Category Archives: Raw Materials

Flame Arrow

An arrow in the fire’s glow. Materials: Holly wood shaft, Wild Turkey fletching, Ancaster Chert point

Posted in Arrow Making, Primitive Living, Raw Materials | Comments Off

Black Cherry Tree Sap

I noticed red sap on the side of a very large Black Cherry tree. I would be interested in knowing what uses it has but as it was too high up the tree, I was unable to collect.

Posted in Cherry Tree, Plant Identification, Plants And Trees, Raw Materials | Comments Off

Crushing Plant Stalks To Obtain Fiber

Here I am crushing some Milkweed stalks with a rock in order to flatten them out and separate the fiber from the woody stem.

Posted in Cordage, Fiber, Milkweed Fiber, Primitive Living, Raw Materials, Survival | Comments Off

Field Plant For Cordage Fiber

This plant is common in Ontario and grows out in the fields. I believe it is related to the Pea however I currently do not know the name for it. It has fine fiber which is extremely strong. However it … Continue reading

Posted in Cordage, Fiber, Primitive Living, Raw Materials, String, Survival | Comments Off

Collecting Last Years Milkweed Stalks

It is spring already, and this year’s Milkweed plants have not even sprouted yet but we require some cordage material. For this I look to Milkweed stalks that died last year and have over-wintered. The advantages of collecting now is … Continue reading

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Local Chert and Hammer Stones

Located a piece of local chert and a couple of stones to make tools out of.

Posted in Chert, Flintknapping, Knapping Material, Percussion Flaking, Primitive Living, Raw Materials, Survival | Comments Off

Sprouting Stinging Nettle Patch In The Spring

Small Stinging Nettle shoots are growing out of the ground in-between last years stalks which still have enough fiber to make cordage.

Posted in Canada, Cordage, Fiber, Ontario, Plant Identification, Plants And Trees, Primitive Living, Raw Materials, Region, Reverse-Twist, Stinging Nettle, String, Survival, Two-Ply, Utility | Comments Off

Palm Trees Provide Ample Fiber

When a Palm Tree leaves die, they leave a huge amount of meshed fiber. This can be used to make items such as hats and containers, or be used in the covering of shelters.

Posted in Containers, Cordage, Fiber, Hawaii, Lashing, Palm Tree, Plant Identification, Plants And Trees, Primitive Living, Raw Materials, Region, USA | Comments Off

Cracking Open Hickory Nuts With A Hammerstone

Just like Black Walnuts, Hickory nuts can be cracked open with a hammerstone in the same way however they are much easier to open.

Posted in Hickory Tree, Plant Identification, Plants And Trees, Primitive Living, Raw Materials | Comments Off

Wild Rose Stems For Arrow Shafts

Wild Rose can be used for arrow shaft material, even though they have thorns on them. Check out this thread on PaleoPlanet for a tutorial “Wild Rose Arrow Tutorial“.

Posted in Arrow Making, Canada, Harvesting Shoots, Ontario, Plant Identification, Plants And Trees, Primitive Living, Raw Materials, Region, Wild Rose | Comments Off