rancid badger
Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
I would tend to agree with most of it.
when I started it wasn't called anything, it was usually associated with getting filthy, ripping clothes and the occasional trip to the "infirmary" (only once) with a smattering of clatters round the lugs for good measure.
as far as some sort of "bushcraft dream" goes, well that surely depends on how realistic you are. I suspect that quite a few people who have "fallen" for "bushcraft" are romantics and there's nothing wrong with that.
What you need to remember is that you can indeed spend a lot of money on stuff you don't need.
At the same time if you want to spend a load of money on stuff then you can knock your self out with literally hundreds of shiney things on offer.
On the subject of hammocks:
I have pondered this one before- If you watch and re-watch Mr.Mears dvd's- at no point does he recommend the use of a hammock in our climate-he actually uses the same kit I use and have done for donkey's; that is:
simple issue goretex bivvy bag, 3/4 length thermarest ( although I used to use a cut down kip mat till I forked out for a real mat) and a good sleeping bag.
The preference for hammocks, along with deer skins or quilts & under blankets must have come from somewhere else-no idea where-don't really care, I'd still rather sleep on the deck.
The point is the hammock seems to have become synonymous with bushcraft for what ever reason but unfortunately we don't appear to be able to pin that one on Ray Mears.
People must be buying them because they like them.
I suppose really, you need to decide what your "bushcraft dream" is.I don't have a dream, For me it's about interacting with nature as much as possible but dipping in and out as I choose. As far as I am concerned,trends and fashions are things I'm not really interested in.
I love what I do and look forward to developing it.
Regards R.B.
when I started it wasn't called anything, it was usually associated with getting filthy, ripping clothes and the occasional trip to the "infirmary" (only once) with a smattering of clatters round the lugs for good measure.
as far as some sort of "bushcraft dream" goes, well that surely depends on how realistic you are. I suspect that quite a few people who have "fallen" for "bushcraft" are romantics and there's nothing wrong with that.
What you need to remember is that you can indeed spend a lot of money on stuff you don't need.
At the same time if you want to spend a load of money on stuff then you can knock your self out with literally hundreds of shiney things on offer.
On the subject of hammocks:
I have pondered this one before- If you watch and re-watch Mr.Mears dvd's- at no point does he recommend the use of a hammock in our climate-he actually uses the same kit I use and have done for donkey's; that is:
simple issue goretex bivvy bag, 3/4 length thermarest ( although I used to use a cut down kip mat till I forked out for a real mat) and a good sleeping bag.
The preference for hammocks, along with deer skins or quilts & under blankets must have come from somewhere else-no idea where-don't really care, I'd still rather sleep on the deck.
The point is the hammock seems to have become synonymous with bushcraft for what ever reason but unfortunately we don't appear to be able to pin that one on Ray Mears.
People must be buying them because they like them.
I suppose really, you need to decide what your "bushcraft dream" is.I don't have a dream, For me it's about interacting with nature as much as possible but dipping in and out as I choose. As far as I am concerned,trends and fashions are things I'm not really interested in.
I love what I do and look forward to developing it.
Regards R.B.