A positive example of a Turkish Reforestation program

September 26, 2013, 6:56 am

≪ Previous: Poems anybody;-) - Three thorns of Blackthorn song (in German and English)

I only but recently had the privilege to talk to Mr. Ömer Adigüzel from Gömürgen help organization. The organization primarily raises funds to help with reforestation of a Turkish savannah region which formerly was green, but by land exploitation suffered ecological crisis. Check out their homepage for more info:

http://www.goemuergen.de/?lang=en

Take a look, and if you feel so inclined, support them...

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On the bench-more steel!

October 4, 2013, 1:55 am

≫ Next: Introduction of a rugged bushcraft knife with a somewhat tactical pedigree

≪ Previous: A positive example of a Turkish Reforestation program

Currently there are a load of projects going on. The blades in the topmost picture are what we typically make at the Bethaus smithy on customer request, with a raw finish, a blade out of spring steel with a selective temper by edge-quenching, forged bolster / guard out of mild steel (file steel on request). They normally get a handle burned-to-fit and get peened over a copper buttcap. With those two, hot - punching the blade décor went a bit awry, so I kept them for myself.

Top is a damascus Kopis with the squiggly bit;-) fallen off, so it will get some annealing and some new forging a squiggly bit. Next is a file steel blade that´s needing some forging still, and a Nessmuk and a hunting / steak knife out of ancient spring steel with a carbon content of about 0,75% and nothing else;-). Nessie´s already quenched (you can see the quench lines illustrating the technique quite well. For I always use a double quench technique. I heat the steel to the upmost part of the temperature window suitable for quenching. I wait until it is cooled in the air a bit and just right for quenching (you can use a magnet if you want to be sure). I quench the edge part very conservatively. When the temperature is coming down further to a dull red colour I put it in further. It is crucial that this part still isn´t magnetic! Then I take it out, while the spine still has some heat. I remove the scale and oil with a wet wire brush. When the edge part achieves a golden colour with cutting knives and a blue colour with cleaving knives, I put it in the oil to cool down. I then take a file and run it along the edge. It can have some grip, but must not bite, if that makes any sense. If it slides off completely, I use the heat radiance from the forge to bring down the hardness some more to enhance elasticity. After cooling down again, I repeat the file test and allow it to rest some. I then slam the edge against the edge of the anvil. It must not dent too much, best it shouldn´t dent at all. Then it has to carve iron rods. Next in line is a test of elasticity and shock resistance: I slam the flat blade over the horn of the anvil. If it breaks, it breaks. The next test is levering up a 30 kg anvil. If it survives all that, it´s ready to rumble;-). I will then remove any nicks or dents and put an edge to it. It has to cut paper in the least. Then I like to chop at least ten times into hardwood or antler to test the edge-holding capacity. Another good test is carving hardwood from the broad side. It has to stand up to those tests also and at least cut "any which way";-) through paper.

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Introduction of a rugged bushcraft knife with a somewhat tactical pedigree

October 4, 2013, 2:56 am

≫ Next: The scent of autumn

≪ Previous: On the bench-more steel!

Now this is not quite common for me. I don´t like tactical knives at all. I simply cannot relate to the idea of carrying a knife that is nothing but a weapon. Any knife can be a weapon, don´t get me wrong, but I do not want to think about that nonsense of "sneaking up to sentinels" or "winning a knife fight". Noone wins a knife fight. Both contrahents will bleed, and chance is, both will die from their injuries. If you get assaulted, you will instinctively use what you can lay hands on in the instant, be it a rock, a piece of clothing, your hands, legs, feet, or, if you so want, a knife, apillow or a handkerchief. If a knife is at hand, and you ARE in lethal danger, your instict will of course make use of it. The romantiscism of being a soldier somehow fails to appeal to me;-). However, many tactical designs are just plain good or even great, and when I got the opportunity to review this Enforcer hunting knife, I just dug it. My excuses for the lousy pics, I have to fiddle with the new old camera still... The knife comes in a relatively good Cordura sheath. The blade is Chinese made from 8CrMoV steel, which is but a tiny notch below 440C with a carbon content of 0,80% but with much the same content of Chromium, Molybdenum and Vanadium. It claims to be tempered to 58HRC, and, having tested it as I commonly test knives;-) I can safely say it gets the job done. It´s hard enough and flexible enough and makes for a tough knife.

The scales are G-10 with a cleanly made bead-blasted finish, and screwed on with nicely made and finished Torx head screws. The handle is big and chunky and could do with some ergonomic features, but as is, it works well enough. It reminds one a bit of the Ontario RAT-3 handle design.

It´s a bit unusual for me that the blade has this finger notch and the centre of gravity is far back. I personally like to have an edge that goes all the way up to the handle for more power when carving and more control. But this design has obvious advantages. This knife is a legal carry at 100 mm length, but, BOY, does it chop and split wood! The spine is a monstrous 7mm thick. Due to the wide blade with a high flat grind, it´s an able slicer, though. The blade came hair poppingly sharp out of the box and made short terms with kitchen tasks as well as batoning.

There´s a piece of the tang protruding out of the scales as a glassbreaker, and serving double duty as a lanyard hole. I could not test the glassbreaking ability, but it also opens beer bottles nicely...;-).

This knife is sold for 39,00€. For that little it´s a reliable companion with a great steel for the job, and it´s up to par with knives selling for ten times as much. It´s no wonder steel doing legendary things, but you can sharpen it without nuclear power tools. It takes a very keen edge (and holds it very well), cuts and chops and gets batoned and even pries well. The handle is comfortable enough, even if it could be better, but we are talking bargain basement here! The sheath is nothing to brag about, but make a new one or buy another, and this knife will serve you well for a long period of time. Take it out bushcrafting, hunting or even barbecueing, you name it, it does it. Just leave those sentinels alone, do you?*ggg*

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The scent of autumn

October 4, 2013, 3:42 am

≫ Next: Short introduction of an Otter sailor´s knife / London / sheepfoot slipjoint folder

≪ Previous: Introduction of a rugged bushcraft knife with a somewhat tactical pedigree

It is here. That time of year when the year draws to a close. As with old age, things start withering, but there is also an air of one last violent flourishing, of ripening fruit and flourishing herbs, of sprouting mushrooms, violently pushing out from the dark. It is here. That time of the year, when mists waft through the darkening woods, and the sounds grow silent, until silence is all that remains.

I went out in the woods, following narrow trails seldom trod, relishing in the silence and the twilight as in a precious dark red wine long dispensed with, enjoying all those colours becoming so much more vivid and elegant.

European Rowan berries (Sorbus Aucuparia, in German: Vogelbeere, Ebereschenbeere). They are rich with Vitamin C, but also with Paraascorbin acid, which is laxative. Therefore rowan berries should not be eaten unprocessed. I collected some for gin. Take two handfuls for one litre of Vodka, cover with Kandis sugar or honey. But first let them rest in watered vinegar for three days. Then take them out, rinse them with water, and process them further. You can also make jam from them! If you suffer from mild food poisoning and are absolutely sure of your diagnosis, you can use them as a purgative.

