How to Make a Camp Chair Using Lashing

Lashing a camp chair is the process of binding materials with cordage to form a comfortable seat. Several different lashed camp chair styles are possible, but the simple five-pole chair is common, comfortable and strong. The chair utilizes the combined strength of four wood poles to build a strong base while the fifth pole is used for the seat. The poles are lashed together and the seat is lashed to the poles for a semi-permanent camp chair. Building the chair requires at least one hour as you gather and arrange the materials.

Things You'll Need

  • Axe or hatchet
  • 5 wood poles
  • Rope or cordage
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Instructions

    • 1

      Locate five wood poles roughly the width of your clinched fist. Choose poles with a length that matches your leg from the foot to the knee. Use solid wood without any rotting present. Use a hatchet or axe to cut the wood pieces, if necessary.

    • 2

      Hold two of the poles at opposing angles to form a triangle. Wrap the rope or cordage around one of the poles, six inches below the top. Make 10 total wraps to form a grip on the pole. The wrapped section is the point where the two poles meet.

    • 3

      Hold the second pole against the lashed section on the first pole. Wrap the rope or cordage around the second pole 10 times. Use flat wraps on each with the first and last wraps overlapping the second and second to last wraps. The overlapped sections create a grip on the poles.

    • 4

      Wrap the rope around both poles in a horizontal fashion. Tie overhand knots in each wrap to grip the poles and secure the rope. Tie a double overhand knot on the final wrap to finish the lashing. Repeat the process with two additional poles to create the second leg section of the chair.

    • 5

      Set the fifth pole in the "V" on top of each leg. Adjust the leg positions until the chair is stable with one leg under each end of the horizontal pole. The camp chair is complete.