Removing Beer Bottle Bottoms

Ken — Sat, 28 Sep 2013 11:00:16 +0000

Why would you want to remove the bottom of a beer bottle? Well, in my case, I use the glass disk for a couple of reasons. I have used the disk with it’s sharp edge as a cutting tool as illustrated in “Emergency Skinning Tool” but I also use the glass to make arrowheads. The thicker bottoms are preferred as they provide enough material to make straight edged points. I prefer the dark brown glass as it comes closer to resembling natural materials like obsidian, and is easier to see during the process of knapping. However, any color is serviceable for these applications.

There are different methods to remove the bottle bottoms. One interesting method used for small 12oz. bottles is by using only your hand as illustrated in “Popping Off Bottle Bottoms By Hand“. Larger bottles become progressively more difficult and I have yet to break out a 40oz. bottle.

For larger sizes I find that a metal rod works well. My friend uses a steel chisel or punch, blunt side down, inside the bottle and shakes it up and down while his thumb covers the top. I prefer to use tire irons and rebars to poke it out. In the past, when I have used a tire iron, I would place the blade parallel with the seam at the bottom to strike it. However, I found that it was easy to punch small holes in the process that could jeopardize the removal. Recently I discovered that I could rotate the blade slightly, say about 15 degrees inward or so and the bottoms would break out quite consistently in a single piece.

Should you have the need for glass, bottles are easily obtained from trash or recycle containers and you can try these techniques for yourself. It’s wise to wear eye protection and perhaps sturdy gloves too. Don’t forget to pick up any glass shards left behind when you’re finished.

Emergency Skinning Tool

Ken — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 01:00:51 +0000

Hunters and skinning animals go hand-in-hand. Once they acquire their wild game, they need to uncover the meat that they hope to eat. This also applies to farmers and ranchers that raise livestock as a personal food source. These folks are usually prepared with appropriate cutlery for the task. But for the moment, let’s imagine that you are in a survival situation without these tools. You have acquired an animal but how do you dress it out for meat, hide and other useful parts? Here’s a surprising improvised tool that you can use.

Not long ago I made a short video demonstrating how to break the bottom out of a bottle by hand. My original purpose in doing this was to use the glass bottom as material with which to practice my knapping skills while making arrowheads. Each time that glass disc would pop off the bottom I would mention to onlookers that without further work, this was a tool unto it’s self. It has a very sharp edge that could be used for cutting and potentially skinning and dressing out an animal.

As survivaltek readers may attest, I’ve been known to harvest astragalus bones from deer roadkill. On such an occasion I decided to test out my theory with this improvised cutting tool from a bottle. To my delight and amazement it cut clean and easy! After the initial incision I began to separate the hide from the carcass. Although I didn’t pursue the meat and organs, I’m sure that it would accomplish the task. That further work will be a project for the future.

Although most folks are not accustom to butchering, it’s good to know that in an emergency situation and without conventional tools, you can accomplish this task that could be a key part to your survival.

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Removing Beer Bottle Bottoms

Emergency Skinning Tool