Professional Documents
Culture Documents
WA LT E R KÄ L I N
Professor Emeritus of Constitutional and International Law, Faculty of Law, University of Bern
JÖRG KÜNZLI
Professor of Constitutional and International Law, Faculty of Law, University of Bern
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v
Acknowledgements
Like the previous edition of this book, this new revised and expanded edition is based
on our Universeller Menschenrechtsschutz (4th edition, 2018) published by Helbing &
Lichtenhahn (Basel) and Nomos (Baden Baden). We are grateful to our publishers for
granting the rights for this English edition.
We also thank our dedicated staff at the Institute of Public Law (University of Bern)
for important support, in particular Monika Wyss, Maria Schultheiss, Barbara von
Rütte, and Lukas Heim.
Walter Kälin
Jörg Künzli
Bern
26 February 2019
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Contents—Summary
I . T H E F OU N DAT IO N S O F I N T E R NAT IO NA L
H UM A N R IG H T S L AW
1. Origins and Universality 3
2. Notions and Sources 28
3. The Legal Nature of Human Rights Obligations 68
4. Scope of Application of Human Rights 113
5. Basic Concepts of International Humanitarian Law 146
I I . I M P L E M E N TAT IO N O F H UM A N R IG H T S
6. Basic Principles 179
7. Treaty Bodies 203
8. Charter Based Bodies 234
I I I . SU B STA N T I V E G UA R A N T E E S
9. Protection of Human Existence: Right to Life and Subsistence Rights 259
10. Protection of Human Integrity: Prohibition of Torture and of Enforced
Disappearance 310
11. Protection of Human Identity: Prohibition of Discrimination and
Protection of Minorities 335
12. Protection of Private Life 376
13. Protection of the Intellectual and Spiritual Sphere 408
14. Protection of the Human Person in the Economic Sphere 429
15. Protection of Persons Deprived of their Liberty 451
16. Protection from Unfair Trials 467
17. Protection of Participation in Political Life 491
18. Protection During Migration, Forced Displacement, and Flight 520
Index 551
vi
ix
Contents
PA RT I : T H E F OU N DAT IO N S O F I N T E R NAT IO NA L
H UM A N R IG H T S L AW
1. Origins and Universality 3
I. The National Origins of Human Rights 4
II. Precursors of International Human Rights Protection 6
1. International minimum standard of treatment of aliens 6
2. Protection of minorities and prohibition of slave trade 7
3. The emergence of international humanitarian law 9
4. Protection of the working population 12
III. The Breakthrough: the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights 12
IV. Internationalizing Human Rights: the Consequences 13
1. Recognition of the individual as a subject of international law 13
2. Impact on the concept of state sovereignty 14
3. Human rights as a factor shaping international relations 15
4. Recognition of the role of non-governmental organizations 17
V. Are Human Rights a Universal Concept? 18
1. Stating the question 18
2. Universalist theories 19
(a) Legal positivism 19
(b) Natural law 20
3. Relativist theories 23
4. Intermediary positions: towards universality of human rights 25
x Contents
II. Treaty Law as the Main Source of Human Rights Guarantees 33
1. The Charter of the United Nations 35
2. Universal human rights treaties 36
(a) General human rights treaties: UN Human Rights Covenants of 1966 36
(i) International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights
(ICESCR) 37
(ii) International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) 37
(b) Special human rights treaties 38
(i) Treaties to protect specific human rights 38
(ii) Treaties to protect specific categories of persons 40
(c) Human rights protection by the International Labour Organization 42
3. Regional human rights treaties 43
(a) Africa 43
(b) The Americas 44
(c) Europe 45
(d) Middle East and Northern Africa 47
(e) South and South-East Asia 48
4. Humanitarian law: the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols 49
(a) International armed conflicts 49
(b) Internal armed conflicts 52
5. International criminal law 53
(a) The Rome Statute 53
(b) The crime of genocide 53
(c) Crimes against humanity 54
(d) War crimes 55
(e) Individual responsibility 57
III. Customary Law 57
1. Concept and relevance 57
2. Human rights with customary law status 59
3. Jus cogens 61
4. International humanitarian law rules with customary status 63
