Building a Shelter (Thatched Hut)

This shelter (thatched hut) was build entirely with primitive tools and materials.
The hut took more than 200 hours to build and was built over a span of 5 months. 50% of the time was spent gathering materials and the other half was spent building.
The hut is shaped like a dome and measures 4 meters wide by 2.5 meters tall.
The materials used were about 30 bundles of thatching, 15 hazel branches and roughly 200 meters of cordage.
I built the hut on a flat spot on top of a hill which descends down a meadow where I collected the reeds.
The framework of the hut was made of hazel since it's very flexible. Also regenerating shoots allow for harvests every few years. The flexibility allows the use of bigger branches which makes a stronger framework.
I cut the saplings with a stone axe and set them, half a metre, into the ground in a circle of holes excavated with a digging stick. The stone tools used was made in a previous video:
• Making a Primitive Sto...
The saplings were placed with the same lenght between and the same length to center. The saplings were then bent over and interlaced with incircling bands of naturel cordage made of wych elm bark.
Wych elm saplings can be found in an abundance here and the bark is flexible and strong. The ideal tree is 5-10 cm in diameter, as this size of tree has the most flexible bark. I now prefer to start debarking from the bottom of the tree because it allows to pull the strips off, above my reach. The knots used are primarily a clove hitch and a constrictor knot. The constrictor knot is a modified version of the clove hitch that binds tightly upon itself and does not work loose.
The dome shape of the hut is one of the toughest shapes for weather resistance, making the hut able to withstand high windspeeds. Also the framework of the saplings is effective, with least amount of saplings required to build, while still remaning a solid structure.
The dome structure and the framework can be found in similar versions in different areas of the world f.e. a wickiup, wigwam or wetu. This structure was common in stone age houses. Details of construction vary with the culture and local availability of materials. Some of the common roofing materials used include grass, brush, bark, rushes, mats, reeds, hides or cloth.
Thatching is a very old roofing method and has been used in both tropical and temperate climates. I used reed as thatching material since it's a local availability. Reed is also one the of best thatching materials because the straws are hollow and therefore provide excellent isolation, better than most natural thaching material. The upper layer of thatching covers the layer beneath which makes a reed roof shed rain very well. I left gaps in the thatching to be able to climb and access the roof of the structure/dome.
I harvested the reeds after some subzero weather when they are dry from sap. If they are harvested before, they might contain a high amount of sugar content which might cause fungal growth after a few years.
Reeds can often be found in sheer amounts since reeds release growth-inhibiting chemicals, a process called allelopathy, which makes reed good at outgrowing other plants.
This is a hut/long term bushcraft shelter, and should not be built in a survival situation since it takes too much effort to build. A survival shelter should be built with minimal effort, providing essential housing, providing shelter from the enviroment.

[@stig1976]

I don't know how 87 people so far can give a thumbs down for this video. Awesome skills and it was great to see you doing it with so much patience cutting all the reed and attach them with bark stripes. Very nice project and well done.

[@jacobtotts1543]

I really respect you, this is absolutely amazing and so respectable. Most people don't know what this takes.

[@woodlandbiker]

This is the best shelter I've seen without it being a log cabin. Looks warm and dry. The way you tied it together with bark is incredibly neat and looks strong. Really impressed.

[@wilderness8514]

Thanks a lot Kenneth, I appreciate it.

[@darthinvader2738]

Best no tools, shelter vid ever. You were very thorough and direct. I feel if I needed to, I could make a similar shelter. Thank you

[@catchncookcalifornia1574]

Thanks so much brother! I was looking for time estimates on similar huts made out here in the Western United States by Indigenous peoples. I appreciate your attention to detail and the use of all stone tools. Looks like we have a lot it common (we made a boat with stone tools last year). Cheers from the US!

[@wilderness8514]

Thanks a lot, great channel you have. I will be checking in for some American fishing tips. And pretty cool canoe that you've made.

[@jamesellsworth9673]

Amazing skills at barking and using bark to tie reed bundles. The neatness, precision and replication of the ties and joins shows real craftsmanship. And this was all done with flaked flint.

[@wilderness8514]

Thanks a lot James

[@damianmorris4644]

Well said

[@SGBD8933]

This is a great shelter! Very impressive!

[@raarnt]

I'm amazed. You made every knot so perfectly.. Thank you, and I hope to see more of your videos in the future

[@wilderness8514]

Thank you so much!

[@texanforeverthompson3645]

Nice to see a "primitive" hut built that has a genuine reed thatched surface. It should actually turn water as well as a permanent thatched house. Good thatching can turn water for decades. The fact that it was done with primitive tools is a bonus. Now, add a thatched door, a stone center fireplace, and some straw matting and you can have a warm dwelling for a cold wet winter (and beyond). Might want to do something to keep deer from feeding on it, though.
.

