Turn a 6 Foot Log into an Amazing Backcountry Tool: Survival Tools, Frontier Living, Bushcraft Tool

Thought I would repost this as I am in the mood to do some woodworking at the new cabin. This is one of my favorite builds and with all of the new subs lately I thought everyone would enjoy this oldie but goodie!!!!
Like what you see? Want more? Visit us at..
www.coalcracke...
/ danwowak
/ coalcrackerbushcraft
and as always....
Stay in the Woods,
Dan

[@yvescote9893]

Watching you work with mostly antique tools is really a thing of beauty. That's how we've been doing it for centuries and it's becoming a lost art.

[@claudeoverstreet8791]

I enjoyed watching this. I am a staff volunteer at a frontier fort in Missouri. I like learning the old skills. I’ve had a little bit of experience creating things, but this was awesome to watch. It used to be that a man could enter the wilderness with just a few basic tools and create what he needed from nature. Seeing it done step-by-step was fantastic.

[@tumbleweed6658]

Best one yet Dan your skill set is off the chain you took a raw material and made a truly useful item. To me this is bushcraft at its truest forum. This is not some gimmick skill , survival is when it s when all else has failed what you showed was when it all lines up. I could write more but bottom line my new favorite video you crashed it man.

[@FrontierTradingCompany]

Just goes to show that you can do anything with the right tools... and you don't always need many!

[@bjellison905]

You can do it with even less. I just use an axe and saw. I cut my wedges while I'm at the log or from the log. I dont use an adze, and if I remembered my spokeshave plane I use it. If not just axe saw and knife.

[@greghardman5064]

@@bjellison905 you are obviously just Awesome 😂😂

[@greghardman5064]

@@bjellison905 you'll have to show us a video of how good you are 👍

[@brianmoody8587]

@@bjellison905 M

[@OriginalDimascus]

This is from Advoko Makes channel. A good idea, but not original.

[@Charlielizard]

Ingenious! Amazing what can be accomplished with a few good tools. Excellent example of using resources that dear Mother Nature provides. 👍

[@Garythedog3]

I think you’re my favorite channel ever. Why? Because it almost feels like being with my Daddy again. I loved tagging along with him to the work bench in the basement, The bbq in the yard, fishing or the garage. I was a Tom boy to the max. He’s been gone for a while now, but you kinda make me feel like what I wanted him to do…. Equip me for outdoor living.

[@shovelhead8]

My grandfather had one. One of his favorite things to make was hickory ice fishing rods. Thank you for the how-to. Stay safe and stay warm

[@jameshunt2905]

Grandfather referred to this as a bodgers bench....... so many uses and to my knowledge was never commercially made.... excellent demo!

[@davidr6585]

Some of the best videos can be or are done without a word spoken. Eyeballin' to make it fit, make it work. Excellent video.

[@erichjalmarson8896]

Good day there Dan. First off I lover your channel, interesting topics, good advice great skills all taught well with a great sense of humour. Now that red wedge needs its head ground down. Those peened over edges are dangerous. They have sharp edges and can cut. They can break off when being hit with a hammer and fly off and hit/ stick you. I learned this the hard way when I was about 10, like 59 years ago. I was splitting wood and one flew off and stuck into my knuckle of my thumb. It still has the scar and a small lump. Keep them coming and I’ll keep watching my friend. From Newfoundland Canada

[@willhall2190]

Hey Dan, a small tip for convenience sake is to add a bit of weight to the foot release and fixing it a bit more rigidly so it slightly releases the workpiece automatically when you release tension on it.

[@michaelballinger6419]

Top tip!

[@bjellison905]

A treadle plate works for that situation and also makes footing it more comfortable

[@michaelrodman6646]

Right on, brother. Been looking for this, exactly, for awhile. Seen horses like yours, and seen plans for “fancier” ones out of dimensional lumber w/hardware, but this is what i’ve had in mind and watching your process will definitely make the project smoother. Thanks for taking the trouble to share it.

[@mikaelpersson9210]

Really big thanks for sharing this...!! Now you given me some work in my log cabin 😃👍🏼👍🏼👊🏼

[@christopherrodriguez6545]

Something soothing about how this guy works wood...

[@ks7989]

Enjoyed your use of old school tools to create old school tools. The format fit the project well too.

[@plazmarevenge2098]

I like this channel. Name one video about bushcraft that does not depend on wood and it's ability to help you make your life easier...as it has for millions of years.

[@eddiezero1403]

Very well done. Nothing more satisfying then when you split down wood to make your own board to construct with. And it doesn't splinter off or break because of a hidden knot. Good feelings.

