Bushcraftuk.com seems less and less populated nowadays.. :(
- Thread starter Samon
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Toddy, I'm not the biggest poster in the world but I do like to share and contribute if I can, my problem is too many forums (fora?) Not enough time
I was good though I just posted about the alpkit cook sale
Put it this way, I recognised you instantly, so you aren't a stranger
and you do post, so you're helping keep things alive and interesting too 
Personally I’m more of a reader than a poster and has already been mooted social media in all its various forms has had a huge impact on forums generally (not just this one).
I’ve learned a lot, had some great conversations via PM, sold and bought kit and added to threads where I thought relevant over the years.
I enjoy dipping in here (usually on a daily basis) but I have noticed a decline in traffic, though this isn’t always a bad thing as it tends to make me go and read older threads I may have missed.
I’ve learned a lot, had some great conversations via PM, sold and bought kit and added to threads where I thought relevant over the years.
I enjoy dipping in here (usually on a daily basis) but I have noticed a decline in traffic, though this isn’t always a bad thing as it tends to make me go and read older threads I may have missed.
To be honest there is a finate amount of information one can put on and learn from a forum.
As above i agree the layout is not as good as it used to or could be.
The difficulty with pictures has affected all forums to some extent(photobucket etc)
The popularity of bushcraft is waning in the UK which i believe is proportionate to the gaming culture influence and also increased difficulty bushcrafting within the law.
I know quite a few people who view forums as just businesses and others prefer the all in one place nature of social media (youtube also impacts)
You could also include the knife market being oversaturated could also have an impact as you see a reduction in hobby makers etc and the fact people turn to youtube for reviews.
There are a multitude of different reasons with an unfortunate impact.
Excuse my ramblings.
As above i agree the layout is not as good as it used to or could be.
The difficulty with pictures has affected all forums to some extent(photobucket etc)
The popularity of bushcraft is waning in the UK which i believe is proportionate to the gaming culture influence and also increased difficulty bushcrafting within the law.
I know quite a few people who view forums as just businesses and others prefer the all in one place nature of social media (youtube also impacts)
You could also include the knife market being oversaturated could also have an impact as you see a reduction in hobby makers etc and the fact people turn to youtube for reviews.
There are a multitude of different reasons with an unfortunate impact.
Excuse my ramblings.
I'm not entirely convinced that Facebook is the cause of dwindling numbers. Facebook does something different from a discussion forum. It may account for some, but not sure it's significant.
I suspect it's the changing face of Bushcraft (a nebulous term at best).
The vogue for bushcraft has certainly passed (probably a good thing) as the middle-classes move on to the next new age, environmental, fad.
The emphasis has also shifted. This happens in all hobbies. It's a way of keeping things fresh and restarting. That shift may not appeal to all.
Just as, back in the day, people went off to the woods with Lofty's 'SAS Survival Guide' (a book I never can fully appreciate people's dewy-eyed fondness for, beyond the voyeuristic use of the words 'SAS' and 'Survival'), later it was Ray's 'Essential Bushcraft'.
There was that stage of bushcraft where we would all try rubbing sticks together, then sitting in the woods carving a spoon, then foraging, then watching wildlife.
Bushcraft has moved away from an emphasis on survival techniques, and maybe a lot of old skool bushcrafters miss that. That's reflected in the discussions here, so maybe the old guard don't interact so much because of it. Bushcraft has foregrounded a more environmental/ecological perspective - people looking at wildlife and habitat more than how to knock up a debris shelter.
Doubtless that will change and move on to some other aspect, much to the chagrin of those who saw it as an introduction to bushcraft.
Maybe the emphasis will once again shift back to survival skills, or some other part of the broad church that is bushcraft.
Who knows. That's how hobbies keep themselves fresh and how they survive.
That may be where Facebook does come into it. Practising primitive fire-lighting skills may not get talked about much here but there could be someone who loves that kind of thing and posts on Facebook about it, so those who prefer such things look there. Maybe that specialism is where Facebook may work. And trying to keep hold of people with focussed interests is never going to be easy for a general interest site, however welcome those discussions would also be welcome here.
BCUK probably has too much mass and inertia to crumble. It may wax and wane like the moon, but these things happen - and they all happen for good reasons.
To paraphrase a much greater man than I - be the change you want to see happen.
I suspect it's the changing face of Bushcraft (a nebulous term at best).
The vogue for bushcraft has certainly passed (probably a good thing) as the middle-classes move on to the next new age, environmental, fad.
The emphasis has also shifted. This happens in all hobbies. It's a way of keeping things fresh and restarting. That shift may not appeal to all.
