Stránka:roll 1931.djvu/185

Handicrafts 169 a searchlight, and the wind did not affect it at all! I’ve been camping, as you know, for thirty years, but this little trick was new to me. Perhaps it is new to you.” Still another style, giving a better light, is made by heating an ordinary clear glass quart bottle pretty hot in the fire, then dipping the bottom part in cold water; this causes the bottom to crack off. The candle is placed in the neck, flame inside, and the bottle neck sunk in the ground. Knife and Hatchet or Whittling and Chopping If I were marooned on an island or left alone in the wilder- ness, and had the choice of but one weapon to take along, I should take a good knife. If I were allowed two, the second would be a hatchet. With these two one can make most of the things needed for securing food or building shelters. The Northern Indians are probably the best whittlers in the world. They use a curious curved knife called the crooked knife. It is made of an old file curled up at the point so it can cut a narrow groove. With such a knife a Chipewyan Indian can make bow, arrows, traps, snowshoes, canoe, and wigwam—as well as clothing, his whole outfit complete ; a good crooked knife, therefore, is a fair start in life for an industrious Indian. Rules for Using a Knife In whittling, always assume that the knife ts going to slip, therefore, arrange so it can do no damage when it does slip. For this reason, it is usual to make a beginner whittle away from himself, but that is not always safe. Indeed, all the best whittlers in the world, including Northern Indians, far- riers, wagonmakers, etc., whittle toward themselves, with the hand held palm up, the knife blade at the little finger side, using the pull of the arm instead of the push, thereby get- ting more power and better control. But this is sure, you should never whittle toward the hand that is holding the wood. Always keep your knife sharp. It is a sign of a tenderfoot to have a dull knife, and of a trained Woodcrafter to have a keen one. To keep a knife sharp, it must be a good piece of steel and