[@wilderness8514]

Thanks a lot.

[@paulhowitt5887]

The reed on a good thatched roof is laid down in layers with only about an inch at the end of each stem showing. This inch takes all the weather and eventually wears back to the fixings meaning it needs to be re-thatched-15 to 20 years for combed wheat reed and perhaps 30-40 years for water reed (although I have worked on roofs 50+ years old). Obviously the weather is the main contributor to the lifespan of a thatched roof, but rats and birds don't help, that's why in Britain it's common to cover all, or parts, of the roof in chicken wire. I found it interesting he was using bark to tie the reed on. Years ago I stripped a roof down to the original timbers (literally logs with the bark still on) and the thatch was six feet deep down to the original coat and this was tied on with brambles. Now they use orange or pink plaster baler twine which looks horrible when the thatch has worn away enough to show it.

[@melvinboyce9629]

Great build. You need to teach the movie people who to build sets. Every time I see one of the homes or shelters they depict from 500 years ago and the sun is shinning through all the walls and roofs I shake my head, As if someone working to build a home long ago would leave large gaps for the wind and rain. Nice Job.

[@wilderness8514]

Thanks.

[@MrStonetools]

amazing job , we might need this skill agin ... nicely done young man ! teach , knowledge meant to be shared .

[@vatravideo130]

Amazing work and skills!

[@wilderness8514]

Thanks a lot!

[@paullangford8179]

Very well constructed. Should last years with minimal maintenance.

[@FXPL9277]

Very inspiring, congratulations on your technique and craftmanship!!

[@wilderness8514]

Thanks Francisco.

[@bobrinck1]

You did an excellent job with primitive tools.

[@semco72057]

That is a nice looking shelter and you all put plenty of work into collecting and putting together the material needed to make it sturdy.

[@wilderness8514]

Thanks. Collecting materials actually took most of the time.

[@revk8611]

Best primitive tool shelter video I have seen. Very well done

[@wilderness8514]

Thanks 👍

[@joymodlin7389]

hello..so cool guy..wow...i like it

[@wilderness8514]

Thanks.

[@markrizzo1539]

Great this is ingenious just using your bare hands and using the bark off of saplings no tools incredible the best. Best video out there

[@wilderness8514]

Kind words Mark, thanks a lot.

[@QuiChiYang2]

Gr8 video. Outstanding demo on building the hut. Gr8 technique on binding with bark. The changing of seasons showed you had to be patient to source your materials. Thanks for posting this awesome creation.

[@wilderness8514]

Thanks a lot.

[@nomadichunter2818]

Super nice man!

[@angiekrajewski6419]

This us the best shelter i have seen built in a rush...more or less...well done well thought bravo ...

[@wilderness8514]

Thanks Angie.

[@taitjones6310]

fantastic craftsmanship! Also, I love the silence in the video. The work speaks for itself.

[@wilderness8514]

Glad you liked it, Tait.

[@wilderness8514]

I hope so. Life is busy but summer holidays are not very far away..

[@larsphilipsonisaac7164]

Just great!

[@duncanoxburry612]

Et tout ça, avec rien ! Bravo

[@tomasauren918]

good job

[@dave_thomas]

I dig it. Pretty cool shelter. Nicely done.

[@wilderness8514]

Thanks you

[@xmind123]

Great Video, loving the silence and the good work you do !

[@wilderness8514]

Thanks a lot.

[@user-or8ij9uy3k]

It is a surprising twin It is a good man

[@invisibleman115]

This was an awesome vid. Just saw the stone axe one as well after stumbling upon it in the suggested videos section, but you have earned yourself another sub. Keep up the great work!

[@wilderness8514]

Thank you very much, Ewok!

[@happyfreeliferc]

Love the video !! its just like what the native's did using the tools .

[@wilderness8514]

Thanks Robert.

[@azmankassim7281]

Very intresting

[@sharondymond]

Beautiful.

[@wilderness8514]

Thanks

[@piaf444]

Très belle abri ! Félicitations pour votre superbe travail. Un clin d'œil😉 du chevreuil 🦌

[@gloriapacifico6641]

Very resourceful ...good job !

[@wilderness8514]

Thanks Gloria.

[@mariaotero5601]

Outstanding job kudo's young man!

[@theedscape8002]

Excellent job.

[@wilderness8514]

Thank you!

[@NebukedNezzer]

Nicely done.

[@wilderness8514]

Thank you

[@kevinsmith7493]

Great video! When all was said and done, did the dwelling shed water/rain? It looks great!!!!!

[@josephrbarton]

Never thought of climbing it like that clever

[@wilderness8514]

Thanks.

