Looking for a pack basket. Where to start?

[Doublegun]

I have long admired the old pack/trappers basket and have decided I could use one. Questions are 1.) where to find a quality "vintage" basket; and/or 2.) are there any "new" ones being made to day that are true to the originals and will last a lifetime?

Thanks

 

[WoodNCanvas]

Check out the following:
http://www.shawandtenney.com/pack-baskets.htm
http://www.adirondackpackbaskets.com/
http://loringpackbasket.com/ (synthetic materials used)
http://ridgerunnerspackbaskets.com/
http://www.basketsofjoy.com/maine-woods-pack-basket-kit.aspx
http://www.basketsofjoy.com/maine-pack-basket-base.aspx
http://www.basketsofjoy.com/maine-woods-pack-basket-pattern.aspx
http://duluthpack.com/pack-baskets.html
http://www.mooseriverhandcrafts.com/bas-pack.htm
http://ashbasketsbyfran.com/creelsandpacks.html (large basket expensive but built of ash by noted artisan)
http://mainejourneys.wcha.org/baskets.html (more on baskets by Fran Doonan)

Hope that helps

 

[Robert P. Ross]

Hello,

I have several vintage ones available.

www.RossBros.com


Robert P. Ross
Ross Bros.
PO Box 60277
Florence, MA 01062
413.320.2306

 

[Dave Wermuth]

try

Wendy Kimple makes awesome baskets. Maybe she'll chime in but I think she goes by woodencanoenut, or something like that.

 

[Dave Wermuth]

sp

my spelling is awful today. It's Kimpel. Wendy and John.

 

[Robert P. Ross]

Hello, Thanks for asking. The price on the first one is $125.00 (shaved ash) left to right the price on the second two is $350. (Pounded Ash) Maine Indian made. If you would like more photos or information please write:

Robert@RossBros.com


www.RossBros.com


Robert P. Ross
Ross Bros.
PO Box 60277
Florence, MA 01062
413.320.2306

 

[woodcanoenut]

packbaskets

I will be at the Assembly with pack baskets to sell. Mine are made out of Reed a form of Bamboo. Mine are cheaper than Ash. Ash splints require lots of work to retrieve. I also have vintage pack basket insturctions from the Boy Scouts. It is all in what you want for you canoe. Thanks
Wendy and John Kimpel
woodcanoenut

 

[Robert P. Ross]

Here are a few more snaps of the first one as you requested.

Thanks,

Robert P. Ross
Ross Bros.
PO Box 60277
Florence, MA 01062
413.320.2306
www.RossBros.com

 

[Chuck Hoffhine]

Packbasket

Pete Rickard's makes a pretty good one although their picture sure doesn't show it. Nice cotton harness.

http://peterickard.com/cgi-bin/cp-app.cgi?usr=2110571&rnd=2258551&pg=store&sub_pg=prod&ref=185

 

[Doublegun]

Question: some are made of ash others of reeds. Which is preferable? Seems like the ash would be most durable. Thanks.

 

[woodcanoenut]

Basket material

Question: some are made of ash others of reeds. Which is preferable? Seems like the ash would be most durable. Thanks.

Hand pounded ash is the best. It is very durable and very expensive. Some ash is machine milled going against the grain. This weakens the ash. Reed is a form of bamboo--an inexpensive substitute. Will work maybe not as long as ash.

 

[Rob Stevens]

I have one of each.
The reed one I made myself, at a workshop at the Canadian Canoe Museum.
The ash one came from Wendy Kimpel.

I noticed there were ash packbaskets for sale at the store at Paul Smith's (coindicentally, called "The Pack Basket") last year. Looked well done, for what I thought was a very reasonable price $110.

But a vintage one would be nice too, especially if you have a vintage canoe to cart it around in.

And on it goes,..

 

[Doublegun]

Thanks for the advice and direction. Just ordered a basket from Moose River Handcrafts. I like the look of their baskets, the way they make them and their philosophy. Now, I just need to find a neat old wc canoe to carry the basket.

Cheers

 

[Walter Hauck]

I'm curious. And not familiar with the phrase "hand-pounded" ash. What does it mean and what is the process? Why is it preferable?
Thanks,
Wally Hauck

 

[MGC]

I'm curious. And not familiar with the phrase "hand-pounded" ash. What does it mean and what is the process? Why is it preferable?
Thanks,
Wally Hauck

Pounding ash is a technique for separating splints for weaving.

The Amish in Northern NY make and sell ash splint baskets. They are pretty affordable and most are well made. I have used one (hard) for about 40 years. It's still holding together pretty well except for damage from some pretty hard falls while skiing and snowshoeing.
If you come up on route 11 you will see ash products for sale on the roadside. Look for the real ash baskets, not the tourist products that are also sold. You can have baskets custom made.

 

[Benson Gray]

I'm curious. And not familiar with the phrase "hand-pounded" ash. What does it mean and what is the process? Why is it preferable?

The page at http://www.woodlandindianartcenter.org/black-ash-basketry.html shows some of the process at the bottom of the page. It is preferable because the splints run with the grain and are less likely to split later than splints cut with a saw.

Benson

 

[woodcanoenut]

Where on Route 11? We are coming from Indiana will we pass the basket makers? I'm curious because mine are made with reed. I will be at the Assembly selling different sizes and styles.
Wendy

 

[kayamedic]

Where on Route 11? We are coming from Indiana will we pass the basket makers? I'm curious because mine are made with reed. I will be at the Assembly selling different sizes and styles.
Wendy

I have seen them at the corner of Rt 11 and 68 in Canton NY but that might be a little off course for you coming over on Rt 3. If you leave on Sunday of course they will not be there then.

Edit there are two intersections. The one I speak of is after you go east through "downtown"