Yeah I just make a square hole about 3/4” in size (or until it’s big enough to fit on the horn of the anvil) and then I put it on the horn and work it side to side until I get the size hole I’m looking for. Then I use a ball peen type hammer to get my divot for popping the cap off the bottle. I use a punch similar to this one but not this exact one. This specific punch is for horse shoe nail holes. My buddy made these from bar stock the other day. I made this bottle opener with a can tab opener on the bottom.
Used my Garberg and Bahco Laplander, a length of seasoned hazel, some #36 bankline and a spare 24" raker blade with two keyrings to make this tonight (along with some other basic tools such as a tape measure). Took me about 5 hours of trial and error. It might look a little wonky, but it is just made out of sticks. That said, the blade is perfectly straight, and it tensions up nice and solid. Also, I purposefully wrapped the handle with more bank line for easy identification of each side. I'm rather happy with the result. Here it is hanging on my door with my Finn gas mask bag for size reference. The saw has 9" of clearance to the cross brace. Also made a quick to set up and take down ridgeline for my DD 3x3 tarp, utilizing a 30' length of 550 with a bowline at one end, with two #36 bankline prusiks with toggles at the end for tensioning a tarp. Takes less than a minute to put up using a girth hitch on the bowline end, and a truckers hitch on the working end.
Finished off my 1/2” square stock “marlin spike” () with a cordage and epoxy wrap. Made the spike YEARS ago at my Dads school shop. It sat in a drawer for awhile until I found it again.
A pair of epee trainers for two new members of the varsity fencing team. These are pistol grips with a weight at the front to simulate a blade. They can be carried anywhere, so the newcomers can get in extra (non Salle D’Armes) practice. Sorry, no pix; no camera while making them, and now with the fencers.
I knew a guy who made those “marlin spikes” with cord and epoxy also. He would make them out of tent stakes thou and then would give them away, i have mine tucked away somewhere. Pretty fun little tool!
Simple webbing belt pouch for my Farmer. Inspired by a US Army survival school sheath originally intended for the Camillus US knife. Made using a 17" length of 1.75" milspec nylon webbing, 12' milspec 550 (a single three ply inner strand doubled over), one sail needle and a lighter. The 28" lanyard on the ferro rod allows me to hold it out in front of me at waist level, which is more than long enough to be usable. Keeps it attached to my body during use, which allows me to place the ferro rod down if I have to without fear of losing it. The ferro rod is just dropped into my front pocket.
Nah, just out for a walk. I like going out around dusk, so safety vest and a bright light is important. Been testing a set of Eneloop Pro AA's in my GPS in the cold, been trying to kill them since early Fall (to make sure the battery indicator is accurate), but they just keep on truckin, even in the cold (-1*C today). I'm impressed with them so far.
Made up a few ferro rods to test out using some paracord and shrink tube. They seem to be really strong so far, and easy to make. Also made up a new leather/antler lanyard for my Farmer, based off of the lanyard on my original Farmer.
5.5" length of paracord, ends melted. 1 1/8" to 1 1/4" length of shrink tube. I use a dab of super glue to tack the cord to the rod (about 0.5" of cord on each side), and once tacked, it's a simple matter of placing the tube over the cord, and using a heatgun to carefully shrink it down to shape. Hang or place to cool, and it's good to go.