Author Topic: Monthly Project - January 2013 (Read 62308 times)

Trkbusa06 · « **Reply #50 on:** January 18, 2013, 12:38:48 AM »

Is it best to carve the wood "green" or when it's dry

MnSportsman · « **Reply #51 on:** January 18, 2013, 05:26:49 AM »

As far as I am concerned, it depends on what a person plans to use the utensil for, & how long ya want to keep it. If you only need it for little while, or a day or so, like on a day trip/overnite or two, then green is just as good as dried. Just something to get ya by until ya need another. Then ya make another when ya need one & not pack something around. But, if ya want something to carry, or have around for some time ( to use repetitively.), then dried(seasoned) wood is usually the best route. Green wood will sometimes "check" (crack/split) as it dries , (usually, but depends on moisture content of the wood, plus the humidity & temp of the environment the wood ages, or dries in).Seasoned/dry wood usually has already formed those"checks", & you can see them,to thus work around them to shape the utensil. One thing to remember is that if you do use seasoned/dry wood,you will likely have to seal that utensil with some sort of coating to preserve it. Olive,or veg.(cooking) type oils work good for eating utensils most of the time. That "seal" would not be needed for short term green woods. If you do use green woods, it is sometimes preferable to not use wood that contains a lot of resin/sap like a lot of the evergreen woods contain. Turpentine flavor isn't all that tasty. ( the tea made from the needles isn't so bad, but imagine the taste of fatwood with your food,to get the idea of what I am trying to say.. LOL..

)

That is "my" opinion anyway. I use green or, dry stuff, all the time, but I usually do not keep my spoons & such for very long, as I like to make utensils "on the spot"as I need them. Something to do as I tend the fire to make the coals...

Most times, after I am done using them to eat, they are used to stir the ashes & water to help put out the coals & then I just leave the thing(s) on the ground.
Or leaning against a tree, if I think I may happen to be going back to that area some time later on..

If ya plan on keeping it a while, go seasoned/dried.If just short term..green or dry shouldn't matter much..At least I don't think it matters much. Might to someone else, I suppose..

Sorry for the "ramble"..LOL it happens sometimes...

G'Luck,regardless!

OutdoorEnvy · « **Reply #52 on:** January 19, 2013, 09:02:33 PM »

Okay here we go. Wanted to try this using only a hatchet.

start with a split piece

starting to take shape

carving or drilling the hole out I should day

this wood had some black spots like it was charcoal or something but it wasn't. Well here's pretty much what I came up with

Well it does hold liquid as is, barely.

I might try finishing it more with other tools and sandpaper. But for now this is it. Only the hatchet was used.

PetrifiedWood · « **Reply #53 on:** January 19, 2013, 09:27:29 PM »

Well done OE! You really embraced the spirit of this month's exercise using only a hatchet.

kanukkarhu · « **Reply #54 on:** January 19, 2013, 11:04:24 PM »

+1. Great job OE.

Ima do mine with only my toe.

OR...

I was thinking axe as well. Hopefully tomorrow I can find a stick of wood. I'll be doing mine inside though, as the weather folk are calling for -30 C ( plus windchill) for tomorrow.

Tapatalked from my batphone.

MnSportsman · « **Reply #55 on:** January 20, 2013, 02:00:48 AM »

OE!

Looks like a spoon. It does the job as a spoon. It was made with a hatchet.

"Right fine!", in my book!

kanukkarhu · « **Reply #56 on:** January 21, 2013, 01:01:19 PM »

I did this inside.

I hope that you can all give me the benefit of the doubt by allowing me to start with a chunk of board. It's cherry. I've made spoons before, and could have again, but this scrap was handy.

So pretend I split this from a piece of wood, ok?

Anyhow, I started with my Fiskars hatchet.

Pos rolled AND chipped on me! Grrrrr!

Here's the rest done with my mini GB:

I went more 'square' than round with the spoon's bowl to optimize the shape of the axe.

Hope this meets this month's challenge.

Here's what I learned: This really worked my hatchet and my skills with the GB. I was impressed how much 'knife work' that little fella can do. A great confidence to be able to make something like this with my hatchet. I'm pretty confident that I could do this with an axe too. A knife would be easy peasy.

Who's next?

Tapatalked from my batphone.

Bearhunter · « **Reply #57 on:** January 21, 2013, 01:19:44 PM »

I'm gonna get on it sometime this week

SwampHanger · « **Reply #58 on:** January 21, 2013, 01:47:56 PM »

Good job KK!

kanukkarhu · « **Reply #59 on:** January 21, 2013, 02:08:26 PM »

Quote from: SwampHanger on January 21, 2013, 01:47:56 PM

Good job KK!

Thanks bro!

PetrifiedWood · « **Reply #60 on:** January 21, 2013, 02:22:49 PM »

Nicely done KK! I had to use lumber too.

