on) and it's a fascinating insight into many crafts which are almost forgotten now. Also highly recommended. Best regards Rob (Lenzburg, Switzerland)

[@Macovic]

At 4:17, that is the same as a very Swedish fence called a gärdsgård or hankgärdsgård and have been around for more than a 1000 years. Maybe the other one is Swiss?

[@jeannedurocher5577]

Thank you! Really enjoyed the video...here in TN, the Civil War era Franklin Battleground has just built a fence like the first picture. So interesting to know the history!

[@funquizzes36]

I love your video. New Subscriber from Philippines

[@grapsorz]

the fence at 4:24 is like a typical norwegian "skigard" google it and you will se. the skigard is a bit more refined i guess.

[@mossycroak6638]

thank you. I was looking for the comment that figured out a word for the fence.

[@DobruchT]

A great, methodically correct showcasing of the fence and the process of building it. Well done! You got my thumb up.

[@thomfoote6779]

When I "firesafed" my 10 acres of pine and fir I was left with many, many saplings that would be perfect for this. Thanks.

[@olsonlr]

I. Would have soooo many weeds and saplings in that fence.

[@TonyMorris-yi9gh]

I love it a new idea .it will be a perfect semicircle around my firepit.outstanding fence ideas from Switzerland.thank for sharing.

[@thomfoote6779]

I am trying to make my fences with only the materials I have on my 10acre pine forest, sloped organic herb farm near Spokane. Long term I will be planting living fences but this last approach you showed may be something I can use in the short to medium term. Thanks for this.

[@mattw2383]

Cool I’m thinking of doing a living fence also I’m over in Careywood Idaho . What are you going to use for the living fence and where did you find the plant ? Thanks

[@DarrenMalin]

good stuff :) here in the UK we use wattle fences.

[@DJ-uk5mm]

Great tutorial nthanks

[@carolsydney6905]

I want to thank you for this video. I have horses and was going to put in a jack leg fence. I live in an area made by glaciers so naturally have rocks everywhere. I can't get any kind of post in fo the rocks. I'm going to try this! It just might might solve my rock challenges. Also I am single and won't have to hire help. Many thanks! I'll look up you website.

[@helenachase5627]

I like the 2 poles tied together and slanted poles. I think I could gather enough close by to make that one

[@walterrusty65]

Why two watches

[@humanityincvideos5114]

Thank you

[@charlesleblanc6638]

Beautiful old fences all made of natural materials, and great explanation of how these were built. Bet there's a lot of " smarter modern " people that would have a hard time coming up with the ideas/concept of how these were made !

[@carolfreeman2962]

Keep out deer?🤭

[@Zincink]

Cool thanks for the mini tutorial that was interesting. I love the design of these fences.

[@Debbie4729]

It would be a great application for vines.I have been wracking my mind for a way to trellis my 4 grape vines with odd branches and things on our property,and I wanted it to look nice.Thank You!Now I know what I'll do!

[@bandersnatchful]

I don't know what kind of dear they've got, but my dear would jump right over that! Beautiful though.

[@junker845]

what's wrong with a wattle fence? personally weaving saplings between posts for wattling seems easier and quicker than splitting logs and driving in many more posts for these barricades. Wattling has the benefit of keeping out small pests from eating crops and can even control the amount of sun certain crops get depending on fence height. Our ancient ancestors were pretty ingenious and the majority decided to use wattle fencing.

[@buttonvalley]

These are very interesting and very good use of local resources. They are not the type you see around Gettysburg, however. Those are similar, but the split rails are laid out on top of each other using a zig-zag pattern so they stand mostly without any posts pounded into the ground. The fences shown in the video would be a little better in that fewer rails are used per linear measurement: the zig-zag pattern uses more rails to fence in the same distance as some of the Swiss designs.

[@davidmoody5251]

Why you have two watches on? I'm 👃!

[@andrewcampbell7476]

One is slow and one is fast

[@reginajaquysh7360]

Why wear two watches?

[@reginajaquysh7360]

Never mind, I see now. One is a compass in case he goes walkabout.

[@rondabetts84]

Spiked Ends on the outside for Security Purposes as well.

[@jerzeythor1694]

How high is the fence you are making?

[@cowpoke02]

i use tree crouches for sap lines surprise i never though of bigger ones for fences . great idea .

[@trafalgarolle]

Very nice and informative video :) I hope you enjoyed your trip to Europe :)

[@carolelylewhite]

Thank you for this video ~ I love the fences!

[@beccaadolph]

Nice video. In windy areas hazel could hold the top logs if necessary

[@thepeepingegg979]

That is awesome, thank you for showing how to make it!!

[@bayareasparky9180]

Nice video. BTW, I see you have poison oak.

[@kaseyfrazier4171]

Thank you for the video

[@shanek6582]

Those old timers had style didn't they.

[@Songtextpoetin]

Great, thank you.

[@helenachase5627]

Love it , thank you !

[@northcountryhermit5057]

interesting! thank you!

[@christdriven8790]

Really cool, thank you.

[@kan-zee]

well done. cheers ;-))

[@davidcollins248]

Great video!

[@roundandrandom8576]

that is awesome

[@user-wickedflower]

Weird dude

[@peabrain8647]

its good but it requires too many wood.. i could build a house with those materials

[@qcici1103]

please make a tutorial of how to build a house with these materials!

[@dsg325]

Thank God for barbed wire! That looks extremely labor intensive.

[@dionandkat]

you would look awesome with a shaved head.