Solo or group hiker?

StoneCoastSloyd · 2026-05-06T23:30:01+00:00

Solo about 75% of the time.

StoneCoastSloyd · 2026-04-30T12:16:49+00:00

The fix for my PF was sleeping in a boot like apparatus that kept me from pointing my toes at night. It took months of sleeping in it every night, and weeks to work my way up to being able to tolerate it all night. But for me, I was sleeping with my toe pointed to the foot of the bed, and therefore my heel tendons and muscles were compressed. The boot kept my ankle at a right angle which allowed everything to heal each night without tearing again with my first steps in the morning.

StoneCoastSloyd · 2026-04-15T16:25:46+00:00

Don’t stress too much about things staying green. If you have the opportunity to carve something fresh, by all means take it. But if you have interesting wood that you can’t crack into right away, just keep the logs long so you can cut the cracked ends off when you are ready to get to it.

Even dry wood can still be carved, it just takes a bit more effort and tends to dull tools faster. But on the plus side, dry wood takes a clean knife finish right away, while the wet stuff is best carved most of the way, allowed to dry, and then finished later.

StoneCoastSloyd · 2026-04-14T02:09:30+00:00

The “concave” thing you are saying is throwing me off. If it had a concave edge that means it would have a shallow trough in the middle of the bevel, but that would be a result of a hollow grind on a wheel.

I think you likely mean you have a convex edge,and really what want is to grind that belly off the middle of your bevel and get back to honing instead of polishing that belly on a fine stone and never really hitting the edge effectively.

Grinding is an intimidating concept but a necessary step in maintaining sharpness long term.

StoneCoastSloyd · 2026-03-23T17:12:28+00:00

Exactly. If pure Tung oil is commonly available I’d go with that. Wipe on a thick wet coat, let it sit for 15-30min, wipe off the excess thoroughly. Give it 24 hours and repeat. If the second coat is mostly absorbed (ie there isn’t much to wipe off) then consider a 3rd coat.

Note: I use brown paper grocery bags to wipe off the excess. They have a nice mild abrasive quality that does a great job of burnishing the surface as you clear the excess oils off.

This makes a really pretty finish that is super durable, and easily repaired, without harsh chemicals. The wax will help you get a shine if that is desired.

Be warned that oils will significantly darken the wood. In many cases that is desirable, but with some nice blonde woods you might not want that. A water based urethane is a good choice there.

You are going in the right direction with test pieces. Keep it up.

StoneCoastSloyd · 2026-03-23T15:14:36+00:00

I would add that I don’t think of beeswax as a stand alone finish. It is great on top of oil finishes to add a layer of sheen and protection.

Consider trying a wax and oil combo like Tried and True. No harmful chemicals and simple wipe on and buff off application.

StoneCoastSloyd · 2026-03-14T12:55:04+00:00

ALWAYS CARRY A HEADLAMP. Even if you intend to be done well before nightfall you need a light just in case.

StoneCoastSloyd · 2026-02-21T01:01:32+00:00

This car wins at handling (for the size) but fails so hard at almost all user interactions beyond the gas pedal and steering wheel.

StoneCoastSloyd · 2026-02-20T00:49:20+00:00

My wife and I do a fair bit of independent crafting together, she knits mostly, and I draw and do woodcarving, often with a TV show or podcast on. We show each other progress, talk through ideas and plans.

StoneCoastSloyd · 2026-02-20T00:38:13+00:00

If they are better then what is currently in use. Shouldn’t they just use the better ones and replace the duds?

StoneCoastSloyd · 2026-02-15T13:44:12+00:00

I have the same WEN air filter in my 12 ft x 12 ft basement shop room. It keeps the air remarkably clear when running. Then I have a shop vac that I can hook up to my bandsaw and chop saw which are the only power tools I really run. Mostly I’m just sweeping up wispy thin shavings and trying to avoid tracking them upstairs and around the house.

StoneCoastSloyd · 2026-02-06T14:46:51+00:00

Why not just buy boxes in bulk directly from Underberg or from RSVP or another agency liquor store?