[@TheTribeOfBenjamin]

Wonderful job all around especially that thatch work....excellent! I built a shelter very similar to this one time, but not this nice. I was using cattail for thatching but ran out early on. You cut a lot of reed for this one! Awesome vid!....Ben

[@wilderness8514]

Thanks a lot Ben. Badass content you have :)

[@MrMycoo]

Excellent job!!!!!

[@wilderness8514]

Thanks you very much Lynx.

[@wildfooddevon1390]

Absolutely gorgeous. :)

[@wilderness8514]

Thanks, I appreciate it.

[@buletpoint]

Job well done buddy. you have more gumption then most

[@wilderness8514]

Thank you. I appreciate it. It took a long time to build.

[@mariaotero5601]

Very interesting and impressive!

[@noelconrad4194]

very beautiful

[@wilderness8514]

Thanks Noel.

[@hommhommhomm]

Great video! Wouldn't it be warmer if the shelter was lower?

[@DaChud555]

Awesome video, it was worth the wait :D

[@wilderness8514]

Haha, thank you.

[@zimbabs]

excellent!

[@wilderness8514]

Thanks Zack

[@jamsil80]

Awesome video

[@wilderness8514]

Thanks.

[@davidcameron1792]

Amazing job mate hae you done an all nighter yet in it 👍👍

[@jonathanhunt9979]

How warm is it? Looks excellent.

[@transformatormustermann9416]

Super Video

[@wilderness8514]

Thanks.

[@cherieblair666]

Wow! So cool!😊

[@wilderness8514]

Thanks.

[@OLTTWFNMW]

Excellent job, but it would get set on fire by idiots were i live but i have all Those exact natural materials so i think ill give it a go, thanks for the inspiration 👍🍀

[@wilderness8514]

Thanks, remember there is plenty of smaller bushcraft-projects like e.g. fire making. :)

[@mariaotero5601]

Amazing to watch his talented kudos ❤️

[@wilderness8514]

Thanks Maria. :)

[@mariamarroquin2952]

Wao l liked it video .😘😘😘👍👍👍👍👍👍hola soy hispana me gusto mucho tu video te felicito 😘

[@wilderness8514]

Thanks a lot Maria.

[@lukecamp7262]

Just gotta make a door and a fire pit or kitchen and a bed..sweet !

[@wilderness8514]

Thanks Luke.

[@franciscorojas934]

Awesome...

[@wilderness8514]

Thanks

[@MikeKosYouTube]

nice made bro very good I'm still new to the bushcraft and my channel and liked it a lot thanks

[@wilderness8514]

Thank you Mike. Good luck with your channel.

[@xero_d4rkx650]

I have a friend who's currently homeless I'd think this would make a great fix until we find a better solution

[@awesomemodz7239]

get a small camper. you could also get him a tent

[@devora4809]

@@awesomemodz7239 ok

[@usernaem4818]

Love your channel you deserve at least 1000000 subs.

[@wilderness8514]

That's a lot -Thank you.

[@damianmorris4644]

Now this is real bushcraft

[@art4freak795]

Dam this is cool

[@wilderness8514]

Thanks Braddon

[@polkjmsb]

Amazing stuff my friend, keep it up!

[@wilderness8514]

Thank you very much

[@dalemaloney255]

cool, boy, you doing GREAT WORK! you been doing this long, or just watched and read some books? you do have some skills. you will go far. keep up the work. thats the key to survival!

[@wilderness8514]

Thanks you very much Dale. I have been in nature a lot, always, doing bushcraft from time to time. Yes I tend to read a lot before big projects. E.g. this video and flintknapping required a lot of reading and practice to learn the basic skill. Not a lot of people to learn from since most of the 2500BCE skills are lost. For basic bushcraft skills I especially like Ray Mears.

[@ChristopherBlazen]

Nice 👍🏻

[@wilderness8514]

Thanks

[@tatar_aydar8477]

Elm is a very good bow wood, are many elm trees growing around?

[@wilderness8514]

Elm was used around here as bow material, and the string was often made of bast from lime tree or an animal senew. Lot's of smaller trees can be found around here but they die of elm disease before they grow into a larger size. But you can still find them in the adequate size to make a bow.

[@tatar_aydar8477]

I make bowstring from Urtica and the bast from lime,
I used esche and juniper for bows. Elm trees are rare with us

[@wilderness8514]

I see. Interesting that you can make urtica withstand such force.
Ash seems like a good substitute for elm. Ash was used for bows at the stone age here too but elm was much preferred.

[@hobbexp]

great stuff,

[@wilderness8514]

Thank you, I like your videos too.

[@oopopp]

Good place to store wood or gear...

