Knife use by: "guns" in Cebu

Guns Beltran Pestaño

 

I Carried this partially home made knife(The handle is hand pounded copper) for a whole week, used it to cut candy and biscuit packaging, whittle emergency wooden door stops, peel and cut apples in half, cut meat, potatoes and carrots for a lazy man's stew, cut and sliced onions, tomatoes and other veggies for food prep, worked indoors and outdoors, got soaked in pouring rain during one of my motorcycle rides going home, and after the day and work is done all i have to do is wash it in warm soapy water to remove dried fruit juices and food particles, give it a good shake, a thorough wipe down a drop of oil at the pivot and she is back for more action. I kinda noticed also how it patina'd with everyday handling and use. Now she has that character that a lot of people force on her, mine is going slow and steady and has aged with everyday use. Thomas D Moore was right carry and use your knife like no other.

Miswak

Miswak - For several years now, i have not used toothpaste due to the fact that it contains fluoride and or artificial sweeteners. Instead, I use baking soda and peroxide and find that it is a better combination for me.  Also, whenever im in the middle east or Indonesia/Malaysia, I like to use "Miswak" as part of my daily oral hygene routine. It is a good natural root and has many good properties, to include NO fluoride. 

Traditional miswak sticks. Softened bristles on either end can be used to clean the teeth.

The miswak (miswaak, siwak, sewak, Arabic: سواك‎‎ or مسواك) is a teeth cleaning twig made from the Salvadora persica tree (known as arak in Arabic). A traditional and natural alternative to the modern toothbrush, it has a long, well-documented history and is reputed for its medicinal benefits. It is reputed to have been used over 7000 years ago.

The miswak's properties have been described thus: "Apart from their antibacterial activity which may help control the formation and activity of dental plaque, they can be used effectively as a natural toothbrush for teeth cleaning. Such sticks are effective, inexpensive, common, available, and contain many medical properties". It also features prominently in Islamic hygienical jurisprudence.

The miswak is predominant in Muslim-inhabited areas. It is commonly used in the Arabian peninsula, the Horn of Africa, North Africa, parts of the Sahel, the Indian subcontinent, Central Asia and Southeast Asia. In Malaysia, miswak is known as Kayu Sugi (Malay for 'chewing stick').

Tomahawk the minimalist

 

 "Never carry more than you can carry on your back at a dead run"

~Macaroni Jack

I was going over my gear to realize that I am a minimalist. I have about  40 to 50 items (I never actually counted) of clothing and equipment, that I carry around the world. These include electronics, a wardrobe and outdoor / wilderness survival / gear.

To break it all down, I separated it into the 3 categories I mentioned above;

1. Electronics - Dell laptop, iphone4, 2 Nokia cameras w/chargers, 1 blue tooth speaker, 1 one Terabyte external hard drive. Sure fire flashlight, 3 panel solar charger for camera and phone.

2. Wardrobe - 1 Pair of new balance hiking shoes, 1 pair flip flops, 4 pair of smartwool socks, 4 pair of boxers, 3 T shirts, 2 short sleeve button down shirts, 1 long sleeve. 1 light jacket. 1 touque, 1 pair of gloves. 6 handkerchiefs. 1 ball cap, sunglasses , reading glasses. Patagonia shorts, 2 pair of carharrt pants

3. Camping/survival gear - Crazy creek chair, 10x10 tarp, hammock, poncho liner, parachute cloth,
2 insulated water bottles, match safe, ferro rod, 1 swiss army knife, 1 coffee tumbler, sewing kit. Toiletries kit(tooth brush, soap ,razors etc.) 1 army spoon, 1 metal bowl. 1 Blackhawk "3 day" pack and a medium sized northface river duffle.

All of these items fit easily into my river duffle if necessary. Being a full time traveler I never accumulate many possessions or travel with things I can buy locally like towels, foods, or additional toiletries. I do at times buy things as gifts for friends around the world but mail them off quickly so I dont have to carry them.

Minimalism is a great way to travel and relieves stress and worry. Give it a try you might find that you are happier.

See you on the trail! Tomahawk

Arab style foods

I was recently in Bahrain and treated myself to an "Arab grill" beef, chicken and lamb with veggies and pickles.combined with Arab coffee and sparkling water it was a delightful repast .

Shortly I will be departing for the Najran in Saudi Arabia and will post pics of local foods and the Arab Janbiya knife.

Tomahawk out.

"The woods are lovely, dark and deep"

So, I was in my home town yesterday and decided to take a spin through the woods where I would hang out when I was a kid. I had not been there in nearly 40 years. I was surprised to see how pretty it was, not at all like I remember it. I skirted the edge of the cypress bog, found false turkey tail and artist fungi. I spied a beautiful King Fisher, his blue color was vivid in the dark woods. And I filled up my 2 water bottles from the pump, I had forgotten how good the water from this well tasted.

