Back when we were having the polar vortices, where temperatures were around -30°F, I would wear a military wool blanket woth a blanket pin. Makes a great cape, wore it when walking around campus at my university. Every now amd then someone would say "you look stupid" and I'd respond "you look cold". Shuts them up every time.

My friends, I give you, The Cloak. This is a time-honored clothing staple from the Renaissance and before, and this little item that we properly call a "Brooch" is exactly how I and all my colleagues at the Ren Faire kept ours on. Seriously, there is nothing like a full-length, hooded wool cloak with a warm lining to shrug off every kind of foul weather, no matter how weird it looks today.

Takes a real man to feel secure enough to wear a bow.

Having been a historical reenactor for years portraying different era's, I have always found that woollen cloaks, and coats, are some of the most practical and versatile around!

The Celt is strong in this one.

"Cooler days even cooler nights, ah the fall is here!" Me: *cries in Floridian

This just proves my point. What makes this cat so cool is he teaches the grass roots of survival. The simple things really do work. No frills.

I literally do this all winter. I have a pin that's basically a little more decorative version of yours, and I use a full sized wool blanket and rock a cloak all winter. I don't care if it looks silly at the grocery, because it's warmer than any coat i've ever had. Just like I use my shemagh as a covid face covering lol

The blanket pin is also known as a penannular ring (it almost makes a complete circle = penannular)

I use a mexican shawl the same way. Its a bit wider than your half blanket and it is at least a couple of feet longer. Ive used it as a pillow, a blanket, a shawl (of course), a privacy screen when i had a baby i was nursing, and head covering that also keeps the rest of me warm. I have seen women in mexico use one to carry a baby on their back but i never figured out how they kept the baby from sliding out and hitting the floor. And since my shawl is striped in rainbow colors like a rainbow my daughter used it one year to wear as a halloween costume as a rainbow. With her face painted to match. My shawl was wool but they also have light weight ones for summer. My shawl is over 50 years old now and except for a couple of moth holes , it still works and is in decent shape. Wool is awesome.

I am addicted!

I use wool blankets for insulation in my van. We live in our van, so wool blankets over the windows really help. We put them over the barn door, and over the side windows that open so they are insulated, but accessible. Alot of folks ise wool as insulation for vehicles. For us, we stay warm about 5 to 6 hours in weather in the teens without having to run the heater. It helps that we have wool blankets over top of minkey blankets too... plus we have eachother...

Fandabi Dozi is another excellent source. Thank you Dan, good work.

Hi Dan, At Colombia we have a traditional poncho but is made 100% wool, is call Ruana and it's amazing to avoid coldness at the outdoors

I have actual "blanket pins" (like large 3-in safety pins, available for about $6-7 for a 12-pack) but I absolutely love my medieval cloak pin because its just way cooler :-) For dedicated bushcrafters, Emberlit (and others, I believe) sells a cloak pin that has one side modified into a straighter edge so that it functions as a fire steel striker so, if you use the pin part as an awl, you have an almost hand forged multi tool.

I enjoy these quick, informative videos. And that face when demo’ing sitting on the blanket-😆

The Blanket pin, striker, and a belt buckle that was made a few years ago is my favorite piece of gear. I use it year-round.

it is also possible to not push the pin through the blanket, which is good for non-woven material. you can lay the fabric on top of the pin portion and then clamp the fabric in between the pin and the ring

Nice video, thank you. I have Been using one of these for years. It makes a great kilt also. Wrap it around your waist, pleat it in the front and wrap your belt around kilt then fold the excess down over the belt. It rained for 5 days strait one spring every thing I had was soaked. My blanket shard kilt and a Teflon sleeping bag were the only kit not soaked and I stayed warmish and more importantly wasn't arrested.

😂😂😂 so great, this is fantastic that last bit had to take practice it sounded like a tongue twister from grade school

Don't laugh but a quadriplegic asked me how to use a traditional cloak pin. After 7 videos yours actually made sense.

