Sovereignty Module: Arm the Craftsman
Arm the Craftsman
Complete Toolmaking: From Stone to Steel
Complete Toolmaking: From Stone to Steel
Tools extend human capability. This campaign covers making every essential tool from raw materials, from primitive stone tools to precision steel instruments.
Chapter 1: Cutting Tools
| Tool | Material | Method | Time to Make | Difficulty | Uses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone knife (flint) | Flint, obsidian, chert | Knapping (pressure flake) | 30-60 min | Moderate | Cutting, skinning, carving |
| Bone knife | Large bone (leg bone) | Split, grind, sharpen | 1-2 hours | Low | Light cutting, spreading |
| Shell knife | Large shell (mussel, clam) | Break, grind edge | 30 min | Very low | Light cutting, scraping |
| Copper knife | Native copper or smelted | Cold hammer or cast | 2-4 hours | Moderate | General cutting |
| Iron knife | Iron ore → bloom → bar | Smelt, forge, harden | 1-2 days (from ore) | High | All cutting tasks |
| Steel knife | Iron + carbon | Forge, carburize, quench | 4-8 hours (from iron) | High | Precision cutting, tools |
| Axe (stone) | Hard stone (granite, basalt) | Peck, grind, haft | 4-8 hours | Moderate | Chopping, felling |
| Axe (iron/steel) | Forged iron/steel | Forge, punch eye, harden | 4-8 hours | High | Felling, splitting, building |
| Saw (metal) | Steel plate | File teeth, set, handle | 2-4 hours | Moderate-high | Lumber, joinery |
| Chisel (wood) | Steel bar | Forge, harden, handle | 1-2 hours | Moderate | Woodworking, mortises |
| Chisel (stone) | Steel bar | Forge, harden, handle | 1-2 hours | Moderate | Masonry, stone cutting |
| Adze | Iron/steel + wood handle | Forge, haft | 3-5 hours | Moderate-high | Shaping wood, hollowing |
| Drawknife | Steel plate, two handles | Forge, sharpen | 2-3 hours | Moderate | Shaping wood, bark removal |
| Plane (wood) | Wood body + steel blade | Carve body, forge blade | 4-6 hours | Moderate-high | Smoothing wood surfaces |
Chapter 2: Striking and Shaping Tools
| Tool | Weight | Material | Making Method | Uses | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone hammer | 1-3 lbs | River stone + stick | Groove stone, bind to handle | General pounding | First tool of humanity |
| Wooden mallet | 1-3 lbs | Hardwood (oak, hickory) | Carve from single piece or assemble | Chisel work, assembly | Won't damage wood surfaces |
| Ball-peen hammer | 1-2 lbs | Forged steel + hickory handle | Forge head, drill eye, haft | Metalwork, riveting | Flat face + rounded peen |
| Cross-peen hammer | 1.5-3 lbs | Forged steel + hickory handle | Forge head, drill eye, haft | Forging, drawing out | Flat face + wedge peen |
| Sledgehammer | 4-16 lbs | Forged steel + hickory handle | Forge head, drill eye, haft | Heavy striking, driving | Two-handed |
| Blacksmith tongs | 1-2 lbs | Forged iron/steel | Forge from bar stock, rivet | Holding hot metal | Many jaw shapes needed |
| Anvil (improvised) | 20-200 lbs | Large steel/iron block | Found object (railroad track, I-beam) | All forging | Flat, hard surface essential |
| Anvil (forged) | 50-300 lbs | Cast/forged steel | Professional manufacture | All forging | Hardy hole + pritchel hole |
| Swage block | 30-100 lbs | Cast iron | Professional manufacture | Shaping, forming | Multiple shapes in one block |
Chapter 3: Measuring and Layout Tools
| Tool | Material | Making Method | Accuracy | Uses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Straight edge | Hardwood or metal | Plane/file to straight | ±1/32 inch | Marking straight lines |
| Square (try square) | Wood + metal blade | Assemble at 90°, verify | ±1° | Right angle verification |
| Level (spirit) | Wood + glass tube + liquid | Assemble, calibrate | ±0.5° | Horizontal/vertical verification |
| Level (water) | Tube + water | Fill clear tube with water | ±0.1° | Long-distance leveling |
| Plumb bob | Lead or stone + string | Cast or shape weight | Very high | True vertical |
| Compass (dividers) | Two steel points + rivet | Forge, rivet, sharpen | ±1/64 inch | Circles, transferring measurements |
| Ruler/straightedge | Wood or metal, marked | Divide and mark carefully | ±1/16 inch | Linear measurement |
| Calipers | Steel or wood | Forge/carve, rivet | ±1/32 inch | Inside/outside measurement |
| Marking gauge | Wood + steel pin | Carve body, insert pin | ±1/32 inch | Parallel lines from edge |
| Bevel gauge | Wood + metal blade | Assemble with pivot | ±1° | Transferring angles |
Chapter 4: Boring and Drilling Tools
| Tool | Material | Method | Hole Size | Best For | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fire drill (bow drill) | Wood + cord | Friction rotation | 1/4-1/2 inch | Fire starting, soft materials | Slow |