[@Aaron-ne4kr]

Translation: if you carry 4372 pounds of tools into the woods with you, you can make this thing. Just poking some fun mate, usually you're making stuff with really basic tools that you'd carry with you. This was cool to see.

[@kejadventures241]

Well 99% of what this guy does is on his own property so if you're someone who camps on public land there's nothing you can use in any of these videos.

[@95manneya]

Lol

[@tedzilla5826]

Now try this with rocks or other tools made in the woods. But it was cool anyway. Thanks.

[@jonpaul3868]

You must be confused, bushcraft is not survival.

[@bigernmccracken5736]

I freakin’ love this vid. No dialogue, Dan’s rocking the Pennsylvania plaid flannel... it’s like a classic “This Old House” construction montage.

[@redcanoe9810]

I agree but the music was annoying. Better to have natural sounds.

[@JohnnyBarger-sb3yh]

I’m pretty sure those are Felson pants . You buy them when your a young man and wear them all your life then your son can have and use them pass them on to his son .

[@RockThisTown2000]

@@JohnnyBarger-sb3yh "𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒃𝒖𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒂 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒂𝒏 & 𝒘𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆 . . " Well, that is, if you can manage to keep the same waist size. At 30yo, I had a 30" waist. Sadly, my 30" waist died a slow death.

[@JohnnyBarger-sb3yh]

@@RockThisTown2000 so true . I Can remember size 28 back in my rodeo days . Not quite double but kicking a 40 inch real hard in the butt . No I lied I’m not kicking anything in the butt but your calves will know I raised my boot as high as I could . Please someone take my hand so I can go lay down . I guess it’s a game called life .

[@FrontierTradingCompany]

@@redcanoe9810 I'm editing an 18th century overnight video right now and I wasn't sure whether to keep the original sounds or add music or a voiceover. Does anyone else have thoughts?

[@kongandbasses8732]

With this nice shaving horse, as it would be translated literally in South Germany, you are now able to make fine sticks. And shingles.

[@carmenschumann826]

. . . and lead pencils . . .

[@BackpackDad]

Seriously awesome! I’ve been using your tips to look like a pro in front of my kids (even though I’m only a student of the bush) so thank you.

[@FrontierTradingCompany]

Getting the kids involved is so important. Learning these skills at a young age has definitely helped me out.

[@de14jabs]

Yup, as a kid I didn’t like having to go to scouts, now I see the value in it. It’s always nice to know how to make a toasty fire without a lighter or ignition fluid XD

[@FrontierTradingCompany]

@@de14jabs Scouting got me into starting my own channel 🤗

[@WhoThisMonkey]

Student of the bush 👀 I don't know about you, but I've mastered many bushes.

[@BackpackDad]

@@WhoThisMonkey 😂

[@Bighorn1478]

For everyone who enjoyed this video, me included. If you all get a chance watch PBS movie "Alone in the wilderness" and you will see a man with an axe, auger and a saw do amazing builds in Alaska.

[@allan1062]

That is an amazing documentary!! Well worth watching!

[@BitterrootRambler]

Dick Proenneke is who you're talking about sir.

[@michaelwaller7365]

@@BitterrootRambler Your name makes me think you're from Montana also. Lots of forests here.

[@BitterrootRambler]

@@michaelwaller7365 Yes, that is correct.

[@guygagne9437]

All that in only 12 minutes 39 seconds! Wow good job!😉👍👍👍

[@gregdolan340]

You had a good teacher and a good work ethic sir.

[@billywalker9223]

I made my first shaving horse from ash, completely with hand tools. I used dry sassafras poles for the legs, so that the ash would shrink around the dry legs. I'll end up with around 6, all of different designs. Putting 2 arms on the outside of the dumbhead allows you to shave wider stock like bucket staves and roof shakes. When BBC Ireland visited me, they had no idea what a shaving horse was. They had a blast shaving spindles for a bench in Virginia.

[@phillipparker8947]

Pretty cool build. Old school is the right tools

[@samlikely3201]

Who knew Dan making his own hand hewn lumber would be an alternative to spending 12 for a 2 by 4 at the home improvement store nice work true woodsman

[@ncgreenewv]

4:36 I bet he's saying "sure do wish I had a shave horse right now"

[@2758758]

looking at this reminds me of that guy up in Alaska who built everything from scratch and lived alone and could do just about anything with a knife and axe and a few other tools...thx for the video

[@asmith7876]

Roy Underhill would be so proud! Super handy tool, I use mine to carve spoons. Plus the wood shavings will stoke your stove in a heartbeat. (edit) Now...having spent time reading a number of comments, my view of humans is cemented even more firmly. It's amazing the number of people trashing this video. An astonishing lack of basic wood working knowledge, basic lack of history of how humans built things. All you trolls who can do this with a C-clamp and a knife, knock yourselves out. Unbelievable. Great build, love the channel, thanks so much.

