Bushcraft Etiquette (resurrected)

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Robson Valley

Full Member
Nov 24, 2014
9,959
2,664
McBride, BC
I see that there are some retro-fitting LED devices for older flashlights to extend battery life.
Anyone here fitting those for use? I have 2 x 6VDC old camp lights that I'd like to smarten up.
Then they won't make such a ridiculous pool of wasted light.

If the new campers must get their video fix, I don't really care what they're missing.
Just as long as I don't have to hear it.
They will nevr notice the bear, snuffling along the edge of their tent.
 
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JohnC

Full Member
Jun 28, 2005
2,624
82
62
Edinburgh
AC825736-2FD7-4192-93F6-636492F50E4F.jpeg 572EE126-FF69-4621-8CF0-FA4712E89FC8.jpeg
I see that there are some retro-fitting LED devices for older flashlights to extend battery life.
Anyone here fitting those for use? I have 2 x 6VDC old camp lights that I'd like to smarten up..


I have this older light, marked D.B. Ltd L.E. No 4, that I fitted a 4.5v led to and a AA battery pack instead of the flat 4.5v battery (can buy them, just fancied using the pack). It has two filters, red and green, works a treat.
 

Woody girl

Full Member
Mar 31, 2018
4,520
3,460
65
Exmoor
The one thing about the old bulb type as against L. E.D.versions is that they can be used to start a fire if you have a bit of steel wool in your firelighting kit. Just unscrew the bulb and put a bit of the steel wool in the bulb space. You get a lovely glowing bit of steel wool which can be transferred to a tinder bundle. Very quick way to start a fire.
 
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Woody girl

Full Member
Mar 31, 2018
4,520
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Exmoor
I still have an old petzel headlamp that I used for backup when I used to go caving. It has the square battery on the back of the head strap. Very heavy uncomfortable and clumsy in comparison to modern headlamps. But it was fine on my caving helmet. Can not easily find those sort of batteries nowadays. Must admit a couple of AA batteries take up less room in my ditty bag and are much lighter too.
 
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Stew

Bushcrafter through and through
Nov 29, 2003
6,446
1,284
Aylesbury
stewartjlight-knives.com
I still have an old petzel headlamp that I used for backup when I used to go caving. It has the square battery on the back of the head strap. Very heavy uncomfortable and clumsy in comparison to modern headlamps. But it was fine on my caving helmet. Can not easily find those sort of batteries nowadays. Must admit a couple of AA batteries take up less room in my ditty bag and are much lighter too.

I was a petzl zoom user too. Much more choice now!

They did do a converter that meant it could take AA batteries instead. I don't remember exactly but think that flat battery was either 4.5v or 6v?
 

Woody girl

Full Member
Mar 31, 2018
4,520
3,460
65
Exmoor
Yes that old petzel reminds me of many happy hours spelunking in the Mendips Usually Burrington Coombe. Goat church being my favorite cave. Oh those were the days!
 
Jul 7, 2021
6
5
59
Bolton
Blimey I've been doing things wrong from the outset... Gorden Bennett! Incidentally the term Gorden Bennett came from his Father who was once the owner of the New York Errold back in the day. His son was aso called Gorden and a bit of a lunatic back in the day and use to 'gate crash' partys using horses as his entance ... Gorden Bennett, they said! In my opinion, regardless of your equipment I say just enjoy the moment, now that's true Bushcraft x
 

KatBetter

Member
Jul 16, 2021
30
10
43
Bristol
I was reading a recent thread and came across a link to a very old thread which I duly went and had a read of as well. I loved it so much I was inspired to copy and paste all of the pertinent information into one long list...

