- Joined
- Nov 5, 2009
- Messages
- 538
Hello everyone!
What a wonderful time of year it is to sit by the fire, and do some carving. As I like to test knives by putting them to specific projects and seeing how much I can do with them throughout, I thought I might utilize my Fallkniven H1 to carve a woomera/coolamon multitool.
'Woomera' is the Australian Aboriginal term for an atlatl spear thrower; a 'Coolamon' is an all-purpose bowl. I've always been inspired and intrigued by the ingenuity of the Indigenous Australians, particularly in the desert areas, in creating multitools that conform to the necessity of limited baggage.
I have various wooden multi-tool instruments, and the theme has generally been to add an additional function on either tip end, i.e: digging stick points, ball-head, bladed points, etc. My curiosity into the combinations most used for Australia, gives me an understanding of what was needed, and how they were used.
Another aspect is the look. There's a style and simplicity completely unique and visually pleasing that appeals to me.
Here I was looking to replicate, from pictures I've seen, many of these multi-tools. Although replicas, keep in mind they are not traditional replicas. I had to substitute all materials with California native species, and of course had to add my own little artistic touch!
Also, since I will be carving a bowl, a very large bowl, this will also serve to show a technique without coal-burning or use of crooked knife.
As well, this will hopefully put to rest some concerns regarding the efficacy of the H1 as a bushcraft and carving tool, as a large amount of bushcraft is in woodcraft....
The Process:
I chose a nice piece of seasoned Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens). Although not a hardwood per se, the heartwood is much denser, even to the degree of medium density, that can be fire hardened further. It carves well but offers some decent grain challenges, and has a nice color while being somewhat water resistant. I also chose Redwood as it is light, enough to have the Woomera also function as a Bullroarer if necessary.
To begin, I carve the bowl.
I drive the knife tip first, spine forward at an angle, going with the grain, to create a deep, V-shaped cut down the center of the bowl area. I combine the force from hitting the pommel and downward pressure.
I shave the walls of the 'V' utilizing push cuts and pull/draw cuts, wider and wider, minding the grain direction. Notice the index finger guiding the tip so as to go along the margin line without biting too much and destroying the rim. The finger tip does not touch the cutting edge, but floats, putting pressure more where the primary bevel is, the finger tip floats for direction control.
Now I have the rough shape of the bowl carved out. Now I can move on to shaping. Once finished with the shaping, I can return to fine detailing the bowl.
More to come!!!
What a wonderful time of year it is to sit by the fire, and do some carving. As I like to test knives by putting them to specific projects and seeing how much I can do with them throughout, I thought I might utilize my Fallkniven H1 to carve a woomera/coolamon multitool.
'Woomera' is the Australian Aboriginal term for an atlatl spear thrower; a 'Coolamon' is an all-purpose bowl. I've always been inspired and intrigued by the ingenuity of the Indigenous Australians, particularly in the desert areas, in creating multitools that conform to the necessity of limited baggage.
I have various wooden multi-tool instruments, and the theme has generally been to add an additional function on either tip end, i.e: digging stick points, ball-head, bladed points, etc. My curiosity into the combinations most used for Australia, gives me an understanding of what was needed, and how they were used.
Another aspect is the look. There's a style and simplicity completely unique and visually pleasing that appeals to me.
Here I was looking to replicate, from pictures I've seen, many of these multi-tools. Although replicas, keep in mind they are not traditional replicas. I had to substitute all materials with California native species, and of course had to add my own little artistic touch!
Also, since I will be carving a bowl, a very large bowl, this will also serve to show a technique without coal-burning or use of crooked knife.
As well, this will hopefully put to rest some concerns regarding the efficacy of the H1 as a bushcraft and carving tool, as a large amount of bushcraft is in woodcraft....
The Process:
I chose a nice piece of seasoned Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens). Although not a hardwood per se, the heartwood is much denser, even to the degree of medium density, that can be fire hardened further. It carves well but offers some decent grain challenges, and has a nice color while being somewhat water resistant. I also chose Redwood as it is light, enough to have the Woomera also function as a Bullroarer if necessary.
To begin, I carve the bowl.
I drive the knife tip first, spine forward at an angle, going with the grain, to create a deep, V-shaped cut down the center of the bowl area. I combine the force from hitting the pommel and downward pressure.
I shave the walls of the 'V' utilizing push cuts and pull/draw cuts, wider and wider, minding the grain direction. Notice the index finger guiding the tip so as to go along the margin line without biting too much and destroying the rim. The finger tip does not touch the cutting edge, but floats, putting pressure more where the primary bevel is, the finger tip floats for direction control.
Now I have the rough shape of the bowl carved out. Now I can move on to shaping. Once finished with the shaping, I can return to fine detailing the bowl.
More to come!!!
we're going to have to get together one of these days...
