Traditional Woodsman Kit

A look into my 18th century long hunter kit. Future videos revolved around this kit and period in history will follow!

[@hatfieldmccoy0311]

I consider myself very lucky to be able to say, one side of my family came up into Kentucky with Daniel Boone when he lead into Kentucky out of North Carolina, and the other side of my family were Cherokee that signed before the start of the Trail of Tears and once they got to a point to be able to sneak away they made their way back into the mountains and hid in South Eastern Kentucky. The cabin they built which is still standing has a trap door, because they kept waiting for soldiers to come back looking for them, and the other cabin has been standing since 1812, way back in Harlan County. Grand parents never had running water, and I got the chance to learn from the last true frontiersmen how to survive. I am like you, I enjoy the history and two years ago I walked 730 miles from where I moved in Ohio back to home in Harlan County Kentucky with only a pack, a recurve bow, tomawk, knife, and pack.

[@joeking4389]

Hay Bill, I guess you have given up on KZbin, haven't seen any videos in a couple of years. That's too bad I enjoyed watching your videos and everyone and a while I learned something.

[@saycanyousee8313]

Finding a really good KZbin channel then finding out its dead is always a bit sad 😟

[@FrontierTradingCompany]

@@saycanyousee8313 Too many historical channels die young. It's a small niche and most of the bigger accounts will bury you with unoriginal content. It's a tough corner of KZbin.

[@nomadichunter2818]

I don't think that's the reason for quiting. I think many people simply dislike KZbin overall.

[@treksntarps]

Interesting stuff. Love the traditional kit. Atb 👍

[@historicaltrekking]

A good start my friend, well done. I look forward to following your trail. Regards, Keith. A Woodsrunner's Diary.

[@Scriptorsilentum]

so you have been doing historical research, threading your way through antiquated English, learning about tools, technology way back when. Su-u-uper! Good video and very interesting. Thank you!

[@Stormpriest]

if Traditional is your aim, this is a playlist I have been putting together both on historical accuracy, techniques and gear. also in here is proper bushcraft skills of note. Hope this helps. I'm not trying to tell you that anything is wrong with your kit, but hopefully steering you in the right direction for Historical and skill oriented accuracy. Cheers.

[@GAUROCH2]

Young man: I myself also like to go "old style". It has several advantages, one of them is knowing what you are carrying. I always carry some burlap with me...next time you have to cross a river or any rock extension that is humid and slippery just wrap youer feet in the burlarp...you will will be much more stable and have more traction (or breaking power). Wear wool...you will never regret it (even wet it will keep you much warmer). It is also fire resistent...which is a plus. I often receive comments like "I would never believe you would manage to to get to the end..." or something likely because of my old style (and also my age). Don't regret adopting the old style...with time youl will feel the way to go, fine tune what to carry and have much more enjoyable trips!

[@steveh4962]

I hope you meant braking, NOT breaking power! 😁

[@citizen1114]

Quite enjoyable. I love seeing our cousins doing colonial history. Good start and I hope you continued.

[@WanderingTheWild]

Thank you for the kind words my friend! I look forward to seeing you again at the end of the month, and will be doing a video of the bedroll shelter set up sometime soon.

[@TheQueendom-Au]

It is joyful to see a youth interested in something important for survival and you read! Keep up the good work young man! Stay safe and be blessed.

[@takeitoutside6049]

I love your attitude for bushcraft: researching historical people and seeing how they "lived" and then reproducing that in your own life, experiences. Congratulations. You earned another subscriber.

[@doubled98]

Good job! Love hearing the birds in the background.

[@nomadichunter2818]

Quite interesting lad! Quite so! Thanks for showing us. Very much appreciate it.

[@williamwright3010]

Not to belittle your kit but when us young folk hiked all we carried was a large can for cooking, a wool blanket, a knife and a small hatchet. This was65 yrs ago, we could drink from any stream or lake., basically all the food we ate was either boiled or roasted. We didn’t call it camping or hiking, we called it living. I understand that it’s harder today because of all the laws and regulations. Game was plentiful in those days, rabbits,partridge,fish,. Plenty to fill a young mans stomach. Keep at it Son...................... ... billytwohearts

[@Julian-bq9qv]

very nice video. Hope you carry on with your adventures. All the best to you.

