Well, seeing as we've been delving more into the concept of skills and abilities, than gear and advances in technology I thought I'd keep with the theme.
That said, it's only natural for a bunch of knife nuts to be proficient in knife usage and skills, particularly as it relates to bushcraft/campcraft/woodscraft/whatever-you-want-to-call-it-craft.
I thought it would be a fun idea to list some exercises that not only require a sharp, but KEEP you sharp, your carving and whittling skills at least.
With any luck, this will take off and we'll even have some participants post pictures and tips/tricks that make things easier. The best part is, this is something most everyone can do, even those who still can't make it outside. As long as you can make it to the hardware store, or craft shop for some basswood, or the stock of your choice.
I'm not saying we could pull off organized group projects with a new one every week, but it's crossed my mind, and that would be fantastic. I think everyone could benefit though; From lurkers who may be new to woodcraft/campcraft/bushcraft learning and developing proper technique and safety, to old-timers and salts learning or remembering a trick, tip, or just a new way of doing things.
Everyone seems to want to jump right into the advanced things, such as celestial navigation, plant and fungi identification, tracking and trapping. That's all fine and well, but I think, as with anything else, you need to develop a firm base and then build onto it from there.
If you ask most folks, "Do you know how to use a knife?" the answer will invariably be, "Ofcourse!" and for some things, that's true. It's as simple as cut away from you, keep it sharp, sheath it, clean it, oil it, etc.
Now, ask this same group of folks to whittle you a chain, or a ball in a cage, or a try stick, or form a Ojibwa bird trap, and they instantly get this look of bewilderment
A short list to get us started on ideas and test the waters. Keep in mind this is by no means a complete list, and is welcome to amendments/suggestions. I'll try to list them in order of difficulty(in my opinion).
Easy:
Putting a symmetrical-conical point on a pencil or stick
Feather sticks
Tent peg/stake
Pot hanger
Spring-up snare trigger
Fishing gorge
Intermediate:
Paiute deadfall set
Figure 4 deadfall set
Fish hooks
Trapper's cabin(think Lincoln logs, only with sticks whittled to form a symmetrical square "cabin"). *
Harpoon/spear/frog gig
Spoon+fork=spork! (carve the whole set)
Advanced:
Swinging pot hanger/door hinges
Wooden chain
Ball in a cage
Pliars
Ojibwa bird pole(with squared male-female joint)
Numerous variations including chain in a cage, two balls in a cage, balls in an hourglass, etc. Most of the advanced carving is simply combining the other more basic techniques, and then is limited only by your imagination and resourcefulness.
I could go on listing more things, but I'm more interested in what you do to keep your knife skills "sharp", and what tricks you might have. That and I'd just basically like to spur some discussion on the matter. Afterall, I already know what's in my head...show me what's in yours. :thumbup:
*Edited to note: The term Trapper's Cabin came about, according to legend, because trappers were known for their skill and prowess with a blade and were constantly honing their skills so that they would have the most sensitive and effective trap triggers.
Gautier
That said, it's only natural for a bunch of knife nuts to be proficient in knife usage and skills, particularly as it relates to bushcraft/campcraft/woodscraft/whatever-you-want-to-call-it-craft.
I thought it would be a fun idea to list some exercises that not only require a sharp, but KEEP you sharp, your carving and whittling skills at least.
With any luck, this will take off and we'll even have some participants post pictures and tips/tricks that make things easier. The best part is, this is something most everyone can do, even those who still can't make it outside. As long as you can make it to the hardware store, or craft shop for some basswood, or the stock of your choice.
I'm not saying we could pull off organized group projects with a new one every week, but it's crossed my mind, and that would be fantastic. I think everyone could benefit though; From lurkers who may be new to woodcraft/campcraft/bushcraft learning and developing proper technique and safety, to old-timers and salts learning or remembering a trick, tip, or just a new way of doing things.
Everyone seems to want to jump right into the advanced things, such as celestial navigation, plant and fungi identification, tracking and trapping. That's all fine and well, but I think, as with anything else, you need to develop a firm base and then build onto it from there.
If you ask most folks, "Do you know how to use a knife?" the answer will invariably be, "Ofcourse!" and for some things, that's true. It's as simple as cut away from you, keep it sharp, sheath it, clean it, oil it, etc.
Now, ask this same group of folks to whittle you a chain, or a ball in a cage, or a try stick, or form a Ojibwa bird trap, and they instantly get this look of bewilderment
A short list to get us started on ideas and test the waters. Keep in mind this is by no means a complete list, and is welcome to amendments/suggestions. I'll try to list them in order of difficulty(in my opinion).
Easy:
Putting a symmetrical-conical point on a pencil or stick
Feather sticks
Tent peg/stake
Pot hanger
Spring-up snare trigger
Fishing gorge
Intermediate:
Paiute deadfall set
Figure 4 deadfall set
Fish hooks
Trapper's cabin(think Lincoln logs, only with sticks whittled to form a symmetrical square "cabin"). *
Harpoon/spear/frog gig
Spoon+fork=spork! (carve the whole set)
Advanced:
Swinging pot hanger/door hinges
Wooden chain
Ball in a cage
Pliars
Ojibwa bird pole(with squared male-female joint)
Numerous variations including chain in a cage, two balls in a cage, balls in an hourglass, etc. Most of the advanced carving is simply combining the other more basic techniques, and then is limited only by your imagination and resourcefulness.
I could go on listing more things, but I'm more interested in what you do to keep your knife skills "sharp", and what tricks you might have. That and I'd just basically like to spur some discussion on the matter. Afterall, I already know what's in my head...show me what's in yours. :thumbup:
*Edited to note: The term Trapper's Cabin came about, according to legend, because trappers were known for their skill and prowess with a blade and were constantly honing their skills so that they would have the most sensitive and effective trap triggers.
Gautier
Such is the trouble with working swingshift and drinking after work. hehe
