The Yukon RiverTake a visual journey with Jason down the iconic Yukon RiverJason18 April 202019 April 2020
Croatia – The Badger to Bear UpgradeTracking European Brown Bear in the Croatian wildernessJason2 May 201915 April 2020
Bushcraft and canoeing in Sweden with Woodland WaysA blend of traditional bushcraft skillsJason6 April 201615 April 2020
Urban Bushcraft – Friction Fire ExperimentsChallenging yourself to bettermentJason11 April 201914 April 2020
Bushcraft Torches and Lanterns Part 3 – Pinch pots and WicksPart of a 4 part seriesJason8 March 201714 April 2020
Three Months of Total Immersion Into BushcraftBushcraft & Survival Skills magazine competition winnerJason13 November 201414 April 2020
Observations from South AfricaAn emotive story of Continuous Professional Development Jason16 December 201414 April 2020
Penknife care Joker penknife in need of some care In this blog we will be taking a look how, with a little time and care we can rejuvenate a penknife. Keeping our tools in good condition makes them safer and more of a pleasure to use, and will help extend the longevity of the tool in question so it just makes sense. Let us see how we go about bringing new life to old tools. The penknife we have here is a Joker with a carbon blade and a birch handle. The methods we will apply can be transferred to almost any hand tool. Essentially we are dealing with metal and wooden surfaces and shown the right care they will look better than new. Garry Flex In the image above we can see the carbon steel has become tarnished with signs of rest. Before sharpening we will focus on the metal surfaces. There are many ways of bringing metal up to shine again. Here I am using an abrasive rubber block called a Garry Flex. They are quick and easy to use and come in a range of grades to choose from. New shine to old metal In no time at all we can see how the blade is already transformed. I used a Coarse (blue) and a Medium (grey) Garry flex and literally just spent a couple of minutes with each. Time to sharpen There are as many ways to sharpen as there are knives. I am using a DC4 to bring back the edge. I usually just use the ceramic side for carbon steel, but this example was very blunt so I did a few light swipes with the diamond side and then followed it with the ceramic side until I had a nice edge. Time to strop I’m using this small leather strop which is both handy and convenient to deburr the edge of the blade. A light sand There is much beauty in the handles of old wooden tools as the years impart their own distinct patterning on the wood. In giving a light sand we will keep some of that, but also bring back some of the beauty of the wood by removing some of the dirt that has impregnated the handle. Below we can see the finished result. Light sand completed A little wood nourishment With the sanding complete I am now going to add a little boiled linseed oil. A traditional wood treatment that nourishes old and tired wood, enhancing the natural beauty and offering a barrier to the day to day rigours of the elements it will confront. Apply liberally allowing it to soak into the wood, wiping off any excess after it has done so. Be sure to use boiled as it is quicker drying than raw oil. A little honing After the knife is dry it is well worth the extra little effort in honing the edge with a cutting compound. Here I am using Tormax paste. It helps polish your blade and cutting edge bringing it to that infinite sharp edge. Clearing out the debris from the cleaning process The mechanism will now be cleared of all the debris from years of use and from the cleaning process itself. I am using the edge of a duster here, cotton ear buds can also be useful at this stage. You may need to work the mechanism a little to help clear this out. Once this has been achieved we can apply a little oil to the mechanism to keep is all running smoothly. I used a food safe oil to do this. Restored to its former glory And there we are. In the image above we can see the difference a little care has made, rejuvenating the surfaces and bringing an edge back to the blade that is now much safer and a joy to use. Showing a little care periodically to the wood and metal surfaced will ensure it remains looking this good and safe to use for years to come. Jay Jenner