Bushcraft or re-enactment

[Nigel]

I think a bit of what i do is re-enactment, its all been done before so i re-enact, we are not re-inventing we are just copying, Ray also. Human nature.

 

[Toddy]

Whutza IPK?

It's an Individual Protection Kit.
Brit army issue stuff.
It's a neat wee waterproof package of a small tarp, some excellent pegs and some really good white cordage.
Meant to be used to cover a trench, and if done properly someone can drive a tank over the top and it won't fall in or crush anyone in the trench.

cheers,
Toddy

 

[Draven]

It's an Individual Protection Kit.
Brit army issue stuff.
It's a neat wee waterproof package of a small tarp, some excellent pegs and some really good white cordage.
Meant to be used to cover a trench, and if done properly someone can drive a tank over the top and it won't fall in or crush anyone in the trench.

cheers,
Toddy

Wow Is it the same sorta stuff batman uses for his cape? I don't suppose it doubles as a poncho?

 

[Mikey P]

I made a spoon and liked it.

Gaaaarrrggghhh! No more spoons!

 

[sandbender]

Whutza IPK?

An Individual Protection Kit, a posh name for a cheap as chips British Army shelter.

Link here.

 

[demographic]

Must admit that I tend to call what I do "Herbacious Bordercraft" slightly jokingly cos some people do take going camping two miles away from the nearest road just a tad too seriously IMO.

And I might be inclined to give the "Folk festival/Hey nonny nonny" look a bit of a wide berth as well, fine if you want it, I tend to just wear the clothes that I wear for work.

I suppose I just like camping out without a tent and figuring out what mushrooms and plants are what when I'm taking the dog for a walk.
I also doubt that many specialist gear companies will make their fortune selling me kit.

 

[rik_uk3]

OK then, Rik, if it's an 'honest question' you've 'been thinking about for a while' then what are your thoughts and reflections on the situation? How do you see it going forward and what changes (if any) do you think need to be made? How is this resolved?
At least that way the discussion can lead to a conclusion and may convince some that this is more than just trolling. If you've been thinking about it for a while then surely you must have further reflections and thoughts, and ideas for how the dilemma can be resolved.

Its not a dilemma, and there can't be a conclusion to a question like this, its just about personal views and opinions. Its at least given 120 people something to think about even if in their view I'm out of order.

As to this question being asked many times before, I think its a topic thats evolved in some threads but has not been put up as a direct opening question (I may be wrong), and has generally been treated with hostility as indeed my question has overall.

We all get different things from this bushcraft malarkey, tracking, plant id, shelter building, fire lighting, carving spoons playing with old stoves etc and thats fine, whatever floats your boat.

Me? I'm still thinking about it all.

 

[Hoodoo]

Its not a dilemma, and there can't be a conclusion to a question like this, its just about personal views and opinions. Its at least given 120 people something to think about even if in their view I'm out of order.

As to this question being asked many times before, I think its a topic thats evolved in some threads but has not been put up as a direct opening question (I may be wrong), and has generally been treated with hostility as indeed my question has overall.

We all get different things from this bushcraft malarkey, tracking, plant id, shelter building, fire lighting, carving spoons playing with old stoves etc and thats fine, whatever floats your boat.

Me? I'm still thinking about it all.

Well rik, when you tell people that what they do for a hobby or fun or whatever their reasons are is "a bit of a joke" did you expect a warm, fuzzy response?

I talked to two mates recently, one from Norway and one from New Zealand and to their eyes UK bushcraft is fast becoming a bit of a joke; people dressed in many pounds (hundreds sometimes) worth of kit camping within walking distance of their car, carting bloody great cast iron pans to knock up a stew in etc.

This hobby is fast becoming silly to some, and again, I'm not taking a pop, but I don't know what to make of it anymore.

So, you and your buddies go have your laughs and play your little pot-stirring trolling games, and I'll be laughing right back at ya because you are of a type as well.

 

[rik_uk3]

My question was serious, your reply is a joke.

 

[scrogger]

I think riks original post was supposed to draw a response and that it did. I think maybe people who are offended by the comments made just need to take a step back and think does it matter what other people think.

Surely we all just enjoy the outdoors whether it be bushcraft, camping up in the mountains or on a family site , canoeing etc etc for what we get from it. Wether it be learning about plants and edibles, ancient crafts , trekking in the mountains , fishing the lochs. or just looking at a stunning view and taking pictures.

I took the post as an entertaining thread but thats all, if rik feels like he has to think on what "bushcraft" is turning into in the uk then that is really upto him.

Me I wont think on it or dwell on it I shall just continue to enjoy my hobby wearing what I want using what I want as thats what I want to do.

I just hope this thread does'nt turn into pistols at down job.

