Hoffman Harpoon for Wilderness Survival Kit?

[mtnfolk mike]

great info terrill.....:thumbup: thanks...

 

[Rescue Mike]

Here is a question for you, is there a preferred method for lashing it?

Does the TOPS model come with "instructions" for use, that you know of?
just curious.

Good question skunk!! I was going to ask something similar..

ANother question I have is; Are there any IMPROVEMENTS that you would suggest, Terrill? Should I put another hole up front for lashing?

Gracias for the history, it's alway interesting to hear how a knife came to be.. From idea to production took 3 years.. wow.

 

[SkunkWerX]

Good question skunk!! I was going to ask something similar..

ANother question I have is; Are there any IMPROVEMENTS that you would suggest, Terrill? Should I put another hole up front for lashing?

RM, I thought about the hole upfront too.

Also, when looking at harpoons, I came to a realization (I think).
A spear or gig is rigidly attached to the pike, a harpoon is somewhat independant of the shaft, and can actually come away from it, with the rope/cord tied to the rear hole.

So, affixing the harpoon to a shaft doesn't have to be iron-clad, as long as you maintain connection to the cord.

 

[Dantor]

imagine: "using a plasma/computerized/robotic machine for cutting out the blanks" (I may be getting one) ohh the possibilities.

Wow Terrill! very interesting (tips hat to Mr invention & opportunist!)

 

[fishshooter]

RM, I thought about the hole upfront too.

Also, when looking at harpoons, I came to a realization (I think).
A spear or gig is rigidly attached to the pike, a harpoon is somewhat independant of the shaft, and can actually come away from it, with the rope/cord tied to the rear hole.

So, affixing the harpoon to a shaft doesn't have to be iron-clad, as long as you maintain connection to the cord.

Correct. Also, the Harpoon requires more of a square hit on a frog that a 5 prong gig, but would work for a greater range of game and fish. The stock sheath is very bulky, I had a kydex "dog tag" made for it that works great, even when the knife is attached to a shaft. I don't use it as a knife much, but keep it in my pack with my little fishing kit and S&W 317 kit gun. I have used all if them when spontaneous opportunities presented themselves. It has worked well for cleaning frogs and fish. Remove the cord wrap first, it can get pretty smelly.

 

[mtnfolk mike]

yo fishshooter... how goes it...nice to see you here....:thumbup: great pic.... i keep my harpoon in my pack, so it's ready to go.....

i also highly reccomend removing the cord wrap before use.... they get really stinky.... mine has gutted a few trout and speared a number of frogs too... i've already had to replace the p-cord ....

mike

 

[Terrill]

Here is a question for you, is there a preferred method for lashing it?
Does the TOPS model come with "instructions" for use, that you know of?
just curious.

They do have a sheet showing how to re-wrap the paracord but that is about it. As for lashing it to a shaft, here are my thoughts.
One of the suggestions that Jerry Hossom added to the mix was to use the rear of the shaft (point A) to scrape out a slot in your shaft to recess the Harpoon for a more rigid setup.

It worked great. But the more I used it, the more I wanted to change it. I did not like the idea of pulling on the shaft in the scrapping motion. If you slipped, you would be pulling your hand across the blade. Even with a sheath, that is just asking for trouble. Instead, you could use the point at the end (point B) for the same purpose by holding the shaft upright.
But then I played some more. When you inlet the shaft into a slot and lash it, you get a rather stiff setup. This means when you hit something hard like a tree or a rock, there is more chance of breaking the Harpoon. I like using the method of lashing it to the side of the sapling as shown in this shot.

With this setup, it is stiff enough to use and to penetrate your prey. However, should you do something like we DO NOT SUGGEST and throw your setup like a spear and hit a rock, tree or whatever, the Harpoon can slide back in the lashing somewhat before breaking. Also, you need to run a cord from the lanyard hole, down the shaft, back to your hand. This way should the Harpoon come loose, it is not lost forever. "Fishshooter" shows the right set up.

 

[j williams]

I would really like one of those. I dont have the stuff to make one, and the TOPS version is pretty expensive. I do see a place for one in my pack so........ looks like I will have to just buy one--- It will go good mounted to my tom brown tracker. I cant believe all the work that goes into makin one!

 

[Rescue Mike]

Well... It's time for the next installment of the SRM (Skunk/Rescue Mike) Faux-Poon..

Overall, I have removed quite a bit of material thinning the blade down, and have the handle pretty well shaped.

The Blade is finished with major grinding..

And I put a 25 degree edge on the cutting edge..

Tonight, it sits in a 400 degree oven (twice) and then off to paint and wrap! I'm using a Yellow Enamel, and Black paracord..

Whew! Lots of work! More pics in the morning!