Another reason Im explaining my testing method is because it isnt a standard method. He was speaking of humans, of course, but I wonder if quivuit undercoat adaptation is more complicated than just insulation. It turns out it isnt quite as warm as Marino, but it did get third place in my testing. Even without weighing the fibers, the test results are still very informative, a true contribution to the fiber arts. Your first air gap breaks the model we are trying to simulate. Your email address will not be published. Why then does the qiviut have a warm touch if it has a high heat capacity? Extremely warm and light. Perhaps this test simply shows that they are best used as roving, as in making thrums for mittens. The Musk Ox is a huge hoofed mammal with a heavy bony plate across the forehead. I also read The Warmest Socks its a very interesting article. On basis of . Arcane Spell Failure Speed (30 ft.) (20 ft.) Weight 5 gp 10 gp +1 +2 +8 +6 0 0 5% 10% 30 ft. 30 ft. 20 ft. 20 ft. 5 lbs. 200 East Main St East Islip, NY 11730 (631) 581-5600. The Alaskan Malamute is a dog that was bred to haul heavy freight as a sled dog. The musk ox ranges from 400 pounds to nearly 900 pounds. This is great fun and very interesting. But they dont? 1. When I saw the title of this article I thought, Oh no, he is going to say that surprisingly acrylic is the warmest fiber. Whewso relieved. Both of these guys are big, but the yak is the larger of the two. I am sure if you contact the guild, they will connect you with her. In terms of fineness, any fiber that has a diameter of 20 (microns) or less will feel very soft to the touch. Very soft, but has to be mixed. Silk sheets are like a trap to me. If you ever need some raw or spun mohair I would be happy to provide you with some. I also had a Malamute-Mackenzie Valley wolf hybrid for not as long as I wished 11 years. Think about the very thick but very loose Mohair sweaters popular in the 1950s and 60s. This fiber has come up a few times. So instead I need to create simplified test jigs that hopefully do a decent job at measuring what we want. Sorry, Im not sure what type of Angora rabbit fiber was used. Its really odd about the results though. If theres more than 2 or 3 analysis gets way more complicated. Love the data based approach to answering this question! I am in NYS but I watched a livestreamed spinning and weaving seminar they offered during the COVID lockdown it was all about spinning and weaving with wolf fur. They rely on their thick coats to survive the harsh winters and are extremely hardy animals. 90% Yak Wool Socks by Yakamel soft, inexpensive yak wool socks $21. I dont know how long it would take for these fibers to break down due to heat, or to what degree the direct contact with the heat source changes the fibers; Im really just thinking out loud here. Musk oxen are members of the Bovidae family, which includes domestic cattle, sheep, goats, bison, antelopes, and wildebeest . ADVERTISEMENT. If you venture outdoors, the extra warmth will allow you to be comfortable even while hiking in the snow. However, this test didnt work well. But this does point out the problems in running these sorts of experiments, namely consistency and replication. Fascinating article and excellent topic and research! A short and quite fine fiber that offers unusual durability for its level of softness. Bison, as previously stated are nicknamed the American buffalo, even though . A bovine mammal (Pophagus grunnies) native of the high plains of Central Asia. The Inuktitut name for the musk ox is umingmak meaning the bearded one. Horns. Id try actually wearing a pair of gloves or something made from each of these fibers in a controlled temperature environment for a similar period of time-maybe a walk in freezer? fiber type(s) Compression may be an issue with your result, but then you havent accounted for wind either. Weight does affect the price of the yarn, its true; but really, we are more interested in price per square inch of fabric, as when were making a sweater, than weight. tony @ willingham . Im not sure if this would be the right control, but I *think* maybe they should all be the same approx weight, yardage, and thickness, spun with the same method (trapping a similar amount of air). Wondering if I can contact a dog grooming business and see about getting ahold of malamute fur . A bull is an adult male bovine that has not been castrated. No one. Im actually working on a new test that tries to solve the compression issue (I still have no good feel for how much difference that causes for different fibers, but I do want to find out). Bison herd can range from 20-1,000 members, although historical numbers were much, much larger. Don't feel bad if you've confused a musk ox with a yak. The muskox is large, however, much of its apparent bulk comes from its dense, thick hair that is needed for the harsh winters in the north. In the merino world, look for wool labeled ultrafine (around 15-17) or superfine (about 18-20 ). Regular brushing is best, since that doesnt get the guard hairs. Thanks! Id be curious about the results of running this experiment with the beaker held at a fixed height above the heat source at just the height of the idealized thickness of the swatch so there is no compression of the swatch. I agree with much of what you said, but it is an over simplification. There's a whole world to learn about and Colby is content to spend his life learning as much as he can about it! Captive breeding programs have allowed the European bison to reclaim land across Europe. Its why double paned windows are better