Damn Yak Dry Goods Co. on Woolrich.

Checking some traffic history, and came across these! Nice.

The Pennsylvania Tuxedo.

We all know the plaid. They still use it today, however you can definitely feel a thickness/denseness difference between the “vintage” wool and today’s. Dubbing itself as “The Original Outdoor Clothing Company” Woolrich has been around since 1830. The first mill was set up in Plum Run, Pennsylvania by John Rich and Daniel McCormick. Originally just selling woolen fabric and socks to loggers and trappers. In 1843 Rich bought McCormick out and became the sole owner of Woolrich. Moving their location to Richville in 1845, and eventually become such a main stay that the town changed its name to Woolrich. By this time they have started to include shirts and blankets in their line up, and including their classic buffalo plaid shirt in 1859. During the Civil War, Woolrich provided the army with fabric for the uniforms and thick blankets to keep the soldiers warm. 


The Pennsylvania tuxedo is the nickname to the red and black plaid Woolrich hunting outfit that is officially named "The Big Game Hunting Suit".  Both pieces are made of thick wool to be wore in the deepest of freezes, but also the red plaid was one of the first type of “Blaze” clothing providing some camouflage, but yet some bright visibility to hunters. They also made the "Tux" in solid red and yellow wool in later years for those so daring. 


These pieces are still floating around in thrift shops and places like Etsy. I got my coat about 7 years ago, for $20 in Kensington Market in Toronto. The coat is lined with an orange-brown flannel, and has the back map pocket, high collar with buttoned toggle to keep it up. The pants I picked up this year, again in Kensington. The dealer was asking $25, I offered $20, and he settled on $21. I hope he spent that loonie well!  These pants are brand new; they still have the paper waistband tag on the inside and not a single stain or catch in all its years of hanging around someones store or house. They have suspender buttons to have all day comfort, belt loops for caring your knife and they lace up at the bottom along the legs. I have been looking for wool pants for some time for winter excursions, but I find that regular pants don’t work to well with my 16" Bean boots.  when you fold the pant leg over it bunches to much and adds a lump of cloth against your shin in the boot. These lace ups on the other hand…perfect! Again you can find them cheap on Etsy, and Ebay I have seen them there for as low as $10, and if you are looking for some beautiful heavy wool pants for some deep winter exploring, grab them while they are still around. 


It might seem hard to pull off the red plaid pants and not look like Elmer Fudd, but they actually look damn fine with a dark plaid top and vest.  Also I don’t think the trees will be picking apart your outfit, I promise. I finally had the opportunity this weekend to get out in my newly completed "Tux".  It was -20*C this Saturday morning, and I found myself open buttons of the jacket to regulate.  I know the shots are a little "posed". What can you do when you got to take them yourself and you have 10 sec to make it look good, so just enjoy it in all it's glory... the Pennsylvania Tuxedo.


* They hat I am wearing is GAP wool cap in the heritage Plaid, and if anyone has a scoop on a real deal Woolrich Hat in Heritage Plaid to match, shoot me a message!

For Sale: Damn Yak Dry Goods Wool & Canvas Possibles Pouch.

 

Damn Yak Dry Goods Co. is very proud to present this small run of Wool and Canvas Possibles Pouches. The Wool was purchased from Johnson Woolen Mill in VT, while on my way to Maine this past year.  The 12" x 7" pouches are lined with unbleached raw canvas, tough as nails!  The brass zipper is sure to provide years of solid use, and sewn with heavy nylon thread.  The twisted leather toggle and D.Y. logo is hand riveted on. The possibles pouch is meant to carry any items you may find essential to you, and to keep them all in one place.  I am using mine as a map case for canoe trips, and during the off season, small gears for day hikes. If you are a cyclist, you could store a inner tube, some oil and a couple tools no problem. The possibilities are endless with a possibles pouch.  I have given a few out and have only four three two left at the moment, with enough material for 4 more in the future.  So scoop one up now, as it might be the New Year till you see the last four.  They are $35, and flat rate shipping is $5 in CAN, and $8 US.  Shoot me a email damnyak(at)gmail.com if you are interested, if you require shipping Paypal only.

Wool Capote.

With the cold weather among us, its time to bust out our wool coats to bundle us up.  If you were Métis, a Mountain man, or a fur trader of the early 1900’s you probably would have owned one of these long coats.  The word Capote is apparently an Anglicized version of a French word meaning “Cape Cod Coat”, which dates back to the 1700’s.  Typically made from the high quality, colourful wool blankets from the Hudson Bay Company.  Most had a hood, and tassels on the shoulder for decoration and to keep snow from building up. The natural water repellence and warmth of wool made it the perfect material for a coat that could double as a sleeping bag or just as a extra blanket.  There has been accounts of men hunting in the traditional HBC blanket made capote because of the semi camouflage that it provided against the snow-covered north.  If you were so inclined to make one today, I don't think you would want to cut up you 4 point HBC blanket.  People now make them typically from army surplus blankets as they can be had for cheap and are tough quality wool.  Simple to make, and can be quite decorative with a nice contrasting blanket stitch.  If your in the mood for a super traditional wool coat, that you can make yourself.  Give it a shot! 

The Swanndri Bushshirt.

