They are a couple of wild heathens and yes, it seems to be ingrained in their biology that basically all other creatures must be killed. They are either hunting or resting - there doesn't seem to be any other mode of operation for them. Snakes, rats and mice, house cats, lots of opossums, a few really stupid squirrels who made poor choices, unfortunately a couple skunks, the occasional bird, chickens, turtles (but I think I have rescued all the turtles they have got a hold of) have all had bad days at the jaws of these two. They are a lot of fun.I scrolled down some, saw two terriers and told myself: "This is a brave or adventurous man." No (live) varmint around your yard I presume.
So much neat stuff in there .
Also saw a Zbirovia...Pulaski hatchet? How do you like it?
It sounds like the little tornados earn their keep . I like a dog with hunting instinct but I can surely say a true to their nature terrier is too much dog for me...so I admire them for afar.
Thanks for the info on the hatchet, I saw some of their work at very good prices and was curious about quality.
Best to admire from afar because these two don't really take well to people outside our small circle/family. I imagine that is partly my fault as much as it is their nature. But they are pretty intense. The bigger one for sure would fight a bear with zero hesitation, and happily sacrifice life and limb for a battle. And truthfully, I hate them fighting stuff because they aren't very big, they don't have killer jaws like a larger/stronger dog would have. So even cats can result in lost eyes or bad cuts and I am really hoping we never stumble across a racoon.
All belt sander (36 grit belt) once I had a handle shaped object. I started the octagonals earlier this time - while the handle was still a little thicker - then switched to 80 and cut the corners off and did the final thinning. I also hung the axe a lot sooner so that I could shoot for a specific length, then raised the shoulder up to it. Just little changes from my usual procedure but I think they were helpful.Looks great! What tools did you use to cut the octagon out of the roughed out blank?
The handle you recently made, did you plane your billet down and then cut your blank out? Keeping the handle (and tongue) straight/aligned, when starting with something roughed out by hatchet can be a little challenging for me.
although on this Locust I have been trying my best to shoot a straight line through it with the grain to get as much continuous grain as I can.
This wedge to handle grain picture is why I would pay a subscription
Multigun has consumed most of my summer but I have a friend who has been waiting WAY too long for me to finish up his projects. I finally got started.
CZP09_RDS_BurrisFFIII3 by city_ofthe_south, on Flickr
This one is supposed to be a wall hanger so I just corrected the bit and hung it on a piece of the less than optimal Locust in my stash. It's got a knot and the grain is wonky enough that only about half of it runs from tongue to swell continuously. Head's got hints of red paint and 3 eye ridges (on each side). Otherwise it's unmarked. I didn't weigh it but it looks mostly in tact - your typical 3-1/2lb Michigan. OAL is 30" at the swell and 31-1/2" at the tip of the foot.
HandleCarving1 by city_ofthe_south, on Flickr
HandleCarving2 by city_ofthe_south, on Flickr
HandleCarving3 by city_ofthe_south, on Flickr
HandleCarving4 by city_ofthe_south, on Flickr
HandleCarving5 by city_ofthe_south, on Flickr
HandleCarving_EyeRidges4 by city_ofthe_south, on Flickr
HandleCarving_EyeRidges3 by city_ofthe_south, on Flickr
HandleCarving_EyeRidges2 by city_ofthe_south, on Flickr
Thanks! I complain about having a lack of wood where I live for full size projects but I would make a hatchet handle that small out of just about anything - this is a dream you should be able to see through.That axe handle is perfect, and so is that little scout hatchet.
I can only dream of having such a beautiful hatchet / handle combo.