Willow and Custom Steel

Had some time today to get out and gather some materials for future projects. The temps were low 30's and it was wet foggy day. It was one of those days where you think I should not be cold it is above freezing, but the wet air just cuts through you. I decided to wear my Condor Alpha Micro Fleece. Even thought it is pretty "Tacticool" this jacket works well for me.

I had a fairly standard kit. The only exception was that I had 2 fixed blades with me today. One in the bag. and one on my belt.

The material I was looking for today was Willow. It grows nice and straight, it is plentiful, and grows very quickly. This time of year is about the easiest time to collect it. Another great attribute that willow has is that it is a great medium to use and test knives.

The Sargent Model 1 and the Rehmke Drop Point Hunter/Survival were both used to make angle cuts at the base of the Willows. For me, this is an important test. If your knife does this well, it is much easier to gather materials for shelter, bedding, and fire.

By the time I was finished I had collected about 20 pieces of differing length and diameter. Now the real work of stripping the bark and bundling them for drying.

I even caught a quick picture of a Bald Eagle on the way home.