Carving a Snapskuksa

It has been several months ago that I treated myself to a new kukså. Unfortunately the birch I was permitted to harvest was long dead and a bit rotten,  so all I got was a smaller burr. Cutting two slits above and below the burr I removed it with my carving hatchet. 

A bit of axe and knife work later (the Casström Sweden Woodsman performed admirably for the job,  by the way. I will give you the ins and outs on this really great knife soon), I got the blank roughed out. 

There was a lovely grain showing in that burr. I cooked it in sunflower oil and beeswax. 

Made one for the magical sorcery troll,  too,  and it was baptized the traditional way with a bit of Whisky in the woods. 

 It is a relatively fast project where you can try out the technique for a bigger Kukså. Already got started on several other little fellows... it is quite addictive... 😜 there is something soothing in sitting in the woods whittling away and making stuff you can actually use. And somehow sipping from a Kukså, big or small,  reflects that feeling. You have to try it out to be able to relate. It is somehow like a wonderful little ritual.  

Sheath for a very old and very weird knife

 Some of my older readers might recognize the knife. 

It has been in use in the kitchen for ages now and it is of course kinda weird. So I thought I would share the story first with you. 

In 'em days in the Bethaus smithy I forged it from junk spring steel I found near the roadside when mountainbike riding to the trailhead. Long story short,  I forged it,  annealed it,  and when it came to quenching,  the lard bosh was nowhere to be found. Volker simply had disposed of it. 

He had some delicious chicken soup in the larder of the Restaurant,  though,  so I used the steel to heat it up and the soup to quench the steel. I have never had to actually sharpen it,  although it has seen at least ten years of hard kitchen work and cut a lot of hard sausage and bacon,  nuts and what have you. 

So I looked it up why this mad prank did work. 

It finally turned out that the fat on top of the soup was solid and served the purpose of a first quench. The salt in the soup created sort of a bainite temper. Of course I just hardened the edge up to two thirds of the blade,  with two different zones of hardness. Of course I was being a bit over the top and it was sort of a mad prank,  but it turned out surprisingly well.

Now I am actually quite fond of the knife, so I just made a sheath for it. Really dirty technique,  but I think it will still be durable as anything. The dangler I had forged from mild steel. 

Looking forward to carrying it into the woods! 

Review of a Svante Djärv Slöjd knife

Several months ago I got a parcel from Sweden. Ella and Svante Djärv are really hard-working, lovely people doing things the old way. For starters,  I had ordered a smaller Slöjdkniv,  a spoon carving knife and a big Slöjdkniv. For the smaller Slöjdkniv I also treated myself to a lovely traditionally made sheath. 

Service was really awesome,  we really worked everything out really great. The tools were partly made on demand. It took a bit of time to make,  but that is only natural. 

Do not get me wrong,  the finish is in no way showcase queen standard. The handles were glued in with a big blob of epoxy. Fit is really great,  though. The handles are relatively rough,  but this is on purpose. These are tools for your toolbox,  no knives for display. 

The blades are forged to size. The temper seems to be really spot-on.

The grind...blimey. Out of the box,  without any stropping at all,  they literally split (!) hair, and yes, I tried. 

The little Slöjdkniv has a mild hollow grind to zero.

The leather of the sheath is half-tanned for the body and top grain leather for the belt loop. It keeps the knife in really great,  even upside down. 

Actually the blade took a bit of getting used to. Making feather sticks first just resulted in me cutting off the branch rather than just making shavings,  it is that sharp. Taking the handle with just three fingers did the trick. 

The spine is rounded to prevent blisters,  so throwing sparks from a ferro rod obviously isn't possible,  but this knife is not a bushcraft knife in the first,  at least it is not designed as one. The thickness of the blade is some 2,4 mm, length is 76,5 mm. Balance point is on the Index finger. It is a really light carry.  I took a leather thong to carry it as a neck knife,  which is perfectly agreeable even for a longer period of time. 

The knife is absolutely dexterous, and its frightening sharpness lends it to be suited for really delicate tasks. 

The handle has a very grippy structure. People with soft hands might find that a bit rough,  but it really enhances grip and control for really precise cutting. 

Carving a spoon takes no effort at all.  Combined with the Skedkniv,  you can use few,  articulate and precise cuts. No sandpaper needed. 

It is also the one tool for really complex and delicate try sticks. It is capable of doing work of knives double the size. 

Carving hardwood is not a problem either. 

Carving bone resulted in a tiny burr on the edge,  which could be removed by stropping with a steel. Small wonder,  however,  it has the same grind as a straight razor,  and I really put it through its paces. Drilling with the tip did not do any harm to tip nor edge,  even in bone. I put a micro-micro-bevel on afterwards, which did not compromise the cutting performance much, but led to a more robust geometry,  even though it still splits hair. As is, I do not think any sensible use could damage it beyond repair. It is a somewhat specialized knife for carving wood,  but it also excels at food prep,  cutting leather and string. 

