Laser Strike final version (photo)

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This is the final version of the Laser Strike. As suggested by others on this forum we added a little cost and included a kydex loop for the striking rod, 3 feet of paracord wrapped around the sheath for bow drills or other uses, and the Ranger Band as extra security - so if the striking rod wears and becomes loose, the band around the top keeps it tight. The band makes decent rubber for a limited use sling shot when split length-wise and cut on the bonding point. The bow drill divot has been fully tested and works extremely well with no heat transfer to the users hand and actually gets slicker the more you use it. The divot also serves as a pivot point for thumb or finger when choking back to do light chopping - basically the same technique as pinch gripping a machete.

More info available here: http://www.jungletraining.com/laser.htm

laserstrike1.jpg


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Randall's Adventure & Training
jeff@jungletraining.com

[This message has been edited by JeffRandall (edited 11-03-2000).]
 
Jeff,

Congrats -- that is one helluva nicely thought out design! I love the backstrap capability combined with the rod and the socket for the firebow. It's very true that getting a good smooth socket that reduces friction to the smallest amount possible is one of the biggest challenges out there. In the jungle or rainforest, where it's so dang wet, wood sockets swell and bind up. That happened to me in Belize with by set, and I ended up having to peck out a socket with stones. I first grabbed a stone from near the river and just when I had it about right it cracked in half! <Grrr> So, on my second attempt, I got something workable, but not totally satisfactory. If I had that knife, I would've been drier faster! LOL!

The handle and choil design look really nice for control, too. I would guess that when doing whittling and skinning you could cut and cut without fatigue... Plus the size and flat grind of the blade is what I prefer for backwoods utility.

I'll hafta add this one to my collection in the near future!

Again, great design!

Best,

Brian.
 
Brian, I've been playing in jungles for a long time and most of the jungles I have been in have been too damn damp for my skills with a bow drill - thus the reason for the ferrocium rod
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One of our team members, Darryl Patton is probably one of the best primitive fire builders there is in the US. Particularly specializing in hand drills. He's had a lot of difficulty with bow drill techniques down there also. It can be done though. Another fellow jungle traveler I know spent half a day and finally got a coal with a bow drill in the Peruvian Amazon.

Another thing I have noticed is true flint and steel gets a lot more difficult in these environments. Char cloth grabs moisture quick once exposed.

Trioxane and a Bic lighter has worked every time though. Maybe everyone should just buy an Old Hickory butcher knife, a few tabs of trioxane, and a couple of bic lighters and just be happy
smile.gif


Jeff

------------------
Randall's Adventure & Training
jeff@jungletraining.com
 
Methinks I hear the voice of experience speaking. Looks like an excellent design, well thought out. Congratulations! Any Canadian dealers, or are you selling them yourself?
 
Jeff,

I hear ya -- I cheated a little by bringing down the set I made up here in the dry ol' US. I wrapped in a plastic garbage bag and took it out for the attempt right before it. My shoulders were killing me, but I finally got a spark -- it did take a while. I dropped the wood socket when I opened it up and that got it wet enough to screw me up for awhile. I think in my case it was more angry determination than anything else .
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Still, if you had told me beforehand how tough a time you and Darryl had, I might not have done it, thinking it was already impossible. There's something to be said for preconceived expectations I guess....

Safe to say, I opted for my magnesium and sawblade firestarter after that, with a little 0000 steel wool as tinder.

Jeez, my shoulder still aches from the bowdrill, and that was back in May..
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Hee Hee...

Best,

Brian.

[This message has been edited by Brian Jones (edited 11-04-2000).]
 
Thanks for the links Howard, I will check them out, and Bagheera e-mailed me already about the fire steels!
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