Take a Look at a Musk Ox Farm

January 8, 2021

Nestled in the Matanuska Valley just north of Palmer, Alaska, you’ll find a sprawling, 75-acre Musk Ox Farm – a project steeped in uniqueness and intrigue. A nonprofit organization, it was founded in the 1950s by John Teal Jr., an anthropologist and arctic explorer. Teal’s vision to domesticate musk oxen within the regions they were indigenous was not only an attempt to demonstrate that farming a geographically appropriate animal was a more sustainable agricultural practice, but could also boost local economies by providing Alaskan artisans the materials necessary to make knitted goods through harvesting the animals’ [qiviut] underwool.

 

 

The qiviut we offer here is handknitted into scarves and caps by the Eskimo women of the Oomingmak Musk Ox Producers’ Co-operative in Alaska.

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Qiviut Headwear

 

 

Why are Frost River Bags so Strong?

October 6, 2020

Why is the fabric in our Frost River bags so strong? There are several reasons. Frost River gets their fabric from Fairfield Textile, a US company in Bridgeton, NJ. The fabric is imported from India, but the remaining work is done in the USA. The cotton is mercerized, a process that makes the fabric very tough. Mercerized cotton also allows excellent dye penetration and breatheability.

Then Fairfield hands over the fabric to the Martin Corporation for finishing. Martin Corp prepares and dyes the fabric, applies the water repellent treatment or Martexin Original Wax finish, and finally inspects and packs the rolls for final sale and shipment. All aspects of dyeing and finishing are handled in house, in Bridgeton NJ. The Martin family has been involved in the dyeing and finishing of textiles in the United States since 1838. The current owners are the 7th generation to run the company. In the 1930s, they patented Martexin. The Martexin formula consists of food and pharmaceutical grade waxes, and is completely non-hazardous.

Martin Corp does not provide this finish to any other customers, and Fairfield does not have any other stocking distributors of Martexin Original Wax. Fairfield Textile does not purchase and re-sell any pre-dyed, imported fabrics.

Martexin Original Wax is a highly specialized textile that precludes normal cleaning. Just as you wouldn’t wash a leather product such as shoes, gloves, or jackets, you won’t be able to wash or dry clean your Martexin Original Wax. Wax fabrics have been successfully used for many years without washing. A periodic cleaning with a hose, damp cloth is all that is needed. Bare areas can be refinished with our Martexin Original Wax refinishing compound which can help restore the wax finish. This is all you need to keep your bag resistant to inclement weather.

Over time, you’ll find the fabric gets a patina that complements the bag. Just like leather, you’ll grow more proud of your bag over time, and you’ll find that the person you pass it down to will be just as happy. You’ll find the bag lasts for generations.

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Frost River

 

 

 

What’s your glove size?

January 10, 2020

With the cold winter weather, many of you might be thinking of protecting your hands. You may need gloves for outdoor activities or just a pair for the car until it warms up.

Many gloves come in small, medium, large and extra large. It can be a shock when someone asks you what your fitted glove size is.

It’s easy to figure out. Be sure to use a cloth tape measure or a string that does not stretch. Wrap the tape around the widest part of your palm. The tape will be just above the connecting point between the thumb and the palm and to the widest part of the other side of the palm. Wrap it fully around your hand and tug it gently. Do not pull it tight. It should just fit as you would like your gloves to fit.

 

Where to measure your glove size

Where to measure your glove size.

 

You will get a measurement in inches. The most common range is from about 7 inches to 10 or 11 inches. Go up to the nearest half size.

LEARN MORE ABOUT:

Geier Gloves

 

 

Sale Items at David Morgan

May 31, 2019

We have a variety of discontinued items on our website. Take a look and maybe you’ll find something unique for yourself or as a gift for someone. All items are high-quality. They are only on sale because they have been discontinued.

Here are three items to get you started:

The Stockman Hat

The Safari Duffel

Planter Hat

 

LEARN MORE ABOUT:

David Morgan Sale Items

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Frost River Additions

April 19, 2019

The quality of Frost River’s waxed canvas bags can’t be argued. They are made in the United States, in Duluth, Minnesota. Their products are made with the highest quality materials, many which are also made in the US. They benefit from over 250 years of experience in the North Woods and Boundary Waters. Built by hand and built to last, Frost River guarantees their luggage for life.

We are pleased to offer two new items by Frost River.

 

Arrowhead Roll Top

 

Named after the famous Arrowhead Region of northeast Minnesota, the Arrowhead Rolltop is an incredibly versatile pack, adjusting in size from as small as 18 inches in height to about 27 inches. The bridle leather straps with brass hardware secure the pack whether filled with gear or rolled up to the most compact size. Built with tough, 18 oz. waxed canvas, the pack has a double bottom for durability and two grommeted air vents on the side. Read more here.

 

Lake Huron Tote

 

The Lake Huron Tote by Frost River is your essential, day-to-day companion. The 18 ounce waxed canvas and the two-inch cotton web handles allow for lugging heavy loads. The double-waxed canvas bottom adds another layer of durability. There are two exterior side pockets. The size of this tote is 13″ high by 13.5″ long and 5.75″ wide. Read more here.

