Old School, Lost Arts

[sggoat]

What else old school do you use?

I don't like percolators and use an old fashioned 32 cup coffee boiler.
Fill with water to the bottom of the spout, add 2 or 3 handfuls of coffee, bring to a boil on the campfire. Ok, it will work on a propane stove to but loses some of the romance.

Here's the trick, 'cause there's always a trick, after it boils, take a cup of cold water pour a bit down the spout the rest in the top, slowly. The cold water will settle the grounds and they'll stay settled unless you shake the pot or something.

you can also use an egg to do this-but it's more expensive than cold water---
Campfire Coffee:
1 qt cold water
1 cup ground coffee
1 egg
1/2 cup cold water
Heat the qt of water to boiling. put the coffee and egg into a cheesecloth bag-tie the ends. break the egg and massage into the coffee. drop the sack into the boiling water and cook for ~ 4 minutes. Add the 1/2 cup cold water to settle the grounds.

 

[Solace in Solitude]

I shave with a safety razor, use a cup and brush to make the soap lather, the trick is not slashing you throat.

Did you mean safety razor or straight razor - Just wondering... I've cut (not slashed) my throat with both

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Animated Knots by Grog is an excellent iphone app that doesn't need internet connectivity - I use it when fly fishing and trying to remember knots I seldom use - i.e. nail knot, blood knot, etc.

There are other categories in the app, for boating, camping, etc.

 

[rusty_tlc]

This is a great series:

http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Collection-Anniversary-Editions-Anniversay/dp/B00MRH3RYU/?tag=ihco-20

I love those books. When I started my set there were only three books.

 

[rusty_tlc]

Did you mean safety razor or straight razor - Just wondering... I've cut (not slashed) my throat with both

Safety razor, I'm taking baby steps, eventually I'll graduate to a straight razor. I was exaggerating about the throat slashing thing, but it still takes more skill using a safety razor than using one of the uber safe nanny state triple blade units.

 

[vipergrhd]

i could still do a clove hitch and a fisherman's knot with my eyes closed. Old school rules IMO.

 

[titanpat57]

Foxfire series is all you need to know everything

 

[vipergrhd]

In high school we built a monkey bridge and we have to cross it to test it's strenght,we all got an A in the group. I will share some of my old school knowledge with my kids one of these days,i'm sure my son will get a kick out of making fire without any matches.

 

[vipergrhd]

http://www.amazon.com/Dovo-Gentleman-Straight-Handles-Hollow/dp/B005DSGVM0/?tag=ihco-20

Always wanted to try a straight razor but worried of cutting my throat open,LOL

 

[Solace in Solitude]

I collected straight razors and assorted related stuff for about 30 years... sold it all when I retired the second time and we downsized to move here... it was worth more to me than it was to the buyers

I shaved with a straight razor a few times, but never made a habit of it.

 

[canman]

When I was little I remember my uncle sharpening either a straight razor or knife using what looked like a leather belt attached to the fireplace. Does this make any sense?

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Yes - a leather strop - it doesn't really 'sharpen', per se.

Using a strop 'polishes' the sharp edge of the blade even smoother, thereby making a 'sharp' blade even sharper.

Some of us oldsters remember having a strop used, on us, to mete out punishment - e.g. spankings.

 

[skidplate]

Lovin' the Dutch oven!

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Lovin' the Dutch oven!

Good stuff!! You can cook or bake anything you want in a dutch oven!!

 

[freepowder]

Lovin' the Dutch oven!View attachment 1068880

There's a surplus store in Farmington NM that sells aluminum dutch ovens in larger sizes.
Ever had any experience with those? I'd guess they weigh 1/3 what cast iron does.

 

[skidplate]

Never heard of aluminum dutch, but the beauty of cast iron is how it holds the heat evenly and for a long time. AS stated above you can cook just about anything. On this particular trip we made apple cobbler, a very hearty breakfast with sausage, egg, potato and biscuits and cinnamon rolls. Yumm!

 

[Solace in Solitude]

I would expect aluminum Dutch Ovens to be difficult to control the heat - seems like the heat would be uneven and they would burn a lot of food. But, what do I know...

 

[freepowder]

I figure they would be different for sure, but the weight saving is substantial. . .
Someone go get some and try 'em out!

What, me? Oh, no. I don't go dutch.

 

[rusty_tlc]

There's a surplus store in Farmington NM that sells aluminum dutch ovens in larger sizes.
Ever had any experience with those? I'd guess they weigh 1/3 what cast iron does.

Not worth the trouble, they cant take the heat, and have poor heat distribution. 5 minutes of googleing will give you a better picture.

 

[rusty_tlc]

you can also use an egg to do this-but it's more expensive than cold water---
Campfire Coffee:
1 qt cold water
1 cup ground coffee
1 egg
1/2 cup cold water
Heat the qt of water to boiling. put the coffee and egg into a cheesecloth bag-tie the ends. break the egg and massage into the coffee. drop the sack into the boiling water and cook for ~ 4 minutes. Add the 1/2 cup cold water to settle the grounds.

I've heard the same trick works with silt water, let the water stand so the big stuff settles out then pour off the top and boil it. Crack an egg into the cooling water and swirl it around.
I'm pretty sure if I had fresh eggs I'd have fresh water too so this may not be that great of a trick.