Frost River “Isle Royal Jr.” Bushcraft Pack

I was ideally looking for a pack that would be a once-in-a-lifetime purchase, and I can’t remember the last time I deliberated and researched this much before buying a piece of gear. But that’s exactly what I did before making the leap and giving the folks at Frost River a call to order their “Isle Royal Jr.” Bushcraft Pack. I had explored a number of similar, ultimately less worthy, alternatives, before finally reaching the conclusion that nothing else so perfectly embodied what I was looking for. Thankfully, all this deliberation paid off, and my hunch about the excellent quality and usefulness of a Frost River pack was dead-on. In fact, if anything, I had underestimated.

Late season grouse chasing with my Frost River pack.

My FR pack has seen a fair bit of use in the past month – everything from hiking to ski touring to hunting to travel, and I can’t say enough about how well built this pack is. Every single attachment point, buckle and seam has been executed with amazing attention to detail that is very rare to find anymore. The pockets are well thought out and useful, while the overall pack remains purpose-built and uncomplicated.

A few details:

Side view showing lashing, side pocket and leather side strap. Great place to lash a machete, poles, folding saw, etc:

Top view with the pack open, showing the pocket under the top flap and the size of the external pockets – each pocket offering ample room to accommodate a water bottle:

In this view you can see the hatchet/’hawk sleeve between the two external pockets. Also, behind each of the external pockets, there is another deep pocket, each with a brass grommet drain hole in the bottom:

Sturdy leather lash points on the bottom of the pack:

The attachment points for the shoulder strap yoke has to be seen to be believed. I’m pretty confident that I will wear out long before they ever do. View from the outside the pack:

And the view of the shoulder yoke attachment from inside the pack:

There is ample room for an overnight, or several night, trip with this pack, depending on how much you carry. The “Jr” version of this pack does not have a waist strap, which personally I like in a pack this size, because it won’t interfere with things I might have on my belt, such as a knife. However, if you’d prefer one, I’m sure you could ask the folks at Frost River to put one on for you.

As I hope is evident from these pics, this is an absolutely tremendous piece of gear that embodies the whole reason why we first started this blog - gear that you will have to spend time wearing in, rather than wondering how soon it will wear out.

At $280, the Isle Royal Jr. is not a cheap pack. But frankly, if you want cheap, go buy any one of a number of vastly inferior packs from the Big Box Temple of Outsourced Crap of your choice and cross your fingers that you get a few seasons out of it before the stitching implodes or the zipper blows. Or, you can invest in something that you will likely have for the rest of your life – maybe even pass down to someone else. An item that is made in the USA, by people who truly care about the goods they produce. Top it off with an honest lifetime guarantee. In the long run, which approach will cost more?

As an aside, when I called Frost River to order this pack, I was told that it wasn’t in stock. After taking so long to make a decision, my heart sank as I imagined several months of waiting. “No problem,” I was told on the phone. “We’ll start building it today, and it should go out by early next week at the latest.” The pack was built, shipped, and in my hands, in less than two weeks. I am thoroughly impressed with every aspect of this great company.

Click here to learn more about Frost River and the excellent line of goods that they offer.

Asbell Wool Pullover

We’ve been covering a number of tried and true items so far, but they’ve mostly been from bigger-name manufacturers. We’re now going to switch gears a bit, and over the next several posts, focus on lesser-known producers of excellent outdoor goods.

It’s hard to imagine something that reflects the “cottage industry” approach more than the products offered by the Asbells. All of their fantastic wool items are sewn by one woman, out of her home. Her name is Teresa Asbell, and she’s been producing high quality wool garments for over 30 years. Her husband is G. Fred Asbell, well-known in traditional archery circles as the author of several books on instinctive shooting and hunting. Together, the Asbells run a small online store, selling a handful of items that they have personally developed and use.

I have really come to love their hooded wool pullovers, and now own several. They are well-made, warm, and great for everything from hunting to hanging out. Handwarmer pockets and a roomy hood make this a layer one can truly “hunker down” in, if needed. Despite all the hi-tec fabrics available today, you still can’t beat good wool for warmth, breathability and durability, coupled with performance when wet.

