I need to mark bearing trees with a "BT" scribed into the lower blaze of the bearing tree as part of a contract I have with the USFS. I'm looking for a timber scribe with a radius point so I can easily make the curved parts of the letter "B". I'm sure you guys out west have some experience with this.
Any ideas on where to find such a tool? The USFS let me borrow one but it's time to give it back.
Gregg
I would look at what Forestry Suppliers has to offer. They have a pretty wide range of equipment for outdoor professionals.
Ben Meadows may be another quality place to look.
I actually just found on from Berntsen but it's $90. I was hoping to get something a little cheaper but I guess I'll be using it for a couple of years and hopefully I get what I pay for.
I have an all aluminum one, from long ago... It will flat suck the heat out of your hand... My dad has an ancient one, with wood handle.... If I could find one of those, I'd prefer it. Then there isThis one, that is red, and has a pouch. Kinda cool.
I don't often want to carry another tool.... So, I use my pruning saw, and carve a Y into the face, as my signature.
SA Pintado, PLS 211 in Arkansas used to do that, then my dad did it, and now I do it.
Nate
And, here is a video, on how to use them:
Go real easy on yard trees.
N
Yes, that looks like the one that Berntsen sells.
I have had no luck finding a wood handled one.
> I have had no luck finding a wood handled one.
Looks like ebay and antique tool dealers are your only hope.
ps - you can't have any of mine!
I just saw one on ebay for $150 used. Better not loan yours out.... it may not come back!
They tend to get a lot of money for horn handle ones, but maybe this one won't go so high?
www.ebay.com/itm/321634153829
Most of what gets listed are pocket knife style scribers, and I'm sure most of them are going to collectors, not anyone who will be using it.
ebay has a wood handled one.
> They tend to get a lot of money for horn handle ones, but maybe this one won't go so high?
> www.ebay.com/itm/321634153829
>
> Most of what gets listed are pocket knife style scribers, and I'm sure most of them are going to collectors, not anyone who will be using it.
that is just like mine. keep it sharp and it works very well if you use a straight edge with it.
Thanks. I'm looking at them now.
Best timber scribe ever made is Crawford.
Many hundreds of BLM surveyors own and use them in Alaska and down south.
Scribe is a lifetime investment.
Here is link to picture of one. -
crawford picture
Used to be able to get them from several sources loink was one but looks like they now sell their own.
I have scribed over a thousand trees and can give you a few tips –
Keep blades very sharp.
Turn straight blade so it faces inside. This will make tighter radius and is easier to scribe and blade will not snap as fast.
When you snap your first blade keep the bottom part and use to to reinforce the straight blade.
Take a hacksaw and saw straight lines in screws so you can use scrench to replace blades - after the first year the screws will get very hard to remove and the allen holes will strip.
Carry matches in back of scribe so you can start emergency fire when helicopter doesn’t return to pick you up and you have to spend the night.
I looked in supply drawer and I have a brand new one with custom holster. I don’t really want to sell but I doubt I will be doing much rectangular work so if you want it - $200
new one
That's the one I have.
Cold pup though.
Put high heat silicone, in all the screw holes, and she never has problems with tree juice bonding the screws into it.
N
That's good idea but reason for screw mod is to tighten as well as loosen. - some I know use locktite on screws because we use scribe as hammer to install bearing tree tag nails and it loosens screws. It is a bummer to be in the middle of nowhere and your screw comes out (extra screws can be more valuable than blades) and blade is loose or worse gone. Yes it is cold but most contract work is summer and it can get warm in AK.
That is the one I bought for a USFS contract. It worked just fine. Sharp enough to cut my finger. You can sharpen it with a saw file.
Yup. That's the one I plan on buying.
Once you find a scribe like Bear Bait make sure the teeth are SHARP. Scribing with a dull scribe makes a mess out of your face and is a sure sign of a rookie. I always had a jewelers file and extra teeth in the handle.
Good Luke and find those ORIGINAL corners.
Thanks. Most of the corners have been easy to find so far but most are not to USFS standard.
The USFS actually loaned me an older wood handled scribe. After reading these posts and searching for a scribe online, I've decided I better remove the loaner scribe from the truck and put it in a safe place.
