The View from the Clouds
The View from the Clouds
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The Swedish Torch: An ingenious 400-year-old invention
The Swedish Torch, a 400-year-old invention that demonstrates ingenuity and resourcefulness. Originally devised by Swedish soldiers during the 30 Years' War, this clever creation allowed them to stay warm, cook meals, and light up the night using just a single log.
We live in the north of England and try to be as gentle on the Earth as possible here on our smallholding with Hazel, the pup.
In this video, we dive into:
🔥 The fascinating story of how the Swedish Torch emerged from wartime necessity.
🔥 Three distinct methods to create your own Swedish Torch: the classic log-cut style, the split-and-tied variation, and a branch-based design.
🔥 Tips and tricks for sourcing and preparing firewood, including moisture content, resin-rich tinder, and the ecological role of deadwood.
🔥 A hands-on demonstration showing how these torches work, even in challenging conditions like snow or rain.
🔥A demonstration of how to use an axe or a hatchet to make a Swedish Torch.
The Swedish Torch isn’t just a relic of the past; it’s a practical, efficient, and eco-friendly way to cook, light your surroundings, and enjoy the warmth of a fire.
What You’ll Learn:
✔️ How to select the right wood and tools for your torch.
✔️ Simple techniques for lighting and maintaining the fire.
✔️ The sustainable benefits of using deadwood for your projects.
Whether you’re a camper, history enthusiast, or someone looking to try out a unique DIY project, this video provides everything you need to recreate this incredible piece of historical ingenuity.
Give it a try and let us know how your Swedish Torch turned out in the comments!
👉 Want more fire-making tips? Check out our video on how to ensure your firewood is perfectly dry: th-cam.com/video/QjT3UvCAINw/w-d-xo.html
If you enjoyed this video, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon for updates on more fascinating stories and practical guides! 🔔
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ความคิดเห็น

  • @sjoer
    @sjoer 3 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา

    My mom would have used tape as well 😅

  • @VINYLM4N
    @VINYLM4N 3 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา

    Incredible use of an ancient 400 year old chainsaw 😂

  • @AsttoScott
    @AsttoScott 3 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา

    I should try this with a gum tree. The eucalyptus oil will make it entertaining.

  • @faisalmemon285
    @faisalmemon285 4 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา

    Oh no. This has become a message board about dogs.

  • @faisalmemon285
    @faisalmemon285 4 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา

    It took you all day.

  • @KenyataeParsons
    @KenyataeParsons 15 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา

  • @rhtcmu
    @rhtcmu 19 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา

    Two other advantages: Easier to put out since none of the fire is touching the ground where coals can build (I won't talk about the water), and if you quickly shear off the bark heated wood will give off more heat in addition to the coals giving off heat directly. Bark is a heat insulator but both bark and barkless wood have near 100% emissivity of heat but bark is also an insulator (full of conductive air that can go vertical) so not as much heat makes it to the surface to be emitted. Never think that aluminum or other shiny metal helps you: They have near 0% emissivity so heat from what is behind the aluminum will not escape -- the reason you see house or pipe insulation with the OUTSIDE being aluminum. Another factoid, even mirrors have fairly low reflectivity (think 80%, not 100%) so if you surround yourself around the fire with say an aluminum cylinder you will be colder -- however, if the cylinder is painted dull white it will both reflect the firelight/heat better (think 90+%) and also has near 100% emissivity which will emit the heat back into the cylinder (a big sewer pipe with a white painted interior could make a fine place ... or the hole left by a treefall with a dull but bright white sheet. There are lots of reasons to paint inside of a shack bright (but not glossy) white in the Winter to keep a little warmer. Same for white tents over any other color or tint (reflectivity falls off very quickly even for beige).

  • @BogdanBor-c7p
    @BogdanBor-c7p 19 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา

    Cheating when lighting a fire

  • @jetboy1891
    @jetboy1891 วันที่ผ่านมา

    I think the two takeaways I saw were that life would be much more difficult without a dog or a chainsaw.... (I cherish them both)

  • @sparkygump
    @sparkygump วันที่ผ่านมา

    The dog loves you.

