Cabin Supplies

Tools, materials and books. Recommended by the residents of Beaver Brook. Follow @cabinporn.

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The Cabin Book book in the wild.

$21 in the US, £16 in the UK.

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Mabef Folding Stool with Leather Seat

Comfortable leather tri-pod seat made from solid beachwood. We have three in the bunkhouse.

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Magnus Nilsson's Cookbook

Faviken is the first major cookbook by Magnus Nilsson, the 28-year old chef whose restaurant is located on a 20,000 acre farm and hunting estate in Northern Sweden. In Faviken, Nilsson writes about how he only cooks with ingredients that are raised, farmed and hunted in the immediate vicinity of his remote restaurant. The food served at Faviken - from the dairy to the meat to the vegetables - is harvested, butchered and preserved by hand using the most natural and primitive methods possible, and Nilsson is in factor of simple cooking methods such as roasting over open coals. This approach results in the highly creative food and intense flavors of which, far from seeming traditional, are remarkable.

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Fiskars 7884 X27 Super Splitting Axe, 36-Inch

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DIY sewing kit.

Classic canvas wrapper, six bobbins of thread, three needles, folding scissors, seam ripper, extra buttons, five safety pins and a tailor’s measuring tape.

Available on DIY for $10.

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River Cottage Handbooks are the finest contemporary guides to develop skills for cooking, gardening and foraging.

River Cottage is a former weekend and holiday home that was originally a game-keeper's lodge in the grounds of Slape Manor, Netherbury, Dorset.

The books were originally released in the UK, and will be officially released in the US in Jan 2014. In the meantime, Americans can find used copies on Amazon.

$10-20.

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Our Bookshelf: Rock the Shack by S. Ehmann and S. Borges.

We couldn't have made a better cabin book ourselves, though we plan to try. 240 pages of superb inspiration for your own place.

Available on Amazon for $38 USD.

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A small camp axe is invaluable for building efficient fires, particularly with wet or green wood.  

Estwing's Sportsman Hatchet ($33) is a rugged all-steel design, includes a handsome leather sheath, and has been manufactured in Rockford, Illinois for almost a century.

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Refreshing, exceptionally easy to make, and packing 4x as much Vitamin C as a glass of orange juice, pine needle tea is a delicious and satisfying woodland beverage.  If you're short on time (or trees) Juniper Ridge's Douglas Fir Spring Tip ($13) is the best option we've found.

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DeWalt Circular Saw - $113

This little champ does more work than any other single construction tool at Beaver Brook. When ripping 20' 2x12's with a large table saw proved impossible, this dude swooped in and took care of it no problem. One of about 5 tools we could simply not do without.

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Wigwam Expedition Sock - $8

We all agree that these ragg wool socks pair just as well with hiking books in the woods as they do with Birkenstocks for city wear (if you please).

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Sierra Designs Down Tent Slippers - $65

There are so many times when you want warm feet but don't want to be wearing your boots. Our cabins don't have plumbing or electricity so peeing happens outside. This includes in the middle of the night in February. Use in concert with the Pezel headlamp.

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Hario Skerton Hand Grinder - $40

You're in the woods, but you're also a coffee snob. So obviously you're gonna need one of these hand crank burr grinders.

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ZODI Outdoor Shower – $170

A quick swim in the brook is our typical bath of choice, but longer stints off the grid require the occasional hot water shower.

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Stanley Thermos - $20

An upstate essential. Keeps coffee hot and cocktails cold. Obviously forest drinks taste better, too.

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Dewalt Reciprocating Saw – $98

Our choice tool for salvage projects.

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Petzl E93 Tikka 2 Headlamp - $27

Admittedly, this is not the most stylish headgear on the market, but it’s an indispensable companion when navigating the deep woodland darkness. Need to pee in the middle of the night? You’ll be glad you avoided that wasp’s nest (sorry, Tim!). Also excellent for dramatic processions to and from the hottub, and for lighting your mandatory post-tub plunge into the chilly brook.  

– Grace