About Dug North

I grew up playing in the woods of rural Vermont, reading wilderness survival books, and hunting and fishing with my father. I was good at taking things apart, but not at getting them back together.

Because of my fascination with the ways humans have lived in different times and places, I chose to study anthropology at the University of Vermont, earning a Bachelor’s degree. After that, I studied material culture and the history of technology at Rennselaer Polytechnic Institue, eventually earning a Master degree.

Being the curious sort, I have had several different careers and interests including mechanical art, fabrication, design, archeology, history, antique clocks, and others.

In recent years, I have focused on learning wilderness skills such as friction fires, pitch glue, bark baskets, stone tools, hunting, cordage, edible plants, shelters, traps, and more. It was the dream of a lifetime to be selected for Season 12 of History Channel’s hit show Alone.

One of my side-hustles is a product called Lighter·Knife — a small, sturdy pocket knife that integrates with a standard Bic lighter. I believe this little device can help make people better prepared for a wilderness survival situation, maybe even save a few lives.

My mission is to use my curiosity and creativity to learn about things from past and share what I’ve learned. I believe this will help empower people in a variety of ways.

-Dug North