The versatile, handmade, Asbell hooded pullover.

Variations include a sleeveless, hooded version for milder weather, and a heavier weight, “Macinaw” that consists of two pieces – the pullover, and a separate shoulder/hood combo. A variety of plaid patterns, and a few solids colors, are available. For the quality – both of the wool itself, and of Theresa’s workmanship, these items are very reasonably priced ($50-$80), and may be the best deal in a versatile outdoor wool garment that can be found anywhere.

The wool that is used in the Asbell pullovers all comes from sheep raised in the US, and all labor involved is domestic (as an aside, I would recommend avoiding garments made of “recycled wool” – the process strips the wool of much of its natural lanolin coating, resulting in a product that is far less water and wind resistant).

You can see the variety of Asbell pullovers, and the rest of their great products – including some very interesting knives, at this link.

(p.s. – we hope you like this shift in focus, and please – since many of these types of items tend to “fly under the radar,” feel free to give us a heads-up if you know of a product that you think would qualify.)

Buck Ranger Skinner (#113)

I have a great deal of admiration for custom knife builders, and truly hope to have enough disposable income to own one, or several, of my own some day. But in the meantime, I seek out affordable production knives that I feel offer great quality for the price (I’d probably also be paranoid about using a knife that costs several hundred dollars…).

For these and many other reasons, I have a deep affection for classic Buck knives. The best examples are made in the USA, and are some of the best all-around, serviceable field knives you can find for the money, in my opinion. I recently discovered the model #113, introduced last year, and it perfectly embodies everything that made so many of us fall in love with the venerable #110 Folding Hunter years ago.

The Buck #113 Ranger Skinner

While this is a newer Buck model, it has that classic Buck “look” that would lead you to believe they’ve been producing this knife for the last 50 years. You could lay it right next to your old #110 (or #112) and they would instantly be recognized as having come from the same mother. For anyone who has wished for a fixed blade version of their classic Buck folding knife, this is it.

The #113 comes with a 3-1/8″ hollow-ground, heat-tempered 420HC blade and a full tang. 420HC can vary in terms of quality and edge retention – much of the final result comes down to the method of heat treating. But Buck has been at it for a long time and knows how to do it right – their proprietary heat treating process produces a 420HC that is great at holding an edge, easy to sharpen, and offers good corrosion resistance.

While the thick leather belt sheath doesn’t have a strap, the knife fits into it deeply and securely, with no movement. I wouldn’t worry about it falling out of the sheath at all. Brass bolster and pins, and a lanyard hole in the comfortable Macassar ebony handle. Backed by Buck’s “Forever” warranty. If you want an all-around, practical camp/hunting knife that is built to last, with classic looks, that won’t break the bank, it’s hard to imagine something that fits the bill better than the Buck #113.

Bear Kodiak Magnum

Traditional archery is seeing a bit of a resurgence these days, as some folks consciously decide to take a step back from the over-abundance of technology that has come to define so much of modern hunting. Whether simply for target practice or for serious game chasing, being able to accurately shoot a bow without range-finders, sight pins, stabilizers, mechanical triggers and all the other accoutrements of a modern compound arrow machine, is a great skill to have, and just a heckuva lot of fun. One could also argue that while your effective range might be slightly less with a trad bow (which is where good stalking skills come into play), you are also choosing to shoot something with far fewer things to malfunction or break, and therefore an implement that is significantly more reliable – always a plus in the backcountry.

From the 1962 Bear Archery Catalog

 

It’s hard to imagine traditional archery, or archery in our day and age at all, without talking about the iconic Fred Bear. Along with other archery advocates of the mid-20th century, such as Damon Howatt, Ben Pearson, Art Laha and others, Fred Bear continues to personify the qualities of classic traditional woodsmanship. While there are many talented bowmakers working today, and more excellent choices in recurves and longbows than ever before, there will always be something special, and historically significant, about the traditional Bear bows that were built during Fred’s heyday.