  • @longing4homeministries103
    @longing4homeministries103 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Great idea. I'm glad I came across this.

  • @jeffreydillon
    @jeffreydillon วันที่ผ่านมา

    I've made these before and had no idea what it was called.

  • @user-gr3tg2yk6o-24_डफ़क
    @user-gr3tg2yk6o-24_डफ़क วันที่ผ่านมา

    You should start a chewing factory the way you stretched that 30 second video to 12 minutes 😂😂😂

  • @EverydayAdventures123
    @EverydayAdventures123 วันที่ผ่านมา

    simple yet genius

  • @basicfit287
    @basicfit287 วันที่ผ่านมา

    These are so well made, and you and your dog are… I guess the right word is soothing. I started watching your videos before going to sleep. Can you please make more firewood/bushcrafting videos? Thanks

  • @robertbeger4275
    @robertbeger4275 วันที่ผ่านมา

    You've really got an attentive buddy there. Long ago I lived in Germany and we would do a big Schwedenfeuer at summer soltice. Usually about 7 or 8 feet high with designs cut in the sides. They would definitely last through the night of festivities. One of my best memories.

  • @dray439
    @dray439 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Beautiful dog, love it.

  • @ericbrammer2245
    @ericbrammer2245 2 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Just don't light one in L.A., please...

  • @En-Jon-eer
    @En-Jon-eer 2 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Have you tried / is it possible to make one of these out of branches or multiple different pieces of wood (say from multiple smaller logs)? It seems to me it would work just fine as long as the wood on the inside was dry, but I'm hoping someone might have input from actually trying it.

  • @royalerp21a
    @royalerp21a 2 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Enjoy your videos ! Love your dog ! Thank You !!!!

  • @firstkings99
    @firstkings99 2 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Superb video.

  • @Insta-r5f
    @Insta-r5f 2 วันที่ผ่านมา

    We may be able to shorten the process a bit. No need to cut anything off the center. Just turn the 4 pieces around so they face each other with their "backs", you have an instant "hole".

  • @Ian-q6o
    @Ian-q6o 2 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Thicker bigger springs with metal welding it together last you long time no prob because it easy to spring recoil stronger bounce back to forward it faster and easier hard tap like twig woods 😂 my oldest friend live out country this looks like car spring recoil but they stretch out to make handle grips as along with it Axe I try few that was easy but no worries about think it will not bounce around because kinda harder than soft spring but soft will kill you his beloved grandfather taught me that someday I will know what I need to do I been learning from VFW club with my beloved step uncle took me there when I was 15 yrs old deaf and I know what I need when bad thing going on with the world

  • @johnnolang3734
    @johnnolang3734 2 วันที่ผ่านมา

    I have been cutting the same sorts of firewood for 26 years and another 20 years in a different location. I know how long the wood takes to dry because, the next winter, it doesn't clog up the flues with soot. - simple.

  • @jameslujan2832
    @jameslujan2832 3 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Did I see a gloved hand stick a match in the gap at 9:10?

  • @johnnolang3734
    @johnnolang3734 3 วันที่ผ่านมา

    I live in southern Australia where we have Eucalyptus. They are not filled with oil like most people think and dry out well. I planted some for firewood 20 years ago that are now over 25 metres tall because we haven't needed any of the new trees. Branches from 3 particular red species fall in winter storms and dry out over summer for next season. The wood from these species is very dense, burns well and ONE log the size of those, in the pile of wood in the video, will burn all night keeping the entire residence warm. The only drawback is that we have to cut the wood up soon after the branches fall otherwise to wood dries hard enough to blunt chainsaws very quickly.

  • @TheVoiTube
    @TheVoiTube 3 วันที่ผ่านมา

    I know this only as Lumberjack's candle... pretty nordic concept Norway, Sweden and Finland... used also in northen Russia.

