52 steps to learning skills.

[slowworm]

If I could find someone to carry them I could post a few live greys...

A more serious one:

30) Choosing and planting hardy herbs

I've seen dried herbs mentioned a few times in relation to the storing 72 hours of food, to add flavour. I often wonder why more people with the room don't grow hardy herbs such as bay and rosemary. Easy to grow and can be used it a large range of dishes.

 

[TeeDee]

If I could find someone to carry them I could post a few live greys...

A more serious one:

30) Choosing and planting hardy herbs

I've seen dried herbs mentioned a few times in relation to the storing 72 hours of food, to add flavour. I often wonder why more people with the room don't grow hardy herbs such as bay and rosemary. Easy to grow and can be used it a large range of dishes.

That's a good point.

If people were advised ( as follows the plan at the correct time of the year ) the plants they are growing , the herbs they have grown and dried and the animal they have butchered could all come together into a seasonal meal - a culmination of activities with an end shared result.

 

[Pattree]

@TeeDee

Sorry Pattree - I think you maybe over projecting how YOU would address or tackle these things and then seeing fault in that.

Nope.

I’m not in the least projecting my own approach; neither am I finding fault anywhere. I think this project has a lot of merit. I have already been taught many of these skills but by people that I consider experts. I have gained others over time either as necessities or interests.

As a marketeer (to some professional extent) I’m trying to fit your offer to it’s stated demographic.

Nope

I’m not criticising your idea at all.

Yep
I am projecting the demographic that you cited and I do feel that there is a market for what you are seeking to create.

I would say that there are many folk who wouldn’t find it simple to resource some of these activities.

I repeat: the time is right for some form of activity or publication along the lines that you suggest.

Now this bit IS my projection on a supposed demographic:
You might want a few layers to this.

Growing stuff and using things from the garage at the top.

Killing and butchering lower down, or in a sequel.

I am seriously looking forward to progress on the project - I feel that it could be important.

Edited to correct fat thumb issues.


pee ess
As a flute maker I have a rack full of 3M x 25mm PVC tubing.
This is an incredibly useful resource for tools, shelter, gadgets and inventions of all sorts, including weapons if necessary. Could such items be included in this type of project?

 

[TeeDee]

31 ) Amputate peoples Fat thumbs.

 

[TeeDee]

@TeeDee



Nope.

I’m not in the least projecting my own approach; neither am I finding fault anywhere. I think this project has a lot of merit. I have already been taught many of these skills but by people that I consider experts. I have gained others over time either as necessities or interests.

As a marketer (to some professional extent) I’m trying to fit your offer to it’s stated demographic.

Nope

I’m not criticising your idea at all.

Yep
I am projecting the demographic that you cited and I do feel that there is a market for what you are seeking to create.

I would say that there are many folk who wouldn’t find it simple to resource some of these activities.

I repeat: the time is right for some form of activity or publication along the lines that you suggest.

Now this bit IS my projection on a supposed demographic:
You might want a few layers to this.

Growing stuff and using things from the garage at the top.

Killing and butchering lower down, or in a sequel.

I am seriously looking forward to progress on the project - I feel that it could be important.

Edited to correct fat thumb issues.


pee ess
As a flute maker I have a rack full of 3M x 25mm PVC tubing.
This is an incredibly useful resource for tools, shelter, gadgets and inventions of all sorts, including weapons if necessary. Could such items be included in this type of project?

I'd probably steer very wide of anything remotely being described as a weapon.
Tends to get Police rather excitable.

What could be crafted that would be in the ballpark of teaching/learning a useful skill?

 

[TeeDee]

Ultimately as a vibe I think what the skills should be is if you imagined yourself as the two characters in ' The Good Life ' - what journey were they on ? What did they want to learn ? How did they learn etc.

 

[Broch]

If I could find someone to carry them I could post a few live greys...

I wonder if that's classified as capture and release - one would have to 100% sure the squirrel was going to be despatched legally.

 

[slowworm]

Ultimately as a vibe I think what the skills should be is if you imagined yourself as the two characters in ' The Good Life ' - what journey were they on ? What did they want to learn ? How did they learn etc.