On I wandered through the darkening woods, still in their green dress. Ever so powerful, this tree grew through this pitchfork. The tree survived. The pitchfork is falling prey to the tooth of time, and its rusty colour is becoming more and more becoming a part of the fallen leaves in colour and substance to give nourishment to all those creatures of the underground dwelling on the decay of the living.

Few if any consider that the mushrooming part of the mycelium is but the smallest part.

Deep down in the darkness there dwells the root, and the human soul mirrors the sprouting mushrooms, in that mind and body are but protrusions of that which lies submerged...

And thusly I wandered, deeper into the woods, where man does not tread. In stealth I went, barefoot and calm, into a realm where light is dim and strange the sounds that reach our ear. Here there is no modern man, and even the most civilized human being realizes with fear and terror that his well-mended world is but a surface embellishment. Reality there thrives violently and without mercy, and cares not for human care nor value.

But paths there are for those who dare to tread them.

And light there is, ever so much brighter in the dark.

For woods come to a clearing, and there is rest... I sat down and had a cuppa tea and whittled some shavings and did some stumpsitting...

Near my resting place I came across this little caterpillar. Don´t know what it is or what it´s called, but beautiful it was.

And a wasp spider building its net, weaving artfully and beautifully - the death of its prey. Such is nature: Beautiful and wicked at the same time...

I came to the foot of the hills when the light drew to a close, and I ventured farther into the murky woods...

Sloe (prunus spinoza, in German: Schlehe). I collected some for gin and jam...

´shrooms!!!! Bay boletus and boletus in fact, and quite some impressive ones... I took several home to dry. I use to dry them with a dousing of salt and some herbs. That way you have a great instant mushroom soup....;-)

I arrived upon the hill at dusk.

And while I waited for the bus my mind was racing brim full with the experience. I find it becomes harder to adapt to this funny postmodern society the more I venture into the twilight. But, this question remains to be asked: Which is more important?

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Short introduction of an Otter sailor´s knife / London / sheepfoot slipjoint folder

October 10, 2013, 6:49 am

≫ Next: Short introduction of a Boker plus Colubris tactical belt knife

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This is a knife I have owned now for some time, and I realized how much I like it just because it always rides in my pocket, and I actually use it quite often. It is an Otter sheepfoot blade with a slipjoint construction. This knife is dead simple, but it comes with a real spring and a rectangular blade root making for a half-stop for safety. Liners are made from mild steel, as are the bolsters. Cocobolo scales are pinned in place by brass pins. I drilled a lanyard hole through them and fitted a leather lanyard. The blade is C100 still, with a hand-ground very thin convex bevel. It has an even temper aiming towards a higher flexibility and comes at a claimed hardness of 56 HRC. The blade is 75x2 mm with a sheepfoot tip, with a speciality, for the edge line is slightly offset and diagonal to the spine. It is a very effective cutter, whittler and eating knife. You can use the spine to spread butter very effectively making it a great snacking knife also.

Plus, it is a knife with history and atmosphere, for this blade shape originated as a "Boscher" (a Solingen dialect term for a bos-scher, "woods shearer" or "woods knife", cognate with the Dutch "bos" for woods.) This shape goes back to the medieval ages and was quite a common shape throughout the North of Germany. Many Solingen kitchen and general use knives were forged that way. The "Scherper" of miner´s attire origin often shared characteristics with it, but it was most famed as a mariner´s knife. Legend has it that boatsmen tended to break off the tip of any knife brought on deck of any ship privately, except for knives in this shape, so it became a common mariner´s blade shape. The French folding knife type often called "London" is nearly identical.

By the way, apologies for the lousy pics, I still cannot figure out how to use this camera properly...

The knife is not a masterpiece of craftsmanship, in that the blade is fixed a bit off centre in the handle. The grind, however, otherwise is excellent. It can be made hairpoppingly sharp, so sharp in fact that you can split a hair with it. Talking of which, out of the box the sharpness was nothing to brag about, either. But then, it comes dead cheap. The spring is super stiff and actually gives you a lot of confidence, the blade has a nice geometry, the knife has a rustic, but serviceable finish. It is capable of hard work and begs for more. Buy it;-).

They come in a size even legal in the UK and Denmark. Get them here.

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Short introduction of a Boker plus Colubris tactical belt knife

October 10, 2013, 7:38 am

≫ Next: An encounter with Hugo-another unlikely Fimbulmyrk tale;-)

≪ Previous: Short introduction of an Otter sailor´s knife / London / sheepfoot slipjoint folder

Okay, I admit it. I am a geardo.

I am an inconsequent asshole jibbering and jabbering about going simple and then going along and buying the latest paraphernalia. I can tell you, I have told myself so.

But then I never stated I was completely off the grid, whatever that might mean. And I still have no TV, no fridge, no personal personal computer, I am neither facebooked, xinged or whatever still, I still forage for my food. So you might forgive me if I buy something from time to time, just because I want to;-).

Fact is, I did not need it. I could make something very close myself.

The culprit is, I just wanted it. I was on a marvellous trip to Solingen, doing some visits, renewing some very valuable acquaintances. Not the least was my visit to Tobias from Boker Baumwerk, Solingen. They have a sales shop where you can get second grades and production leftovers and one or the other proto that did not see actual production. Now Boker is famed for their tactical knife designs. I still don´t like tactical knife designs. I am not overly fond of G-10 and Micarta, and I don´t believe in this super steel prybar shrapnel designs. But, as is, I visited the shop, had a chat with Mrs. Felix, until she was going home, and Tobias came in. I was quite delighted, for we hadn´t met in a year or so. Tobias is one of those guys you may take for a thug at first sight, and he is no stranger to the martial arts, in fact... not that any martial artist is a thug, mind you!;-) But you can tell by the way he moves and walks that he knows how to take a beating and defend himself. If you get to know him, however, you will learn that the first glance at his being a "thug" might cheat; suffice to say that he is a very nice and reflected guy with a calm, but persistent air about him. Of course, we talked a lot, and I played some knives, actually quite absently, to be honest. Then I laid my fingers on something weird, a bit like a crossover between a Nessmuk and some alien starship wreckage;-). Oh, and do you know that feeling, when you play something and it just falls in place?

This actually was the case. And NO, I didn´t get paid to write this. You all know my stance towards things that look like alien starship wreckage. Then I learned it had a 440C blade, with a legal length in the bargain (10,9cm). I at first wasn´t too fond of the spine thickness, which is at least some 6 mm, but it has a high slightly hollow grind with a flat secondary edge bevel, and a very wide blade.

Oh, and the packaging alone is worth mentioning. You get the impression you bought some quality item, and the idea you bought a firearm, which, I daresay is not all by coincidence. The knife is designed by DJ Urbanowski (American Kami). He is a madman, I think;-). Good thing for starters, I think;-).

The way it is accomplished is a very American way of designing knives, to be true...;-)

It comes with a well - fitting kydex sheath with a Tek - Lok carrying system. I am fond of carrying systems and extra bits and gimmicks actually, ever since I got my first "LEGO" playing kit;-). Kitting aside;-), this knife feels sturdy, and comes with a blade that does even work, which is not the case with all tactical designs.

