Maple Sugar - Circa 1925.

Check out this public domain film from 1925, showing the process of turning sweet water into maple syrup. I love the yoke that they gentlemen are using, at first I thought it was a broken snowshoe over his head, but upon closer inspection its made similar, but clearly a yoke. It's a neat film as it show the back country way of manufacturing as well as a larger factory setting. I am really digging the concept of hanging a piece of raw pork over boiling anything to keep it from boiling over. I think tonight I am going to rig up a coat hanger with a wad of bacon to my overhead range for some protection. And FYI folks as the film says "All Canadian Maple products are genuine. The law forbids adulteration." Remember that!

Estwing Hammer Rebuild.

I was asked by my Sister-in-law about a month ago to take on a task.  As she reached into her tool box she pulled out a beat up, rotted, grip less 16 oz. Estwing leather gripped claw hammer.  "This was my Dad's", My brother's remark was "Just tell her to get a new one!". As I put my hand up to my brother I ask what she want me to do, her reply " rebuild the grip, he had it for I don't know how many years and I would like to use it again." And so one of my favorite builds to date began.  I have made many leather gripped knives before, and have build some amazing things out of leather in the past 6 years, but none of this caliber, none that have been so sentimental that's for sure. And to see the handle come out of the massive stack of leather was incredible. No power tools were used, it was completely done by hand with no glue in between the stacks of leather. Instead of going into huge detail about the ins and outs, I will just put some comments down under the picture as to whats going on. I did used Spar Varnish on the grip, as raw leather (as beautiful as it would be) my Sister-in-law will actually be using this hammer in all conditions and to maximize the leathers durability I varnished it.  There must be a reason to it, as Estwing varnishes theirs as you can see on the 20 oz claw hammer I was using as reference.

The original I was handed, missing a few pieces, about 50 years old.

After removing end, and sliding over 40 stacks of leather.

Freshly peened rivets, snug tight.

After 20 min of cutting with Olfa knife, using my hammer as guide.

Final rough cut.

After some intense 120 grit sanding.

Final raw hammer, after 400 grit sanding.

Final raw hammer.

About to varnish, this leather was thirsty.

After eight coats of varnish.

Finished, ready to be passed down for many more generations.

Avon "Clint" Coleman Lantern Cologne.

If you know Avon, you know that back through the 70's - 80's they put their Cologne in every conceivable bottle shape known to man. Jeeps, pipes, trains, just Ebay it, its incredible the shapes! They are cheap collectibles now ranging between $5 and $20 I would say for the high end ones. I have been collecting Coleman stoves and lanterns for over a decade, and when I was at a seniors center garage sale I stumbled on my first bottle of "Clint" in a Coleman Decanter. It set me back $0.50.  The Cologne was/is horrible, almost like you are wearing naphtha mixed with splash of Brut, with a swish of sewer water. Well needless to say it became the true "Man" smell among friends. On one occasion of three dudes in a parking lot applying some "Clint", one of my buds refused as it smells so bad. So what did Friend #2 do? He poured it in his hand and slapped Friend #1 in the face when he wasn't looking. Years later I found a unopened bottle with the box at another sale. Thank God, I would hate to run out of my favorite man smell. And look at that graphic, those men are so happy. Happy to be burning their kness standing so close to the fire? The one guy on the left kind of looks like Clint Eastwood, though I think even his coolness couldn't pull this off.  Any other dreaded "man" smells you know aside from the obvious.

Horned Crook Knife.

 

 

While cleaning up my office this past week I stumbled on to a crook knife I bought myself about 3 years ago. I had it wrapped in a rag tucked in a box with random junk. I bought it at a rummage sale for no more that $5, the fellow had about 3 of them all in rough shape. This one was the only one usable, handle firmly fixed, and blade somewhat sharp. It looks to be handmade from a possible broken kitchen knife, as the marks are from Sheffield, England, as popular as bushcraft is I don't think that they were commercial crook knifes with cattle horn handles from the turn of the century!

The makers mark is reads "J (or) I.Wilson, Sycamore St. Sheffield England", then their trademark peppercorn and diamond stamp. Doing a quick google search of the stamp, The company was started by Thomas Wilson as a general cutlery maker in 1750. After Thomas' death, his son John took over until his death in 1851. Apparently by the 19th century the peppercorn and diamond trademark was one of the most popular and well known trademarks of the cutlery industry. While searching I came across this image of a auction of a 6 pack of skinning knives. On the package you can clearly see the peppercorn mark and a bit of history of the company

The horn handle is very comfortable and the crook is not to deep, no spoon making with this one. Even without a sharpen, it whisks wood quite easy, and the very old rivets that connect blade and handle hold strong.