My favorite Bear design would have to be the classic Kodiak Magnum, particularly those produced between the early ’60′s and early 70′s. A great bow for shorter draw lengths, and for use in a blind or tree stand, this snappy, hard-hitting 52″ recurve is one of the best-selling Bear models of all time, and the classic versions are still highly sought after and collected.  Yet one can still find vintage K-Mags on various online auction sites occasionally.

My beloved 1970 K-Mag

In my opinion, the quality of materials, and the craftsmanship, of Bear bows from that era represent the pinnacle of what Bear Archery has produced throughout its long history. If you are lucky enough to  find one of these bows that has been well-cared for, it will shoot every bit as well, and be just as effective of a hunting bow, as it was when it was made (I was lucky enough to find a pristine, 1970 K-Mag from the original owner for half of what a new one sells for).

You can find more information about the history of Bear Archery, and about collecting historical Bear products, at this link.

Irish Setter #838 & 894

Close your eyes and picture the quintessential, traditional hunting boot. Chances are you picture the Irish Setter shown below, whether you know it or not. This was the hunting boot that first put Irish Setter on the map, and has been often imitated (though in my mind, no one has improved on it).

Irish Setter #894 boots, just starting to get broken in.

 

The Wingshooter pictured above is available in several different models. The “Prarie Outsole” is the one pictured above, and is available in a 6″ model (the #838) and a 9″ (the #894).

In my experience, the Prarie sole provides great traction and doesn’t get clogged with mud the way a lot of heavier, lug-sole type boots will. I’ve tried a number of similar upland boots from other, well-known and highly-regarded manufacturers over the years, and none have surpassed this boot for immediate comfort right out of the box, combined with excellent dryness and durability over the long haul.

Montana Pitch Blend

Despite a plethora of modern, synthetic, petrochemically-based fabrics available for constructing outdoor gear, there is, and I believe always will be, a place for good quality, full-grain leather. And in our disposable society, good leather will last longer than many other synthetic substitutes, and perform really well across a wide spectrum of conditions, from dry and hot to shoulder-season wet, to sub-zero.

The catch is, like most things that will last a long time and are worth owning, leather requires care. It doesn’t require much, but it does require the right care. A good leather treatment will greatly extend the life, but also significantly improve the suppleness, of a piece of leather. My preference is for a leather treatment (conditioner/dressing) that will also provide a good degree of waterproofing.

Boots are an obvious application, and should be treated at least several times a year, depending on use. But all good quality leather benefits from treatment, and there are many other practical uses as well. I use a leather treatment on all sorts of other outdoor gear, from knife sheaths to gloves, belts, dog collars and archery equipment. It is also great for saddles and tack.

I have yet to find a better leather treatment than Montana Pitch Blend. Handcrafted for over 25 years, Montana Pitch is easy to apply and is all natural – pine pitch, natural beeswax and mink oil. That’s it. No artificial ingredients, no chemicals, no silicone, no petroleum. This “all natural” formula is not a trendy gimmick, however – it is a proven formula that Montana Pitch has adhered to because it really works and is far better for long-term care of leather than cheap synthetic ingredients.

To learn more about Montana Pitch, to find dealers and/or to purchase online, go here.

The Coleman 2-Burner Stove

Coleman is an archetype when it comes to classic outdoor gear. Like a Buck knife. Or a Woolrich wool overshirt. And while the company is thoroughly up-to-date these days and offers a number of modern camping conveniences, they still also offer some of the original, classic items that made them famous. One of those items is certainly the 2-Burner gas stove:

I doubt there is another stove that has seen more tailgate time than the Coleman 2-Burner, and I still think it’s the best stove for road trips and car camping that you can buy. I’ve had one for a decade without having to do anything to it, other than oil the pump cup occasionally. Sets up in seconds, packs away like a durable suitcase. And if you’re used to using little backpacking stoves, just think – you can be making coffee and cooking your eggs at the same time. If you don’t have to carry it on your back, the 2-burner is the way to go.

The Pac Boot

I’m not sure who made the very first Pac Boot (L.L. Bean maybe?). If someone does, please let me know. But ever since they first came on the scene, the Pac-Boot has been a staple in the outdoors closet, fall through spring, for good reason.