Of course, I tested it and estimate the hardness at 58-60 HRC. It carves steel rods, chops antler, and is capable of doing more delicate work. The finish of the blade consists of tiny scratches ("stonewashed"), so no harm done if you add some more. Using a firesteel and all that other abuse did not have any adverse effects on the blade. Balance point is slightly hindward of the index finger handle point, and with a lanyard will go further back. That makes for a bit of a less than ideal balance, but hey, it´s just that I have to find a flaw to make sure I am living up to my personal image;-) of being a groping moron...;-). The handle is special waste G-10, of course, but you can use ´em to drive nails, so no complaint. Also, this product will have an exceedingly long life-cycle. It is not exactly beautiful, no sir, but has a kind of brutal aesthetics to it. If you can live with the somewhat martial appearance, it´s a great blade with a serviceable steel. I do not like to modify this opinion of mine, no sir;-), not at all, but it maybe that tactical designs might have their advantages after all;-)

I bought it, and we continued to have some chatting about mountainbiking, survival and martial arts and this and that, until I said goodbye, because I had to get my bus...

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An encounter with Hugo-another unlikely Fimbulmyrk tale;-)

November 6, 2013, 4:13 am

≫ Next: Oh the loot! Flea market finds....

≪ Previous: Short introduction of a Boker plus Colubris tactical belt knife

It was some two weeks ago, when I went out on an after-work foraging stroll. Winter cometh;-) as they say, so I´d decided to go look for some more apples and ´shrooms and quince to stash into my attic;-).

What can I say... I was just some 200 m from the nearest house, when something came swooping at me from behind, so close I could feel the rush of air. An eurasian jay it was, and he settled close to me on this plank. Ever so gently, I took out my camera, as not to disturb him or shy him away, but he did not seem bothered at all. In fact, I had the impression that he rather enjoyed being a model star! I talked with him in my mind, but our conversation was being a bit disturbed, for I felt his attention slip;-) when a lady with a dog came by. But was he bothered by that canine? Not at all! He just ruffled his feathers a bit, made some funny noises, but otherwise was not nervous at the least. I talked to that lady, and I learned this was his place, and the neighbourhood calls him "Hugo". I found that appropriate, even if he calls himself a different name. I cannot repeat his own name, for a computer does not have signs for those sounds his name is composed of:-), and it´s also a bit too long (Eurasian Jays are sometimes being a bit pompous, I think;-)).

Then that lady went on her merry way foraging for mushrooms, and I was left with Hugo. We had a nice chat, and he showed me a good mushroom site;-), accompagying me for a good portion of the trail.

The we said goodbye, and both went on our merry way.

I am lying, of course. Am I?;-)

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Oh the loot! Flea market finds....

November 14, 2013, 5:39 am

≫ Next: Hardcore knife with a traditional pedigree - hardcore test surprise

≪ Previous: An encounter with Hugo-another unlikely Fimbulmyrk tale;-)

On a recent flea market I came across a right heap of goodies I just wanted to share with you. The whole lot cost me 20 €;-). Two handforged Yugoslavian hatchets, a huge piece of stag antler for scales and handles, an electricians knife (I will give you a close-up soon!), three files, two still working, one for damascus, and a piece of roe deer antler.

It always pays off to keep a lookout!;-)

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Hardcore knife with a traditional pedigree - hardcore test surprise

November 14, 2013, 10:46 am

≫ Next: Marburg - a lovely weekend with the loveliest person in my life

≪ Previous: Oh the loot! Flea market finds....

On the recent knife expo at the Solingen industrial museum "Gesenkschmiede Hendrichs" I got the opportunity to meet with Mr. Rommel, new head of corporation and chief manager of Otter knives. Otter knives still specializes in making simple, traditional pocket and working / utility knives. Hailing from a background of decades of handicraft, the corporation certainly knows a thing or two about making sensible utility designs. I came across this "Berufsmesser", as it is called in the Otter catalogue. Yap, I know, I already own one, but, hey, you know how it is;-). I played it some, and realized the blade was straight, which my old one was not, the craftsmanshipalmost meticulous, but not so much as to make it too beautiful to use. It came with a beautifully grained Cocobolo wood handle. The blade is a very old German style, the so called "Hamburger" style, dating as far back as the middle ages, often used in bread and kitchen knives, but also in utility folding knives as early as the 15th century. As I have mentioned before, the knife comes in very cheap for the quality, about 18€. The blade is made from high carbon steel, with a finely accomplished "Solinger Dünnschliff" (convex, "Hamagore" bevel), and polished to a blueish sheen. This example of the type came shaving sharp. I am informed it is made from medium high carbon steel with 0,75% carbon content, and yes, there´s also iron, period. This makes for an edge that can be finely ground and made wickedly sharp.

The knife has a slip-joint mechanism that stops at 90 °. It came with no side or axial play. The smoothness of the action leaved something to be desired, but with a drop of tootpaste and turpentine oil (Balistol) and few minutes of working it, it set in and was nearly as smooth as silk.

The blade cut into this iron rod with ease and no damage whatsoever to the edge.

Same thing with this piece of stag antler, where I slammed it in several times.

I then slammed the tip into this tin can lid, and the stiff slip joint spring inspired my confidence. Of course, the sheepfoot blade design is no stabbing knife at all, but it can be made possible.

What it does best is cutting, even after the abuse. It made short terms with this piece of paper.

I cut the paper while it hung free. After the abuse, (cut on the left), there was a little more playing around involved, and the cut in the paper is a bit ragged at the beginning, hinting of a bit of a loss of sharpness on the edge. But the paper was a bit damp, making it not the easiest for cutting while hanging free.

It was easy, however, to cut the paper after overcoming the initial resistance of thecutting material.

Stag antler, iron rod, cutting paper...

and then it made this out of a piece of fir wood;-). Sweet.

The real surprise came when I did the spine whack test normally reserved for liner lock knives. The spring is so stiff it keeps the blade secure even under this extreme stress.

And here´s a lousy clip to show you I did not spare it when whacking on the stag antler;-)

I found overall that this is a knife with an extremely huge potential. I heard some rumours that Otter wants to do some mods on it. What could be improved is a bigger lanyard hole, for it comes stock with but a 3 mm hole. I drilled it, of course, for I voided it of its warranty nonetheless. I then realized the hard way;-) the iron liners bent, and, looking at it intently saw another feat of high potential. For the spring does not go around the butt of the knife, leaving an empty space. You could with little effort insert a block of G-10 or volcanic fibre, and, by fitting a simple clip in, making this knife an even more versatile carry. Am I enthused? You bet. You will be hard pressed to find a slipjoint folder that is capable of doing this and come out almost unscathed. The knife also comes in different lengths suitable as a legal carry even in the UK or Denmark, and rumour has it there will be still more options available in the future.;-). And NO, I did NOT get payed to write this;-).

Every knife shall have something of simple beauty to it, and so I made this lanyard mojo for it. Silver fittings, leather, of course, an agate pearl, aaaand: A glass bead jewel made by my beloved magic troll. If you want one, she will trade or sell. Contact her on her Blog:

Koboldkerker.blogspot.com

or via her facebook accont. Shameless crossposting, I know, but I guess you appreciate it;-).

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Marburg - a lovely weekend with the loveliest person in my life

November 14, 2013, 11:15 am

≫ Next: On the bench - a variety of ancient crucible steel blades and some thoughts on steel and mythology

≪ Previous: Hardcore knife with a traditional pedigree - hardcore test surprise

Ah, yes. I have not written for quite a long time. Fact is, I have too much to do, and some logistical problems...

