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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Knives aside, what are your other hobbies??
- Thread starter ddd
- Start date
- Joined
- Oct 24, 2007
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- 2,655
Like Joss,about 11 months ago I set out on a quest to lose weight and get in shape.I started bodybuilding as a way to supplement my weight loss and help me stay motivated to keep it off.I went from a very obesse 257 pouns to 200, and am stronger and have more muscle at 50 than I did when I was 20!I am now hooked and plan on staying fit hopefully for the rest of my life!
Thanks for the info. That pic was taken several years ago in a Senote in Mexico. (I have upgraded gear since that trip but no cave specific stuff.) We had a fully setup divemaster/guide and assistant with us that dives those systems everyday. I'm sure we only got the "tourist" tour. I would never do it on my own without proper training and equpment.
A couple more pics from that trip.
My dive buddy for the last 14 years.
.
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- Joined
- Nov 21, 2005
- Messages
- 3,972
The Ozarks is known for growing a lot of sassafras. The old time johnboat floaters and fishermen preferred a sassafras paddle due to the gravel-bottomed Ozark streams chewing up other woods over time. Sassafras has its own natural oil and seems to fray at the end with use, but I have yet to see one crack.
Though new at this, I am in the process of getting my shop set up to make a few of these. The hardest part seems to be locating large enough trees, but they are out there. Once harvested, I start with a 5/4ths-inch thick rough cut board. Getting from the blank stage to the finished product requires a lot of time, but I hope to get good enough at it, and maybe efficient enough, that my small business venture doesn't end up 'up the creek without a paddle'.
- Joe
Though new at this, I am in the process of getting my shop set up to make a few of these. The hardest part seems to be locating large enough trees, but they are out there. Once harvested, I start with a 5/4ths-inch thick rough cut board. Getting from the blank stage to the finished product requires a lot of time, but I hope to get good enough at it, and maybe efficient enough, that my small business venture doesn't end up 'up the creek without a paddle'.
- Joe
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- Joined
- Oct 28, 2006
- Messages
- 13,363
I've been working out with weights and an array of cardiovascular routines 5-6 days a week for about 25 years now.
Never thought of it as a hobby, but more like work.
I do recommend it for long term good general health.
Edit to add; perhaps if I think of it as a hobby it will become more enjoyable.
Never thought of it as a hobby, but more like work.
I do recommend it for long term good general health.
Edit to add; perhaps if I think of it as a hobby it will become more enjoyable.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2003
- Messages
- 2,498
I've been working out with weights and an array of cardiovascular routines 5-6 days a week for about 25 years now.
Never thought of it as a hobby, but more like work.
I do recommend it for long term good general health.
Edit to add; perhaps if I think of it as a hobby it will become more enjoyable.
Kevin, the way you move, walk as well as your handshake -
all indicate beautifully your excellent physical shape...
Being handicapped I notice such things and can tell quite a lot
even from the flowing movement of the way you walk...
Looking at how seriously you take your hobbies, I also suspect that
making your physical routines a "hobby" may actually make them
more enjoyable!
All the best,
David Darom (ddd)
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The Ozarks is known for growing a lot of sassafras. The old time johnboat floaters and fishermen preferred a sassafras paddle due to the gravel-bottomed Ozark streams chewing up other woods over time. Sassafras has its own natural oil and seems to fray at the end with use, but I have yet to see one crack.
Though new at this, I am in the process of getting my shop set up to make a few of these. The hardest part seems to be locating large enough trees, but they are out there. Once harvested, I start with a 5/4ths-inch thick rough cut board. Getting from the blank stage to the finished product requires a lot of time, but I hope to get good enough at it, and maybe efficient enough, that my small business venture doesn't end up 'up the creek without a paddle'.
- Joe
Looks like a nice shop you have there Joe. I would be interested to hear about your process going from a slab of sassafras to the finished paddle.