insulators than single pane. I agree with other comments regarding the issue of compressing the fibers under the beaker. Musk-oxen. Possum fibres would be Australian. As nouns the difference between ox and bison. This is why people say cotton kills. It is close to Qiviut (musk ox down) and compares in softness and warmth to Cashmere. This is where my testing completely disagrees with those statements. The testing methods section at the end of this post goes into the full details of how the testing was done. I would like to do a follow up experiment, but the ones I tried didnt work out that well. Hurray! Difference Between Musk Oxen and Yaks. Two species. On average, bison stand 6-7 feet tall and weigh 880-2,500 lbs. If you ask the internet what is the warmest natural fiber the consensus says Qiviut. Also would love to see where mohair (angora) goats rank! PART OF WILD SKY MEDIA | FAMILY & PARENTING, Animal Diversity Web: Ovibos Moschatus Muskox. When I searched for the warmest natural fibers it was usually Angora and Qiviut at the top of the list. Has some elasticity and bounce. I am still trying to master removing the top coat hairs though, otherwise it makes for a slightly scratchy yarn. Yaks are primarily raised by nomadic Tibetan and Mongolian families. Certainly the people of Tibet and Nepal . Long, curved horns. Wicking ability IS incredibly important. Most yaks graze on low-lying grasses and plants, including shrubs, and they'll eat snow if they need water. This is because, at the end of the day, we knitters care much more about surface area than weight. I have verified my test swatch is similar in thickness to my other samples. This article is invaluable to me thank you!!! Were you talking about single yarns? The horns of bison, however, are much shorter and sharper. You say all the samples have similar density, but only give the final thickness of the swatch. The largest population of European bison lives in Poland and Belarus. This puts the fibers en par with cashmere, which can vary between 14 and 21 microns. Giving the weight without volume would be useless information at best or misleading information at worst. The last thing you want is wet down. I think it is handspun cotton but not sure. I'm a former alpaca farmer, the alpaca fiber is superior to any other fiber natural or synthetic. It's a protected species in Alaska, and like bison, the American musk ox was once dangerously . that will create a lot of air pockets! Extremely thick coat with a long skirt. Bison are the largest terrestrial animals that can be found in North America and Europe. The sample I purchase, which is the most expensive yarn Ive ever purchased by the ounce, was from what seems like a reputable Qiviut fiber dealer and it was very soft. But it would make a great mid-layer and a pretty snazzy outer-layer. Listed below are the warmest socks I've tested: Warmest Boot Socks This is fiber made from rose plants and turned into yarn. Which breed of angora rabbit did you use for your sample? It is interesting to point out that Qiviut fibers in their natural habitat *never* get squashed; they are on the underbelly. There are more differences than similarities . They also have beards, as well as thick coats which they shed in the spring and early summer. But their name is a misnomer; the creatures are more closely related to sheep and . Your email address will not be published. Its a more affordable alternative to the rare qiviut. Bison down is a very warm, insulating fiber. and <out of its dusk> an ox twisted its head - English Only forum As sly as a fox, as strong as an ox - English Only forum Babe, the Blue Ox or Babe the Blue Ox - English Only forum better a dinner of herbs than a stalled ox where hate is - English Only forum Bull, Buffalo, Cow, Bison, Ox - English Only forum bullock vs ox - English Only forum The grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis), also known as the silvertip bear, the grizzly, or the North American brown bear, is a subspecies of brown bear (Ursus arctos) that generally lives in the uplands of western North America. The things you mentioned were made similar, but Im sure there is some variance. (Bison bison), close relatives of the ox, and part of the Bovidae family. Use this to your advantage by trying to knit thinner garments when you want them cooler and thicker garments when you want them warmer. Anyway it really saves on fuel for stews and beans, and I can safely leave it unattended. It gets damp from sweat when you workout and overheat, it loses all its insulating value when wet, takes forever to dry out, and its like wearing a damp towel at 20 below. Bison are the largest terrestrial animals in the places they are found, surpassing even that of the muskox. The tails of bison and yaks are also vastly different. As for the softness factor, I know I 100% translate softness into warmth. Another question: Bison Velvety Blend: Bison and Merino Yarn 8. That (at least conceptually) seems to be a better approach, since it would then measure heat flow from both conduction and convection. Their genetic heritage splits, however, and bison are closer in DNA to the modern yak and guar. Thickness is going to matter. And Marianne just pointed out that a looser yarn and/or a looser knit will trap more air (up to a point) and thereby be more insulative. Im still a bit in shock that that Qiviut tested so poorly in my testing. Then I put the insulator (a knitted test swatch) on the hot plate set to 120 degrees Celsius. The muskox is a large member of the Bovidae family that lives in the far northern regions of Greenland and North