But in no way there has nothing happened.For instance, I went for a lovely visit to Marburg to meet with my lovely magic troll. And, while not everything we did is for the public;-), we also went on a nice little foraging troll stroll.

The path led into the foothills that offer a beautiful view of Marburg castle. It is funny, many of Germany´s greatest poets, such as Rainer Maria Rilke, Clemens Brentano, Johann Wolfgang Goethe, Friedrich Schiller and many, many more have lived or visited this city. And, visiting a pub concert on Friday at Molly Malone´s Irish pub, I got the impression that at least folk music and romanticism is alive and well still. More so, I have the feeling that every inch of city, university, and, even more so, the woods, breathes the spirit of poetry.

This is a photo by the magic troll that shows a bit of the atmosphere. There is poetry in the autumn, too.

And as we came up the hill, the little one whining, complaining and on the verge of tears (because I was going too slow;-)), we saw this chainsaw carving sculpture standing in the middle of nowhere, which someone obviously had made just for the fun of it.

Into the woods we ventured, to the site of an old market garden.

Recently it had burnt down, and it lies in ruins. There is a very strange air about the place, with car wrecks silently rotting there (and, of course, polluting the ground in the process), with the plants growing wildly. It is strange that we are only accustomed of our pet plants growing tiny... and suddenly you are faced with a giant Thuya tree and flower "trees". It is as if nature would strike back there, and violently. The place will rot, and the plants, once enslaved, will destroy the ruins, unto they will lie submerged in wreckage, beyond recognition. I would wish this fate will befall some big-term crop seed corporations selling former ABC weapons as herbicides, too, if I was allowed a wish, but I am not.

The woods, made from alien plants, lay utterly peaceful.

Then it was off into the deeper woods, foraging for bay boletus and other ´shrooms,sloe berries, quince and rowan berries. At a hunting stand in the middle of nowhere, we rested, and had a cuppa tea. Note the deranged portion of our little camp belongs to me;-).

I simply love this picture. Funny, how it´s always the weird things I love, like the tip of her nose bending into the kuksa, and her look following, and then the pupils of her eyes go up, and then she smiles. I am right grateful for every hour we are able to spend together. We also did a bit of Ömpf-troll watching, and she made a sketch of the little fellow we observed, and I gues it´s already onlineon her facebook account. Just search Triona ni Erc on facebook;-). I know she will hate me for this...;-).

And this was the outcome of the day:

We made a great dinner, with a topinambur cream soup I will remember for years to come, it was that tasty, and it was not me who made it;-), and some deer stew with quince and parsnip, with a delicious chutney of rowan berry and quince. NOMMMM!!!!!

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On the bench - a variety of ancient crucible steel blades and some thoughts on steel and mythology

November 22, 2013, 11:41 am

≫ Next: Ilkka Seikku´s got a blog!!!!!

≪ Previous: Marburg - a lovely weekend with the loveliest person in my life

I have altogether too much projects going on to date, but I am always afraid I will not be able to use the smithy in winter, so, better too much lying around than nothing at all. This is a most current project I am very fond of. I forged this "Iscian" knife on Samhain eve out of steel I found in the woods. The pattern does not show yet, but I guess it´s a very high carbon steel at least, maybe Pulad. I found this ingot in the woods near my home, and it was very hard to process. It had to be forged at a temperature of about 950 degrees Celsius, give or take 20-50 degrees, and you had to go very light on it. So it was a light hammer and much patience that even made the material for this blade. But it paid off. This blade sings, I can´t tell it any other way. I edge - quenched it with a very conservative tempering, and still the edge has an estimated hardness of 62 HRC, while remaining springy enough to emanate a faint ringing sound even when you just take it up. In bad fantasy novels swords sound like that;-). I love that.

I forged a double scroll that did not quite turn out too well, but I guess, you still need room for improvement;-).

I have to work on the grind still. The blade is still thicker towards the tip. As is, I will either fit yew, blackthorn, stag or bog oak scales to it, and I am thinking of inlaying three thorns of blackthorn into the handle... but we´ll see.

Out of the same steel I have forged a set of knives which I find ideal as a backwoods kit. Top to bottom: Nessmuk, 115 mm long blade, Kopis, 160 mm long, and a whittling knife with a 90 mm blade.

Top: Spine thickness at 4 mm.

The Kopis has a thickness with a taper from 6 mm at the handle to 2 mm at the tip.

The whittling knife is rather thin at 3mm.

Below the knife blade you can see some of the material, and if you look closely, you can see a certain structure or even layers in it.

Like this, see? I know, I can rant on endlessly about steel and carbon contents. This ingot has an estimated carbon content of about 1,3%, which made it difficult to forge at best. I look forward to these knives, and is a very intense experience. The objects made from this steel emanate a strange energy. It is an almost mystical experience finding and seeking this material in the backwoods, cleaning and processing it and turning the scrap metal into a knife that is more than just a tool or even an object of the arts. It is like telling and living a story, and is more than just metallurgy. I find it very hard to explain, but the singing of that Iscian on top of this post is more than just a result of the quenching and tempering process. It is a violent song that the trees have found for the torture of the woods, for the pollution and waste that has been done to the forest. It is not altogether a positve energy. It is dark and vibrant like the dark side of the woods, like death and decay and the opening of gates better left alone. But open they do, and Samhain is the very essence of this. This Iscian will be the "opener of the gates", the guardian at the gate of the turning wheel.

But, mythology set aside, I hope that these knives, or rather objects, will be poetry for me in the years to come, and they have opened up a new path for me. Not the path of the sword, which I always believed I was on, but that of a more sublime symbol.

"Knife, and chain, and bow- cauldron, speech and goblet, too. Staff and jewel, ring and mask."

And I look forward to complete them this winter.;-)

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Ilkka Seikku´s got a blog!!!!!

January 6, 2014, 12:01 pm

≫ Next: Short introduction of an Otter billhook knife

≪ Previous: On the bench - a variety of ancient crucible steel blades and some thoughts on steel and mythology

I have long become an avid fan of Ilkka Seikku. I just love the knowledge, versatility and no-frills appearance of his woodcraft tools, and I keeplearning from his vast treasury of woodcraft skills, but ranting over and out, now he´s got a blog, so anyone could go and have a look and build an opinion for oneself:

http://rautasarvi.blogspot.de/2013/12/metso-primitiivi-jousella-copyrights-by.html?showComment=1389038070726#c5628810110846854675

I especially love the post about the bush prowler knife, a favourite of mine.

http://rautasarvi.blogspot.de/search?updated-min=2014-01-01T00:00:00%2B02:00&updated-max=2015-01-01T00:00:00%2B02:00&max-results=1

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Short introduction of an Otter billhook knife

January 6, 2014, 12:24 pm

≫ Next: Of Chrismas fair mayhem, of breaking bonds and forging unity... impressions from a busy end of 2013

≪ Previous: Ilkka Seikku´s got a blog!!!!!

