Traditional skills - Russian oil (Birch bark tar)

The best known traditional leather treatment. Some history and how to make it yourself.
Fair winds!
Mikko

[josephlai]

To say thank you seems totally inadequate. Your knowledge is so priceless and nothing from the past can be as beneficial to the modern being than to learn from our forebears skills for self sustenance and preservation. Not just buy and throw and accumulate waste. Things can be renew and shelf life extended to their fullest potential, including the hard-won skills that ought to be passed down. Thank you so much.

[ricardofranco]

You are a living enciclopedia. Congratulations

[romandybala]

ha ha ha . Very good Mikko. As men get older they need to make the footwear waterproof or just put your feet further apart. Ah, to be 20 again and never get your shoes wet. Cheers from Australia

[mannysardina]

Great work Mikko. Thanks for sharing and a pleasure to watch

[th.burggraf]

I could watch this all day long. It is always a pleasure and pretty entertaining to watch your videos.
You're an inspiration to me! 🙏🏼🤙🏻

[threeriversforge]

Always wonderful to learn something new! I'll be on the hunt for some birch trees soon...

[felixgarcia]

I am grateful to you for sharing this skill. Will be trying this later to make my own tar. Thank you!

[KNFX]

I'll be heading out soon to hunt myself some birch bark to make my own. Thanks for sharing. Love your videos. Especially the rope making. I used to make my own rope from bailer twine while I was raised on the farm. Brings back so many good memories.

[BroosDager]

I've used birch bark to start fires forever, I'd like to try that this fall thank you!

[TheSirensLog]

Man, I wish I could download all your videos and watch them underway! hahah

[catmandont]

Well done. I don't have a rope rug for my urinal.

[daviddixon]

I'm one of those weird people who love the scent of birch tar. My favorite aftershave, Pitralon smells very similar to it.

[jasonrendell]

does it matter how tightly packed the container is?

[snipeweedan]

Do you have a link to watch you making your leather shoes, ? Thank you

[Jokossht]

Great video!! How would this work on other fabrics - like cotton or a cotton/polyester blend for waterproofing i wonder? All the best from Denmark

[Lou_fromthe_Soo]

You had mentioned additives. Do you normally use it straight up from the can? When would you add bees wax? I have access to both birch bark and the wax, and I want to try this

[inorthwoods]

I know it's the Elixir of the gods..it smells great…thanks

[greywindLOSP]

Have made the oil & mocasins, I use Boar hide or Moose on souls they give a cushion & last for along while! I make the mocasins out of Elk. Thank you for your time and

[dreamwarriors]

Put the shoes on a stick for dry out 😉 & thx 4 showing

[luckazolta]

you don't need any rubber sole? just this impregnation is enough for you and you can walk in wet grass?? 😮