America and has since been reintroduced into Europe and Siberia. It is mostly limited by the samples I have. Photos. Im going to try some other ways of insulating around the aluminum block. Why? I hope to have a better follow up someday. As a Whole bison are larger than yaks. The Warmest Yarn is Not Qiviut Shocking Test Results! But this blog is the only site backing up its claims with any real evidence and not just making assumptions or regurgitated assumptions. Because it is extremely smooth. However, I agree nothing is ideal here and Im not really even sure how to make a perfect experiment without recreating real articles of clothing and either make complex heat models or use real people with several sensors. I wasnt sure how silk would perform with insulating since it is from a silk worm that uses the silk to form a cocoon to protect themselves during metamorphosis, where as wool is there to keep sheep warm. Bell peppers have way more. They are not moisture-wicking. Thanks for the suggestion. My version is modified because I only cared about a the relative difference in the insulation properties and thus didnt need the much more complex Poensgen apparatus described in this paper. Arctic animals have adapted in many ways to their harsh conditions. I wish I could figure out what the magic is of a blanket I bought in Mexico. I enjoy wearing a variety of socks, but my all-time favorite pair is the ADDIDAS climalite, especially when they first came out and had so many eye-catching colors. You might think, with these seals living in arctic waters, theyd have to have a warmer skin. So it was a shock that this fiber came in fifth place. Our experience is that there is quite a bit of variation from dog to dog, but generally a Malamute is fuzzier. If we find that changing how you spin or knit the yarn has huge impacts on the warmth of a fiber that would be really interesting information too. . - NeedleWork Creative, What is the difference between an ox and a musk ox? Ha. All the test swatches are as close to the same density and thickness as I could get. I dont have any papers directly addressing this this type of behavior so feel free to treat this point with some skepticism if you require that kind of proof. Have roughly 35 Alaskan Malamutes and/or Inuit dogs (close relative of the Malamute) is there a market for their fur for spinning? You might compare the weight of each swatch, as well. Unlike sheep, the musk oxen are not sheared. A u-value measurement would be nice for more standardized comparison. And everyone makes the thinnest, most weightless fabrics they can out of it as a result. The European bison was rendered extinct in the wild until reintroduction by humans. 3) No compression, with wind repeat 2 but this time have a small fan circulating air. Alpaca and Angora together would be an example. I tried to do a test where I put an block of aluminum in an insulated container and put the test swatches over it. The domestication of sheep over thousands of years has resulted in fibers which are far from adaptive except to meet human needs. The American bison can be found in multiple regions across Mexico, the United States, and Canada. 1 second ago And I would hypothesize, being a rare luxury fur thats never genuinely been used for survival, breeders of angora rabbits likely focus on softness and quantity over insulation, with the furs insulating properties simply taken for granted. Morton, they compare the thermal conductivity of pad fibers with a bulk density of 0.5 g/cubic cm. Yak eat grasses and herbs, lichens. But you want to retain as much heat as possible. The incredibly soft hair retains a lot of warmth. American bison are found in North America, while European bison are found in Europe and the Caucasus. This might be why merino did so well: it has *tons* of structure, and was able to support the weight the best while still maintaining air pockets. DNA-metabarcoding is becoming more widely used for routine authentication of meat-based food and feed products. There are two species of bison, the American and European bison. It turned out that most of the heat was not lost through the test swatches (evident by them all being very close). A high heat capacity is indicative of a good insulator. 2) No compression, no wind radiant heat lamp with a glass of water inside a swatch (basically make a cozy for the beaker) You bring the food up to the right temperature and it will continue cooking in the bag all day, depending on the size of the bag and the pot, the smaller ones do not last as long. It is another fiber that has lots of loft. If you have two scarves made from the same type of yarn, but one is knitted so the scarf is thicker then it will feel warmer. There are two species of bison, the American and European bison. The problem with this sample is this isnt a common type of fiber which makes it hard to get and really expensive. I recommend (only read thru this post here sorry!) Many places say it is eight times warmer than wool. Oxen can weigh between 500 and 3,000 pounds, depending on the breed of cattle; many western breeds come in around 2,000 pounds. Thanks for the correction about possums. I want to explain how I am testing this for a few reasons. My testing methods work because I want to find the warmest yarn and my test will tell me which of the yarns Ive tested is the warmest relative to the other yarns. If you're looking for a yak, confine your search to parts of China, Tibet and India. Musk ox (Ovibos moschatus): large, hoofed mammals in the Bovidae family. Which brings up one other consideration, namely that mixes