Mears and Kochanski

[Sappy]

Think most folk would agree kochanski and mears are probably the two best regarded instructors of bushcraft yet both seem to have completely different methods for some skills, most of the differences in methodology can be attributed to differences in environment( boreal and decidous)

For example Kochanski says both ends of a bowdrill drill should be the same shape and the drilling end should alternate while mears says it dlshould be pointed on one end and blunt on the other.

Another example would be mears says a lean to should have its back to the wind while kochanski says this is the worst thing possible and it should be side on to the wind.

Most differences can be put down to differing environments but these examples are universal.

What do you make of it?

P.S

The examples are taken from kochanskis bushfraft and mears's outdoor survival handbook

 

[Retired Member southey]

Think most folk would agree kochanski and mears are probably the two best regarded instructors of bushcraft yet both seem to have completely different methods for some skills, most of the differences in methodology can be attributed to differences in environment( boreal and decidous)

For example Kochanski says both ends of a bowdrill drill should be the same shape and the drilling end should alternate while mears says it dlshould be pointed on one end and blunt on the other.

Another example would be mears says a lean to should have its back to the wind while kochanski says this is the worst thing possible and it should be side on to the wind.

Most differences can be put down to differing environments but these examples are universal.

What do you make of it?

P.S

The examples are taken from kochanskis bushfraft and mears's outdoor survival handbook

Hello chap, where does it say this?

 

[rik_uk3]

Mr kochanski and Mr Mears have wonderful skills and so long as they work who cares as to any difference in technique.

 

[Man of Tanith]

Believe the difference is as stated enviroment
not sure where else this is going to go?

 

[Sappy]

@ Southey

The picture ilof the lean to in Mears book has a we arrrow pointing across the back of the pic matlrked wind.

 

[Retired Member southey]

@ Southey

The picture ilof the lean to in Mears book has a we arrrow pointing across the back of the pic matlrked wind.

Seen, was looking at the autumn one, I guess different people feel different setups work better, but then were all different

 

[HillBill]

The tarp into the wind thing has nothing to do with environment. If the tarp has its back to the wind then as the wind blows over it, it creates an eddy which will draw the smoke from the fire back into the tarp. Same as if you sit with the wind on your back near a fire. The dead spot created by the body/tarp is an area of low pressure which will be filled by the higher pressure of the heated air/smoke.

Having it sideways keeps the airflow steady through the camp. Clears smoke and helps reduce any condensation that may form. Good feng Shui lol

 

[Laurentius]

Postmodern relativity

 

[Retired Member southey]

this one,

 

[Barn Owl]

RE positioning, as HillBill says, sideways if you want to keep smoke free.
As for the bow drill methods, much of a six and half dozen question, if it feels better for you using the same or differing ends, then it's whatever works for oneself.
Some will be able to keep downward pressure on the drill better if it's larger, rather than smaller.

 

[Skaukraft]

Why do they use different technicues?
Why does the San people, the Inuits and Australian Aboriginals use different technicues?
Why does I as a Norwegian use different technicues and equipment than a Brit or Frenchman..

 

[Tiley]

As for the bow drill methods, much of a six and half dozen question, if it feels better for you using the same or differing ends, then it's whatever works for oneself.

Might it have something to do with the species of tree available? Mears can make use of the range of trees found in a temperate deciduous woodland whereas Kochanski has the Boreal forest at his disposal, with a rather different set of species.

With regard to fat end/thin and thin both ends, I would have though that the intention is to generate heat through friction. Surely if you have greater surface areas being rubbed against each other, you will get greater friction? I suppose, by the same token, having a greater surface area will spread the load more, perhaps reducing the overall effect of your downward pressure on the drill...

In the end, no matter who taught you, you end up using the method that you find most effective, given the materials around you.

 

[DaveBromley]

but then were all different

I'm not

Dave

 

[CACTUS ELF]

maybe you could see which works best for you. Then one day pop it in your own book, ray had to start somewhere.

 

[Infrared]

I'm not

Dave

Hes a very naughty boy!