Axe Project: Part 1 of 2

I think it's important to stay connected to the outdoors. Even if your schedule doesn't allow time to hang in a hammock on the bank of a bustling river a few times a month or hike a new mountain every other weekend, you can always find ways to bring this passion to your home. My first project of summer was to style a custom axe design (inspiration came from Best Made Co.'s axes).

I embarked, several months ago now, on a mission to buy an American made axe. Many Nearly all manufacturers now outsource multiple production steps/processes to China. I found only two companies based in the U.S.A. that still completely rely on American labor and materials for their axe builds. The first is Council Tool out of North Carolina. The other is Snow & Nealley out of Maine. Sadly, Snow & Nealley began outsourcing the forging of their axe head to China 5 years ago. With research, I was able to find a 6 year old S&N axe (never used) on Craigslist, from a relocating homeowner, for a fraction of the retail price.

Let's begin!


I draw up a design for what I intend my plaid-handled axe to look like.


My brand new (six-year old) axe that had never been swung over a man's shoulder.

Sanding, priming, taping, painting, staining, and finish by applying coats of poly urethane.

After sanding the area which would receive paint, I covered the handle in multiple coats of primer. Next was to tape out my custom design and paint each section (as you see above).

Check back in later this week for the final outcome. I'm quite pleased.

Woolrich History

"A Purposeful Originator" is the conotation I received about Woolrich while talking with Brent, Vice President of Marketing. He descriptively led me through company history. Like most businesses - the timeline is fantastically interesting and original products stemmed from customer suggestions.

Woolrich is the original equipper of adventurers, miners, loggers and those whose explorative nature built our great country. In 1830, John Woolrich began selling threads to outdoorsmen on the back of his cart. These men soon requested that Mr. Woolrich sew the shirts to spare their wives the work. Requests followed to include a game pocket in the rear of shirts to hold small game they might kill during the workday. Upgrades soon included rubberizing the game pocket for obvious reasons, and camo patterns to conceal themselves along the trails. The end product was dubbed the "Pennsylvania Tuxedo".

Since inception, they've remained focused on creating useful, purposeful outdoor products. The only company still in existence that supplied wool blankets to civil war soldiers, Woolrich is steeped in history, ruggedness, and Americana.

While on the phone, I asked the V.P. what his favorite Woolrich item was. He offered up two new favorites. Both the Declination Hoodie and the Cross Country Shirt. Both excellent items that I've taken his advice and tried out.

Read more on Woolrich history in your spare time with this book - enjoyed ideally fireside.

Other:
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Farmland

Farming is a fundamental part of American life. The act can be as dated and primitive or technologically advanced as you wish it. Nonetheless, without it we wouldn't be here today. I'm always fascinated when I come across something historically significant to New England and such was the case today. I found the below farm that still stands after 228 years of operation. Built in 1778, this farm still provides crops to local towns. A rustic barn-front caught my eye on a Sunday drive. Goats that roam the pasture add to it's character. The misaligned barn windows increase the allure. The character of the property make you envision how life may have looked 200 years ago - the narrow dirt roads lined with ruts from horse carriages, the expansive forests and underdeveloped towns, and the peace and quiet that came along with it. 

One thing is for sure - tonight's dinner will consist of fresh farm potatoes, beets, and carrots. The conversation around the table will more than likely venture to topics of free-range chickens and a large vegetable garden on our own property in the very near future. Nobody can ever fault you for being self-sufficient and in touch with mother nature - after all it's Maine, "The Way Life Should Be".

Making Coffee

There are two things I really love - a good cup of coffee and things made in America. When an item I want is made in a different country - I at least require an interesting story behind it. Enter the Best Made Co.'s Seamless & Steadfast Enamel Steel Cups. They are made from steel in a 100 year old enamel factory in Poland with a celebrated history. The company logo is baked into the front and the handle and rim receive a double dipping of enamel, hence the term "steadfast". A true trail-worthy item to throw into your pack for future adventures. 

Per the company website, "First featured in the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition of 1876, enamelware was touted to combine "all the advantages of glass with the strength of metal". Since then enamel tin and steel have long been favored by outdoorsmen and cowboys because it is light, durable and easy to clean."

Necessary items to create my morning coffee.

  Heating water over the blue flame of my MSR Pocket Rocket.

   

Fiddleheads.

   

Sitting back, enjoying life and waiting.

 
Kind company.

 
A rolling boil.

  Lone leaf.

  Dipping the MSR Mugmate (1/4 full of coffee grounds) into the cup and allowing it to sit.

  Morning sunlight and shadows.

  5 Minutes and remove.

  A damn good cup of coffee and a pleasant river to sit beside.

  Pick up your own Seamless & Steadfast Enamel Steel Cups (set of 2) at Best Made Co.


Other Summer Essentials:
Woolrich Hoodie
First Aid Kit
Filson Pants

Over Night Tenting

Saturday lunch plans make it tough to spend a full weekend in the woods. Pulling back into my driveway later than expected, I pack a few overnight essentials into my hiking bag and head outdoors. A large plot of woods sit directly behind our country apartment and I know there is a stream I've hiked to once before in the daylight. A headlamp will be required tonight. After a one mile trek, I find a comfortable spot within a rock's throw of the water and begin to assemble my tent, sleeping bag and sleeping pad. Precipitation isn't in the forecast so I've left my rain-fly at home. Setting up camp and gathering firewood  under the blackness of night makes for a true feeling of adventure. Once the fire develops some red embers, it'll be beans and sausage for dinner.

I leave my camera be until morning when I can grab a few photos in the daylight.

The MSR Hubba Hubba is the best backpacking tent I've owned and I've tested a lot.  Falling asleep listening to the oscillating river and staring towards the Northern sky is one of the most peaceful things I've ever done.

Free kindling.

Dirt floor.

My new Big Agnes sleeping bag kept me toasty. Temperatures dipped overnight and nearly touched 30 degrees. There wasn't much of a wind.

Morning shadows cast across the forest floor.

Sausage roaster.

Spring-greens.

The Grouse Mountain 15° bag by Big Agnes actually has a pocket in the rear to hold their sleeping pad. I'll never again roll off my pad in the middle of a cold night; it provides that needed layer of insulation.

Fresh H20.

This trusty hiking bag has been on a lot of adventures, but still looks new.

Morning rays fall on my all-orange gear.

Packing up camp and releasing the air from my Insulated Air Core.

Until next time, into the pouch she goes.

Tent poles, tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag (left to right).


One last splash of water onto the remaining coals and it's off for home to finish the axe project I've been working on (post to come soon).

Similar Adventures to Read:

White Mountains

Spring Waterfall Hike

River Shots