3A Dunedain Trekker's Iron Cauldron [V2]
Posted: Sun Jun 02, 2019 12:39 am
Greetings!
Awhile back, Elleth shared her beautiful custom iron cookpot HERE. We were all impressed with how well it turned out, but I hadn't really given much thought to the function behind the Culturally compelling look and feel of iron vs. the tin lined copper that most of us, myself included, use.
She mentioned that she wouldn't need to worry about boiling it dry and compromising the foodsafe tin lining, and this stood out as a huge plus to me (see: my addiction to hot oats in the morning...), but there was more hiding beneath that lovely exterior. Though I ultimately decided that her exact design didn't meet my needs, it was darned close. In the spirit that she, Ursus and I (in particular...there are others) have gotten into of loosely copying each other's kit items, largely or in the minutia, I've followed suit and commissioned my own version of the Trekker's Cauldron to continue our theme of cultural continuity across each other's kits.
The first and most noticeable change would be the lack of the decorative band around the throat...just didn't seem appropriate with how minimalist my kit is. Beyond that, however, it really is a close mockery of my copper corn boiler (and the dimensional differences are subtle!) Rather than the hinged tong-like bail, we have an integral, attached bail which can stand upright with a minor bit of manipulating.
Next, you'll see that the original's thin and low bail on the lid has been compressed and raised. I didn't expect to desire using the lid as a frying pan (I can fry RIGHT IN THE POT!) so I skipped the lid lifter/pan handle and had the lid bail fitted to the measurements of the end of my cherry eating spoon, which I've been using for years to lift the lid on my copper boiler.
Just a day before the cauldron arrived I got out my chisels and scrapers and modified the handle end of my spoon, custom carved for me by our own Udwin some years ago, from the filed notch needed for my old boiler's bail to a slope and a step adequate for this pot's lid shape. Works like a charm!
Lastly, I asked him to see about doing something to ensure the lid would stay securely on the pot over a rolling boil, and he happily consented with a pair of wedge rivets, to be placed 90 degrees offset from the ears, which also partially serve to hold the lid in place:
All in all, I'm VERY pleased with what he, Jeffrey Hildebrandt of Royal Oak Armoury, was able to produce in a very short time from when he began work on the piece (though his waitlist is understandably long.) It's very well made, sturdy, and beautiful...but more importantly, I feel that placing it next to my open tool roll and a few kit items, it fit right in immediately.
Thanks, Elleth, for inspiring a great collaborative project and encouraging my kit up one more notch. Can't wait to boil some bacon!
Awhile back, Elleth shared her beautiful custom iron cookpot HERE. We were all impressed with how well it turned out, but I hadn't really given much thought to the function behind the Culturally compelling look and feel of iron vs. the tin lined copper that most of us, myself included, use.
She mentioned that she wouldn't need to worry about boiling it dry and compromising the foodsafe tin lining, and this stood out as a huge plus to me (see: my addiction to hot oats in the morning...), but there was more hiding beneath that lovely exterior. Though I ultimately decided that her exact design didn't meet my needs, it was darned close. In the spirit that she, Ursus and I (in particular...there are others) have gotten into of loosely copying each other's kit items, largely or in the minutia, I've followed suit and commissioned my own version of the Trekker's Cauldron to continue our theme of cultural continuity across each other's kits.
The first and most noticeable change would be the lack of the decorative band around the throat...just didn't seem appropriate with how minimalist my kit is. Beyond that, however, it really is a close mockery of my copper corn boiler (and the dimensional differences are subtle!) Rather than the hinged tong-like bail, we have an integral, attached bail which can stand upright with a minor bit of manipulating.
Next, you'll see that the original's thin and low bail on the lid has been compressed and raised. I didn't expect to desire using the lid as a frying pan (I can fry RIGHT IN THE POT!) so I skipped the lid lifter/pan handle and had the lid bail fitted to the measurements of the end of my cherry eating spoon, which I've been using for years to lift the lid on my copper boiler.
Just a day before the cauldron arrived I got out my chisels and scrapers and modified the handle end of my spoon, custom carved for me by our own Udwin some years ago, from the filed notch needed for my old boiler's bail to a slope and a step adequate for this pot's lid shape. Works like a charm!
Lastly, I asked him to see about doing something to ensure the lid would stay securely on the pot over a rolling boil, and he happily consented with a pair of wedge rivets, to be placed 90 degrees offset from the ears, which also partially serve to hold the lid in place:
All in all, I'm VERY pleased with what he, Jeffrey Hildebrandt of Royal Oak Armoury, was able to produce in a very short time from when he began work on the piece (though his waitlist is understandably long.) It's very well made, sturdy, and beautiful...but more importantly, I feel that placing it next to my open tool roll and a few kit items, it fit right in immediately.
Thanks, Elleth, for inspiring a great collaborative project and encouraging my kit up one more notch. Can't wait to boil some bacon!