pics from today...firecraft etc....

[j williams]

Off work today so I took to the woods....Hiked out to my spot, threw up my poncho tarp, a groundsheet, and sat down to practice some firecraft.

Walking in it is evident that fall is upon us. Leaves are changing and foliage is dying off.

The Milkweed pods are literally exploding. Lots of nice natural tinder to be had.

I gathered some up to take home. I like having some natural tinders to practice with when I cant make it to the woods...milkweed pods and ovum and some cedar bark.

First up was a splitwood fire. Im getting better and better at this.

Heres pics of my setup for the day....

Next up, bowdrill........

 

[j williams]

Ok....first some back story. A few months back I screwed up my knee something fierce. Almost needed surgery. This puts some bad juju on me kneeling for extended periods. Its getting better though. I wanted to make a bowdrill set and get a coal in the field for the first time since I got hurt. I have done it acouple times in my yard with a poplar set rescuerielly sent me so I wanted to see how I did in the woods.

I have no idea what kind of wood I used for the hearth. I generally look at charicteristics of wood. It passed my thumbnail test. I used some hickory for the spindle, and an Autumn Olive branch for my bow. Paracord string. The bearing block was a chunk of the same wood for the hearth.

Making the bow...

my set..

All was going good....

Then right when I saw that tell tale whisp of smoke, the freakin hearthboard broke.

I think I had ember when it broke, and I smashed it.

So, I made another go at it....

This time I was plumb getting wore out, knee was hurting, my bearing block was about done for, and it was getting to be time for me to start heading out. I brought the setup home with me to mess with.. Wood might be a bit too soft, but I think I can get it.

So a bowdrill fail for me.

more to come.....

 

[j williams]

Heres some pics of my Opinel saw for you guys that wanted to see more of it. Its a great saw. I like it alot.

solid lock...

fits the hand well....

I recently got my Turley PSK....Made my first leather sheath for it too. Its my first, so go easy...lol

Ive used this blade alot since I picked it up at Izs....

Splits small wood nicely...

This thing is a scalpel!

Here it is in the sheath. The knot on it makes it easy to draw, and gives a little something extra to hang on to. I really like this blade. Iz is the man.

I made a ton of mistakes on the sheath, but learned from them. All I used to make it was my swisstool, the PSK, and some fat sewing needles. The thread is some 550 guts I waxed. I want to do a bigger sheath with some better tools.

Thanks for lookin!!

 

[sicily02]

cool pics J. I like your shelter area. Yea the milkweed really is unloading there seeds here too. Great tinder that stuff is.

Bryan

 

[IA Woodsman]

Nice work J good to see you gettin out and about.

 

[pitdog]

Great stuff buddy, I love the deep plunge line on the Turley PSK, no wonder it cuts like a scalpel !

 

[j williams]

cool pics J. I like your shelter area. Yea the milkweed really is unloading there seeds here too. Great tinder that stuff is.

Bryan

Thanks B....Yeah ya gotta be quick with it though! That stuff goes up quick!!

Nice work J good to see you gettin out and about.

Thanks bro. :thumbup: Weathers been too good lately to sit idle.....

Great stuff buddy, I love the deep plunge line on the Turley PSK, no wonder it cuts like a scalpel !

No joke man....Its got a great shape.....:thumbup:

 

[fishiker]

Great pics, I really like the Turley.

 

[TheGame]

Thanks for the pics bro! I was out in the woods yesterday and completely forgot to grab some of the milkweed pods. Thanks for reminding me :thumbup:

 

[Moosez45]

OH MAN I WANT A TURLEY PSK SO BAD!!!! Missed my chance this weekend to get one, maybe Iz will have a couple of backouts on the orders.

 

[ROCK6]

What a great way to spend some time off of work!:thumbup:

I love the looks of that Turley!! I really need to work on my bow and drill this winter...it's a great way to warm up when it's cold out

Thanks for sharing Jake...a great motivator for those getting a little time off work this weekend to spend in the woods:thumbup:

ROCK6

 

[Mistwalker]

Cool pics Jake, I almost threw up a poncho shelter when I was out yesterday. There was a perfect spot near the fire pit that I'll have to try out later. At the time I was up there hiking I had been up all day working the day before, then up all night writing the night before. I was afraid if I laid down it would be twenty years later when I woke up

As a general rule it's better to use a harder wood for the bearing block than you use for the hearth.

 

[myright]

Great pics, bro - that's a cool little blade you've got there as well.

 

[j williams]

Thanks Mist.....Trust me bro, I know the feeling. :yawn:

Yeah I know on the bearing block. I was being a bit lazy...lol. I didnt even have a tinder bundle made up....

 

[Mistwalker]

Thanks Mist.....Trust me bro, I know the feeling. :yawn:

Yeah I know on the bearing block. I was being a bit lazy...lol. I didnt even have a tinder bundle made up....

I wouldn't sweat that bro. Most of the time I practice with a fire bow I don't have a tinder bundle either. Most of the time I'm just checking out woods and trying for coals...I still keep a fire steel on me and a lighter in my pocket

 

[mtnfolk mike]

great stuff Jake.. looks like a nice day out in the woods...

love that Turley PSK, i need to get one of those soon.. nice job on that sheath too bro... it came out great, especially for a first time..:thumbup:

 

[tonym]

Great Stuff Jake. Getting a coal with found material isn't as easy as alot think. You get an A for effort big boy.

That sheath isn't terrible, I have seen worse. I think...

 

[banana-clip]

Looks like a great day spent out in the woods.

 

[Stormstaff]

Great pics and great story! Thanks for sharing bro!

 

[j williams]

Thanks guys....

Funny thing is Tony....Ive seen and paid for worse too lol...