Jan 04

Launch of crude gear™

No, this isn’t a major launch for designer gear, including backpacks, tents, sleeping bags, etc. Crude Gear™ is an additional section I’ve added to the website. Honestly, I don’t know to what extent Crude Gear™ will reach. For now, I’ve added paracord necklaces & bracelets to the list. They’re simple but stylish accessories for hikers, backpackers, skiers, snowboarders or anyone who likes them.

As a whipmaker & braider, I often make belts, necklaces, bracelets, key fobs, earrings & other things from leather, paracord & even chainmaille. My whips are sold through Noreast Whips, yet those other things mentioned don’t have a place to call home. Occasionally, I’ll sell them through EBay, but I felt they needed a website platform from which to offer them. So, from hereon, those bits & pieces will be known as products of Crude Gear™.

First up, the Crude Gear™ Necklace & Bracelet. These can be purchased separately or as a combo. The necklace is offered in two sizes, 18 inches & 22 inches, and can be made longer on request. The bracelet is offered in lengths of 8 & 10 inches. Custom lengths are also no problem. The products are made in paracord, a nylon material that will not rot or mildew, is unaffected by water & sweat, and is washable. These can be worn in rain, snow, even while swimming. The products shown are made in black & olive drab paracord in a sided pattern. Paracord is available in over 30 colors, and new colors are being added each year. The right picture illustrates how they both fasten with a twisted loop & sliding turk’s head knot.

Necklace & Bracelet  Fastener & Knot

These are not made like the many versions of survival-type bracelets you see over the web, nor meant to copy them in any way. Yet they are functional. One practical use I’ve found for the necklace is to spray it with bug spray. Personally, I don’t like wearing bug spray, though it’s very needful in certain places & seasons of the year. I found by coating the necklace with a light spray helps to ward off mosquitoes around my face & neck. As far as Deet goes, I haven’t done any extensive testing with it on paracord, so I can’t say how much, if any, damage is caused over time. That might be something I’ll test out when the warmer weather comes back around.

To order a Crude Gear™ Necklace or Bracelet, click on the Crude Gear™ tab at the top of the page. The Buy Now buttons will direct you to the Paypal website where you can confirm your payment. The Necklaces are $18, the Bracelets $10. Shipping is $2.50 to U.S. destinations.

~Steve, The Pilgrim.

Jan 03

Happy new year’s!

Hey everyone, I trust you all had a great Christmas & a Happy, but Safe, New Year’s celebration! If you weren’t able to get outside for some hiking or camping in 2009, I hope you will in 2010. I have some hikes already planned myself and, hopefully, can drag some people out with me to enjoy the outdoors. Yesterday, I was able to get out with a couple friends for some snowshoeing. Anything to get out & enjoy some scenery & fresh air!

A few weeks back, I received in the mail a copy of the 2010 edition of The A.T. Guide. For those of you who don’t know, David Miller ended his publication of the Appalachian Pages after 2009. From hereon, his new publication, The A.T. Guide, can be found at http://www.theatguide.com/. The forum, Appalachian Pages, is still up & running, and a really good source of info & guidance for hiking the A.T. It’s a good forum & a bit more friendly, in my opinion, than some hiking forums.

AT Guide

There’s an older entry detailing my supportive review of the 2009 Appalachian Pages. David has incorporated some excellent features in The A.T. Guide, including more maps & a better layout in a easier to use landscape design. I like the zip-loc bag included with the book, as it helps protect the book when stored in a pack. I give The A.T. Guide two thumbs-up, and look forward to using it in the coming weeks & months ahead. Check out the website and grab yourself a copy!

~Steve, The Pilgrim.

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