Why I Make This Stuff

It is sad that there are a lot of people that simply do things for money, and have no real passion for what they are doing.

Fortunately, I do not have this problem with my work. I really love making quality leather goods for people. But, it's not because I just love doing it....It gets a lot deeper than that......

I mean, there are tons of other items I could make, that would probably sale a lot more and for a lot more money. I could make really expensive high end purses, fancy wallets, etc.

But, it is not my goal to encourage people to spend an outrageous price for things that have no real benefit, other than making them feel fancy and good about themselves.

I want to provide gear that helps people to be more self reliant, to live close with nature, to explore the wilderness, defend themselves, hunt for food to feed there families, carry logs in to heat there homes, practice traditional crafts, and live a life that builds character and challenges the mind, body, and spirit. 

In an increasingly interdependent world, I truly want to do something to help preserve the traditions, spirit, and grit that built America. I am afraid we are loosing it as a society. 

Just look around at people.... What do you see?......people staring at there phones in a trance, living a massive portion of there life in a synthetic world of ridiculous ease. All from a handheld electronic device, one can just sit idol and obtain food, communicate with friends and family, be entertained, pay bills, "work", learn, play, obtain news, shop, build businesses, and so many other things. All the while, using nothing but there thumbs.

I am not opposed to progress, but I am convinced that to the extent we have taken it, it has severely damaged our society, is not sustainable, and will lead to our demise if we do not pump the breaks a little bit.....(learn history)

And now to the point....

I make the things that I do, because I believe a part of the solution to our situation is to go backwards a little bit. Live a little more like our ancestors did. Do difficult things. Provide as much for your self, with your own two hands, as you can.  I want to provide gear to people that do these things, and to encourage others to do these things, as well. 

I hope all this makes sense to you, and I didnt make myself clear as mud. (honestly, I am not even proof reading this before I post it, because I want it to come out just as I am thinking it in my head.)

Finally, I would like to leave you with two quotes that I memorized a while back, and I hope they will encourage and inspire you to get out and DO, as they did me.

Teddy Roosevelt's "Man in the Arena" speech - 1910

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"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."

Quote from Henry David Thoreau's "Walden" - 1849