/r/PrimitiveTechnology

Photograph via snooOG

For discussing the Primitive Technology YouTube channel and other related subjects.

This subreddit is for discussing the Primitive Technology YouTube channel and other related subjects.

Remember to turn on CC (subtitles) when watching Primitive Technology videos for explanations!

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  • Contributions must be primitive technology focused.

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  • Flair your posts and use descriptive titles.

  • No pirated videos or copies of the book. We want to support the channel, not harm it.

Primitive Technology
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/r/PrimitiveTechnology

203,309 Subscribers

6

Where to source flint?

For being such an important rock it seems I don’t know how to find it. Can I just go into any woods any find it?

14 Comments
2024/12/01
04:21 UTC

27

Does any clay expert knows what the green is made off? I fired alot of pots from this ( i think , its just 1km from some other source of green clay) but no copper metal nor any green whatever copper oxide and reached 800C on my last firing.

2 Comments
2024/11/10
19:25 UTC

18

Made a closed ... Weave? Its all about having each fiber the same size and lenght otherwise it becomes too beautyfull on its backside, and should wet it again when ur hallfway done if the fibers break easily dry and ngl it produces alot of wind for a furnace or for when its too hot outside.

1 Comment
2024/11/05
08:01 UTC

5

how to preserve cordage?

hello :)

I've started making natural cordage, but I was wondering how long it usually lasts? I feel like it dries up quite quickly, although I'm certain the type of plant/tree used makes all the difference. for cordage that seems dry, how would one preserve it? tallow, hydrating it in water, beeswax, etc? or is dryer cordage just doomed?

thank you in advance!

14 Comments
2024/11/05
02:21 UTC

77

Retting linden bark to make linden bast cordage (more info in comments)

2 Comments
2024/11/04
17:05 UTC

31

How do i close a weave so it looks nice... its from cattail dead stuff

6 Comments
2024/11/04
05:56 UTC

12

Follow Up Post, Jar Test for Clay

I was told that a 10 to 20% concentration of sand was needed to make solid bricks though I think there is too much sand in this clay, the line between the clay and sand is as blurry in the picture as it is irl. Any comments or suggestions would be helpful, thanks.

7 Comments
2024/11/02
18:29 UTC

143

Primitive Technology: Tile Capped Mud Walls

17 Comments
2024/10/31
21:11 UTC

16

Did i fire this right? It doesnt sound like primitive technology stuff ( from that dense green clay )

12 Comments
2024/10/28
07:04 UTC

15

A Community for Wild Pottery

I recently created a community r/Wild_Pottery with the aim of attracting artists who make ceramics using natural methods and away from the industrial model. Many artists collect their own clay, build their own kilns and make their own glazes from materials they collect in nature. That's why I would really like these people to participate to exchange knowledge at r/Wild_pottery . I need help with moderation especially. Thank you for your attention!

3 Comments
2024/10/25
17:06 UTC

0

Would making titanium be hard? I saw its only 10x less common than iron like 0.4% and is found in black sand aswell

25 Comments
2024/10/24
15:34 UTC

17

Utilizing clay without sand

I’m currently digging a bunker and stumbled across a deposit of what seems to be very rich grey clay 6 feet deep. I begun collecting it but have found that to make clay bricks or other products, you need either sand or volcanic ash which I do not have access to in the middle of the forest. Does anyone know another way I could utilize this clay? I’m in southern Ontario if that helps, thanks.

9 Comments
2024/10/23
16:54 UTC

95

100% primitive dropspindle able to make nettle yarn(unretted,scraped)

Just proud and happy it worked. Couple things i leaned and wanted to share as tips

-green wood is surprisingly well cut with cobble tools

-when drilling a stone with a piece of flint, wet the stone to avoid breathing in all the dust

-scrape nettle fibers as soon as possible (or try rehydrating them beforehand ig, never tried it)

-the best drills for stone are handheld 3 edged pyramidlike pieces that you can push really hard into the workpiece

-YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ENOUGH FIBER!!!

7 Comments
2024/10/23
11:28 UTC

8

Why is my iron piece bubbly (after a failed smelt ) entrance was like glowing orange , when blowing a weird yellow white like doesnt that happen when it melts?

1 Comment
2024/10/20
11:58 UTC

36

Spindle doesn’t spin in bow drill

Hello all, I’ve tried to practice getting a small ember with a bow drill friction fire. However the spindle doesn’t really spin even though I’ve tried to decreasing and increasing string tension. Any thoughts what I could be doing wrong?

