My 18th Century 'Trekking' Kit | BEGINNER Gear
I want to say right here at the front that none of my commentary is meant to belittle anyone for how they recreate the 18th century. I’m a beginner here and I’m working my way through historic accuracy based on my own research and budget. We all enjoy history differently, with different levels of interest in recreating it. All I care about is getting YOU out into the woods and connecting with history. Whether you just dip your toe or go full-bore, I hope you enjoy the journey.
Much of this is a great excuse to get out and go camping with simple, historic equipment. My research is finally getting to the point where I have some of the items I need to go out and camp/hunt with my friends in 18th-century gear. I've spent the last few years sorting and reading, trying to understand history so I can work to represent it as accurately as I can.
That being said, I'm certainly a long way from being totally historically accurate. I'm making this video to share where I'm at now to show you that you don't have to be perfect right out the gate. There's plenty of time to learn and find the right gear. I hope this helps you get started and strive to learn more about history. For many living historians, a "persona" is chosen to guide the clothing and equipment carried. I'm trying to base my research around a common man of the late 18th century.
First up we have a canteen. Carrying water is super important in any era. I’m using a copper “kidney” shaped canteen currently. As far as my research goes, this shape of canteen is correct, but documentation shows these kidney canteens being made from tin rather than copper. Alternative documented water carriers include blown glass bottles, water “gourds”, water bladders made from animal guts, and leather canteens.
My pack is one of the newest additions to my gear, it comes from the collection of a dear friend who has passed on. This “knapsack” resembles a British pattern common in the 18th century, but is made from a lightweight leather instead of canvas. This makes the pack a bit heavier than it’s canvas counterparts, but we know the British began using goat hide haversack covers during the American Revolutionary War. The pack is tied shut by way of a center leather strap and buckle, or a corner leather tie on either side.
Much like the original packs of the day, this pack is made up of three pockets, two main haversack pockets like you would see in a contemporary over the shoulder haversack and a smaller “hinge” pocket in the center. Each main pocket can be held shut with three buttons, but I find when the pack is filled, it is hard to button all three buttons.
The best part of this pack is the traditionally made wood pack frame. It is joined with traditional pinned wood joints and tension is created with a set of sinew ties. The horizontal members are steam bent. While the frame is rigid, when placed appropriately on my upper back it is quite comfortable. There are two thick leather straps on the right and left that go around my shoulders much like a traditional haversack or modern backpack would.
While I’m sure this pack could be considered “farby” by some, it fits my needs well.
Pack Contents
When laying out this pack, I tried to think of it like a modern camping pack, where the items I need (or might need) easy access to are right at the top. Traditional packs like this are much smaller than modern packs so this is not a difficult task.
In the center “hinge” pocket I have 3 tools placed for easy access, a folding buck-saw, a knife, and a small axe. (Note: since filming this video and preparing this article I’ve learned a bit about tomahawks and axes of the day from Simeon England. The terminology I use to describe this small axe will be a point of continued research on my part.)
My folding bucksaw was made by my father, it’s a cherry frame with a modern saw blade loosely based on original examples. The design of the saw itself is ancient, going back through the middle ages and beyond. It’s limited metal and wood design makes it appropriate for the 18th century and light in the pack. Many times we think of using a “tomahawk” or axe to cut wood or brush, but the efficiency of a saw cannot be overstated. With this tool I can quietly and quickly cut wood around camp.
Just about everyone in the community has at least one “big knife” in their kit. While the use of a knife like this for someone like me, a tradesman in the 18th century, is almost non-existent, I still like to have one in my kit. This long lade has a hide-wrapped deer bone handle and a poured pewter bolster.
Historically, it was much more common (according to my research) for people in the 18th century to carry a small folding pocket knife (below). These knives were made in mass and imported from Europe, though some were made here in the states after some time.
The third “quick access” tool is this small axe with a hickory handle. From what I’m gathering a “tomahawk” in the day was a weapon, meant to cleave muscle and bone. Thankfully I’m not fending for myself on the frontier and haven’t seen the need for one, though I still have interest in one. I chose this “small axe” for it’s similarity to a fullsized axe that I’m more accustomed to using. Whether or not this sees any use in my kit is yet to be determined, research must continue!
My flint and steel is carried in this small pouch with some dry tinder for starting fires.
Living in the midwest means I can’t trust any natural watersource to not have farm runoff in it. Boiling helps, but this modern water filter means I can be more assured I will have clean water on a trip.
For light around camp, I have a traditional folding candle box. In it I carry three candles. The tin box makes for a fine reflector, keeping light in my camp and giving me the most light possible. On the right you’ll see a brass candle lantern from Ted Cash Manufacturing. This is a neat lantern with folding reflectors, I love the design but have not been able to place it historically yet.
For cooking you’ll see a lot of this “Corn boilers” at events, I have one too. They are a nice all in one kettle, bowl and mug with a lid that can’t be lost. However, as far as I can tell, they did not come into existence until the 19th century. Traditionally in the 18th century we’d see a small tin or copper kettle being carried without lid. I’m working on sourcing one that fits my budget and historical needs, until then, this boiler remains useful.
An alternative to the kettle or boiler is a small skillet like the one pictured above. If I recall correctly folding designs like this go back to the viking age, use in the Americas is a little hit or miss but the design is useful when cooking for one (this skillet fits two eggs just right). This was made by my father. I like this skillet because it is lightweight and compact, it could also serve as a plate for something cooked in the kettle.
To eat in the 18th century there are a variety of tools to pick from. I’ve chosen a small horn cup by Ron Vail (left) for anything shared at camp like coffee. Horn cups in the period vary in refinement and complexity, I’ve chosen a rather simple design with light engrailing. Considered the “Plastic of the day” by many, horn is lightweight and super durable; great to have in your kit, even your modern kit.
For my utensils I’ve got an antique knife and fork. My fork has 4 tines, you’ll see a lot of 2 tines and 3 tines in your research. Make a note of the shape of my knife in the photo on the right, it has no point. This is very common for ‘utensil’ knives of the period according to my research.
Not shown here is a plate or bowl which could have been made from wood, tin, or pewter depending on your class and location in the 18th century. I’ve read that it was very common for members of the American Military to carry their own plate/bowl and utensils but no cooking pot. From what I can tell, cooking was very communal. There were supply lines in place for many endeavors and it would have been uncommon for everyone to have their own full cooking set up. In a contemporary sense, where I may be in my woods by myself for a weekend it’s understandable to have my own cooking instruments.
You’ll notice a distinct lack of iron like a large grill, tripod or “squirrel cooker” in my gear. Historically iron was expensive and just as heavy as it is today. If I can get by with light equipment like I’ve shown you here, I’m going to. Historic examples show wood cooking frames being built at camp to suspend cooking pots. Kettles could also be placed near a flame to boil a meal.
Last but not least, I have a couple personal items, a journal and a compass. These are both small, lightweight items that don’t take up too much space and give me some extra utility in the woods. Many of my friends keep a journal when camping like this and I’d like to continue that tradition. The compass, in all honesty, will hardly ever be used. I’m seldom in an area where I can get lost or without a GPS connection, but I enjoy practicing my orienteering skills when I can.
As I continue my research, I’m going to work on investing my efforts into an “artist/naturalist” persona, perhaps a “reporter” of the day depending on how research goes. This will guide my next level of historic recreation - informing some small equipment purchases as well as how one might behave socially during the time. I'll share more videos with my gear later this fall as I get out and use it more, I'm excited to be in the woods more in my 18th-century gear.