Category Archives: Customer Posts

How to make your own meth burner from a tin can

28 Replies

Rogelio, a fellow Woodlorean from Spain, e-mailed us previously with some pictures of his hand-made crooked knife handle, which we posted on our blog. Recently, he got in touch with us again, this time with an excellent article on how to make a DIY meth-burning stove from just a tin can. We’ve posted the full guide below, complete with step-by-step pictures, for you all to see. Thanks Rogelio!

Hello Woodloreans,

I have just returned from a friend’s house with whom I have been making my own meth alcohol burner to fit in my pocket stove from tin cans, and after seeing how well it actually works, I thought it would be nice to share with you some pictures on its making.

To start with, you need the bottom ends from two tin cans and a rectangular strip that will fit into them (this must be cut slightly higher than the other pieces, you’ll see why later). If you use cans made from stainless metals it’ll last longer.

Step 1

Step 1

Continue reading →

Joshua Le Pla’s Julius Pettersson Knife

9 Replies

Woodlore customer Joshua Le Pla got in touch with us earlier this year, with photos of his own knife project using the Julius Pettersson Knife Blade. Where Joshua’s design differs from the other knives we see is in his inclusion of unique materials, including the wood from a set of antique bowling balls and a six pence coin:

Hello Woodlore,

My Dad bought me the Hand Forged Knife Blade and Antler Rolls last Christmas, as I requested. I’m 16 years old and a great fan and admirer of Ray Mears. His vast knowledge of all things Bushcraft greatly influenced me into discovering the natural world and what it can offer.

I began to prepare and make the handle for the blade from Christmas day and finished it in March. I have an interest in engineering and woodwork and am currently doing an electro-technical Apprenticeship. This has helped me greatly to create the knife. With my efforts alone (and with help from my granddad in drilling and gluing the pieces), I am very proud of what I have created and will of course give it the utmost respect as it is a dangerous tool.

Joshua's knife, ready to be shaped

Joshua’s knife, ready to be shaped

Continue reading →

Chris Ward’s Julius Pettersson Knife

4 Replies

Woodlore customer Chris Ward got in touch earlier this year with some photos of his own Julius Pettersson knife. Chris has taken a different design route to many of our customers, so it will be interesting to hear what you all think.

Hi Woodlore,

This is the first knife that I’ve made using your Hand Forged Knife Blade:

Chris Ward's Julius Pettersson Knife

Chris Ward’s Julius Pettersson Knife

Continue reading →

Nick Simmons’ Julius Pettersson Knife

8 Replies

Here’s another fine example of the many different styles of handle that are being made for our Julius Pettersson Knife Blade. Woodlore customer Nick Simmons created a more ornate handle than is often seen, using filework techniques to great decorative effect:

Hi there,

Just finished this knife for my good friend Eddie’s 40th birthday. Thought you might like to see it!

Nick's finished Julius Pettersson knife

Nick’s finished Julius Pettersson knife

Continue reading →

Ask a Woodlore Instructor – Dan Hume

12 Replies

Back in July, we invited you all to take part in an interview with one of Woodlore’s Fundamental Instructors and newly-appointed Head of Operations, Dan Hume. Many of you got involved and kindly sent us your questions, which we then whittled down to the best 20 entries. During a break from leading our courses, Dan sat down with us for a chat and gave us his answers:

 

  1. In your current role at Woodlore, what is the most satisfying element to your job? (Question from Mark H.)

    Seeing clients leave with new found knowledge and the confidence to go off on their own.
  2. And what is the worst thing about bushcraft and being an instructor in it? (from Mark O.)

    I can’t think of anything, I just enjoy it so much.

