Berry picker competition

[falling rain]

After the excitement of British Red's excellently organised 'Build a Bucksaw competition' and while we await the winner with anticipation, I thought I'd ask if anybody is up for a 'Build a berry picker competition'. There seems to have been a bit of interest in this tool after it was featured on RM's wild food programme so does anyone fancy the challenge? I've never seen one before till I saw it on the programme and fancy having a go. Anyone else up for it?
I don't mind taking on the organisation as BR did for the bucksaws but please sort out your own photo's either in the gallery or in the thread. I'm really pants with photo's and computers
I like the idea of these 'make and show' threads and it gives folks ideas and make's them get on with it if there is a deadline, and who cares if you don't win, you've ended up with a functional tool.............hopefully
I thought about a deadline of say mid-march 15th so that gives peeps about 6 weeks............... So what are people's thoughts?

 

[sam_acw]

Can someone post an example photo as I can't see this RM series yet.

 

[scanker]

I can't find any pictures but the best way I can describe it is like a cup or tumbler made from wire. The cup part I suppose must be fine enough that the berries don't fall through. Around the rim, prongs extend like outstretched fingers and pluck the berries from the bush as the cup's moved along a branch. I'm sure it's not the best description, but I hope it helps.

 

[woodwalker]

Ray Mears has one on his website now, here. Its not actually the same as the one he used, his was just made up of prongs, but the idea of how the brach is slid between the prongs then pulled forward to pluck the berry is the same.

woodwalker

 

[torjusg]

It don't have to be of metal does it?

If not, then I am in.

 

[M@rk]

I've thought about making one since i saw rays so you can count me in.

 

[jon r]

sounds like a good campetition!

Is there a prize? i dont mind if there is'nt

 

[falling rain]

It don't have to be of metal does it?

If not, then I am in.

No , I suppose it can be of whatever materials you like.

I'll have to think of something to offer as a prize and get back to you. Remember it's just little old me, so it won't be a new landrover defender or anything too fantastic. I'll have a sort through my kit and see what I can find. The main prize will be the kudos of 'champion berry gatherer making person'...........and of course you'll have yourself a self-made berry gatherer and self made stuff is best :You_Rock_

 

[falling rain]

Reading another thread, reminded me I've got a spare Mini Maglite AAA brand new still in the packaging so I'll donate that as a prize. I've got one already and bought an LED conversion kit last year for it................ Sooooooo, if that's acceptable, I'm willing to donate that as a prize. (just the torch not the LED conversion)

 

[JohnC]

I'll give it a go..

 

[sam_acw]

I hope to manage an entry for this one!

 

[tanto]

Here is some inspiration,

Common swedish design on a berrypicker:

Siberian Bitok, made from birch bark:
http://www.forntidateknik.z.se/IFT/bitok/bitok.htm

You can translate the site on the following link:
http://www.systransoft.com/

 

[woodwalker]

I forget to mention I will join up, although I am quite busy at the moment, 6 weeks should be enough time....

cheers
woodwalker

 

[jon r]

How far do the prongs need to be apart?

 

[torjusg]

How far do the prongs need to be apart?

Depends on what you are going to pick.

 

[falling rain]

How far do the prongs need to be apart?

Ask me one on tennis

That's sort of the idea. Hardly anyone had even heard of these before they saw them on RM's programme. You think about it, design it , make it and post your pictures and give a write up about why you made it like you did.

 

[amott69]

i'm up for this i've a few idea's.

 

[clcuckow]

I'm in, I think I have some photos somewhere of some traditional cranberry (dry) pickers from the ocean spray cranberry world (museum) in Plymouth MA but it is that long since that holiday that I cannot remember if it was before I went digital.

 

[alpha_centaur]

No , I, so it won't be a new landrover defender:You_Rock_

Second hand landrover defender would be just as acceptable

 

[falling rain]

Second hand landrover defender would be just as acceptable

When I win the lottery then, I'll get the winner one