Peter
Another of my hobbies is collecting/refurbishing antique/vintage woodworking and machinists tools. When I bought a "mid-century" Craftsman woodturning lathe a while back, my first project was to turn some handles for a group of blades I picked up at a place that salvages and sells tools:
Also, I have found Connecticut rich in manufacturing history and one of my favorite Sunday morning flea markets is a great source for inexpensive old tools. This is a group that I made new handles for:
The "Perfect Handle" screwdriver was patented by the H.D. Smith Company that was located in Plantsville, CT. I typically pick up used and abused ones for a dollar or so, and make new handles for them once I clean up the metal. I also have a small hobbyist precision lathe, and made the small tools with cocobolo handles for turning between centers on it. Also, ebony handles at the bottom of the picture were made to hold needle files. They were salvaged from a 1903 piano that someone dumped near our transfer station because they did not want to pay the disposal fee! Got the ivory off of the keys too
Also, I have found Connecticut rich in manufacturing history and one of my favorite Sunday morning flea markets is a great source for inexpensive old tools. This is a group that I made new handles for:
The "Perfect Handle" screwdriver was patented by the H.D. Smith Company that was located in Plantsville, CT. I typically pick up used and abused ones for a dollar or so, and make new handles for them once I clean up the metal. I also have a small hobbyist precision lathe, and made the small tools with cocobolo handles for turning between centers on it. Also, ebony handles at the bottom of the picture were made to hold needle files. They were salvaged from a 1903 piano that someone dumped near our transfer station because they did not want to pay the disposal fee! Got the ivory off of the keys too
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2001
- Messages
- 12,336
Joe: I'm impressed, but not surprised. Good stuff.
Peter, you're a Dumpster Diver. My kind of guy.
Beautiful workmanship!
Coop
Peter, you're a Dumpster Diver. My kind of guy.
Beautiful workmanship!
Coop
- Joined
- Aug 13, 2007
- Messages
- 1,352
I like canoeing, this is in Sweden at Glaskogen.
- Joined
- Nov 21, 2005
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- 3,972
Peter, my shop is 14' X 28', and I enjoy it a lot, but not much space for big equipment. It is just right for keeping me off the streets when I have some spare time.
That being said, the quick response to my process is: bandsaw out design from 5/4-inch board; hand plane down all edges; draw centerlines front, back and along blade sides; scribe blade's final edge thickness on both sides from centerline; begin blade, shaft and hand grip shape with belt sander; finish cupping out grip with hand chisel; take router to shape paddle's shaft corners down to desired curve; gross removal on blade with hand grinder equipped with an Arbotech mini-carver wheel; then several electric and hand sanding devises until finished. I sand the wood down to 180 or 220 grit.
On Ozark streams (as opposed to lakes), the key to a good paddle (other than the wood) is keeping a good rib down the center of the blade for strength. I try to keep it as close to the 5/4-inch width in the middle as possible, then taper down to the scribed lines on the blades two sides.
It sounds like you should be equipped to whip a few paddles out in your shop! Love what you just posted. Great stuff! :thumbup:
- Joe
I love restoring and/or racing cars. This is my current weekend warrior for cruising/track duty. The one before this was a 77 corvette, I do have a full blown track car also. Nice weekend cruise 1000 miles away from home lol.
AWESOME picture CBR!!! That "Z" looks like it would be a blast to drive. Looks great in black.
Thanks for the description Joe. In looking at the paddle, I was thinking it would be a good project to use a draw knife and spoke shaves in shaping the handle.
Having a nice shop would be great. Mine is in the basement, which is prone to flooding so I haven't been able to get it set up with the equipment I want. A band saw would be a great addition for sure. Mostly, I do a lot of "tinkering" as opposed to building things.
Peter
- Joined
- Nov 30, 2011
- Messages
- 22
I am new to the forum and I have several hobbies. Mostly I drag race. Have been for 30 years. I've made several pieces of steel that looked like knives, but were not heat treated. I do some pickin' and grinnin' with a mandolin, enjoy computers and antiques. Yeah I know, it's a wierd combination.
This little car is powered 451cid Mopar and runs the quarter mile in about 8.5 seconds at 160mph.
This little car is powered 451cid Mopar and runs the quarter mile in about 8.5 seconds at 160mph.