Camp chair

[Phil Coffins]

An easy to make chair with a minimum of material and tools yet is quite comfortable. One two by twelve board about ten foot long, a large drill and a saw is the basic needs. Cut the board about in half then cut one to form the seat about fourteen inches long with the tail about five inches wide. Round the edges of the tail if you like for a nicer fit. Then about fourteen inches up on the other drill and saw a hole to except the tail to slide threw forming your chair. Add a notch to the base of the upright part makes it easier to get stable stance and round what edges makes it more comfortable. I add the cut out at the top of the back that makes a good handle and allows me to recognize it as mine.
IMG_0671 by Oliver Sudden, on Flickr
IMG_0672 by Oliver Sudden, on Flickr

 

[Gtrubicon]

That’s pretty cool! I’ve got some form boards I could use to make a couple of these.

 

[2 shots]

 

[Loyalist Dave]

An easy to make chair with a minimum of material and tools yet is quite comfortable. One two by twelve board about ten foot long, a large drill and a saw is the basic needs. Cut the board about in half then cut one to form the seat about fourteen inches long with the tail about five inches wide. Round the edges of the tail if you like for a nicer fit. Then about fourteen inches up on the other drill and saw a hole to except the tail to slide threw forming your chair. Add a notch to the base of the upright part makes it easier to get stable stance and round what edges makes it more comfortable. I add the cut out at the top of the back that makes a good handle and allows me to recognize it as mine.
IMG_0671 by Oliver Sudden, on Flickr
IMG_0672 by Oliver Sudden, on Flickr

An old and venerable design. I have rolled out of one of those, several times in my past, after some liquid refreshment. Two pieces of wood and very simple, but it turns out these are an example of "they could have had it, they had the tech, but apparently, they did not".

ALAS some of the stricter events do not allow such seats. For the reason that these are NOT Norse or "bog" chairs, these are based on African chairs, still made today, some of which are birthing chairs, and did not become well known in Europe until the middle to late 19th century (courtesy of the Victorians, etc)

Here's an article that has much of the information on the chair design
The Origins of "Bog" Chairs

Now before folks break out the lighter fluid and matches for use upon me, I'm only pointing to the history of these chairs. I don't care if you use one, in fact the folks that embellish these with Celtic knots and such, I think make them quite nice. SO IF you can use these at an event, by all means do so. They are easy to make, durable, and break down to occupy a very small space. Just be sure you understand that not all events will tolerate these.

LD

 

[Flint62Smoothie]

… they’re dayum HEAVY though …

 

[hawkenhunter50]

Heck yeah, that's pretty neat.

 

[BillinOregon]

I knew these weren't HC, but had no idea they came to us from Africa -- or what they were originally used for! Thanks for the link, Dave.

 

[Rifleman1776]

I knew these weren't HC,

Tired old backs probably were not very HC either. Guys 'back in the day' probably died early from ailments we now treat. I made and use a 'cricket' style chair and ronnies. Ain't been shot yet for not being 'pc'.

 

[Jaeger]

I use a modern bag chair and throw a cheap canvas painter's tarp over it to defarb it. Good for old people.

 

[waksupi]

Those plank chairs aren't comfortable if you are older, and very hard to get out of. Plus, they are a modern fantasy item.

For a period correct chair, look at these. The modern name is director's chair.
Napoleon used them during his campaigns, and the design traces back 3000 years to Rome.
I have one I got out of a dumpster 25 years ago I still use, and have picked up several in second hand stores for under $20. They are much lighter. And comfortable!

 

[BillinOregon]

It appears the familiar current iteration dates to 1893, but it is indeed inspired by the ancient curule chair.

https://www.theafricantouch.co.za/c...ector's,excellence in casual furniture design.

https://thesourceforantiques.wordpress.com/2017/10/10/the-seat-of-power-the-curule-form-its-origin/

 

[Phil Coffins]

Those plank chairs aren't comfortable if you are older, and very hard to get out of. Plus, they are a modern fantasy item.

For a period correct chair, look at these. The modern name is director's chair.
Napoleon used them during his campaigns, and the design traces back 3000 years to Rome.
I have one I got out of a dumpster 25 years ago I still use, and have picked up several in second hand stores for under $20. They are much lighter. And comfortable!
View attachment 349753

I was unaware that they are uncomfortable, at 74 years old and a 50 year old back injury the getting out of one being difficult hasn’t came to my attention yet. Must be using mine wrong.
IMG_0282 (2) by Oliver Sudden, on Flickr

 

[reddogge]

I have found if you have been tippling out of the brown jugs a little too much around the fire, leaning to the side will cause you to fall over.

 

[Turtle2]

Thank you for posting this @Phil Coffins. I've often thought of building several of these but have never really looked into how they are made or what it takes. Very easy to make don't take up much room when not set up. Great post and thank you again.

 

[Terrier]

I was unaware that they are uncomfortable, at 74 years old and a 50 year old back injury the getting out of one being difficult hasn’t came to my attention yet. Must be using mine wrong.
IMG_0282 (2) by Oliver Sudden, on Flickr

I have a very similar setup, including the chair, but no snow, but it we did have lows in the 30's that week. Photo from last month:

I originally bought the wall tent in the 80's... I was living in California at the time... much younger then, and had better poles... Really, I did! They were eucalyptus given to me by a buddy in our club. Wish I could've brought them to TN... I had the original chairs on my patio in TN from '92 until 2014 before they wore out. If I could get more of that redwood... Photo from 1989. methinks:

 

[andy52]

An old and venerable design. I have rolled out of one of those, several times in my past, after some liquid refreshment. Two pieces of wood and very simple, but it turns out these are an example of "they could have had it, they had the tech, but apparently, they did not".

ALAS some of the stricter events do not allow such seats. For the reason that these are NOT Norse or "bog" chairs, these are based on African chairs, still made today, some of which are birthing chairs, and did not become well known in Europe until the middle to late 19th century (courtesy of the Victorians, etc)

View attachment 348444

Here's an article that has much of the information on the chair design
The Origins of "Bog" Chairs

Now before folks break out the lighter fluid and matches for use upon me, I'm only pointing to the history of these chairs. I don't care if you use one, in fact the folks that embellish these with Celtic knots and such, I think make them quite nice. SO IF you can use these at an event, by all means do so. They are easy to make, durable, and break down to occupy a very small space. Just be sure you understand that not all events will tolerate these.

LD

You are correct the trade faire at Fort De Chartres is a juried event and they don't allow chairs of that design.

 

[Omahkapi'si]

My camp chairs are au naturale....just don't lean back....