Bushcraft Icon

[Pattree]

Paul’s research has raised a question for me.

If Bushcraft (or maybe BcUK) were to adopt an icon - a symbol that represented the bushcrafter identity - what might it be?

I can see the leaf in the BcUK logo - What leaf is it and does that really sum up the combined identity of members here or the craft in general?

 

[FerlasDave]

What exactly is a “bushcrafter identity”?

And why does “bushcraft” (whatever the heck that is) need an icon?

 

[TeeDee]

Paul’s research has raised a question for me.

If Bushcraft (or maybe BcUK) were to adopt an icon - a symbol that represented the bushcrafter identity - what might it be?

I can see the leaf in the BcUK logo - What leaf is it and does that really sum up the combined identity of members here or the craft in general?

Do we really need to adopt a common symbol?

I ask because with common symbols sometimes follow some sort of identity politics or seemingly a catergorisation of sorts.

I think it was Toddy that I first heard coin the phrase here but Bushcraft is a very very Broad church. People participate in it for a myriad of many reasons and at many levels.

Does it really need a common Icon? and if so why ? and what does it achieve???

 

[Wander]

What FD and TD said.
In spades.
I neither want, nor need, an 'icon' or emblem to get behind.
In fact, I'd actively refuse them.
I quote the great Dr Johnson (as portrayed in Blackadder), 'it's like putting wheels on a tomato - time consuming and completely pointless.'

 

[gibson 175]

Competition for who comes up with the best logJust an idea.o? BCUK members get to vote on who has the best design. The winner gets some sort of a prize.

 

[Stew]

Competition for who comes up with the best logJust an idea.o? BCUK members get to vote on who has the best design. The winner gets some sort of a prize.

For what?

BCUK? I expect Tony is happy with what he has already and if not would ask for help if wanted.

If it’s for the whole world of bushcraft - good luck with that!!

 

[gibson 175]

Fun.

 

[Stew]

Fun.

Go for it.

 

[British Red]

We used to run many fun competitions (with Tony's permission). Members put up prizes and organised them. I did a few including the "build a bucksaw" competition

Build a Bucksaw (Competition registration)

Some of you may remember a thread we did a short while ago entitled "pimp my firesteel" It all came from a discussion about how to handle your own firesteel http://www.bushcraftuk.com/community/showthread.php?t=12957 In turn it spawned a competition with a prize kindly donated by Graham...

bushcraftuk.com

I'm sure Tony would be amenable to a well thought out competition

 

[MikeLA]

I like the fact it is so broad of a subject for everyone bushcraft/outdoors not that I like that word personally includes survival, hillwalking, wood walking, carving, an interest in nature. All sorts of fantastic subjects for everybody to enjoy.

 

[JonathanD]

I like the BcUK logo. Been the same for decades and its familiarity is reassuring and forefront in my mind as much as Coca Cola, the Tube roundel, Rolex coronet, men at work and other prolific images.

 

[Pattree]

Oh dear deary me. How very predictable.
Whether you like it or not we are on a web site and all using the title “Bushcraft”.

OF COURSE. We all interpret that term differently. Everyone interprets their world differently - no one’s semantics are identical. There is a little more hope with iconography.

I’ve seen it soooooooo many times in so many spheres: people not wishing to be labelled. If you don’t give me a label then I shall apply one to you without any conscious thought just as you are applying one to me as you read this post.

Icon? As someone who has no idea what Bushcraft might be and is getting little guidance, an initial scan of this site label it as a specialist cutlery site. Knives feature far more frequently than any other subject. This effectively excludes me as I am able to camp and cook from scratch on my Kelly Kettle without a knife other than the serrated edge of my spork.

I certainly see a knife as a bushcraft icon before anything green.

 

[Stew]

Oh dear deary me. How very predictable.
Whether you like it or not we are on a web site and all using the title “Bushcraft”.

OF COURSE. We all interpret that term differently. Everyone interprets their world differently - no one’s semantics are identical. There is a little more hope with iconography.

I’ve seen it soooooooo many times in so many spheres: people not wishing to be labelled. If you don’t give me a label then I shall apply one to you without any conscious thought just as you are applying one to me as you read this post.

Icon? As someone who has no idea what Bushcraft might be and is getting little guidance, an initial scan of this site label it as a specialist cutlery site. Knives feature far more frequently than any other subject. This effectively excludes me as I am able to camp and cook from scratch on my Kelly Kettle without a knife other than the serrated edge of my spork.

I certainly see a knife as a bushcraft icon before anything green.

So very predictable and you know everyone interprets it differently yet you wanted to stir the pot anyway? Trolling for business or pleasure?

 

[Wander]

Oh dear deary me. How very predictable.
Whether you like it or not we are on a web site and all using the title “Bushcraft”.

OF COURSE. We all interpret that term differently. Everyone interprets their world differently - no one’s semantics are identical. There is a little more hope with iconography.

I’ve seen it soooooooo many times in so many spheres: people not wishing to be labelled. If you don’t give me a label then I shall apply one to you without any conscious thought just as you are applying one to me as you read this post.

Icon? As someone who has no idea what Bushcraft might be and is getting little guidance, an initial scan of this site label it as a specialist cutlery site. Knives feature far more frequently than any other subject. This effectively excludes me as I am able to camp and cook from scratch on my Kelly Kettle without a knife other than the serrated edge of my spork.

I certainly see a knife as a bushcraft icon before anything green.

*Heavy Sigh*
Well get on with it then.
Get out your pens and pencils and design yourself an icon. Maybe others will want to play with you.
But don't expect others to endorse or accept your logo.
All yours. Go for it.

 

[Broch]

There is no such thing as a bushcrafter.
There is no such thing as bushcrafting.
As I and many others have said many times, we learn and practice skills that we apply to our outdoor activities such as canoeing, cycling, hiking, camping, working in the country, cooking in the open air, fishing... so we can enjoy those activities safely. We practice other craft skills - whittling, leather craft, knife making, bow making, basket weaving.... and many more. But we never ever 'bushcraft'.
The one common factor is the outdoors and high on my list is nature and conservation - so a green icon maybe, but one that covers everything above, not for me

 

[Wander]

No other past-time, hobby, or activity has a single icon/logo to define it.
I'm not aware of an official icon for football, fishing, flower arranging, doing crosswords, etc.
So why one for bushcraft?
Seems to me like someone is having a boring Sunday and looking for something to do.

 

[TLM]

There is no such thing as bushcrafting.

Does anyone know wherefrom this word ended into British English? I don't quite remember UK forest resembling "bush" the exception being rhodo bush in Ireland.

 

[Pattree]

Nope, though it was a pause in Sunday lunch.
Thus far I cannot detect any description on this site that separates its members from the species as a whole.

Bushcrafter = members of the human race.
In Paul’s words ‘Everything is not “not bushcraft”

 

[Stew]

Nope, though it was a pause in Sunday lunch.
Thus far I cannot detect any description on this site that separates its members from the species as a whole.

Bushcrafter = members of the human race.
In Paul’s words ‘Everything is not “not bushcraft”

What’s the obsession with needing the definition, description, logo, etc. just enjoy yourself.

 

[JonathanD]

I’ve got mine. Everyone else can get their own.