Here we go again, long time, no post, and I have to admit, I was being a bit of in a rut, so I left blogging be for some time now. But here we go again: I wish all my faithful readers a happy new year 2014. 2013 was a bit of a bastard for me, but hope dies last...;-)

Here are some thoughts about another legal carry knife I purchased dead cheap on Solingen "Messer-Gabel-Scheren-Markt" knife expo in November. It is an Otter pruning knife. It comes with a big (85 mm) billhook blade from C 75 high carbon steel with a homogenous temper (not selective, that is).I estimate the hardness to about 56 - 58 HRC. It comes with beautiful cocobolo wood scales, brass bolsters and liners, and a stiff spring out of C 30. Overall craftmanship is meticuous, and i can´t for the death of me figure out why it was sold as second grade... It has a high convex bevel that is nice and thin and nearing a flat grind. Out of the basket (no packaging here) it came razor sharp. The handle is nice and chunky. Often the scales on knives like this look a bit crappy, but this one simply is beautifully finished. There are little to no tolerances. There is no radial or axial play in the blade. The spring is quite stiff, and the blade opens in one fluid motion due to a round base of the blade´s root. This is one thing I would recommend to change, for a rectangular blade root would add some more safety to a slipjoint, even if it is a very safe handler already. The upswept handle allows for powerful cuts when pruning trees, and makes it even suitable for some whittling tasks. A knife of this shape quite naturally is not suited for all tasks ideally, but that´s not to be said that they canot be done! Even cutting sausage is a cinch with the proper technique.Peeling an apple is where the billhook design really shines, and cutting rope and zip - ties also is really easy.

What do I think? This is a very able cutter with a friendly appearance suited for a lot of tasks, not only pruning, harvesting herbs and mushrooms, but also kitchen and whittling tasks, provided it is used with the proper technique. For the price it is a real great bargain. I would add a lanyard hole, for a lanyard comes in real handy when you are pruning trees, and would wish Otter could find it in themselves;-)to add a rectangular blade base. But other than that I would not change a thing!

Buy it, it takes little room on your shelf*ggg*.

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Of Chrismas fair mayhem, of breaking bonds and forging unity... impressions from a busy end of 2013

January 17, 2014, 11:53 am

≫ Next: New knife finished!-Capuchadou le original!;-)

≪ Previous: Short introduction of an Otter billhook knife

Now, you have waited quite long for one of those posts, and for a reason. After the Chrismas fair mayhem I was simply feeling as if someone put me through a millstone, and did not quite feel like blogging. But here they come, impressions from a busy end of the year. We had one fair at Volmarstein Orthopaedic Institute, which was a most interesting opportunity to boot, for we forged with handicapped persons and kids alike.

We arrived early and set up forge. It was going to be a very busy weekend with lots of creativity also in finding solutions for enabling people to have a go. We managed, and it was very rewarding seeing the twinkle in the eyes of a person condemned to lying flat on his belly for most of his life, and being able to master the violent fire and the hissing steam and the unforgiving iron! It was worth the ordeal of pre-Chrismas time just to see this spark in his eye, and I hope it was kindled to give him the strength to brave his everyday life. Think you got a hard life? Think again. And my utmost respect goes to those people. Not because they are "special", but because they - for the most part - are stronger than most just because they are mastering their life. Because they are not special, and don´t want to be.

This guy, however... ;-)

had some time to spare and some noise to make to attract the customers, and what did he do? Bushcraft whittler from wootz I found in the woods...

We made this giveaway certificate for the kids and other customers.

BAKSCHISCH!!!

Quenching and tempering the blade. Then suddenly it was absolute chaos. When I looked up again, it was dark. People kept coming, we forged with kids and adults and had to find new solutions constantly. i could not take photos, but, hey, you have alreay seen people forging in this blog, don´t you?;-)

This is far more important;-) at dinner time I had a break and got me a delicious dish, one of my favourite meals: Green cabbage with sausage and fried potatoes.Yum!

And back to work again, kindling the flame and sparkling sparks...;-)

Next day we met with the good guys from the Insitute´s staff, can tell you, we had quite a laugh together!

Then Peter dropped by. He´s an accomplished smith himself, as you can tell by his build;-). He provided visitors with mead and ale in his medieval tavern. We had a nice chat and a laugh together, and he is thinking of ordering some Oseberg lamps... get on with it, bro;-)!

The kids dropped by and had some fun smithing.

...and were righteously proud of their accomplishments!

I made this common cubicle-nosed Iroquois pig that tries to be a Celtic boar but still has room left to grow...;-) as a hiking staff headpiece. Willi´s currently making himself one which I am very fond of, with a ram´s head, but since wild pigs have some significance to me, thought I´d go for one of these.

And some fully-integral En-Nep knife with a tang drilled out for balance.

Then suddenly, Volmarstein fair was over, and we were headed for Schwelm. This was a bit of a stressy actioon, for for my employer I helped organize the fair, we moved the office, I followed several projects at work that needed instant accomplishment, I had to organize three booths and do some forging at the same time. But when we met at Schwelm, all was forgotten. All the politics and the strategies and the hacking about in the office. At the office, I am but scum. But I know steel-and steel knows me. The fires were lit, Rolf, Nick, Willi, Volker and a load of groupies gathered around the booths. Rolf made some great leather tooling work with the kids, Nick offered some tin can play at skittles, and Volker, Willy and myself did some serious blacksmithing show;-) not at all.

Brought some blades for some back-of-booth display, too. Lousy picture, apologies!

Nick had a go at the forge himself.

We met with Arthur, too. He´s a beeskeeper we frequently meet on events around these parts, and it´s always a pleasure!

In Schwelm we also forged new links for a chain of unity we also did in Bochum at TFH (2,8 m) and Altenessen (3,05m). The idea behind the project is to let people from every social background have a go at forging an individual link, which is then linked to the great chain. We believe in unity amongst all races, ethnies and social caste and background. We believe that while we may not have peace in the world, at least people should pay each other the respect in allowing the thought that every individual human being is shaping the course of this mankind we value far too much. We believe that politicians, bankers and other warmongers have no power over the hearts of the people, and while they will not allow peace, because peace is not profitable, they cannot achieve total mind control.

And, quite personally, we believe, that, when we light the fire hot enough, the deity -or the Gods- will hear us and listen.

At least, iron does.

Many of the kids we forged with, had alreay been there last year and waited eagerly for our booth to be set up on Saturday and Sunday. Felt good...;-) not being scum for once.;-)

Rolf had a load of rare and beautiful pocket knives and craftsman´s cutters on display, together with his lovely leather work.

Also some weekend project blades out of damascus and 440C.

Nick suffering from the chills*ggg*.

A dragon head link for the chain. The chain will be displayed at Schwelm Town Hall.

Rolf suffering from the chills...*ggg*

And tooling these leather wrist bands with kids and adults alike. He also made knife sheaths for knives we forged by the dozens!

And this was the chain of Schwelm. 2,5 m of unity were forged in two days.

And suddenly, the moon was out, and we were packing up.

We had some dinner, fish and chips without the vinegar, had a chat, and were all headed home. Folks, it´s simply good to have you around. You haven´t noticed much of what was going on beforehand, but you have certainly saved me from going mad that weekend.

Cheers to you weirdos and to those other weirdos out there!