"The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep"

~Robert Frost

Kentucky coffee

On my walk today, I picked up a few Kentucky coffee tree pods. Might make a brew....
The beans of the tree were eaten, after roasting, by the Meskwaki (Fox), Ho-Chunk (Winnebago) and Pawnee Native American cultures.
The Meskwaki also drank the roasted ground seeds in a hot beverage similar to coffee.The common name "coffeetree" derives from this latter use of the roasted seeds, which was imitated by settlers because it seemed a substitute for coffee, especially in times of poverty, similar to chicory. The European colonialists, however, considered it inferior to "real" coffee:

“

"When Kentucky was first settled by the adventurous pioneers from the Atlantic states who commenced their career in the primeval wilderness, almost without the necessaries of life, except as they produced them from the fertile soil, they fancied that they had discovered a substitute for coffee in the seeds of this tree; and accordingly the name of coffee-tree was bestowed upon it. But when communication was established with the sea-ports, they gladly relinquished their Kentucky beverage for the more grateful flavor of the Indian berry; and no use is at present made of it in that manner"

"Did you ever eat fish heads and rice"

 I love this quote from the flick "Rear Window", Jeffries is talking to his girl friend about his lifestyle as a photojournalist.

"Did you ever eat fish heads and rice? Did you ever get shot at, run over or sand bagged in the middle of the night because someone got unfavorable publicity from your camera? Listen...in this Job you carry 1 suit case, your home is the available transportation, you don't sleep very much, you bathe less and sometimes the food that you eat is made from things you couldn't even look at when they were alive!"

Jimmy Stewart as L.B. 'Jeff' Jefferies, in the Alfred Hitchcock flick "Rear Window"

The Huachuca "Dragon"

Last winter while on a short camp out in the Huachuca mountains of South eastern Arizona, I had an interesting experience with a winged creature. In the middle of the night, I was awakened by a loud flapping sound which, reminded me of the sound of someone shaking out a rug. There was a subsequent crashing sound of branches breaking. Next, I heard what can only be (to me at the time) described as the sound the pterodactyls made on the movie Jurassic park, These vocalizations continued for several minutes then finally ,  whatever it was flew off and I again heard the loud flapping sound, which continued to echo off the canyon walls at it flew up the mountain, but grew faint at the "creature" expanded the distance between us. A few days later I was telling my local friend about it, and he told me about a story in an 1890 addition of the Tombstone epitaph news paper. I was able to easily locate the article online and have posted it here for your enjoyment. I have had many interesting and unexplained encounters during my many years as a wilderness wanderer, but this one sticks out in my mind at the strangest.....

Eyewitness Accounts --Strange Winged Monster Discovered and Killed on the Huachuca Desert.Tombstone Epitaph, April 26, 1890

A winged monster, resembling a huge alligator with an extremely elongated tail and an immense pair of wings, was found on the desert between the Whetstone and Huachuca mountains last Sunday by two ranchers who were returning home from the Huachucas.

The creature was evidently greatly exhausted by a long flight and when discovered was able to fly but a short distance at a time.

After the first shock of wild amazement as it passed the two men, who were on horseback and armed with Winchester rifles , regained sufficient courage to pursue the monster and after an exciting chase of several miles succeeded in getting near enough to open fire with their rifles and wounding it.
The creature then turned on the men but owing to its exhausted condition they were able to keep out of its way and after a few well directed shots the monster partly rolled over and remained motionless.
The men cautiously approached, their horses snorting in terror and found that the monster was dead. They then proceeded to make an examination and found that it measured about ninety two feet in length and the greatest diameter was about fifty inches.

The monster had only two feet, these being situated a short distance from where the wings were joined to the body. The head, as near as they could judge was about eight feet long, the jaws being thickly set with strong, sharp teeth.

 It’s eyes were as large as a dinner plate and protruded halfway from the head. They had some difficulty in measuring the wings as they were partly folded under the body, but finally got one straightened out sufficiently to obtain a measurement of seventy eight –feet, making the total length from tip to tip about 160 feet.

The wings were composed of a thick and nearly transparent membrane and were devoid of feathers or hair, as was the entire body. The skin of the body was comparatively smooth and easily penetrated by a bullet.

The men cut off a small portion of the tip of one wing and took it home with them. Late last night one of them arrived in this city for supplies and to make the necessary preparations to skin the creature, when the hide will be sent east for examination by the eminent scientists of the day.
The finder returned early this morning accompanied by several prominent men who will endeavor to bring the strange creature back to the city before it is mutilated.

Frontier Classics by Jason hawk at "Outlaw forge"

Frontier Classics by Jason hawk at "Outlaw forge"

A love of the American Frontier is what first inspired Jason Hawk to forge knives. The blades of the Old wild West, the Mountain Men, and eastern Long Hunters, are a slice of pioneer America. Jason's Frontier Classics are historical inspired works, not reproductions. They may not be the knives that won the West, but they could have been. Like their historic counter parts these knives are perfectly imperfect, and possess a rich worn look.


