Knife Sharpening
The day man learned how to make knives was the day they started thinking about how to sharpen it. Here are some of the best resources we’ve found for learning more about knife sharpening..
Knife Making
You’ll find 28 knife making resources in this entry of The Self-Reliance Catalog, covering everything from knife making 101 and knife making suppliers to recommended books and and detailed free guides on how to make your own knives…
Beekeeping
“Be warned: if you start keeping bees and develop a real interest in them, it will be with you for …
Hugelkultur
Hugelkultur is touted as “the ultimate raised garden beds”, popularized by Austrian farmer Sepp Holzer. As permaculture teacher Paul Wheaton explains it, “Hugelkultur is nothing more than making raised garden beds filled with rotten wood.” Learn all about it here…
Compost Hot Water Heaters
It may seem unbelievable that a simple compost pile filled with anaerobic bacteria could heat water to temperatures hot enough to scald skin. It is, however, entirely possible and easily replicated at home…
Earthships
An Earthship is a type of “off-the-grid ready” passive solar house that is made of both natural and recycled materials (such as earth-filled tires)…
Earth-Sheltered Homes
In the old days you’d find several types of earth-sheltered houses around the world, including Native American houses such as the Navajo hogans, Sioux earth lodges, pit houses of the West Coast and…
Yurts
The yurt is a low-impact structure that causes no permanent damage to the land on which it is pitched. It is easy to erect and can be taken down in hours. It is cool in summer and, with a stove, warm in winter. Robust and versatile, the yurt has evolved into the ultimate portable dwelling…
Earthbag Homes
Earthbag houses are strong, durable and eco-friendly and can handle earthquakes far better than conventional structures. They are inexpensive and can be built quickly with the proper know-how…
Wood Gas Generators
On this page you’ll find some of the best wood gas generator resources, videos and tips available online about building and using your own wood gas generator…
Rocket Mass Heaters
The rocket mass heater or rocket stove mass heater is a hybrid heating system developed from the rocket stove. Here are 15 of the best resources we’ve found online about building your own rocket mass heater…
Earthen Ovens
On this page we’ve gathered the best resources, videos and tips that there is to find online about building and using your own earthen / clay / cob oven…