Rolf Devinci

Purchased a replica of a medieval archer's gambeson on Ebay on the spur of the moment. It was the style I was looking for but white was not my preferred color. The discount code Ebay had sent me for $15USD was due to expire that evening so I made the buy....color be damned. It was a good deal with free shipping on an item right at the minimum price point to qualify for the discount. Manufactured in India of heavy cotton(historically it was of linen and wools) the gambeson made it to Canada surprisingly quickly via UPS and in my possession this week. Well constructed it fit me very well but it was very white.....not off white nor natural cotton but bright white. The DIY project was born. Research gave me two options; dye or fabric paint. I opted for the dye simply because it was cheaper and fabric paint wasn't available in the color I required. Picked up a bottle of Rit beige dye as it was close to the camel color I preferred and headed to the drop sink in the laundry r...

It's official.....I'm sailing with the Captain. Picked up a bottle of the spiced black on sale at the NSLC for $27.00 Cdn, two dollars off the list price. I've read some reviews and had put this on my "buy" list for a couple reasons; it is blended with a blackstrap rum and has a cork stopper....two of my rum preferences. Uncorked the nose out of the bottle is of sweetened vanilla and baking spices. In the glass neat it presents nicely but follows with a spicy finish with some rawness in the throat. Not surprising considering it possesses an alcohol % of 47.3. In the glass over ice the spicy finish is mellowed somewhat but if the cubes begin to melt I noticed the flavor quickly begins to fade along with the heat. The color of the rum remains visually appealing moving from the black of the bottle into exhibiting burnt copper in the glass. Mixed with soda to create the classic Captain and coke the rum marries well with the pop to create a pleasant, but ...

Picked up a couple knives for the archery and bush crafting packs from Canadian Outdoor Equipment. Excellent online store with lightning fast shipping. https://www.canadianoutdoorequipment.com/ A couple years ago I purchased a Condor Bushlore via Ebay but decided I needed something with a more durable edge retention. I like the traditional look and feel of the Bushlore but needed something that was simply bombproof. http://rolfdevinci.blogspot.ca/2014/11/condor-bushlore.html Enter the Mora "robust" companion. Excellent reviews and a bargain at $28.95 CDN. Yes. It`s a modern knife complete with a rubberized hilt and plastic sheath but with a world renown high carbon steel blade with a (decently) thick spine. Scandinavian grind - razor sharp out of the box. Excellent ergonomics and fits my hand to perfection. Since COE offers free shipping on orders over $50 I opted to also purchase the Mora Eldris neck knife. Designed for wear...

A few months ago I happened upon a Canadian army 1982 pattern rucksack while browsing through a local thrift shop. Showing like new and unissued I was happy to see a price tag of only $3.99. Score! A bright olive green color with no fading or fraying it was a gem of a find especially for that price as surplus stores are selling used versions for much more. It was missing the valise bag and the hip belt but otherwise all the strapping was complete including all the parts required for the quick release feature of the pack. By pulling a tab on the shoulder straps it will completely release the pack from your back. The ruck sack has one large compartment that is divided into two sections and covered with a hood. Within the hood is an exterior and interior zippered compartments that is rubberized for what I can only presume was for map or other document storage. The top of the ruck sack also has a zippered access to the interior storage compartment th...

Recently purchased a Bushbox stove from Canadian Outdoor Equipment. Made in Germany by Bushcraft Essentials it is a multi fuel pocket stove that is both light and small. Perfect for the backpack, bushcraft bag, jacket pocket or quiver. It assembles quickly with tabs that interlock and form a solid stable platform, complete with ash tray and two cross supports that offers a flush or elevated cup position.  It also comes with a cotton bag to keep all the parts together and keep your pocket or pack soot free. Picked it up for $49.99 CDN which was a very competitive price point compared to some of the other pocket stoves available. Seems to be well constructed so the next step will be to test its functionality. These are perfect accessories for anyone enjoying the outdoors who want the ability to spark up a heating source quickly and easily using twigs and other ground debris.

Decided to replace my current lean-to shelter on the archery range in the local woods with something a little more functional. A place that would store my (stuffed) feed bag arrow targets but also offer more versatility for usage and comfort. The lean-to was a project I completed a few years ago and has held up remarkably well to the elements. Unfortunately it is too small for anything other than storage - I can lay under it but cannot sit within it. I was looking to create something I could use as a base camp (so to speak) for snowshoeing so needed a (wind) shelter I could place a camp chair within along with some additional stowage. I considered an A frame but was limited in available flat ground space so opted to go with a Wikiup debris hut using a teepee styled design. It would fit nicely on the spot between two trees where the existing shelter lies and offers an entrance facing the rising/midday sun with the rear wall facing t...

Prelude - I do supplement with vitamin D3 on advice from my health care practitioner. I question taking supplements without at least doing some homework and found this research. Important at best or interesting at least. The synergies of nutrition. Vitamin D has been promoted of late by research into the benefits of supplementing with the "sunshine" vitamin for good health, especially for us folks in the northern climates. In fact our government has officially increased the daily requirements for D3. Continuing research on vitamin D and its impact on health has recently raised questions on the need to ensure individuals who supplement also make sure they are not deficient in vitamin K2. Vitamin K has been treated as a poor cousin in the vitamin world assuming most folks get enough through leafy greens and other food sources. The issue is vitamin K is not as clear cut as science once thought it to be. The key K vitamin required to assi...