Laplander stove a la Tomahawk

About 30 years ago I was running around the north woods of Wisconsin near Hayward. I met an old gentleman who name escapes me now but he was an interesting and colorful character.

This old guy made his living by doing things in nature; for example he would cut fire wood in the fall to sell, hunt, trap, do day labor on farms etc. in summer he would fish and collect plants to sell to the local flower shops etc. ditto on the day labor.

I admire the fact that he did not have a full time job or any job for that matter and was not what folks would call successful by the modern American standards but to me he was rich beyond my wildest dreams.

To be able to earn a living from nature and to be content with that is something I have always wanted.

Anyway, He showed me what he called a “Laplander stove”; pretty simple really because it is just a log with slots cut into it.

To make one choose a log about 4 hands high and 2 hands wide at the top, cut a cross into it going down about 2 hands. I used my cross cut saw for this(pun intended.

Next fill the slots loosely with birch bark, twigs, pitch wood etc. to help light the “Stove”, these can be difficult to light but once you get them to burn you will have over 3 hours of good burn time with a “Stove” of this size. The flat top is excellent for setting your cooking pots or billy cans on for a brew or for cookin’ up some grub.

These Laplander stoves are also great to use in deep snow because they will not melt down into the snow as a conventional fire will do.

You can also use them in wall tents, tipi’s and other types of shelters. I especially like these fires because it really simplifies your equipment and eliminates the need for a wood burning stove in an extended survival trek.

If you do not have a saw you can split a log with your axe or parang and stick the ends in the snow then light it in the same fashion.

The next time you are out and about in a winter environment give the fire method a try – I’m sure you will see the simple benefits of this type of “Stove”.

Tomahawk – Scouts out!