24 Comments
2024/10/20
00:43 UTC

11

If someone have the time and resources to file and sharpen a rock, would there be any other reason to go for the jagged "flint arrow/spear head" look from chipping?

Sorry if this doesn't make sense or does not fit the sub, but I don't know where else I can ask about this. I am looking for some insights regarding stone tools working for my writings, and I hope people can entertain a bit of hypothetical here.

But regarding stone tool, I really like the way many neolithic stone axe we find have this really smooth file sharpened edge not much different from a metal axe.

On the other hand, I also really like how spears and arrows are usually made of flints and usually have this jagged, very archetypical "primitive" look you get from chipping.

But if you have a material that allow you to file and sharpen reliably, and you have the time and resources to do so, would you realistically ever make a spear through chipping, instead of filing and sharpening? From my understanding, I just can't see why one would do so.

Basically I am trying to justify a reason why my "stone halberd head" would have a smooth axe cutting edge made from file and sharpening, but also a spear head made from chipping.

Again, sorry if this does not fit the sub, but I hope someone will be willing to help. Thanks.

17 Comments
2024/10/16
14:15 UTC

87

made this for fun, just clay and sand

doesn't really have a ware chamber, I could add a grate and cover some of the top and have the fire going below, could make some clay pots or bricks, what's the easiest way to make a brick mold??

4 Comments
2024/10/14
21:47 UTC

7

Friction fire without chert or flint?

Is there a reliable way to make a friction fire without chert of some kind? I’ve found a grand total of 2 videos online, but they didn’t give much detail other than they said to shape wood by grinding on a rock. Was wondering if anybody here had any experience doing it or any input. I was also curious how long it takes to shape the wood parts needed. Thanks

22 Comments
2024/10/14
00:57 UTC

83

Finished up this Dacite Arrow

This one has a birch wood shaft, turquoise accents, and wild turkey feathers. I used cottonwood bud oil and beeswax to seal it. What is your favorite natural sealant?

9 Comments
2024/10/13
00:50 UTC

17

Can this survive a low temperature fire.

It's sifted yard clay.

8 Comments
2024/10/12
03:17 UTC

23

The green clay is super dense and it didnt soften in water for 1 day if i were to put just the green clay in the pit it wouldnt give any clay but its very plastic and works for pots, never saw people talk about too much density is this rare? Is it a good thing ? Found it underwater

2 Comments
2024/10/11
13:24 UTC

30

Is Pine Pitch Glue Supposed To Be Tacky To The Touch?

21 Comments
2024/10/11
04:05 UTC

6

Primitive painting / photography

I would love to see John or another PT YouTuber tackle creative paint making or photography.

Communication through generations via cave drawings and petroglyphs were so critical to the culture of ancient peoples - and in the case of tracking annual herd migration patterns - their survival.

And in later times, frescos and dyed clothing were a sign of wealth among the elites.

Pinhole cameras on large leaves can produce images. I just think that’s incredibly cool.

Anyways none of this is critical from a survival standpoint, but I’d love to see it tackled at some point as a diversified take on the subject.

2 Comments
2024/10/09
12:36 UTC

84

First post on here! Tell me about your favorite skills in the comments!

Hey, this is my first post on here! I have been knapping for 9 years and have been teaching at various primitive skills gatherings and wilderness survival programs all over the country. What is your favorite wilderness/primitive skill? And why?

13 Comments
2024/10/09
00:34 UTC

1

Iron Bacteria vs Iron Ore for a Bloomery ? i saw primitive technology preffering iron bacteria and idk why, he didnt seem to explain like doesnt the bog iron he had contains more iron like magnetite

3 Comments
2024/10/06
11:56 UTC

35

What can I add to mud bricks.

My current soil is hard to deal with due to it being mostly rocks. I can't produce more then a couple bricks and would like to know some things I could buy then add to what I have to increase the volume.

15 Comments
2024/10/06
13:30 UTC

6

Are these real?

I found these after I bought a “mother load” mining bag . I was super excited cause I never found arrow heads before! So it just hit me are these real? What are the chances that each bag has fossil and etc.

13 Comments
2024/10/04
16:02 UTC

112

Primitive Technology: A-frame Roof Tile Factory

14 Comments
2024/10/04
09:12 UTC

2 Comments
2024/10/03
21:07 UTC

9

clay tiles

I'm working on a mud house and I want to use clay tiles for the roof. However, I'm concerned about how well they will hold up in snowy weather. If anyone has experience with using clay tiles in snowy conditions, I would appreciate any advice or insights you can share.

6 Comments
2024/09/29
22:25 UTC

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