5. International crimes having customary status 65
IV. Resolutions and Declarations 65
Contents xi
(b) Human rights obligations of the member states of international
organizations? 80
(i) Responsibility of member states for the implementation of decisions
of international organizations 80
(ii) Responsibility of member states for conduct by organs or agents
of international organizations that violate human rights 83
(iii) Responsibility of member states for the conduct of their nationals
during peacekeeping missions 84
II. To Whom are Obligations Owed? 85
III. Categories and Scope of Obligations Arising from Human Rights 87
1. Overview: positive and negative obligations 87
2. The obligation to respect human rights 90
(a) Basic principle 90
(b) Limitations on human rights 90
(i) Scenario 1: absolute obligation 90
(ii) Scenario 2: narrow substantive scope of application with provision
for exceptions 91
(iii) Scenario 3: broad substantive scope of application subject
to limitations 91
(iv) Scenario 4: prohibition of arbitrary interference 95
3. The obligation to protect human rights 95
(a) Basic principle 95
(b) Relevant rights 98
(c) Categories and scale of obligations to protect 102
4. The obligation to fulfil human rights 104
5. The obligation to respect human rights without discrimination 105
6. The structure of obligations under economic, social, and cultural rights 106
(a) Overview 106
(b) Obligations to respect and protect: economic, social, and cultural
rights as freedoms and liberties 106
(c) Obligations to fulfil 108
xii Contents
III. Territorial Scope of Application 121
1. The issue 121
2. Basic principles 121
3. State obligations in the event of loss of sovereignty over parts
of its national territory 122
4. State obligations in the event of extraterritorial conduct 124
(a) Applicability of treaties beyond national territory 124
(b) Exercise of “jurisdiction” outside a state’s national territory 126
(c) Relevant precedents 129
(i) Exercise of state jurisdiction through diplomatic missions abroad 129
(ii) Exercise of jurisdiction on board ships and aeroplanes 129
(iii) Occupation and comparable control over foreign territory 129
(iv) Partial or transient control over foreign territory 131
(v) Violations perpetrated against persons on foreign territory in
the absence of territorial control 132
5. State obligations in the event of extraterritorial effects of internal conduct 133
(a) Direct effects 133
6. Conclusion 136
IV. Temporal Scope of Application 137
1. Denunciation 137
2. Derogation 138
(a) Legal basis 138
(b) Preconditions 140
V. The Elements of a Human Rights Violation 145
Contents xiii
3. Categories of obligations 162
(a) Obligations to respect, protect, and fulfil international
humanitarian law 162
(b) The obligation to monitor and enforce international humanitarian law 163
4. Limits on obligations 165
III. Scope of Application 167
1. Personal scope of application 167
(a) Protected persons in an international armed conflict 168
(i) Combatants “hors de combat” 168
(ii) The civilian population 170
(b) Minimum obligations vis-à-vis all persons under the control
of a party to an international armed conflict 171
(c) Obligations vis-à-vis all affected persons in a non-international
armed conflict 171
2. Substantive scope of application 172
3. Territorial scope of application 172
4. Temporal scope of application 172
(a) Situation-related scope of application 172
(b) Entry into force and denunciation 173
IV. The Elements of a Violation of International Humanitarian Law 174
V. Simultaneous Application of International Humanitarian Law
and Human Rights Law? 174
PA RT I I : I M P L E M E N TAT IO N O F H UM A N R IG H T S
6. Basic Principles 179
I. Monitoring and Implementation 179
II. Domestic Implementation of Human Rights 180
1. Overview 180
2. Specific duties 182
(a) Duty to incorporate 182
(b) Duty to provide effective legal remedies 182
(c) Duty to investigate, prosecute, and punish 184
(d) Duty to provide reparation 186
(e) Duty to prevent 188
III. International Mechanisms 188
1. Decentralized mechanisms 189
2. Centralized monitoring and implementation mechanisms 191
(a) Types of bodies 191
(b) Types of procedure 192
(i) Treaty-based and Charter-based procedures 192
(ii) Types of treaty-based procedures 192
(c) Criminal procedures 193
(d) International humanitarian law 193
xvi
xiv Contents