 

LEARN MORE ABOUT:

Frost River

 

 

 

Introducing Frost River

August 3, 2018

Frost River handcrafts canoe packs and luggage in Duluth, Minnesota. Their products are made without compromise, using the highest quality materials and benefiting from over 250 years of experience in the North Woods and Boundary Waters.

The Martinex Original Wax fabric used is the best waxed cotton canvas available, durable and water resistant. The Martin family has been involved in the dyeing and finishing of textiles in the United States since 1838. The leather used in the straps and reinforcements comes from SB Foot tannery in Red Wing, Minnesota. In business since 1872, this same tannery supplies the leather used today in Red Wing Boots. The solid brass hardware ensures the fittings won’t fail.

Built by hand, built to last, Frost River guarantees their luggage for life. We are pleased to offer a selection of Frost River luggage, made in the USA

Urban Field Bag

Curtis Flight Bag

Simple Brief Case

 

LEARN MORE ABOUT:

Frost River

 

 

 

Duluth Pack Items on Sale

March 2, 2018

We no longer carry Duluth Pack, but we still have a couple of items on sale for an incredible price.

Market Tote

Market Tote

 

The Market Tote, which normally sells for $155 is on sale for $107. This tote is the ultimate shopping companion and will carry everything you need throughout the day. The tote has four snaps on all sides to secure the bag if desired.

Safari Duffel

Safari Duffel

 

The Safari was $245 but now sells for $174. It is a rugged and functional duffel that is made with a double reinforced flat bottom and web reinforcement.

Also be sure to check out our other sale items.

 

New Jewelry from Occulture

February 9, 2018

Star Dreaming Bracelet

 

We are very pleased to be selling jewelry from Occulture.

Created by designer Lisa Engeman, Occulture is a collaboration with Australian indigenous artisans transferring ancient stories and knowledge into contemporary statement jewelry that celebrates and strengthens the songline of culture, knowledge, artists and community. The photoanodized aluminum jewelry with sterling silver fittings is handcrafted in Australia using cutting edge technology.

Occulture is deeply honored to represent the artists they work with, the Warlukurlangu people of the Yuendumu region of the central Australian desert, Gamilaraay woman, Arkeria Rose Armstrong, and a lineage of well-known and respected artists from Utopia and Yuelumu country, including Raymond Walters Japanangka.

The jewelry designs reproduce highlights from artists’ paintings. Made by hand, each piece possesses unique, intrinsic beauty with variations in shape, size, and metal finish. The jewelry translates ancient artwork into a contemporary context by utilizing cutting-edge technology to create Occulture’s sculptural designs.

Occulture is a preferred supplier for the Museum Shops Australia and New Zealand and a member of the Indigenous Art Code which promotes and regulates the fair and ethical trade in works of art by Indigenous artists. All artwork featured in their jewelry is licensed and royalties are paid directly to the individual artist. Occulture also proudly holds an Australian Made license.

Each piece of Occulture jewelry is gift boxed, with a card describing the artist and the artwork.

LEARN MORE ABOUT:

Occulture Jewelry

 

 

Cold Toes, Warm Socks

January 5, 2018

If the cold weather has got your toes numb, David Morgan has socks designed for the coldest temperatures. Made of wool and nylon, they’ll do the trick.

30 Below XLR Sock JB Field's Extreme

30 Below XLR Sock JB Field’s Extreme

 

Our 30 Below Socks by Stanfield’s is a hard wearing technical sock made of 70% Merino wool, 25% nylon and 5% spandex. The inside of both foot and leg are a comfortable terry knit, 80% Merino with 20% nylon, for long reliable wear. The arch and ankle are supported by spandex to ensure the sock stays in place. The outside of the sock has more nylon to give good wear resistance.

 

50 Below Socks by JB Field's

50 Below Socks by JB Field’s

 

For even colder temperatures, we recommend our 50 Below Socks. This thick sock has a turn down gumboot cuff. We recommend wearing these thick socks with a sock liner or a thin, under-sock for the ultimate in warmth and comfort. Made of 85% preshrunk wool and 15% nylon.

Wool Toque, Green. Made in Canada by Stanfield's

Wool Toque, Green. Made in Canada by Stanfield’s

 

Also, for a solid head cover, our heavy-weight wool toque has two layers of wool to withstand the cold, Canadian temperatures. The ribbed knit allows it to stretch to fit your head comfortably. There is a soft, microfleece ear band lining. One size fits most. 75% wool, 25% nylon.

LEARN MORE ABOUT:

JB Field’s Socks

Hopsack Suspenders Now in Green

October 6, 2017

All of our hopsack suspenders are available in a beautiful green color. Hopsack is a rugged weave that is also lightweight. These are great for heavy work. We have four types of hopsack: X-Back, Y-BackX-Back with Clips and Trucker. They are all 2 inches wide and made by Welch Suspenders, out of Oregon.

 

HopSack Suspenders, Green, X Back. Made in USA by Welch

 

LEARN MORE ABOUT:

Welch Suspenders