Bushcraft or re-enactment

[He' s left the building]

That's my point really - if you're using the skills to do things now why's it re-enactment. If I make a spoon to eat my porridge it's just as valid now as it was then.

I fully agree Broch, I suppose my point is that I don't like the 'labels' and defining an activity as 'bushcraft' or 're-enactment' as there is sometimes overlap between these two activities (IMHO)

I could say it is similar to describing your journey to work as commuting or driving, same activity just with a different label/description and it is of no-ones concern but mine why I am driving and where I am driving to.

I think the question that should be asked is not 'bushcraft or re-enactment' but should be 'bushcraft or Ray Mears emulation' (in which case if someone wanted to spend lots of money to dress as Ray and walk about in the woods for an hour, of what concern is it to me?)

 

[Minotaur]

Minotaur.
Here you go. Check out these good folks.
http://www.hoplites.org/
Jon R.

Thanks, looks interesting.

Certain aspects of bushcraft involve keeping traditional skills alive, which is a form of re-enactment is it not?

Yes, and No. This is the problem we have all had before. As John said Bushcraft is a very large umbrella, that lots of things can sit under.

Re-enactment is picking a period of history, and attempting, for whatever reason, to re-create it.

Bushcraft is at its most basic the attempt to reclaim person powered skills. It does not really matter why you do it, or what outcome you are looking for, just that you want to regain for yourselves those skills. I bet that the people who were laughing, are actually Bushcrafters at some point.

 

[BOD]

S are we saying

Bushcraft = practising of traditional skills

Re-enactment = historical cosplay?

 

[Old Pa]

Minotaur.
Here you go. Check out these good folks.
http://www.hoplites.org/
Jon R.

So when's the Summer Bachchanal? I got a couple of sheepskins left if we're supposed to dress period.

 

[johnboy]

S are we saying

Bushcraft = practising of traditional skills

Re-enactment = historical cosplay?

No I don't think we are... For the UK or at least on this forum, as I understand it 'Bushcraft' is a wide fitting title for a lot of differing but in someway interrelated activities that can include historical re-enactment, practicing traditional skills , woodcraft, wilderness skills and perhaps even armchair / cyber musings.

Here in NZ (and possibly other places) it's not as broard and possibly a bit more perscriptive and generally reflects skills associated with being able to operate effectively in a wilderness environment and generally precludes Historical re-enactment, Primative living skills etc...

To me the broad brush all encompassing approach in the UK seems to be the catalyst for the numerous threads asking what is (or isn't) Bushcraft of which this thread seems to be one.

I think that's right...??

 

[Psy23]

Also by writing my book on making your own budget bushcrafting gear I have promoted the "uniform" again!

Now that sounds good. Any idea when it will be available? I have some long distance euro backpacking trips planned and the cheaper the better as Im trying to save money for more exotic places.

I think we need some kind of fighting pit for people that want to argue about what bushcraft is. If we can't have an answer we can at least have some entertainment... and a good spit meal afterwards perhaps!

 

[John Fenna]

It has been available for ages! Only available from me through this site.
Hard copy, CD or PDF as you prefer only £10, inc signed dedication and P&P.
Check out the thread in Makers Market or PM me for more details.

 

[sandbender]

Hard copy, CD or PDF as you prefer only £10, inc signed dedication and P&P.

Worth every penny.