It doesn't cost an arm and a leg,  too. Pair it with a SAK and a sturdier bushcraft knife and you are ready for anything. But on the other hand,  it also does a lot of things a bushcraft knife can do,  if you use it sensibly. 

I wholeheartedly can recommend it. 

 

First flint and steel fire starting success

Today I have reached another milestone in my learning. Just started my first fire with flint and steel. 

 The striker I forged myself ages ago from junk file steel,  and of course I processed the Amadou myself. 

I also used treated Cattail seeds as a fire starting agent. Which worked really awesome. 

Now,  some of the more survival minded folks might say "why bother,  if I can carry a flint and steel set,  I can just as well use a BIC lighter", and yes,  you are right,  but you maybe miss my point here. 

In fact,  it actually is more of a bit of psychological self-care and historical fascination that drives me. It is not as much about the thing or the fact you just started a fire with a piece of steel- it is about knowledge. Of having forged the striker from junk people discarded,  of having processed the tinder,  of understanding the chemistry and the principles,  and the almost alchemical context involved. 

You can lose your lighter,  your matches,  your ferro rod,  but you most argueably will not use your knowledge. The more you understand the principles,  the more likely you are to not only survive. Survival is not enough. It cannot be a way of life. You cannot exist in Code Black all the time. 

I personally always look for ressources. Everything can be used,  you just need to know how. It is really fun to learn new things. 

Our culture is of course really advanced scientifically,  and that is a good thing. But sometimes I get the impression that we did not grow to that point. We did not keep up with our own pace. So we jumped to that point,  taking a lot of shortcuts. We are just now paying the price for that. 

Processing tinder,  making birch pitch, firecraft, preserving and processing food,  distilling and baking and cooking are the roots of medicine and chemistry. And alchemy. Do not get me wrong,  alchemists maybe were the ones that invented scam. Éa-Nasír is famous for his fake copper ingots until today. 

But what we forget is that it was Maria of Egypt who invented the pressure cooker and the Bain Marie,  and her recipe for the lapis philosophorum and the homunculus most argueably involved making Adamantoplasts and Osteoplasts. 

Well,  that is stuff for a different post. But it also explains why I bother to try as I might to learn stuff like starting a fire with flint and steel. Why you can strike sparks with a file and a stone is fascinating in its own right. Why the Amadou works also explains part of its medicinal properties. 

And this is a really great example for the fact that a lot of things are interconnected. It is a bit like that phrase "by word to word I was led,  work led me to work." . Actually,  that is a scientific principle,  one of very many,  but also sort of a spiritual practice. 

This is what drives me. Sometimes I think it drives me mad,  but I could not possibly live another man's life. Tried that for decades. Was shit. 😉

So,  I had a lot of fun learning it. It was of course also humbling to get there, and really testing for my patience and resilience, and it is but a first step.  But I also learned a lot about learning,  and about patience and resilience and trying not to be a dickhead. 😉

Which is something,  too. 

Anyway,  now I am in for more practice to make the learning sustainable. Which I am really looking forward to. 

More Mushroom Mischief

Today I found another wonderful tinder conk. It offered an added bonus. 

See,  I always try to harvest the conks responsibly. I process most of it on the tree and always leave the part of the trama intact that roots into the mycelium inside the tree. Conks and mushrooms play a very important role in the ecosystem,  so I try to just take a bit in order not to kill it off.  On the other hand,  this is a very resilient conk. You will learn why in a second... 

The polypore was growing on a tree that only but recently,  some years ago,  had been felled by the storm. The conk,  while still maintaining its trama at the root,  also had developed a rather thick trama on the underside in order to adapt to the new position.

So I left a sensibly thin layer on the conk and cut off the rest. After removing the callous on the underside I was still left with a thick layer of nearly perfect trama. 

Needless to say,  by the way,  that I am doing this on private ground,  with permission. Also,  all of the conks I harvested through the years have grown back. Please do forage with common sense (I am convinced you will. ).

After half an hour of some working the piece,  this is what came out. Simply lovely,  and working that material is deeply satisfying. 

There is still somewhat of a stretch to it,  meaning,  I can still get more out of it. 

The stuff is simply fascinating. What I would really love to do is make myself a hat or clothing from it,  but there is still a learning curve to be had. Which definitively is a fun thing. 

Really looking forward to the next pieces to the puzzle. 

 

Making a pouch from Amadou

Used the recently foraged and processed Amadou to make a pouch for a Victorinox Forester Wood. 

Now that little knife is really beautiful,  and that means it needs a bit of protection. So I thought I just wanted to fire away instead of getting everything together. 

Actually it turned out surprisingly like leather.  You can oil it and even do a bit of modelling. It is not as durable,  but perfectly okay. 

Actually it is another piece of knowledge that is currently sending me arse over teacup down the next rabbit hole.... which is a good thing. ;-)

I love to learn.  

Carving a bone needle

I had decided to make a neck pouch from the Amadou I recently harvested,  and I thought, well,  why not make it a challenge and make it with stuff procured in the woods. I still had that hare rib, so I decided to make a needle from it. Sourced ethically,  by the way,  taken with permission. 