The reason why it is better than a jacket, besides it being considerably cheaper for the amount of warmth you get, it is also versatile other than just using it as a jacket. It is more easy to replace than a jacket, you can use it as a bag by wrapping it around your stuff and tying a rope to it, you can use it as an emergency tarp if you don't have anything else (even a small tarp is better than nothing), you can wear it over one shoulder if you only need a very small amount of warmth, you can put it on top of a regular jacket if you are still cold and probably my favorite part is that you can wear it different ways depending on how much warmth you need. A normal jacket doesn't have as many wearing options and it is too easy to get overheated in a jacket. Finally, it is just slightly faster and simpler to put on than a jacket, which doesn't sound like much, but if your hands are shaky and you need some warmth fast but are too tired or cold to have the manual dexterity to play with your jacket, it is much less fumbling around than a jacket. Imagine picking up your jacket in the dark and having to find the sleeve, make sure it isn't inside-out, make sure it is right side up, and then maybe have a hood to push out of the way, make sure you are putting it on forwards instead of backwards accidentally and then finally getting one arm through just to find that your arms are slightly too stiff from the cold for you to be able to get the other arm in. Once you warm up it will be easy to put on the jacket, but what are you going to wear before that? Also, on nights that aren't going to get all that cold, it has more uses than a jacket, and is perfectly fine as a replacement, lightening your pack, and giving you just a little but more cushion from the ground.

Nice shawl. We women been utilizing this concept for centuries.😀

My son got me a cloak pin for fathers day, a few years ago. I've been using the wool blanket cloak since then and it is an awesome addition to the kit.

A third option is 'a very small stone' used to create a bulb in the overlapped blanket then use a short leather or paracord tie just behind the bulb, the stone keeps the cord from slipping off. Button Stone? Choose a small smooth stone for this. Or a coin of the realm.

Bonus: this also works for pretty much any era of reenacting. Pins like that have been used for centuries.

Wow awesome thanks for this video.

Good stuff! Longhunters in your region were doing the same thing years ago- as of course you know, I've seen you on Townsends! Keep the content coming.

No wool blankets were hurt in the making of this video but one was minified.

Hey guys if you arent a fan of wool... try alpaca! I love natural clothing products (clothes, toothpaste, boots, backpack, building materials) especially wool and linen! Theres a reason our ancestors wore it!!! Try an alpaca blanket though (2 in your survical kit, one for you, and one for a friend! Or if its really cold (like canada or russia) youll appreciate the second blankt to insulate you better!

I had a feeling something cool was about to pop up and.... here he is!

We are manly men. We can have cute Lil bows. I did not see that coming

My wife and I were looking at those like 2 nights ago. Thought it would be cool. We have those wool blankets. Now we know how to work them so gues what we're going to do? Thanks much!!

really like that little lovely bow! thank you

Like a kilt pin!

Thanks for the video! I'm wearing a cloak and brooch for a Halloween party this year - our ancestors had practical winterwear all figured out!

always believed in packing a cloak, good to see im not the only one

Thank you, I always wondered how that closure actually worked

Love it, been using this type of cloak pin for decades. Tend to get my wool blankets from Army Navy surplus stores. A couple in the camp kit for everyone that may stop by and visit whilst camping.

Thx Dan!

multi purpose items are great to have in your kit

Love your humor! Another great vid...short and sweet ... and informative

lol cute little bow. lol

Capes have been around a long time they are the best at keeping you warm and dry very versatile 👍 I use a rain cape over my rain jacket keeps me dry no matter what 👌

Great stuff!!!

Cool

Thanks man ❤👍🏽💪🏽

Dan. Love the manly-man and stylish touch to your video. Excellent role modelling for young boys and men! And, a very manly video name, too: Coalcracker. Good on you! Keep up the good work.

Thank you. I have wondered how the blanket pin worked. Pretty clever.

STONE BUTTON. Used by monks. Safer/cooler/less damaging than a pin. (Find a smooth, roundish stone, tuck it in from underneath, twist & tie with cordage, zip or hair elastic. Holds cloak like a button. No danger of pin opening & stabbing you in your sleep or when fighting off trolls.)😅

I love your videos! Short and to the point. I'm in whitehall, so your stuff is local and it makes it more relevant. Thanks

I really want to see you do said hand-stands. PLEASE!

Warm and stylish. The Corporal Shawn Kelly is gonna be jealous.