 

 

I am sure most of you have heard of Swanndri, the New Zealand Wool company.  For those not, here is a bit of history.  In 1913 New Plymouth tailor William Broome registered the trademark ‘Swanndri’ for a weatherproof woollen shirt.  Broom, born in Staffordshire, England, immigrated to New Zealand at age 21 and established a clothier and outfitters business, The Palatine.  The characteristics of the “swanny” design include its heavy dark fabric, often in a tartan pattern and ties up around the neck. In more recent "Ranger" shirt, a zipper has replaced the ties.  The original design was short sleeved, long in the back, and would be worn on top of farmers work clothes for warmth and shower proofing.  The "secret of Swanndri was that during production, these garments were dipped into a mixture of dissolved chemicals and then dried.  It is not known if Broome was taught this method for shower proofing the fabric or he developed the formula himself.  Unfortunately, the mixture caused the garments to shrink, making it difficult to determine size. Consequently they were sold as one size fits all.  The name was because the rain would literally run off the back of the garment as it does on a swan.

These Garments are now being produced with more "urban" styling line, but rest assured their heritage styles are still the most popular, and Bushcrafters around the world have adapted the bushshirt as their go to uniform, so I don't think its going anywhere.


Check out their site here:  Swanndri NZ

Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine.

The past week My wife and I drove down from Milton, Ont. to Freeport, Maine. Stopping over in St. Albans, Vermont for a night. If anyone has a week off or even 4 days, I suggest you do the same. The drive is something else. Driving through the White Mountains is mind blowing, We really did not expect them as we were all ready in awe of the rolling hills of Vermont. We didn't strike gold as far as weather was concerned, it was rainy and foggy every single day. While it did work to keep the majority of Tourists out of Freeport, It became a little tiresome by the end of the week. Going to the L.L. Bean "campus" was an amazing thing, The magnitude of its flagship store is huge, and runs as well as a Swiss watch. Also if anyone is in the area, Allen Edmond's has Stormy Kromer hats in Black and Gray and a couple buffalo plaid for $16. The whole town breaths L.L. Bean. While in Brunswick Jeff, from "Cold Splinters" suggested I check out the local Salvation army, Two vintage Bean chamois shirts, one made in US Patagonia fleece, a Bean jacket, and something for Jeff, it was sure a success. Also I was pondering the idea of purchasing a pair of Bean Gumshoes, and to my luck while at the Goodwill in Scarborough found a pair of Maine Hunting shoes in the gumshoe height for $5. On our last day we went to Wolfes Neck State Park for a hike. The tide was out, and fog was in. As we walked around the parameter of the park a large White tail flew by us giving us a treat. This park, while not huge is very lush and beautiful. Just 3km from Downtown Freeport, well worth a walk! We had such great time seeing new things, and meeting wonderful people. While we wish the trip could last a lifetime, we know the memories we got will.

Also while in Johnson, Vermont I had the pleasure of tour and walk around the Johnson Woolen Mills to see the making of their top quality wool products. As well in Brunswick, Maine, I got shown the ins and outs of the manufacturing of the iconic L.L. Bean boot, and bullet proof canvas totes. These post will be in the coming weeks. Stay tuned!

Covered bridge in New Hampshire.



The Johnson spring.



Gloomy White Mountains.



Cascade falls, White Mountains.



Cascade falls, White Mountains.



Rail track on the side of the Mountain.



The L.L. Bean over sized Novelty (90th anniversary) Boot.



Wolfe Neck State Park.



Wolfe Neck State Park.



Needles @ Wolfe Neck State Park.



Wolfe Neck State Park.



Wolfe Neck State Park.



Mountains on the way home.

Pyrex Coffee Percolator.

This weekend on a early morning trip to the Glen Williams Beaumont Woolen Mills Antique Store, I purchased a Pyrex Coffee Percolator 7756-B. This Made in USA Pyrex Percolator came in 4 cup, 6 cup, and 9 cup models. The all glass construction (except the basket bottom and top) is quite a thing of beauty. The Percolator is one of the frowned upon way of making coffee. However, I find no other method fills the morning air with the smell of rich coffee and it's piping hot. Now the taste may not be " the best", but it is damn good. I actually prefer it! The beauty of this percolator is that the glass lets you see the coffee making process in action, judging how strong/weak of coffee you want. Once a perc is in full "bloom" I turn down the heat to low and let it perc for 10 min. Then pour out a great cup 'o' Joe. After I bought this I was scouring the net and came across this blog post and it gave me a good laugh! So please enjoy this post from "I Had An Idea This Morning" .

"We went to the discount store yesterday to buy a French press and spotted a stainless steel, stove-top percolator. It looks like, and sort of is, a piece of camping equipment. Boy Scouts would use it, if they took coffee breaks. It seemed American, as opposed to the Frenchy-ness of the French press. Also, a goomba passing in the aisle said, “Best way to make coffee…if you like it good and strong.”

I drank three cups of percolated coffee this morning and feel like I am going to explode with happiness and nerves. I feel as if I will disco to the subway train. The guy is right. The coffee is strong, and it is good.

Now try Googling “percolated coffee”. The internet thinks I’m doing it wrong, that I should have gone for the French press. Even the Wikipedia entry sniffs that percolated coffee is out of fashion. It’s weird; now I feel like I’ve been outrageously rebellious buying this percolator. After all, everyone who knows anything about coffee knows that this is an inferior method. And caring about your coffee is one of those markers, you know, of intelligence and sophistication. I bet if you mapped out the percolator households and the French press households, they would perfectly correlate with a map of blue states and red states. French presses are for liberals, percolators are for heathens.

But for how long? I predict within 18 months, percolators will become huge. Hipsters, tired of their espresso-brewed triple Americanos, will develop an ironic appreciation for percolated coffee. A percolator will be featured in some sort of spread in Vice, and a few months later we’ll see a percolator on the front page of Sunday Styles. And then William-Sonoma will come out with a $429 retro stovetop percolator, and I’ll sell my vintage model on eBay and use the proceeds to buy myself a shiny new espresso maker."