I drilled the hole first with the awl of my trusty Victorinox Outrider. Take care not to apply too much pressure,  the material cracks easily. 

Carving the sides,  really carefully, I actually reverted to a fine sandstone. Make sure to get rid of all the marrow and to remove all the dents and nicks. 

 Et voilà....bone needle. 

Not sure about the twine,  though. I am not good at that sort of stuff,  so I will maybe just take twine I have. But we will see how it all turns out. Maybe some nettles...we will see. 

Processing horse hoof fungus Amadou

Another bushcraft treasure trove is the humble tinder conk,  also known as horse hoof fungus, fomes fomentarius.

It is a large polypore growing in Northern climates, preferrably on dying birch and beech trees. It has been used for making Amadou for centuries,  even millenia. Recent clinical studies confirmed its many medicinal properties. You can use it to make a tea with anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties that doesn't taste too bad. It is reputed to be anticarcinogenic,  too. Please keep in mind,  though,  that I disclaim all liability if you mess up. Also,  the fungus is protected in Germany. I have permission to harvest a smaller quantity for educational purposes. But please use common sense if you want to get some yourself. Taking one might not be a big problem,  but please ask the local authorities first. 

That said. I took one from a tree that broke off. 

What you are looking for is the piece underneath the hard grey skin on top. It is a small light brown layer without any layers that is called the Trama.  

On this picture you can see the topmost and relatively small layer. On this tree I left a piece of the trama on the tree in order for it to regrow. In most cases you will end up with a leathery piece about as big as your hand and as thick as 3-10 mm. Whack it gently with a clean and  smooth baton or the handle of your knife. By working it in either direction with your hands then you can stretch it,  sometimes to as much as triple the size. The material can be used as is as a material for flint and steel fireststarting techniques or processed. You can also use it like leather. In Hungary and Romania,  there are still living traditions of making hats and pouches from the material. Mine will become a pouch to be worn around the neck. 

The material being antiseptic and very soft,  it can also be used as a plaster for tending wounds. The fungus is rich with Polysaccharides and Triterpenes giving it its properties in wound healing. 

That said,  it is also a very satisfying feeling touching this awesome material. Maybe I will just keep it to touch it from time to time....;-)

Making a sheath from birch polypore

This is the common birch polypore,  fomitopsis betulina,  also known as birch bracket or razor strop. 

For a bushcrafter,  it is a treasure trove. Not only useful,  as the latter term suggests,  a valuable asset,  if you want to strop your razor or knife,  it is of high medicinal value. Rich with polysaccharides,  Betulin acid,  triterpenes and potassium,  it is reputed to be anti-inflammatory,  immunestimulant, beneficial for the cardiovadcular system,  reputed to be anticarcinogenous. It is also antiseptic and antiviral. You can use it for wound treatment if you cut plaster strips from it. It can also be used to transport a spark and as a fire starter. 

And,  as it turns out,  if you cut a suitable piece from it,  as a great leather substitute.  Cut off the brown skin and the pores.  Your material to start with should be quite thick,  about 3-5 mm. Gently whack it with a clean and relatively smooth stick or your knife handle,  then work it with your hands,  gently stretching it. 

This is how it looks after the process. 

You can then use it to make small pouches and knife sheaths with it. Apologies for the lousy stitching,  it was getting dark and I am abit clumsy, as you guys know ;-). I used some strong sewing twine,  but you could also use bramble or nettle cordage in a pinch. I put a wooden model of the Mora inside and let it dry around the model to get it to the desired shape. 

Have fun! 
 

Hazel catkin sweets and tea

 So,  folks,  long time,  no post. I am still alive,  though. 

What a shitty time to live in,  eh?

But, well, it is not that we did not see it coming. And,  trust me,  that is not all there is. 

The woods have their problems,  but at least they have not gone completely conkers. Except conkers. ;-)

So, shit on that,  here is a treat for you I recently tried out.  

Hazelnut catkins are in bloom. 

They are rich with nutrients,  protein,  potassium, vitamins and minerals and are reputed to be a staple winter survival food. More on the ingredients maybe in another post. They are said to be anti- inflammatory,  rich with antioxidants. I also like them fresh off the tree,  but they are a right treat when processed. 

Took one tablespoon of butter and a good sprinkling of refined sugar,  put in the catkins and caramelized them on low heat for about five minutes,  until golden brown. 

They have a bit of a taste of relatively dark popcorn with a flowery aftertaste. Yummy! 

Of course that wasn't the end of it...

On a recent hike I took some...

Put them in the kettle....

Charred them somewhat...(you,  however,  might simply want to brown them ;-)) and boiled them with a bit of honey and water. 

The outcome was a really lovely,  caramel popcorny tea. 

For the second batch I added a heaped spoon of coffee. 

Turned out delicious,  too. It would most certainly go well with Chaga or acorn coffee as well.