Capt. Bo of the WTF co.

If you don't find one here in the forum, check out Smoke-n-Fire News, you may have to place an add in their classifieds, but it has a very large reader/re-enactor following. I'll bet someone there has what youre lookin for.

After thinking on it awhile, Iwas at the november woodswalk at Fort deChartres and there was one there for sale very reasonable. iwasn't looking for one at the time, so i don't have the info.(sorry ) If you are any where near there on the first full weekend in June they have their big annual encampment. L-O-T-S of vendors and trade goods and people selling out/ changing tents etc. If you don't find any thing, let me know and I'll look around while I'm in the loop.

Capt. Bo

Capt. Bob,

Still waiting for an answer from the knifemaker, he's out of town doing a show somewhere in the country. I do know so far that they were commonplace in Ben Franklins boyhood-( he was born 1706), as he makes mention of them in his writings, such as Poor Richards, and briefly in his autbiography as well. It would seem that with the info on the clasp knives being part of the trade goods on the site GoF put up, and that interesting article on the "butterfly" knives, it would be safe to reason that folding knives were commonplace by the time of the GAoP.

I will wait for confirmation before I personally declare "yes", but at this point I would say no problem.

Capt. Bo

Welcome Bjarn... and did ye bring along any o' that fine honey mead I've known from th' Nortland? It'd be a rare pleasure to be tastin o' that sir!

Capt. Bo

Welcome Finn! Be good ta know ye. Next one's on me.

Capt. Bo

Sorry I had to cut short earlier. My hay for the horses was being delivered and had to go.

As for the buttons, if you don't have any takers by now , sure thing! I'll give em a home and solder some loops on the good ones. With three kids of various ages we are constantly building new outfits, and period buttons are way cool. I have to confess that most of the stuff we make is machine sewn, just too many "irons in the fire" to spend time hand sewing.

I'm in the recovery process from shoulder problems/surgery, so I'll be working back slowly at the forge. Fortunately I'm right handed and the injured one is the left! Still can't quite grip the tongs and rotate much, but i'm making progress with the weights and workout.

In about two more weeks, i'll be ready to give it a try. I've really got the itch now! PM me when you can and I'll get you my contact info and adress so we can get these things going. Pikes should be fairly simple, depending on the method of attachment to the shaft. Later...

Capt. Bo

I like the idea of the pike, and being familiar with the particulars of hog hunting, I'm certain that the boucanier made use of them as well. the hogs are very dangerous to hunt and as they become feral, they grow tusks that they keep razor sharp, and slash at the ankles and calves of the hunter, if the shot didn't kill them, you'd better have something to defend yourself with. I watched a hog hunting video a few years ago, and they went through three cameramen to get a 1 hour video.

I'll be in touch soon to exchange info.

Capt. Bo

It's more like full of information, and can't help but "runnin over" wherever I go and find an audience. Kinda like parkin the bike and leavin an oil spot to leave a reminder that Capt. Bo was here!

Capt. Bo

OK, not something I care to discuss just anywhere... but I had something very strange happen in the Smoky Mountains on my way back to Charleston S.C. I was in the Navy and had been on leave, was returning to base and was driving my old truck in the mountains very late/early in the wee hours. I spotted a man in the most remote area I could imagine, no houses for the pat several miles, and i didn't come across any driveways or mailboxes for several miles after this "incident"

Here goes the way it happened: I spotted this guy walking down the highway in the opposite lane going the same direction as me, and being armed, I decided to ask if he needed any help. I pulled off on the shoulder and called to him because he had'nt aknowledged my presence. He did respond when I asked if he was allright, and did he need help?

He turned and looked at me and was obviously shook-up and disoriented, started to speak very low and shakily and said; "I..I..think I crashed my plane... I'm lost!"

I didn't have any "bad vibes" and offered him a ride. He thanked me and I told him to climb in. He was standing about six feet away from the truck, and started to go round behind, I assumed to get in. I had my foot on the brake, so the light should have illuminated him when walking behind the truck... but I never saw him again! After several seconds went by and I didn't see him in the mirror or hear him, and he didn't make the passenger side door, I grabbed my pistol and shut off my truck and went looking to see if he'd passed out or fell down.

I had a good flashlight and couldn't see anything or anyone, and the terrain was such that he couldn't have gotten out of sight that fast. I called out several times and got no response. NOW I got a really tingly feeling and decided to just go. as soon as I got to the next little town, I found the police station and told the two officers on duty my story, they grinned at each other and then at me and one of them said;" youre the fifth person this month to meet the pilot", and told me that he's been wandering around up there since 1937.

They offered me some coffe and sent me on my way with a brief history of "the pilot", and later found this story in a ghost book on South Carolina ghost stories. Believe it or not, I stake my honor that it happened just that way.

Capt. Bo

Dammit! I'm busted!

GoF... It really isn't that I'm tired of authenticity, it's the few who think it necessary to berate the newbies, or those on limited income who cannot make things happen as quickly as the "Peacocks" think proper. I treat everyone that is making an effort the same as the guy who made everything by hand. I've said elswhere that it's better to appear well dressed and put out accurate information than to count stiches in the cloth.

I have never done anything as big as a boarding axe, but I have access to several other smiths in the area. One of them is a VERY accomplished knifemaker and he helps me out alot. If you'd like to send me a sketch or a photo, etc. of what you have in mind, I will do all I can to make it happen. Bill Miller is a Japanese- American, (the knife maker), with unbelieveable talent, and his prices aren't cheap, nor outrageous. If I cannot build one with his help of knowlege, I'm sure that he can, and I'll get a quote price wise.

