Keeping our impression alive

[Mike Ventura]

I totally agree with what Ken posted above! While it's one thing to be able to make your own gear, making it incorrectly is just as bad as buying farby sutler row stuff. I've seen a lot of "home made" equipment lately that just isn't right...

Maybe it might help if you talked to someone like Ken before you start the process. Years ago, when I was involved with some of the former Critters in making gear, we spent a lot of time talking to Butch Myers regarding thread, stitching, leather thickness, leather treatment (who knows what "stuffed leather" means?) and even getting the correct ingredients to make the wax for waxing the linen thread.

Take the time to do the research so that your work isn't in vain.

[Forrestcavalryman]

True Mike. If any of ya'll want a real good laugh, I'll try to dig up some photos of my original homade stuff.......YIKES! It was aweful!

[forrestcav]

actually Mike I do know what stuffed leather is. But like others I make a lot of my own traps ans clothing pieces. Finding veg tanned leather is alot easier than finding correct buckles. I've begun to forge my own. It's a bit of a learning curve. My problem is finding asphaltum for making the correct japanning. Luckily for me I also farm a bit and blacksmith and have a horseing business. Thus helps augment my regular job. Having a pard to split fuel with helps too. Eating in camp helps too. Alot cheaper than sutler row or going out for "catfish", Not that anyone on here would ever dream of that.

[Paul L Muller]

I thought I'd throw out a new thought ...I am getting a few of the youngsters in a few of the mainstream groups I am with, and will be having them out to the farm for "project "weekends. I want to show them how to do alot of field craft things and guide them in making and improving their kits and show them that there is another way to reenact other then "costum camping".I am no expert and I am not "hard core" but if I can get them to leave the tents,chairs,cast iron,lamps,sleeping bags,two or three of their pistols, tackle boxes of tools, coolers of food,cell phones, i pods, heaters and or fans...ect...I will feel like I have done God's work. That's how I intend to keep the impression alive. plm

[forrestcav]

sounds like a plan Paul. If you casn get them before they become "grizzled old set in there ways vets" thern you might have a chance. maybe make it a live off your saddle weekend. Tell them nothing that is either post 65' and/or can't be brought in on the horse. Then convince them to examine there kit before every event and say did I need, or use this item. Convince them to change one thing before each event. I can remember my days of tents and camp chests and chairs and laterns, etc.. "A good trooper is a lazy trooper" Mark Choate In so might as the less he hasd to pack and tote, then the less worries he has. Our ancestors had that aspect down. Pare down to the essencials and ease the burden to man and beast.

[Paul L Muller]

That is a great idea for when the weather gets more mild, as most these boys are cav anyway, working towards a campaign weekend off the saddle would appeal to them. One boy is ordering a texas tree and others what to make oil cloth ground sheets.We could work on gearing up...and down [down sizing] in prep for such an outing. Thanks for the idea. It's inspired! I invite other thoughts. Thanks plm

[forrestcav]

doing it away from an event allows them to do a "shake down" run. It'll let them see just how easy it can be. Are they planning to buy oil cloth and sew it into ground clothes or are they gonna buy plain canvasd and oil/wax it themselves?

[TexCavly]

Paul, you should have them make many ground cloths "for Practice" and then send them out to your friends for Christmas! hint hint

[Paul L Muller]

Give them away...another great idea! But...who should I send them to???Let me think...oh! that hurts plm

[Philip cav]

I know that a the ground cloth is a work in progress. Its too cold now to let them cure. So I am reading different recipes for it. I have gotten the canvas. I keep my impression alive by reading books and diaries by the people and how they lived. Then I use this knowledge in my impression. I also use personal experiences. For example, at my unit's muster, there was a pond near by. Paul had already had fished there and knew it had catfish in it. So that afternoon, we went fishing to add a little extra to our ration. I remember I think we caught about 4 catfish and a smallmouth bass. They were good to eat being fried in bacon grease. Now I have been fishing before, but this was the first time I did period fishing. I am always learning new period skills. I need to take extra "stuff" for medical reasons to events. But I try to keep it in a pillow tick sack. Philip Brening.