Suffolk Bushcraft Group Aprill Meeting 4th to Sunday 6th April 2014

[MarkinLondon]

Is anyone going that's good at sharpening hatchets? I'm fairly disappointed with my new GB Mini, and don't really mind sharpening it, but I've never done a hatchet or a convex edge. I've seen all the videos, and even gave it some swipes across a mousepad/1200 wet dry, but I'm certain that it could be better. Of course, I'll wait to see how it plays out next weekend, but have considered bringing a strop and some emory.

 

[Iambosscat]

I will not be requiring the group meal , I have been told that I am to be back home for dinner and to pack as we are going on holiday early Sunday morning.

LOL...... I get "told" stuff too. just depends on how much of a quiet life I want as to wether I do as I'm told or not...

 

[ozzy1977]

She's hormonal and half scotish and I am not man enough to fight

 

[Iambosscat]

LOL........... best you do as your told then

 

[Iambosscat]

Ohhhh. I've just noticed I'm apparently a nomad leather tramp.............. smart now I just have to sell my house and start leather work then I suppose.

 

[Big Stu 12]

Stu: thanks… that sounds great. We'll shoot for 9am, unless that's too early. I'll let you know with certainty next week.

Thats no Problem, i'll have my phone on,

Is anyone going that's good at sharpening hatchets? I'm fairly disappointed with my new GB Mini, and don't really mind sharpening it, but I've never done a hatchet or a convex edge. I've seen all the videos, and even gave it some swipes across a mousepad/1200 wet dry, but I'm certain that it could be better. Of course, I'll wait to see how it plays out next weekend, but have considered bringing a strop and some emory.

Its the same as sharping any type of axe, can I ask how much experience of using axes you have?. I tend to sharpen my axes different to the conventional way as it suits me .......but thats another story.. and being an engineer I tend to explore things..

Does anyone have a fire piston?

No I dont have one, thougth about making one , but never had the need for one..

 

[Big Stu 12]

9. Jjessup. Arriving Saturday morning, no group meal thanks, I'll bring the parabolic mirror.

Thank you bud... I am hoping for a sunny weekend.. lol

 

[MarkinLondon]

Stu: I have no real hatchet experience. Over the years the fires have always been round wood, broken to size or burned through. It's only this transition to bushcraft that's prompted the old-way gear approach and has found me purchase the Mini to substitute for a larger knife purchase. But I've read about how sharp the GB Minis are--"shaving sharp," "razor sharp"--and given that it's of a similar size and composition of a knife, figured that not only could it be as sharp as a knife, it would arrive this way. But no; it didn't. Perhaps this one is new old stock. The cutting edge is bit tarnished too. I have been stropping it though, but haven't seen the kind of paper-slicing performance that I am expecting it to be capable of.

My three-inch fixed blade is a solid knife, but real kindling work is for a small hatchet. I'll need to develop some skill, but I'm a solid outdoorsman and an educator, which ultimately means that I am not put off by skill/knowledge acquisition, and shouldn't have any problems getting used to this nutty little knife-on-a-stick. If I find that this one isn't up for the task (which is unlikely), then I'd like to sharpen it. If it's still not for me, then I'll sell it. I can't imagine I'll have any problem moving a Mini that's only been used for one weekend. But frankly, I'm optimistic. The Mini should be perfect for my occasional needs.

…and PM me with your phone number.

m

 

[Big Stu 12]

Stu: I have no real hatchet experience. Over the years the fires have always been round wood, broken to size or burned through. It's only this transition to bushcraft that's prompted the old-way gear approach and has found me purchase the Mini to substitute for a larger knife purchase. But I've read about how sharp they are--"shaving sharp"--and given that it's of a similar size and composition of a knife, figured that not only could it be as sharp as a knife, it would arrive this way. But no; it didn't. Perhaps this one is new old stock. The cutting edge is bit tarnished too. I have been stropping it though, but haven't seen the kind of paper-slicing performance that I am expecting it to be capable of.

My three-inch fixed blade is a solid knife, but real kindling work is for a small hatchet. I'll need to develop some skill, but I'm a solid outdoorsman and an educator, which ultimately means that I am not put off by skill/knowledge acquisition, and shouldn't have any problems getting used to this nutty little knife-on-a-stick. If I find that this one isn't up for the task (which is unlikely), then I'd like to sharpen it. If it's still not for me, then I'll sell it. I can't imagine I'll have any problem moving a Mini that's only been used for one weekend. But frankly, I'm optimistic. The Mini should be perfect for my occasional needs.

