Damn Yak Dry Goods At Tinder Shop.

I am super excited to see the newly designed Tinder Shop up and running.  Good friends, archaeologists, and shop owners Donna and Angus, have put together a plethora of fantastic sundries from hot water bottle cover from BC and Scotland, Stanley flasks and thermos', to German Feuerhand Hurricane Lanterns. They carry quite a unique bunch of cottage industry goods at obtainable prices. Tinder has also grabbed the last mason jars of Damn Yak Wilderness Remedy {pine pitch Salve}, and a bunch of canvas cups. Swing by their online shop to take a browse, and don't forget to take a look at their blog as well. 

Tinder Shop & Tinder Blog

The Pietersma Tinworks

Looking for that touch of Christmas History to add to you upcoming Christmas tree.  Over the past couple years I have collected many cans of Pietersma Tinworks Tinsel and other tin ornaments. I first saw them at Lee Valley Tools about 4 years ago, and now finding them at BCPV and other Historical location. Started by Greg Pietersma, who learned the art of tinsmithing at Upper Canada Village in the 90's. Since then he has opened quite a busy shop involving his whole family and carrying on the traditions of quality and craftsmanship in the numerous products it sells. Besides the tinsel and stars, I have quite a number of the Mason Jar tea light holders casting their unique glow around my pad.  He also crafts other traditional items like lanterns, hurricanes, tin cups, cookie cutters, and an amazing shop lamp. Based in Chesterville, Ontario (south east of Ottawa) the shop is sometimes open as a storefront by chance, but no need to wait out front as many retailers across Canada and USA (plenty in VT!?) carry Pietersma products for you to decorate this Christmas season.

Buy Online Direct From The Pietersma Tinworks.

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.

A Field Test: Coleman Exponent F1 Lite Lantern.

This year I was looking for a small portable backpacking lantern. Something more to bring than just our headlights we typically use. Something that could brighten the campsite during the shorter days of Fall camping. A lantern that I could just throw in my pack and not notice its there. I had a couple “requirements” for this piece of gear.

1. Lightweight

2. Compact

3. Easy on gas

4. Not a lot of moving parts that could break in the field

I saw some of LED lanterns, while really nice require batteries and could not be used to give heat as well. Candle lanterns are classic, but don’t throw the light like I would prefer and alcohol lanterns are basically non-existent. Coleman makes a smaller white gas one, but they are still two big and breakable with the glass globe. I finally found a model, the Coleman Exponent F1 Lite Lantern. Though it has been discontinued you can still find them online no problem. The F1 is a wickedly small isobutane/propane-burning lantern. Instead of the typical glass globe, Coleman has replaced it with a stainless steel mesh. This mesh with a match hole on the side is very durable and breaks some wind if it needs to. Years back we bought a MSR pocket rocket and have about a half dozen canisters floating around, so I thought for the $30 I would give it a whirl and use up those canisters. One of the benefits of a canister lantern I found was that canisters are small, and can be recycled if punctured correctly. The lantern measures about 7.5” tall with regular size fuel canister. Coleman states that the burn time is 9hrs on high, again with regular canister. That’s pretty good for me, as I usually hit the sack fairly early while camping. It comes with a great carrying case lined with a medium duty hard plastic shell to protect the mantle and lantern. The case also has a tight drawstring to keep it all closed. I was quite surprised how much light it threw, filling up my moderate sized back yard with a bright warm light. The lantern is almost silent which is nice compared to the old Coleman lanterns I'm used to, that sound like locomotives. The stainless steal globe and body heat up plenty that you could definitely warm a shelter with it (never use lanterns in your tent etc). For the price and size of this lantern, I was kind of surprised it was discontinued. There are not a whole lot of small gas lanterns on the market. If you feel like you need or possibly want a backpacking lantern instead of a headlight, then I suggest you use your Google machine and find a dealer. I think you will be just as surprised as I was.

EBAY TIME!!!

Hey Folks, I just threw a Auction up on eBay for a Coleman 321C lantern, it is a Factory refurb, It was made in 1984, and has never been used since the refurb. It come with original box, instructions, and mantles. Even the Globe is the older "Made in USA".

Check it out......Auction Link!