Peter Buchanan-Smith is not your typical designer. But then again Best Made Co. is not your typical outdoor lifestyle brand. Buchanan-Smith has held stints as an art director at the
Buchanan-Smith has also authored a few books. It was his first book Speck: A Curious Collection of Uncommon Things, which studied the fascinating and at times obsessive connection people have with seemingly small everyday objects, that helped him germinate the idea for Best Made Co. That object for Buchanan-Smith was the humble axe. You might be thinking, what does a New York City-based graphic designer need with an axe? I certainly did. However, having worked on cattle farms and portaging in Northern Canada, an axe was a vital instrument for his livelihood. It is one of the most essential tools that dates back to ancient times. In the city, a beautifully crafted axe would serve as a portal to his wilderness roots and also a reminder to stay connected with nature and the use of his hands. This philosophy of encouraging people to go outside, while equipping them with well crafted tools and reliable information to do so is at the heart of what Best Made is about. The offerings have grown to include maps, bags, blankets, apparel, and packaged adventures for the ultimate Best Made experience.
What led you to launch Best Made?
I grew up on a small farm in rural Canada and moved to New York City in my early 20s. I started Best Made because I wanted spend more time outside, and for that I would need an axe.
You opened a store and then introduced a catalog afterwards. What was the reasoning behind that?
I started with a workshop, where we would hold axe maintenance and restoration classes. We opened our flagship store in Tribeca in 2013 and then launched the catalog shortly thereafter. My love is storytelling, and a print catalog is one of the best and least expected places to tell stories. Catalogs have become so product driven, formulaic, and transactional. We are giving our customers a much more meaningful experience.
How did you come up with the concept for the Best Made Adventure programs?
Our first purchasable trip was to Francis Mallmann’s island in remote Patagonia. When you go to these faraway places, it’s hard not to come back and [want to] share that experience. These places should be experienced by everyone. I love being able to share them (on paper, or in person).
How did you and Mallmann connect?
Shortly after we opened our shop, Francis wandered in. In our first conversation, he invited me to his island in Patagonia and I was on the next plane down there. You spend enough time with Francis and magical things like that happen.
What was it like working with him?
Francis is one of the best chefs in the world, but I think he transcends food on many levels. Francis is a brilliant architect of a way of life that we at Best Made live and breathe, and a growing many are aspiring to pursue.
Tell me about the current issue featuring the Brazilian ranchers.
Those are vaqueiros, Portuguese for cowboy. When you think of Brazil you think of beaches, soccer, and thongs. Not horses, dust, and saddles. There’s a culture of the cowboy in Brazil that rivals that of the American West. I wanted to tell that story.
What are you geeking out about right now?
It’s fly fishing season in New York State. I am dusting my gear off and itching to get back in the river to catch [some] rainbow.
How would you describe Best Made's aesthetic?
Alaskan Charles Eames (not Brooklyn Grizzly Adams).
What are you on the hunt for currently?
A new carburetor for my 1961 Swiss Army Mercedes Unimog.
There's a huge interest in authenticity and a return to wanting products that are made slow and in the right way. What are your thoughts on this?
There’s nothing more authentic than quality, and quality should speak for itself. I don’t like how fetishized quality has become. The Shakers had it right.
What's on the horizon for Best Made?
Keep a close eye on our apparel.
