Shave Like a Pro

riz_aaroni

riz_aaroni

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So, I've been meaning to make this thread for a week now or so. Better have been worth the wait! I had the idea after I went hiking with JV3 and couple of weekends ago when we, or mostly JV3, were trying to make feather sticks. This is mostly just for shavings in general, which would be fine I'd imagine.

The idea was to pick up a small plane, the thing that carpenters use and not the thing that flies...though that'd be cool too. You could split a decent piece of wood and shave off a bunch for a fire, without having to have a ton of skill, really sharp knife or what have you. Here is a stock photo of what I got for $8 and the resulting photo of some work on a stick I got outside.

Stanley-12-101-Small-Trimming-Plane-B00002X1ZC-L.jpg


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http://www.flickr.com/photos/rizaaroni/5383323402/

The wood was pretty easy to shave, burnt great and dried/warmed pretty quick in my pocket. Doesn't weight too much, will have to give it more field use and see if it worth while.
 
For a smaller lighter weight alternative you can also use a good ol fashioned hand held pencile sharpner. I picked up one with two holes for regular and large penciles. Just find some dry low hanging branches that fit the hole in the sharpner and you have a crap load of shavings in no time.
 
True, could also split the wood to fit. I have a POS plastic one, though you need an all metal one to avoid breaking it. Workings well for fatwood! I have to have a metal one some where, will search for it.

Another benefit of the plane, is the blade comes out and could be pretty handy by itself.
 
riz_aaroni said:
True, could also split the wood to fit. I have a POS plastic one, though you need an all metal one to avoid breaking it. Workings well for fatwood! I have to have a metal one some where, will search for it.

Another benefit of the plane, is the blade comes out and could be pretty handy by itself.
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how about making a jig that holds a given blade and uses that as a shaver/planer? mmm
 
Bladite said:
how about making a jig that holds a given blade and uses that as a shaver/planer? mmm
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Not a bad idea either. I did some sawing today and at the end I stuck the bk7 into the tree and held the piece of wood to shave off some bits. It is much easier to control the angle and apply force to it that way. Same concept as sticking a blade in a stump and shavings off some bits of wood and then sparking it with a firesteel. Made for much easier work.

A jig would be cool though. :D
 
Md 25v, that is good lol. Seems like it would be a fun thing to make. Have to remember that.
 
Those bush planes are really handy and only take about two minutes to make. I figure if your gonna make a serious enough fire to be using a block plane then a couple minutes to make one instead would be a small price. Besides the size and weight of that small plane could be another fire starting device or a bigger/heavier ferro rod.
 
True. Right now I've been going on day hikes and just messing around, so weight isn't an issue. Though multi day hikes where I'd be walking miles and miles would be a different story. Good to know regardless.
 
Md 25v said:
Those bush planes are really handy and only take about two minutes to make. I figure if your gonna make a serious enough fire to be using a block plane then a couple minutes to make one instead would be a small price. Besides the size and weight of that small plane could be another fire starting device or a bigger/heavier ferro rod.
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Beat me to it. Dammit. LOL. Kinda hard to do with a BK7, but it can be done, you just need a bigger piece of wood. Don't we all.:D

Moose
 
Don't need a bigger jig at all. You just use a little different technique. With a big knife you keep the knife still with the blade facing up and away from you and the jig laying on top. Then, pull the branch towards yourself shaving off a slice. I actually prefer to leave all but an inch of the knife in the sheath while doing this with a big chopper.
 
Md 25v said:
Don't need a bigger jig at all. You just use a little different technique. With a big knife you keep the knife still with the blade facing up and away from you and the jig laying on top. Then, pull the branch towards yourself shaving off a slice. I actually prefer to leave all but an inch of the knife in the sheath while doing this with a big chopper.
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Yeah, but I make mine by putting the whole blade through my jig, not just the notch. It seems to make everything more solid and less chance of a jump.

Kudos on the sheath with the chopper.

Moose
 
Md 25v said:
Those bush planes are really handy and only take about two minutes to make. I figure if your gonna make a serious enough fire to be using a block plane then a couple minutes to make one instead would be a small price. Besides the size and weight of that small plane could be another fire starting device or a bigger/heavier ferro rod.
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well, if you've made one, it's handy to keep around... less time wasted, less chance of slicing off your thumb ;)

neat device...

the thing that i was thinking about, was like a flake knife holder... split of wood, sharp small edge held in place, bit of binding, voila, maximize utility of what you have.

http://www.primitiveways.com/pt-hoko.html

also i guess called a hoko :) could use the tip of a mora, razor blade, snapped off tip of an ESEE, or you know, flint! heh.

this is very cool though: http://paleoplanet69529.yuku.com/reply/341888/Re-Scary-Sharp-Paleo-Flake-Knife
 
A hoko is great for getting leverage on shards that are to small to use without a handle but not worth the effort of putting a good haft on. I guess my question is how would making a hoko take the place of his block plane? It's kinda the same as already having a nice sharp Becker.
 
Good finds bladite. I'd worry about chipping bit time with those. Probably no issues slicing things and smaller work.

Then again I haven't used one before. Closest thing was a flake, really small, from a piece of flint I got with my flint and steel that fell off. I tried cutting a wrapper or receipt or something thin and the flint went right through it like nothing. Definitely an impressive material. Need to buy more liquor in square bottles and knap some tools, while sober that is.
 
riz_aaroni said:
5383323402_4212b4bdcc_b.jpg

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alright, i was a little hesitant to click on this thread given the title :eek: my legs are mostly free of hair from all the testing i've been doing with my knives after sharpening them, i don't need to see another man's shaved legs :D

yeah, those wood shavings is fine enough that even an lmf rod will light it up easily. as far as feather sticks go, i think my bhk bushcrafter is still mad at me for saying to you that my mora made better feather sticks...it bit my thumb last night while sharpening her up. i was testing the edge for burr and bam...just a small nick. bourbon may or may not have had something to do with it :o


Md 25v said:
Here you go:D
Skills weigh less than gear.
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but gear is much easier to acquire than skills :p that is a sweet video! amazing what some people can come up with.
 
Check out Operationalextras on youtube!
Mr Black over at BCUSA!!
He has some vids using the micro plane!!
 
I ordered a Contractors pencil sharpener for this very purpose. It worked great but the thing was solid die cast metal, and was suprisingly heavy for its size so I never carried it. Maybe sometime I will look for another sturdy plastic one.
 
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