bush blades

[Tiley]

Obviously an article from a guy reared in the John Rambo school of moderation and diplomacy!

Nice to see that there are still extremists around for people to rail against. I've no real experience of 'big' blades - except for a brief flirtation with an MoD survival knife (a.k.a. club) - but I just know that I do not have the skills to control the blade safely.

Bushcraft? Survival? Now there's an interesting debate. Where does one end and the other begin? Can we generalise or is it a personal cut off point?

Pink panties? I wouldn't wear anything else...unless it's really cold - I might add a T shirt. Matching, of course.

Is it just me or can everyone hear distant banjos? Pah!

 

[TheGreenMan]

And WHAT is wrong with wearing pink panties?

Aboslulely nothing... {...huh, good God!..etc,etc ]

Worry ye not John, The Green Man must be a survivalist because he's going COMMANDO! (Sans Pink Panties)

Ah, you have the measure of me, Jed! Good man

Cheers both,
Paul.

 

[TheGreenMan]

Obviously an article from a guy reared in the John Rambo school of moderation and diplomacy!

Nice to see that there are still extremists around for people to rail against. I've no real experience of 'big' blades - except for a brief flirtation with an MoD survival knife (a.k.a. club) - but I just know that I do not have the skills to control the blade safely...

Actually, John Rambo was a character that I could relate to, when I eventually got around to watching the movies. Despite the superficial ‘macho’ image, or misinterpretation of the character, the character was a person of some sensitivity and understandable vulnerability as most of us would be, and might be, if one had had the same or similar experiences as him.

And on the subject of the web site, the author does make some valid points, although that can be lost in the emotional reaction to his specific stance, if one has a personal position to defend.

...Pink panties? I wouldn't wear anything else...unless it's really cold - I might add a T shirt. Matching, of course...

Cool

...Is it just me or can everyone hear distant banjos? Pah!

No, it’s just you

Cheers,
Paul

 

[British Red]

I think the guy is a fantasist.

I also think Bushcraft is a fantasy. It serves no useful purpose whatsoever. Its a hobby. We might like to think of ourselves as "outdoorsmen", "bushcrafters", "working with nature" or whatever.

Come on, lets be honest. We work in offices and on building sites or shops or factories or whatever. We aren't doing nature any favours by walking through it. We have absolutely no need of "bushcraft" skills in our daily lives. We aren't the bushmen of the Kalahari - we are systems analysts or whatever. Its a hobby, an indulgence and a bit of harmless dreaming.

We may be very good at what we have defined as "Bushcraft". We may have built our own set of rules around it and decided what works and what doesn't. But we have no right to laugh at other people. Our hobby has no more legitimacy or moral high ground than knitting, football or collecting Barbie dolls. Other people may have other opinions on what works or whats needed. Good on 'em I say. Lets not get all superior about it - we just play dens in the woods - it really isn't any more serious or worthy of respect than that.

Red

 

[TheGreenMan]

Superb post, Red.

Cheers,
Paul.

 

[John Fenna]

Never mind the film - READ First Blood, it is ALL about the state of America and JR's mind - the violence is understandable then... and the film explained a bit!
The sequels were carp though!

 

[TheGreenMan]

Never mind the film - READ First Blood...

OK, will do.

Cheers,
Paul.

 

[malente]

Woa

Red I think you are spot on.

Regarding pink panties... are purple (a light pastell kind of purple ) ok?



Regarding John R., I really liked the first movie, where there was a character to relate to with a backstory and a bit of social background. A wee bit more realistic than the 2nd and 3rd one as well...

And old Johnny didn't do bushcraft

For me it's all about being outdoors, smelling the outdoor smells, the clean air, the humbling feeling when you see a grand scene such as a sunset or even just the milky way on a clear night.

TheGreenMan, what's a sauce-pox? I'n not a native speaker

Mike

 

[TheGreenMan]

...TheGreenMan, what's a sauce-pox? I'n not a native speaker

Mike

You are a native speaker, Mike, but perhaps too young to have heard of this one. It was a phrase that was frequently used to describe a cheeky (saucy) child with a winning way. This is a good example, this is me, at who knows what age, but the sparkle in the eyes says it all:

Hope this helps

Cheers,
Paul.

The Oxford Paperback Dictionary: Saucy – 1.impudent. 2.jaunty.
The Oxford Paperback Dictionary:: Cheeky: 1.Showing bold or or cheerful lack of respect.
The Oxford Paperback Dictionary:: Cheek - 3. impudent speech, quiet arrogance...

 

[malente]

Cheers for this, always eager to learn

Looks like me when I was younger, was your dad in the navy :tapedshut

I tell you, hand on heart, I'm not an English native speaker, I just try to adapt to my habitat of choice

I'm actually German :yikes: :sad6: :sulkoff:

You are a native speaker, Mike, but perhaps too young to have heard of this one. It was a phrase that was frequently used to describe a cheeky (saucy) child with a winning way. This is a good example, this is me, at who knows what age, but the sparkle in the eyes says it all:

Hope this helps

Cheers,
Paul.

The Oxford Paperback Dictionary: Saucy – 1.impudent. 2.jaunty.
The Oxford Paperback Dictionary:: Cheeky: 1.Showing bold or or cheerful lack of respect.
The Oxford Paperback Dictionary:: Cheek - 3. impudent speech, quiet arrogance...

