feather sticks

[steve a]

Can anyone give me some pointers on producing decent feather sticks. I seam to produce too thick a shaving or shave the feather off the stick. I'm currently working on Chestnut which I understand is supposed to be an ideal wood due to the straight grain. My Knife is a Bison Forrester and it takes a good edge, so I know thats not the problem it seems to be my technique, any advice.Thanks

[Adi007]

I find that the trick is to use a straight arm and work from the shoulder and not work the elbow. That way the strokes are cleaner and you have better control over the cuts. This results in finer "feathers".

If you are cutting from the elbow you are more likely to shave the feathers all off. Kneel down. and hold the stick in your left handby your left knee. Press down with the shoulder on the wood with the knife at a shallow angle to the wood and you will find that you can control how far and how deep the cuts go better.

That's my 2p anyway!

[boaty]

Practice and practice and practice :-D

I'm teaching my step-son basic knife-use and, although it sounds daft, I'm getting him to practice feathering photocopier paper as finely as possible. The point being that he's learning the correct movement and technique for controlling the thickness of cut, without having to worry about developing the force needed to cut a stick

Oh and a razor-sharp, single bevelled, convexed edge, knife helps

[steve a]

Thanks guys. I'll let you know how I got on over the weekend.

[the naughty boy]

what r feather sticks and what r they for? :-?

[Adi007]

Wood shaved into thin strips with a knife ... also called fuzz sticks, although most of the images that you see about the place are pretty poor ones that look more like little Xmas trees made out of wood.

what r feather sticks and what r they for? :-?

[the naughty boy]

but what is their purpose ? lighting fires?

[Adi007]

Yep! :chill:

but what is their purpose ? lighting fires?

[sargey]

i also find that it's easier holding the knife edge up/ towards your knuckles, brace the pommel of the knife against your chest then pull the wood across the knife using your back muscles.

cheers, and.

[TAHAWK]

I find that the trick is to use a straight arm and work from the shoulder and not work the elbow. That way the strokes are cleaner and you have better control over the cuts. This results in finer "feathers".

If you are cutting from the elbow you are more likely to shave the feathers all off. Kneel down. and hold the stick in your left handby your left knee. Press down with the shoulder on the wood with the knife at a shallow angle to the wood and you will find that you can control how far and how deep the cuts go better.

That's my 2p anyway!

Good tip. Less chance of over-travel.

[Adi007]

Exactly TAL ... not only does over-travel strip the feathers off your stick leaving you with another, thinner stick, but it also risks you ploughing your blade straight into the ground :shock:
... or your leg! :shock:

[Ed]

not only does over-travel strip the feathers off your stick leaving you with another, thinner stick

If you do strip off any feathers save them till the the end. When you have finished and just insert them in amongst the cuts....... no waste!!

:-)
Ed

[the naughty boy]

d,uh...i just realised you talking about leaving the cuttings connected to the stick. whats the benefit of this? isnt it easier to just make a big pile of cuttings? seems like too much work to me. ...enlighten me please.

[gurushaun]

TNB If you leave the feathers attatched to the stick then you can use the body of the feather stick to form a pyramid with several othe sticks so that when you put you burning bundle of primary tinder inside there is plenty of thinner wooden curls for the flames to catch, and plenty of air around to encourage them to burn. Also it stops fine shavings from blowing away. :-D

Cheers

Shaun

[sargey]

it stops fine shavings from blowing away.

and/or you can prop them against a small log to keep them off damp ground.

cheers, and.

[Adi007]

Also, by leaving the feathers attached to the main stick, it makes the flame transfer from the fine kindling to thicker kindling easier, therefore you get a faster fire!!!!!

:chill:

[steve a]

Adi, many thanks for your tips, practiced at the weekend and produced the best ones yet. Finally made six and decided to 'field' test them, lit the feathers and main sticks caught alight,and produced a good start to the fire,so now just practice practice practice until I build the skill and speed. One more question, which part of the blade do you think is best to use, I've heard that if you carve with the curve of the blade this will produce a tighter curl, but I must admit I found it easier to 'feather' by using the part of the blade next to the handle.
Maybe I'm weak wristed !!!!!

[Adi007]

It does, but I'd leave that until you get used to the standard technique (which is what I normally use anyway). Strength will come from practice!

When using the curve of the blade I tend to angle the tip of the blade down about 10 degrees as it bites the wood better and cuts easier.

I've heard that if you carve with the curve of the blade this will produce a tighter curl, but I must admit I found it easier to 'feather' by using the part of the blade next to the handle.
Maybe I'm weak wristed !!!!!

[ditchfield]

I sometimes start using the middle of the blade and slide it diagonally across, you seem to get more control this way. I also find that a serated blade works well if you have one around, although this isn't practical as few people carry one of these out and about (me included).

[Adi007]

It's all about control. The sharper the edge and the more comfortable the handle, the better the cut will be. This is one problem with having too many different knives or swappng too often - you never get to the point where it is a extension of your arm/hand.

[TAHAWK]

It's all about control. The sharper the edge and the more comfortable the handle, the better the cut will be. This is one problem with having too many different knives or swappng too often - you never get to the point where it is a extension of your arm/hand.

I completely agree and all here should send ME their extras forthwith. "There can be only one." :-D

[Kath]

I can only make fuzz sticks with my bison bushcraft. The spyderco just doesn't work right (it's better for making spoons tho! :wink