Even though the state forestry department does a good job at hiding the massive clear cuts from the public, stalking the Tillamook State Forest is like navigating a jungle. Steep-walled canyons and dense undergrowth provide perfect cover for stealthy bear, elk, and deer, and make for a slow but fruitful bushwack for the tracker or hunter.
The fifth toe broke off but it turned into a nice cast.
Here’s a short video of a hand-drill demonstration from last May. My friend Nathan started the video after a few seconds of warming the wood up. I’m using a smooth Elderberry stalk with a short Salmonberrry stalk inserted as a removable bit. The fire-board is cottonwood root.
Yesterday I went with friends and family to the Great Oregon Steam-Up near Salem, Oregon.
Ever since I saw a beautifully restored 4 pound Plumb felling ax mounted on the wall in the office at the Hopkins Demonstration Forest near Oregon City, Oregon, double bit felling axes have been on my mind.
A 4 lb Plumb ax in NICE condition.
Every month or so we’ll be profiling a homesteader, or outdoors-person who has an interesting skill or project. This month it’s Nick Clark, a Portland based sculptor (welding) and blacksmith with large-scale visions for his art, who has built a remote cabin on 35 acres in Eastern Wyoming.
Nick’s motivation has just as much to do with artistic freedom as it does sustainability. His desire to make large-scale works of art helped lead him to construct an isolated cabin on an expansive landscape.
Is it weird to blog about another blog? Well, anyway check out Modern Domestic’s Blog. I’m the current ‘Featured Sewist.’ I sewed the canvas and leather axe covers seen below.
http://moderndomesticpdx.com/md-sewist-spotlight-alex-leavens#more-5975
Canvas and Leather Axe Covers
From Fire Line to Farm, the Pulaski’s Versatility is Unmatched
Origin
The Pulaski was invented in in 1911 by Edward Pulaski, a forest ranger miner, and firefighting hero (Pulaski saved all but 5 of his 45-man crew from burning to death by leading them into a mine shaft he knew from his mining days). Tired of carrying two tools to fight fires with, he added a grub hoe to the back of a single bit ax. Continue reading
