Thank you for making this video. My snowshoes have lasted a number of year, no thanks to me. Finally some of the weaving tore and your video has given me the ability to fix the rawhide and finally properly care the them with varnish.
Hey Brian, great tips! I have a pair of hi-tech snowshoes, but this summer I picked up a pair of used traditional Huron's at my brother-in-law's yard sale. They're in good shape and I'd like to keep them that way. Now, thanks to your tips I'll be able to do that!
Good stuff Brian! I left my maintenance too late, and here it is with the season upon us. This is a good reminder for me to get the varnish and brushes out.
Thanks for any info you can find. After living in the desert of CA my whole life I just moved to MI to care for my grandparents and found some traditional shoes that belonged to my GREAT grandparents. Great condition. Tested them out, seemed like fun. Looked online for walking tips, came across info on caring for them thank goodness! Then got your vid researching that. Treated them with spar (waiting a few days before I go out.) Then curiosity got me wondering about the traditional care.
I go to Stowe VT. alot that is where the Tubbs snowshoe Co. was for years a great family run business since the early 1900's until they finally sold out to K2 I have looked for older folks that knew the company to ask questions but it's tough. Some type of varnis must have been availble, or maybe a type of tar mixture but it escapes my research. So that quest will contiue.
Just picked up my first pair of snowshoes at a garage sale in town (not my first time on them though) and was looking for tips to take care of them properly. They are the Huron model and appears to be handmade (ie. not mass-produced). They are not in poor shape, but are only decent. Thanks for the video so I know how to fix these up and make them suitable for the following winter. Also, I am just loving your dog. I had to watch the video a few times because of all the cute stuff he was doing in the background. Thanks again. :)
thanks for the pointers. I got some new ones and tried them. They're ok. I paid $30 bucks. Bought 3 pair of vintage style since them paid 60 70 each. Way better. Just bought a set of 5 footers that need varnishing. We just got our thirtenth or fourtentgh foot of snow so I need to get those big boys up an running.
Hi Brian, just subscribed, I have been snowshoing for 4 years now, I use Atlas 9 by 30 with aluminum frame, I am buying some Huron snowshoes right away, can not wait to try them out, I have some deep snow to play in with them, I go snowshoing in Riding Mountain National Park and along the southern shoreline of Lake Manitoba, I have been out a few times now but still not enough snow, thanks for making a video on how to repair the traditional snowshoe, I appreciate it.
Hi! I have a pair of snow shoes like the one you have hanging in the tree. The sting that holds the webbing to the frame is broken at the top. Can I somehow fix it? Would love some help with this. Awesome video, and I want your dog! 😊
You would have to restring the entire frame again to do it properly, but you maybe would be able to add a secondary weave, however that's load bearing and I would not suggest it. The dog past...
@@Snowalker13 thanks for the info. I actually found a place not far from me that will hold a snowshoe making workshop in February. I trust they will be able to help. So sorry for your beautiful dog is gone. I am going to lose a very special to me dog tmr...
Yes, you varnish the whole snowshoe. If you don't varnish the rawhide babiche (pronounced 'ba-beesh'), it will absorb moisture and stretch. This will make walking harder, make the snowshoes heavier, and weaken the babiche, which could lead to break in the babiche.
Hey bro believe it or not Cabelas has awesome prices on them my hurons are 20 years old from them and they are made just like the Faber bear paws i have. Also I made an Ojibwi pair very hard to make at least for me they were you have to steam them just right. Another place that has good prices is Barre Army surplus. Good luck bro
I'm digging the traditional snowshoes a lot. I fell in love with snowshoeing about 10 years ago, great exercise. I have some modern MSR Denali Evo Ascents and USGI magnesium and love them both but I want some old school ones too. I might make my own since they are expensive. What was the native formula for the varnish they used? Would pine pitch and/or tar work in a pinch out in the bush? Good thing the pooch has his own snowshoes with those paws.
My wife just picked up a nice pair of vintage snowshoes and thanks to your video we can keep them in great shape. I also like your capote/ poncho. Is there a pattern available or a place to purchase one like it? Thanks, Dave
+Archer's Expeditions Absolutely not especially of the rawhide that will only make them saggy they become wet and sag on their own as the year progresses which is why you need to reapply. You want them as tight as possible.
No I don't unfortunately, cause I keep all my snowshoes in top condition. Never use paracord for repairs unless in a emergency situation, it stretches too much
Hi Darrin. I've been on catgut shoes since I was a kid in Ottawa, circa late '50"s, and am hooked on traditional shoeing. Last winter I had an awkward stumble and tore up the hinge point on one of my Ojibways quite badly. The gut broke in 3 or 4 places and is very unstable where the ball of your foot articulates. I'm willing to attempt a repair ( never had to do one before ), and am wondering what material to use. The shoes are constructed with a fine gut webbing, and I'd like to match as closely as possible. Is there a way you can help with this? I can send photos of the damage if that would help. Cheers, Rus
Rus Melanson Hi Rus you must be new to my channel my name is Brian not Darrin although he is my friend. My suggestion would be traditionally get a raw from a deer, moose, or elk and repair them using that. If this is not availible get some commercial rawhide and try. Thanks for the comment and subscribe if you like what you see.
Snowalker13, what kinda coat is it you are wearing? I have a friend looking for exactly this style but he does not know what it is called. Can you help us? Thanks a lot!!
