Coconuts

[Gun Tramp]

Taking the advice of earlier threads in this forum, I obtained a copy of "Early American Antique Country Furnishings" by George Neumann and was amazed to see two examples of coconut-shell ware; a ladle ca. 1760-1830, and a canteen with dovetailed pewter spout ca. 1750-1790. "Found in surprising numbers among colonial ware," it is supposed the coconuts arrived via trade from the West Indies. Has anyone tried their hand at making implements from them or seen them in camp? I found the text at AbeBooks for $6.75 including shipping, delivered to my mailbox. I can't drive to my library and back for that. Originally published at $25.00 in 1984, the 353 page hardbound text (with dust jacket) contains 1508 captioned illustrations. Chests, trunks, chairs, tables, beds, pots, pans, utensils, vessels, lamps, and enough ideas to keep me building for the rest of my life. Thank you, George.

 

[Brokennock]

I have some coconut shell buttons that are really nice. I've only used them on a couple projects so car though.
I also recall reading about the fibrous material on the outer shell being used for packing material at the time.
Can certainly see the hard part of the shell making a good ladle, or bowls.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

...., a ladle ca. 1760-1830, and a canteen with dovetailed pewter spout ca. 1750-1790. "Found in surprising numbers among colonial ware," it is supposed the coconuts arrived via trade from the West Indies. Has anyone tried their hand at making implements from them or seen them in camp?...

You might want to take that with a little grain of salt. A LOT changed in trade in the 70 years from 1760-1830 in the area that became the United States, and "found in surprising numbers..." well, OK George, how many did you find and where? Otherwise, it's just his assertion. Was he surprised to find 3 or surprised to find 30? Were these all in port cities, or did they find some of them in Kentucky?



LD

 

[Gun Tramp]

I'm not trying to start a debate. I asked a simple question.

 

[Dr5x]

I'm not trying to start a debate. I asked a simple question.

WHAT WAS THE QUESTION. I MUST HAVE MISSED IT.
DUTCH

 

[Gun Tramp]

Has anyone tried their hand at making implements from them or seen them in camp?

 

[Carbon 6]

I look forward to seeing some of these coconut shell items.

I have never seen any.

 

[Dr5x]

Taking the advice of earlier threads in this forum, I obtained a copy of "Early American Antique Country Furnishings" by George Neumann and was amazed to see two examples of coconut-shell ware; a ladle ca. 1760-1830, and a canteen with dovetailed pewter spout ca. 1750-1790. "Found in surprising numbers among colonial ware," it is supposed the coconuts arrived via trade from the West Indies. Has anyone tried their hand at making implements from them or seen them in camp? I found the text at AbeBooks for $6.75 including shipping, delivered to my mailbox. I can't drive to my library and back for that. Originally published at $25.00 in 1984, the 353 page hardbound text (with dust jacket) contains 1508 captioned illustrations. Chests, trunks, chairs, tables, beds, pots, pans, utensils, vessels, lamps, and enough ideas to keep me building for the rest of my life. Thank you, George.

I AM SURPRISED BY ALL THIS TALK OF COCONUTS.
I HAVE BEEN USING COCONUT OIL FOR A VARIETY OF USES/ PRIMARILY I USE IT AS A COOKING OIL. YOU CAN HEAT IT HIGHER BEFORE IT BEGINS TO BURN OOR SMOKE.
IY'S ALSO A GREAT LOTION FOR DRY SKIN. SUCH AS COLD WEATHER SEEMS TO CONVERT MY HAND SKIN INTO A SORT OF DRY PAPER PRODUCT. YOY RUB IY ON AND IT DISAPPEARS IN A SHORT TIME.
ALL THE OTHER GIRLS ARE JEALOUS. IT USUALLY COMES FREE OF THE COCONUT ODOR.
THHE ONLY THING HARDER THAN COCONUT SHELL IS CALLED ROCK.
DUTCH SCHOULTZ

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

I've had some good tasty coconut's flesh in Mexico and Panama.

As for implements, haven't tried it but I'm sure it's possible! It is hard as hades (the shells).

 

[Gun Tramp]

Thanks for the tip on the shell hardness, Dutch and Smokey. It is a material I haven't worked with and look forward to inventing some special new swear words just for the occasion!

 

[Ames]

I would imagine whatever you make with them will end up a little heavy?

 

[tenngun]

Until I read this I never gave it a thought. I’ve had drinks servers in them in a Polynesian restaurant in San Diago when I was in the service. And was put in mind of the ‘Road to’ movies with Hope And Crosby. I bet it would work great.

 

[DaveC]

In Cuba, there were some coconut shell cups--rather shallow--that were boiled in coffee and used for sipping coffee. Doubtless, given the rum/sugar/molasses/barrel stave trade with New England, many coconuts made their way up to Philadelphia and Boston...

As for making anything with coconut shells? No, I never have. I'd rather try to make leather buttons, since those are not really available and were relatively common where I reside. I do use coconut oil in my moustache wax, and I'd have no compunctions about using it for muzzle loading patch lube or Minié/Burton ball lube, except I use mutton tallow for that...