Using the Axe is a nice touch. Have you made one with a knife before?

SwampHanger · « **Reply #61 on:** January 21, 2013, 03:01:54 PM »

Ok KK could not be the only one today. This is a piece of split Cypress I brought back from a hike a while back. Used the antique Craftsman HB pocket hatchet. This was a lot of fun if I work on that edge a little it would do a better job.

kanukkarhu · « **Reply #62 on:** January 21, 2013, 03:25:12 PM »

Awesome buddy! Outstanding. Looks more 'spoony' than mine!

By the way, I love those pics! That axe looks great on that green table. Should take some photos of your stuff on there. Looks great.

PW, I've made a few spoons and whatnot with a knife and a spoon knife. I figure I could hollow out a fairly decent bowl with a knife alone.

This was a great exercise.

KK

Tapatalked from my batphone.

Bearhunter · « **Reply #63 on:** January 21, 2013, 04:15:29 PM »

The beginnings...
Chinese soup spoon...

Instead of using local woods I think I'm going to try and make one from this extra Purple Heart wood that I had left over from a selfbow.
What do you fellows think... PH or 'local'?

wolfy · « **Reply #64 on:** January 21, 2013, 04:21:25 PM »

I like local

SwampHanger · « **Reply #65 on:** January 21, 2013, 04:23:38 PM »

Wolfy your loco!

PH all the way

wolfy · « **Reply #66 on:** January 21, 2013, 04:30:52 PM »

Quote from: SwampHanger on January 21, 2013, 04:23:38 PM

Wolfy your loco!

PH all the way

I was thinking it would make nice knife scales, but, yeah I've been told that before, so....

SwampHanger · « **Reply #67 on:** January 21, 2013, 05:28:18 PM »

Now I want a spoon knife!

GrowlingBear · « **Reply #68 on:** January 21, 2013, 07:00:13 PM »

Good luck with the purple heart, Bearhunter. It's a great looking wood but it's hard as all get-out. I carved a couple things out of it in the past and my tools got dull just thinking about cutting that stuff. LOL.

PetrifiedWood · « **Reply #69 on:** January 21, 2013, 07:03:34 PM »

Nicely done SwampHanger!

I ordered a Mora spoon knife the day I finished mine.

The little Xacto kit worked ok but it is probably better suited to carving balsa and other extremely soft woods.

Bearhunter, you might check into the purple heart wood to make sure it is food safe.

wolfy · « **Reply #70 on:** January 21, 2013, 07:05:47 PM »

One step ahead of ya', PW......he'll live

Bearhunter · « **Reply #71 on:** January 21, 2013, 07:06:55 PM »

Quote from: GrowlingBear on January 21, 2013, 07:00:13 PM

Good luck with the purple heart, Bearhunter. It's a great looking wood but it's hard as all get-out. I carved a couple things out of it in the past and my tools got dull just thinking about cutting that stuff. LOL.

LOL

Yeah I no it's hard stuff. I used it for a riser and tips on a bow I made a few years ago.
We'll see! I don't have official 'carving knives', just rasp and regular knives.
I'll see how it goes. If it gets to frustrating, I may just go with Western Larch, which is a native tree around here.
That PH sure would make a pretty spoon though.

zammer · « **Reply #72 on:** January 21, 2013, 11:42:05 PM »

Good job kk and Swamphanger...

Lookin forward to that Purple heart spoon BH..

SwampHanger · « **Reply #73 on:** January 22, 2013, 02:15:27 AM »

Thanks guys. If time permitting during the P&K I'm gonna make one with my golok and burn in the spoon with a coal. Hopefully?

greyhound352 · « **Reply #74 on:** January 22, 2013, 04:50:15 AM »

Great job on your spoons KK and Swamphanger!

SwampHanger · « **Reply #75 on:** January 22, 2013, 05:11:53 AM »

GH I bet that. Chopper of yours will do well making one. Where your blade transitions will gouge pretty good I bet.

kanukkarhu · « **Reply #76 on:** January 22, 2013, 08:18:38 AM »

Thanks guys. It's obviously rough, but that's the point of this project, isn't it?

Tapatalked from my batphone.

OutdoorEnvy · « **Reply #77 on:** January 22, 2013, 08:22:11 AM »

Nice work KK and Swamphanger.

MnSportsman · « **Reply #78 on:** January 26, 2013, 09:29:14 AM »

Some good looking spoons showing up...

I haven't been working on my new spoon projects much yet. Been busy with other things. Looks like I need to get hopping though. Month is almost over & I want to try to get this done before the February project gets posted. I really don't need another spoon at the moment, so I guess that is part of the reason I haven't been so quick to start another, but I want to participate anyway. I really need to get moving on them...

These projects are kind of fun & it's great to see what every one else does...
So get out yur sharpies & a chunk of wood & do a lil carving.. It good for the soul I am told..