I'll refrain from mentioning Margo...

But 32 is modern take:

32) Setting up a solar generator
33) Composting basics
34) Seasoning firewood
35) Milking goats (my OH has already done that course).

 

[slaine_23]

For practicality today, you are right they are out of date. But, there aren't many things more interesting than old maps, even if they are only just out of date. Riveting documents

The topography itself doesn't change much, except at the edge of the island. And for historical and other details it might be better to consult an updated interactive map on your Garmin

While Sainsbury’s don’t sell rabbits many pet shops do, but perhaps the catching of a rabbit should be on your list.

 

[slaine_23]

14) Start a fire without using a lighter or matches.

I’d suggest lighting a fire with matches or lighter, it’s something many people don’t seem to know how to do anymore. With or without a firefighter could be a further option.

 

[TeeDee]

I guess ultimately , raising a rabbit , chicken , duck and then humanely dispatching it would be a path of stewardship.

Also quite the test of resolve for many I think.

Having been raised on a small farm I don't have the inability to empathetically detach.
But I do get why people do.

 

[Broch]

36 - (only because we still have thumb amputation at 31) - make a primitive flat bow or stick bow capable of being used for small game hunting (not allowed in the UK of course).

 

[bearbait]

There is something not dissimilar on BushcraftUSA:

BushClass USA

This is the new online education forum, that is free for all members of Bushcraft USA. Terry Barney of Midwest School of Bushcraft is the lead instructor.

bushcraftusa.com

 

[TeeDee]

1) Butcher a Whole chicken into composite cuts.
2) Bake Bread
3) Make Cheese
4) Ferment Veg in brine solution
5) Use pork belly to make Bacon
6) Butcher a Whole rabbit
7) Clean and gut a whole fish.
8) Make Soap
9) Build food smoker
10) Pickle Eggs
11 ) Make fresh pasta
12) catch a fish
13) trap or shoot a rabbit or grey squirrel
14) Start a fire without using a lighter or matches.
15) I like the idea of butchery, perhaps tanning the hide could be another one further down the line.
16) Suturing a wound.
17) Take a basic first aid course.
18) Erect a rain/wind proof shelter using a tarp, some string and home made wooden pegs. Sleep under it
19) learning how to humanely dispatch a chicken (and other poultry) by hand is a valuable skill to learn.
20) Felling trees and processing wood (for firewood and construction).
21 ) Basic leather / sewing skills. - Utilitarian handiwork e.g. Make a simple piece of leathercraft e.g. purse or card holder
22) Make a simple useable camp knife using scrap metal, a saw, a file and a heat source (maybe not PC though)
23) Plant a tree
24) Grow a tomato from seed
25 ) Save your own tomato seed
26) Take a softwood cutting
27) Take a hardwood cutting
28) Load/reload a rifle cartridge
29 )- forage a meal for two in each season (is that 1 or 4 activities?)
30) Choosing and planting hardy herbs
31) Make basic gravity fed water filter
32) Setting up a solar generator
33) Composting basics
34) Seasoning firewood
35) Milking goats (my OH has already done that course).
36) Rabbit butchery
37) make a primitive flat bow or stick bow capable of being used for small game hunting (not allowed in the UK of course).

 

[Pattree]

BushClass USA

This is the new online education forum, that is free for all members of Bushcraft USA. Terry Barney of Midwest School of Bushcraft is the lead instructor.

bushcraftusa.com

That’s pretty dammed good @bearbait

I’d say almost job done with a wide appeal,

Just needs to be given a UK scale and urbanised a bit to fit UK culture / resources Inc space.

 

[Broch]

I don't think that list is for the same objectives to be honest. It's a reasonable 'bushcraft' list and there are common elements but I'm not sure that's what TD was aiming for.

 

[Pattree]

I’d agree with that @Broch (I think) but the overlap is quite substantial.

(I’ve never heard of a one stick fire before - looks like fun but using basswood is a bit of a short cut!)

