i tried 2 make feather sticks and they didnot really work out, is there any really gd way to make them or is it just pratice??
lloyd
lloyd
feather sticks
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Kai,
Practice a lot then practice some more.
Slow cuts are easier to control than fast chops, and you are more likely to see which part of the blade/stroke etc gets the best results. I like to use a knife with a Scandi-ground blade, and hold the large bevel flat against the wood, remember that you are aiming to get very fine curls of ultra thin section.
There was a video clip somewhere where the surface of the stick was scored along its length before being featherd, resulting in many curls per cut. You also need a knife that is shaving sharp, especially to learn the technique.
ATB
Ogri the trog
Practice a lot then practice some more.
Slow cuts are easier to control than fast chops, and you are more likely to see which part of the blade/stroke etc gets the best results. I like to use a knife with a Scandi-ground blade, and hold the large bevel flat against the wood, remember that you are aiming to get very fine curls of ultra thin section.
There was a video clip somewhere where the surface of the stick was scored along its length before being featherd, resulting in many curls per cut. You also need a knife that is shaving sharp, especially to learn the technique.
ATB
Ogri the trog
Funnily enough Robby and I have just been playing around with a new knife in my kitchen, and what did we do? Made feathersticks 
Definitely practice makes perfect, and try different woods too. I think the best ones I've ever seen were done with an axe though. The guy really knew how to control what he was doing, beautiful to watch :notworthy
atb,
Toddy
Definitely practice makes perfect, and try different woods too. I think the best ones I've ever seen were done with an axe though. The guy really knew how to control what he was doing, beautiful to watch :notworthy
atb,
Toddy
Oops, forgot to mention.
Some woods perform better if the feathers are made on the tangent to the growth rings, others if they're made perpendicular to them!
ATB
Ogri the trog
Some woods perform better if the feathers are made on the tangent to the growth rings, others if they're made perpendicular to them!
ATB
Ogri the trog
Lloyd,
Keep your elbow locked and push from the shoulder. Use very, very dry wood (hardwood, not pine). Its a "push" cut not a draw cut - think a chisel. The knife won't work if it can't shave hairs off!
Red
Keep your elbow locked and push from the shoulder. Use very, very dry wood (hardwood, not pine). Its a "push" cut not a draw cut - think a chisel. The knife won't work if it can't shave hairs off!
Red
also - its all kind of in the control. if it gets to thick and isnt curling nicely control the speed and diection of the blade to correct.
i'd say dont worry about making a working stick at first - just make one really good curl and get it sorted how to make to tiny adjustments as you're cutting. take your time, sit there with a brew in the back garden and dont give up - no matter how frustrated you feel. once it happens properly once it'll be a doddle (with a sharp knife / axe)
most of all - picture where the knife will go if it suddenly aims upwards and outwards of the wood - i.e sit in such a way that you cant stick it in your thigh!
i'd say dont worry about making a working stick at first - just make one really good curl and get it sorted how to make to tiny adjustments as you're cutting. take your time, sit there with a brew in the back garden and dont give up - no matter how frustrated you feel. once it happens properly once it'll be a doddle (with a sharp knife / axe)
most of all - picture where the knife will go if it suddenly aims upwards and outwards of the wood - i.e sit in such a way that you cant stick it in your thigh!
My wife was learning to do just that and she looked over and seen that I had done a few with both knives and my small HB ax. She inquired how I could do it so fast and consistant with both types of tools I simply told her after 10,000 cuts she will be at the same level, practise..practise..practise..and still more practise.
one tip i discovered was to press the knife in to the wood, like you press down slightly on a plane, this makes it much easier.
this goes along with everything else every one else has said.
hope it helps
tipi
this goes along with everything else every one else has said.
hope it helps
tipi
my first attempts were pretty pathetic but after a ehile i managed to be able to create feathersticks that i could light from a firesteel, i only did this about 3 times so i dont know whether it was a fluke or not, keep practicing you will get there
leon
leon
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