[pct-l] new resource for home-made equipment (was: REIpast&present)

[jerrygoller at backpackgeartest.org (Jerry Goller)]

I agree. The only things I make are things I can't get better from
someone else. I can sew it...I just don't see the point. I can
understand the satisfaction derived from designing and making your own
gear. I did it with my gravity water filter and ended up with one that
weighs 3 oz. and is about as fast, or faster, than a pump. But I did
that only because I couldn't find anything on the market to satisfy me.
I certainly have no problem with the people that make their own gear. I
don't hesitate to modify any thing I buy. But it doesn't bother me to
buy it either.
Jerry

http://www.BackpackGearTest.org : the most comprehensive interactive
gear reviews and tests on the planet.



-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces@mailman.backcountry.net
[mailto:pct-l-bounces@mailman.backcountry.net] On Behalf Of
brick@webrooster.com
Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2003 11:39 PM
To: pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
Subject: Re: [pct-l] new resource for home-made equipment (was: REIpast
&present)


At 12:00 PM 6/12/03, Brett wrote:
>As always, the underlying premise of this sytem is, "I
>don't care to produce these goods myself, so I will let you make them 
>for me instead, and then pay you for them."

Uhhh I beg to differ, I see a better underlying premise as: "Let those
that 
have the talent and experience do what they are good at, and let me do
what 
I am good at. "

I'm not going to grow my own food, or build my own car. I don't accept
this 
quasi religious view that making my own gear is somehow spiritually 
superior. I've designed and made gear, and I tell you what, I'd much
rather 
buy it, and as long as what I want is available, that is exactly what I 
will do.

If someone really wants to make their own gear, then by all means they 
should, but don't proselytize "Ray Way" by preaching that somehow buying
a 
sewing machine and some syl-nylon will get one closer to god, or nature,
or 
yourself. If you have never sewn before, it will more likely get you 
punctured fingers and perforated nylon from all the seam ripping long 
before you produce anything useful.

The "Ray Way" is just one way. It is certainly not the only way. It is
not 
even the best way, except maybe for Ray and a few of his apostles.

As Jim Owen always says, "Hike Your Own Hike."

BTW, if you haven't read Jim's "thru hikers papers" then you might find 
them enjoyable, especially part 3 where he talks about "Hike your own 
hike." http://www.aldhawest.org/perspective/THP_3.htm

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