I need to get my butt in gear and sharpen this knife up and take it for a spin, maybe hammer out a paddle finally. Any readers dabbled with crook knives? And tips or ticks you can share?

Robertson's Candy.

Nova Scotia’s largest family owned hard candy factory was established Truro, Nova Scotia in 1928 by William C. Robertson. Now William’s son, Roy Robertson, runs this producer of fine quality hard candy. Specializing In traditional sweets, you will not see the likes of Sour keys, or jube-jubes in this factory. One of their iconic treats, and claim to fame is Barley Toys. Dating back to 1880, Barley Toys, also known as Toy Candy, Clear Toys, or Animal Candy have been a staple of Maritime Christmas’ since Robertson Candy started producing them when they originally opened.  Today Robertson’s has one of the largest collections of Barley Toy moulds in the world.

Along with Historical “toys”, they also produce a whack of other traditional candies.

Like Chicken Bones, Humbugs, Rum and Butter, Maple Kisses, Natural flavoured candies made with Maltose (not as sweet, perfectly balanced), and one of my favourite flavours, Clove. Their packaging is top notch, and durable, and the candies are large and flavorful. You can order online, and have these nuggets of joy delivered right to your door.

Robertson Candy Website.

Spicy Orange Pomander.

The smell of Christmas is something I look forward to every year. I could buy a candle that smells of cinnamon, clove, apple, and citrus and be done with it, but why not make the original. It's a great way to spend a couple hours with your family and it can become traditional tradition. The idea behind this has its roots in Victorian times. As all ornaments were handmade back then, usually fabric, metal, or brightly coloured exotic fruit. The fresh pomanders were then hung by ribbon around the house to dry and release their citrusy-spice aroma. At the end of the Christmas season when the orange has completely dried you are left with a permanent ornament that can be put away if you like for next year and light enough to be hung on a tree. I have had one hanging in my living room for 4 years now and it looks so beautiful!, and yes there still a bit of fragrance to it! 

Here is how to do it [from tlc.com]

David A. Smith - Sign Painter.

Check out this amazing short documentary about David A. Smith.  He is a Professional Sign Painter based in the UK.  One of the last of his kind, his works include reversed glass signs and decorative silvered and gilded mirrors.  Its really is mind blowing and inspirational to watch.  He really has a knack for slowing down and focusing to achieve near perfection!  A trait, I think we could all use more of.  Incredible.

Ropp Cherry-wood Pipes.

 

Let me start off by saying smoking is not healthy, and this post is not a promotion for smoking, but merely a showing of a beautiful pipe manufacturer.

Ropp Pipes was started by Eugène-Léon Ropp in 1869 and continued production until 1991.  The mainstay of Ropp was manufacturing pipes from solid cherry wood.

The main purpose of the cherry wood pipe is to preserve the rugged, woodsy apperance of the pipe.  Ropps are made with the limbs of a cherry tree that are cut straight across one end and diagonally on the other, typically the bark is left on. The flat end is hollowed out to form the bowl, while the diagonal end is polished, stamped with the Ropp logo and forms a flat bottom to rest the pipe on.  The shank is also made from a smaller cherry limb, and the stem and bit are vulcanite.

Some people complain that the bowl is to small, but for people who smoke a pipe every now and then, they are the perfect size for a cool night around the campfire.

Swiss Salt and Pepper Rucksack.

Used from the mid 50's to the late 60's this pack is absolutely bombproof. Solid leather construction, with unique "salt and pepper" coloured canvas that is so thick and tight it makes Duluth, Frost River, and even Filson seem like cheese cloth. The leather is about 6-7oz. tooling leather and tough aluminum hardware. This pack has two closures the main draw string, but being used in a snowy region there is a thinner canvas closer inside, that a string wraps around to keep completely sealed. Classically styled, they are getting harder to come by. They used to be cheap like $20, now typically $100 and up. Perfectly sized for a weekend away, and I guarantee* it'll last a lifetime of any abuse you can bestow on to it.


* not a actual guarantee!

[images via etsy & The Noisy West]

Dietz Lanterns.

Founded in New York in 1840 by Mr. Robert Edwin Dietz.  The Dietz Co. manufactures kerosene lanterns, commonly known as hurricane lanterns. Given this name be cause they can safely be used in hurricane weather.  If you venture to any antique market, 90% of the lanterns you will see are Dietz.  Unfortunately Dietz moved all their production, including the original equipment to Hong Kong in 1956, then to China in 1988.  Their lanterns are still in production and are made on the original machines,  They are super affordable, and its great to have one put away in case of a emergency, Lee Valley has the No. 80 for $20.  It really is a beautiful lantern for that price.  Two Christmas' ago, my Wife and I were at Black Creek Pioneer Village for the "Christmas By Lamplight" and got to witness the whole village lit by these all night long.  Simply beautiful!

