All Things Sharp & Fiery...and Friends!

[WValtakis]

 

[Murphjd25]

Wow Chip, once again another home run!

 

[WValtakis]

Wow Chip, once again another home run!

Thanks Josh!

 

[Sharp & Fiery]

My Brother decided to come up to my place last weekend for 3 days. We had a productive weekend.

Day one was nice and warmish, so we got the sleds all finished up and ready to rock this winter.
Finished putting all new fluids back in his sled, and changed out the bearings on the rear axle of mine.

We got done just in time, as it snowed over night, and the snow is still on the ground today.

Day two we decided to feel some trees that we had left last year, worked our butts off and all the way to dusk.


(Brother in photo just givin’ ‘er)

After clearing 10-12 trees we went around cutting off all the trail markers set up last year. Trail is ready to ride!!


Our last day we decided to get some brush burnt up, but it was snowing, and everything was wet.

So we couldn’t keep the fire going…so what to do what to do…

Well, rednecking it may work! Lol.


The fan worked perfectly and we had a good blaze going in short order. Brush all burnt up, and ready for snow.

That night we got out for a duck hunt with no luck. It didn’t bother us, as just sitting out in nature and observing creation at it finest, is a reward all on it’s own.

 

[Sharp & Fiery]

Well, time for a short update…we have had no power for 2 days now because of severe windstorms. I believe the remnants of the tornado which devastated parts of the US.

Fingers crossed we have power by tomorrow.

In other news, a couple squeeze sheaths all finished up!

Hope everyone’s December is treating them well, and you are all ready for Christmas.

 

[Sharp & Fiery]

I can’t believe it’s been a whole season since I’ve posted here.

The power went out today, so I decided to try my hand at bending metal with the help of a “forge.” Haha.
No better way to see if it’s hot enough than in the dark.
Found this little wrench in a bin of “junk” and the metal manipulation began.



Other than finishing up some kydex and leather projects (photo in my subform), I’m just relaxing in the sun today…before the rain hits this week.

What’s everyone been up to?

 

[Sharp & Fiery]

Added the CPK FK2 for a little tree chopping. It’s way too hot today to use an axe, so chainsaw it is!
We unfortunately lost this fir for some bizarre reason. Tree in background.


Done. Thank goodness. It is much too hot.


Gonna burn it all up later tonight.

 

[REK Knives]

Man love your property bro!!

So how come you don't use that fir for firewood? Too soft?

 

[RayseM]

That would have been an easy project for the SILKY. No matter - you got er dun and you didn't get overheated. More Sharp & Fiery left for another day.

 

[Sharp & Fiery]

Man love your property bro!!

So how come you don't use that fir for firewood? Too soft?

Conifers in general aren’t great for a woodburning stove. There is too much sap, which plugs up my ceramic cell and sap creates too much creosote for my liking.
Also, at -30° to -40° in the winter, conifers (softwoods) don’t burn hot enough to combat the low temps.

Hardwoods like oak, maple, birch, and cherry (my fav) burn hot and slow. Works much better for creating heat. They also burn a lot cleaner.

For the warmer minus temps, I will sometimes burn poplar…a softish wood that burns clean, but not as hot.

That would have been an easy project for the SILKY. No matter - you got er dun and you didn't get overheated. More Sharp & Fiery left for another day.

Ray!!
Oh…I got overheated. Had to jump in some very cold water so my head didn’t explode. The deer and horse flies are really bad right now too, so that sucked. But, we get ‘er done.

I dislike running my Silky through really gummy fir and pines. I don’t like to have to clean all the teeth out afterwards.

 

[Sharp & Fiery]

So I’ve been sitting here this morning (after doing some laundry and general cleanup) contemplating selling off the majority of my knife collection. It’s not that I don’t love knives, I do, but it seems like I have favorites that get a ton of use, and most others that just sit around looking pretty.

Someone talk me out of/or into this idea.

