I need something to do.

Buck_Fan

Buck_Fan

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Oct 14, 2008
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Hi fine folks,
I hope you all are well. I want to start this thread by saying that I am not mentioning my situation for sympothy, but for ideas.

OK. I am 41 and became disabled 2 years ago. I do not work and am limited in my activity. I love knives as we all do and I want to use them. But I don't do a whole lot that requires a knife much, at least not as much as I would like. I am quick to offer them for others to use. I use the to open packages and mail. But I want more. I have been thinking about whittling. Even if I just grab a stick from the back yard and work on making it smaller. I plan on going to the library when I can to get some books out on whittling and carving.

I want to ask if anyone has ideas or links or whatever as to what can be done with my knives that I already have not thought of? Anyone whittle and can give advice. Any thoughts?

Thanks all,

Bill
 
Bill, I understand exactally where you are coming from. Although I work construction and use my edc regularly I have many other knives that I dont believe see enough action. My 2 ideas are this, Now I have done very little whittling at all, but to use my knives more I took up first, Sharpening knives. It gives you a whole new outlook, there is really an art to it and many different ways to do it and to do it right. Lots of good info on that around hereon that. and the second have you ever thought of a little embelishing??? You know maybe a little custom knife work. Now I know that these guys that build knives have a lot of experience and tools which I dont. But I have experimented with Just either putting different handles or handle material on my knives or finding cheap beat up knives and trying to fix them. And believe me my tools are pretty limited. Now my stuff isint fancy enough to sell or anything like that but it has brought me many hours of enjoyment. Then I usually just enjoy the knife my self or give them to family and friends. I know it probablly wasnt the answer you were looking for but its the best I can tell ya if your looking to handle your knives a little more. Very best of luck to ya my friend .- Joel

Ps- i know smkw sells some whittling kits for pretty cheap...
 
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Buck Fan...moving this to "General" where it is a more appropriate topic for discussion.
 
Whittling is quite relaxing man, and fun to pick out the kind of knives you'd whittle with.

I hardly use my knives, except for whittling and and occasional bush craft. Whatever it is you find to do with your time, I hope you enjoy it.
 
A few thoughts...

1. Lanyard making/knot stuff. Check out Stormdranes blog. http://stormdrane.blogspot.com/. A nice way to embellish a knife, especially the smaller ones.

2. Sheath making. Not sure if making leather or kydex sheaths appeal to you. Not sure how much equipment is needed. Check out the sheath making forum.

3. Learn to sharpen knives by hand. A few stones/diamond/ceramic stones will be needed.

4. If you like working with wood, look into knife storage solutions. Wooden mechanic type drawers or display cases. Granted, this would require some equipment.

The above could all be sources of some xtra $ too. Best of luck to you.
 
Theres Books and Blogs and everyhing about Whittling using a Google search. You may find just what your looking for... Try the link below for the book... Good Luck!!!

Photo from the internet...
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http://www.toolsforworkingwood.com/indextool.mvc?prodid=AQ-1039
 
Get some Japanese water stones and get into the 'Zen' of sharpening. I spent about two hours a week touching up blades, it's very theraputic.;)
 
Buckfan, you are in luck. I prefer to think of myself as one of the most prolific whittlers of my generation. However, my most frequent subject happens tp be toothpicks. I can spend hours on end doing nothing but whitteling, making nothing but toothpicks. You don't need any skill, any reason, any special tools, how can you beat that. The knife I use the most though is a Case med. stockman with cv blades. I also use a Boker congress with carbon steel blades (1095 I think). Case and Boker, as well as others make a fine whitteling knife, as long as the steel is carbon, not stainless, that's my personal preference, but most here will agree.
 
Cooking!

You get to use bigger knives with thinner edges for longer periods of time. And smaller knives with even thinner edges.
 
Whittling, carving, woodworking are excellent ways to keep your hands and mind busy. There is a limitless number of things you can carve from wood. My suggestion would be to use your main folders to start and then purchase a simple woodcarving kit online. As your hands become more in tune to what your brain wants them to do you can really start to create some beautiful works of art. I'm sure all of us here would love to see what you create and how your work would develop. Please keep us updated.
 
Carving and wood work are only limited by one's creativity. This can lead on to endless forms of artwork, large or small and from simplicity to complex. Go for it.
 
I think Smitty0331 must be describing me a lot when he says a lot of his wood carvings and whittling turns out to be tooth picks. My stepson asked me what I was whittling when me and his mother were dating before we got married. I said I was making tooth picks. I am not sure who laughed more my stepson are my wife to be.
Use soft wood such as Basswood for carving and google Woodcrafters. I think they also put out a catalog. Check your local library for books on this subject. I use Swiss army knives, case, Queen, Eye brand and buck knives. What I like about SAKS are the sharp thin edge from the factory and they are easy to sharpen. I find the closed blades on SAKS are recessed and don't bother me. I have used Whittlers and Congress patterns but the back of the closed blades can be uncomfortable over a period time as I whittle. I also like Sodbusters by Queen, Case and Eye brand. Thin and sharp is what you want. Spyderco has some model that work very well. Good luck and have fun as it is an enjoyable and rewarding hobby.

RKH
 
Lately, I've also found myself asking a similar question. I don't really use my knives for much other than opening boxes and the like. Recently, I've started cooking with some of them - it's a lot more fun, and it was so much easier to cut the vegetables.

My ultimate dream that would involve me more with knives and encourage further interest would be to take up knife-making. Even if it only starts with buying blade blanks and making handles, it would provide a way to keep enjoying being around knives - plus, you'd get to make a little money selling them.

If you live in an area which allows you to make a fire outside (on the ground, or in a burn can) you're set. Here's a link to a cheap way to start making knives. I'd love to start doing this kind of work, but my area doesn't permit fires (exposed or contained).

Hope this helps, and good luck!
 
Those who mentioned woodworking (whittling) and sharpening by hand have offered excellent ideas---those would be my two favorite options if I was limited in mobility/activity.

Have fun---no doubt they can be a source of enjoyment and maybe even profit. :thumbup:
 
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