Thursday, May 26, 2011

Northwest River Park Day Hike

I haven't had much opportunity to get out in the bush this season, but luckily I have a great park in my back yard. Northwest River Park in Chesapeake Va. is definitely a great place to get away for the day. Sometimes I'll just take a nice hike through one of the many trails, but you can also rent a canoe, which is one my favorite things to do. There are some great swamp like waterways and a short portage to get to the actual river. Today I just went for a hike, but I met a bunch of friends on the way. So I thought I would share a few pictures of my acquaintances.





 
 I saw lots of deer out today, probably around a dozen in total. They were very curious as to what I was up to.



Some great tender provided by a cottonwood tree.



Here a fallen branch from the cottonwood tree has created a natural "paper". After the cotton came in contact with the water, it then dried in the sun, forming this paper like substance.  It's really great to see nature in action.


This little guy wasn't shy at all, he was looking for free peanuts.



There were tiny frogs all over the place. I had to tread lightly in order to avoid these little guys.
There are always some geese here, but today the whole family was basking in the sun.


The little fuzzballs were taking a snooze when I first spotted them.






Mama goose was not letting me out of her sight!

Ray Mears in Sweden

This is one of my all time favorite bush documentaries. I have always wanted to travel to Sweden, someday that dream will be reality. Until then I can satisfy myself with this great film. Thanks to SkogKniv for the upload!



Monday, May 23, 2011

DIY Firesteel Project Part 1

After purchasing a smaller Swedish firesteel and finding it hard to use with my big hands, I decided to build my own, to suit my needs. I started with a 3/8" by 5" firesteel blank rod, then found a suitable piece of wood for my project, while on a day hike(I believe it to be a piece of White Oak). I used my trusty Mora #1 and my newly acquired Puukko knives to carve up a handle. Then I applied three coats of Tru-Oil, which is great for putting a protective finish on your wood projects. Nothing to fancy, but it feels great in the hand. The feeling of making your own from scratch is always rewarding. Now to carve a matching wooden handle for my striker(part 2)..


Sunday, May 22, 2011

BFBushcrafters First Gear Review- Finnish Puukko Knives by Woodsknife

Alright ladies and gentleman, I thought I would start out with a review of some new knives I picked up recently. I've always been fascinated with the Puukko knives from Finland/Scandinavia, but never actually owned one. Having always been a fan of more traditional style gear, especially when it comes to knives, I knew I had to finally order me some of these beautiful blades. Here's some information on the history of Puukkos:

"In Finland and northern Scandinavia many men put great pride in carving their puukko's handle. Over generations, this knife has become intimately tied to Nordic culture, and in one or another version is part of many national costumes. A good puukko is equal parts artistic expression and tool. Making it requires a lot of different skills: not only those of a bladesmith, but also those of a carver, a jeweller, a designer, and a leatherworker to make the sheath — and if you master the difficult art of weaving birchbark, this is an opportunity to use it. Finest puukkos have blades of Damascus Steel, and forging a blade using blister steel was considered the hallmark of a master smith. As the process of making wootz was rediscovered in Finland in the 1980s, some master smiths have made wootz puukkos."

 I got three different sizes of Puukko, since I found a really great deal on them(and I really love knives). 







Here's the first one:


 Small Handmade traditional Finnish Puukko knife
-Genuine leather sheath made from cow hide
-Full tang













  -2 1/2 inch blade(60mm) Hand Forged Carbon Steel


















-5 1/2 inch overall length(140mm)
-Handle made of Lapland curly burch, well oiled and polished









 Verdict: Even though I have large hands and this is a very small knife, it handles surprisingly well. Due to the design I can securely fit three fingers on the handle. This knife is razor sharp and will make a great carving knife, since it's very maneuverable.



Puukko Number Two

Medium Puukko

Handmade in Finland(Ostrobothnia)

-Genuine leather sheath made from cow hide
-Full tang









-6 1/2 inch overall length





-Handle made of Lapland Curly birch, well oiled





-2 1/2 inch hand forged carbon steel blade









Verdict: This knife is slightly larger in the handle and has a thicker blade than the small Puukko, therefore feels a little better in my big hand. It's also razor sharp and would be great for woodcraft. This knife has a great feel and balance. I can see this knife getting allot of use, for everything from carving to general camp use. The sheath is perfect to be worn as a neck knife and that's how I've been using it.


Puukko Number Three


Large Puukko
Made in Kauhave, 
This knife bears the traditional Finnish puuko qualities
-hard, handy, and durable
-Genuine leather sheath, traditional Finnish style









Blade is made of carbon steel(o,8% carbon) 59 RC
-3 inch blade(77mm) 3.3mm thickness






-handle made of curly birch, leather spacer
-7 1/2 overall length













Knifemaker Woodsknife, Finland









Verdict: This knife like it's smaller relatives is extremely sharp and well made. Perfect for anything you could throw at it, from cutting firewood to cutting up dinner. Overall I am very pleased with my first purchase and impression of Puukko knives. They are everything I always knew they would be and more. You can't get a better bushcraft knife for the price. I'm not affiliated, but I can highly recommend the seller that I got these from, NORDICA HEAT. In fact I might be buying a few more for my collection now that I'm hooked on Puukkos!

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Welcome to Black Forest Bushcraft!

Just wanted to say hello to everyone out there and welcome you to Black Forest Bushcraft. I will be recording my adventures, gear reviews and all kinds of great information I find about Bushcrafting, during my travels. I am currently a traveler in America, but my family lineage is traced to the deep Black Forest of  Baden-Wurttemburg, southwestern Germany(hence the name). I've always been drawn to the forest, even as a small child, drawn to the place where my people originated.

I am a Boschjesman and a freeman of the land, subject to no authority but God and the Earth which he created. I hope you will join me on my adventures.