IV. International Criminal Justice 195
1. Overview 195
2. The International Criminal Court (ICC) 198
V. Summary 201
Contents xv
4. Collective complaint procedures 232
5. Advisory opinion procedures 233
PA RT I I I SU B STA N T I V E G UA R A N T E E S
9. Protection of Human Existence: Right to Life and Subsistence Rights 259
I. Overview 259
II. The Right to Life 260
1. The notion of life 260
2. Duty to respect life 261
(a) Overview 261
(b) The prohibition of arbitrary killing by law enforcement officials 262
(c) The death penalty and efforts to abolish it 264
(i) Preconditions 265
(ii) Abolition of the death penalty 267
xvi
xvi Contents
(iii) Prohibition of extradition and deportation in cases of a real
risk of execution 269
(d) The right to life in situations of armed conflict 270
(i) Applicable law 270
(ii) Basic principles of international humanitarian law on the
protection of life 271
3. Duty to protect 278
(a) General 278
(b) Obligation to protect persons in state custody 280
(c) Protection of life in health institutions 282
(d) Special obligations at the beginning and the end of life? 282
4. Duty to fulfil 284
5. The collective dimension of the right to life: prohibition of genocide 287
(a) Introduction 287
(b) Definition under international criminal law 287
(c) State obligations 289
(d) International enforcement 290
III. Subsistence Rights and the Right to Health 290
1. General observations 290
2. The right to food 291
(a) The content of the right to food 292
(b) Obligations to respect 292
(c) Obligations to protect 293
(d) Obligations to fulfil 293
3. The right to water and sanitation 295
(a) Existence of a right to water and sanitation? 296
(b) The content of the right to water and access to sanitary facilities 297
(c) Obligations 298
4. The right to adequate housing 299
(a) The content of the right to adequate housing 300
(b) Obligations to respect 300
(c) Obligations to protect 302
(d) Obligations to fulfil 302
5. The right to health 303
(a) General considerations 303
(b) The content of the right to health 304
(c) Obligations to respect 305
(d) Obligations to protect 307
(e) Obligations to fulfil 308
Contents xvii
II. The Prohibition of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or
Punishment 310
1. Torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment 311
(a) The definition of torture 311
(b) Torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment 312
(c) Case law 314
(d) Threshold of applicability 319
2. The absolute nature of the prohibition 324
3. The duty to respect 324
4. The duty to protect 325
5. The duty to fulfil 326
III. The Prohibition of Enforced Disappearance of Persons 330
1. What is enforced disappearance? 330
2. Enforced disappearance under general human rights law 331
3. Obligations under the Convention for the Protection of All Persons
Against Enforced Disappearances 333
xviii Contents
VI. The Prohibition of Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation
and Gender Identity 362
1. Towards an international normative framework? 362
2. Case law 363
(a) Recognition of the human rights of LGBTI persons 363
(b) The recognition of the prohibition of discrimination based on
sexual orientation and gender identity 365
VII. Protection of Minorities and of Indigenous Peoples 367
1. Concepts 367
2. Protection of minorities 368
(a) Protection of individual rights 368
(b) Protection of collective rights 370
3. The protection of indigenous peoples 371
(a) Protection of individual rights 371
(b) Protection of collective rights 373
Contents xix
(k) Honour and reputation 389
(l) Respect of the home 389
(m) Respect of correspondence 392
(n) Respect of private life at the workplace 393
(o) Other protected areas of private life? 393
2. The duty to respect 394
3. The duty to protect 395
4. The duty to fulfil 396
III. The Right to Respect of Family Life 397
1. The notion of family 397
2. State obligations 399
IV. The Right to Marry and to Found a Family 405
1. The right to marry 405
2. The right to found a family 407
xx Contents
2. Protection of property at the universal level 442
(a) Protection of property under the Covenants 442
(b) Protection of property under international humanitarian law 444
3. Protection of property under the regional conventions 445
(a) Scope of the protection afforded to property and possessions 445
(b) Duty to respect property 446
