After a suggestion from southey (thanks mate!) I went out to find and collect some pine knots.
In his Bushcraft series (I think it was in the America episode) Ray Mears talks about how these make excellent fuel, and that they were used as candles.
This was also the first time I used my new Gransförs Bruks Small Forest Axe. And I almost exclusively used the poll...
Note that it was getting dark and there was a slight drizzle, that's why the picture quality is so poor.
So after about searching around for a few minutes from my front door (literally!) I found a few punky logs, like this one:
IMG_1085-Edit.jpg by Eva und Michael, on Flickr
And I got a good harvest! Around 16 good-sized knots.
IMG_1089-Edit.jpg by Eva und Michael, on Flickr
They are full of resin in the center, that's what makes them burn so well. The wood is also very dense.
IMG_1098-Edit.jpg by Eva und Michael, on Flickr
After coming home I cleaned the axe with wet wipes, which worked really well (also to get any discolorations/ gunk from the handle). After that I applied a coat of Ballistol to axe head, handle and sheath.
I tested the axe, and it was still shaving sharp.
After putting away the axe I noticed that I had actually nicked the skin of my left thumb with the axe. It must have happened while cleaning it. Didn't even notice it!
IMG_1092-Edit.jpg by Eva und Michael, on Flickr
Next: Trying to light a fire with it. Gonna do that whenever I have time and the weather is good
Thanks for looking!
ATB
Mike
In his Bushcraft series (I think it was in the America episode) Ray Mears talks about how these make excellent fuel, and that they were used as candles.
This was also the first time I used my new Gransförs Bruks Small Forest Axe. And I almost exclusively used the poll...
Note that it was getting dark and there was a slight drizzle, that's why the picture quality is so poor.
So after about searching around for a few minutes from my front door (literally!) I found a few punky logs, like this one:
IMG_1085-Edit.jpg by Eva und Michael, on Flickr
And I got a good harvest! Around 16 good-sized knots.
IMG_1089-Edit.jpg by Eva und Michael, on Flickr
They are full of resin in the center, that's what makes them burn so well. The wood is also very dense.
IMG_1098-Edit.jpg by Eva und Michael, on Flickr
After coming home I cleaned the axe with wet wipes, which worked really well (also to get any discolorations/ gunk from the handle). After that I applied a coat of Ballistol to axe head, handle and sheath.
I tested the axe, and it was still shaving sharp.
After putting away the axe I noticed that I had actually nicked the skin of my left thumb with the axe. It must have happened while cleaning it. Didn't even notice it!
IMG_1092-Edit.jpg by Eva und Michael, on Flickr
Next: Trying to light a fire with it. Gonna do that whenever I have time and the weather is good
Thanks for looking!
ATB
Mike
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