John, people pay £200+ for a cotton anorak, sorry Ventile smock, that does not amaze me, it stuns me
Nout as queer as folk I suppose
£££££'s
- Thread starter hog
- Start date
-
Hey Guest, Early bird pricing on the Summer Moot (29th July - 10th August) available until April 6th, we'd love you to come. PLEASE CLICK HERE to early bird price and get more information.
John, people pay £200+ for a cotton anorak, sorry Ventile smock, that does not amaze me, it stuns me
Nout as queer as folk I suppose
John, people pay £200+ for a cotton anorak, sorry Ventile smock, that does not amaze me, it stuns me
Nout as queer as folk I suppose
I dont pay for mine In fact - I dont pay for much of my gear at all!
But unlike you - I do rate Ventile higher than many other fabrics
In fact - I dont pay for much of my gear at all!
But unlike you - I do rate Ventile higher than many other fabrics
Its alright in a woodland setting or dry winter, apart from that you will get wet, after all its only high quality cotton. They used high quality cotton/Ventile on expeditions for many years, so why do people go for the likes of Gortex if Ventile is that good?
Hill Bill, I can see what you mean but its like fishing, I know allot about pike fishing through my own trial and error learnt over a very long time spent on the bank putting the time in, but over the last wee while i started traveling around the world fishing and fishing with guides. These guys have taught me allot more about fishing and in such a short period of time, it took them a lifetime to learn what they learned and showed me over the course of the time we have spent together. Its been good to meet those guys and learn new things and to confirm what i had already learn was correct and a few new angles there in.
Surely the bushcraft courses are abit the same, they will teach you new things you might have struggled with or never learned and reinforce your existing skills, plus meeting like minded folk as well. That was my thoughts anyway about going on a course
I do agree with you this forum is a hugh source of information.
Surely the bushcraft courses are abit the same, they will teach you new things you might have struggled with or never learned and reinforce your existing skills, plus meeting like minded folk as well. That was my thoughts anyway about going on a course
I do agree with you this forum is a hugh source of information.
Helicopter immersion suits are still, I understand, made from Ventile as it is comfortable, flame resistant, quiet and waterproof enough to withstand full immersion in ice cold water and the government is willing to spend the dosh and the crews prefer it to synthetics...
I like it as well but agree that some synthetics will keep you drier in extreme weather.
I like it as well but agree that some synthetics will keep you drier in extreme weather.
If it's raining when I look outside I where plastic / synthetic stuff and hate it, but stay dry.
If it looks like it might rain I wear Ventile and stay comfortable but maybe a bit damp if it rains lots.
If it's cold, I wear wool and don't give a rats bottom if it rains or not.
If the sun is shining I wear a tee shirt and jeans and don't worry about getting wet at all.
Different situations, different solutions.
Much like learning. I'm lucky and can learn from books, museums and online resources.
But the kind of stuff you learn from working with someone with real experience is indispensable.
Courses are good, but so are meets, moots and just going out with someone who really knows their stuff.
But if I added up the cost of my books I wonder how they would compare to a day with a good teacher?
If it looks like it might rain I wear Ventile and stay comfortable but maybe a bit damp if it rains lots.
If it's cold, I wear wool and don't give a rats bottom if it rains or not.
If the sun is shining I wear a tee shirt and jeans and don't worry about getting wet at all.
Different situations, different solutions.
Much like learning. I'm lucky and can learn from books, museums and online resources.
But the kind of stuff you learn from working with someone with real experience is indispensable.
Courses are good, but so are meets, moots and just going out with someone who really knows their stuff.
But if I added up the cost of my books I wonder how they would compare to a day with a good teacher?
The expectation and anticipation when buying the books, and the pleasure of reading and knowledge gained would supplement any learning gained by spending time with a good teacher.
When I was on a motorcycle mechanics City & Guilds Course, I bought the books that our lecturer's used and was able to acquaint myself with the topics in the syllabus, I could then recall knowledge already learned when the lecturers taught the subject.
I felt far more confident as I'd already had several weeks to get my brain in gear, and as such, I had a far greater understanding and appreciation when the subjects came up for the first time.
When I was on a motorcycle mechanics City & Guilds Course, I bought the books that our lecturer's used and was able to acquaint myself with the topics in the syllabus, I could then recall knowledge already learned when the lecturers taught the subject.
I felt far more confident as I'd already had several weeks to get my brain in gear, and as such, I had a far greater understanding and appreciation when the subjects came up for the first time.
You know, for years I have been a huge admirer of Aston Martin, particularly the DB7/9 shape. Its such a shame that they are so expensive, they are just too expensive for me. I am sure that they have priced themselves out of a lot of sales and that there are loads of people, like me, who would buy one if they were just a bit cheaper.
Okay, I know its not the same thing, but its close enough! I think that Rik, Red and Wayland have all hit the nail with why Woodlore charges what they do.
As for why its worth going on a course, I can think of a lot of different reasons. I can also think of reasons not to go on a course. I am surprised that anyone could come to a single sweeping conclusion that arbitrarily comes down one way or the other.
There is no such thing as a finite skill package for "bushcraft", just a bunch of skills one can use outdoors; and skills are skills. Some are easy to pick up from looking at a book or reading on a forum, while others are easier to pick up when you are shown how. This isn't confined to just wilderness skills.
Attending a course also forces you to learn things that you might not otherwise have tried, or thought of. If you are going to teach yourself, you need to know what you don't know. I have learned whole skill sets by reading and trial and error, and I have been on courses to learn other things too. Course instruction has always made it faster to acquire the skills and I have often learned things that I didn't know that I didn't know.
johnnytheboy,
There are a LOT of really good schools out there that don't have a BBC presenter backing them and possibly offer even better deals than Woodlore. Don't discount them out of hand.
Okay, I know its not the same thing, but its close enough!
I think that Rik, Red and Wayland have all hit the nail with why Woodlore charges what they do.As for why its worth going on a course, I can think of a lot of different reasons. I can also think of reasons not to go on a course. I am surprised that anyone could come to a single sweeping conclusion that arbitrarily comes down one way or the other.
There is no such thing as a finite skill package for "bushcraft", just a bunch of skills one can use outdoors; and skills are skills. Some are easy to pick up from looking at a book or reading on a forum, while others are easier to pick up when you are shown how. This isn't confined to just wilderness skills.
Attending a course also forces you to learn things that you might not otherwise have tried, or thought of. If you are going to teach yourself, you need to know what you don't know. I have learned whole skill sets by reading and trial and error, and I have been on courses to learn other things too. Course instruction has always made it faster to acquire the skills and I have often learned things that I didn't know that I didn't know.
johnnytheboy,
There are a LOT of really good schools out there that don't have a BBC presenter backing them and possibly offer even better deals than Woodlore. Don't discount them out of hand.
I read mainly and try out what i learn. A lot of it is stuff i know or have known and not used but it brings it back, and often expands on existing skills. Plus its always to hand and not just a memory.
Personally, i can more easily justify the effort than the expense. But like i say thats just me, i agree that there are benefits to attending courses. The social side being the main one from my point of view. But from what i've learned on here you can attend social events without all the expense.
Personally, i can more easily justify the effort than the expense. But like i say thats just me, i agree that there are benefits to attending courses. The social side being the main one from my point of view. But from what i've learned on here you can attend social events without all the expense.
Eric_Methven
Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
"Bankrupt? Made Redundant? Wife thrown you out? Had your home repossessed?
Then you need a Downturn Bushcraft Course from Woodlouse.
Learn the skills that kept thousands of 1930's hobos alive during the last big financial glitch.
Learn how to make a shelter, light a fire, track bunnies and other animals for the pot. Shoes worn out from looking for a job? Learn to make new ones from birch bark.
If you think the above could happen to you, act now and learn the skills you'll need when the downturn really bites. Reasonably priced, this course will only cost you an arm and a leg (but we'll also show you how to make a crutch from saplings).
Eric
I was thinking more down the wild foods road, cooking without the hob etc save money sort of thing, possibly do them cheapish so as to be worthwhile to the the average joe,
Like i said, let the majority see it. It could benefit people and also make them more aware of whats really around them.There would be more respect for the natural environment, people will once again see the value in things that was once just a tree for example.
A downturn like this can help, people just need the alternatives.
.. or we'll start to run out of trees as people figure wood=free fuel..
Always a possibility but people know that anyway, wood burns. Teach them the respect, show them the way. It can only have a positive impact on peoples thoughts about things.
I was thinking more down the wild foods road, cooking without the hob etc save money sort of thing, possibly do them cheapish so as to be worthwhile to the the average joe,
Like i said, let the majority see it. It could benefit people and also make them more aware of whats really around them.There would be more respect for the natural environment, people will once again see the value in things that was once just a tree for example.
A downturn like this can help, people just need the alternatives.
Lol!! But if things get that bad, a few weeks in prison, at her Majesty's own university will put you in touch with loads of tutors willing to impart their hard earned skills to help you get along in the post-economic mad max world!
I'm not talking as bad as you may think, more money saver than life saver, alternative methods for everyday things. People understand that, just look at marketing trends.
It would do none of us any harm to find a few off grid solutions every now and then.
I do think we've seen the back of the "golden age" and might be in for the "plated brass age" next. :sulkoff:
I do think we've seen the back of the "golden age" and might be in for the "plated brass age" next. :sulkoff:
A long way off that yet, but I can remember the seventies and it's been a long time since I've seen that kind of poverty.
I too used to think that the Woodlore courses were overpriced and even posted comments to that effect a couple of months ago.
However, a member of the Woodlore team took the time to contact me direct and let me know about the real costs involved in running the courses. I won't go into the points that were made to me, as the company's competitors might like to know them, but suffice to say, I am now fully satisfied that the course fees are justified.
Just my tuppence worth!
However, a member of the Woodlore team took the time to contact me direct and let me know about the real costs involved in running the courses. I won't go into the points that were made to me, as the company's competitors might like to know them, but suffice to say, I am now fully satisfied that the course fees are justified.
Just my tuppence worth!
Similar threads
