What was used "back then"? Was it just the Speedy Carve?

I always used that, and it was certainly a popular choice. =) A lot of people used MasterCarve and erasures. At least a few stamps were made of foam. I can't remember when PZ Kut became really big--that one kind of snuck up on me. =) The use of MasterCarve seems to have faded.

Speedy Carve seems to be a perennial favorite, though. =)

And Wassa is right--Der Mad Stamper really set the tone for letterboxing in the Pacific Northwest. Not just the standard for carving stamps, but carving really awesome stamps to boot! He was my inspiration and by far the most prolific planter of the area when I had started! =)

-- Ryan

That sounds about right. I was in Virginia Beach, VA and the time and most of the boxes were in First Landing State Park, almost exclusively. Jolly G-man was one of the most active at the time. He planted alot. Now that I think about it, we had some pretty big hurricanes come through that area and that may be the reason for some of the disappearances, especially effecting that park. I think there were less than 25 boxes in the entire state of VA and only a handful in SC.
My daughter didn't want a store bought stamp at the time so we carved one for her and we used Magic Rub eraser. I don't remember there being anything else to use out there at the time, at least not at our local art/craft store.
It's so interesting to talk with people that have been doing this/known about it as long as I have. Any time I mention it to people I get a deer in headlights look.

I usually get the "deer-in-the-headlights" look too!!! It is fun when someone actually responds with interest. I just moved to a new province on the other side of the country (Canada)... from the centre to the WEST!!!!! There was no active community here, but when I planned an event for last weekend 10 other people came out of the woodwork... some new this summer and the longest had been in it since 2002. So.... the beginnings of an active community!! Yeah!

And our event was a carving event, so hopefully they all now have enough courage to start carving! I know at least two or three who hadn't carved before were quite surprised at how well their first carve went. Quite encouraging actually!

It is exciting when someone new expresses real interest isn't it?

Which brings to mind, how is the next batch of the new stuff coming along Web Foot?

Well, we're still scratching our heads about what to try next to get the characteristics right. I'll let you know when one of us has a brain wave!!

Here's a funny story, though. Someone I've been working with on formula refinements had an idea that they wanted me to try. The rough lab sample I got on Monday was so stinky that I nixed it! Seriously -- it had my gag reflexes going so badly I had to open the windows to let in some fresh air. Not only would nobody buy the stuff twice, I didn't want to have a pile of it anywhere near my house!! Yuck! What an adventure!! At least I didn't have to buy 500-1000 pounds of that one to see if it worked or not. And I know someone is going to ask: yes, I did try it with both knife and gouge -- and no, it didn't carve enough better to make it worthwhile to wear a gas mask while cutting. LOL!

Webfoot

wear a gas mask while cutting.

Hmmm, wonder if that would be a wild animal deterrent? It would certainly be a muggle deterrent! Could be a selling point, you never know!

Hmmm, wonder if that would be a wild animal deterrent?

Meh. Not likely, my dawg likes to roll in the stinkiest stuff she can find, it's more likely to be a critter magnet.

YMMV, and invariably will...
Connfederate

Thanks for the morning chuckle, WOO...woo hoo!!! ;-)