September 15, 2008

Whittling: What It Takes To Become A Whittler

Whittling has been around for many hundreds of years. All the way back to the days of cavemen. One could say that it is because we began to whittle that technology began. It was the shaping of wood, after all—after the discovery of sharp edges—that sparked human imagination to make carts, cooking implements and clothes, weapons for hunting and methods of food gathering. Who would’ve thought?So you want to whittle wood. Good for you. Whittling is the simple removal of pare shavings or cutting small bits from a piece of wood with a knife. No more, no less. So what does it take to become a good whittler?To become a good whittler, you’ll need to know several things. How to choose the correct type of wood for a particular type of knife is what you’ll need to know. You’ll want to know some basic whittling techniques and just a bit about maintenance and storage.Choosing the Wood.◦ Soft woods are best for whittling. Pine cuts very easily but isn’t able to hold detail well. Basswood and Balsa are also very popular.◦ Birch, cedar and maple aren’t considered […]

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Rock Climbing: Understanding The Basics

You’ve decided to become a rock climber. Yet all you know is what you’ve seen on television or in movies. That doesn’t matter. You’ve decided and that’s that. Let’s pretend that you come from a land where there are no large rock formations whatever. Here are some basic but very powerful tips to help in your understanding of what it takes to engage in this extreme sport.Tips for Good Technique.◦ Rock climbing is mentally challenging. The ability to clear your mind and focus is essential to your success as a climber. If you’re able to meditate as you climb, you’re worlds ahead of those that can’t. Use whatever works for you. There is no one way for all.◦ Control the center of gravity (COG). This is usually at the center of your body, somewhere in your abdomen. (Hopefully not lower than that!Every move you make begins there. You’ll want your legs directly beneath you or to equal distances on each side of you.◦ Observe other climbers. This is especially educational when you are belaying a good climber. Ask questions as they come to […]

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September 9, 2008

Rock Climbing: So You Want To Be A Rock Climber

So you want to be a rock climber. You’d like to climb a rock wall or maybe hang off the side of a rock formation somewhere. Well, you’ll have several styles to choose from to do it. It could be as easy as climbing a small tree or you could seriously risk your life. Either way, you’ll need to know exactly what you’re doing.Rock climbing is climbing to the summit of a natural rock formation or climbing to the summit of a manmade rock wall. It could also be climbing to a designated endpoint on a climbing route. It doesn’t always mean that you’ve got to reach the very top. A sectional climb like this is referred to as a pitch. If you’re climbing several routes consecutively, it would be considered a multi-pitch climb.Rock climbing has been around for nearly a hundred years. Climbers have encountered many kinds of rock formations all around the world. It’s not surprising then that rock climbing has branched into several more distinct styles. Most of the rock climbing done today is considered to be a form of free climbing. This involves using […]

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