I am a Primitive Man
Chapter 120 – Chisel and Auger
After the success of the first example, the subsequent ladder manufacturing became increasingly easy.
Considering the speed at which people in the tribe could climb the wall in case of an enemy attack, Han Cheng felt it was necessary to produce more ladders.
So, within two days, five ladders were placed behind the newly raised low wall on the west side of the tribe.
Traditional ladders in later times, such as wooden or bamboo ladders, were not made this way. The main difference was in the installation of the rungs.
In later times, wooden and bamboo ladders had holes drilled into two posts, and the rungs were inserted into these holes. The ladders made by Han Cheng, being crude, were not comparable in terms of aesthetics or stability.
Considering that wooden ladders were prone to damage from exposure to the elements, especially the deterioration of the ropes binding the rungs, Han Cheng wanted to create traditional wooden ladders after making the makeshift wooden ladders.
Making traditional wooden ladders posed a challenge that needed to be overcome – drilling holes in wood. In later times, drilling holes was relatively easy due to the availability of sharp tools designed for the purpose.
Now, facing this technical challenge without suitable tools, Han Cheng could only furrow his brow and ponder.
Recalling the previously successful hand drill, after several attempts, he had to shake his head and abandon this method. The hand drill could be used for smaller holes, but manual drilling was ineffective when the required holes were too large.
This couldn’t be solved by just using a larger drill bit.
Stone was valuable, especially for primitive people and Han Cheng, who couldn’t smelt metals like copper and iron. After the failure of manual drilling, Han Cheng turned his attention to stones.
Since stones could be used to make stone knives and axes, there was no reason they couldn’t be used to make stone chisels.
Without further ado, Han Cheng instructed the people in the tribe to use the hard stones used for making stone knives, following his requirements to craft stone chisels.
The shape of the stone chisel was simple – a round or flat elongated stone pillar with one end chipped away little by little to create a rough edge. Afterward, it was placed on a large stone while sprinkling water and grinding.
Sprinkling water during the grinding process had its reasons. The most crucial aspect was not dust control or cooling; water helped wash away the ground stone debris, maintaining the friction of the stone used as a whetstone.
The production of stone tools was a time-consuming task. The skilled hands made the stone chisel of someone in the tribe who excelled at crafting stone tools, taking three days to complete.
This person, known as “Mu Tou (Wood)” in the tribe, was not the wood you’d find in a forest. He was a grown-up man from the Green Sparrow Tribe.
Originally living in the Green Sparrow Tribe before the people from the Pig Tribe joined, his combat strength in the Green Sparrow Tribe ranked around fifth to seventh place.
He was called “Mu Tou” because he didn’t talk much, and his appearance always gave off a wooden feeling.
Although seemingly wooden, when it came to crafting stone tools, Mu Tou’s skills were undoubtedly among the best in the Green Sparrow Tribe, as was the case with those who later joined from the Pig Tribe.
This might be related to his reserved personality, as crafting stone tools required patience for continuous grinding.
Therefore, everyone has their shining points. Feeling inferior everywhere is often due to only seeing the brilliance in others and not finding something suitable to showcase one’s strengths.
Things are not absolute and can be transformed in specific situations.
Just like Mu Tou, who couldn’t make a deal to save his life but excelled when it came to stone tools.
Han Cheng knocked for a while, then set down the stone chisel and the wooden stick in his hand, giving his tired hands a stretch and sighing.
The stone chisel wasn’t cutting it; it wasn’t sharp enough. It was okay at the beginning, but as the depth of the hole increased, the efficiency started to drop rapidly.
This whole thing left Han Cheng feeling frustrated. He just wanted to make some holes in the wood. Why was it so difficult?
Seeing Han Cheng drop the stone chisel, Mu Tou frowned. He looked worried, thinking that the Shaman was dissatisfied with the tool he had crafted. Without saying a word, he picked up the discarded stone chisel and continued to grind it against a stone.
Observing Mu Tou earnestly sharpening the stone chisel, Han Cheng felt a warmth in his heart but sighed inwardly. Stones, no matter how well polished, couldn’t compare to steel.
Of course, except for a diamond that could bankrupt a person with just one purchase.
Han Cheng watched as Mu Tou contemplated and worked on the stone chisel. Despite eventually carving out a hole, it wasn’t what he wanted. It took too long, and ropes would be more efficient for a makeshift ladder.
As dusk fell, the Green Sparrow Tribe, tired from a day’s work, settled into a quiet night. The soft sound of snoring accompanied the tranquil night, and the flickering light from a small fire cast shadows on the cave walls, making them appear unusually tall.
Han Cheng turned over, lying on his side, gazing into the cave that was now blurry, quiet, and different from the daytime.
His turning motion woke Fu Jiang, who was sleeping at his feet. Fu Jiang lifted his head, looked around cautiously, saw nothing unusual, then lowered his head, burying his nose under his tail, continuing his sweet dreams.
An idea suddenly appeared in Han Cheng’s mind, bringing joy and dispelling all the frustration. He became fully awake.
Fire.
He looked at the flickering flame, his eyes focused.
Fire and water are the two most versatile elements. How could he forget?
The idea of using fire to create the holes he needed lingered in his mind, keeping him awake until late at night.
Early the next morning, Han Cheng got up, exercised after washing up, and resumed his grand plan to create the holes he needed.
Han Cheng was determined to see those holes created. It wasn’t just for the ladder; it was also about laying the groundwork for future endeavors, much like what he did with the hand drill.
In ancient times, when iron nails were not widespread, carpenters and craftsmen used the method of “卯” (mao, tenon joint) when connecting various tools and objects.
This seemingly inconspicuous hole held significant meaning in manufacturing tools and utensils.