[@mikehurricane5767]

Wow Brother ! Very cool video . Not many young men like you . I am a retired Master Craftsman and have all the tools you used to make something very useful . I would have enjoyed working with you . Keep up the good work . And try to teach others your knowledge as long as you're able . Thanks ,,,,,, Later ,,,,,

[@Bailey-zh7zh]

Old school hand crafted’ Great too see .

[@carlfetters8082]

Dan- Nice work. Appreciated the opportunity to guess what the next component might be and how they would fit together. Thanks for sharing in the way that you did. -Carl

[@martinswiney2192]

I enjoy these videos the most. As a machinist I am sometimes unsure about what exactly you are building. But its cool to see the unwanted material removed and see a useful product emerge. Then learn just what this contraption is for. Thanks.

[@unclekenny3986]

A fine video of a Woodsman in the woods

[@aparsons1982]

Those first 2 splits were straighter than the lumber you can buy at Lowes

[@ModernRefugee]

I made one last summer

[@eloravanwaldkatze4594]

great video, thank you. in austrian german it is called "Hoanzlbank" like a wood carving/shaving workbench. I had one time, years back at my grandpas workshop, that I worked with it and made the teeth for a rake. best wishes from austria.

[@davidrobins4025]

A tool to make production easier and quicker. Very nice.

[@diannaharrison5931]

oh how I love watching you build something like this!!! Great job!!!

[@maineiacts]

@Diane Harrison...Seriously! Very Enjoyable huh?!! Us Females can do some of this craft...not throwing a 6 ft 10" in dia..log over my short shoulders for damn sure anymore lol! 😉💪

[@one-of-us9939]

Thanks my brother!

[@WillBuracas]

And here I used a chalk line longitudinally and nearly died in labor, love your method, just love it, ty

[@maineiacts]

Awesome video Dan,with great tunes..especially digging' the second one...! I'm a older gal,but I learn and love outdoor wood craft. I live in town,so not really practical. But I can ' Armchair Warrior in my head along with you lol!! I do little projects though, so that helps my attitude a bit.😊 Keep that Shaved shaving,and those tools handy! Take Care!🤗 👍🏞🏕🌄🌲🌱🌳

[@maineiacts]

Shaver! ( dang spellchecker😵😠)

[@tacitusthehistories5417]

Your videos are always welcome but this one was different. Much better because it's all action. A picture is worth a thousand words. Music is country. Very mellow. Thank you.

[@rtoguidver3651]

A old time spokeshave bench - nice !

[@tombolt12]

Totally and completely impressed, even a bit jealous. I have always believed if you have all the correct tools there is virtually nothing a man cannot do and achieve, even if the tools are antiquated.

[@rationalthinker1570]

Next: the springpole lathe?

[@guntermarkgraf2073]

I liked it very much, it was fun to watch

[@johnnybushman651]

Thanks for that very good video coalcracker. Loved it . Oh yeah , STAY IN THE WOODS ✋ !

[@hydewhyte4364]

first saw one of these watching Roy Underhill, Woodwright shop on PBS.

[@stoutkm]

You are a genius. Great work!

[@grzegorzpietrzak6894]

Amazing video but to be honest I was waiting for "Stay in the woods" at the end :)

[@djtblizzle]

Genius Dan!

[@GaryHarris48]

People don't watch your videos for Guitar music.....Love your teaching skills....just saying.....my speaker is shot

[@mvtorigian4364]

Hardcore Dan. Lots of people work hard at being lazy but working hard at working hard? Long on vision, strong on values.

[@xetra1155]

I saw this in an traditional german rake making hut - and now here is a receipt how to build this. Worldspread knowledge

[@timothylongmore7325]

When you was makin those legs bet ya wished ya had a shavin horse , lol. I bought a cool book on shaving horses. My wife thought i was making a strange career change. I have one and use it all the time. Cool build.

[@a.m.8331]

Great video back to basics just the way I like it down to earth

[@eliprice138]

Iv always wanted to make one . Good job 👍

[@trailtrashoutdoors8173]

This just added another project onto the list! Thanks for sharing!

[@rickypannuto]

Masterpiece ! Bravo !

[@oilburner8548]

Great video and build to do this in woods alone 👍these were used in around 1920s in my little town of high Wycombe England to produce chair parts 🪑Windsor chairs.

