W&SS Knifemaking Giveaway!!

[andrew7978]

This post is for the giveaway of the W&SS Knifemaking passaround knife. The process to get to the completed knife took a long time and had some bumps and turns, but it was well worth the wait. The craftsmanship is beautiful and everyone who participated should be proud.

The following people contributed to this project:

I hope I didn't leave anyone out. If I did let me know and I'll add you in.

CShepard - Initial knife blank profile
Big Mike - Main bevel
sicily02 - heat treat
PB Wilson - Handle
Talfuchre - Sheath
James Terrio - Firesteel
Richard J - Final edge and sharpening

If you are unfamiliar with this concept, check out the original thread: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=639244


Now on to the fun stuff:


The giveaway: A survival knife and sheath made by forum members. James Terrio had made a firesteel which unfortunately got misplaced. If he decides to make another he can send that along with the knife as well.

Photos compliments of TF:

The rules: I started this thread in the attempt to share knowledge of both knife making skills and functionality of knives, and I would like to continue the theme of sharing ideas for the giveaway. In order to enter the giveaway, post a picture with a description of something creative you have done related to bushcrafting/survival. It can be anything from a trap you built to a shelter to a new way to use a knife (please no pictures of batoning logs). This is going to be open to anyone, however, if you win, you must post a review with some pictures.

How the winner will be chosen and when: I will let a few of my outdoor buddies unfamiliar with this forum (thus not familiar with members) narrow it down to the best three and the winner will be chosen at random from those three. I will suggest the judging be decided based on creativity and the ability of the idea to benefit others. I will let this run until Friday the 17th at Midnight.

This is my first giveaway so let me know if I left anything out. Look forward to all of your ideas!!!

 

[stingray4540]

Cool, I'll play! Thanks for the opportunity, and nice job on the knife everybody!

Not sure if you can see it very well, but in the middle of a storm while out backpacking, I ran out of tent stakes, so I used my belt knife to make a stake. Sharpened one end and put a notch in the other to keep the line from slipping up. Sorry I didn't take a better picture of the stake before it was in use, but it was raining cats and dogs, and well taking pictures wasn't first on my priority list, lol.

 

[Diomedes Industries]

He is being kind - my dumb self did not know James' firesteel was in the package with the knife and I threw it away.

I am still sorry about that one James.

TF

 

[skab8541]

First off, the I have been watching this project for quite sometime and glad to see all come together and finished. Great job on all ends.

Secondly, thanks for the chance!


Awhile back I was learning the bow and drill method of firecraft. I was always having a hard time with the bearing block end of things. By that I mean the blocks were either failing completely, getting way to hot in my hand, forming coals on top before I ever got one on the bottom well you get where I'm going. Rescue Riley had talked about using a shot glass to learn with due to its very low friction, I tried that for a while (wrapped with duct tape, thanks to urging from members here) and it worked well, just always was afraid of the glass breaking.

So I came up with this one day while sitting in the garage. I noticed the bearing in my skateboard and thought why not. So first I tried just the skateboard wheel with bearing in it, which works great by itself. But with some pushing from another forum I came up with a blend of traditional and new school. My deer antler "bearing" block. Can be used either with the bearing or if bearing fails, under it the antler still works well.

If you are going to carry a ready made bearing block this is the way to go!! Also great for beginners to get the mechanics down. And for demonstration purposes makes it look easy and like your some kind of fire god.

First try

Improved upon

 

[PB Wilson]

That's genius, skab!

 

[james terrio]

Good grief, I forgot all about that little SNAFU! I'll be out of town until Sept 20; but shoot me an email with the winner's address and I'll make another firesteel and send it to them ASAP. IIRC PB sent me another piece of wenge to use; if I can't find it I know I have some nice walnut that would sort of match.

I reckon this knife holds some kind of record for the longest-ever collaboration project Rest assured, I examined it carefully when I oiled up the handle and made the "original" firesteel... I guarantee the winner will be VERY pleased!

Good luck all!

PS the bearing block idea is COOL! :thumbup:

 

[ChapmanPreferred]

Now I need to go shed antler hunting. Sweet rig!!!

 

[akennedy73]

that bearing block is really really cool :thumbup:

i'm not voting but if i did i think that'd get my vote

 

[unky_gumbi]

I would really like to win that knife, but I have been laid up most of the year with an annoying little injury, so I have only made it out once this year. I will how ever share what I have made for next year.

After spending some time here I made a pair of knives of my own, 1 I gave away for my 1000th post and the other I kept for myself. They are not my first knives, 3rd and 4th to be exact. I just started making last December and have been using mainly hand tools, hacksaw files and sandpaper.

