Pics from camp and my bucksaw progression

C

Call_to_Arms

Joined
Apr 13, 2011
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394
I snuck out to camp today to have a shot at some projects and make some lunch.
First up is the evolution of my bucksaw, it started out life as an off the shelf 21" bucksaw from home depot, maybe 10-15$. I bought it probably 4 years ago to take a tree down and it has sat under my deck ever since, back in the summer I took it out to camp for some 'Ray Mears' inspired bushcraft. When I tried using it I found that the frame had lost its tension, I cant explain why but it was loose enough to have the blade fly right out if you weren't careful. I made an expedient frame out of a notched cedar bow and some split rings.
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This worked for half the summer, it was only used for some limbing and taking the occasional cedar pole, I got inspired recently from reading some of Mors Kochanski stuff, "The more you know, the less you carry". I set out today to make this from the same blade.
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I theorized I could carry the blade, 2 nails and 2 split rings in my kit, perhaps with a little cordage if I didnt want to rely on the stuff already in my kit. If I just needed to do some light cutting I could make bow #1, if I was staying in a camp for more than a day I could spend 30 minutes and make saw #2. My local hardware store sells a 2 pack of 21" blades for 4.50$, thats a little over $2 per saw. I think this one is going to stay at camp, im going to buy another blade to carry in my kit.
While we are here I thought id throw up a picture of lunch, steak and scalloped potatoes. With practice those potatoes could be made pretty simply, slice potatoes, boil for 20 minutes, pour in can of Cream of broccoli or mushroom soup, simmer, serve. I have been trying to come up with potatoe dishes that can be easily made without perishable ingredients, this one will make the list, hopefully I can find a powdered soup or sauce mix that will work in place of the canned stuff.
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Can you believe I bought the MSR Seagull pot in the background after Christmas? it has seen a fair bit of use since then.
 
Im debating if this can replace my folding saw. It is certainly more energy efficient if doing a lot of sawing, but if I am only building a fire to make lunch I would probably spend more time making the saw than cutting wood. I suppose this could be valuable if you were traveling in a group of 2 or more and could rely on someone elses folding saw for quick stuff and keep this if you wanted to do more.
 
SNAP, just linked to this off the pathfinder forum: [video=youtube;Awl45QuMunY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Awl45QuMunY[/video] I am making a hollow belt and wearing it everywhere I go.
 
Great pics, thanks or taking the time to post em.

Supper looks great and the frame for the saw looks terrific


Well done
 
Awesome post. I really like the saw#2 design, it looks very stable. What's your buddy's name there in the last photo?
 
That would be Thor, my faithful companion, I searched like hell for a better picture of him but somehow he manages to slip in only his ear or his butt into every photo I have of camp, I will take this into consideration the next time we are out. This is the best one I have.
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My second saw was still very wobbly until I lashed the tensioner to the center bar. For my next try I want to use stock small enough for me to break it down with the saw on my LM Charge and shortening the center bar to give it more of a triangle shape, maybe that will be more stable.
 
I understand and basicly agree with some of your concepts bud. But I still believe in bringing whatever makes sense for the climate\environment. I could not sit and wittle all kinds of bush tools on the shore edge of Lake Athabasca in January. Less is more is cool, but not as a blanket concept for me. Nice pics, thanks for the post.
:thumbup:
B.T.W., I was born and grew up in Oshawa\Bowmanville and fished every stream and river like Wilmot creek from Lake Ontario to many miles inland. :)
 
My camera is a Canon Rebel XT with a film era 28mm lens, I pretty much only use it as a large glorified point and shoot these days. None of these shot are artwork at any rate, more for documentations purposed and forum fodder. I know my Lowepro case made it into one shot but what made you question my camera? if you dont mind me asking.
 
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