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New knife finished!-Capuchadou le original!;-)

January 17, 2014, 12:07 pm

≫ Next: My history of knifemaking-found some old steel

≪ Previous: Of Chrismas fair mayhem, of breaking bonds and forging unity... impressions from a busy end of 2013

Soooo, this is a new one I am quite fond of. It is some 85mm x2,5 mm with quite a shallow blade, made from 240 layers of rebar, spring and file steel, with a selective temper. There is a predecessor of the famed Laguiole folding knife, the Capuchadou native to the French region of Laguiole. While currently there is a folding knife currently marketed as such, peasants of the region carried a small, light fixed-blade knife for all the odd little everyday life of a farmer or shepherd before the venue of the folding knife, which was influenced by the Spanish Navaja. Et Voilá, le Capuchadou...;-). The handle is genuine rose wood, meaning rosa canina wood, which I really love for its wild grain and deep colour nuances. The ferrule is ball-peened copper. The knife has soon become one of my favourite kitchen knives. It is a cinch for dicing onions and vegetables, for cleaning carrots and peeling apples, and a great snack knife, too. I am therefore rethinking my stance towards thick spines in knives. Okay, I would not want to carry a bush beast with a flimsy 1,8 mm spine thickness, but, provided the temper´s right, I guess you can live with thinner even in the woods. Just look at Mora knives... guess there will be more like this one.

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My history of knifemaking-found some old steel

January 28, 2014, 11:06 am

≫ Next: Progress on my little fully integral En - Nep

≪ Previous: New knife finished!-Capuchadou le original!;-)

Rummaging through my attic-turned -home, I came across these three old knives. I made them way back, when I still lived in the forest, and they all have a story to tell. The first one on top was made when I still had no forge whatsoever. On the topmost meadow above our garden, at the edge of the dense woods, I loved to sit beneath a rowan tree, and beneath its roots I had found an old billhook knife. The handle was rotten away, and it was rust-eaten almost beyond recognition, but, the blade being very thick in the spine, still offered plenty of material to make a Bowie knife from.I took a hacksaw with a tile-cutting wire to it, and then the rest was done with a water - cooled roto - grinder and grit paper. I then fitted a piece of copper as a guard, and a handle out of yew and stag antler, which an acquaintance of ours gave to me. The tang is glued in and peened over an inlaid brass plate. The knife has so far seen some 15 years of hard use and is still in good condition. It measures in at some 16cm, the spine is 4mm thick.

The next one I made in the scagel style. I am still quite fond of those Scagel knives, even if I am somewhat less of the opinion that he invented "custom knives", for this was done all over the world in village smithys and frontier smithys alike. The blade is made (forged) from an old car bolt wrench, quite thin at 2,5 mm, and tempered in an urine concoction after the "Curicus and offenhertzig wein artzt" (1782), resulting in a bainite temper. It is very flexible, yet holds an edge extremely well. After 12 years of hard use I only but recently redid the grind, but only to change the edge geometry. The handle is made from stag antler, mountain pinion and leather washers. the mountain pinion is a piece of root that had been washed up a torrent in a mountain creek near "my home away from home", the place where I used to stay each year-a cabin high up in the Styrian mountains, the Ursprungalm. I brought it home as a souvenir, and then decided to put a bit of a sentiment into this knife.

Still below is the youngest of the trio, some 9 years old. It is made from an old wall anchor I found in the ruin of an ancient manor high above the Volme valley. It was winter then, and a snowstorm was blowing hard. Seeking shelter, I went into the ruin, and there it was, rusted deep. It shows no strucure, but the carbon content is high enough to make for a blade, that, tempered in the aforementioned urine concoction, cuts iron bolts. Some years ago, I removed the original scales, which were ebony, but so lousily fitted they cracked, and filed the tang and drilled it to accomodate a lanyard hole. Then I put some oak scales on from the last blank my father prepared before he became too sick to do any woodworking at all. Also a bit of a sentiment, if you so will. This is one of the blades I forged in winter, under a starlit sky, with the cat owls hooting and the ice howling on the lake. I treasure the memory even more than the knife itself, but more so since this time will never come back. It measures in at some 95 mm with a very sturdy spine, some 7 mm thick. I put a hollow grind on it, so that it cuts well enough, though it is a bit overbuilt. Never really sharpened it the whole time through, just some stropping is all.

Apart from the feeling that I must have done something right with the making of these knives, they make me wonder, and I ask myself: Do I have put those years and the armour the sentiment in these artifacts gave me for my heart put to good use? Sometimes it feels I wasted my time stargazing and dreaming. This is when I have to work at the office or have to make do with what´s left in my cupboard for food at the end of the month. But in general, I´d rather do it the same way again, and do not have real regrets. Yes, I can see more in a tree, or a squirrell, or a bird, or a rock, than some Monsanto employee might. Bu they´re the ones f***** up the planet in a big style. Would not say that I don´t, but I guess my footprint´s a bit smaller on this earth. No, I do not regret, and even if it sometimes feels I can go not one step further, I take out those things I made long ago. And I play them in my hands, and remember the stars, and the winterwind, and the hunting owls. And even if it is a grim smile that is on my lips then, a smile it is. For even if those knives would not last, or be taken from me, noone will ever take the dream from me.

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Progress on my little fully integral En - Nep

January 28, 2014, 11:18 am

≫ Next: Towards a serviceable bushcraft knife-Another try;-)

≪ Previous: My history of knifemaking-found some old steel

So, it has been quite some time coming, but it is getting there. I have been treading very carefully with this knife, but here it is. The blade is made from spring steel with a selective temper, the bolsters are one piece. the tang, while being a good 10 mm thick, is drilled and lathed out for balance, bolsters and buttcap are finished with a ball peen hammer. The scales are stag antler fitted with volcanic fibre inlays and screwed on with a brass screw theat was then sawed off. Of course, they are epoxied on, too. The balance point is still a bit too far back to the rear, just behind the index finger, but as is, it´s nimble enough. The filework shows a snake that winds itself thhrough the bolster and into the tang, and I hope to be ableto do some engraving, too. I will show you more details as soon as it´s done. The blade itself has a high convex bevel, and having taken it through its paces already I can say...

:-)

I hope I can show you some testing soon.;-).

I like this one.

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Towards a serviceable bushcraft knife-Another try;-)

January 28, 2014, 11:26 am

≫ Next: SHE! HAS! DONE! IT! AGAIN!

≪ Previous: Progress on my little fully integral En - Nep

For a long time now I have been trying to optimize the traditional bushlore style knife. I have found that my favourite style of handle is very comfortable for the hand, even though it looks a bit thorny;-). I have also experimented with some offset to make for a more powerful position when cutting with great force or chopping. The grind is set higher, for it is made from spring steel, and has a spine thickness of some 6 mm and will get a progressive selective temper, maybe even a bainite heat treatment, who knows? As for length, it´s a good 11,8 cm long. Oh, and the drillings are no drillings, they are hot punched;-). I´ll keep you informed!

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SHE! HAS! DONE! IT! AGAIN!

February 5, 2014, 5:23 am

≫ Next: Fimbulmyrk in wonderland - report from Jagd& Hund Expo 2014

≪ Previous: Towards a serviceable bushcraft knife-Another try;-)

So the magic troll has done it again. She mailed me with a picture of her FIRST! knife she has ever made, with a Lauri carbon steel blade, walnut, buffalo horn and reindeer antler fittings. Note these carvings. I am not quite sure if I should hate her or love her even more for her skill... guess the latter will do fine, though;-). RESPECT!!!!!!!