[@naturecallsoutdoors]

Very nice. I like how you have made it yours, staying as authentic as you can, disguising things and being practical as well. Hope it has been fun to use.

[@jediknightofthewoods]

Who the hell could thumbs down this video! Bill you are one of the most genuine, humble fella's I have had the pleasure to meet, and look forward to meeting again in a few weeks time! You are like George W Sears Great Great Grand'love'child my friend!! I would be really grateful if you could show me how that Polish Lavvu is set up and works out at the BCS. All the best!

[@48plaster]

very interesting video - unique way of practising bushcraft - regards

[@KennethKramm]

Bill, brilliant video. Thanks for showing your kit and explaining why the items are there. You have given me some ideas.... Your personal style and approach to bushcraft is refershing. It's a pleasure watching your videos. Thumbs up, my friend. Cheers, Ken

[@druid189189]

If you care to try this, the haversack can be made to be waterproofed using pure beeswax. For both your haversack and Tipi, plan on buying up to 10 pounds of wax. Haversack: Empty the pack and lay it flat. Take the bar of beeswax and rub it onto the exterior of the canvas to the point where you see it caking up in the thread. Take a hair dryer and on its 'hot' setting, melt the wax into the canvas. It will be absorbed into the center of the threads and when it cools, you won't even feel the "tackiness" of the wax. Flip the haversack over and repeat. Turn it inside out and then coat the seams in the same manner. Coincidentally, rubbing the block on leather, then heating it with a hair dryer works equally well on items such as knife sheaths. Tent canvas/Tipi: Melt the wax in a double boiler and "paint" it on the material. Once it's dried, again use the hair dryer to get the canvas to absorb it. Knives made from old mill files are period correct as well. Use tallow to keep them from rusting. Another thing you might consider is a Rob Roy type sporran. They are also period specific, Wear that on your belt.

[@lemur9219]

Thanks for that comment. Very useful.

[@WanderingTheWild]

Thanks for the info, using this at the moment as it is cheap, real period correct things like that can be very expensive. Kit will most likely chance over time

[@paulrudd1063]

Great video! It is great to see you doing this traditional kind of camping and research.

[@MrWmburr7]

Good job, young man. I enjoyed the walk back into history.

[@paulie4x1]

Cheers, I've been playing around with several cutting combination carries, in the colder weather I carried two knives a large and smaller knife, the daylight is shorter so I added a saw and a double bit hatchet that worked out great for what I did in the bush mainly having a hot cup of coffee on the open fire with a baked potato and sometimes a grilled steak on the hot coals with certain type of marinade the ash didn't even stuck to the meat, as the weather is getting warmer I read the book by George Washington Sear's "Nessmuk" and copied his three cutting tool's a double bit hatchet a knife and a pocket knife, I'm starting to use my Swamp Rat Ratmandu which is a 5 1/4" blade and my Cold Steel Black Rhino Zero Quenched AUS8 and to my surprise it holds a pretty good edge, but after using my Wicked Tough Saw made by Wicked Tree Gear I don't think I'll ever leave it behind I got the combo and I can belt carry it or molle attach it to my backpack, as much as I think the Ratmandu is a great knife IMO, I think a 6" blade fir ne is more versital for what I do IMO, so I had a beefy Tactical knife converted into a bush knife I had the Swamp Rat Custom Shop thin my Rodent 6 and I had the top gaurd taken off and now it look's like a beefy Ratmandu on steriods you can't hardly tell it was ever a Rodent 6 I still carry my 2Hawks Double Bit Hatchet and my Wicked Tough Saw and I can alternate my Black Rhino with my Rodent Solution which is a Lil Tank of a knife full handle full tang and a 3 1/2" blade, everything is pretty much compact and I carry the saw and larger knife on person because their really compact enough if it's too much sometime I attach the saw to the pack when at camp I belt carry it and it can be sheathed in the open position, I'm looking forward to sleeping out door's and usually we go as a group it's a blast, anyhow Thanx for this great reminder and I'm looking forward to experiencing this myself, Thanx M8.