Bushcraft Etiquette

1. Never shine your light into someones camp and never shine your light into someones eyes.
2. When someone wants to enter another's camp, they ask before approaching and when they have been asked to the fire, lanterns and flashlights should be turned off, prior to entering the camp.
3. The person who starts the fire owns the fire.
4. Never burn plastic and other rubbish in the fire, someone might want to cook over it later.
5. Never borrow people tools without permission
6. If you are going to brew up it would be courteous to see if anyone else fancies a drink too.
7. No leaving knives and axes on the grass
8. Consider where you go for the "natural stuff", keep well away from living areas and water sources.
9. If washing cooking gear in a standing water source, like a lake or stream, do not empty the dirty water and old food etc. back into the water.
10. "If you have a fire, add some ash and water to your pan.
Ash + water = alkali + gritty silica
alkali + fat = soap
soap + gritty silica + slight scrub = clean pan.
When you have washed the pan pour the water into the fireplace, this area has already been affected by the alkali.
Rinse with water and again pour it into the fireplace.
On the next rinse you can pour the water away elsewhere but not into the water source.
11. The cook should never have to fetch firewood or water. If you have time to spare offer your services to the cook, washing up, peeling potatoes etc
12. When food is cooking on the fire do not heap on firewood without making the cook aware of what you are doing
13. If its your turn to cook wash your hands and clean your fingernails
14. If you need to clear your throat it should be done away from the general camp
15. Stale clothing and body odour are as difficult to stand in the bush as anywhere else. Your bush skills are poorly developed if you do not know how to return to civilisation as clean as you left it
16. Do not step over food
17. Do not put rubbish into the fire whilst food is cooking or people are eating
18. Do not leave dirty (or clean) dishes under foot. if washing your own dishes is camp custom take care of this chore immediately, generally it is excusable to do away with most eating utensils and even to eat with the fingers, however do not handle someone elses food with your hands
19. pay particular attention to the corners of your eyes and mouth when washing, after eating ensure there is no food on your face
20. Do not ask to borrow someones private knife, axe or saw. If a job needs doing and you do not have the required tool, ask the owner to do it for you.
21. when on the trail if the branches from the person in front are slapping you in the face, its your own fault, dont follow so closely
22. when visitors happen upon your camp, it is the custom to at least offer tea
23. if you are a loud snorer, or prone to considerable flatulence you should have the good manners to set up your own camp an appropriate distance away
24. cleanliness and neatness of persons are desirable quirks
25. good manners dictate that all vulgarity, mishaps, blunders and accidents on the part of others be let off without comment with a philosophical indifference
26. If you have children, try to keep them under some semblance of control.
27. If you do use a flashlight (torch) at a campfire at least aim the beam to the ground out of everybodys eyes, turn it off at the first occasion. Bring along a bag of marshmallows for all to use.
28. Dont untie someones hammock when they're sleeping, no matter how funny it seems.
29. A small torch or a candle lantern is all that is really needed to navigate bad terrain in the dark.
If you have a searchlight or a super bright gas lantern is it really needed to get yourself to the campfire?
I would say though that olive green or black guy lines stretched out across a pathway do need either flags or marker lights if you do not expect someone to demolish your camp in the dark.
30. Dont drive goats into the other team's camp when out on a competition
31. Its better to use the established fire circle and leave it tidy for the next party.
Of course, if you're making a fresh one you should clean it up.
32. In any situation, anyone should feel able to calmly and politely express concern at the unsafe behaviour of others, if you see someone swinging an axe in a way that is going to injure them or a kid taking a canoe out on the water alone and with no PFD you should say somethingDon't make someone uncomfortable about looking out for your safety.
33. If you want to wash yourself or your kit then collect enough water and take it somewhere that others wont have to walk through after youve finished
34. People playing loud music either recorded or live, especially drum'n'bass through a ghetto blaster is a big no no
35. Enjoy the outdoors and respect your surroundings.
36. Have fun!

Kudos goes to Wayland for starting the thread but if you would like to add any more to this list then please do so!
I like it, thank you very much for sharing :)
 

Spirit fish

Banned
Aug 12, 2021
338
73
31
Doncaster
I was reading a recent thread and came across a link to a very old thread which I duly went and had a read of as well. I loved it so much I was inspired to copy and paste all of the pertinent information into one long list...

Bushcraft Etiquette

1. Never shine your light into someones camp and never shine your light into someones eyes.
2. When someone wants to enter another's camp, they ask before approaching and when they have been asked to the fire, lanterns and flashlights should be turned off, prior to entering the camp.
3. The person who starts the fire owns the fire.
4. Never burn plastic and other rubbish in the fire, someone might want to cook over it later.
5. Never borrow people tools without permission
6. If you are going to brew up it would be courteous to see if anyone else fancies a drink too.
7. No leaving knives and axes on the grass
8. Consider where you go for the "natural stuff", keep well away from living areas and water sources.
9. If washing cooking gear in a standing water source, like a lake or stream, do not empty the dirty water and old food etc. back into the water.
10. "If you have a fire, add some ash and water to your pan.
Ash + water = alkali + gritty silica
alkali + fat = soap
soap + gritty silica + slight scrub = clean pan.
When you have washed the pan pour the water into the fireplace, this area has already been affected by the alkali.
Rinse with water and again pour it into the fireplace.
On the next rinse you can pour the water away elsewhere but not into the water source.
11. The cook should never have to fetch firewood or water. If you have time to spare offer your services to the cook, washing up, peeling potatoes etc
12. When food is cooking on the fire do not heap on firewood without making the cook aware of what you are doing
13. If its your turn to cook wash your hands and clean your fingernails
14. If you need to clear your throat it should be done away from the general camp
15. Stale clothing and body odour are as difficult to stand in the bush as anywhere else. Your bush skills are poorly developed if you do not know how to return to civilisation as clean as you left it
16. Do not step over food
17. Do not put rubbish into the fire whilst food is cooking or people are eating
18. Do not leave dirty (or clean) dishes under foot. if washing your own dishes is camp custom take care of this chore immediately, generally it is excusable to do away with most eating utensils and even to eat with the fingers, however do not handle someone elses food with your hands
19. pay particular attention to the corners of your eyes and mouth when washing, after eating ensure there is no food on your face
20. Do not ask to borrow someones private knife, axe or saw. If a job needs doing and you do not have the required tool, ask the owner to do it for you.
21. when on the trail if the branches from the person in front are slapping you in the face, its your own fault, dont follow so closely
22. when visitors happen upon your camp, it is the custom to at least offer tea
23. if you are a loud snorer, or prone to considerable flatulence you should have the good manners to set up your own camp an appropriate distance away
24. cleanliness and neatness of persons are desirable quirks
25. good manners dictate that all vulgarity, mishaps, blunders and accidents on the part of others be let off without comment with a philosophical indifference
26. If you have children, try to keep them under some semblance of control.
27. If you do use a flashlight (torch) at a campfire at least aim the beam to the ground out of everybodys eyes, turn it off at the first occasion. Bring along a bag of marshmallows for all to use.
28. Dont untie someones hammock when they're sleeping, no matter how funny it seems.
29. A small torch or a candle lantern is all that is really needed to navigate bad terrain in the dark.
If you have a searchlight or a super bright gas lantern is it really needed to get yourself to the campfire?
I would say though that olive green or black guy lines stretched out across a pathway do need either flags or marker lights if you do not expect someone to demolish your camp in the dark.
30. Dont drive goats into the other team's camp when out on a competition
31. Its better to use the established fire circle and leave it tidy for the next party.
Of course, if you're making a fresh one you should clean it up.
32. In any situation, anyone should feel able to calmly and politely express concern at the unsafe behaviour of others, if you see someone swinging an axe in a way that is going to injure them or a kid taking a canoe out on the water alone and with no PFD you should say somethingDon't make someone uncomfortable about looking out for your safety.
33. If you want to wash yourself or your kit then collect enough water and take it somewhere that others wont have to walk through after youve finished
34. People playing loud music either recorded or live, especially drum'n'bass through a ghetto blaster is a big no no
35. Enjoy the outdoors and respect your surroundings.
36. Have fun!

Kudos goes to Wayland for starting the thread but if you would like to add any more to this list then please do so!
it's just common sense
 

fingertrouble

Tenderfoot
Sep 6, 2021
65
44
51
London, UK
Actually drum and bass would be an improvement to the terrible music people play loud!

As a sort of former DJ and current music podcaster, I have actually shouted requests and critiques at people playing music loud - for if you put YOUR music in my personal space, don't expect ME not to criticise your music tastes as DJ :p

And I can be very harsh - like 'Call that hip hop? That's pop sh1te, try listening to these acts and grow some'...
 
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gibson 175

Full Member
Apr 9, 2022
162
101
West Yorkshire
It was a great thread. My own bugbear is the music one - personally I would suggest:

The best music of all is nature. If you enjoy music outdoors, great - but please understand that others may not want to hear it. Please keep your music personal. If you plan an outdoor recital please let others know in advance so they can choose to camp elsewhere.

Red
absolutely agree...and that's coming from me as a musician.
 

knowledge=gain

Sent off- not allowed to play
Jun 25, 2022
544
75
england
most of all it comes down to common sense

and if it is not tolerated in your home it is not tolerated anywhere else

if you do not do it at home do not do it anywhere else

manners politeness and respect cost nothing

i think there is a saying that goes something like "manners maketh the man"

bag it and bin it is not just for rubbish it is also for bad-manners disrespect and-such

four principles i live by
  1. cause no harm
  2. cause no loss
  3. cause no injury
  4. do not be malicious in your dealings with folk
 

Kav

Nomad
Mar 28, 2021
452
356
70
California
My contribution is more safety, but rapidly becoming custom among
Advanced North American hikers. The ‘Gimmie Bottle’ is an emergency reserve BEYOND our pre planned requirements of water.
Name came from a woman suffering heat exhaustion staggering up to another party acting like a B movie zombie, hands out mumbling ‘gimmie.’
I carry two, 16 oz US Pilot flasks for this purpose. AND I use electrolytes for hyponatremia.
Lady asked me why I had Two G I gallon canteens slung like bandoliers, the flasks and 32 oz in my rucksack on a desert archaeological survey? ‘. Because I can’t manage anymore.’ A few hours later , She received my gimmie flask.
 
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