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Slinging as a means of protection and hunting.

Since this thread has been thoroughly hijacked, Chris, a suggestion. You mentioned using a Chinese cleaver for making a flat gig. How about a circular saw blade? I see them regularly on sale at the local Canadian Tire (do you have an American Tire? :) ) for 99 cents. Cheap blades, no doubt, but for a gig?

Also, I thought about an alternate way to lash it to a pole (rather than hourglass). The idea came from some trade points I had. The main part of the gig body is the same width as the diameter of the shaft - only the ears stick out. These help secure everything when the gig is lashed into the shaft.

gigforrunningboar.jpg


Doc
 
Thats interesting about the hardwood wedge. The only wood I know that swells well when wet is ash. I have heard of ash tomahawk handles being soaked so that it wedges inside the head better.

I do not know that much about it.

Socketed spearheads cost a fair amount of change if they are good .

I am interested in what runningboar is doing. I think I will get some cheap butcher knives at the flea market. I think I may be able to make a frog sticker out of one. As he said it would pack pretty flat. The question is how wide can I make the tines and still have an efficient sticker.
 
Hey who hijacked my slinging thread? :grumpy: :D :D :D

I think we have come to the conclusion that while slinging is good there may be better ways to procur game. I would suggest that if you wanted to bring paracord with you as part of your gear to try and braid it into a sling shape.

If there is a sling that could be braided and unbraided if you needed the extra cord for something you would have an instant means of defence and game procurement. Course ya gotta practice.

On to frog/fish spears. Having metal points is great. What if you wanted to make one out of all wood or wood and bone. There is a link below to an eskimo fishing spear. Its a tiny pic.

I think it wouldn't be too hard to modify the design for lighter prey. All you would need are some hardwood shafts and perhaps a bone point.

Another idea would be a metal point and two barbed style branches. Take a look at the pic and tell me what you think.
http://www.therooms.ca/images/museum/photos/mnotes4_d.jpg
 
Good questions and thoughts. I am still pondering several things.

I can weld, so I can always fabricate the whole thing from small square bar stock, but, for me, making the actual barbs would be the most critical.

I'm considering the same attachment i suggested as for a "bring along" spear tip. Piece of metal pipe, 1 inch ID, maybe 1.25" ID, weld the gigs onto the peice of pipe. Drill hole in the side of it for a screw eye, and viola.
by using the piece of pipe, the wooden shaft wuold protrude thru the pipe, thus allowing for a wedge to be hammered in just like an axe, or any open ended tool.

Oh man, look at this. $4.99.
How can I help but be so lazy when this stuff is so readily available???
http://wildernessadventures.net/OT-28 Frog Gig.htm
 
Skunk,
That gig is a piece of crap don't waste 4 dollars on it, it will break after minimum use, the best gigs I have ever found are made by B&M. I have a 5 prong that I have been using for 20 years, I don't mean carrying, I mean using, my 3 prong that is in my kit is not new either, both are holding up great. That is a great idea on the pipe gig, make one up and test it, I think it will work awesome but it won't be any better to pack than the socket head.

Kevin,
I have several Old Hickorys, I think they are the best buy in a knife possible, Moras may be better, but I can't go down to the local hardware and buy them. If you hit swap meets and flea markets you can find them for a few dollars a piece and they are great to regrind or make other projects out of. I carry one in my pack that has butchered lots of game.

Doc
I like your idea of the tabs, looks like it would hold real well. I thought about a saw and then dismissed because I thought the saw would be to thin. Trade points would be great to put in a kit, nice and flat, can be used as a knife, and they are cheap, I think they would be better than the grizzlies I am carrying now.
Chris
 
runningboar said:
I thought about a saw and then dismissed because I thought the saw would be to thin. Chris
Click to expand...

Rethinking it, it would be fine for the main body but you're right - for the prongs it would probably be too thin. I have another project in mind for a circular saw blade, so I might give it a try then, just for the hell of it.

Doc
 
Circular saw blades make dandy little skinners. You already have the deep belly circular sweep of the blade. You can continue the second half of an asymetric sine wave to make the handle.

Doc I am going to copy or post a link of your Tim Baker green bow post over into the bow making thread. I am trying to find a copy of his "Easiest bow in the world" instructions for a lumberyard board bow.
 
runningboar said:
Skunk,
That gig is a piece of crap don't waste 4 dollars on it, it will break after minimum use....
Chris
Click to expand...

HAHaHaaa! I believe you, but and I really like someone who doesn't mince words.
"That gig is a piece of crap"

Thanks, advice taken.
 
Can I add a joystick and Ipod to the PSK? Still, that is all they will ever need considering their lifestyle.
I'm not an experienced woodsman by any stretch. My outdoor skills are limited to hunting and fishing with guns, bows and rod/reel. But that is much more knowledge than most people I have contact with in Northern Va. They are not outdoor types. In fact very few have ever hunted or fished in their life, nor do they have any desire. Political Correctness is at least partially responsible. I'm considered a right-wing nut b/c I own guns and decry the Washington Post:barf: as a left-wing pinko rag.
 
Kevin,
I live in West Virginia, the state. I commute to Virginia to work. The state line is at the top of the Blue Ridge Mt. I can look out my back window and see the top of the mountain and the Appalachian Trail is there too. The Northern Virginia I refer to is basically the suburbs of Washington D.C.
I work for Loudoun Co. public schools and I am lucky to be able to carry a Victorinox classic into work. Forget a lockback folder. I may as well leave my Sons of Confederate Veterans membership card at home too. The Confederate flag is reviled and this is a "southern" state? The next county to the east is Fairfax county, VA. If you get lost there ,don't bother stopping and asking for directions. Finding someone that speaks English is a challenge. Immigration and political correctness are changing the culture of a once rural area. Sheeple are a major concern.
Once a typical vehicle was a pick-up truck with a gun rack and rebel flag license plate. Now it's a low rider Honda with a boom box and Mexican ( also 500 other country) flag license plate. Outdoor skills is certainly not at the top of their list. It's making as much money as possible before returning to "their" ( their words not mine) country.
About slinging. I made a sling to try to have some kind of weapon/ tool that had ammo that could be had all over the ground, was compact, easy to make and was not offensive to sheeple. Really neat concept. I gave up after several attempts of practice. Could not get close to hitting a target smaller than the Shenandoah River. I may try again.
 
Could not get close to hitting a target smaller than the Shenandoah River. I may try again.
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Well at least you are within walking distance of a drink of water. :rolleyes:

Yes it sucks when a peoples focus is not upon proper useage of resources.
A constant drain upon a local economy will have eventual consequences.
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Yes if we want to look at it from a survival point of view the sling is limited. I do think it has possibilities.

I have also heard of people wacking themselves in the head.

Considering there is no real equipment to bring beyond your skill and cord it may do to have the skill.
 
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