(c) Obligations to protect and fulfil 449
Contents xxi
(e) The right to examine the witnesses against oneself 482
(f) The right to the assistance of an interpreter 482
(g) The right not to be compelled to testify against oneself 483
3. Rights of the child in criminal trials 483
4. The right to have a conviction and sentence reviewed by a higher tribunal 484
5. The right to compensation for a miscarriage of justice 485
6. Ne bis in idem 485
7. No penalty without law and the prohibition of retrospective
criminal legislation 488
(a) Nulla poena sine lege 488
(b) Prohibition of retrospective criminal legislation 489
xxii Contents
2. Rights during stay 523
3. Expulsion 524
4. The prohibition of inhuman treatment as an absolute limitation on expulsion,
deportation, and extradition 527
5. Acquisition of nationality and the legal status of stateless persons 535
IV. Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) 538
1. Basic principles 538
2. Protection from displacement 539
3. Protection during displacement 541
4. Protection after the end of displacement 543
V. Refugees 544
1. The notion of refugee 544
2. Asylum 546
3. Non-refoulement 548
4. Status rights 548
Index 551
xxi
Table of Cases
Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa (IHRDA) and Open Society
Justice Initiative on Behalf of Children of Nubian Descent in Kenya v Kenya,
002/2009 (2011)�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������535–36n121, 536n123
xl Table of Cases
T.I. v The United Kingdom, Reports 2000-III�������������������������������������������������������������������������547n185
Tibet Menteş and Others v Turkey, 57818/10 et al (2017) �������������������������������������������������������� 435n45
Timurtas v Turkey, Reports 2000-VI���������������������������������������������������������������������������������332–33n184
Tomašic and Others v Croatia, 46598/06 (2009)���������������������������������������������������������������������281n163
Tønsberg Blad As and Haukom v Norway, 510/04 (2007)��������������������������������������������������494–95n46
Torreggiani and Others v Italy, 43517/09 et al (2013)�����������������������������������������������226n125, 463n124
Trabelsi v Belgium, Reports 2014-V����������������������������������������������������������������� 317–18n72, 530–31n81
Trocellier v France (dec), Reports 2006-XIV�������������������������������������� 279n132, 309n333, 383–84n66
Tumeliai v Lithuania, 25545/14 (2018) ���������������������������������������������������������������������������� 446–47n110
Tuquabo-Tekle and Others v The Netherlands, 60665/00 (2005) ������������������������������������������404n222
Twalib v Greece, Reports 1998-IV�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������478–79n110
Tyrer v The United Kingdom, A/26 (1978)���������������������� 34–35, 34–35n21, 319n96, 324n123, 415n52
Tysiac v Poland, Reports 2007-I����������������������������������������������������������������������383–84n65, 387–88n97
Udeh v Switzerland, 12020/09 (2013)����������������������������������������������������������������400n201, 403–4n221
Ülke v Turkey, 39437/98 (2006) ���������������������������������������������������������������������������318–19n90, 423n97
Üner v The Netherlands, Grand Chamber, Reports 2006-XII������������������������������������������������ 403n217
United Civil Aviation Trade Union and Csorba v Hungary, 27585/13 (2018) ������������������������ 506n142
United Communist Party of Turkey and Others v Turkey, Grand Chamber,
Reports 1998-I������������ 507–8n153, 508n157, 510n177, 510n178, 510–11n179, 512n187, 512n188
Uzun v Germany, Reports 2010-VI������������������������������������������������������������������������� 377–78n9, 378n15
Vachev v Bulgaria, 42987/98 (2014)���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������452n7
Vajnai v Hungary, Reports 2008-IV ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 492–93n12
Valasinas v Lithuania, Reports 2001-VIII ���������������������������������������������������������������������������318–19n78
Vallianatos and Others v Greece, Grand Chamber, Reports 2013-VI�������������������366n173, 382–83n55
Vamvakas v Greece (No. 2), 2870/11 (2015)�����������������������������������������������������������������������������481n140
Van der Heijden v The Netherlands, Grand Chamber, 42857/05 (2012) �������������������������������� 401n207