Is there scope for using plastic containers, old car parts, even washing machine drums - or is that a different project?
As a Boy Scout I once went on a weekend (Voyage of the SS Argo) where we did this sort of thing. Made a very effective knife out of the top of a tin can. Made a rope out of anything we had our could find (including neckerchiefs and sleeping bag liners) etc etc.

Edited to add:
We had to make a machine that had no purpose whatsoever and then eliminate all the other teams by finding a use for their inventions. All sorts of useful tools emerged.

And
Re The Good Life
Penelope Keith was a gift to my adolescence.
One of the things that we learned from The Good Life was the (very) basics of foul water scrubbers using limestone and wood shavings (the source wasn’t mentioned.)
We didn’t see any sterile area for dispatching/preparing chickens though it was mentioned.

 

[TeeDee]

I don't think that list is for the same objectives to be honest. It's a reasonable 'bushcraft' list and there are common elements but I'm not sure that's what TD was aiming for.

I did have a quick look and yes its quite Bushcraft specific which I dont quite think is what we are looking for?

Im not sure what best way to describe the general skills im suggesting ?

 

[Damascus]

I've something kicking around in my head , and as ever I'd like ideas and fresh takes.

I like the idea of 52 weekly planned learning objectives to make learning skills bite sized , incremental , varied and enough time to not feel onerous but achievable.

Once a week I think is a good timeframe , enough time elapses to plan an activity and each weekend can have a plan to follow.

This isn't a planned skill list for me per se ( but I'd probably run it ) but more a list of " things " and activities that may make an interesting diversion for the modern westerner wanting to reconnect/learn some more rudimentary skills.

This also isn't aimed at bushcrafty people whom tend to have a lot of these skills in the bag , but more the suburban individual whom wants to learn such things but with stabilisers still on.

I'll list what I've currently come up with and I'm hoping people will see a vibe/trend - it's not strictly homesteading but maybe skills people don't have ?

( I'm not saying the following is the optimal order to follow , I'm just listing things. Ideally basic skills should be built upon and combined if possible )


1) Butcher a Whole chicken into composite cuts.
2) Bake Bread
3) Make Cheese
4) Ferment Veg in brine solution
5) Use pork belly to make Bacon
6) Butcher a Whole rabbit
7) Clean and gut a whole fish.
8) Make Soap
9) Build food smoker
10) Pickle Eggs
11 ) Make fresh pasta
12) catch a fish
13) trap or shoot a rabbit or grey squirrel
14) Start a fire without using a lighter or matches.
15) I like the idea of butchery, perhaps tanning the hide could be another one further down the line.
16) Suturing a wound.
17) Take a basic first aid course.
18) Erect a rain/wind proof shelter using a tarp, some string and home made wooden pegs. Sleep under it
19) learning how to humanely dispatch a chicken (and other poultry) by hand is a valuable skill to learn.
20) Felling trees and processing wood (for firewood and construction).
21 ) Basic leather / sewing skills. - Utilitarian handiwork e.g. Make a simple piece of leathercraft e.g. purse or card holder
22) Make a simple useable camp knife using scrap metal, a saw, a file and a heat source (maybe not PC though)
23) Plant a tree
24) Grow a tomato from seed
25 ) Save your own tomato seed
26) Take a softwood cutting
27) Take a hardwood cutting
28) Load/reload a rifle cartridge
29 )- forage a meal for two in each season (is that 1 or 4 activities?)
30) Choosing and planting hardy herbs
31) Make basic gravity fed water filter
32) Setting up a solar generator
33) Composting basics
34) Seasoning firewood
35) Milking goats (my OH has already done that course).
36) Rabbit butchery
37) make a primitive flat bow or stick bow capable of being used for small game hunting (not allowed in the UK of course).





Etc.

It will be interesting to what people suggest.

I guess as general guidelines it needs to be a skill or thing that isn't too costly to execute , can be done in a weekend and can have some simple easy to follow process steps written

A really interesting list, what in thought was i can say i have done this list, soap making i did in high school science, does that count?

 

[HorseGuy]

Im not sure what best way to describe the general skills im suggesting ?

How about including some basic home maintenance skills. Things like rewiring a plug or repairing a tap/toilet. That kind of thing?