CAMP UTENSILS SHOWCASE

FANCY 3-PIECE COOK SET

This 3-piece cookset is a bit fancier than most you will find, but remains true with regard to historical accuracy. Whether on the trail, in a military encampment, or at home in a log cabin beside the fireplace, the extra long handles allow the cook to work without danger of being burned. Both fork and spoon are forged from single pieces of steel. The spatula blade is made with a shallow angle which is especially useful when working with sausage patties or flapjacks. All three have "hammered lobe" handles, equipped with hanging loops, which are comfortable in the hand and guarantee a sure grip. All three utensils have matching ornamental twists.

CIVIL WAR COOK SET

This 2-piece set is very typical of cook sets carried by soldiers of both the North and the South from 1861 to 1865. Each utensil is approximately 18 inches long, with a looped handle that feels great in the hand and hangs easily. Used with "S" hooks and a CAMPER COMBO pot rack for a truly authentic cook fire. The fork is forged from a single piece of steel. The spatula blade is completely flat and double riveted to the handle. Each piece has an ornamental twist that matches the other.

STAKE PULLERS I made these in two sizes. This simple tool is a real "arm-saver", and has been know to greatly reduce a man's blood pressure when breaking camp. I Never had to abandon a tent stake. The slightly angled hook fits easily under any hook-end stake. Made of one piece of metal, the handle is formed by bending the metal back on itself and is large enough to use either a single or two-handed grip. 

The small stake puller (pictured opposite, top left) is forged of 3/8-inch steel, with a 10-inch shaft.  

The large stake puller (pictured opposite, top right) is forged from 1/2-inch steel, with a hefty two-handed grip and 2-foot shaft. The handle is welded to prevent "opening" under high strain pulling situations. 

TENT STAKES and STAKE PULLERS

TENT STAKES I made them in two sizes. Both sizes had slightly hardened points for better ground penetration and reduced stake damage in rocky soil.

CONVENTIONAL tent stakes were forged from a 12-inch length of 3/8-inch steel (pictured top left). These had a simple hook at the top and were suitable for my campaign tent, regimental cook fly, and tournament arming pavilion. 

LARGE tent stakes were forged from an 18-inch length of 1/2-inch steel (pictured top right). These had a "D" hook at the top and were particularly suited for large merchant tents 

TRAMMEL HOOK

This adjustable "S" hook is ideal for changing the height of hanging pots above a fire. 13 inches from hook to hook at its shortest setting, this trammel hook can extend to a full 19 inches, in 1-inch increments. I use them in conjunction with individual "S" hooks for even greater extensions. 

This neat little item allows me to put a hook wherever I need one in my tent or under my cook fly. The square "grabber" fastens easily onto any standard 2x2 tent pole. Weight on the hook causes it to lock tightly in place on the pole. The shaft and hook extend 6 inches from the pole, affording plenty of room for my lantern or kit bag. I put up two on adjacent tent poles, lay a pole between the hooks, and I have a clothes rack ready for all of my garments. 

DRINKING LADLE

This jumbo-sized drinking ladle holds enough to satisfy even the thirstiest pioneer. The handle is 16 inches long, with a large hook for hanging and an ornamental twist just above the bowl. The bowl is 6 inches across and almost 2 inches deep. The handle continues under the bowl, ending in a small, ornately looped finial which channels water drips away from the bottom of the bowl to prevent rusting. 

I needed a hook overhead. These "J" hooks, sometimes called "sky hooks", fit over standard 2" ridge pole lumber. The shaft of the hook is 8 inches long, enabling me to use it even with 2x6 ridge poles. Forged from round stock to prevent metal edge damage to my tent canvas. 

LANTERN STANDS

I made these in two sizes, these lantern stands were ideal for any historical encampment. The 6-inch stand-off arm ends in a hook, ready for your coal-oil lantern or shielded candle. The 4-inch twisted top allows you to use a hammer to drive the shaft into the ground. The point is slightly hardened to make penetration easier and reduce damage in rocky soil. Forged from 1/2-inch round steel. Final height above ground depends on how deep I plant the shaft.

I set up this 3-piece set as a tripod and hang a single pot over my fire, or I set it up "pot rack" style and hang several items at once. It's also equipped with a hanging ring. Forged from 1/2-inch square steel - all three rods are pointed. Height above ground when assembled varies depending on configuration and depth set in ground. Height of either configuration is 3.5 to 5 feet above the ground once set in place.

"S" HOOKS 

The standard accessory for camp cooks of all time periods, these hooks can be piggybacked to set any pot at just the right height above a fire. I use them in conjunction with a trammel hook or length of chain for greater versatility. Forged from 5/16ths round steel, I made them in three sizes.

DINNER TRIANGLE

I can call the kids and the hired hands for dinner with this traditional dinner triangle. 10 inches on each side, and forged from 1/2" round steel, the triangle has a pleasant yet piercing sound that can be heard hundreds of yards away. To ring the triangle, I made a steel "candy cane" striker.

PORTABLE FIRE GRATE

This generously proportioned fire grate quickly breaks down for easy portability. The two side rails are nearly 2 feet long, and the intervening space contains 10 sliding rails which will support even your heaviest cook pot, black iron skillet, or Dutch oven. I set the sliding rails closer together to cover only half the fire, and leave the other half of the fire open for roasting meat. When the cooking's done, I slide all of the rails to the rear and enjoy the fully open fire for the rest of the evening. This one stands on four 18-inch posts that provide plenty of clearance for stacking firewood underneath. I forged this rig from 30 feet of 3/8ths square steel.