SURVIVOR! Try stick

OBX351 said:
Thanks, I'll give it a try.

The verdict is still out but the 4.7 could be my new favorite knife, (which is the new 5.1 with the old 5.1 a close second) because of the ergonomics of the handles the height of the blade and the overall balance of the knife. I also really love the new treatment that Guy's been using on the scales. The all new design, contouring and micarta treatment makes a very impressive knife.

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I'm so glad to here that! I'm not a big choil fan, but I do like the handles on the old spec knives the most.
 
Silver Needle said:
Standard be like "To be honest, if I can do these, anyone can with a bit of patience and time. The knife really does all of the work."
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I had to go do some digging after seeing this. That guy is the Master!
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Possessing not even the ability to draw a stick man myself, I don't know how that ^ is humanly possible :eek: Kudos to that dude.
 
Amazing! I thought I remember seeing some articles on Facebook about this guy, but the pic I posted I found when I go ogled "intricate wood carving" or something like that. Very cool!
 
I got a little trystick time in over the weekend and almost had a little slip and accident... not even sure how it happened.

Any tips or things you keep in mind to keep your fingers safe when trysticking?
 
As dumb as it sounds here are my suggestions:
use two hands
choke up (why I like a choil)
make small cuts or slices and use the whole blade (meaning you can use different parts of the blade to safely cut or slice)
grip is a big part of it too
don't try to overpower a cut

I use pretty hard wood and I've nicked myself up some. It usually happens when my hands are tired. However, the main thing is to be aware of how your cutting and where your fingers are and where the blade is going. If you aren't sure of a grip or angle try a smaller cut or slice with LESS pressure. If you hit a knot take it down in smaller chunks or slices not all at once. Don't try to overpower it because you might end up losing control of the knife and possibly dropping the knife.

Believe me I've learned from my mistakes. I have a nice .9" scar on the palm of my right thumb hand from dropping my knife. I've also have a 1/2" cut on my left pointer finger, I've sliced both thumbs open when I was a kid, I have about 20 very small puncture wounds on my fingers and hands, I've skinned myself about five times and I've managed to slice part of the top off of one finger.

What did you do?
 
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That's good advice. I have always kept most of those points in mind, especially being aware of blade direction and hand placement and not forcing or overpowering cuts. The main thing I always tried to do was keep my stick-holding hand behind the blade. That would be a fool-proof way to keep my hand safe, right?

I'm honestly not sure exactly what I did, but I think I was trying a cut using part of the edge towards the tip of the blade. I must have pushed too hard as I felt the edge slide across the stick and to my horror my stick-holding hand had moved in front of the blade. STUPID! Well I think the blade slid across the stick and sliced my index finger. Quite a bit of blood at the time, but seems to be healing well. I got pretty freaked out reading about some of the nerve damage that can be caused, but I most definitely had a very minor injury compared to some of the stories I've read here.
 
I've done that before and I am glad to hear that you're okay. The only thing I can suggest, and call me Capt Obvious, is try putting the thumb of your stick holding hand on the spine of the knife to assist in guiding the knife. This will keep your off hand behind the blade and give you more control of the blade.

You're right about nerve damage. I met a kid who was working with his knife in the field and drive the tip into the log next to him. Unfortunately it was raining and his grips were slick and his hand slipped. He ended up cutting the crap out of himself and now has permanent nerve damage in 2 of his fingers. He was somewhat of a survival expert too.
 
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The thumb idea is really good and again that was something I thought I was always doing. I'm not sure if I got distracted for a split second with my hand in the wrong spot or what. I'm hoping staying more focused will keep me from doing anything dumb again.

Scary story about the kid you knew.
 
It's crazy(scary) how easy it is to mess up. I was watching the show "alone" with the wife and it amazed me how many people were holding a small log while simultaneously trying to chop/split it....did not end well for one contestant... I have slipped a number of times over the years and have the scars to prove it. The tip of my left thumb has a small chunk missing from fajita night in college.... Now a days I try to wear gloves. Not always comfortable and won't always stop the knife, but I figure it's an 1/8" less deep of a cut....
 
Distractions can be your worst enemy. Most of my most recent cuts are from not paying attention or swinging at a damn bee.
I'm not a big fan of gloves, but they are a heck of a lot safer.
 
I was bored and made a few new items, tent pegs and spools for cordage.

 
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