This is a spontaneous carving she did because she felt like it, a fitting for a Birka pouch. Reindeer antler... DOH!!!*ggg*

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Fimbulmyrk in wonderland - report from Jagd& Hund Expo 2014

February 13, 2014, 9:08 am

≫ Next: Fimbulmyrk in Wonderland II - Of owls and bows and militant hares;-)

≪ Previous: SHE! HAS! DONE! IT! AGAIN!

Now this is it again. Many of you have waited for one of those posts and the related pics. Jagd und Hund exposition in Dortmund is one big event on my schedule each year. Last year I had a bout of the flu and could not go, and I really looked forward to this year´s expo. And what can I say - I was right to do so! This last week has left me with many impressions I want to share with you, good and not so good. To start with the not so good, I met with this gentleman.

We really had a good-natured chat, and the knives he had on display looked very appealing to me. Looking at the prices, I was being impressed and asked in what Pakistan manufactory he had them produced. Do not get me wrong: To me many Pakistani smiths are very remarkeable craftsmen producing high - quality knives, even if they are sometimes a bit rustic, but that´s no problem with me, for I like the look of the handmade. He had these German ritual knives (Drudenmesser) on display. They were beautiful, and also came in a nice-patterned damascus variety at a bargain pice. I contemplated for a long time and finally got myself one. he told me the damascus and the knife were made in the Bayrischer Wald region out of leaf spring steel. I also purchased one of the three-layer-laminates to the right, which looked good to boot. He told me they were made from tank armour from a Czechian tank (T-55) and white paper steel. I simply cannot believe that at least the Drudenmesser is actually leaf spring steel. Having forged some of those myself, and knowing how it it looks when etched, I suspect it is forged from a machine-welded billet blank with 420J2 and 440steel, which does not mean any harm. He insisted it was leaf spring steel. Currently there´s a hot discussion amongst German knifemakers about the authenticity of his products. Of course, there´s a lot of language going on, and many custom knifemakers are doing this quite aggressively. Culprit is, I do not know if they are actually made in the Bayrischer Wald region. I do not even know what steel they are made from. I paid 70 € for a damascus blade, and people who know me might know I like to put my blades to extreme testing, and as far as I can say now, they perform quite okay. They come wickedly sharp for a blade that I suspect is mass-produced, and I like these knives well.

One thing remains, however. At first he said that all the knives on display were made in Germany, but it was obvious some of the knives he sold were actually identical to some knives labelled by a famous German import corporation specializing in Chinese and Pakistan blades. (Herbertz). Please get my notion well: Those are excellent knives for the price and there would be no harm done whatsoever if they´d be called by that name. But why is it everyone wants to appear more than they are? I would recommend these knives to my friends, if he just could find it in him to call them what they are: Excellent remakes of a traditional German knife, made to order out of love for tradition, that perform well enough for a price twice that high. As is, I do not believe him one word any more unless I am proven wrong.

He also had these relief sculptures on display which I found quite interesting, too. Made somewhere in the world and maybe in Germany. Again, no harm would be done if the truth be told.

And some felt items. Again, I cannot say where they are made. Man, they are simply okay, even if they would be produced elsewhere. We have a free market and anyone can sell anything as long as he keeps things fair to customers. I also talked to Peter Pfaffinger afterwards (pics down there). Now Peter is a very accomplished craftsman making knives meticulously by hand, in Aschau in the county of Bayern. He knows everything there is about the cultural aspect of those German ritual knives, and his homepage shows this. He told me that the gentleman above stole a design on his homepage, a magical symbol named the "Drudengatterl", to use as a master´s mark. To prove it he pointed out a pixle error in the picture on his homepage that is identical to a flaw in the mark and the corporate identity. Unfortunately I must say that he is right, and this, in my humble opinion, is very unfair. I have talked to Peter a lot and I would think he would offer any help he could offer if someone would be really interested in making ritual knives lovingly and promoting an aspect of German culture. It is a sad thing that the gentleman above would not have asked.

What makes me sad is that they both make knives that shall mean more to their owner. The knives are, from a material aspect, only different in that Peter produces one-of-a-kind works of art, and the gentleman above reasonable user knives at a bargain price. But there´s something more to it. Those are ritual knives, and thusly they are more of a story told than an everyday artifact. One tells a story of traditional spirituality, the other bows to Mammon. We could do with more honest stories apart from the lies of the moneygod. So, in my opinion, we should stick together instead of quarrelling about lawsuits, if we are craftsmen that want to tell a story in a cold world. Peter does. The other seems to be bending the truth. If you don´t know the difference between a story and a lie, contemplate again.

But that was the only grain of salt, and I strolled on through the aisles enjoying myself.

Afterwards it was very refreshing to meet with Mr. Weber again. He sells parts for knifemaking and simply well-made knives. He sells blades from Pakistani damascus and German - made damascus from Tirpitz armour alongside. He calls them what they are: The ones are bargain user knives, the others high-perfomance custom blades for the conoisseur. No problem with that. I got myself some mosaic pins.

Then it was on towards the booth of the Hungarians, and there I met withMr. and Ms. Madaras. Janos Madaras is an accomplished knifemaker and representant of Hungarian Folk Art Association. He makes very great knives and tools, highly decorative, but also great users. Owning several of them that I really treasure, I can say, each one of them is a great piece of craftsmanship, but you also are not reluctant to actually use them.

Folding knives from 440C and 55CrMoV blades, and fixed bushcraft and hunting knives.

Iron age loop knives and cutlery on display.

...

Woodworking tools galore!

Damascus hunting knives made in Hungary at bargain prices, too.

I really, really love those Hungarian folding knives, used for aes in Hungary by shepherds, hikers and hunters alike.

Next to Mr. Madaras´booth there was the display of Joszef Fazekas, chief representant of Hunagarian knifemaker´s guild. And apart from looking at the quality of his knives, which goes without saying and which always inspires me, I always enjoy to have a chat with him. He is always ready to share his knowledge and trade a joke or two. It was great to meet you, and that "Russian superman" just made my day!;-)

This is Mr. Fazekas;-).

Then I met with Rainer Grösche, and he is a perfectionist and full-time knifemaker living in Werl in Germany.

We had a nice chat, too, and we will hopefully have a hamer-in soon. He makes those fine gentleman folders with zero tolerances and a superb quality. For better photos, visit his homepage, well worth a visit!

I especially loved those Kwaiken knives.

Then I met with Mr. Belenczak jun. I admired those very rustic Hungarian folding knives, but alas, I already had spent my money on other items;-).

I love those knives, really rugged and handmade-looking!

Then it was off to meet with Gunnar, presenting Roach Sweden and Raffir Company. Stefan, representant and Chief manager of Raffir China corporation had to visit another expo at the same time, so Gunnar asked me if I could come to help out on Thursday. I managed to arrange that and worked for him, and I had a great time. It was very good fun to be able to sell knives, and even if there were some ceramic knives involved, those other items I sold with passion. Mind you, I even sold some Pakistan damascus knives that looked suspiciously as if they were made in the county of Bayern;-).