 

[Dr5x]

I've had some good tasty coconut's flesh in Mexico and Panama.

As for implements, haven't tried it but I'm sure it's possible! It is hard as hades (the shells).

THIS PUZZLES ME. PEOPLE CLAIMIG THEY TATED COCO NUT MEAT IN EXOTIC PLACES.
I HAD COCO NUT MEAT REPEATED IN EXOTIC TROPICAL OMAHA. NEBRASKA IN THE 30'S. WE USED TO CHEW IT WHILE WE WATCHED THE NATIVE GIRLS WITH SWAYING HIPS DANCE AMONG THE CORN STALKS.
IT'S A COMMON ITEM OFFERED FOR SALE HERE IN THE STORIED ISLANDS OF ST. LOUIS.
IS SOMEBODY GOING TO DISCOVER CHOCOLATE NEXT?
WE USED TO INJURE OURSELVES TRYING TO GET INTO THE SHELLS AS SHARP TOOLS INSTEAD OF ENTERING THE SHELLSWOULD DEFLECT FROM OUR ANGLE OF APPROACH AND WIZZING OFF INTO AN ARM OR A LEG. THOSE SHELLS ARE EXTREMELY HARD. A TREAT WAS TO POKE OUT ONE OF THE THREE. I THINK. THREE EYES AND DRINK THGE WATER CONTAINED INSIDE.
COCA COLA PEOPLE SELL BOTTLED COCO NUT MILK.

WAIT TILL YOU GUYS DISCOVER THE MACAROON.

DUTCH

 

[shortstart]

Taking the advice of earlier threads in this forum, I obtained a copy of "Early American Antique Country Furnishings" by George Neumann and was amazed to see two examples of coconut-shell ware; a ladle ca. 1760-1830, and a canteen with dovetailed pewter spout ca. 1750-1790. "Found in surprising numbers among colonial ware," it is supposed the coconuts arrived via trade from the West Indies. Has anyone tried their hand at making implements from them or seen them in camp? I found the text at AbeBooks for $6.75 including shipping, delivered to my mailbox. I can't drive to my library and back for that. Originally published at $25.00 in 1984, the 353 page hardbound text (with dust jacket) contains 1508 captioned illustrations. Chests, trunks, chairs, tables, beds, pots, pans, utensils, vessels, lamps, and enough ideas to keep me building for the rest of my life. Thank you, George.

I have a long handled dipper that my uncle made probably 50 years ago. I have often wondered how he managed to hollow it out. Very handy.

 

[Commodore Swab]

Coconuts are a pain, dirty trees. We end up paying people to get rid of them. While on the topic though I will take the chance to tack . . .
It seems the coconut fibers may also be useful for making people waste millions of dollars on Oak Island. Recently they claim the carbon dating goes back 800+ years

 

[Dr5x]

Coconuts are a pain, dirty trees. We end up paying people to get rid of them. While on the topic though I will take the chance to tack . . .
It seems the coconut fibers may also be useful for making people waste millions of dollars on Oak Island. Recently they claim the carbon dating goes back 800+ years

I hope that if the Oak Island fiasco doesn't find something to merit the enormous expenditure that we get to pick the person who the curse predicts will die.
That is the slowest moving drama I have ever witnessed.It's beginning to show up on a lot of different evenings. It has ruined the History Channel for me
I am now off the programming and having eBooks read to me
MyTV stays dark.
Dutch

 

[tenngun]

I enjoy the show, but yes the History channel has become aliens and unusual skill practice, and non historic dramas, that has little to do with history.
In Eco’s novel” The name of the Rose”. He has a character that has new fangled glasses. He says glasses are an invention that lets an older person keep reading and are a great service to mankind.
Now audio books are adding to that in a way unimaginable to the past.

 

[Dr5x]

I enjoy the show, but yes the History channel has become aliens and unusual skill practice, and non historic dramas, that has little to do with history.
In Eco’s novel” The name of the Rose”. He has a character that has new fangled glasses. He says glasses are an invention that lets an older person keep reading and are a great service to mankind.
Now audio books are adding to that in a way unimaginable to the past.

THE SHOW HAS A GREAT FOLLOWING SO THEY CAN CHARGE MORE FOR THE COMMERCIAL SPOTS AND PAY A BIT MORE TO THE WEALTHY ITALIAN EXPLORERS SO ITS IN EVERONES BEST INTEREST TO SLOW THE SEARCH DOWN TO ALMOST IMMOVABLE RATE OF SPEED.
I'LL BE 92 IN ABOUT 92 DAYS SO HAVE NO DESIRE TO SLOW THINGS DOWN.

DUTCH SCHOULTZ

 

[bud in pa]

You might want to take that with a little grain of salt. A LOT changed in trade in the 70 years from 1760-1830 in the area that became the United States, and "found in surprising numbers..." well, OK George, how many did you find and where? Otherwise, it's just his assertion. Was he surprised to find 3 or surprised to find 30? Were these all in port cities, or did they find some of them in Kentucky?



LD

Got to love Monty Python, even if the wife doesn"t.