I've recently been keeping my head down and reading rather than replying. After a little prodding from an anonymous source, however, I thought that I might air an observation.
The BushcraftUK forum is a marvellous opportunity to share knowledge, to learn the unexpected and to get considered answers to those nagging damnfool questions we have all felt embarrassed about asking elsewhere. It is, on the whole, a model of its type. I can't help noticing, though, that recently it seems to be more about what to buy than how to do. The gear seems to be the primary focus, rather than the woodcraft.
New members frequently ask questions on topics that have been thoroughly explored in the past, which suggests that some reorganisation might be needed to put the more common topics into a series of more handy articles. Please note that I am absolutely not trying to exclude anyone or make this a place where a dozen "old hands" hold court, but in many instances previously posted answers have been exceptionally detailed, and running through everything again does seem a bit redundant. Nobody should be criticised for asking a question, but perhaps we all need a little help to better find the information already on the site.
I am far from being a woodcraft expert. Very far indeed. Consequently I lack the knowledge to frequently post useful tips and suggestions on fresh topics in order to guide and stimulate an exchange of information, but between us I think that we can keep new and varied ideas going without too much strain. It already happens much of the time, but all too often I find myself wondering if we are not missing the point somehow, neglecting a wonderful opportunity, by concentrating so heavily on the material odds and ends, almost the antithesis of woodcraft. Of course, since so many people post on gear matters, I might simply be out of step. I am guilty of concentrating on kit too, as anyone can check by reviewing a few of my posts, and I hope that I can veer away a little from the easy option and stretch myself with more questions about the natural world and less about the things we take into it. Perhaps I need to surface from White and Wilder and Kephart a bit more often and consult the living.
Right, rant / musing over, soapbox carefully stowed. Fire at will.
The BushcraftUK forum is a marvellous opportunity to share knowledge, to learn the unexpected and to get considered answers to those nagging damnfool questions we have all felt embarrassed about asking elsewhere. It is, on the whole, a model of its type. I can't help noticing, though, that recently it seems to be more about what to buy than how to do. The gear seems to be the primary focus, rather than the woodcraft.
New members frequently ask questions on topics that have been thoroughly explored in the past, which suggests that some reorganisation might be needed to put the more common topics into a series of more handy articles. Please note that I am absolutely not trying to exclude anyone or make this a place where a dozen "old hands" hold court, but in many instances previously posted answers have been exceptionally detailed, and running through everything again does seem a bit redundant. Nobody should be criticised for asking a question, but perhaps we all need a little help to better find the information already on the site.
I am far from being a woodcraft expert. Very far indeed. Consequently I lack the knowledge to frequently post useful tips and suggestions on fresh topics in order to guide and stimulate an exchange of information, but between us I think that we can keep new and varied ideas going without too much strain. It already happens much of the time, but all too often I find myself wondering if we are not missing the point somehow, neglecting a wonderful opportunity, by concentrating so heavily on the material odds and ends, almost the antithesis of woodcraft. Of course, since so many people post on gear matters, I might simply be out of step. I am guilty of concentrating on kit too, as anyone can check by reviewing a few of my posts, and I hope that I can veer away a little from the easy option and stretch myself with more questions about the natural world and less about the things we take into it. Perhaps I need to surface from White and Wilder and Kephart a bit more often and consult the living.
Right, rant / musing over, soapbox carefully stowed. Fire at will.