Thanks to all that have shared & hopefully we will be seeing some others soon!
D

Binalith · « **Reply #79 on:** January 27, 2013, 02:49:12 PM »

looking good everybody. I'm glad everyone's willing to show the more 'unrefined' side of their skills, seems like we could all come up with something pretty handy in a pinch. With a bunch of hours and sandpaper anybody can make a piece of wood look nice but being able to whip up something usable on-site is a pretty important skill.

BigHat · « **Reply #80 on:** January 27, 2013, 02:54:25 PM »

i haven't forgotten this project, and i have a cool idea in mind that i haven't tried before. hopefully i'll have time to get this knocked out tomorrow

PetrifiedWood · « **Reply #81 on:** January 27, 2013, 03:50:05 PM »

I wonder how effective it would be to make a very fat bowdrill spindle and just burn in the spoon bowl? Might make a pretty good spoon without specialized tools.

Binalith · « **Reply #82 on:** January 27, 2013, 03:58:03 PM »

I've been thinking about that too

SwampHanger · « **Reply #83 on:** January 28, 2013, 03:22:52 PM »

We're ready for Feb's boss! I need all the time I can get sometimes. Thanks

PetrifiedWood · « **Reply #84 on:** January 28, 2013, 03:50:19 PM »

Got a cool idea for February!

kanukkarhu · « **Reply #85 on:** January 28, 2013, 09:37:09 PM »

Quote from: SwampHanger on January 28, 2013, 03:22:52 PM

We're ready for Feb's boss! I need all the time I can get sometimes. Thanks

+1

Tapatalked from my batphone.

PetrifiedWood · « **Reply #86 on:** January 28, 2013, 10:10:58 PM »

There is a hint on the February project on our Facebook page.

kanukkarhu · « **Reply #87 on:** January 29, 2013, 05:47:29 AM »

Ooooo... Tricky!

Tapatalked from my batphone.

BigHat · « **Reply #88 on:** January 29, 2013, 03:48:07 PM »

this is NOT my entry, just pics of one i did a while back with just a SAK... hopefully bumping this thread will get a few more people to get this done.

my project is half way done, i hope you guys end up liking it....

SwampHanger · « **Reply #89 on:** January 29, 2013, 03:53:49 PM »

Man you nailed it! NICE

OutdoorEnvy · « **Reply #90 on:** January 29, 2013, 03:58:10 PM »

Nice one BigHat.

PetrifiedWood · « **Reply #91 on:** January 29, 2013, 04:21:52 PM »

Nice BigHat! Seeing what you were able to do with that Victorinox can opener has me re-thinking my preference for the Wenger can opener.

wolfy · « **Reply #92 on:** January 29, 2013, 04:27:09 PM »

Nice job, BigHat....that's a cooltool right there

BigHat · « **Reply #93 on:** January 29, 2013, 05:07:34 PM »

thanks for the comments guys, remember though, this is not my entry for this project, I still have something in the works

PW, I modded that can opener just a bit. I got rid of the screwdriver tip on it and put on a chisel grind with a nail file. just enough to help it scrape, works great (still works nice as a can opener too, though i prefer my scout type knife can opener)

Binalith · « **Reply #94 on:** January 29, 2013, 05:22:34 PM »

cool idea, think I'll steal that

Quote from: BigHat on January 29, 2013, 05:07:34 PM

I modded that can opener just a bit. I got rid of the screwdriver tip on it and put on a chisel grind with a nail file. just enough to help it scrape, works great (still works nice as a can opener too, though i prefer my scout type knife can opener)

wolfy · « **Reply #95 on:** January 29, 2013, 05:57:11 PM »

Quote from: Binalith on January 29, 2013, 05:22:34 PM

cool idea, think I'll steal that
Quote from: BigHat on January 29, 2013, 05:07:34 PM
I modded that can opener just a bit. I got rid of the screwdriver tip on it and put on a chisel grind with a nail file. just enough to help it scrape, works great (still works nice as a can opener too, though i prefer my scout type knife can opener)

NO WAY am I grinding away my little screwdriver tip to make a mouse skinning blade

. I use that special little tool to adjust the depth stop-collar on my vintage Belding & Mull powder measure

Binalith · « **Reply #96 on:** January 29, 2013, 06:42:05 PM »

to each his own, I carry a multi tool; to adjust any depth-stop, set screw, limiter, flange and fence bolt I run into.

wolfy · « **Reply #97 on:** January 29, 2013, 07:03:45 PM »

I don't

kanukkarhu · « **Reply #98 on:** January 29, 2013, 08:29:17 PM »

Big Hat, that's pretty awesome. I'm digging the ingenuity factor.

Tapatalked from my batphone.

MnSportsman · « **Reply #99 on:** January 31, 2013, 12:12:29 AM »

Last day of January...Any more spoons?

I'll try to have some pics here later today.

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Author Topic: Monthly Project - January 2013 (Read 62308 times)