JMHO have fun folks.

 

[Goatboy]

My question was serious.

Hi Rik,

I treated your question as serious, as did a lot of others, there may have been a bit of negativity but folk generally feel that way when they feel on the back foot. I hope I didn't come across that way, I was genuinely wondering what the others in NZ and Norway thought and why the UK was a joke, I also wanted to know what they did that was so different.

One of the reasons I came out've the woodwork on BBUK was that it seemed one of the friendlier and more diverse forums. A lot of other sights out there seemed to me to be very restrictive and folk got their tighty-whities in a bunch rather easily. Not just bush craft site, but blade ones, stove ones, don't get me started on hillwalking ones and the omnipresent Ramblers that hang around thinking they're the thought police and that the wilderness is theirs alone.

I enjoy the fact that in trawling the threads I can look at a post about axes one minute and the existence of a divine being the next. It's fun, and the level of intelligence and to a degree spelling is a lot higher here too.

Can you let me know what folk in those countries do do? and what do they think?

Cheers
Colin.

 

[scrogger]

A lot of other sights out there seemed to me to be very restrictive and folk got their tighty-whities in a bunch rather easily. Not just bush craft site, but blade ones, stove ones, don't get me started on hillwalking ones ,,, quote from goatboy

Goatboy I can agree with you there mate somre forum sites almost suffocate you and like you I enjoy BCUK for its diversity of people, conversation, and views.

anyone?

 

[Goatboy]

A lot of other sights out there seemed to me to be very restrictive and folk got their tighty-whities in a bunch rather easily. Not just bush craft site, but blade ones, stove ones, don't get me started on hillwalking ones ,,, quote from goatboy

Goatboy I can agree with you there mate somre forum sites almost suffocate you and like you I enjoy BCUK for its diversity of people, conversation, and views.

anyone?

Hi Scrogger,

I'll have a with ya

Goatboy.

 

[Toddy]

Actually Rik I reckon Hoodoo's post hit the nail right on the head.

You are well known for provocative (that's me trying to be polite, someone else already said go on give it another stir, and someone else commented that you do know how to stir up a forum ) but you take offence when someone calls you on it.

Ah well, funny old world isn't it ? I reckon you merit the Soup Dragon title

cheers,
Toddy

 

[scrogger]

LOL Toddy

I loved the clangers!!

 

[Wayland]

Snip> I enjoy the fact that in trawling the threads I can look at a post about axes one minute and the existence of a divine being the next. It's fun, and the level of intelligence and to a degree spelling is a lot higher here too. <Snip

Well put Colin.

It's the diversity I like too, "Bushcraft" for want of a better name encompasses a huge range of skills and interests.

As such, the people who post here are an interesting bunch with a broad knowledge base on many different topics.

Generally, with only a few notable exceptions, I've found the people here to be open minded and tolerant of that diversity.

It seems a great shame to me that a few of the people who embraced that wide knowledge base and friendly community when they first arrived, feel the need to belittle it now that they seem to have taken their fill.

 

[Toddy]

LOL Toddy

I loved the clangers!!

Yeah, me too, blue string soup and all...........and folk think the Tellytubbies were weird

cheers,
M

 

[Tadpole]

It seems a great shame to me that a few of the people who embraced that wide knowledge base and friendly community when they first arrived, feel the need to belittle it now that they seem to have taken their fill.

I guess some just like to show off to their mates, be their mates here or elsewhere

 

[Graywolf]

I wasnt going to bother posting a reply to this,but as I have nothing better to do sitting here around the fire with you lot I might as well post something.I really dont care what its called,I just love being in the great outdoors,as far as the way I dress while I am there who gives a dam,as long as I am comfortable,and it has no effect on what others are doing.
My first camping experiences was in the Blue Mountains of Australia at the age of six,I became addicted even though I got bitten to pieces by sand fly
I grew up learning most of my outdoor skills,tramping in New Zealand from the age of 13,shooting,drinking and most overnighters were spent in huts,then 2 1/2 years in the armed forces.I much preferred a tent/bivy.the New Zealand uniform at the time was a black vest,Swanndri and shorts and usely a woolen beanie hat,so I dont think they can laugh at how other people do things,I dont think they would anyway.
Clayton

 

[rik_uk3]

Actually Rik I reckon Hoodoo's post hit the nail right on the head.

You are well known for provocative (that's me trying to be polite, someone else already said go on give it another stir, and someone else commented that you do know how to stir up a forum ) but you take offence when someone calls you on it.

Ah well, funny old world isn't it ? I reckon you merit the Soup Dragon title

cheers,
Toddy

Think what you will Toddy, but I don't ever use his tone on this forum, thats what I did not like.

Hi Ho, life goes on.