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Post by brokennock on Dec 13, 2020 3:33:18 GMT -7
Like my motivation question, I'm placing this here because we have no general combined hunting and trekking area, maybe a "living with and in period gear area."
And I alluded to this topic in the motivation topic.
So, for those that pursue activities, in period dress with period gear, that they have also pursued in modern clothing with modern gear. Hunting, trekking, scouting, camping? What adjustments, sacrifices, adaptions have you had to make? Both physically and mentally.
What is different about your period clothing and gear that has caused some issues compared to what you were used to? How did you adapt? Did you adapt or adjust, or, just get used to it?
Finding anything better with period gear and clothing?
These things are don't always have to be bad things. Or maybe they seem like a negative but the solution results in a positive.
I'll put an example in a separate reply post.
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Post by brokennock on Dec 13, 2020 4:05:58 GMT -7
One example from my own limited experience. I am looking to hunt and scout in as period correct a manner as possible. Not looking to spend days at a rondy' or other event, or do public presentations beyond talking with people I encounter by chance while pursuing my activities.
I might call my example tactical, or even tactile, convenience.
I'm used to having my gear set up so that I know exactly where everything is, it is always in the same place, and the items I may want or need quickly/conveniently, without having to stop and remove a pack or other gear to get at the item/tool, are stowed accordingly.
This does not happen with period clothing and gear. Pockets are limited and sometimes/often covered by another piece of clothing or gear. Something in a waistcoat pocket isn't real convenient when there is a hunting shirt wrapped around it, belted with belt or sash, and maybe a split pouch or other belt pouch slung on that. Something in the pocket of your breeches pocket might be even less accessible.
Still working on adaptions and solutions for some of this one.
But, mostly, it calls for an adaption of attitude and mindset.
Like with a lot of issues I could foresee being brought up here, a large part of the adaptive solution is,,,,
slow down.
Yes, preplanning and thinking about how and where to carry certain items plays a roll. But accepting that we live in a world of schedules and time frames and are emulating a time period without them, or at least without such strict adherence to time's limitations, is a part of the dynamic. No "legal light" hunting hours laws, no "I need to be in the truck at this time in order to be in the shower and getting ready for work at such &such a time," concerns in 1770.
Slow down, stop more. Learn to enjoy the extra time it takes to get a compass bearing, or check the time, or light a smoke. (Okay, that last one still kind of irks me and I feel like the time it takes to light my pipe is a failing on my part)
I'm sure I could keep going, but I'm interested in what you have to say. I'll bring up some of what I like better in another topic reply later.
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Post by Black Hand on Dec 13, 2020 11:52:50 GMT -7
I've managed to adapt my period gear so everything I need on a regular basis is in a small haversack and the pockets of my waistcoat. Not the same configuration as with modern clothes, but it is the alternate configuration for period gear. Doesn't create any undue difficulty...
When hunting in modern clothes, I still wear my hunting shirt, belt and belt knife as when in period gear. Helps bridge the gap.
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Post by spence on Dec 13, 2020 12:13:31 GMT -7
Off the top of my head there are two adjustments I've found necessary. One is the lack of pockets. Neither my breeches nor my waistcoat have pockets, so I've had to alter my method of carrying the smalls normally carried there. Not a big deal, I use a belt pouch and my haversack, instead. Second is the lack of light at night. I've learned to get everything needing light finished before dark, get by with the light from the fire or, occasionally in the right situation, use a candle. I think this is one of the most under-appreciated aspects of the differences of life then and now.
I no longer smoke, but lighting my pipe was also a nuisance when I did. I adjusted my habits to handle that. If I had a fire going there was no problem, of course, but if I wanted to have a pipe while traveling I just learned to wait until later. I did not like that, at first, but learned to think of it as part of the 18th-century experiment I was engage in. I could have done it better. We had a man in our BP group who had learned to light his pipe with flint and steel, hardly ever needing a second stroke, and while holding the pipe in his mouth. He didn't re-enact, but liked to do that as a sort of "look what I can do" attention getter. I could never master it, and I tried.
I was surprised to learn that for me breeches are more comfortable than modern trousers/jeans. All that extra cloth in the butt serves you well when you sit down.
Spence
NB The original use of the haversack was for carrying rations, but I have found references to its being used for carrying other things, so I am comfortable carrying whatever I need in it.
Hauptman (Captain) Johann Ewald in his "Diary of the American War - A Hessian Journal" p. 108:
"During these two years (1776-1777) the Americans have trained a great many excellent officers who very often shame and excell our experienced officers, who consider it sinful to read a book or think of learning anything during the war. For the love of justice and in praise of this nation, I must admit that when we examined the haversack of the enemy, which contained only two shirts, we also found the most excellent military books translated into their language. For example, Turpin, Jenny, Grandmaison, La Croix, Tielke's "Field Engineer," and the "Instructions" of the great Frederick to his generals I have found more than one hundred times.* Moreover, several among their officers had designed excellent small handbooks and distributed them in the army. Upon finding these books, I have exhorted our gentlemen many times to read and emulate these people, who only two years before were hunters, lawyers, physicians. clergymen, tradesmen, innkeepers, shoemakers, and tailors."
*(Ewald was an officer of Jaegers and had opportunities to take more prisoners via ambuscade and in small unit skirmishes than the average field officer.)
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Post by brokennock on Dec 13, 2020 14:17:20 GMT -7
Spence, you nailed part of my feelings on this subject with, "I adjusted my habits to handle that. If I had a fire going there was no problem, of course, but if I wanted to have a pipe while traveling I just learned to wait until later. I did not like that, at first, but learned to think of it as part of the 18th-century experiment I was engage in." Smoking is another issue high on my list with this subject. I'm used to just lighting my pipe or cigar at will. Often using the smoke as a wind indicator. (Never had deer seen to be bothered by it. In fact, as much as I like good cigars, I smoke those cheap Avante Anise cigars when bow hunting having noticed a slight licorice smell to one of the popular all season deer lures on the market.) I'd love to learn to light my pipe with just flint and steel, even with stopping and taking it out of my mouth. I'm still struggling to light it by period method at all. I'm with you on the breeches too. For other reasons. Funny, I hate modern shorts, but I like the lack of having material dragging over my knees and the flapping around my calves as I walk and climb when wearing breeches. Black Hand, my issue with utilizing my waistcoat pockets is that they are covered by my hunting shirt and sash. Which brings up another facet to the discussion... Time and place would seem to play a factor in what one is wearing and carrying. One could argue that for my time and place, New England and the Wyoming Valley of Pennsylvania between 1755 and 1780, I wouldn't have a hunting shirt over my waistcoat. The frock coat, something like this one, www.cobbcreek.com/clothing/mens/huntingcoat.jpg(Sorry, on my phone, posting pics direct is a hassle) which is one of the next two items on my list of clothing to get, would be more correct for my time and place. I would have accessible pockets, and I'm figuring my waistcoat pockets would be more accessible too. |
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Post by spence on Dec 13, 2020 14:45:50 GMT -7
I'd love to learn to light my pipe with just flint and steel, even with stopping and taking it out of my mouth. I'm still struggling to light it by period method at all. Take a piece of charcloth small enough to fit into the bowl of your pipe. Drop a spark on it with flint and steel until you get an ember. Put it on top of the tobacco in your pipe and puff like the dragon. Voila! Slow, cumbersome but reliable. Drat you, just thinking about it makes me want a pipe. That hasn't happened for a lot of years. Old habits never die.  Spence |
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Post by brokennock on Dec 13, 2020 19:36:40 GMT -7
You've earned it. The way I see it, given all the phases of life and death I see at work across so many age groups, if one gives up something they truly enjoy "for the sake of their health and longevity," in their younger years, if one still craves it past 70 or 75, screw it, indulge.
My odds of seeing my 70s are pretty low. I may still smoke a cigar or a pipe now (depends a lot on season which I smoke),
If I see 65 I'm going back to cigarettes.
Of course, one may have an indulgence and find the memory of what you craved was better than the actual treat.
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Post by spence on Dec 13, 2020 19:44:06 GMT -7
The way I see it, given all the phases of life and death I see at work across so many age groups, if one gives up something they truly enjoy "for the sake of their health and longevity," in their younger years, if one still craves it past 70 or 75, screw it, indulge. Ah, those famous last words. Spence |
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Post by brokennock on Dec 13, 2020 19:45:52 GMT -7
"The worst thing I can think of is to die of good health," -Mark Twain
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Post by spence on Dec 13, 2020 19:50:40 GMT -7
Well, I don't want to die of anything serious.  Spence |
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Post by hawkeyes on Dec 14, 2020 5:58:35 GMT -7
Nothing to say here that hasn't already been said!
I will say my thought process has shifted much over the years in terms of carrying the required accoutrements. If the piece is not needed for life or safety it just stays home, one sacrifice I've learned is without a doubt a blessing in this area of interest. Having minimal gear teaches you to become more aware of your environment and to utilize what nature provides.
This for me is one of many reason's I love doing what we do. Gives you a deep appreciation for not just how the ole fellas lived but it also instills a greater appreciation for the simple things many take for granted today.
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Post by Black Hand on Dec 14, 2020 15:44:06 GMT -7
Truth be told - we carry too much crap. When I read about 2 guys during the fur trade that left with a tin cup and a scrap of blanket between them....
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Post by hawkeyes on Dec 15, 2020 7:31:11 GMT -7
Truth be told - we carry too much crap. When I read about 2 guys during the fur trade that left with a tin cup and a scrap of blanket between them.... Talk about man cuddling... |
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Post by brokennock on Dec 15, 2020 8:24:03 GMT -7
Truth be told - we carry too much crap..... Definitely. However, I'm not just asking about stuff and how you carry it and its accessibility. The difference in footwear can cause one to have to change things and adapt from their normal methods of doing things. Better? Worse? Neither once the adjustment is made? The materials clothing is made of could be someone's example. Whether it is a warmth or heat issue, or a noise issue. Hats. Period head coverings could cause some to need to make adjustments. I know at the present I am having a love/hate relationship with my hat. Okay. Hate is too strong, and the issues I am having are of my own creation. Cut the brim a little too wide (maybe) and used a but too much shellac (maybe). But, these two "problems" are also what makes this hat useful to me. The wide brim keeps rain, sleet, and snow out of my collar down the back of my neck, and off of my glasses, also shades the shine of this white man's skin in the shadows of the forest. I'm sure many if you can come up with things big and small that you have had to make adaptions or concessions to deal with in using or wearing period gear and clothing to do things you also do in modern attire. Also, I'm hoping this discussion is ultimately useful to new comers eventually. |
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Post by artificer on Dec 15, 2020 8:25:57 GMT -7
Over the years, one of the biggest things I've found different about using period clothing was many of us don't live or spend as much time outdoors as they did. Even in Williamsburg in the 18th century, I was surprised how much time even more affluent people spent outdoors all year long. That meant they got more adjusted to the environment of the different seasons outdoors, whether hot or cold. We can add extra clothing when it's cool/cold, but it can be difficult for many of us to adjust when it is very warm.
They did ensure their clothing was not lined and made of cooler materials in the hot summers of Virginia, but even so, it takes some of us more time to adjust to wearing a waist coat like they did, simply because many of us live in air conditioned homes and places where we work.
Gus
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