Ethan's September Challenge

Moosez45

Custom Antlers, Factory Knives...
Moderator
Joined
Jul 14, 2010
Messages
15,417
Ethan and I have been trying to come up with a good contest, which isn't easy. Since we've done 10 challenges so far, we decided to take the contests to another level. Lemme show you.

ETHAN'S SEPTEMBER CONTEST Small knife skills

Sometimes, you gotta dance with who you brought, in the shoes you're wearing. What that means, is that you have to use what you've got, when the time comes. If all you have is a small knife, you will need to make it work "up" into the bigger knife arena. Here we go.

Using ONLY a BK11 or BK14, you must construct a shelter. Either a debis hut, teepee or leanto. Your shelter must have at least 1 main support timber, with a minimum diameter of 2 1/2" to 3" (wrist size). You can use natural or sythetic cordage for this challenge.

That is the minimum requirements to enter in the contest, but if you wish to take it further, construct some camp furniture, but the same guidlines apply. Timber must be 2 1/2"-3" in diameter. Feel free to go as far as you would like, it won't hurt your chances.

Must be 18, and can legally own a knife. You are responsible for youself and your actions, no one else is. Don't break it if you can't buy it.

Contest will run until October 1, 2011 at midnight. No chatting is this thread.

This is a Beckerhead only challenge, so, to enter, post "BH#XXX, I accept" in this thread. Edit your post to be your entry.

No more than 12 photos and no videos longer than 8 minutes. Show your work.

We will pick 3 winners and they will all get,

A BK9 and a Stainless Steel BKT/Kabar water bottle

Stainless_Steel_Bottle_Becker.jpg


BK-9_INFO_2.jpg


Good luck, I can't wait to see your entries.

Moose
 
Beckerhead #26 I accept.

First off, I want to say that after completing this challenge I think everyone should edc a BK9.

Getting needed materials.

004-5.jpg


005-4.jpg


009-4.jpg


007-7.jpg


I used these parts of the tree instead of paracord.

010-5.jpg


Setting up frame and covering with brush and leaves.

011-4.jpg


018.jpg


015-1.jpg


Starting a fire.

032.jpg


025.jpg


A fire reflector and a Chair or table. me sitting in shelter.

030-1.jpg


024.jpg


I changed my mind everyone should edc a Husqvarna.

Thanks for looking.
 
Last edited:
BH # 60 I accept.

Added an "A Frame" type shelter to the camp site I've been making at the back of our property (see Ethan's MAY contest for the first shelter - a raised platform bed lean too)
My wife likes to give me $hit and calls it my "fort" ... Now I get to call it the "compound" :D

Used the BK 11. Did a heck of job for a small knife. Took a bit of work, but my battoning skills are much improved.

Battoned down this tree for the ridge pole and the front and rear main supports:

DSCF5498.jpg



DSCF5506.jpg





The Frame:


DSCF5515.jpg



Added some sides and bedding (layer of leaves and pine broughs) extended the back for a gear storage area.


DSCF5582.jpg



Battoned some pine broughs

DSCF5456.jpg







Pine broughs as a roof and sides. Added some leaves around for extra coverage and insulation.

DSCF5625.jpg


DSCF5627.jpg



The "Compound" - See the new A frame behind (next job is a new roof on the first lean too - gettin' tired)

DSCF5558.jpg




Broke it in proper :D

DSCF5618.jpg




My brother in-laws came by and made sure I broke it in right (LOL)

DSCF5609.jpg






Got a whole new respect for this little knife. Held an edge very well considering the beating it took.
 
Last edited:
I chose to use my trusty BK-14 for this challenge. Since the Eskabar is my EDC knife, I decided that I would limit myself to only my EDC items for constructing the shelter, mainly my Eskabar and paracord bracelet and key lanyard. The bracelet equals about 2 arms-lengths, and the lanyard, 1 arms-length.

First, I needed a good baton.

BatonMade.jpg


Then, I needed a support pole. This one falls in the 2.5 to 3 inch range.

SupportPole1.jpg


And it’s down.

SupportPole3.jpg


I found a suitable site with two trees about a shelter’s distance apart, and lashed the support pole in place. I then framed up my lean-to using baton and 14 felled trees and found deadwood. The upper branches of the felled trees were used as cross pieces.

Shelter1.jpg


Nearby was a fallen oak tree, and I wanted its bark for shingles. However, I did not want to pry off the bark with my only knife. I needed a suitable tool for bark prying, so I made one.

BarkPryTool.jpg


It worked well, and I got some beastly pieces of bark.

RemovingBark.jpg


I added the bark to the lean-to.

Shelter2.jpg


I made a rake from a forked stick and put debris on top of the bark.

Shelter3.jpg


The sides were covered with cedar branches.

Shelter5.jpg


I then added some leafy branches to hold the debris in place (I would have preferred cedar here as well, but suitable cedar was a long way away, and I was losing daylight).

Shelter6.jpg


The inside of the shelter.

ShelterFront.jpg


The Tools: BK-14, Baton, Bark Bar, Debris Rake

ShelterTools.jpg


This was my favorite challenge so far. I found it wise in a “one knife situation” to use the knife to make other tools to lessen the risk to your blade. Still, I worked the BK-14 hard. It felled at least 5 trees for the baton and shelter, and the little blade took it all. This has just reinforced my confidence that I can do nearly anything I need to with my EDC Eskabar.
 
Last edited:
Beckerhead #133 here, and I accept.

(Edited to add: Well, I'm not in on this one after all. The time I thought I'd have, I didn't have. I'll try for October.)

~Chris
 
Last edited:
Ok, this one is done. We'll get it judged, and winner's announced.

Octobers contest will be up soon.

Moose
 
Whoops, sorry guys, I forgot I said midnight.

I was heading out for a couple of days, I wanted to get it finished. :D

By all means, post up if you got it.

Moose
 
.Hey Everybody.....

WOW..... You all did REALLY GOOD.......

Trailbum has gotta be Number One....He oughta get a realtor and sell that place fully furnished....( Husky ok - Stihl better lol)...........

Cobra281 gets the second place slot....Very nice....Will you do a rental ?..........

Saturated Shadow and Widerstand are gonna both get third ----Widerstand for his excellent videography and Saturated Shadow for making tools to make his job easier.......

A really fine performance guys, REALLY fine...........

Please email me @ scope2000@aol.com..... Code name, name, address, phone number and put september challenge in the title.....

I am really impressed....

All Best....

ethan

P.S.
Prizes will go out week after next as I am gonna be full time on the gathering 'till sunday next........
 
Back
Top