I have no documentation for the travois being pulled by man or woman, but I have done so in the past, and I really can't imagine that 18th century man was any less inventive. I will however continue to research this subject, but as you can imagine it is not something likely to be written about and the travois use in the east is overshadowed by its use in the west.
Here is one I made recently. Note the curved ends that drag. This makes it easier to pull and it leaves less sign. It can also be pushed to manouvre.
I have purposely made it narrow, so it will fit on forest trails. The front is bowed out to make room for me to stand inside to pull. The original shape is kept because I think this design is what makes it so secure and sturdy.
I also made the cordage that holds the travois together.
I just start to follow your blog. I think it's really interesting. I hope you can also enjoy with the mine about the reign of Charles II of Spain. It's in spanish but you can use the google translator.
ReplyDeleteBest Regards.
Thanks for the comment CAROLVS II, REX HISPANIARVM, and thanks for the invite. I will be pleased to follow your blog.
ReplyDeleteRegards, Le Loup.
Pardon my ignorance, but how did you bend the ends of the travois? I've used boiling water before to make wood pliable but never on a piece of such diameter. what technique did you use? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi Gabriel. The curve is a natural growth of the tree, I did not have to bend it. This happens sometimes when the tree is damaged or coppiced, it grows a limb from the trunk but grows upward. I just had to find two the same.
ReplyDeleteRegards.
Not a comment on your blog, just trying to answer your comment on Mary Wright Cooper. She surely does seem depressed constantly. Don't know if she was chemically depressed or situationaly depressed, but clearly one unhappy camper. Barbara
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