sometimes the simple project are the harder ones

[monkey boy]

At the last sussex meet I started carving a net making needle, but when I took it home to finnish it, it broke. So today I went to a pieceful little woodland near where the wife keeps her horses and got started on making another one.
Now I found a nice pile of wood to work with, not sure what tree it is so if anyone can ID it for me that would be great.

It was a nice day today so I was out without a coat or anything waterproof, however! I did take one of my cheap and simple basha's with me to give me a sence of place (dont ask me what make this basha is as i got it for a few pound on ebay a while back)

so I got started on making another needle and all was going well

as you do I got a brew on while I take a break, I thought I would use an old army hexi stove as a bit of a change and give the crusader and monkey boy stove the day off. (plus I like playing with different toys and I havent used my hexi burner in a long time)

so things was going well with my needle

until it broke 

never mind i got started on another one and will finnish it tomorrow.

it just shows that carving gorilla wands and horse head charms may look hard, something as simple looking as a net making needle can turn out to be the most enoying and harder project.

mb

 

[spandit]

That's a great shame but I know you'll succeed in the end

Your photos are tiny, though, or is it just me?

 

[Mesquite]

so things was going well with my needle

until it broke 

Did you shape the needle before you started carving the inner section?

When I carve them I always leave the shaping of that part of the needle to the very end. That way there's a lot more material to provide support when you're cutting away the excess wood on the inner sections.

 

[monkey boy]

Did you shape the needle before you started carving the inner section?

When I carve them I always leave the shaping of that part of the needle to the very end. That way there's a lot more material to provide support when you're cutting away the excess wood on the inner sections.

yes maybe thats what im doing wrong, I will try again, im not giving up on it. thanx for the tip

 

[monkey boy]

That's a great shame but I know you'll succeed in the end

Your photos are tiny, though, or is it just me?

the photos are uploaded on tap&talk not sure why they are small

 

[Dreadhead]

any way of fire-hardening the would tae stop it snapping?

 

[monkey boy]

any way of fire-hardening the would tae stop it snapping?

i will try that on the next one, cant hurt to try 

 

[HillBill]

The wood looks like Beech or a big old Ash, cant be 100% from that pic though.

 

[monkey boy]

3rd time lucky 

 

[jackcbr]

Lucky you mate. I'm on number 6 (I think) and got a tasty scar on my finger along the way. My thread turned up yesterday, just need to find a bit of time to finish the needle. Looking forward to getting my first net under my belt.

 

[monkey boy]

Lucky you mate. I'm on number 6 (I think) and got a tasty scar on my finger along the way. My thread turned up yesterday, just need to find a bit of time to finish the needle. Looking forward to getting my first net under my belt.

me to, im gonna buy some cordage today and make the othe peice

 

[spandit]

I can't remember what thread Kepis recommended for your nets? Can someone post a link?

 

[Amon81]

Good to see you kept at it!

That reminds me I actually need to make another one as I'm getting out of practice. I actually haven't made one for the better part of 2 years now as I've been using one I made out of a branch my mum wanted cutting off a Maple tree she has in her garden.

I carved it green, then left it to dry by a window. I really like it, nice size to fit in my pocket and it's very light and absolutely solid. I was thinking of sanding it, but I like it's rough and ready look, plus it works fine so I haven't bothered.

I carved the inner section first as I do or now more did on all I've made, not that it really matters on maple I'd of thought as it's tough stuff.

And of course a photo for you:



I was the first thing I made with my main knife, my Enzo Trapper. Such a good knife for tasks like this!