[@wolfpackbushcraftaustralia]

nice work love the videos keep em comeing

[@wilderness8514]

Thanks.

[@wolfpackbushcraftaustralia]

No worries i got videos coming up soon taking the family off grid out bush going to be awesome

[@wilderness8514]

Sounds good. Have a good trip.

[@wolfpackbushcraftaustralia]

We will i will film the hole adventure

[@oldfarmer9004]

No trees were harmed in this video

[@wilderness8514]

Trees were cut yes, but it's well below the sustainable limit of the forest.

[@chrisandreev568]

such a great video, keep it up! any chance you'll do a shelter for a survival situation?

[@wilderness8514]

Thanks Chris. Definitely, some day!

[@jamesgellert1263]

nice

[@wilderness8514]

Thanks

[@sandraloes6707]

Ficou legal

[@bushwhackedsurvivor9713]

Wow.

[@kazoo6335]

3:03 look at top left

[@maxmax4204]

риспект красава топ

[@sirronnijames2997]

well done. but why is it that much high? i would have build it about three foot lower. would still be enough i guess. but yeah, great work, keep it up.........

[@wilderness8514]

Thank you. I built the hut with that height to provide good living accommodations. If it just were to sleep in I would have build another type of shelter.

[@FishCakeIsland4928]

Will you ever return?

[@The93ssfd]

where is this being filmed?

[@harrymason1053]

Cut the trees close to the ground so they don't bounce around so much.

[@wilderness8514]

Yes thats true, thanks.

[@docxenoamour8203]

that was an epic successful build

[@wilderness8514]

Thanks a lot!

[@datrippster7633]

How do u gather the thatch? And what do u use to tie the sticks? And how do u get that?

[@wilderness8514]

All your questions are answered in the description. :)

[@zzodr]

Unreal World brought me here.

[@wilderness8514]

I installed the high texture pack!

[@paullangford8179]

200 hours seems like a lot of work for a wikiup? Were you going a long way to collect the materials?

[@wilderness8514]

I did go a long way yes to get reeds, if I could have placed my hut closer by an abundance of reeds it will have been faster. Also reeds tend to grow not very easy walking places.

[@billburgess9100]

Barehanded! No chainsaws, bulldozers, or other fancy gadgets.

[@napicoyote2348]

New shirt from ebay match surroundings...! 🧐

[@rybro7420]

😊😍😍🏠

[@freedom_guard]

Cool. Why didn't you use the reed bundles of a wider size?

[@wilderness8514]

Thanks. The reed bundles overlap each other. The combined size is around 20 cm. This size has good isolation and keeps rain out. You could definitely add more to increase the isolation but already at this size I used 40+ hours to cut the reeds and more cordage will also be needed.

[@elohansen8971]

Only two movies, from you? Why?

[@wilderness8514]

Time is unfortunately limited.

[@fullonion2474]

Just use a hatchet!
I went to a survivalist school for over a year. 1# thing you're taught: use what you have/ work smart not hard.

[@strahlungsopfer]

Is it possible to light a fire in it without setting everything ablaze? :s

[@wilderness8514]

They sure did have small fireplaces in reedshelters in the primitive stoneage but I would not fancy it.

[@janmycek9012]

now you have the tools to make things and a home to make them in, now try to find something edible to eat!

[@janmycek9012]

also please do some research on the plants nearby you on if they are edible or not, i dont want anyone to die or get food poisening
Også vær venlig at lave nogle undersøgelser af planterne i nærheden af ​​dig, hvis de er spiselige eller ej, jeg vil ikke have nogen at dø eller få madforgiftning

[@wilderness8514]

Thanks for the inspiration Jan. No worries, I will definitely not eat anything I don't know 100%. There is a lot of good opportunities of edibles in the forest. It's definitely on my to do list.

[@texanforeverthompson3645]

Snare deer that try to eat the thatching

[@conniedworshak5056]

Did you see the deer, there is a lot to eat in the woods !

[@fredferd965]

Could you build a fire inside such a shelter?

[@wilderness8514]

Historically people did, but I wont risk it.

[@carlschmiedeke151]

Ok, so now how do ya heat it

[@wilderness8514]

Historically people had often fireplaces inside reedhuts, but I made a fireplace some meters away from the hut.

[@LundysWildcampBushcraft]

Wow you got a new subscriber thanks for sharing your skills atvb jimmy 🤘🤘🤘

[@wilderness8514]

Thanks a lot

[@karemortensen7548]

What can be the reason som people are giving dislike to this video ??

[@xeros4000]

3:14 i mean, its easier when you can clone yourself i guess.

[@carmendolores3194]

💖👍👏👏☘️☘️

[@davemaxs4136]

Bring a backpack axe no tent, saved time and energy.