The Sodbuster - Why Doth It Bust Sod?

[trevytrev]

Campaign as in military expedition, and pastor as in shepherd?

Not sure of the campaign name, but I do assume the pastor is as you stated.

 

[pmew]

Do you know why they have to be soaked Paul?

A few reasons as far as I can tell, one is weight. A heavy peat iron helps cut through the stuff and means you don't have to put so much effort into your downward pressure.

Also the irons are normally handed down through the generations (mine was with the croft when I moved in and has the croft number branded into the shaft) and the wood shrinks with age, soaking it expands the joints and makes the iron head nice and tight.

Third, tradition and practice. Here, you cut the surface turfs first with a spade and leave them in place for a week before you start cutting peats. This allows you to get your timing sorted out. You have to put your surface turfs in the space where you removed the peat so as to keep the ecology going so to speak..

Paul

 

[Corso]

Ok this is the coolest thread. I love the Sodbuster pattern and always wondered the history too. Thanks for the info

my sentiment exactly

 

[CNoyes]

My Dad gave me this 4 5/8" Eye Brand in 1962 or 1963. I carried and used the knife back then, so it isn't mint, but still in good shape for its age.

The knife has the strongest backspring of any knife I have ever examined.

This scan is fairly recent. 2010 or so.

 

[davek14]

Brown Mules used to be a great, German, value knife sodbuster (small "s"). Bottom knife is a decent carbon steel, made in Germany. Rough as a cob. Top knife is made in Italy and a softer carbon steel. Not sure where they're made now but they are stainless.

 

[A.P.F.]

Gentlemen, outstanding thread! Definitely worth the price of membership. :thumbup:

 

[rinos]

Not sure of the campaign name, but I do assume the pastor is as you stated.

campaña as countryside

 

[trevytrev]

Brown Mules used to be a great, German, value knife sodbuster (small "s"). Bottom knife is a decent carbon steel, made in Germany. Rough as a cob. Top knife is made in Italy and a softer carbon steel. Not sure where they're made now but they are stainless.

The Brown Mules are made in China now I will say that their fit and finish are good but they've lost their luster.

 

[Jack Black]

A few reasons as far as I can tell, one is weight. A heavy peat iron helps cut through the stuff and means you don't have to put so much effort into your downward pressure.

Also the irons are normally handed down through the generations (mine was with the croft when I moved in and has the croft number branded into the shaft) and the wood shrinks with age, soaking it expands the joints and makes the iron head nice and tight.

Third, tradition and practice. Here, you cut the surface turfs first with a spade and leave them in place for a week before you start cutting peats. This allows you to get your timing sorted out. You have to put your surface turfs in the space where you removed the peat so as to keep the ecology going so to speak..

Paul

Thanks for the info Paul, absolutely fascinating :thumbup:

 

[pmew]

Thanks for the info Paul, absolutely fascinating :thumbup:

We had a pretty mild winter this year (wet more than cold) so we haven't cut any this year, as we still have enough from last year. If you ever visit in May, I'll take you out and you can brave the clouds of midges to cut some

 

[screened porch]

campaña as countryside

Thanks. That makes more sense than elections or conflicts.

 

[Professor]

Watch who you call a sodbuster. Them's fightin' words.

 

[Jack Black]

We had a pretty mild winter this year (wet more than cold) so we haven't cut any this year, as we still have enough from last year. If you ever visit in May, I'll take you out and you can brave the clouds of midges to cut some

LOL! Thanks pal

 

[black mamba]

The main thing I know about "sodbuster" is that every time I read or hear the word, I think of the way Ben Johnson says it in the movie Shane. Priceless!

 

[Jack Black]

The main thing I know about "sodbuster" is that every time I read or hear the word, I think of the way Ben Johnson says it in the movie Shane. Priceless!

So it's not just me?!

 

[arizonaranchman]

I got the urge to grab my yella CV Soddie out of the truck's center console and give it some lovin' today. Oiled the joint and dropped it in my pocket. What a monument to simplicity

And of course the ever-present yella Peanut...

 

[jackknife]

I got the urge to grab my yella CV Soddie out of the truck's center console and give it some lovin' today. Oiled the joint and dropped it in my pocket. What a monument to simplicity

And of course the ever-present yella Peanut...

Simple can be a good thing!

And that's one heck of a yella pair of a kind there.:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

 

[Jack Black]

I got the urge to grab my yella CV Soddie out of the truck's center console and give it some lovin' today. Oiled the joint and dropped it in my pocket. What a monument to simplicity

And of course the ever-present yella Peanut...

Two outstanding all-time classics there :thumbup: