My Covid-19 and later projects

[Whittler Kev]

Hi, John...long time no see...need to get to Wales. Pleased to see your keeping busy. I've been doing a bit of turning and trying lots of different crafts including clay work and needle felting. Keep busy

 

[John Fenna]

I am always busy!

 

[John Fenna]

Well - still on short time - so projects continue...
Project 50
Deer handled knife

More for looks than hard use - made from leftover steel from another knife, Red Deer bone, cord twisted from leather and the sheath from Calf leather sewn with artificial sinew. A short hidden tang embedded in epoxy putty...

 

[John Fenna]

Project 51
A brace of belts!
Double skinned military grade webbing belts - with a concealed pocket between the layers - plus pouches in the same webbing. The tan one holds hand sterilizer and a couple of masks, the black one a leatherman and/or a penknife. The loop on the tan one is velcroed, the black one fixed.

 

[Minotaur]

John check out this mask design, it is the one I have been using. Different sizes for all the family and small enough that you can make a few and stick them everywhere.

Also in yours how did you make the metal nose grip?
I tried the beer can idea and it was a waste of time.

 

[John Fenna]

I twist together lengths of snare/utility wire from old Survival Aids and BCB survival kits .... I knew they would come in useful!
A couple were made with twisted picture hanging braided wire ...

 

[Mesquite]

Also in yours how did you make the metal nose grip?
I tried the beer can idea and it was a waste of time.

I used some copper wire from ring main cable, the neutral and main wires are the perfect weight for the job

 

[Athos]

Project 35
Trying slicing again after too long!
Back splice
View attachment 62383
Eye splices Short splices
View attachment 62384View attachment 62385
Lazy-man eye splice
View attachment 62386
Ring and Eye splices
View attachment 62387
Short splices
View attachment 62388
The whipping is not needed really but I just fancied doing it

Huge fan of your work John, apologies if teaching you to suck eggs, but have you tried doing a sailmakers whipping? Easier than it looks. Twine coated in beeswax is the way.

Best Regards,
Andy

 

[John Fenna]

Project 52
Rope making machine
Based on a "Straw Rope twister" (Victorian?) but made from a bucket handle and 2 canoe seat droppers....
Twine or rovings to cord a lot faster than hand or thigh twisting!

 

[Minotaur]

Is that a two stand rope in the end?
This has been on my radar for a while. Thinking something like this, go back to a farmer 1200ad ish and how did they make rope? There is no way that they were using metal parts in a rope walk unless the Black Smith made one and rented it to them. I have seen rope made on a walk and it is quick and easy however you have to go in both directions for the twist to work with three or four strands. All wood except the metal gears and chain which was bike parts. There is no way a group of people who had the spindle were doing this stuff by hand so how did they do it?
The challenge is to make a rope walk with your bushcraft kit so basically out of wood.

 

[John Fenna]

It is a three twist which is then doubled ... I was going for a bowdrill cord and realised that I had not cut enough for a three/three cord

 

[John Fenna]

I made a wooden version from dead (die-back) ash ... it worked fine until I tried a 10m heavy rope (3/3 in baler twine) and snapped it!
You have to find the right shaped branch

 

[Minotaur]

I made a wooden version from dead (die-back) ash ... it worked fine until I tried a 10m heavy rope (3/3 in baler twine) and snapped it!
You have to find the right shaped branch

Maybe it needs the wedge to separate the final three strands? Might it lessen the stress of the twist?

 

[John Fenna]

It was the shaft that broke - I think that it was more the weight of the rope
Do not trust dead wood!

 

[John Fenna]

Project 53
Bow drill sets
I made 2 new bowdrill sets - gave one away before taking photos...
This one has Red Deer antler bearing block with a Limpet shell "friction free" bearing glued in with Pine resin Beeswax and Charcoal dust glue and an artificial sinew 3x3 twist cord. All the wood is Hazel

 

[Tony]

Just been browsing this thread John, some excellent stuff in here mate,

 

[John Fenna]

Cheers for that Tony

 

[John Fenna]

Project 54
Bags and a belt
I decided I needed a bag to hold my Bow-drill set at the Hillfort - and made it big enough to hold my cudgel and sword as well!
While I was at it I made a bag for a folding saw that I won in a charity auction at the BcUK BushMoot and mounted an Iron Age buckle, bought at the BushMoot, for costume at work.
The bags are made from scraps and bits, the buckle is made by Dave Budd.

 

[John Fenna]

Project 55
Fire Pit Tripod
I just received my Aldi Fire Pit - so I thought I would build a fully adjustable tripod for it...
Rowan and Hazel poles - fully seasoned - Polyhemp rope for the lashing, scrap chain and S-hooks forged from an old grass rake's tines ... all bits just hanging around the place ...

 

[zornt]

Just took the time to read the entire thread.
Mr Fenna you, sir are amazing!
All those projects are works of art.
Thank you for sharing.
Jon