Great tips!

That's right, you can have "Cute little Bows" as manly men. I need that blanket pin though. Love ya Dan

Damn right, us manly men can wear cute little bows! The cuter the manlier!

first time in channel. hehehe. love the acting. I could feel that warm fire.

Relate to your sense of humour, and useful uploads as always. Stick with the old ways youngfella, your a good guy.

AHA! My friend gave me one of these for Christmas and I've been trying to figure out how to use it! I made a blanket cape out of a cheap fleece one I had laying around and we're snug. Thanks!

it's incredible how well this works

Cool ,love that blanket pin

Emberlit makes a great blanket pin that is also a steel for striking flint. 👍🏼👍🏼

That blanket pin is hella cool.

MATCHCOAT..!!! Been using em for decades..! Wilde style..😀

Wow, a new invention. "Shard" blanket doesn't sound bad. That's almost as good as "THROW" blanket.

great - thanks

When what you envisioned for a business all ready exist. Coalcracker Bushcraft FML lol Awesome stuff guy

I love the pin Ty for the information I’ve never heard of a blanket SHARD.. I’ll have to look that up 👍🤪

Thanks for another great video. I recently got two of your Coalcracker blanket pins and I can't wait to use one (got the other for my wife for Christmas, so they're hidden away for a while); have to say your oilskin haversack is a great piece of kit, too.

Thanks

Great Dan, great use for the blanket shard. Thanks and take care.

Intersting demonstration. Thanks for sharing! Bank line doth not a cute bow make! 😁

Lol. Lol cute cute little bow.

Easier and safer from unintentional chest-piercing with shivering arms or numb hands, is a large, old school diaper pin or (same exact form factor, but pointier and thinner gauge wire) knitting stitch-keeper. One is larger, and the smaller one can nest in th larger, if carried loose. Weighs more than a needle, less than a blanket pin, is spring loaded, and has an unfailing safety catch.

Hi Dan I've been watching a lot of your educational and humerous videos. And learned a ton. I have also seen many videos on plenty other bushcraft/outdoor channels and honestly believe your channel is the best. Down to earth, entertaing and informative. All the best and thank you. From South Africa.

Thanks for simple survival vids. so many people will have a hard time when the great EMP happens or they are lose in the wild!

Let's see that hand stand.😂 Great vid

Great Video, as always!

I have a blanket pin. I absolutely love it. Use it with multiple scarves rand wraps..

I've been wearing a cloak for a few weeks now (a full-size cloak) and i can easily say it's my favourite winter clothing, i don't have to wear a bulky annoying jacket anymore!

Blanket pin is bad ass

Thanks Aragon

Consider trying a poncho as well, it eliminates the need for a pin, and even if you put it on a flat surface, there won't be a round hole for the head, but rather it's a straight line. This makes it a good blanket as well.

Lmfao 🤣 i love my wool blanket..... just wish i had a pin like that 😕

bro reinvented the cloak

I want to see the Hand Stand ! Lol

Instead of a pin; more like the bank line I used some cotton clothes line with wood toggles and stitched them permanently in place about 1.5 inches from edge you don't get nearly as much overlap underneath but I've never felt air drafting because of it either. you would never know they where there when you fold it up with them in the middle and there's nothing to lose or break since its attached.... plus nothing stops you from using a pin and toggles as a back up

That's cool

It's a wool blanket. But I like to call it a Shard. Now, my wool-blanket-Shard.... Lesson: when you don't know what you should call something, call it everything! 😂 Really good video, I've also been doing this on trips

I'm still waiting for the handstand! Lol

Note to self, always pack a sewing kit.🧙‍♂

Loved the video as usual! Just received my Coalcracker gum blanket by the way....freakin’ awesome!! How did I go so long without it?? I may tie some cordage in a cute little bow around it! ....see what I did there? LOL THANKS Brother!!

Cool Bilbo. Good stuff.

Must be a damn Scot. Your channel is fine to me.

I love it!

That's how my Scottish ancestors did it

Awesome 👌

I was just wearing mine last night. 👍🏻

Plus it's awesome makes you feel like superman wearing his sexy capelet :D

I like the idea, I would like it more if I could create a hood.