I clearly remember the purchase of my first Dutch oven. I didn’t borrow Dad’s; he didn’t loan his unless he was there to oversee its use. After he passed I inherited one of his favorite 12-inchers, but I’m still a little miffed at my uncle for getting to the patio closet ahead of me. Collecting cast iron just runs in the family. In my stable of iron I have loaners, non-loaners to be used, and collectibles (not to be used). I don’t really understand it, but that is how I do it.
All my iron has matching metal tags attached to the lid and the well (pot). During campouts with multiple cooks, I have gone home with a lid from someone else’s pot, and who knows where my lid went. The tags eliminate that confusion and I know I have all my gear. I got the tags at a trophy engraving shop. Just ask the engraver to put your initials on every tag and make two of each number. I have close to 70 sets, so this was the easiest way for me. If you only need a couple sets, the dog tag engraving machine at the pet store is also a good option. Attach the tags with wire or “S” hooks and you’re all set.
My collectibles are just that–collectible–and I just look at them. Some adorn my archery den, or various places around the house. In 2012 I purchased a 10-inch oven to commemorate the 30th Annual North American Longbow Safari. I guess I really purchased the shoot registration and got the oven for free! I needed another oven like I needed a hole in my head, but hey, it is a Dutch oven directly related to traditional bowhunting. How cool is that? I’ve fought off the urge to buy most of the recent National Park branded ovens, so this is it, the end, the last purchase of a collectible oven…but I did buy one more NALS oven, just because it deserves to be used in bowhunting camp! It is an illness…really!
Damn. Now I gotta go buy another Dutch oven for an upcoming trad bowhunt I’m organizing. It was going to be tough enough hiding the first one plus the griddle plus at least one large skillet among the group’s portage packs. 🙂
Trapping ID Tags would work, too.
We did this in my son’s Boy Scout troop, putting troop number on brass tags.
Good Morning, Robin
I need to ask you about Tagging your Iron.
I called and ask a Pet store about dog tag’s ( Name tag’s )
I said I would need about 20 ea. OMG. $ 10.00 ea. ?
Ok, I have found some Alum. Tag.s that are free how
would these stand up to the heat ?
Oh I do have a few Brass trap tag’s that I could use but
the free dog tag’s sound better if they would hold up
in the heat.
Now with the ( Flash lights ) Please put in where we can
find them.
Thank you for the tip’s Here in My part of the world in
Montana I have 20 plus ” of snow. So fluffy you can sweep
it with a broom. That’s the last snow we had. To us that a
lot of Snow. How about a good Stew for dinner.
Have a nice day, I have been offed more DOG’s
I have said no thank’s NO USED Dog’s ( Yet )
Take care, Fred
Hi Fred. I didn’t realize that engraved dog tags cost that much. I’m seeing some places online as low as $2.99, but that’s still a lot of money. I think the aluminum would probably stand up okay, but you’d have to try and see. As for the flashlights, when that tip runs on the right day, March 27, I’ll try to include a link where you can buy the lights.
Take care,
Robin
I have a few, also frying pans, My favorite is a frying pan that I inherited from my mother who got it from her mother (my grandmother) when she got married, who got it from her mother (my great grandmother) when she got married . Three generations. I use it regularly and it’s good as new, probably in better shape than I am at 78. lol
Good idea- being cheep i use old vet rabies tags from my dogs over the years