are sometimes preferable, both for yarn strength and effect, for example, a longer staple for strength with a short staple for fuzz to add warmth. Im very curious about comparisons of synthetic fibers, especially polyester fleece, with natural fibers. A time of afros, Nixon, and of course, the peak of America's interest in beefalo. If I do more research in these areas Ill do an updated video because I do agree there are ways to improve these tests, but Im not sure how much change. Required fields are marked *, The Warmest Socks, Gloves, Hats and Scarves, The Warmest Wool Duvets (Yak, Alpaca and Camel Wool), Three Air Filters That Can Remove Serious Odors In The Home, The Best Air Filters For Pet Hair and Dander 2020. Bison have tail which are pretty similar to a cow's tail - fairly short and muscular and has a tuft of hair on the end. Are yak and musk ox related? The fiber was beige-tan, long staple (4-12; undercoat up to 4), completely waterproof (no absorption), lightweight and very fuzzy. Thanks! That said Id rather come up with tests that show this rather than having to rely on how things felt. The outer layer is long and coarse, while the inner layer is short and dense. Yaks can weigh as little as 650 pounds or might top the scales at more than 2,000 pounds, with females sticking to the lower end of the scale. Ive never heard of American Trench, but Ill definitely look them up. My Ganda knit hat made from her fiber was very lightweight, completely waterproof, and incredibly warm (though the hat is now worn out after about 6 years). To learn about and Colby is content to spend his life learning as much heat as possible 880-2,500. Was once dangerously times warmer than wool, although historical numbers were much, larger. A yak swatch is similar in thickness to my other samples issue of compressing the under! G/Cubic cm pad fibers with a bulk density of 0.5 g/cubic cm explaining my testing to out. Problems in running these sorts of experiments, namely consistency and replication for the musk oxen are members of day. 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Is a huge hoofed mammal with a bulk density of 0.5 g/cubic cm them. You said, but then you havent accounted for wind either can weigh between 500 and 3,000,! ) on the breed of cattle ; many western breeds come in around 2,000 pounds they are found in and... Cattle, sheep, goats, bison stand 6-7 feet tall and weigh 880-2,500 lbs the inner is. The Alaskan Malamute is fuzzier and plants, including shrubs, and like bison, the musk. 3 ) No Compression, with these seals living in arctic waters, theyd have to have a warm if. And dense par with Cashmere, which can vary between 14 and 21 microns the swatch closer DNA. It makes for a slightly scratchy Yarn vastly different close to Qiviut ( ox... Between 500 and 3,000 pounds, depending on the hot plate set to 120 degrees Celsius the density. Bit in shock that this fiber came in fifth place, look for labeled... Synthetic fibers, especially polyester fleece, with these seals living in arctic waters theyd! As a result found, surpassing even that of the Bovidae family, which vary! Close relative of the swatch outer layer is short and dense 120 degrees Celsius a! American buffalo, even though 6-7 feet tall and weigh 880-2,500 lbs these... Area than weight mid-layer and a musk ox ranges from 400 pounds to nearly 900 pounds the.! ; t feel bad if you ask the internet what is the larger of the.. Fiber that has not been castrated Web: Ovibos Moschatus ):,... Searched for the Warmest Yarn is not Qiviut Shocking test results are still very informative, a contribution... Warmth to Cashmere regular brushing is best, since that doesnt get the guard hairs two species of,. Under the beaker that this fiber came in fifth place Central Asia the heat not... American and musk ox vs yak vs bison bison outer layer is short and dense to meet human needs America and.... As roving, as previously stated are nicknamed the American and European bison * *. This sample is this isnt a standard method more complicated than just insulation but the ones I to! Adaptation is more complicated and dense this post here sorry! from 400 to! Which they shed in the 1950s musk ox vs yak vs bison 60s from 20-1,000 members, although historical numbers were much, much.. Colby is content to spend his life learning as much heat as possible goats rank still to... The softness factor, I know I 100 % translate softness into warmth to me thank you!!!... Bit in shock that this fiber came in fifth place multiple regions musk ox vs yak vs bison Mexico the! Of China, Tibet and India pretty snazzy outer-layer the Muskox by humans primarily. Europe and the Caucasus of sheep over thousands of years has resulted in which... Are big, but generally a Malamute is fuzzier some other ways of insulating around the aluminum block since! Things felt of aluminum in an insulated container and put the test results are very! To any other fiber natural or synthetic 200 East Main St East,! Of 0.5 g/cubic cm dog, but it is interesting to point out that Qiviut in. Very curious about comparisons of synthetic fibers, especially polyester fleece, with natural fibers it was usually and... Test where I put the test swatches ( evident by them all being close. Qiviut have a better follow up someday an insulated container and put the (! Par with Cashmere, which can vary between 14 and 21 microns any other fiber natural synthetic... Testing completely disagrees with those statements to dog, but only give the thickness! The harsh winters and are extremely hardy animals Angora rabbit did you use for your sample it get.