Swanddri bushshirt

[Ravaillac]

Back to the technology versus traditionnal subject, there's not much technology can't do in the long run. Doesn't mean it can do everything right now.

But there are some bias regarding hi-tech stuff which means :
* it is mostly meant for mountaineering. That means it is often meant to be worn near the body, for pretty short periods of time...
* Sale to broad public also mean a lot of marketing BS (yes there is also a lot of BS in tactical stuff marketing), a lot of stuff that is poorly designed because most people won't go anywhere else but supermarket with it.

High developpement costs also means it will be aimed at large markets rather than niche activities.

Finally technical solution doesn't necessarly means goretex and assimilated technologies (although goretex largely trusts the market).

That said there are still plenty of applications where natural materials are at par if not better than synthetics.

 

[Ramm9]

The older I get the more wool becomes my "go to" outdoor wear unless weight is critical. Even soaked with sweat a light wool under layer at least feels warm. The tightly woven stuff can withstand a pretty fair amount of rain or drizzle before wetting out.

I've given up on Gortex unless "fashion" is important. Those of us that don't just perspire but sweat big time are going to be wet one way or the other.

A thought just came to me. All the new fabrics must mean that elementary school rooms with coat closets no longer have that smell of steaming wet wool all winter. For me, that was the "smell" of school.

 

[KEmSAT-Survival]

Save a shitload of dough. Order yourself a wool blanket or two and make yourself a Hudson Bay Capote. That's basically what that thing is.
Patterns are all over the net.
Then spend the other 200 on a knew knife or gun or something.

 

[baldtaco-II]

Well, let's try.

In your original post you did not seem like you accounted for the positive and negative aspects, and just threw wool away totally as an option.



To me, you are basically saying it is good for worksite use, but not for the woods. So, it is not a good woods option.



Again, because of the words "trade up" and what I pointed out about your previous comment, it seems you are saying abondon one for another. I am saying no way. Know where one reaches its limitation and when you need to supplement it with something else. Whether you belive that is old school technology, or something fancy from the mountaineering store is not was is being debated.

Let me ask you this. If he had asked the for an opinion on mid-layer fleece pull-over, would you have directed him to gore-tex rain gear, because it obviously can't handle the "conditions."

Sorry, if I am taking you wrong. But you just made it sound like it has to be a "one or the other" situation. I have been and done many things (even this past winter) that I would be glad to share with you that wool FAR out performed almost all techno-gear, and for reasons you may not even thought of. I don't want to blabber on if you are not interested, but I would be glad to tell :thumbup:

B

“In your original post you did not seem like you accounted for the positive and negative aspects, and just threw wool away totally as an option.”

It was not appropriate. sasha asked a very precise question. It was appropriate to give a very precise answer. In fact, if anything I was more generous and less terse than I am usually disposed to be. I could have just offered an account of Mears testimony and quit there. He has enough of a fan club here it would probably have been sufficient. If you read closely you will notice that by my including any mention of redeeming features in other areas I was already drifting away from the question. I'm not in the habit of doing that because if constitutes waffle. However, I have come to understand that some people can be way too precious here about their favourites so I usually have to throw in a bone, no matter how irrelevant, to sooth the path. A classic example is “is knife X good at Y”. X knife may well be crap at Y and it is obvious, but to avoid a fanboy avalanche one often has to deviate a bit and ramble on about other irrelevant things X knife is good at.

“To me, you are basically saying it is good for worksite use, but not for the woods. So, it is not a good woods option.”

As above. The fact that I made any mention of it's goodness at some tasks is all bonus. It was all outside precise question about it being windproof and my response to that. I need not have made any mention of what it was good at.

“Again, because of the words "trade up" and what I pointed out about your previous comment, it seems you are saying abondon one for another. I am saying no way. Know where one reaches its limitation and when you need to supplement it with something else. Whether you belive that is old school technology, or something fancy from the mountaineering store is not was is being debated.”

I am saying abandon one thing for another when the circumstances dictate it. We agree that items have their strengths and weaknesses. It seems Mears and I share a common view that other garments are more effective in wind and rain. That's the bit I was getting across to sasha. To SoutherCross I threw in some positives of other natural materials I have found, eg: that parka, and tweed. I think it would be a bit blunderbuss to reduce it down to an general “old school technology” thing when one can can be precise about a specific garment and alternatives that would be much better than it at combating wind.

All good.

 

[Ramm9]

Save a shitload of dough. Order yourself a wool blanket or two and make yourself a Hudson Bay Capote. That's basically what that thing is.
Patterns are all over the net.
Then spend the other 200 on a knew knife or gun or something.

That was my first thought but the exchange rate brings the total down to $112 or thereabouts. A comparable wool blanket/blankets have to run a few bucks and take time to sew. In my case I would wind up with a functional Capote that would look like two blankets sewn together so maybe the additional $30-$60 would be worth it.

