Building a canoe with a tomahawk/axe

G725_pstcard_seminole_indians_miami_river_fl_enlarged_37.102.157.jpg


Here is something to read while you are resting up.

Archeology
http://www.alligator.org/edit/issues/00-fall/001020/b07canoe20.htm

How to build a canoe (complete with photos)
http://www.motherearthnews.com/library/1984_January_February/The_Making_of_a_Cedar_Dugout_Canoe

And canoe plans: (not my listing)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5963105146&category=4248

90_1.JPG


n2s
 
I'm sure the ones on Ebay need new handles as they're basically yard sale finds but for $20 - you can pick up a new handle at the hardware store or have a bunch made. Some of them look in pretty good shape. I'd "rewet" the handles to tighten them up and maybe put a coat of sealer on them if they're in good shape and then you're good to go.
 
I guess a rub down of the handle and a week in Linseed oil would probably do it. I would just be wary of starting a project of this scale with a handle that looks like it has been in a shed for about 80 years :D
 
Thanks for those links, should be useful. As far as the project goes I wanna get started again as the weather will be getting nicer soon but I gotta decide whether or not to continue on this tree (which I would want to) or use a differnt one (maybe beech this time?) in different woods where I don't have to worry about being arrested/fined/losing tools. Still seems like such a waste putting all that work in and not finishing the canoe...

As far as plans go I was gonna make it as simplistic as possible; cut/limb/bark the tree, flatten the bottom, cut off most of the top then hollow it out. Hopefully that will do the trick even if it's not the most manuverable.
 
OK I have been thinking about this and this is how I see it. :)

1: You felled a live tree that was going off a little in a National Forest. Now you are woried about getting caught and spanked by the law, but feel its a waste of a tree if you dont use it now its cut down. You really want to do the project but you are getting the Hershey squirts about being caught.

My Solution

Leave the felled tree and cultivate 2 trees (of the same type) at home until they are about a foot high and plant them at the site of the felled tree. This puts your karma on an even keel. :)

Find a site where there will not be any chance of prosecution and go ahead with the original project.

I reallywant to see this project done. :cool:
 
It's funny you should say that, I was actually thinking abotu planting a few trees to make up for felling them. Might go ahead with that plan, got a 2-man saw now to put to use as well. Still outta get an adze.
 
You should be able to find one on eBay, if you're patient. If you want it for hollowing, then you want a gutter adze. It's kinda the adze equivalent of a gouge.

I've gotta be careful with eBay. Opening up those screens tends to suck money outta my wallet.
 
echosix said:
I've gotta be careful with eBay. Opening up those screens tends to suck money outta my wallet.
Click to expand...

Aint that the truth! I have never seen so many items that I could'nt identify but simply couldn't live without! :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top