The man that got me started made me promise that I would always gift the first new item I make to someone who would appreciate it. So.. get me that info and I'll try it.

Capt. Bo

UH-HUH!... OH YEAH! :) I can hear the anvil ringin already! Thanx GoF!

I'll be workin on those axes very soon. I've got some old leaf springs that should be perfect for the task. I make the awls already, but hasn't been much call for them in my present time period. The strikers I make are the English pattern, but I 'll bang out a few of those French oval ones for demonstrations and comparison. Thanx again!

Capt. Bo

Thanx... I'm new to cyberworld as you can see. Still learnin.

capt. Bo

GoF... couldn't find the "Bump!" site. Could you help me out please? Thanx...

Capt. Bo

Here's a couple of things I found in a google search... Penknives and Other Folding Knives by Simon Moore. Check This Out

I'll try to get more on the actual beginning of the popularity asap.

Capt. Bo

Cap'n Bob,

That is what is called the "colonial gentlemans folder " at most of the Rev War events. It is claimed to have been common during the 1750- 1800's, though not many actual examples have turned up. It looks like a nice one though. According to my knife making friend, examples of folding knives have turned up in Roman Legion campsites all over Europe. I will try to get with him this week and see what kind of info I can get out. The South African Opakai folding knives are supposed to be based on mediterranian design of the 16th century. I wish I had a link to post to confirm this, I'll look around and see what I can find.

Capt. Bo

See Monterey Jack's posts in the Buccaneer project-Capt. Twill. Monterey has been in contct with them and has it first hand. They are just getting started and sounds like something worth getting behind to help get it going.

Capt. Bo

Good ta know ye mate! 'ave a sarsparilla on me young lad!

Capt. Bo

Regards to the Captain of the Brigands.

The Captain of the White Trash Fur Co. Fires a salute to your arrival. It be customary for the new arrival to purchase a round for the pub to announce yourself.

Welcome aboard and make mine rum if you please sir. the next is on me.

Capt. Bo

Aye aye Mr. Hand!

Because I do have horses, I will eventually be investing in the big boots and a pair of nub spurs in case I ever do ride in to a gathering. I've got the top boots and tack for my current 1750-1790 kit.

Any how Pete... Come on in, I'm on the Mid-West coast...(Thats what the classic rock station here on the lake calls it )

I find it discouraging that so many events and forts don't allow horses. How the hell do they think buisiness was conducted anyhow!?! I'd sure use mine more if they'd let me!

Patrick, I'm thinkin a two wheeled cart pulled by a donkey for the rum cask and the meat and such. This I'll work on as I've got access to a donkey that thinks he's a dog/pet anyway.

Pete.... BE AN INDIVIDUAL>>> you have nothing to prove to anyone but YOURSELF mate!

Capt. Bo

Welcome mate.

Good ta know ya. I'll be havin arum if ya please. The next is on me.

Capt. Bo

Aye Merry! Ray... take care o' me sweetness 'ere! It be a day that has somethin bad in it fer th' lass an I wishes ta see it better! Sit 'ere and unload on me lass... It may be the only thing I be good for.

Miss Bunny... I'll be sure ta save a ride just fer you lass. Always lookin fer an excuse ta run!

Good day ta ye all! Capt. Bo

Anything like that to involve kids is just waaay cool! Thanx King's Pyrate. Just lookin at all those smilin' kids made my mornin bright. and it's RAININ HERE FINALLY!!!

Capt. Bo

The painting Pete posted of the three French sailors watching the naked girls dive for mussels was done by a Frenchman by the name of Duplessis. He claims that this imagge was done from life, on the Island of Tierra Del Fuego, and is from the GAoP period. I think Das might have a valid point on the French! GO GO GO!

Capt. Bo

I just came aboard the other day and still learnin my way around. I just didn't find it soon enough. My truck decide that it neede a tranny re-build last week anyhow, so there went my play money for a couple months.

Catch ya another time though. I'm up the Mississippi, turn left at the Missouri, left again at the Osage til ya get to Bagnel dam. Get above the dam and follow the lakr/river to the Feaster Cove. fire a signal cannon and I'll bring some rum and guide ye on up to me camp

Later....Capt. Bo

Nor I sir. Keep me posted. I'll be there as soon as I can find the door! :)

Capt. Bo

Patrick... you just depicted an actual White Trash Fur co. gathering... minus the bucc. garb! That's what we're famous for! PETA won't come near us, hell we'd eat them too if we couldn't find enough GOOD meat!

Don't let my normaly civilized grammar fool ya! I'm White Trash Ozark hillbilly backwoods all the way! :)

At one of the events I attend here at Truman Dam every year, last fall after tourist time was over I was driving home to shower and grab some more stuff for the next days demonstration, and hit a button buck about 200 ft. from the entrance. Next day it was cooking over my campfire for the days grub! Some of the organizers had a fit, but hey...they have it in writing that ..."we encourage all displays of authentic woods-lore."... so I called them on it!

It is a big event that the whole area gets involved in , and I was in my longhunter garb, standing on the road shoulder feild dressing the thing with my longknife in the headlights of my truck while about thirty or so vehicles drove by! I was in longhunter heaven and will remeber it as long as I breathe. THIS is White Trash Fur co. defined!

They'll probably change the wording before next years event, but that will be seen and dealt with in it's time!

Not fantasy at all mate!!!

Later...Capt. Bo