[@MBSRbushcraft]

Interesting video. I was wondering how I could not have seen it before. But that I found out that you've published it on april 30 when I had to be at the inauguration of our new king. Who knows what else I missed that day.. LOL

[@barnaclebill1615]

You definitely are keeping original and in the period. I’d like to see what exactly in the medical kit. Nice video mate! 👍👍😁🇺🇸

[@WanderingTheWild]

thanks for the support Sam! Yeah we'll be there for the whole weekend so keep a look out, I'm sure you'll see us

[@Someone-tl1xm]

that leather bottle is actually used for skiing, you can put alcohol in it and slip it under jacket

[@Maximus_Butthurticus]

+Cole Greer Peppermint Schnapps! I did that exact thing, in my youth. Made a lot of friends on the slopes.

[@Christopherjamesmurphy21]

Someone yup its called a wine skin

[@krokoduck4502]

marc baker you are right when you google gourde basque you ll find it

[@cetok0150]

Being now in my 60s, I want to express my appreciation for your diligence and attention to the historic means of American bushcraft. These skills in particular should be carried forward into the future; not only so the skills aren't lost, but so there will be a living repository of experience to teach those future generations. Besides, based on the current political trajectory, there may be a real need for such skills before too long. You and others like you will become leaders. I only hope you are learning other principles that will also be necessary for a social REconstruction.

[@48plaster]

tha may not be too far from the truth my friend - hope not though

[@toddking7972]

Keep it up ! Love to see the younger generation with interest in the outdoors .

[@hikewithmike4673]

awesome video.....great historical info as well..love the tomahawk!

[@brandonsweere4901]

not sure how this video got 32 thumbs down... Great video man and keep up the tradition!

[@greatplays2767]

Brandon Sweere haters gonna hate

[@gbwildlifeuk8269]

Because 32 people didnt like it DOH!

[@opalprestonshirley1700]

A nice kit. It surprising all the things you you pack into the Haversack. I have also seen several offering of canvas tarps and will try one in the near future. Thanks for the great video.

[@odinlobogauta8634]

The leather bottle, know in spanish as Bota de Vino or Wine Boot, it's an very old bottle made for store wine or other alcoholic stuff since XVII century or older in Spain and Spain Colonies, not usual to the american longhunter style in my opinion but maybe not so rare because the Spanish Florida Colony and the use of this object in the old Novohispanic Ranchers, grandpas of the cowboys, know as a Vaqueros/buckaroos in Spanish Texas Coahuila, and the use by the Spanish mountain hunters...

[@WanderingTheWild]

Unfortunately I do not have the land or access to woods that would be suitable to build a log cabin. If I did I would start on it straight away man! But I do agree if you were living out in the bush full time then you would want a proper homestead like you said! Bill

[@steveh4962]

Bill, Am guessing you are off doing other things currently, understood, the world stops for none of us. From what I read (and perhaps, read into) of your mindset, you need to cross the pond. You'd be more welcome here, I believe.

[@88woodbikes]

I had a wine skin like that in the 70's. I always thought they were cool, others didn't really get it. Now I see how practical they are as far as shape and portability. Also, a heavy kits no problem if your on horseback. Nice video, thanks from Ohio

[@davidprietogomez7254]

The leather bottle has been used in Spain for many centuries, specially for wine, so it is apropiate for any period.

[@lorddragoncanoealexander5172]

I think you have a good start and theory on your kit ! And yes keep it simple , now I do 18th living history pre 1790 , the leather canteen you thinking about is called jackwear , nice tomahawk and it’s called a hammer pole hawk , which are great that’s what I carry , my canteen is from a gourd lined with beeswax , Good bedroll start and the items you carry Good also , and will give you a good idea of what it’s like , boiled chocolate was a longhunters favorite drink 🍹 at the end of the day !

