Making a tool...

[powder_tears]

I've been looking everywhere, and I can't seem to find ANY instructions for making a wooden athame. I know that most people say that It's supposed to be metal and all, but I have an insane fear of knives. Plus, I don't think that my aunt and uncle would very much like to find a knife in my room.

Someone once told me about having a wooden one, and I think that would be more at home with me. I've always liked wood, but I've never worked much with it. So, if someone, anyone, could give me some links to instructions, or post the instructions here, I'de be very, very grateful.

Thank you for your time, and blessings upon all,
Powder_tears

[Pandoras]

I don't have any instructions, but I do have a resource:

The Crafting & Use of Ritual Tools: Step-By-Step Instructions for Woodcrafting Religious & Magical Implements (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1567183468//ref=nosim/mysticwickson-20) by E. Lynn Harris, Philip Harris, Eleanor Harris

Good luck.

[StormVixen]

i made myself a wooden athame when i was younger... because i couldnt aford a "proper" one! i used a pen knife, a file, and sandpaper... i still like my wooden one best even tho ive got a proper one know...

i left the bark on the handle for the authentic "black handled knife look"!

[Tulip Tree]

I know it's better to make your own tools, but if you'd rather buy one you can always try a Civil War reenactment fair or Renaissance fair. Many vendors sell old fashioned (and cheap!) wooden knives for children to play with.

[Windsmith]

Since the athame is a tool used with energy and not for cutting actual objects, it can be just about anything - metal or otherwise. I use a sword-shaped letter opener. One of my teachers uses a piece of a broken mirror. One of her teachers uses a sea-shell with one end that's narrower (and so more "bladelike") than the other. Be on the lookout for things already in your life that you may feel called to put into service as an athame.

[~Elise~]

Here's another thought...

Don't use an athame.

It is really that simple. If you aren't comfortable with knives...you won't be that comfortable even with a wooden one.

Why are you wanting one? Because the 'books' say you need one? What's wrong with using your own finger in place of the athame to cast circle?

Just MY opinion, however.

Elise

[AlAskendir]

Here's another thought...

Don't use an athame.

It is really that simple. If you aren't comfortable with knives...you won't be that comfortable even with a wooden one.

Why are you wanting one? Because the 'books' say you need one? What's wrong with using your own finger in place of the athame to cast circle?

Just MY opinion, however.

Elise

More that just that. I noticed that I would make or buy magickal tools and after a few months lose them, and I got tired of it. My athame is not my finger, but is in my finger. When I need an athame, I focus in a certain way and breathe out, and the "light-sabre"-like Astral Blade springs forth from the ends of my fingers (right index and right middle). Now, I would think that maybe this was just a personal delusion, but other Pagans react like it is there, and react to circles cut by it even when they haven't been there at the beginning to see them being cut. I've been told that this is part of my 'using Sorcery to be able to do Magick', but whatever works is true, right?

[MorningDove030202]

I don't like knives either, so I found a dull letter opener online that looks like a knife, but is definatly not sharp. Would that work? You can find many ornate letter openers online to suite you tastes. I found one with an owl on the handle and I love it!
Dove



I've been looking everywhere, and I can't seem to find ANY instructions for making a wooden athame. I know that most people say that It's supposed to be metal and all, but I have an insane fear of knives. Plus, I don't think that my aunt and uncle would very much like to find a knife in my room.

Someone once told me about having a wooden one, and I think that would be more at home with me. I've always liked wood, but I've never worked much with it. So, if someone, anyone, could give me some links to instructions, or post the instructions here, I'de be very, very grateful.

Thank you for your time, and blessings upon all,
Powder_tears

[Alpandia]

I use my fingers, mostly. Though, in a pinch, I have used my wand to cast circle.

Just remember that the power's inside you all the time. The tools, while they do have power on their own, simply amplify what's already in you. With focus and intent, you can cast a circle using nothing but your mind.

[~Elise~]

I use my fingers, mostly. Though, in a pinch, I have used my wand to cast circle.

Just remember that the power's inside you all the time. The tools, while they do have power on their own, simply amplify what's already in you. With focus and intent, you can cast a circle using nothing but your mind.

Exactly--You are the Magic, not the tools. You truly need nothing else.

JMO again however,

Elise

[kenaz na wyvern]

Great advice all around.
If you really want to make a wooden athame, all you have to do is take a piece of wood that feels right to you (you could start with a stick, a 2X4, a plank, or anything that suits you) , shape it (with a knife, sandpaper, a plane, or even rubbing it on concrete) into a double edged implement (the edges don't have to be sharp), and stain, paint, or wrap the handle black. You could burn the handle to make it black, but that leaves a mess on your hands. If you would like pictures, I can add them. I prefer to find the materials for my equipment.
Or, you could get a friend or family member that carves, whittles, or works wood to make one for you. Just draw what you want and visualize it.

[Gabriel Le Chat]

Lots of good advice posted here.

Another thing to consider is that you can use a wand, which can be as simple as a found stick, in place of an athame. No filing, sanding, sawing, or carving required!

:nicetie: