The return of the monthly challenges, with a twist.

Something else to consider is how we tie these various endeavors into knife usage. Some of them may not lend themselves easily to such a thing.
 
Knife care in a survival situation is something I've wondered about. What if you lose the sheath (god forbid)

Are there any tips or tricks from the woodsy folks out there on how to make a field sheath and from what materials?

Edge care also.
 
river rocks work well as impromptu natural hones.
ceramic - like the tank lid off a toilet or the bottom of a coffee mug also works quite well.
a glass bottle or smooth piece of chromed steel makes a decent field expedient "butcher steel"
the smooth side of a piece of tree bark (or some denim/canvas) smeared with clay can be used as a strop

as to field expedient sheaths -- birch bark when thoroughly soaked is very soft and pliable and can be folded and sewn like leather.
pine sap -- especially the globs stuck to the bark under an old wound -- can be melted, mixed with wood ash and a tiny bit of finely ground eggshell or limestone to make a very durable hot glue. (the calcium carbonate in the eggshell/limestone acts as a catalyst that helps it harden and not be sticky when it cools)
Other tree bark can be carved and glued or tied together as an impromptu scabbard as well.
found materials -- 2 liter soda bottle, laundry soap bottle, plastic bucket, or PVC pipe can be heated & mashed flat to use as a scabbard, too.
 
best way to start your woodstove

esp with modern compressed firewood :D
 
Looks like a good list so far.

I know we've already had a few challenges on weapon making, but that could be a good topic to revisit in the future.

I intend to have many tracking and trapping pictures this winter, and would be willing to share some info on those topics.

Also, be sure to time the topics properly (hunting during hunting season, trapping during trapping season, etc).
 
Alright people, sorry, work has been insane. What do you want the next set of skills to cover? Keep in mind, it's cold out, but not quite snowing in a lot of places, so we will want to wait for any of the snow fun until it's more widely dispersed and such. Here's the list I kinda had thrown together on the previous page as reference, although we are not specifically limited to those items, and I figure that for Christmas we'll do something fun and goofy maybe.

knife choice and usage
cordage and knots
shelter building
water purification
navigation/orienteering
fishing/trapping
tracking and hunting
wild edibles
outdoor cooking
urban survival
cold weather survival
hot weather survival

So that being said, what do you guys want to learn next? Post up your replies, tomorrow we will get something better sorted out and get a thread going.
 
Since I am in a dry part of the country, locating water and purification would be great.
I also love to learn about knots. My uncle was in the Coast Guard and had a life long fascination with knots, I enjoyed seeing his creations, but most were way too advanced for me. I am always down to learn more basic knot work.
 
No other suggestions? We need ideas for the next thread, either from the list above or something else, and if I don't get any input I will come up with something on my own. I'm leaning towards knife choice and usage to be honest.
 
Well I'm a big fan of cordage and knots, as a matter of fact just got some new paracord delivered today. Feel naked without a couple hundred feet of the stuff.

Grapevines, bowlines, clove hitches, double fisherman's knots, sheep shank (easy Moose, it's a knot) prussiks,

Cool stuff to know, but it might be hard to get into a thread,
 
I like the cordage idea, but to tie it into knives I would think we would have to make some natural cordage, and that might be better suited to the warmer months. We can if that is what you guys want though, we aren't on a really hard time limit or anything with any of this.
 
Gonna talk to the boss tomorrow about sorting out a contest for this month. Just an update for you folks.
 
Well, the boss being busy has put a bit of a hold on things. I am supposed to speak with him again later today, so I will hopefully have something to post up later. Suggestions are still very much welcome however.
 
It would seem I spoke too soon. Will update when I have info. Might have to have a short contest for this one. Info as I get it.
 
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