From Tree to Canoe Part 1 - Chopping and Burning

The first step in our journey to make an Early American Dugout Canoe. Special thanks to Erik Vosteen for his help and expertise on this project!

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[sabatino]

"We couldn't get the tree out becuase it had fallen into a pit."
"Yeah there are a lot of pitfalls when making a canoe."
<rimshot>

[anthonysinclair]

41 years ago I knew this French-Canadian Metis guy who was always sharing the wisdom of nature with me, and although I never put it into practice he told me if I ever wanted to make a dugout canoe, I should float the log whole to get the log to float with the naturally dense side of the log down and then go from there and not ending up with a listing canoe! 😎

[TraeSMR]

I love how James giggles when Erik says "there are a lot of pitfalls" with no pun intended.

[mattutley]

I feel like its cruel and unusual punishment to give the biggest guy on the crew the tiniest hatchet. Lawd have mercy on that man's back.

[b.chuchlucious]

"Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening my axe." - Abe Lincoln

[davudlastname]

While everyone else wears 1800 clothing there's always that one dude who wears a hoodie

[justincase]

“Today a tree like this is really valuable.”

“Really a few months back we chopped one up in my parents woods.”

[frmaggi]

“Get in your costume Erik!”
“ I don’t wanna!!”
“GET IN YOUR COSTUME!!”

[sturgill]

The guy in the white chopping at 5:31 cracks me

[DaBloons]

Pull up to yo girl in ma homemade canoe with my 1800s fit

[marykinser]

When I made mine I used a BROAD AXE more than anything else. Like yours, burning did not get me too far. My broad axe was kept as sharp as possible and I guess most all my energy came from wanting to achieve a beautiful piece of art. Even sanded it smooth. I wish I still had my photos. But they were lost in a house fire. I really love your videos. Thank You for sharing.

[FrikInCasualMode]

I hope your boat comes out fine :) In Poland we had this exact type of boat. They were called "dłubanka", meaning "gouged out one". They were used for transportation, fishing and even small-scale local commerce for hundreds and hundreds of years. Some bigger boats were improved by adding planks to the rim, which heightened the board to make them safer and drier in everyday use.

[newvillagefilms]

In the Philippines where I grew up, some small towns still use dugout long boats with no outriggers and can sit 12 people. They're fun to paddle and cuts through the water as they're long and thin and fast. I used to transport people in them as a kid during flood season. Dugout longboats (they're longer than canoes) are still used to this day. It's also fascinating to watch the process on how they're built. It's a dying art, sadly.

[georgepeters]

I love your videos! I have been a re enactor since 1968 and respect the thought you put into what you do.

[PonderingDolphin]

I’ve watched this canoe making series multiple times now, and it always brings me such a pleasant and peaceful feeling . Thank you so much for the content as always Townsend’s .

[sethkimmel]

Mr. Townsend;

I want to thank you greatly for your hard work. I am stuck working from home, and I work the overnight shift (7:30pm to 6am and sleep all day) so I feel like I'm under house arrest. I only go out for groceries once a week. I'm fat, diabetic and have respiratory illness so I've got to be careful...Your channel has literally kept me sane since I had to cancel my cable (I get you on youtube via Ruku...). My wife told me to NOT skip the ads to help you with revenue and I'll buy some non reenacting stuff (again not fit enough anymore) on the website to support you...this is not meant as a self pity party but just explaining why I appreciate this channel so much...you and your loved ones be safe...

Thanks, Seth

[cwf]

You want to live in the 18th century? Find a mule team and drag it out!
Too much work and a wasted tree just to move on and forget it

[lesahanners]

Jon, it sounds like you needed a horse logging team to get out your cottonwood. That was a couple of awesome tree's, both your cottonwood and the tulip tree. Amazing straight timber you have. We have such wind in our area not much of it is that straight. This was so enjoyable, thanks so much for sharing.

[Lightwish]

*I admire your tenacity in making a canoe using conventional tools. Wearing your ancient attire for something such as this is definitely dedication. One thing I am not sure if you were all well aware of is just how dangerous it is with 4 guys with axes all working on the same canoe at the same time. Being Canadian such as I am, I just happen to understand well how much effort goes into making one of these. Birch tree and Birchbark for canoe is my preferred tree, but you may not have those down wherever you are. Impressive effort and result, and no one went to the hospital.*

[Madmun]

Wait... so what happened to that beautiful cottonwood tree?? Breaks my heart to think it went to waste.