[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: The Trad Knife Thread #19347

Dave – those old Sharpfingers (when they were still made in the US and w/carbon steel) are one of my all time favorites. I’m a sucker for trailing point knives in general, and those classic Sharpfingers hit all the right notes. Nice little collection, for not being a collector! 😉

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: video recommendations #18997

Wexbow wrote: Lettin’ Loose is another good one.

X 2. One of the best I’ve seen for a homegrown, DIY hunting vid.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Solo River Trip #11469

Good times! I’m looking forward to some canoe trips this summer. Out bass fishing is very limited around here, but it’s trout heaven. Always cool to see other parts of the country.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: The Trad Knife Thread #10339

A fun little project this afternoon:

Almost 10 years ago while living/traveling in South America, I bought a gaucho knife from a knife maker in a little outdoor market in El Bolson, Argentina. All that the maker could tell me was that the blade was made from an old leaf spring, and that the handle was made from ñirre, a hardy South American beech common in Patagonia. I continued to use the knife for the rest of the trip, but since then, it has pretty much languished in a drawer.

Not sure why, but today that knife popped into my head and I decided to dig it out. The leather was dry and neglected, so the first thing I did was give it a couple treatments of Montana Pitch. Then it was time to bring the edge back to life, which took a fair bit of effort, given it never had the most even grind to begin with (but being old, high carbon steel, it will take and hold a wicked edge quite nicely). And then I rubbed a little linseed oil into the handle, and an old traveling friend had returned.

Length overall – 8-1/4″

Blade length – 4-3/4″

For those unfamiliar with these knives, this is the one knife that a gaucho would have on his person and use 24/7, stuck into his belt, for just about everything from cutting rope to splitting kindling to his “meat knife” at the day’s end ‘asado’ or BBQ. My example would be on the smaller end of what is often carried:

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Day Pack #63515

My backountry hunting kit:

Basics:

Headlamp/extra batteries

Map

Extra layers (seasonal)

H20 – usually at least a couple liters

Snacks

Couple game calls

Bear spray

Rain jacket

Bow-related

Broadhead sharpener/strop

Extra bow string

Stringer

Game kit:

– 2 knives

– sharpening stuff

– game bags (at least 2, big heavy duty)

– saw

– 25ft. of heavy cord

Emerg. Supplies:

Small 1st Aid kit

Small fire kit (lighter, striker, tinder)

Compass

Whistle

Signal mirror

Iodine tabs

Bear spray and knife on the hip. The rest easily fits in an 1800cu. in. daypack with room to spare.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Trout Unlimited #62519

ShaneHarley wrote: Smithhammer thanks for posting the video.

Thank you for bringing this ongoing issue up, Shane. And if any of you have a chance to see the entire film, it’s worth it.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Trout Unlimited #62000

I would highly recommend this film about the Pebble Mine Project, if you get a chance:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aqphQc4u4w

Northern Dynasty – the company that wants to develop this mine, has already incurred numerous violations, just in the exploratory process, yet they continue to try and assure the public that this mine will be “completely safe” and that there is no chance of damaging the watershed.

At risk are some of the last pristine, big salmon runs left in the world, and a billion-dollar commercial fishery. And, unlike the mine, the Bristol Bay fishery can continue to provide jobs and food in perpetuity, if it’s just protected from horribly ill-conceived projects like this.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Where to experiment? #61614

Jim –

I’ll chime in since no one else has, though I’m obviously still learning as well (and hope to always be). I think that having an idea of what point weight you want to start with, and a ballpark idea of the FOC % you are striving for, is a good place to start.

I think that getting as much of the weight forward in the head (as opposed to the internals) is definitely beneficial.

Unfortunately, there really isn’t any spine chart for EFOC setups, and it seems to just take a fair bit of experimenting with your particular setup, given that there are so many variables.

The more of those variables that you can share – your bow poundage at your draw length, shelf cut, etc. the more that those more experienced than I may be able to help you narrow it down, based on their own experiences.

Good luck and keep us updated with the ongoing experiment – I think we all learn from seeing how others are figuring it out.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: FOC Evolution… #61608

David Petersen wrote: ….adding more point weight does not necessarily lead to “submarining” arrows, but rather, most often, to even greater accuracy….

I had read and heard a fair bit about this, from Dr. Ed and others, and in theory it made sense, but now I’m convinced. The additional point weight, combined with reduced rear lever, really does “pull” the arrow along (and increases stability and tracking), rather than trying to steer the arrow from behind.

Of course, I had to endure serious skepticism from a couple friends who were utterly convinced that my arrows would nosedive 10 feet after leaving my bow, and who couldn’t understand why I would want to build a “less efficient” arrow, despite that fact that they’ve never tried it…reminds me of that quote about how minds are like parachutes – they work best when they are open. 😉

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: FOC Evolution… #61222

Got a break in the weather, so I got outside to shoot the new setup. Flying just fine out to 20 yds or so! In fact, I really don’t notice much difference at all between this and what I was shooting before, in terms of trajectory out to those distances. 45gr. heavier but another 5% FOC and the flight seems about the same:

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: "The Good Hunt" film trailer #61085

Can’t wait for this, and for Clay’s film – two really well done trad films!!

Do I see a traveling double-feature in the works? 😀

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: FOC Evolution… #61083

Today’s experiment:

650gr. total arrow weight

28% FOC

4 x 2-1/2″ fletch

Raining and blowing outside today, but I’ll test them out in the basement range @ 10yards for the initial test.

more to come…

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: How does your Garden Grow? #59961

It may not be archery-related, but thanks for sharing anyway, Steve! It’s great to see pics of other folks’ gardens.

I’m afraid we’re still much along the same lines here as what Dave described, but our strawberries, rasberries, mint and rhubarb are all looking healthy, and hopefully our carrots and beets will thrive this summer. Apple trees are blossoming as well, so hopefully we’ll have the makings for some good pies this year! We’ve been getting a decent amount of rain this spring (as opposed to it still snowing, as is not uncommon in May for us), which is great to see, and making the job easier. Now if I can just stay ahead of the weeds…:D

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Memorial Day #59863

David Petersen wrote: Bruce — I believe your Leopold quote, more than any of the hundreds of bits of wisdom he left us with, summarizes hunting’s challenge today and tomorrow. When I was growing up in Okie, we referred to this day as “Decoration” day, when all dead loved ones were remembered and their graves decorated, not just veterans. So today I salute and thank Also Leopold, the best of us so far.

Not to derail this thread, but I couldn’t agree more, Dave. As I write this, I’ve been invited a seat at the table on the advisory group for the Forest Service Travel Plan in our area. One the one hand, I’m grateful to those who saw fit to have a “hunter” perspective represented. On the other, I couldn’t be more discouraged by how in the minority our perspective as traditional hunters has become – between all the recreationalists who, despite their “eco-groovy” veneer, don’t really give a lick about impacts on wildlife as long as they can have ever more mountain biking trails, and the masses of so-called “hunters” who can no longer imagine hunting without an atv and motorized access to every nook and cranny of the backcountry…it is feeling like a truly daunting battle. I have no choice but to try and fight it, and yet the whole mess is giving me an increasingly dim view of our species…

It is the rare person like Leopold, and my committed friends at BHA, who I can take any meager inspiration from these days.

So yes, Mr. Leopold – I salute you from the bottom of my heart.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: The Trad Knife Thread #57925

Can’t hunt right now, but there’s other ways to get dinner…

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