Scoring a bone. Bone blades of various shapes and sizes
made by scoring.
Knives from Wood
As with bone, it is difficult to get a sharp edge from wood, so wood knives
are best suited for puncturing and scraping. This is certainly a last-ditch
knife-making method, as it requires time, patience, and diligence. To make
a wood knife, start with a piece of hardwood about 12 inches (30 cm) long
and 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter; the blade should be 6 inches (15 cm) long.
Shave the wood down to a point by rubbing it against a rough, hard sur-
face, such as a rock.
You can further harden the blade by drying it over a fire until it’s
slightly charred. The drier the wood, the harder the point will become.To sharpen a real knife, use a clockwise circular motion
and push the blade away from you across the stone while
applying consistent pressure on the blade. Try to keep it at a
constant angle, say, 45 degrees. Do not drag the knife toward you
under pressure, as this may create burrs on the blade. Regularly add
water to the stone, if you have it. Reducing pressure gradually while
you work will produce a finer edge.stroud’s Tip
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