Emergency whistle from hazelnut

I am all crap at making flutes and whistles. Really, I am. The magical sorcery troll makes flutes all the time, lovely sound and all, but mine always sound like an asthmatic robin on speed. But fact is, I would love to have a flute I made myself, in the woods, from the woods, to play in the woods. So practice it is. And since it is easier to make a whistle than it is to make a flute, I had a go, and what can I say... success, for a change. Plus, it is handy to have a whistle in your kit for signalling or to scare away animals. And even if I rarely succeed, it is still a fun carving practice. So, could be worse!😜 When I have finally figured it out, watch this space for a tutorial. 😉

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.