Van der Leer v The Netherlands, A/170-A (1990)��������������������������������������������������� 458n67, 458–59n71
Van der Mussele v Belgium, A/70 (1983)���������������������������������������������������������������������435n41, 435n42
Van der Ven v The Netherlands, Reports 2003-II�����������������������������������������������������������������318–19n79
Van Droogenbroeck v Belgium, A/50 (1982)���������������������������������������������������������������������� 435–36n50
Van Marle and Others v The Netherlands, A/101 (1986)����������������������������������������������������445–46n97
Varga and Others v Hungary, 14097/12 et al (2015)���������������������������������������������������������������� 226n126
Varnava and Others v Turkey, Grand Chamber, Reports 2009-V��������� 221n106, 272n94, 332–33n180
Vasilevski v The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, 22653/08 (2016)�������������������� 448–49n121
V.C. v Slovakia, Reports 2011-V������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 386n81
Vejdeland v Sweden, 1813/07 (2012)�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 364n158
Velyo Velev v Bulgaria, 16032/07 (2014)���������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 413n34
Vendittelli v Italy, A/293-A (1994)������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 448–49n121
Vereniging Weekblad Bluf! v The Netherlands, A/306-A (1995) �����������������������������������������������497n75
Vereinigung Bildender Künstler v Austria, 68354/01 (2007)�����������������������������������������������417–18n60
VgT Verein gegen Tierfabriken v Switzerland, Reports 2001-VI������������������������������������������������ 498n85
Vilnes and Others v Norway, 52806/09 and 22703/10 (2013)������������������������������������������ 395–96n163
Vincent v France, 6253/03 (2006)������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 326–27n144
Vinter and Others v The United Kingdom, Grand Chamber, Reports 2013-II������������317–18n72, 317–18n73
Vistiņš and Perepjolkins v Latvia, Grand Chamber, Reports 2014-I ����������������� 447–48n114, 448n116
V.K. v Croatia, 38380/08 (2012)���������������������������������������������������������������������������� 405n230, 405n231
Vona v Hungary, Reports 2013-IV�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������509–10n175
Von Hannover v Germany, Reports 2004-VI�������������������������������������������������������� 381n42, 495–96n59
Von Hannover v Germany (No. 2), Grand Chamber, Reports 2012-I �������������������381n41, 495–96n58
Von Maltzan and Others v Germany (dec), Reports 2005-V ���������������������������������������������������� 443n84
Vörður Ólafsson v Iceland, Reports 2010-III�������������������������������������������������������������������������� 508n160
Vukota-Bojić v Switzerland, 61838/10 (2016) ��������������������������������������������������� 70–71n17, 377–78n10
Vural v Turkey, 9540/07 (2014)�����������������������������������������������������������������������������492–93n11, 494n37
W. v Switzerland, A/252-A (1993) ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 463n120
W. v The United Kingdom, A/121 (1987)���������������������������������������������������������������������������������399n192
Wainwright v The United Kingdom, Reports 2006-X�����������������������������������������320–21n103, 383n60
Weber v Switzerland, A/177 (1990) �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 468n7
xli
Kadi v Council and Commission and Al Barakaat International Foundation v Council and
Commission, Grand Chamber, Joined Cases C-402/05 P and C-415/05 P (2008)�������������� 79n54
Opinion 2/13 (2014) ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 83n79
Regina v Kirk, Case-law 63/83 (1984) ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 78–79n50
This type of ski is made quite long and comparatively narrow, with
a deep groove, and is well adapted for running on the level or for
gliding down slight slopes. This type of ski is commonly used in
Lapland and to a less extent in the northern parts of Norway, but the
great length and quick, short bend make this model less adapted for
ordinary use, since the deep, rectangular groove slows down the
speed, and the great length makes turning doubly difficult. For
special conditions this type is probably useful, but it can scarcely be
considered suited to the average use.
