Making feather sticks 101

[Whittler Kev]

Just watched this about 3 different knife holding positions. Makes a lot of sense so thought I'd share

[video=youtube;ikc0mQB6ROo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikc0mQB6ROo[/video]

 

[Tommyd345]

That's a good vid, going to try that! that guy has lots of control!

 

[Tim_B]

Also watch the Ray Mears demo he refers to.

thanks
Tim

 

[Wacker]

Great vid thanks for sharing. A point to add, I find this task is made easier by locking your elbow straight and using your shoulder and a little body weight (make sure you're not in an unstable position that would cause you to fall forward) to push the blade. This isn't necessary of course but you avoid inconsistent pressure on the blade caused by the change in arm position throughout the cut, it saves valuable energy better used elsewhere, and it helps you deal with the varying resistance of the timbre throughout it's length.

W

 

[Joonsy]

Another way is to keep the knife still and move the stick instead, the old romanies used this method called ''off the knee'' to make gypsy flowers, they kept the knife still holding it by their knee and moved the stick itself up and down over the knife to create the curls. There was a programme called Looking Back / Born On The Straw where an old fellow showed this method to great effect, it used to be on youtube but having just searched for it I can no longer find it (though it’s on the community channel) so I have added a link below of another guy instead showing how it’s done.

[video=youtube;Mw_K1C6Kd5s]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mw_K1C6Kd5s[/video]

 

[Mick721]

This is exactly the method Paul Kirtley advocates and demonstrates in one of his you tub videos.