 

[British Red]

I'm with Mr Fenna on this one, the original book is a fantastic novel (by a guy called David Morrell as I recall) - quite dark and about how two stron people (Rambo as a Vietnam Vet who can't return to real life) and a Sheriff name or Teasle IIRC run into each other and end up in a hopeless "war" that neither wants. No "good guys" or "bad guys" just a nasty case of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and lots of needless death. Great 3 dimensional characters - completely ruined by the film.

Red

 

[Tiley]

Come on, lets be honest. We work in offices and on building sites or shops or factories or whatever. We aren't doing nature any favours by walking through it. We have absolutely no need of "bushcraft" skills in our daily lives. We aren't the bushmen of the Kalahari - we are systems analysts or whatever. Its a hobby, an indulgence and a bit of harmless dreaming.

Red

How very true. From where does the recent popularity in our indulgence come? Is it a generation thing where people of a certain age are rediscovering the innocent pleasures of childhood on a more substantial scale? It can't all be down to our man Mears, the resurrected "Scouting for Boys" and "The Dangerous Book for Boys"; or can it? I reckon it's essentially a growing reaction to the cottonwool state and ludicrous health and safety regulations. I am, first and foremost, a teacher but I am incredibly fortunate to be able to teach bushcraft to some of the kids I teach. Is this having your cake and eating it? I hope so.

Thanks for the name of the author of "First Blood" - I'll pursue it. I enjoyed the film purely from the action-flash-bang-wallop angle; the PTSD side of it was not particularly well served by Sly and his technical team, particularly the script writer.

I take on board the point that with knives, it is all down to personal choice and need. As I said earlier, I cannot handle large bladed knives with any confidence so I retreat into the familiarity of smaller, bushy-type blades.

But...I still think pink panties are IT and, funnily enough I can still hear banjos...Pah!

 

[John Fenna]

The man has a right to his opinions - especially about knives - but publishing the A**hole files? He is setting himself up to be laughed at!

 

[British Red]

I think theres a lot of disenchantment with the modern world - in which many of us do things that have no tangible outcome. In the old days where many more people grew things or made things, results were clear to see and success measurable. Perhaps mastering the skill of "fire by friction" offers simple, tangible outcomes that our daily lives lack? Maybe the whole "Bushcraft" thing helps us feel in charge and capable and masters of our own destinies?

Either way its a great hobby and a fun bit of escapism - but thats all it is. People who get all snooty about it or disparaging aboutother interests have totally lost the plot in my view. Its rather like purist skiers getting disparaging about snowboarders. Either way its just sliding down a hill like an overgrown kid. Bushcraft or survival? Big knife or small knife? Who cares? Its just "playing out" and one big fantasy and escape. If someone else wants to call it something else or use a different tool or whatever - good luck to them. Making a shelter in the woods with a Small Forest Axe is no more "worthy" than having a picnic in a layby while towing a caravan. Its all about "getting away from it all".

Surely we are not so mean spirited that we need to be rude about other peoples choices when we are just messing about ourselves?

This isn't a reflection on this thread in particular - I haven't read the guys site in any detail. It just makes me laugh when people talk about Bushcraft like its a religion or a higher purpose or that preserving skills has some deep spiritual significance. No it hasn't - we're just having fun - lets at least be honest about it and not get all snooty.

Red

 

[John Fenna]

Erm - actually Red, to some folks there is a Spiritual/reigious aspect to their involvement with getting out into the Outdoors.......
But yeah - I agree that most of us are just continuing to play "dens" as we did as kids but now our toys are more expensive....

 

[FGYT]

Erm - actually Red, to some folks there is a Spiritual/reigious aspect to their involvement with getting out into the Outdoors.......
But yeah - I agree that most of us are just continuing to play "dens" as we did as kids but now our toys are more expensive....

and now the police take em off you and wont give them back
just a clip round the ear in the old days

 

[Shinken]

Spiritual/reigious aspect to their involvement with getting out into the Outdoors

A very worrying thing indeed

 

[malente]

Some interesting thoughts here!

I also have to investigate the First Blood book, sounds intruiging, thanks for that!

Re: bushcraft, I agree its ecapism. but also, (as said before as well) it may be trying to make sense of what is happening around us. Any 'hobby' is like that, the good thing about them is that they keep skills alive and sometimes develop them. In the developed world with all the efficiency, people strive to work less, so they need to find something to occupy their spare time. For some its family, for some it's a hobby, others never stop working etc.


So I offer a round of chill pills Peace

Mike

 

[pothunter]

Hi Red

Now I'm only a simple country boy but I've followed a few of your threads and have seen some of the photographs that you have posted you obviously have a good eye for detail and appreciate our flora and fauna. For you to do that and to continue to do it you must find some satisfaction in the process and subject, if this makes you feel good are you not being spiritually satisfied.

Now for me walking camping being outdoors either on my own or with friends relaxes me and allows me to recharge my batteries and I therefore work better and am a little easier to live with is this not the spirit that is being refreshed.

I have always kept religion at a very healthy distance and don't think the two are necessarily linked.

With regards to being opinionated all anyone has to understand is that I'm right and they are wrong, unless I change my mind in which case they then agree with me.

Pothunter.

 

[sharp88]

I think bushcraft does involve more of a spiritual connection with the wilderness. As apposed to cold, hard survivalism.

The m4040 bloke sounds like some old geezer you'd think to find on a construction site in the 1930s. The sought who thought it suggested they were homosexuals to wear wedding rings as my nan told me That bloke really spends too much time in his basement making fantasy knives...someone needs a girlfriend I think