Self-Sufficient Living Books

Subtitled "the lore and science of the woodcutter", this book explains how to use an ax safely and efficiently for felling, limbing, bucking, and splitting, as well as how to sharpen an ax and replace the handle, with chapters on saw sharpeing and use, and woodlot management; just as the ax is an indispensable tool for every woodsman, this book is an indispensable resource for anyone who fells trees and takes lumber or firewood from the forest. 134 pages, 8.5x11 paperback

For every man who has ever conjured up a picture of himself felling trees in a roar of chainsaw noise and power, The Backyard Lumberjack is an account of dreams fulfilled. Father and son lumberjacks Stephen and Frank Philbrick have enjoyed the thrilling destruction of felling, bucking, and splitting timber for hundreds of cords of firewood. Together they bring practical instruction and first-hand advice to every man with a chainsaw.
Before there can be any felling of trees or satisfying shouting of Timber!, every potential lumberjack must choose the proper saw. The Philbricks offer buying advice based on the quantity of wood to be cut and the amount of time to be spent on the job. Diagrams of chainsaw parts, functions, and maintenance requirements; tables and charts of saw specifications and firewood volume; and personal cautionary tales of on-the-job injuries arm potential lumberjacks with the necessary tools to make informed choices.
Chainsaw in hand, father and son move on to detailed instructions on managing a woodlot, felling and bucking, splitting and stacking, and even include fun facts on burning. For every lumberjack chore they offer advice on equipment (chaps, helmets, felling wedges, hatchets, mauls, peeves), careful procedural instruction, safety and efficiency strategies, and always their humorous anecdotes and tales of tree adventure.

For the rural lumberjack with acres of woodland, the suburban guy with a cord of wood to split and stack for the fireplace, or the urban guy who just likes to think about chainsaws, The Backyard Lumberjack is as much an engaging read on the legends and experiences of lumberjacking as a practical reference guide. 176 pages. 9 x 8 inches. Softcover. Well illustrated.

Blacksmithing is one of the traditional “lost arts” deserving re-discovery by anyone interested in do-it-yourself building and crafting.
Charles McRaven discovered blacksmithing when he moved “back to the land” in the 1970s and shares his knowledge in The Blacksmith’s Craft. Creating one’s own tools and instruments from metal enhances woodworking, stonework, building, and restoration work. In his readable and humorous style, McRaven tells readers all they need to know to begin blacksmithing.
Simple and clear instructions, supplemented by step-by-step photography, show how to build a forge, how to make and/or acquire tools, and how to use those tools to create items of lasting beauty and durability.
This book belongs in the reference library of everyone interested in traditional American building crafts and culture, as well as those practical folks who want to make and repair their own metal tools, household items, hardware, or farm equipment. 256 pages. 9 x 7 inches. Softcover. Abundantly illustrated.

This booklet, part of Storey's Country Wisdom Series, will tell you how to find country land and what t look for whether you are looking for vacation property, good or fishing hunting property, good woodland, pasture, or tillable land. Subjects covered include soil, water, value, character, and types of sales.