[@markw.3743]

Great video Dan !!! But when I’m in the woods I don’t shave ! 👀😂😂😂

[@ottodanbyii6253]

Love those High Water pants in the opening scene :o)

[@kidbach]

He should never die of dehydration with those floods.

[@papasfunnyfarm9703]

I think the cut off pant leg is called "stagging". Doesn't collect mud so badly or get snagged on things. I've done that to a pair of mine.

[@cellerfeller1474]

@@papasfunnyfarm9703 Yep - the old timers always wore stagged wool pants and larigans or mooseshank boots.

[@NoGreedSeeds]

Just good old-fashioned wholesome skillZ!!

[@robmarshallofficial]

That is a great video, I’m getting into carpentry and wanting to learn some of the older ways of making things. This is want my father built as a master carpenter and used on a daily basic. Other than the metal work, all the wooden parts of things he made himself and I recognise some of the tools you used as he had them

[@briancarroll8382]

I wouldn’t have made it past the legs on the bench portion without a string of profanity. Great job and thanks for the videos!

[@waynevreeland3141]

Well, terminology is important, too.

[@CaptCanuck4444]

Nice work! Solves the hardest part of using a drawknife.

[@billybreuer3224]

Roy Underhill would be proud .

[@whatsup8464]

For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction....the more you pull you automatically push more hence gripping more the piece you are working on...brilliant piece of technology 👌nice job buddy...subscribed 👍

[@robertnelson1098]

Absolutely outstanding.... Wow.... Super cool and functional..... CoalCracker you Rock !!!!... From North Georgia.... Great job my friend..... Sincerely ...

[@garynichols8186]

Hard work but very good work. Love it!

[@CommanderBacon64]

Nice.... a good fro would have been good to have... but it was great that you showed how to do it without a fro... more than one way to skin a cat... ;-) thanks DAN!!!

[@NicTaylorWoodworking]

Nice build! Makes me want to use some spare lumber to whip one of these together.

[@californyaeh]

Often people posting vids underestimate the power of just the sound of nature without the need for music.. which is always a question of Taste..!!!!

[@mikew608]

great to watch so relaxing

[@jkrause365]

Liked the guitar picking on this one.

[@markoss333]

Really enjoyed this video. You certainly have a multitude of hatchets. I'm watching the 3rd time trying to keep track

[@ScientistPrepper]

Very educational on how he uses axes and things to manipulate wood.

[@jamesprice6543]

Always look forward to seeing your videos. Thank you for all the great videos and knowledge

[@Dave-oh2sv]

Superbly impressive

[@RiverbendlongbowsOutdoors]

Old school video 😁👊

[@luiskunder]

Good job! It works perfectly...

[@michaelnowak4078]

Great job great video!!!! Thank you...

[@KartizaK]

Nice build. Honestly not trying to troll here but tell them first timer kids never use a draw shirtless unless you really know your own strength and hand coordination. Safety First! Still Subbed.

[@danandoliver3613]

Love your boots

[@wayneeddy3261]

You're such an inspiration.. Great job & video..

[@claudedesforges5496]

You did a great job my friend on you're shaving horse.......

[@stevennolan3966]

Awesome! The psy-ops soundtrack on the other hand, is 2nd only to the digital elevator music played while on hold w/ the VA

[@Shadowaspen]

I have a tip... put a counterwaight on the lever..like arock and attach it to the otherside where you put your feet... then the vice will open by it self every time you release pressure

[@kimmitchell3516]

Now that is awesome...!!!

[@johnburgin7478]

A lot of sitting down on the job.😁...outstanding project. Was sitting at work watching off and on when possible trying to figure out where you were going with it

[@keithrayeski3147]

No words!!! You are a true master bush crafter!! 🙏🏻👍🏻👊🏻

[@pattikeegan9673]

This is awesome!! But lost me at cutting down that tree and carrying it off on your shoulder LOL! I couldn't stop watching though love how the wood splits. Again, makes it look easy. NICE! from Pennsylvania

[@allenleach9371]

Thank you

[@popdebarker5796]

Done like a true craftsman.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Very good. Enjoyed the build. Thank you!

[@jimwortham8634]

So so so much enjoyed video man is a true old-fashioned Craftsman made me smile the whole time

[@benlong3016]

I sympathize with you not wearing gloves! I have a rather large collection of left hand gloves, where I couldn't wake the right hand one! But, I find a left hand glove nessasary when rasping my horse's feet. So it kinda works out!😄

[@TheScoundrel70]

All done with vintage Binford tools! Though I would say as far as building things, Dan is more Al Borland than Tim Taylor.