What Can You Make with Butter Knives, a Broom Handle and Duct Tape?
Linda Joseph
If you want to encourage your entrepreneur, you need to encourage
creativity. You also need to be willing to hang on to odds and ends that most
normal people would have pitched long ago.
We recently took a family field trip to the Higgins Armory. (If you are ever in the Northeast and are interested in the Middle Ages they have an extensive collection of amour and weapons from the Middle Ages. On the first and third Saturdays of the month they also provide various demonstrations.)
Weaponry of any type is of intense interest to my twelve year old son. He
found the exhibits quite interesting but what he loved was the demonstrations.
Can you imagine the excitement of seeing two knights in amour battling with
swords and knives? Can you imagine the focus while watching the various attacks
and counter moves with the long sword or the rapier? He also enjoyed watching
the making of chain maille. They demonstrated how the wire was coiled and cut
into ringlets and the special way to open the ring without stressing the metal.
The hands on learning was unparalleled. He was able to hold a long sword and
rapier. They had various helmets to try on that enabled you to feel the weight
and experience the vision limitations. (There was even a WWII helmet available
for comparison.) You could hold chain maille to imagine the extra weight one
would have to carry.
The most unusual thing learned: There was plate amour for dogs! (Protection for
horses, I understand, but dogs?)
As with any museum, a favorite attraction was the gift shop. It was an
opportunity to drool over the various swords and daggers, gauntlets, and chain
maille on display. Since the price was a bit steep for the ‘real’ thing, they
also provided wooden replicas for a more modest price. However, since we mostly
provide for only ‘needs’ and my son’s bank account has been depleted on various
‘wants’, he had no money to spend. There was the usual pleading to see how firm
we were with our resolve. When the realization sunk in that he would go home
empty handed, the creativity took over.
On the way home there was much discussion on how to make a buckler with a
stainless steel bowl. (I made it clear that my bowls were not available for
modification!) There was also talk about making a long sword out of oak (like
the ones available for $25 at the gift shop.)
A few days later, my son proudly displayed his latest creation: a long sword. A
broom handle that had previously been used as a bow staff was transformed into
sword blade. Two butter knives had been inserted perpendicularly to the broom
handle near one end. Duct tape was then used to secure the butter knives, make
the handle and the pummel. The blade portion of the broom handle was then
sprayed with silver spray paint.
I then watched a display of various attacks and counter moves made with this
new version of a long sword.
I am thankful that I never threw out the broken broom handle, had just purchased
a new role of duct tape, and don’t have expensive, matching silverware!
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Linda Joseph is a homeschool mom and entrepreneur. Learn how to train your children to work for themselves by developing the mindset, skills, and self-discipline it takes to think like an entrepreneur. For more information on educating your entrepreneur, go to: www.EducateYourEntrepreneur.com. To learn more about Linda, go to:www.WebTechJo.com.
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