A well-made Pac Boot is waterproof, tall enough to keep the snow out, and warm. I also think that a good Pac Boot should have a removable insulation liner to make it easier to dry out. And if you use your boots a lot, it’s worth having a second liner that you can swap.

As far as I’m concerned, the best Pac Boots you can buy these days are handcrafted by a company called Schnee’s (pronounced – “Shnay’s”) in Bozeman, Montana. Schnee’s makes a variety of styles, from casual, around-town slip-ons to hardcore, extreme boots for working, hunting and riding, rated down to 40-below.

Schnee's Insulated Boots

 

There are two things that make Schnee’s boots distinctive – the obvious quality of construction and materials, and the excellent fit. Some Pac Boots made by other manufacturers may keep your feet dry, but the fit is often too sloppy for serious, active mountain use. Not so with Schnee’s boots – they are made for hiking and climbing all day long. The “ADV” tread available on most Schnee’s boots is a far more aggressive, stable design than the old-school “chain tread” you find on most traditional Pac Boots, which in my experience can be slippery, particularly as the terrain gets steeper.

Best of all, Schnee’s Pac Boots are completely rebuildable. For a video on how Schnee’s rebuilds their boots, click here.

Find out more about Schnee’s Pac Boots here.

The Chamois Shirt

A long-time staple in the classic outdoor closet has been the chamois shirt. First, a little background – the word “chamois” has its origin as the name of a sub-alpine goat-antelope native to various European mountain ranges. Chamois leather, was (and still is) a very supple, smooth leather used for a variety of applications. It was originally made from this animal, but in the States at least, “chamois” is now made from sheepskin or lambskin. At some point, the word “chamois” began to be applied to a thick, dense, cotton flannel used for heavy-duty shirts. The warmth and durability of this fabric made it very popular for a variety of outdoor pursuits in the cooler months. A good chamois shirt will wear like iron and last for many years.

The Arborwear Chamois Shirt

I’ve been looking around for a while now for a well-made chamois shirt that doesn’t approach the triple digit price mark. Far too many examples have either not impressed me in terms of the quality and thickness of the fabric, or the overall workmanship, or because after washing and drying, they shrank so much I couldn’t wear it. While the latter problem is not uncommon with a dense cotton such as chamois, it’s my opinion that the shirt should either be cut accordingly to accommodate shrinkage, or the manufacturer should provide advice to order a size up from normal.

I finally found the shirt that addresses all of the above. It is made from good quality, thick chamois, and with  good attention to detail. It is pre-shrunk, so the normal size you would wear is the size you buy. It also retails for the reasonable price of $50.00. The manufacturer is a company named Arborwear, which got its start making heavy-duty clothing for arborists and others for whom clothing is equipment for tough work situations.

The Arborwear Chamois Shirt gets used for just about everything I do, from bird hunting to fishing to work to loafing around. I can honestly say that I see no reason to pay any more for a shirt like this.

To check out all of Arborwear’s durable clothing, click here.

Marble’s Compass

From the Marble’s website:

“Teddy Roosevelt carried a Marble’s compass on many of his famous hunting expeditions all over America. Both Admiral Perry and Byrd used Marble’s compasses on trips to the North and South Pole. Our compasses have been routinely pinned on G.I. Bomber and flight jackets in every American conflict since World War ll. Most of our turn-of-the-century compasses are still in service today. There are very few items that can make that claim.“

The sweet little pin-on version is perfect for a backpack strap, hunting vest or shirt pocket flap, keeping the compass horizontal and available at a glance. Solid brass, CNC machined, waterproof, rustproof, and luminous letters on a black face for those times you get caught out after dark. A great example of simple trustworthy, Old-Timey tradition.

Another excellent quality pin-on compass is the Tru Nord, out of Brainerd, MN. Manufactured, assembled and packaged in Brainerd, Minnesota for over 60 years. While I don’t have personal experience with the Tru Nord, I’m hoping to change that soon.

The Tru Nord pin-on compass