Best of the Backwoodsman Vol.1-2
& Best of the Backwoodsman Vol.3
8 1/2 x 11 Magazine Format, 78 Pgs. (V.1-2) & 82 Pgs. (V.3)
Edited by Charlie Richie
Available From Paladin Press
Review by Lily Gold, 2007

Best of the Backwoodsman Volume I & II

The Backwoodsman is a magazine that is based on 19^th century American methods of woods lore and survival.  It has articles on everything from homesteading, primitive weapons, black powder and even recipes.

The Best of the Backwoodsman Volume I & II definitely lives up to its name.  It is crammed full of tips, how to and informative articles.  You can learn how to make simple shelters such as a Northland Tilt (an old time trapper shelter), tipi, digger and a Hogan.  Clear instructions and illustrations are provided.

There’s an illustration showing how to make a food dehydrator.  It looks easy and cheap to make, I’m definitely going to try it out.

Garden tips are scattered throughout the volume like growing potatoes in tires, how to ripen your vegetables faster, and keeping the worms out of your cauliflower.  I just love quick and easy garden tips!

I also enjoyed the article on The Homemade Greenhouse.  Here Charlie Richie shows you how to make a greenhouse out of an old swing set frame.  Wow, what a great idea – easy to build and at a low cost.

If you are into leather working (or always wanted to try it), there are some articles on making knife sheaths, a winter cap, moccasin and a hunting bag.

Like to fish?  There’s articles on pond stocking, primitive fishing techniques, making a homemade fishing reel, ice fishing and there’s recipes for fried fish and pickling fish.

A large chapter on how to make primitive weapons such as Indian bows, slings, throwing sticks, bolas, crossbows and blowguns could keep you busy for years.

Like black powder?  There a big chapter on black powder how to.  Sighting in your muzzleloader, building a powder horn, how to load a muzzle-loading shotgun and more.

The recipes alone make this a great resource.  There are over 70 recipes including everything from venison stroganoff, apple griddlecakes, shoofly pie, smoked beef jerky and Mexican sausage.

You might think that’s everything in this 78 page volume, but there’s even more stuff jammed into this best of then I’ve mentioned here.

If you want to learn about yesteryear methods of living this is a great resource to get you started.   If you already enjoy the backwoodsman and don’t have issues from the early eighties, you should grab a copy of this best of.

Best of the Backwoodsman Volume III

Volume III is a compilation of the best how-to's and stories from 1985 to 1990.  Like Volume I & II it is crammed full of great information.  The topics in this volume are primitive technology, guns, homesteading, woods lore and it has about 30 more great recipes.

I really enjoyed the article on constructing a garbage can smoker.  There are clear instructions with illustrations and it looks fairly easy and inexpensive to make.  If you have a surplus of food, fish or game or just enjoy smoked foods – this looks like a great way to try it out.

I also liked the articles on making a cold frame, a chair and a backyard table. There’s also a neat article on making your own snowshoes.

For those who like camping, this volume has a ton of articles, everything from basic survival tips to camp cooking.

As with the other compilation there’s even more stuff jammed into this best of then I’ve mentioned here.  It is definitely worth having on your bookshelf you will refer to it often.
 

Best of the Backwoodsman Vol.1-3
Is Available From Paladin Press