Just as, back in the day, people went off to the woods with Lofty's 'SAS Survival Guide' (a book I never can fully appreciate people's dewy-eyed fondness for, beyond the voyeuristic use of the words 'SAS' and 'Survival'), later it was Ray's 'Essential Bushcraft'.
There was that stage of bushcraft where we would all try rubbing sticks together, then sitting in the woods carving a spoon, then foraging, then watching wildlife.
Bushcraft has moved away from an emphasis on survival techniques, and maybe a lot of old skool bushcrafters miss that. That's reflected in the discussions here, so maybe the old guard don't interact so much because of it. Bushcraft has foregrounded a more environmental/ecological perspective - people looking at wildlife and habitat more than how to knock up a debris shelter.
Doubtless that will change and move on to some other aspect, much to the chagrin of those who saw it as an introduction to bushcraft.
Maybe the emphasis will once again shift back to survival skills, or some other part of the broad church that is bushcraft.
Who knows. That's how hobbies keep themselves fresh and how they survive.
That may be where Facebook does come into it. Practising primitive fire-lighting skills may not get talked about much here but there could be someone who loves that kind of thing and posts on Facebook about it, so those who prefer such things look there. Maybe that specialism is where Facebook may work. And trying to keep hold of people with focussed interests is never going to be easy for a general interest site, however welcome those discussions would also be welcome here.
BCUK probably has too much mass and inertia to crumble. It may wax and wane like the moon, but these things happen - and they all happen for good reasons.
To paraphrase a much greater man than I - be the change you want to see happen.
It seems to me that one could distill the answer to this conundrum by use of the old adage ' you have to live in the world as you find it, not as you'd like it to be.'
I would be interested to know how many active members there are...if all the inactive accounts removed,how many member there truly are
There's a fairly regular removal of unused accounts....you see folks come back and say that they've no idea where their membership has gone, but they are 'so and so'. If their account is reactivable then we merge the two. If it's not, then the newer one stands alone.
Right now, on a Monday morning, there are 50 members reading. That's not including the176 'guests' .
Doesn't get much quieter than this.
Right now, on a Monday morning, there are 50 members reading. That's not including the176 'guests' .
Doesn't get much quieter than this.
The only real difference between this forum and many others is the index page. I really like what we have here especially the simplicity of 'watched threads', 'recent posts' and 'new posts'. It's a whole lot better than a number of other structures IMHO; I wouldn't change much at all.
I really don't think the forum structure has anything to do with any lower footfall; there are plenty of forums with quite large membership that would love to have the amount of activity we have on here. Things go in cycles - it's the quality that counts not the quantity
I really don't think the forum structure has anything to do with any lower footfall; there are plenty of forums with quite large membership that would love to have the amount of activity we have on here. Things go in cycles - it's the quality that counts not the quantity
As I write this at quarter past four in the afternoon (UK ) there are 62 members and 203 guests on line - I think that's healthy for a relatively minority interest topic!
) there are 62 members and 203 guests on line - I think that's healthy for a relatively minority interest topic!There is only 1 thing i really dislike...the banner takes you to main page,i wish it took us to forum index
There has been a reduction in the number of posting and some prolific posters have moved on. Facebook groups are growing. The ease of posting pictures on Facebook makes it an easy platform for instant communication.
The lack of search function on Facebook doesn’t seem to inhibit the conversations.
I’m not sure many folk utilise the search function here.
Lots of posting is the same old questions that could have been answered using the search function. It is the nature of forums lots of circulating threads. How do I sharpen x or y. How do I tie a hammock? Is it ok to camp in someone else’s land for free?
The most irritating posters for me are the folk that only post for sale threads. There are a number of users whose only posts are in the for sale section. Tony doesn’t mind them but if it was me I would make them have a trader status.
The point of a forum is to communicate and discuss ideas and experience I’m happy to help people with less experience than I.
I have been helped by so many great people with information and resources made great friends that I will always support BCUK where I can.
What I would hate to see BCUK become is a second rate eBay.
The lack of search function on Facebook doesn’t seem to inhibit the conversations.
I’m not sure many folk utilise the search function here.
Lots of posting is the same old questions that could have been answered using the search function. It is the nature of forums lots of circulating threads. How do I sharpen x or y. How do I tie a hammock? Is it ok to camp in someone else’s land for free?
The most irritating posters for me are the folk that only post for sale threads. There are a number of users whose only posts are in the for sale section. Tony doesn’t mind them but if it was me I would make them have a trader status.
The point of a forum is to communicate and discuss ideas and experience I’m happy to help people with less experience than I.
I have been helped by so many great people with information and resources made great friends that I will always support BCUK where I can.
What I would hate to see BCUK become is a second rate eBay.
Why dont we all ask our bushcraft friends to join to add new members who might bring more to the forum!?
I respect your view but it irritates me.