Lilienfeld Ski
Fig. 1
The Telemark, Swedish and Lilienfeld Models with Grooves and Grooveless
Bottoms, the Telemark Being the Standard and Best All-Around Ski; the
Swedish is Long and Narrow with Upturned Heel, and the Lilienfeld Is Short
with a Round Point, More Abrupt Bend, and without a Groove
While there are occasions when the proficient ski runner can
dispense with the stick, as in jumping and practicing many fancy
turns and swings, a good stick must be reckoned a valuable
implement for climbing and downhill running, and often a help on a
level. The beginner should not depend too much upon the stick,
however, but should acquire the knack of handling the skis without
this aid early in his practice. In short, the novice should practice both
with and without the stick, that he may learn all the little points of
balancing the body unaided, but every skier ought to know how to
use the stick, that he may rely upon its assistance whenever
necessary.
Fig. 3
Skiing Sticks with Staff of Bamboo or Hard Wood Having an Easily
Removable Aluminum Washer
The use of two sticks may be of help for mountain climbing, but
the majority of ski runners consider one stout stick to be of more real
service. For downhill running, the extra stick is of no value whatever,
but rather a hindrance, the one stick being all that is required for
braking. In choosing a stick, its height may be such that it will reach
to the shoulders of the skier, although many prefer a shorter one. On
the average, a stick 5 ft. long will be found about right for most
persons, while a proportionately shorter stick will be required for
boys and girls. Bamboo of good quality is generally preferred, since
it is light, elastic, and very stiff and strong. Hardwood sticks are a
trifle heavier, but if fashioned from straight-grain hickory, or ash, are
as satisfactory as the bamboo. In any case, the end of the stick
should be provided with a metal ice peg, and a ferrule to strengthen
the wood at this point. A few inches above the peg a ring, or disk, is
fastened, and this “snow washer” serves to keep the stick from
sinking too deeply into the snow. Wicker rings, secured with thongs
or straps, are much used, as are also disks of metal and hard rubber.
A decided improvement over these materials has been brought out
in a cup-shaped snow washer made of aluminum, which is flexible
and fastened to the stick with clamps so that it can be easily shifted
or removed at will. This feature is a good one, since the washer is
often useful for assisting braking in soft snow, but is likely to catch
and throw the runner if used upon crusted snow, hence the
detachable arrangement is of value in that it supplies an easy way to
take off the washer whenever desired. The sticks are shown in Fig.
3.
For skiing an ordinary pair of heavy-soled lace shoes that fit well
are suitable, but to keep the heel strap of a binding from slipping, the
shoes should have broad, concave heels, or a small strap and
buckle, firmly sewed in place at the extreme end of the heel, should
be fitted to them. Personally, I prefer the heel strap to the special
heel, but any cobbler can fit the shoes with either one. Specially
designed skiing shoes, or boots, as shown in Fig. 4, are to be had at
the sporting-goods dealers’, and while good, are somewhat
expensive, because most of them are imported. Of course, shoes for
skiing must be amply large so that one or two pairs of woolen socks
may be worn; two pairs of thin, woolen stockings being less bulky
and very much warmer than one extremely heavy pair.
Fig. 4
Specially Designed Skiing Boots, Handmade for the Sport, with and without
Heel Buckles
Fig. 6
The Wood is Selected by the Way in Which the Growth of the Grain Runs
When purchasing the sawed material, the buyer should endeavor
to obtain a plank which has been sawed out from the lower portion of
the trunk of the tree, from the outside. The dealer will not be able to
assist in choosing lumber for this particular purpose, hence the buyer
should know something about the growth of good wood in the tree,
and how to pick out this desirable material by noting the run of the
grain. This is very well shown in Fig. 6. The letters A, B, and C show
the run of the grain produced by the ring growth of the tree, and D,
E, and F indicate the appearance of rings, in the run of the grain
seen in the sawed plank. The best possible choice for wood is
represented by A and D, because the layers of good and elastic
wood run deep, and there is practically no soft layers of punky wood.