I had no problem whatsoever selling Mora knives. They come at a bargain price and the quality is legendary. I actually demoed a Wasa outdoor knife by chopping deer antler. After three hours(!) it finally showed some dents, but still carved iron rods. This was a testing to the extreme, for I demoed it to at least100 customers.

The booth. All the products I really could relate to, and had a good feeling selling them. If only work could always be this honest!

Real bargain. Now those plastic handles are dead ugly, but they are also dead functional, and generations of hunters and other outdoorsmen have used and loved them.

...

We also sold some Dalhästarna, also as a kit. It was also a right pleasure to work with Gunnar, him being a very laidback and friendly guy, and might be there even was something like a friendship forged.

Then, at the booth of Mr. Morsbach from Katzek55k corporation Solinge, where I dropped by the other day, I came across those novel knives. You can always rely on Mr. Morsbach to come up with some revolutionary, but always very, very knowledgeable and sensible ideas. Those little hunting knives come with 1.4153 Niolox blades, which are smelted with Niobium to make for an extremely fine grain structure. Mr. Morsbach also is one of the last craftsmen in Solingen capable of doing a "Kesselschen Walkschliff", a high convex bevel to zero edge line. With this steel it is possible forthe first time to do this sensibly to a stainless steel knife. I hope to do a full article soon on this knife!

Then it was off to the Karesuando booth, and while I was a bit disappointed to not find Ulf, Kurt and Martin there, this had not in the least an effect on the fact that the guys and gals are being very, very nice and friendly, and I was fond of making their acquaintance. This is Per - Erik, Kurt´s son-in -law and new head of corporation.

They had a load of material on display.

And, of course, the quality of their bushcraft and Saami knives goes without saying, and what the Moras lack a bit in aesthetics they have doubly so, and are functional to boot.

A somewhat novel idea for a Leuku:

This is the custom lineup of Karesuando.

Fire steels.

This is Gabriele, now German distributor of Karesuando knives. She was doing demos all day long, whittling and showing the firesteel skills, and looking quite good at it. In fact, I tried to whittle one o ´those flowers myself and now have some more interesting scars to show off;-). She did far better.

I guess this gentleman has no such problems, like cutting himself while whittling, for he is the most accomplished master of traditional German/Austrian/Romanian woodworking I have ever met. This is Mr. Virgil Culda from Jagdgalerie. Visit his homepage and enjoy!

On through the aisles, and there I met a bear...

...and this prehistoric gentleman...

And Mr. István Dorkó...

...specializing in extremely high lustre hunting knives.

...belt buckles...

There simply were too many great blades to mention them all. What strikes me as peculiar is how lovingly they make their products out there in the east. We here tend to quarrell and fight and do the cheap trick stunt, often resulting in less than ideal products.

Silver inlays in stag antler as a bolo - tie...

...damascus and mammoth ivory...

...and an oooooold deer. Praise be to the hornéd one!

Mr. Kalmán Szabó was there showing his great hunting knives, custom made to request.

...Hungarian folding knives. Those came with a somewhat easy stay in the spring, but were good - looking to boot. I personally like them stiffer, but that´s a personal preference.

Those linerlock folders were very great. Mr. Szabó makes them with no play and a very light action. Respect!

One of my all-time favourites, a mushroom hunting knife with a decent blade!

Antler carvings.

And hunting apparel by red fox company.

They are made from real wool with very much attention to detail.

...and those little critters conspirated against visitors. Mind you, I only just so came out with my life";-)

This lovely amber boothreally fascinated me with the warm and golden gleam of the tears of Laima.;-)

Then it was SCHNAAAAAAAPPPS at the Wilddieb booth, a herbal liquor that is really good for you;-).

I got some, and NO, I DID NOT DRINK IT ON MY WAY HOME!!!!!*ggg*. As you might guess, I had quite some fun with the gals and the guy.

On Saturday I took my time to visit the Bogenzeit booth again to dream about one day being an archer myself.;-) A longbow I have already made...

...just lack some arrows still...;-)

But as it seems, you can now shoot without arrows;-)... virtual archery. Weird.

I met with these gentleman from the Sauerland region, living in the neighborhood of the Veltins brewery, who actually seemed to enjoy himself in spite of being on an expo;-) we traded some jokes and went on our respective merry ways. This was nice! Nice to meet, guys.

...bows galore...

...and arrows. They also had a lot of gear on display.. but having spent most of my money already, nothing for me, then.

Then I came across the booths of the regional forest bureau. They do a great job in educating children and adults alike with a variety of programs, not the least being fores arts programs.

Then it was off to the booth of the order of falconers.

I simply love those graceful birds....

But more so it can be said for me: YOLO (You obviously love owls;-)).

Cuties... we had a chat by owl gymnastics, and they did not like me any. They were annoyed by my jokes.

I have a strong affinity to the owl and the mythology related to them, but myths aside, look into those eyes, and all tales are told.

And this is a great way to get around in the woods... if you tend towards driving...

Mr Hartmann from Ed Mahony knives

...having a load of goodies from 440A steel

...440C...

440C

on diplay. Also there was Andy Haas, a German custom knifemaker.

Of course, we had a nice chat, and I learned he is currently doing business again after a forced break.

Then I met with Peter Pfaffinger, and this was a right pleasure and a privilege to boot. Peter makes "Drudenmesser", traditional German ritual knives, all by hand in the county of Bayern, and his knowledge far transcends mere craftsmanship. He simply knows all there is about folkloristic religious practice, and is eager to learn and discuss new takes on the topic. We had some seriously academical talk, so serious in fact, that Rainer, a friend and fellow knifemaker I met on the expo who first was with me at his booth, shook his head and went on his merry way. Sorry, bro, if we upset you! Some talks, however, are not to be missed, and I hope Peter and I can collaborate on an article on German ritual and peasant knives very soon!

Go to his website : www.fuhrmannsmesser.de to have a first look on all there is to know on those knives!

These knives and forks were traditionally worn in the traditional pouch in Bavarian attire "Lederhosen". They often came with a smaller, second fork, the "Dirnd´l-Gabel", which was a lady´s fork to lend to the girl one was with in the inn. The knives are made with 1.4034 blades, real silver and mother-of pearl inlays, with handles made from ebony, buffalo horn, wood, bone and antler.

They are traditionally and even in modern times used as a snack knife and are an essential part of Bavarian culture. Often people just meet in the inn´s garden, and use their own knives and forks when delving into the traditional Bavarian vesper plate dish (Brotzeit). Typically a bavarian vesper plate dish contains several different kinds of smoked bacon, sausage, cheese, pickles, in some cases even pickled cabbage and a pig stilt. You drink Weissbier along the process and a Schnapps for the digestion. It is not consumed in a hurry and often takes several hours. Showing off one´s knife and fork is even as important as the food;-).

Now we are nearing the topic of the "Druden" knife. The "Drud", "Trud", Traud" or *Thrud, *Thraut, was reputed to be a witch coming in the night to the bed of the possessed, resulting in a tightness in the chest and nightmares. The Drud therefore is of the same stamp as the (night) mare in England. The Druds were said to be part of the furious host and subject to Wode/Woden/Wotan.

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