 

[jfk1110]

So I’ve been sitting here this morning (after doing some laundry and general cleanup) contemplating selling off the majority of my knife collection. It’s not that I don’t love knives, I do, but it seems like I have favorites that get a ton of use, and most others that just sit around looking pretty.

Someone talk me out of/or into this idea.

DON'T DO IT...........BUT IF YOU'RE GOING TO.....
NAH, JUST DONT DO IT......

 

[RayseM]

These kind of little voice interactions are best put on pause. Listen but don't jump to act. You might find in a year or 2 that your favorites are no longer that, whereas others have slipped into your pockets and your affection. Not sayin' don't do it. Just sayin' don't do it too soon - you might regret it. They will always sell later if need be. My experience & 2¢, worth about that.

 

[Keyopp]

So I’ve been sitting here this morning (after doing some laundry and general cleanup) contemplating selling off the majority of my knife collection. It’s not that I don’t love knives, I do, but it seems like I have favorites that get a ton of use, and most others that just sit around looking pretty.

Someone talk me out of/or into this idea.

Definitely seen a few I’d like to talk you into…

Edit: don’t do it, the feeling will pass

 

[Sharp & Fiery]

I decided to move this thread from GKD to my subforum. You can follow along here on my random escapades. Haha.

A couple weeks ago, I started building a “rustic” (what I hope it turns out like) sugar shack for my maple syrup evaporator…

I’ll try to update this thread with more photos tonight.

Here is a teaser…

 

[Sharp & Fiery]

I decided to use steel for the majority of the structure because of the evaporation process…



I’ll see ya’ll in a few hours…there are poles to strip. (Sounded dirty but I didn’t mean it that way.)

 

[RayseM]

I decided to use steel for the majority of the structure because of the evaporation process…

I love maple syrup and have had some of the best here in Maine from some locals so I am psyched for you boiling down your own but I'm mystified by the above sentence. Your structure will be rugged and fire proof but I don't get the point about evaporation. You'd rather a rusty metal frame than a moldy wood frame?
Not trying to be a wise guy - just a wiser guy when you explain your thoughts on the matter. As always, I cheer you on with your latest endeavor.

 

[Sharp & Fiery]

These kind of little voice interactions are best put on pause. Listen but don't jump to act. You might find in a year or 2 that your favorites are no longer that, whereas others have slipped into your pockets and your affection. Not sayin' don't do it. Just sayin' don't do it too soon - you might regret it. They will always sell later if need be. My experience & 2¢, worth about that.

Thanks for your advice, Ray! I didn’t sell off my collection, and you are correct! Some of the ones I would have sold, I am actually pocketing, using and enjoying.

I decided to use steel for the majority of the structure because of the evaporation process…

I love maple syrup and have had some of the best here in Maine from some locals so I am psyched for you boiling down your own but I'm mystified by the above sentence. Your structure will be rugged and fire proof but I don't get the point about evaporation. You'd rather a rusty metal frame than a moldy wood frame?
Not trying to be a wise guy - just a wiser guy when you explain your thoughts on the matter. As always, I cheer you on with your latest endeavor.

Well, the most important reason to use steel…I already had it! Haha!
But really, ya, my thoughts are that steel doesn’t move as much with fluctuating temperatures. It is basically fireproof, so I don’t need to worry about leaving the fire burning to go do something else. I wanted to make the shack “rustic,” as if it has been there for years…I like challenges. Haha.
I do plan to paint the entire interior next spring/summer. Then it will look nice inside.

So to answer your question…for this project, I would rather have rusty steel than moldy wood.

I’m so happy you are still around, Ray…I miss ya!

 

[Sharp & Fiery]

A few more of the in process photos…


Everything is bolted together…shoulda built wood and used nails…woulda taken less time, but then it wouldn’t be as fun.



A small wall on top of the frame to create my roof slope.



Starting to steel clad the sides because it got cold and I hadn’t started debarking my logs for the rafters yet…

More to come! Thanks for following along!

 

[David Mary]

In for a bottle!