That represented by B and E, and that of C and F, contain a larger
percentage of soft layers, and while skis can be, and often are,
fashioned from this kind of material, the wood is less strong and
flexible than that of wood showing the grain as A and D, hence the
latter should be chosen whenever it is possible to do so. While wood
of fairly close grain does not necessarily indicate inferiority, if the
material is hickory, yet if ash is selected, the purchaser should select
an open, or widely spaced, grain in preference to a close and even-
grained plank. And this is so because in all trees the grain
represents the more quickly grown soft wood—formed in the period
of greatest growth, which is in the spring and summer months—
hence the more grain present in the plank and the closer it runs, the
more soft and punky wood is present, and the less durable the
material will be for the purpose.
When drawing the dimensions on green, or partly seasoned,
timber, a certain amount of shrinkage will occur, hence be sure to
allow for this and make the width about ¹⁄₄ in. greater. When working
seasoned lumber, this need not be taken into consideration.
After the outline of the ski has been sawed out, the bottom, or
running surface, should be planed perfectly smooth, with the grain
running straight and true from the point to the heel. The ski should
be worked down to the desired dimensions before bending, and from
the top, or upper, side only, never from the running surface. When
the correct thickness has been reached, the bend at the point may
be put in by soaking the wood well to make it pliable. This is most
easily done by heating water in a wash boiler, and when the water
boils, place the ski across the top and thoroughly soak the wood by
mopping with the boiling water, using a cloth tied to a stick. That the
bend may be gradual and not too abrupt, do not attempt to bend it to
the desired arc at once, but gradually work the wood and resort to
numerous hot-water treatments until a good 6-in. bend is obtained.
The arch in the running surface is easily obtained, and if bent too
much, is easily straightened out when cold. Of course, more bend
must be given the skis than the actual curve will be when finished,
since the wood will straighten out somewhat as it dries. Some kind of
a form will come in handy, and this may be furnished by making a
rough frame and placing a short length of log of the proper diameter
at the bends, or the tips may be lashed, or cleated, to the floor of the
workbench. A very easy method is shown in Fig. 7.
Fig. 7
After the bends are made, the hole for the foot binding should be
put in, and if the wood has been left plenty long, the skis may be
trimmed off at the heel so that they will balance nicely when lifted by
the toe straps. This is the best way, for while a few skiers prefer to
make the heel light and weight it with lead, there is no advantage in
doing so.
The groove in the exact center of the running surface should now
be cut in, which is made about ¹⁄₈ in. deep, and ³⁄₈ to ¹⁄₂ in. in width. A
grooving plane is most convenient, but a small gouge, if carefully
used, will do as well. The groove should run from the heel to the
beginning of the bend.
To finish the ski, sandpaper top and bottom smooth, and rub down
with linseed oil to which little paraffin, or beeswax, has been added.
The running surface of the ski should be finished with oil and waxed,
and it is an advantage that the entire ski be finished in the same
manner, as less snow will stick to the tops than if varnish is used.
The experienced skier is more concerned about the running qualities
of his skis than the finish, but the novice is more likely to be attracted
by fancy implements. When varnished tops are wanted, a glossy and
durable surface is obtained by brushing on a couple of coats of good
spar varnish.
A tube, or cake, of wax should be carried by every skier, for the
running surface must have numerous coatings that the snow may
not stick to the wood. Both paraffin and beeswax are suitable, and
the skier may use one of the several good preparations put up in
tubes and in cakes, or melt up his own, as preferred. A good cake, or
hard, wax is made by melting up 10 oz. of beeswax with 5 oz. of
rosin. When melted, stir in 1 oz. of turpentine and pour in small
boxes to form cakes of convenient size.
The running surfaces are often waxed by rubbing the wax on and
then going over the surfaces with a hot flatiron. This is a good
method, providing only a sufficient quantity of wax has been applied.
A too liberal application of wax cannot be called a disadvantage
when running downhill, but it will make the runners so slippery that
climbing uphill is difficult.
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Fly to a Great Height