Basically, all you have to do is turn an empty ceramic coffee cup upside-down and place it on a table top. Most cups are glazed only on the upper portions and perhaps a recessed bottom, but there is usually a bare ceramic ring exposed that provides just the right abrasion for your blade. My Spyderco Endura has some pretty tough AUS-6 stainless steel that takes a bit of effort to sharpen, but carbon steel blades work quickly. Of course a crowning final touch would be to strop your blade on a hearty pliable surface like a leather belt to set the edge.

I’ve heard that others have used the frosted edge of a car window, or shiny finished cement, but I find that cups have the right abrasion, consistent surface, and can be found quite easily. Just hold the cup by the handle with one hand for stability and with the other hand hold your blade at about a 20 degree slant for a double-sided edge, or at a 40 degree angle for a single single-sided edge.

After your next morning Joe, turn over your cup and give it a try. Just don’t scare the folks around you…

A cup can be fashioned from a broad leaf such as found on a deciduous tree. After a rain or from early morning dew, you can find droplets of water on leaves that can be tilted onto your mouth for drinking. But having a cup handy will prove easier for collecting and drinking these water droplets. The same may be said for drawing water out of a low place. Basically, a leaf can be pinched on one side and then folded off to the back side. This single fold creates a cone shaped reservoir that holds the water. A big enough leaf might enable additional folds to create an even lipped rim or even a handle.

Next time that you’re out and about, stop by a tree, pluck a leaf, and give it a try. But one word of caution… remember… when selecting the foliage, “leaves of three – let it be”. Make sure to use a non-toxic leaf.