No I have not tried it & I would not bother trying it. Modern gadgets have taken away most people's ability to perform primitive skills. I know what real tinder is, & this is not it. I know what real cordage is & I can make it from plant fibres. I don't need gadgets, no real woodsman does.
Sorry if this comes across as negative, but in my opinion there are just too many gadgets on the market & they are only there to make pilgrims spend more more on needless gear. Do yourself a favour, learn some primitive skills & get yourself some sustainable equipment.
Keith.
Hi Keith. I've learned from your videos and admire the determination it takes to do things the way you do.
I also admire innovation, invention, inventiveness, and sometimes I even like technology. In what ways do you see this cordage and bracelet combo that PW came up with not to be in the same lineage as the metallic tinder box, and tinder tube?
It's not possible that every invention, innovation, re-purposing, or gadget be novel or truly useful. One has to evaluate, experiment, etc. to see how such fits one's own purpose, intentions, style. I think most could agree to that. If you look critically at your own kit, couldn't you find some items that would fit into the definition of "gadget". I really don't have much opinion about the combo PW came up with for my own use. I do think the buckle is kinda nifty. I just don't want one. (Right now)
I often like to know how people define words for themselves. Primitive is one of them. It is such a relative term, I just don't like or use it myself. So when you say, "primitive skills" what does that mean to you? And a little bit further, why should one aspire to be more primitive. Could you imagine an 18th c. gent purposefully seeking out a more primitive gun, to satisfy whatever it is that primitivism seeks to discover? To me that does not mean that some old methods should not be undertaken to be learned, appreciated, understood.
There are a number of things I enjoy (or have enjoyed) doing that are simple, a wooden bow is very simple. I don't want it to be "primitive"; but as good as I can make it, drawing upon as much information, accurate sources, and understanding as experience allows. It's called
primitive archery today, because its adherents felt they needed distinction from merely
Traditional tackle using "modern" composite technology.
We need purists, we need innovation too. When we find something that works- it might be somewhat different- but if it encapsulates the same spirit as an older way, then I'd say it is a good thing. We can work at all the primitive or traditional skills we want, but loose the mindset, belief system in which those things were practiced all you have is anachronism. Sorry to rant and ramble. The questions are not meant to be rhetorical, since I'd like to get a deeper insight into primitive and sustainable tackle, not so much the, what is it; but why do it.