[@thetraditionalcountryman939]

great vid and great kit you've got there. dont know if you've heard of him or read his book but read up about George Washington Sears better known for his pen name "Nessmuk" with a knife design like his original being named the same. He wrote a book called "Woodcraft and camping" which he wrote during the 1880's, not a big book by any means, with most of his gear changing little from the likes of Daniel Boone and other frontier legends, however unlike them he was was Bushcrafting for enjoyment and recreational camping whereas the frontiersman and longhunter doing it as means of survival for him and his family. I think it's right up your street so check it out. cheers

[@WanderingTheWild]

Thank you for the support, appreciate it my friend!

[@OKBushcraft]

I have 2 Polish laavus. I like them for my bivy bag as well as my shelter. Thanks for sharing.

[@kullcraven]

Great job putting that kit together, grats on the finds and good vid man

[@scottnorvell2955]

This was super interesting mate!

[@WanderingTheWild]

Thinking of trying to use natural sleeping matts such as bracken roll matts or evergreen branches.. we'll see

[@WanderingTheWild]

I often use a canvas ground sheet but natural cover for a bedding would of been used. Leaves and bracken for example.

[@carloscactus]

For water carrying a wooden canteen would have been common with tin "flask" style would have also been available during the period

[@WildThlngs]

First video I've seen by you, and you earned a sub! Very nice, I can't wait to watch more.

[@WastelandSeven]

Cool kit. :) On water bottles, From what I've read back then they also sometimes used gords with beeswax coting the inside to make it water tight.

[@Bubba2Guns]

Need a hat and a moustache that can do push ups.

[@RSLtreecare]

Great stuff, nice to see someone doing this and you look like your having fun... take care

[@strat2206]

cool set up there buddy surprised dave c hasn't seen this video yet, take care Mike

[@sergeantsailorman]

Here's a tip for you that I never see anyone mentioning on the survivor blogs. If it's cold out, and you have a fire, put a couple of rocks in the fire, or use them from your fire ring if you have one. When going to bed, wrap each rock in a piece of blanket, or a towel and but them in your bed. One at the foot, and the other close to your belly. You can handle some very cold nights that way. Be careful though, as the rocks are hot enough to burn you. They will scorch the towels.

[@MegaClaymor]

Try an Old Hickory 7": butcher's knife. They are carbon steel, very traditional looking and very affordable. If you can't find them locally, Dave Canterbury carries them at his Pathfinder School store, online.

[@joseantonioplaza8596]

That leather bottle is called "bota" in Spain, and it's traditionally made of goat skin. We use it to keep wine.

[@CreachterZ]

Very cool! I just found you. Please keep it up!

[@learnlostskills]

Anyone saying a "Hawk is not versatile hasn't used them. Mine are hand forged by folding the steel making the blade from both ends of the raw steel into a single blade so obviously they cannot be hammered on like yours can. Regardless, their blade profile helps them cut smaller brush fast faster than any axe & they have countless uses. Example: This year I built my hunting blind, cleared brush & even field dressed my buck in pitch black dark with nothing but my "hawk. I also cut, cleaned & debarked 19 30 foot long Balsam Fir Tipi poles. No way could I have done that with ax or hatchet.

[@WanderingTheWild]

I may well try putting some wine in it some time, maybe on a night out! Good to hear from you sara! Bill

[@nomadichunter2818]

A flit and steel could go well with this kit. I think it fits the time period.

[@josephweaver335]

kudos for going through all the research and letting people know, actually men back then were use to hard work and survival was one of them, they also knew that any type of infection would probably kill you because their were no anti-biotics, crazy and hazardous world, and again kudos for doing your homework and even more for the men who actually endured a very unique life where one mistake, could cost you your life!

[@SINESTERSERPENTSIXXX]

back then they also just hollowed out gourds for a water canteen. look into dave canteburys long hunter videos

[@Zedoutdoors]

Fantastic looking kit dude and that bag was a real bargain ~Peace~

[@richardlocke3375]

Learn to roll the blanket with a trump line and it will be much more comfortable. Sits horizontally across upper back with strap around upper chest.

[@kjmillig1]

Some suggestions to aim for period correctness: Watch Kieth Burgess' videos! Lose the modern bota bag, please. Instead get a tin kidney canteen or at least a round wooden canteen. If you have natural cordage, learn to not rely on having the nylon stuff. For shelter get a piece of white canvas, or better yet, heavy linen and waterproof it with linseed oil. Then tie it all up with natural fiber rope. Look through second hand shops, etc, and look for an old butcher knife with a wood handle.

