current edc

take a bow

I've been looking for a small bow saw for bushcraft for some time.  As an urban bushcrafter I don't like carrying big saws and axes around. I just picked up this all-metal Nicholson 12 inch saw for $5.  It's very small and light and fits easily into a small pack.  It also comes with a hacksaw blade, which would be handy for plastics and soft metals. It has a knuckle guard, which is really important on a small bow saw.

I'm looking forward to trying this one out. Made in Taiwan.

enough knife

There are many opinions and discussions about ideal everyday carry knives on the web.  I've certainly contributed a few ideas on this site.  But I wonder if many people are carrying too much knife, and ultimately sacrificing the utility of their EDC.  Consider the following comparison:

These are without doubt two of the most carried folding knives today. The first is the incredibly and justifiably popular Japanese-made Spyderco Delica FFG. The second is a knife with a much longer history - the venerable Swiss-made Victorinox Tinker.

These are very different knives.  The Delica has one hand opening, pocket clip, locking blade, superior VG10 steel, and wonderful ergonomics. It costs about $80 in Canada. I use this knife whenever I have a lot go cutting to do - breaking down a room full of cardboard boxes, for example. It is widely regarded as a superbly light, compact folder, but . . .

The Tinker has two FFG blades, including one that is effectively as long as the Delica's, as well as can and bottle openers, flat and phillips screwdrivers, a reamer, tweezers and toothpick.  It is a few grams lighter and costs about $25 in Canada.

Sure, the Tinker's got softer steel, but that may be an advantage, since it iss much easier to sharpen. The blades are too thin for prying, but the bottle opener is perfect for the job.  It is more compact. The slip joint blades take some care if you're used to locking blades. Another major benefit is that it does not scream "knife" in the way that the Delica, with its dramatic looks and one-handed opening, does.  SAKs are just about the most innocent a blade you can carry, from the point of view of the authorities, spouses and workmates.

Just a thought . . .

Officier Suisse

Graphite is an honest means

I enjoyed Pencil Revolution's piece on Cuban pencil artist Federico E. Rodríguez Guerra.  He says

Graphite is an honest means, it’s not an extension of the arm but part of it. Le Corbusier said that drawing “leaves less room for lies”.  To paraphrase Joyce and Beckett: drawing is not about it, but drawing it. Of course these are all promises that I’ve made myself over and over again, and see no end. So I continue.

http://www.pencilrevolution.com/2012/06/graphite-is-an-honest-means/

20k pageviews later

Loose Arrows has just clocked 20,000 page views.  I'd like to thank everyone for their interest.  Loose Arrows is a pretty eclectic blog, reflecting my diverse interests.  I hope you enjoy the site as it develops further in years to come.

sunday whittle

It's been a long time since I last whittled a spoon.  Today I got started on a couple.  The one in the background is made from some poinciana (delonix regia) that is planted everywhere here in Brisbane.  It's generally pooh-poohed by woodworkers, I guess because it's rather soft.  But it carves nicely, and has some interesting spalting throughout.  In the foreground is some sort of eucalyptus - Queensland Ironbark I think.  It's pretty hard, but still a bit green.  The heartwood is quite pithy and hard to gouge smoothly.  I do like the contrast with the sapwood.

The tools are - Veritas spokeshaves, Mora 511 knife (modified finger guard), Pfiel spoon gouge, and good ole sandpaper.  I need some tung oil to finish these off.