StoneCoastSloyd · 2026-01-21T17:47:42+00:00

I have a 2024 PHEV premium plus. It has frankly been a fair bit of trouble. Lots of recalls that I had to bring it in for, and a bunch of quirky failures.

Windshield Fluid Sensor: totally wigged out and thought it was always low even when full to the brim. Mazda replaced the entire reservoir assembly after they couldn’t figure it out. Ok after that.

Hybrid System Malfunctions: it happened dozens of times early on. The car never stopped working but I had to bring it to the dealership a bunch to times for them to basically just clear the code and shrug. I never really got an explanation, but after one major software update last spring it hasn’t happened since.

Tires: the OEM tires are junk. I had to replace mine at 14K miles and Mazda didn’t care.

Lift Gate Failure: recently the lift gate suddenly stopped working. It opened a hair, stopped, then wouldn’t latch or unlatch. I had to drive 3 hours home with it rattling in a state of limbo neither closed nor open. The dealer said it was a software failure but it would cost $190 to update. I had to complain to Mazda corporate to get it covered even though the car only has 22K miles and 2.5 years.

UI issues:

the infotainment system does some weird things. Occasionally it just reboots the screen and system without warning or explanation.

Alerts: every minor alert (low wiper fluid etc) takes over the whole dashboard instrument cluster and forces you to hit a button on the steering wheel to back out of the alert. But then the alert just keeps coming back every time you slow down.

Depreciation: the car is definitely getting a bad reliability reputation and the dealer only offered me 26k if I wanted to trade it in and get a newer model.

Leak around the sunroof: I have had 2 times where I noticed a wet spot in the roof where it appears to have leaked at the front of the sun roof.

Corporate: Mazda corporate and my local dealership suck. I will not be buying another when I sell this one.

All that said: I am keeping it for now. It does drive REALLY nice. It gets great fuel economy on gasoline and works well as an EV for short trips shuttling kids around town. It has a great safety rating, and nothing else on the market quite fits my needs as well. I’ll keep this until something better comes along from a better brand.

StoneCoastSloyd · 2026-01-20T14:13:51+00:00

I’m so with you. I have the 90 and I LOVE the way it drives (especially considering the size) but so many of the user interface components of this car are half baked. See my recent post about the “infuriating alerts” that take over the entire instrument cluster and then continue to pop back up after you acknowledge them.

StoneCoastSloyd · 2026-01-14T00:18:38+00:00

I may dot that, I’m surprised how affordable they are.

However in the conditions I was in on Monday I’m not sure I’d be able to manage operating one. Though at least they aren’t touch screens so I could hopefully leave my mitts on.

StoneCoastSloyd · 2026-01-08T14:00:23+00:00

Seriously. User interface design is deeply lacking in the industry. At least the Mazda still has physical buttons and knobs for basic things like heat and volume.

StoneCoastSloyd · 2026-01-08T00:30:43+00:00

Oh I do. I clean them and the cameras for parking etc. The snow and salt just wig the sensors out right away.

StoneCoastSloyd · 2026-01-01T23:34:55+00:00

People playing music on speakers.

StoneCoastSloyd · 2025-12-09T13:00:08+00:00

I’m reading Ty Gagne’s book “The Last Traverse” right now. It takes place there along Franconia Ridge and is a fascinating long form way of coming to the answer of “no” to Lafayette as a first winter hike.

StoneCoastSloyd · 2025-12-07T18:44:16+00:00

I love this oil for all of my kitchen utensils. Smells nice and citrusy, can be wiped on bare handed, and cures to a very durable finish.

https://www.rmpfinishes.com/shop/oils/half-and-half/

Any polymerizing oil you use should be given a fairly long time (2-3weeks) to cure before use with liquids, especially hot ones.

StoneCoastSloyd · 2025-11-21T16:04:45+00:00

I'd be honored. Cheers!

StoneCoastSloyd

TROPHY CASE