If everyone used the search function we would have run out of topics years ago,i for one could have a different answer to the same question as little as a few months apart. Example axe sharpening,i now use the rooster method as before i only used files and stones.
Just my opinion matey
I don't think Wayne was being critical. To be honest by not using the search facility you'll only get the current members' views; by searching, finding, and reinvigorating old threads you get the history as well as current members' views. A newer member's opinion/method is no more relevant than older ones (although the 'rooster method' has been around since my grandfather's day; I happen to think that wet-and-dry belongs in the workshop and if one can't get an edge on an axe with a stone in a stream don't take an axe into the wood
).But... it may be because people are using the search facility that we don't get many questions about the basics - this is an encyclopaedia of knowledge and, sadly, some of the past members with a great deal of valuable experience no longer add to it for one reason or another.
You’re entitled to your opinion. My point was actually about Facebook and some people’s views that a lack of indexing and searchable content makes it unlikely to kill off forums such as this. Having been a member on here since the very early days I have seen many members come and go. Huge dramas as some members have sought to build a cult of personality but the forum has remained. Other forums have come and gone.
Bushcraft is a huge subject and everyone has their own interpretation of what bushcraft actually is.
Some focus more on primitive technology such as friction firelight is and flint knapping. Others take their focus down the foraging and enthobotany route still others will never travel further than 100m for their car.
Is there a right or wrong method probably not. If you stay within the law and maintain ethical and safe techniques then y9ure probably on the right path.
Direwulf your rapid criticism of my post is an example of why some folk are less comfortable posting.
Everyone has an opinion and some opinions are often considered more relevant that others.
It’s hard online to understand the nuance and context of a post so often passions rise quickly so some folk choose to avoid posting on threads that can lead to conflict.
I generally avoid posting on opinion threads as it’s never going to end well. Always faction A or B will end up considering your ideas as bovine and stupid whilst another group nods so I post on the craft threads and answer questions based on facts.
I have no interest in trying to prove I know more about any subject than anyone else. I’m not good at self promotion those than I know me either value my opinion and experience or think I’m a prat. Probably a bit of both.
I hope that the forum will grow again as more folk post encouraging posts and trip reports.
We used to have a very active number of local meets and these shared experiences build relationships and content.
There is now going to be a Summer, Autumn and Winter Moot. This should encourage more posting.
Be a part of the solution ask lots of questions and post your experiences whether they be travels in Alaska or an evening practicing bannock receipes on a camp stove on your balcony.
I learn something new everyday and long may that continue. I never knew what the Rooster method was before your post and I’m a sharpening obsessive.
Put it this way, I recognised you instantly, so you aren't a stranger
Same here, totally in agreement.
Forums have waves and troughs. The rise of Ray Mears, a fantastically enthusiastic and knowledgable man, coincided with people like Benedict Allen, a fearless and brave explore of what is left of the unexplored planet, while Bear Grylls, though later, catered for the survival approach.
All these things appeal to us as humans in a very deep way, and the simple appeal of sitting on the sofa watching it created an interest for getting out there and having a go. This required knowledge and specialist questions, thus forums like BCUK were born.
Now some people follow the lifestyles to which they are accustomed, be that sofa surfer, Inuit, Sami, weekend woodland walker, light hiker, cycle hiker, woodland manager, hurdlemaker etc etc, and will still post questions and comment. But I think some of the faddishness has gone as people go through the phases. Also much of the basic knowledge is available on the internet. Google will point a lot of people here, but whether they wish to join up, login, and participate is much less likely.
I don’t do bushcraft as such. You’ll find me carving a tent peg if I need one, but I’m not hanging pots over fires on sticks with notches cut out. But I’ll very happily make a spoon or a pointy stick, sat by the fire that I started with a lighter. A fire that won’t show as I leave, created from freely available dead wood. I prefer gas for my light and cooking, I don’t forage much except mushrooms and fruit.
I don’t see BCUK as losing anything. I object to threads being railroaded with irrelevant, off topic chatter, taken off course and then left lying in the gutter. But I’ll freely admit I’m no saint as a member either.
Doubful
Sorry you feel that way but i feel more people have been put off forums by being flamed about not using the search function and ridiculed.
Another aspect is people dont need to join the forum to search for any info,especially when google gives answers from multiple sources.
Anyway,take tare dude...i'll get my coat
I rather take umbrage at that. We're not guilty of pointing at folks and saying, "Use the search!!", we know just how bad our search is on such a massive data base. We're generally more inclined to answer the question and perhaps politely add a link to the most relevant thread that we can mind (there are usually multiples, especially since the forum is 15 years old) and if that fails, then we all know to google the question and add bushcraftuk.com into the search bar too, and google will find the relevant threads for us
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