All of our products are hand made, by Jason & Mary Hawk.
Items that are in stock usually ship in 1-2 business days.
To place a order for a knife that is out of stock please email us at jason@jasonhawkknives.com.
Made to order knives usually ship in 4-12 weeks. 
Shipping costs are based on U.S. orders please contact for international shipping costs.

"Arkansas Toothpick" $525.00 by Jason Hawk at Outlaw forge - www.jasonhawkknives.com

The "Arkansas toothpick" is a  good old fashion pig sticker in a classic style. With a full sharpened back edge and a slight convex primary edge, this little critter is a hog stabber! The blade is a wicked 83/4 inch,done in a 1095 with steel antique. The fitting are cast pewter with a forged and filed copper guard. The over all length is 13 1/4 inch. Made in hidden tang fashion with a antler handle. Comes with a 9oz. leather sash style sheath with brass spots. This sheath style keeps the sheath to the inside of the belt, keeping the blade secure against you, while allowing you to easily adjust the sheath in multiple positions of carry.

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 The Trail Knife $425.00 from Jason hawk at Outlaw forge - www.jasonhawkknives.com

The Trail Knife is a favored elk camp knife, with a blade length of 6 3/4 inch, it is big enough for most chores, yet light enough for cooking or butchering. It has a classic rough forged and blued work finish. The primary edge is flat ground with a apple seed secondary. The over all length of this blades is 11 1/8 inch. The construction is full width tang, with a desert mesquite handle pinned with copper. Complete with a 9oz. leather sheath done in sash style. This sheath style keeps the blade to the inside of the belt, keeping the blade tight against you, while allowing you to easily adjust the sheath in multiple positions.

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The Jerome Pocket Knife $125.00 by Jason Hawk at Outlaw forge - www.jasonhawkknives.com

The Jerome pocket knife is a gentleman's (non-folding) pocket knife. It is the perfect crafting knide with a 1095 steel 2 3/4 inch blade. Around here we use them in the shop for leather work, carving, and the occasional apple peeling for the little ones. This blade sports a full tang construction with a forged rat tail at the but end, and a antler handle with copper pins. A great knife for a grandpa that whittles, and makes whirly gigs on the porch. These little knives remind me of lightning bugs and mint juleps. It comes with a heavy leather crafting sheath (no belt loop), to fit in pocket.


 

Kitchen cutlery by Jason Hawk at "Outlaw Forge"

"There isn't much better in this life than a home cooked meal, fresh from the garden and butcher shed." 

~ Jason Hawk

 

All products are hand made, by Jason & Mary Hawk. Items in stock usually ship in 1-2 business days.
To order a knife that is out of stock please email us at jason@jasonhawkknives.com 

Knives made to order, usually ship in 4-12 weeks.
Shipping costs are based on U.S. orders please contact us for international shipping costs.

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Jason spent many years working in kitchens, and butcher shops,where he gained vast knowledge of how to use the proper knife to fit the job, and although he left the restaurant industry long ago, he still loves cook, butcher, and  continues to enjoy making the cutlery he uses to do those jobs.

The Jefi de Sonora $150.00 from Jason Hawk at - www.jasonhawkknives.com

Jefi De Sonora is a Old Spanish Style Pheasant kitchen knife. Forged from 1940's timber saw out of the Flagstaff Arizona area. It's eight inch long blade is a comfortable length for most chores. The wide heal tappers in a nice rocking arch for julienne cuts, while the tip remains narrow for fine cuts. The blade sports a hammered finish.

Blade length-8 inch. O.A.L.-12 inch.

The handle is desert mesquite wood, with hand penned solid copper rivets. A poplar soft wood sheath is provided for storage and transportation.

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La Paloma $350.00 bt Jason Hawk at - www.jasonhawkknives.com

La Paloma is a elegant shaped chef knife forged of 1095 steel, with a blade length of 9 7/8 inch. It's hybridized lines make up the graceful feel, even with a over all length of 14 3/4 inch. The blade dawns a rich hand rubbed finish, spotted with forging marks. The handle is done in a Japanese hidden tang style crafted from Rambutan wood, accented with burled desert iron wood and set with a brass and bamboo pin. Comes complete with poplar wood storage sheath.

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The E-Wok $50.00 by Jason Hawk at - www.jasonhawkknives.com

The E- wok is made of recycled tanks. The size and thickness of these tanks make a great camping wok. Lighter than cast iron to tote around, yet durable! We have taken ours all over the country. The woks come with steel handles and setting ring solidly welded. Can be used direct on the camp fire or on the stove at home. These woks come pre-seasoned, so a lite wash when you get them and a little oil, there ready for your adventures at home and in the field.