[@Finke.]

Hey mate, I'm from Aus & really enjoyed your vid, really liked your showcase of goodies & the birds in the background sound awesome, a really nice setting, good work, cheers mate...

[@mwillblade]

Old Hickory Butcher knife would be perfect and very cheap .

[@Veldvaardigheden]

Very nice gear .

[@williamvigil2951]

It's interesting to see Europeans interested in American history. Especially enough to try to replicate it. Very cool

[@rulyg94]

nice kit Bill, I'm looking forward to seeing you out using it, have you got many ideas of what you will be sleeping on yet?

[@DonnyB]

Nice kit mate, lookin forward to more vids. Cheers

[@harrykuheim6107]

A good knife and a small pruning saw are better than a heavy axe...

[@spookyskeleton6086]

for your water, i would go with a circular or flask shaped canteen

[@jordanr1504]

Brilliant kit Bill, i have currently been building nearly the exact same kit. Currently making a period correct trade knife (or known as a butcher knife or scalp knife back then)

[@WanderingTheWild]

I am looking for a period style knife, but are very hard to come by or very expensive. May just get a traditional mora for now

[@snappingturtle1621]

Garage sale or estate sale “old hickory” or other carbon steel larger kitchen knife would be very similar to what the period knives would have been. Nice thing being the used price plus the use over years would also give off that vibe

[@calebwhittington3749]

I like leather and canvas and hate plastic, but I don't have to necessarily have "18th century" things. As long as its not plastic and is well made, its alright for me. Great video bill!

[@SB25101]

Got so much time for this video, love 18th century period kit

[@TheDiomedef16]

Well researched and interesting kit. Ian

[@316OBI]

Great kit, the only recommendation I would make is a small sewing kit called a "Housewife". I use to do Civil War reenactments and you have no idea how useful it is to have around.

[@smd482000]

they use stomach lining out of buffalo or deer wood some times or gourds

[@JohnnyPrepBushcraft]

Exellent set up mate got some good tips

[@paulie4x1]

Kewl Beanz M8, I'm a mixer upper, Yeah I like a Tomahawk my 2Hawks Warbeast it's a three edge Hawk but a great chopper and great for lite carry, very practical and the head can be used individually, or my 2Hawks Double Bit Hatchet with two different angle bits one to chop the other to split. My knife isn't a Trade Knife or a Nessmuk or a Kephart Style, but I have them. I'm not traditional or reenacting a early history, I will use any practical technique to survive though, so my go to knife is my Rodent 5 it's actually between it and my Ratmandu which is still one of me Fav's. But don't get me wrong I have and use other knives, from traditional Leuku's and Puukku to Bark River and Himalayan made Khukuris to Ka-Bar and O.K.C and custom knives and Busse Combat and Randall Made Whew!!!, The colder weather means more coffee breaks on the open fire, scouting, and looking for fatwood. as more wood is needed I use bigger tools, right now I can still get by with my 2Hawks Double Bit Hatchet. my Wicked Tough Saw, and my Rodent 5, as the weather gets colder especially with longer stays a Bob's Bucksaw or my Silky Bigboy 2000 works better for me, atleast my 2Hawks Warbeast, but one of my Fav's my Gransfors Bruks Small Forest Axe comes along.I have other's too like my Estwing's especially my Campers axe, don't knock it, works for me. and as far as knives mostly on extended trip's I might go with my Rodent 7, Rodent 4, and a neck knife, One that really impressing me is my Ka-Bar Johnson Adventure Potbelly it surprised me alot, that curved belly really is a great carver for such a big knife, I have it paired off with the Parangatang and it's a nice combo. But no matter what type of tool's you have whether their traditional or the newest stuff, it's the know how that's imprtant, like William Collins, or one of my Fav's David aka RealBigMonkey or Dave Canterbury, Mors Kochanski etc.., etc, etc., When watching a video and they make it look so easy, That's what I'm talking about. But your right. not only history, but traditions should be preserved, and for that, Thanx M8.