  • @lettybastien4624
    @lettybastien4624 3 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Doggo sure loves you.

  • @CrazyFlyingMonk
    @CrazyFlyingMonk 3 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Bro really grabbed that hot cast iron with his bare hand 👀

  • @ValerieBrooks-bi4ml
    @ValerieBrooks-bi4ml 3 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Oh my Lord is there anything sweeter than your puppy enjoying that swing! 🐾❤️🐾

  • @ValerieBrooks-bi4ml
    @ValerieBrooks-bi4ml 3 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Save your egg shells, crush them and place them around plants you want to keep slugs away from. They also provide a ton of nutrients to the soil.

  • @ValerieBrooks-bi4ml
    @ValerieBrooks-bi4ml 3 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Someone else who works with no gloves. I always garden with no gloves. Hazel is so sweet and definitely wants more camera time! She is a very lucky girl to have such a great Dad.

  • @ValerieBrooks-bi4ml
    @ValerieBrooks-bi4ml 3 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Would love to see what your fields look like in 7-10 years.

  • @jimliu2560
    @jimliu2560 3 วันที่ผ่านมา

    @9:08 Mystery Blue hand lighting fire!

  • @KentLittlejohn-c2k
    @KentLittlejohn-c2k 3 วันที่ผ่านมา

    I'm sure 400 years ago those swedes all carried a high tech moisture meter. A tree stump will also be a good option.

  • @TaliaMargherita
    @TaliaMargherita 3 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Your dog really makes the video.

  • @ValerieBrooks-bi4ml
    @ValerieBrooks-bi4ml 3 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Your dog is beautiful, but what is even more beautiful is the constant affection you show him. 🐾❤️🐾

  • @timothyschanuth3197
    @timothyschanuth3197 3 วันที่ผ่านมา

    O made mine with a bore bit or paddle bit , 2 holes 1 in top , 1 on side bottom . 1 log burns all night

  • @timothyschanuth3197
    @timothyschanuth3197 3 วันที่ผ่านมา

    400 hundred year old invention , who had a chainsaw 400 years ago 😅

  • @bunkerputt
    @bunkerputt 4 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Setting things on fire and drinking a beer. A match made in heaven.

  • @firstjayjay
    @firstjayjay 4 วันที่ผ่านมา

    This video perfectly encapsulation the special and beautiful bond between man and dog and why we should always remember to be kind and patience with them. And how to build a Swedish torch....

  • @obsylekk
    @obsylekk 4 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Very good doggo

  • @jprepo1
    @jprepo1 5 วันที่ผ่านมา

    One small piece of advice would be to crack your egg on the flat of the pan, rather than the edge. Cracking eggs on a flat surface helps keep the internal membrane intact, and you will basically never have to worry about shell pieces in your yolk/whites.

  • @IoannisOuzounis
    @IoannisOuzounis 5 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Very nice presentation and editing.

  • @nicholashunter8638
    @nicholashunter8638 5 วันที่ผ่านมา

    What do you keep behind that enormous gate???? Brilliant video,loved it.

  • @Ouflala
    @Ouflala 5 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Is it the hand of god with the matches at 9:08?

  • @MatthewSmith-vk4ts
    @MatthewSmith-vk4ts 5 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Agroforesters promoted sugar gum for woodlots in South Australia because it coppices about twelve times after harvesting repeatedly. Sugar gum is almost as good as mallee. Some of the mallee we have in South Australia is so hard it won’t burn in a combustion heater unless you keep kindling underneath the logs. Mallee fires like this are too hot to be comfortable.

  • @capnmnemo
    @capnmnemo 5 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Amazed that the Swedes had chainsaws in the 1600s.

  • @tomlangron2532
    @tomlangron2532 5 วันที่ผ่านมา

    "We all know how important it is to have good looking firewood" 🤣

  • @Bryan-yq9pz
    @Bryan-yq9pz 5 วันที่ผ่านมา

    You need mixed species because an invasive insect could wipe out a single planted species.