What have you learned recently?

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Stringmaker

Native
Sep 6, 2010
1,891
1
UK
I learned over the weekend what an absolute swine green crabapple is to try and split.

Long strong fibres and a really evil longitudinal twist in the growth. When I eventually finish the utensil I plan to make I'll be able to eat round corners!
 

adestu

Native
Jan 19, 2010
1,717
3
swindon
couple weekends ago i got a deeper insight to tracking.pole lathe,i finally carved my first spoon.the bow drill still evades me but got a few pointers.
 

eddieb

Member
Jan 17, 2014
40
2
Essex
I learnt yesterday as well as my group of happy bushcrafters that we don't need a fire every time we go out, we had our other tasks in mind, one friend was giving spoon carving ago for the first time and I was trying to make a bow which in terrible at and everyone else either helped out or was exploring or something not sure.
P.s. My arrow flew 15 meters max that's how terrible :p
 

Baelfore

Life Member
Jan 22, 2013
585
21
Ireland
I have learned not to leave all my wooden spoons around the place. My new oak one got stood on by a boot and snapped along the neck. :(

oh well!

just have to carve another! :rolleyes:

Ste
 

TarHeelBrit

Full Member
Mar 13, 2014
687
3
62
Alone now.
I learned a few hours ago the a steel will take the skin off of your knuckle easier that it will make a spark....if you're distracted.
 
N

Nomad

Guest
How to paddle an open canoe (went on an introductory course at the local watersports centre with some workmates).

I also learned...

That it's not as uncomfortable as I was expecting when sat with legs apart, but wasn't keen on kneeling.
The J stroke needs practice.
Front ruddering is pretty neat.
How not to get in a canoe on my own when it's next to a dock (it tries to move away).
That 50N buoyancy aids work.
And so does my drysuit. ;)

I was surprised at how quickly I felt at home in the boat - literally within a couple of minutes (with the instructor in the front).

First solo paddle a little later was easy. After learning the basics, the instructor jumped out and threw loads of balls and rubber ducks into a little harbour area, and 5 boats (the rest two-up) had to manoeuvre in close quarters to try and recover as many balls and ducks as possible. Being able to manoeuvre the boat forwards, backwards, sideways and rotating all seemed to come quite naturally.

Really good fun. I've been thinking about getting one for ages, but was holding back because I'm no longer a bendy teenage rock star - I really needed to give it a try to check the comfort aspect. I suspect there is a canoe in my future.
 

Miniwhisk

Forager
Apr 7, 2010
125
0
Gloucestershire
I read a lot to begin with, and watched videos. Found that I could light my woodgas stove and get it going with pretty wet wood ( and abit of dry tinder) but in doing that, also leaving no chard ground and just white ashes to scatter. I wish people would study woodland ways more before lighting fires because very close by were the remains of a fire where large chunks of charred wood were left. I cleared that up a bit.

That novice fire builder could have been me a few years ago if I'd not put the time in to learn from others. So i have learned that without the wisdom of others we would be a less rich community.
 

S1lver

Tenderfoot
Dec 24, 2013
69
0
Windsor
I learned that the distance from my old (sadly dieing) tree to the well embedded concrete fence post allows me to hand my hammock on its whoopie slings.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/123663904@N02/13918370570/
13918370570


I also learned that hanging on whoopie slings makes the whole set up quick simple and ideal to get tensions just right. So much so I slept in it last night under a glorious clear sky.
 

Stringmaker

Native
Sep 6, 2010
1,891
1
UK
I learned on Saturday that my new beginner's bow drill set (I was doing a demo and then coaching) was pants.

Not all broom handle and pallet board combinations work!

Back to first principles next time with my willow/hazel drills and hearths.
 

Stringmaker

Native
Sep 6, 2010
1,891
1
UK
I learned yesterday through failure and observation the ideal size and shape for a hand drill notch.

Failure then became success :)
 

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