Mine

The one I gave away

And with not much to do and Sparks putting up his spoon carving contest I decided to give carving my first spoon a try. Not knowing anything about carving spoons I screwed up on the first one and chose too small of a piece and left the heart wood in the middle of the bowl so it dried out and left a hole, so it became a dribble spoon. For the contest spoon I decided to go big and make a serving spoon, still not perfect, but a usable spoon all the same.

The first spoon

The second spoon, and it was mainly made with the knife I made

I really want to try making fire with a bow so I really like the bearing idea that skab8541 is showing, time to head over to the shop and see if there are any old serviceable bearings kicking around.
I can't wait to see what others have come up with. This is a great giveaway even if I don't qualify, and it would make a great thread all on its own without the giveaway part:thumbup:. I see you having a tough time picking a winner.

 

[Raining]

Something I did recently: Cordage from stinging nettles (with gratuitous photos of my Fiddleback Forge Arete).

Around here, stinging nettles are considered a nuisance by many people because they sting you when you simply brush up against them with bare skin - often leaving a rash that stings for several hours. And they are found growing everywhere with plants sometimes 6' and taller. They are edible, however, and also can be made into very strong cordage.

Here is my knife surrounded by stinging nettles.

This is what they look like up close.

Best time to gather them is in the fall, since the plants are taller and thicker. Here is a good size plant, about 5' tall.

To prepare them for cordage, you have strip off the leaves and stinging hairs first. Then open up the stalks - can be done with just fingernails, but the thicker stalks have segments that are very tough and a knife is helpful.

Bend it to break the stiff inner layer and peel off the outer layer.

You are left with a nice fibrous material.

Dry it overnight and dip it in water to soften it before twisting into cordage.

I'm sorry, I don't have any photos of the twisting part. Basically, grab two bunches and twist each one separately then both together. The result is very strong cordage that can be used for pretty much anything. Here I used the cordage to make a short lanyard for a spoon I made.

Thanks for the contest!

 

[DocGP]

I am going to have to come up with something to enter this, but I think it will be all for second place, as that dang bearing block is a real sweet deal!!!

Doc

 

[CUTS LIKE A KRIS]

Mine is like Raining's but it was made from a different material. While I was laid up with broken legs I discovered I liked making rope so I used the nearest thing I had and made up about 30' of the toughest rope I've seen.

It seemed to make some of you uncomfortable that I made it from human hair, but my brush was the closest thing I had and now I know I have a few hundred feet of top quality rope on my head!!

Thanks for the chance.

 

[dboles]

Thanks for the kind offer and the chance at the prize.Very Nice
Took the canoe out did some looking around found and harvested some rich fatwood
Been sharing it with whoever expresses and interest in trying some

A picture of the area I harvested in

Thanks Again
Dan'l

 

[pitdog]

Great give-away, awesome knife !

Does my Ferro-rod fire without a knife count:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Lz5j6BXf30

 

[andrew7978]

Great give-away, awesome knife !

Does my Ferro-rod fire without a knife count:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Lz5j6BXf30

Sure it does! Interesting idea.

 

[andrew7978]

I am really surprised and kind of disappointed not many people are participating in this giveaway. The makers worked hard on this.

I have seen hundreds of interesting pictures and ideas on this site, just add them to this thread and you have the chance to win a custom knife!

 

[Duzzy]

I'll be camping this weekend. If you can extend it to Monday the 20th?

 

[unky_gumbi]

Why in the name of all things holly does this thread not have more entries

To me it is a great opportunity to own a one off, never to be repeated knife. I know its going to be hard to beat the bearing block, I even jumped on and made one myself and am working on improving the concept

 

[IA Woodsman]

I don't know how I missed this one. I don't need another knife but I know several people who do. If I win I will be donating this to someone I feel needs it.

I got on a big bow and drill kick last spring. I pledged I would make all of my fire for a few months with only the bow and drill. My problem was that is was taking me way to much time to make a new set every time I wanted a fire. So, I made a packable set. I sewed a bag out of some old tarp material,by hand of course. I cut and drilled a piece or antler for a bearing block. For the take down-bow I used a piece of deer leg bone for the socket and some Hackberry branches for the limbs. Here are a few pics.

Thanks for this opportunity. You all did a great job

 

[Doc13]

I posted this in the ESEE forums a long time ago. If it's alright to use it here, I would like to.
Plus, it is still one of the most fun and creative things that I have done, out of doors..

I used a condom filled with water as a magnifying glass. In a survival situation, urine can be used in the absence of water, I didn't want it to get messy though.

It took about an hour of manipulating the condom and finding the best position of the sun, 2:30-3:00pm was the golden time.
I also tried different tinder, birch bark, pine needles, dried fallen leaves,etc.
Here you can see me squeezing the condom to get it to thin out and act as a magnifying glass.

Trying to get the hotspot going...

A little smoke...A lot of blowing...

Then, Fire.

It's best to use a non-lubricated condom.

Cheers.