Where craftsmanship meets durability: David Robinson brings a handpicked lineup of quality products
David Robinson welcomes customers to PNW Mercantile & Supply Co. in Nelson, B.C., showcasing a selection of clothing and gear under the main entrance tent.
Nelson’s “Garden Sage” David Robinson has curated rugged, high-quality clothing, gear and other essentials
David Robinson—affectionately known around town as the “The Garden Sage”—has long been a trusted figure in Nelson’s gardening community. As the founding Director and part-owner of PNW Mercantile & Supply Co., he has spent years helping local growers, homesteaders, and backyard enthusiasts find the tools and knowledge they need to thrive.
With his characteristic mix of curiosity and practicality, David has handpicked a lineup of unique, high-quality products that reflect both his personal passions and the real needs of rural Kootenay living.
That includes rugged Swedish Blaklader workwear, which he proudly calls his “uniform.” Add in specialty gear like Fenix flashlights (trusted when failure isn’t an option) and Canadian-made Grohmann knives, and it’s clear David is building more than a product line: he’s assembling a complete outfitter for self-sufficient, off-grid living.
And as always, he’s keeping it personal—personally qualifying technical purchases like the Cinderella toilets to ensure every customer walks away with the right gear for their homestead, cabin, or backcountry retreat.
Blaklader: Why they brought Swedish-engineered durability (and a lifetime guarantee) to Canada
Blaklader (pronounced “Blukladder”) is one of the newest additions to PNW Mercantile & Supply Co.’s Homesteading & Off-Grid division—and for good reason.
David Robinson, who manages the Nelson location, had been searching for workwear that could match the demands of Canadian workers. When he discovered Blaklader’s Swedish-engineered gear, he immediately recognized the same rugged spirit he sees in his customers.
Born in rural 1950s Sweden and backed by more than 60 years of innovation, Blaklader has become a top European brand trusted by tradespeople working in the harshest conditions—muddy job sites, welding environments, and gritty workshops. The company markets in 33 countries, has 7,000 employees and makes 5 million garments per year. Though they have only been in North America for about three years, David has been wearing their products for 15. He dreamed of becoming a retailer, so when they came to the North American market, he decided it was time local customers had access to gear built with this level of heritage and craftsmanship.
What impressed David most was Blaklader’s obsession with durability.
The company’s philosophy is simple: build clothing that lasts as long as possible, and keep improving through relentless testing and development. PNW customers who’ve already tried the gear report it easily outlasting most workwear—often 15 years or more. Depending on the garment, they can last four to eight times as long as their competitors' products.
That longevity is part of the company’s sustainability commitment: fewer replacements mean less waste, less shipping, and fewer resources consumed overall. Every Blaklader garment is backed by a Lifetime Guarantee on stitching, so the seams won’t give out before the gear itself is truly worn down.
Beyond longevity, Blaklader is designed to make daily work easier, safer, and more comfortable. David points out that even their simplest pieces are packed with smart functionality—like perfectly placed pockets, kneepad compatibility, and practical design features that make a long day on the job feel more efficient. They also offer a surprising range of colours and styles, proving that hard-working gear doesn’t have to look dull.
PNW Mercantile & Supply Co. currently stocks customer favourites like:
The store has also recently added Blaklader boots to its inventory. Blaklader built a factory and flew over the best boot building machines from Germany—CSA and constructed from full hide leather with a full shank. They are posture correcting, not allowing the foot to roll in or out. Therefore, they will prevent injury and enhance health through supporting aligned movement.
View the full Blaklader product line.
The end of outdoor sanitation problems for off-grid locations
For years, Canadian cabin and cottage owners have dealt with the same old sanitation headaches—aging septic systems, limited water access, and the less-than-fun reality of outhouses and bucket toilets. That’s why PNW Mercantile & Supply Co. is bringing the Cinderella Incineration Toilet to its Nelson, BC retail location as part of its new Homesteading & Off-Grid division.
Though well established in Norway—where it’s been solving remote sanitation challenges for over 20 years—this technology is still rare in Canada. When David Robinson discovered it, he immediately saw how perfectly it fits a wide range of situations where traditional plumbing or septic systems aren’t practical, including:
- Off-grid cabins and cottages
- Tiny homes and small modular dwellings
- Seasonal or backcountry recreational properties
- Remote industrial work sites, work camps, and temporary field operations
- Remote tourism accommodations (eco-lodges, backcountry huts, fishing and hunting camps)
- RVs, motorhomes, and converted vans
- Yurts, trailer-based dwellings, and semi-permanent shelters
- Areas with poor soil conditions or cost-prohibitive septic requirements
- Properties with limited or unreliable water access
- Situations where environmental impact needs to be minimized (sensitive ecosystems or watershed zones)
These diverse use cases made it clear to David that the Cinderella is a uniquely valuable solution for Canadian customers seeking modern, hygienic, water-free sanitation.
How it works: Sterile ash, clean airflow, and off-grid power options
The beauty of the Cinderella incineration toiled is just how simple life becomes once it’s installed. Instead of storing, composting, or hauling waste, the system incinerates everything at extremely high temperatures inside a sealed chamber, reducing it by more than 97%. After a full week of regular use by four adults, all that remains is about a cup of sterile, inert ash that can be safely discarded or repurposed as garden fertilizer.
For indoor comfort, the Cinderella Comfort electric model uses a closed air system that draws air from outdoors—meaning no drafts and no odors—while an internal fan and catalytic converter keep operation clean and hygienic. For locations without reliable electricity, PNW also carries the propane-powered Cinderella Freedom, designed specifically for off-grid and mobile use.
Installation is straightforward, requiring only a power source for electric models and a simple vent pipe. With a capacity of 3–4 uses per hour and a 3-year residential warranty, it’s a powerful upgrade for cabins, tiny homes, RVs, and remote industrial job sites where traditional sanitation simply isn’t an option.
Learn more about Cinderella Incineration Toilets.
Essential high-end accessories for the homesteader
Alongside its rugged workwear and off-grid sanitation gear, PNW Mercantile & Supply Co. also offers a carefully curated line of specialty knives and flashlights—the kind of gear that serious homesteaders, remote workers, and outdoor folks rely on when things really matter. David Robinson believes that the right tool can make all the difference, and he’s stocked PNW with only top-tier, trusted brands so that customers can build a kit that’s as dependable as their work ethic.
Here are some of the standout accessory brands PNW carries:
- Ruike knives: A high-quality knife brand known for practical, well-engineered folding and multi-tool knives.
- Spyderco knives: Legendary for their innovation in folding knives (think one-hand opening, pocket clips), built for performance and everyday carry.
- Grohmann knives: Proudly made in Canada (Pictou, Nova Scotia), Grohmann knives bring heritage craftsmanship and rugged reliability.
- Fenix flashlights: High-performance lighting built for extremes: industrial work, outdoor survival, emergencies, and off-grid living.
By offering these tools, PNW Mercantile & Supply Co. isn’t just outfitting homesteaders—it’s elevating its store into a full-on work-and-wilderness outfitter. Combined with Blaklader gear and the Cinderella toilet, these knives and flashlights complete a rugged, functional toolkit for life off the grid or deep in the woods.
The best place to view these unique high-quality products for rural living is in person at PNW Mercantile & Supply Co., located at Unit 12, 104 Silica St. in Nelson, B.C.
Ready to learn more? Call David Robinson directly at (250) 354-4767 to discuss product details, or visit him in Nelson's Railtown district to see the items in person.