 

[Ramm9]

“In your original post you did not seem like you accounted for the positive and negative aspects, and just threw wool away totally as an option.”

It was not appropriate. sasha asked a very precise question. It was appropriate to give a very precise answer. In fact, if anything I was more generous and less terse than I am usually disposed to be. I could have just offered an account of Mears testimony and quit there. He has enough of a fan club here it would probably have been sufficient. If you read closely you will notice that by my including any mention of redeeming features in other areas I was already drifting away from the question. I'm not in the habit of doing that because if constitutes waffle. However, I have come to understand that some people can be way too precious here about their favourites so I usually have to throw in a bone, no matter how irrelevant, to sooth the path. A classic example is “is knife X good at Y”. X knife may well be crap at Y and it is obvious, but to avoid a fanboy avalanche one often has to deviate a bit and ramble on about other irrelevant things X knife is good at.

“To me, you are basically saying it is good for worksite use, but not for the woods. So, it is not a good woods option.”

As above. The fact that I made any mention of it's goodness at some tasks is all bonus. It was all outside precise question about it being windproof and my response to that. I need not have made any mention of what it was good at.

“Again, because of the words "trade up" and what I pointed out about your previous comment, it seems you are saying abondon one for another. I am saying no way. Know where one reaches its limitation and when you need to supplement it with something else. Whether you belive that is old school technology, or something fancy from the mountaineering store is not was is being debated.”

I am saying abandon one thing for another when the circumstances dictate it. We agree that items have their strengths and weaknesses. It seems Mears and I share a common view that other garments are more effective in wind and rain. That's the bit I was getting across to sasha. To SoutherCross I threw in some positives of other natural materials I have found, eg: that parka, and tweed. I think it would be a bit blunderbuss to reduce it down to an general “old school technology” thing when one can can be precise about a specific garment and alternatives that would be much better than it at combating wind.

All good.

Sooo, what you are saying is that traditional fabrics have their benefits and sometimes more technical material can be a better choice. In either case be prepared to protect yourself from continuous wind and rain. Yes?

 

[Brian Andrews]

Gotcha baldtaco :thumbup: I apologize, because I had the overall intent of the thread in mind, and forgot about sasha's specific question.

However, I would like to respectably agree to disagree on one point

I am saying abandon one thing for another when the circumstances dictate it.

I have to say I disagree with this part. For me, I would never leave it home. Instead, I realize the garment is not a rain suit, nor is it a windproof shell. Circumstance that dictate a complete change in garment can happen fast. You might not have the option of trading one for the other once you are out. Instead, I would rather wear the wool, and be prepared with a very thin, very light, windproof and waterproof outer shell. Even say a sil-nylon pull-over.

I realize you can argue "well what if you are not prepared with the shell?" Well, first, I would always go that way. Second, if I was not prepared, I would not be constantly wearing my windproof/waterproof outershell anyway, unless the conditions warranted it. Most are not durable for continuous use unless demand, nor are they comfortable to be wearing all the time. So, I would be screwed anyway. If the conditions already warranted it, I would be set with my wool and outer layer!

But, I don't really want to get into discussing outer shells or raingear, because that is a long and lengthy topic that I am very opinionated about, and don't have the energy for

B

 

[iBlade]

They are the bees knees, great for hunters, foresters, rangers, farmers, linesmen...damn good product for hard hitting folks.

 

[raindog101]

Hey, I'm liking the price on that Ranger shirt. Anyone know how it differs from the original bushshirt, besides in length and hood? Same wool, same thickness, same sizing, etc?

 

[Ramm9]

Gotcha baldtaco :thumbup: I apologize, because I had the overall intent of the thread in mind, and forgot about sasha's specific question.

However, I would like to respectably agree to disagree on one point



I have to say I disagree with this part. For me, I would never leave it home. Instead, I realize the garment is not a rain suit, nor is it a windproof shell. Circumstance that dictate a complete change in garment can happen fast. You might not have the option of trading one for the other once you are out. Instead, I would rather wear the wool, and be prepared with a very thin, very light, windproof and waterproof outer shell. Even say a sil-nylon pull-over.

I realize you can argue "well what if you are not prepared with the shell?" Well, first, I would always go that way. Second, if I was not prepared, I would not be constantly wearing my windproof/waterproof outershell anyway, unless the conditions warranted it. Most are not durable for continuous use unless demand, nor are they comfortable to be wearing all the time. So, I would be screwed anyway. If the conditions already warranted it, I would be set with my wool and outer layer!

But, I don't really want to get into discussing outer shells or raingear, because that is a long and lengthy topic that I am very opinionated about, and don't have the energy for

B

It's easy. Lightweight I always carry Frogg Toggs for wind and rain, a little heavier if I'm expecting weather I'll carry Marmot Precip, and someplace like Alaska a full on rubber rain suit including bibs or an oil cloth (Filson) rain suit. Any of those over something to keep you warm will work pretty well.