…and PM me with your phone number.

m

OK mate that's no problem, you'd be surprised how many people turn up, having brought a sharp, and just use and abuse them, and have no idea about the safe use of them,

I can name many time that's I have seen people use sharps in a way that would scare the skin of any of the custards that could be made for a Suffolk Group Xmas Meal......lol.

For example we had one guy turn up all the gear... and looking the part and straight out of a RM cataloge, that was on the Friday even had the GB axe tucked in his belt... teh next day he and an opo.. went to do some shelter building.. but came back and asked to use my axe to knock some stakes in.. I asked were his was, he said in the car.. then I commented that its an axe and not a hammer... make a maul.

A while past he came back and asked if he could use my axe to put a point on a log what he had in his hand... I was doing some carving so my axe was in the chopping block... I said ok, he picked up the axe put the log on the floor next to the chopping block... and lifted the axe.. you can imagine what I said...

In both of these cases he could not see the problem... he had been on all the course and had been using axes in bushcraft for years..... so he said.

we constantly see people holding pieces of kindling on the end to split it, the list could go on...

Sorry to go in but we try to keep things as safe as we can in the Group and try to pass on good skills and information. saying that accident do happen..

 

[Hedgecrafter]

Is anyone going that's good at sharpening hatchets? I'm fairly disappointed with my new GB Mini, and don't really mind sharpening it, but I've never done a hatchet or a convex edge. I've seen all the videos, and even gave it some swipes across a mousepad/1200 wet dry, but I'm certain that it could be better. Of course, I'll wait to see how it plays out next weekend, but have considered bringing a strop and some emory.

I won't be bringing my dmt stones and strop as they are too heavy. But I will have my Dia-fold with me. If it needs touching up because it's been sitting around too long then I can do it in a couple of mins.

I find it much quicker to work a stone or sharpener over an axe, rather than moving the axe over the stone like a knife.

 

[Big Stu 12]

I won't be bringing my dmt stones and strop as they are too heavy. But I will have my Dia-fold with me. If it needs touching up because it's been sitting around too long then I can do it in a couple of mins.

I find it much quicker to work a stone or sharpener over an axe, rather than moving the axe over the stone like a knife.

best way bud, I use wet and dry glued on to wood and work it over the axe...

 

[ozzy1977]

I have always used stones for my big sharp things like axe, billhook or slashers, unless the edge is fubar the its out with the file

 

[Big Stu 12]

Can we take this to the Main Suffolk Group Thread please...

Lets keep it easy to filter Meet info

Thank you

 

[Big Stu 12]

Well with a couple of days to go now until Friday

I am now thinking what shall I pack.....??????

I may well ground dwell seeing its going to be dry... Bed Roll and Blanket time me thinks... food wise I am not sure, may have a Yellow Box meet as the last couple have been a lunch box for food.. think I deserve a selection of food for this one ... Morrisons here I come tomorrow night ...

Think the may one may be a Boonie trail run for me .... just remembered............... i'll have to see if i can book the days off for the actual Boone Challenge.. forgot about that seeing i got a new job..lol

 

[toadstool carver]

hello peeps , just wondering if you have any room for me this week end??? if so count me in for the group meal if you are having one . i also have a pairofbollix mirror that i can bring if you like..

 

[Big Stu 12]

hello peeps , just wondering if you have any room for me this week end??? if so count me in for the group meal if you are having one . i also have a pairofbollix mirror that i can bring if you like..

Always room for you Bud, yeah there's a group meal that hedgecrafter is doing for us .. all methods of fire lighting is good

 

[Hedgecrafter]

Group meal

1. Big Stu
2. Hedgecrafter
3. Iambosscat
4. MarkinLondon
5. Bowlin
6. James
7 Sean
8. Toadstool carver


I'll be shopping Thursday so this list will be locked in about 8am.
That way I can let everyone know the right cost Thursday night.
I'm expecting £2.50 ish.


Time to start packing!

 

[Big Stu 12]

Group meal

Being Supplied by Hedgecrafter

1. Big Stu
2. Hedgecrafter
3. Iambosscat
4. MarkinLondon
5. Guy coming with MarkinLondon
6. James
7 Sean
8. Bryan

Pork chops, jacket potatoes, corn on the cob.

That will be £2.50ish each and will include a bottle of tommy sauce, extra butter and salt&pepper for the jacket potatoes.

 

[ozzy1977]

Stu I am not on the list as I will be leaving sometime in the afternoon

 

[Big Stu 12]

Opps sorry typo.......