Chris<br><br>For those of us who are perhaps less anthropologically attuned than you, and possibly even a little mechanically challenged, could you provide a little more detail on the mechanics of button-making. I assume the idea is to use a bow & drill to power the sand granule. But how do you drill precisely in one spot? What holds the granule in place? An so on?<br><br>As I think about it, a nail turned by a bow & drill would probably make a good expedient drill. <br><br>By the way, I misplaced the stone tablet containing the hunting regs on T-Rex. What's the bag & possession limit this year? And have they finally legalized the sling & rock for Pterodactyls?<br><br>John

Im a medium knife man myself. And that, dear people is the bold, middle of the road that goes nowhere ( and is filled with yellow stripes and dead skunks) of California politics. This belongs in the Campfire Forum-oops!

Buttons are probably an extreme example, and hopefully we have a few in our sewing kit. A nail can be used to simply punch holes, such as a heavy tarp or leather. To drill a needed hole ( such as in wood, bone or shell) the square shape of a horshoe nail gives a chisel edge. Peoples of the southwest actually used cactus needles. the sand is merely a abrasive, much like lapping compound. This is definitely a labor and time intensive method. Perhaps a small modeller's drill ( Im thinking of the impact ratcheting version) is worth inclusion in a larger gearkit? As to T-REX I must beg off. I had the distastefull duty of shooting a dangerous coyote today. My Dine' friend has to rebalance me with the universe :O(

One of the sewing needles in your kit would do just fine for drilling in most substances - hope you have more than one. You could probalby just twiddle it in your fingers. I have drilled shell in just a couple of minutes using a chert drill in this manner. Actually if I had to improvise a button type fastener, I think I would go for some sort of toggle and loop gadget,since I might be able to fabricate it more easily out of what I am likely to have handy.

The hunting regs on T-Rex have eased up in recent years becasue of the sucess of the "catch and release" program. (doesn't that produce an interesting image in one's noggin'?)

Personally, I want to meet the professional guides and look over THEIR equipment. :-)<br>

<blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr><p>An uncle of mine maintained that there was one key indicator as to whether an area was truly habitable by humans- the presence of palm trees. His position was that if palm trees wouldn't grow there, no reasonable person would want to live there either.<p><hr></blockquote><p>Oh, man! LOL!<br><br>Would you mind if I used that as a sig line?

Of course, you may use it however you like. I'm sure he'd be pleased.