 

[Dannyboy Leather]

Post expired.

 

[TedPalmer]

Hey, I'm liking the price on that Ranger shirt. Anyone know how it differs from the original bushshirt, besides in length and hood? Same wool, same thickness, same sizing, etc?

the ranger shirt I just got is not as heavy as my old original bushshirt and does not have the gussets under the arms or at the bottom of the tails, so the ranger fits more like a shirt than an over shirt. If that makes sence...
Ted

 

[Ramm9]

Either the Early's Witney Point (at least a 4-point for a capote), or the Hudson's Bay blanket will cost you more than a Swanndri. Then, you are going to have to skillfully build the capote (we made a few). The only other way you might save money is by finding a good used Witney or Hudson or, using an old surplus wool blanket of some sort. My personal favorite is the Early's Witney Point blanket wool produced in England.

I own three capote's (2 Early Witney and 1 Hudson Bay). I also own the Swanndri Ranger Shirt. Comparing the two is apples and oranges, IMO. The capotes are of much thicker wool and much warmer. However, I prefer the Swanndri in the above freezing temperatures or when hiking, chopping wood, etc. For me, the heavy capotes are just too warm to hike or work in.

I was tracking a mountain lion on our property while wearing one of my capotes and shoulder holster. The temperature that day hit a high of about 10-degrees. Perfectly warm in the capote with wool sweater. Would have froze in the Ranger Shirt with the same sweater and long underwear. Nice to own both! :thumbup:

Great looking capote!

 

[white_feather]

Ok, more questions. I ride a bicycle year round. Rain, snow, warm weather, windy. I ride through it all. I have tried several different jackets. I would REALLY like to get one of these. Would it be easy to get this cleaned if it were to get road grime on it in the winter? What could be the possible downsides to this?

 

[Pritch]

that would look great with one of those outside belts around it and a knife

Dont forget the tights!

-- FLIX

 

[1Tracker]

Ok, more questions. I ride a bicycle year round. Rain, snow, warm weather, windy. I ride through it all. I have tried several different jackets. I would REALLY like to get one of these. Would it be easy to get this cleaned if it were to get road grime on it in the winter? What could be the possible downsides to this?

If you're going to get it repeatedly cleaned, or clean it yourself; then do yourself a favor and buy some lanolin to recoat it in the wash. The fibers will get depleted of lanolin after repeated washings and become brittle and harsh. Wear a breathable thin nylon anorak over it and it'll stay much cleaner.

Nice Danny Boy:thumbup: Did you remember to look up when tracking that mountain lion

 

[Loosearrow]

Save a shitload of dough. Order yourself a wool blanket or two and make yourself a Hudson Bay Capote. That's basically what that thing is.
Patterns are all over the net.
Then spend the other 200 on a knew knife or gun or something.

I agree with that, great comment in my opinion. I have a blanket capote pattern in front of me as we speak from Eagles's View Patterns. I have worn a capote for about 30 years now made from a thick Whitney wool blanket. It also doubles as a blanket or sleeping pad. Sometimes when it was really cold I would throw a duster over it. I was thinking about making a lighter capote from an Italian brown wool blanket and maybe a pull over shirt out of the same material. But this long shirt would be great for layering. The blankets I got were cheap and seemed a fairly tight weave but smell like mothballs.

 

[Ramm9]

Either the Early's Witney Point (at least a 4-point for a capote), or the Hudson's Bay blanket will cost you more than a Swanndri. Then, you are going to have to skillfully build the capote (we made a few).

Dannyboy, who's pattern did you use for the capote shown in the picture?

 

[bigox]

I just received a Swanndri Ranger shirt this am. I bought mine on Ebay from a vendor in the UK. With shipping it was only a couple dollars more than buying direct from Swanndri. I think it is old stock because it is a color not offered on Swanndris site and the tags say nothing about being made in China. From what I have seen on other sites the new ones say something about being made in China with NZ materials. I don't know how big of a difference this makes. After viewing the measurements in the auction I decided to order one size bigger than normal and I think I am glad I did. It is loose but not huge. My only complaint is that I wish it was a little longer. I think it was about 40 degrees and pretty windy when my wife and I went for a walk. I slipped the Swanndri over a T shirt to try it out. It isn't a complaint but I was surprised buy how thin light and loosely woven the fabric is. I suspect that the Bushshirts have a tighter weave since they say the are weather proof. It doesn't cut the wind in any way and I can't believe that it would stop anything more than a misting of rain. That being said it still kept me very comfortable. I did not find it to be itchy at all and the workmanship looks great. I think it will be fantastic around a campfire on a cool night or as a inoculative layer to wear under a wind blocking shell. So far I am very happy with it.

 

[Dannyboy Leather]

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