| Hand drill (pump drill) | Stone/metal bit + wood | Pump action rotation | 1/8-1/2 inch | Bone, shell, soft stone | Moderate |
| Brace and bit | Wood frame + steel bit | Crank rotation | 1/4-1.5 inch | Wood (all sizes) | Moderate |
| Auger (hand) | Steel spiral + T-handle | Rotation with pressure | 1/2-2 inch | Deep holes in wood | Moderate |
| Gimlet | Steel spiral + handle | Twist by hand | 1/8-3/8 inch | Small holes, pilot holes | Fast |
| Reamer | Steel taper + handle | Rotation | Enlarging existing holes | Adjusting hole size | Moderate |
| Punch (metal) | Hardened steel rod | Strike with hammer | 1/8-1/2 inch | Hot metal, layout marks | Fast |
| Drill (bow) | Steel bit + bow + bearing | Bow rotation | 1/16-1/2 inch | Metal, wood, bone | Moderate |
Chapter 5: Holding and Clamping Tools
| Tool | Material | Making Method | Capacity | Uses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Workbench | Heavy hardwood | Joinery (mortise/tenon) | Full workspace | All bench work |
| Bench vise (wood) | Hardwood + screw | Carve, thread wooden screw | 0-12 inches | Holding work for planing, sawing |
| Leg vise (blacksmith) | Iron/steel + spring | Forge jaw, mount to post | 0-8 inches | Holding metal for filing, bending |
| C-clamp | Forged steel | Forge frame, thread screw | 0-6 inches | Gluing, holding |
| Bar clamp | Wood bar + metal hardware | Assemble | 0-48+ inches | Large glue-ups |
| Spring clamp | Spring steel wire | Bend and shape | 0-3 inches | Quick holding, light work |
| Holdfast | Forged iron/steel | Forge L-shape, taper shaft | Through bench hole | Holding work on bench |
| Rope clamp (tourniquet) | Rope + stick | Wrap and twist | Any size | Large assemblies, temporary |
| Wedge | Hardwood or metal | Carve or forge | N/A | Splitting, tightening, securing |
Chapter 6: Maintenance and Sharpening
| Tool | Sharpening Method | Angle | Frequency | Equipment Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knife | Whetstone (coarse → fine) | 15-20° per side | Weekly (with use) | Stones (220, 1000, 4000 grit) |
| Axe | File + stone | 25-30° per side | After each use session | Bastard file, stone |
| Chisel (wood) | Whetstone + strop | 25° (bevel) + 30° (micro) | Before each use session | Stones + leather strop |
| Chisel (stone) | Grinding + stone | 60-70° | After each use session | Grinder or coarse stone |
| Saw | File (each tooth) | Per tooth geometry | Every 4-8 hours of use | Saw file, saw set, vise |
| Plane blade | Whetstone + strop | 25° + 30° micro-bevel | Before each use session | Stones + leather strop |
| Drill bit | File or stone | 59° point angle (metal) | When cutting slows | Small file or stone |
| Scissors | Whetstone (flat side) | Factory angle | When cutting drags | Fine stone |
Sharpening principles: 1) Establish bevel angle first (coarse stone). 2) Refine edge (medium stone). 3) Polish edge (fine stone). 4) Strop (leather + compound) for razor edge. 5) Test: sharp knife shaves arm hair. Sharp chisel slices end-grain cleanly. 6) Maintain angle consistently — rocking destroys edge geometry. 7) Use guide or jig until muscle memory develops. 8) A dull tool is more dangerous than a sharp one (requires more force, slips more).
Reference Card
- Start with stone: flintknapping produces razor-sharp edges immediately. No forge needed. Learn this first — it's the foundation of all toolmaking.
- Handle everything: a tool without a handle is dangerous and inefficient. Invest time in proper hafting. Hickory, ash, and oak make the best handles.
- Harden steel: heat to cherry red (non-magnetic), quench in oil or water, then temper (reheat to straw/blue color). Without hardening, steel tools won't hold an edge.
- Keep tools sharp: a sharp tool works faster, safer, and produces better results. Sharpen before every session. Carry a stone in your pocket.
- Make tools to make tools: your first crude tools make better tools, which make precision tools. Each generation of tools improves on the last. Start crude, refine continuously.
- Protect from rust: oil all steel tools after use. Store in dry location. Rust destroys tools faster than use does. Linseed oil or any animal fat works.
- Measure twice, cut once: precision in layout prevents waste. Good measuring tools (square, level, straightedge) are worth more than cutting tools. Make them first.
- Ergonomics matter: tool handles should fit your hand. Proper length, weight, and balance reduce fatigue and increase accuracy. Customize tools to your body.
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