[@blackdog6345]

Eexcellent video i love all your equipment and the retro style your going for. Where did you get the leather sheath for the trail hawk? or did you make it yourself? its very beautiful Great video thanks for sharing

[@johnfleming8285]

I loved seeing your kit. However, I would be very curious to see what is in your fire kit. (Isn't there a law that bushcrafters can't refer to a fire kit and not show the contents or something like that?) All kidding aside, well done! Good video there!

[@Danishbushcrafter]

Cracking video bud'! Great kit.

[@sergeantsailorman]

Most modern day re-enactors seem to equate comfort to survivor skills. Historically, the long hunters, and beaver trappers often survived with very little comfort. I've read reports of one standing up inside a hollow tree all night to get out of the rain and cold. Another sitting cross legged all night with a very small fire built between his legs, and a blanket wrapped around himself to stay warm. When travelling, or hiding from enemies, it isn't practical to build a shelter every night.

[@AR15Truther3]

cool stuff, would love to hear more on tricks learned from old school survivalist

[@EtzEchad]

I love your tee shirt. Totally authentic. :)

[@OutdoorDeclan26]

that looks great, thanks for doing the video

[@EDCAdventures]

Hey great old style kit! One thing i wouldn't do though is disguise the med kit. Would be hard to get into in an emergency. One other thing to note is that in the old days they didn't really have to worry too much about weight since they'd usually take a horse or canoe. Love the look of that tomahawk, I bought a similar one, the Cold Steel Rifleman. I need to do a patina on it though. Did you just do hot vinegar? If you want to go older style for the knife I'd say go with the Condor hudson bay or a butcher style knife since their knives were usually modified butcher knives. Also I don't believe you put a fire kit in there but I've seen your bushcraft kit vid which has a good one . Anyways great overall video man!

[@kennethmcdonald9736]

I got one in Spain as a boy, but when I bought off Ebay it had a plastic inside

[@whiskeyriver4322]

A hawk is for taking scalps, a hatchet for woodcraft. Rifle? Powder horns? Sixty rounds of powder and ball, bullet starter, patch knife, cotton patch strips, pick & brush, cleaning rod, flint & steel, game knife, fishing hooks and line, buttons, needles, thread, candle, parched corn????? You can't do 18th Century without them.

[@EdmundoAyarzagoitia]

A good tomahawk can do more than a hatchet, considering that hatchets usually have smaller handles and heavier head weight compared to a tomahawk like a "Rinaldi Calabria or Sicilian style" which the power comes from the swing given the longer handle and wedge-like profile/bit and not necessarily the weight. Versatility with removing the head, easier to replace handle.

[@saradreaming]

Great kit Bill and I look forward to watching you use it. Of course most that stuff, your already pretty experienced with. You know those bota bags work real well when your pouring red wine out of them.. Ha ha!! Just kidding... Although I never personally tried it, I'm sure water would taste just fine out of them too.. : o) Thanks for the great update my friend and I hope your doing well.. : o)

[@RVM451]

Question: The olde tyme long hunters DID carry provisions Sometimes. If you were carrying 10-35 pounds of food in addition to your other gear-how would you carry it in keeping with your period gear? …..RVM45

[@WanderingTheWild]

thanks man, appreciate it! Hope you enjoy videos to come. Bill

[@bzelflipador]

Great video brother! I'd like to see it in action!

[@stephenrichardson5237]

man nice kit gina have to make my own kit like that subbed you guys

[@smd482000]

nice job!

[@MarceloACFM]

The bota bag IS a traditional 18th century item, but not the exact model that you have, if you want a period accurate one, you can make it out of goat hide and a pine resin mixture for water sealing, the mouthpiece can be wood or bullhorn. Here is an already made one from a traditional spanish artisan. www.ebay.com/itm/281426258998?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[@SB25101]

What about a condor Hudson bay knife or nessmuk as a knife choice? Great video

[@gabrielace4023]

Nice Video , could you please add Links in your description where you get those info. Thx

[@fightingfaerie]

I have that exact same water/wine skin! Or at least one very similar. Did it come with that strap or did you replace it? Mine has a red thin rope I want to replace with something more accurate