    Dan Hume

    Woodlore Fundamental Instructor Dan Hume on our Arctic Experience course

  3. What has been your biggest challenge to overcome whilst at Woodlore, and what has this taught you? (from David J.)

    The biggest challenge I have found is teaching clients while I’m at such a young age, where most are older than me.  It has taught me to be more confident about my knowledge and to continue to learn as much as I can. Continue reading →

Frazer Downie’s Julius Pettersson Knife

3 Replies

The following post was kindly provided by Woodlore customer Frazer Downie:

Hello Woodlore,

I just wanted to show you my finished Julius Pettersson knife and I’m very happy with the results. I used antler for the main part of the handle and wood for the spacers:

Frazer Downie's finished knife

Frazer Downie's finished knife

The knife took me about two days to finish and I enjoyed every second of it. The longest part of making this knife was the filing and sanding to make the handle fit my hand. Even though it took numerous hours, it was well worth it in the end.

Thanks for the very good service at Woodlore and I’m sure this knife will serve me well in the future!

All the best,

Frazer Downie

Bart Leender’s father and son Bushcraft weekend in Belgium

2 Replies

Bart Leenders, a fellow Woodlorean from the Netherlands who can frequently be found attending our Bushcraft courses, got in touch with us recently to let us know that his newfound knowledge has been put to good use for his friends in Belgium:

“Hello Woodlore,

Recently we organised a father and son weekend at a campsite in the Belguim Ardennes. The sons were between 5 and 9 years of age and the group counted 19 in total. The owner of the campsite took care of food and beverages, I acted as the instructor and the first aid post was at the reception.

On day one we started by handing out a red bandanna to the kids and inspected the gear the fathers had brought. Then we went for a walk over the campsite and taught them things to know about some trees and plants. Meanwhile, we collected pine needles for tea, birch bark and resin for tinder, faggots for kindling, hazel sticks for walking and preparing lunch. We tasted buttercup, stingy nettle sweets and birch leaves. We collected and filtered water using a gipsy well and the bandannas.

Bart Leender's Father and Son Bushcraft Weekend

One of the children has a go at fire-lighting with his fire stick

Continue reading →

Declan Haworth’s Julius Pettersson Knife

3 Replies

The following post was kindly sent in by Woodlore customer Declan Haworth, who purchased the Hand-Forged Knife Blade:

Hi Woodlore,

I just wanted to send you a picture of my knife, as it’s the first knife handle I’ve ever made. I’m really happy with the knife and how it turned out:

Declan's finished Julius Pettersson Knife

Declan's finished Julius Pettersson Knife

I used curly birch, reindeer antler, bull antler and leather spacers.

Thanks,
Declan Haworth

David Fotheringham’s Julius Pettersson Knife

3 Replies

Woodlore customer David kindly sent in the following photo of his hand-finished Julius Pettersson Knife:

Dear Woodlore Team,

I would like to show you my Julius Pettersson knife project, bought just over a year ago, and started two weeks ago. It has a privet wood and yew handle, with black leather spacers and solid copper pommel; all the materials were sourced locally:

David's hand-finished Julius Pettersson knife

David's hand-finished Julius Pettersson knife

I really enjoyed handling the blade; it has given me a real sense of achievement. I’m now the proud owner of a truly custom hand-made knife. Thanks to all at Woodlore.

Regards,

David Fotheringham.

Crusader Cup hanger modifications

2 Replies

Woodlore customer Paul Savoie kindly sent in the following article and photos:

Dear Woodlore,

Over the past two years I have purchased most of Ray’s DVDs from a local Canadian supplier; I noted that Ray always seems to have his NATO Crusader Cup with him. Shown below are a few photos illustrating some of the modifications I have made to the BCB Crusader Kit. I found the “clip-on” BCB Crusader Cup Hanger to be a rather precarious arrangement and an accident waiting to happen when handling boiling water over an open fire.

I made a new hanger using 3 mm (1/8 inch) diameter 304 grade stainless steel wire with corresponding modifications to the Crusader Cup and lid. The notches on the cup’s rim/lip keeps the wire hanger upright and very secure (see photos below):

Paul's custom-made wire cup hanger
Paul’s custom-made wire cup hanger

Continue reading →