There are three typical kinds of lantern construction.

Cold Blast Lanterns:
Takes in air through side tubes and the globe plate. A "Cold Blast" Lantern has a white flame and twice the volume of light. With modern fuels they can be used inside or out.

Hot Blast Lanterns:
Takes in air through openings in the base. Air ascends through the globe and is heated by the flame and produces a steady yellow flame.  A Hot Blast Lantern and is good for use indoors.

Dead flame lanterns:
Have no forced draft but the rising heat of the flame pulls fresh air in through the bottom holes.

Graniteware / Enamelware.

Graniteware, more commonly known as enamelware is a process that fuses a layer of powdered glass on to a base, usually metal, the result is tough, easy to clean and fairly light.  The earliest pieces were of solid color and since enamel colour cannot be mixed we also have the swirls and speckled pieces that we know.  Graniteware owes its roots to St. Louis Stamping Works owners William and Frederick Niedringhaus.   During a trip to Germany in 1865 the tin kitchen utensil manufacturing owners noticed enameled utensils in a store display and ultimately ended up purchasing the process.  Upon his return to St. Louis the brothers began working on manufacturing enamel coated utensils.  The Niedringhaus version of enamelware was coated with ground granite.  Graniteware was featured at the 1876 Philly Expo.  Like so many things, graniteware has become the "generic" term for most enamelware.  True graniteware would have it's origin in Granite City, Illinois.   How many people still use some pieces of graniteware?  Which pieces?  I still use a couple mugs for water, The colours that they come in are incredible, and stay so bright after so many years!  Great pieces of old style camping equipment that unfortunately has moved to the way side, but still makes it into the homes of people looking for that nostalgic look.

National Graniteware Society.

Aberfoyle Antique Market.

We recently went to Aberfoyle Antique market with some friends.  It was a great day starting off cool and turning blazing hot.  Those who have never been, it runs on Sundays from May to October and is full of knik-knacks for the treasure hunter to find.  My wife walked off with some NOS 50's apron and a Kewpie doll and I grabbed a Canadian army wool shirt for $15.  I hope you liked the picture of the zombie deer head.  That would look awesome over the fireplace! What other antique markets are your favorites and you frequent?  Any good "man" stuff there?

Als Ik Kan.

Three simple words. Three simple words that would be nice to see more people hold true. Basically translating to "If I can, all I can". Adapted in the middle ages, when craftsman would use a device or legend that would he would display on every piece of his work to identify that the piece was genuinely his. Kind of like a modern trademark. the "Als ich kanne" motto was originally used by a 14th century Flemish painter Ian Eyck to identify his work. Several hundred years later William Morris used the term but in french, "Si je puis", to identify his products. Morris as you may or may not know was a very important figure in English arts and crafts movement. The Morris Chair of American arts and crafts fame gets its name from his company, that was the original producer of such chairs in the 1860's. Gustav Stickley is the founder of the American arts and crafts movement. He took many key pieces from the english movement and made them his own. As such he adopted the motto, in modern Flemish (dutch) "als ik kan" along with the joiners compass and his signature to identify his work. The American arts and crafts style and its school of though was to incorporated your own handmade or locally handcrafted wood, glass, and metal work creating objects that are/were both simple and elegant for the home. These Items were to be carefully made to uphold the highest quality avalible. Quite an idea to press for in today's worlds of Ikea and Wally's world.

St.Lawrence Sunday Antique Market.

Today, We went to meet my Father at the St. Lawrence Antique Market that happens every Sunday. The Hustle and bustle of collectors looking for that one item, the chit-chat of deals being struck, and always interesting characters that frequent these events. Today was a "lucky" day for me, I found a item I have been trying to find at the right price for quite a few years now. As I was looking in a display case of militaria, I saw a I.M.C.O. lighter. The usual one I see are the chromed "streamline" model. It can change from a lighter to a candle when you pull out the wick/fuel reservoir. Usually range from $20 -$40. This lighter seemed like a basic model, made out of brass, the shape though instantly recognizable. As I and inspecting the lighter the gentleman says "$10", I reply "sold". After doing a quick check on it, turns out it is one of the first models I.M.C.O made, this lighter give or take is from 1925 and the model is the I.M.C.O. "IFA" model and it works beautifully.



The second item picked up was a really nice old Bruce trail patch. It was in a bin full of door knobs. As a Halton resident the Bruce Trail goes right through Milton, and I know sections of the forest and trail like the back of my hand. The patch was $1 and will look great on my Swiss "salt and pepper" pack. It was a swell day with a great many laughs. Anyone looking for a quick fun thing to do on a Sunday morning should definitely check it out.