Hi folks,sorry its taken so long to reply,i've been busy working.
Anyway.
They look awesome. Mind if I ask a couple of questions as after seeing patrickm's fishing stuff in the flesh Im determined to catch a fish using a handcrafted, all natural fishing rig. Im in the process of braiding up lime bark cordage (tedious!) long enough for a line so that angle is covered. However Im new to working with bone/antler, and like you, I plan to make some composite hooks. Did you use stone or steel to work with your bone hooks? And any tips on working with the material?
Hi Sapling,working with bone/antler is'nt as hard as you might think,i try to use stone tools when making bushy gear as my thinking is, if i can make kit using only stone tools,then when making them with a steel knife it should be a piece of cake.
I use a variety of different stones for making stuff,i have got about three grades of sand stone blocks that i use the most,for abrading all materials ie wood,slate bone etc. I also use flint for cutting/scrapping jobs. Most of my work is done by abrading on the sandstone blocks.
Also check out Patricks tutorials here
http://www.bushcraftuk.com/index.php/DIY/Fishing-Hook-Tutorial.html to give you an idea on the working methods.
PS nearly forgot when abrading antler or bone remember to wear a face mask,you don't want to be breathing in dead animal matter,do you!
Oh yeah, and what fiber are you using for your lines?
I have been using Nettle,Flax and i'm in the middle of processing Willow bark to turn into cordage.
They look fantastic, I've never even contemplated making something so delicate.
Please don't take this the wrong way, but is there not a weekness making bound composite hooks? I read somewhere that you could use hawthorn / similar, which is surely simpler to create & stronger as it isn't bound?
I'm sure you'll tell me I'm wrong, I assure you I'm asking out of interest - not a critism in the slightest.
Hi Bushscout, its fine no critism taken, i have seen the Hawthorn hooks that you mention and i do plan to make/use these types too,i just have'nt got round to it yet.As for the bound hooks,i think they must be fairly strong as the Native American tribes such as the Nootka,Kwagiutl etc used bound hooks when trolling for Salmon.
Have a look at this link
http://books.google.ca/books?id=fud...a=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6#PPP1,M1
Sorry folks if you've seen this before, this is the third time i,ve linked this
I hope this helps and again sorry for the delay.
Cheers Stuart.