need a project

[Peter_t]

imo tree ID is a very valable skill and a knowlege of diferent uses of trees. for example you could have used Ash for your bow as it is made up of very long fibers which make it exelent for making bows or tool handles. ash is a very good wood to burn, because of its low moisture content it can even be burnt green althow i wouldnt fell a living tree just for the sake of firewood. the inner bark of willow can be used to make a strong and flexable cord. sweet chestnut is a very durable wood that is easyly split and is highly resistant to rot so is used for fence posts etc. hazel coppice is very strong and flexable and has hundreds of uses from shelters to pot hangers. im gessing you already know about birch, 'the bushcraft tree' lol

befor i new a pine from other conifers i made tea with hemlock needles/leaves which i think are actualy slightly toxic

well theres a few bits to get u started, get yourself a pocket sized tree id book to take into the woods with you

pete

 

[novembeRain]

I know a few, generally i'm ok when there's leaves to id with but it's not a great time of year for it.

There's loads of ash, which is easy to spot in the woods I use. To be honest I thought it was too erm soft, stringy? to use for a bow.

I know birch well, and use it a lot because there's loads of it in there! but it doesn't seem to like being bent much (as I've found on previous attempts).

You're right, I need a pocket sized book!

Water hemlock's the poisonous one iirc, and from what I've seen / read - if that's what you'd had you wouldn't be here now - very poisonous and no cure. I think the other hemlock's o.k. and has a medicinal use but my memory's not great so don't take it as gospal.

 

[Peter_t]

hemlock is a poisenous plant that it shares it name with the tree which isnt quite as toxic.

the stringyness of ash is what gives it its spring when used for bows

iv just realised im now a 'nomad'

pete

 

[novembeRain]

Blimey, Congrat's! I take it that's when you get to 250 posts so I'll be joining you soon!

 

[Peter_t]

Blimey, Congrat's! I take it that's when you get to 250 posts so I'll be joining you soon!

but you could argue that i spend too much time on here lol

pete

 

[novembeRain]

same goes, maybe it's become an obsession this bushcraft lark - if I'm not working, I'm on here or in the woods!

 

[BigShot]

http://www.bushcraftuk.com/index.php/DIY/How-To-Make-Char-Cloth.html

http://www.bushcraftuk.com/index.php/DIY/Birch-Tar-How-to-collect-it.html

A couple of ideas - I've not done either but they are high on my list.
Enjoy.

 

[novembeRain]

I've done char-cloth but I'd like to have a go at that glue, would be better left for when I'm out for the night though by the looks of things it takes a long time!

 

[tommy the cat]

Weather sucked here today as well!
I got out with the intention of testing the new camera but never even got it out due to the weather. I am like you sometimes need a bit of help thinking of things to do in the woods. I do like to just bimble about but you tend not to learn anything new.
Hope the weather improves bring on the frosts again!
D

 

[novembeRain]

lol, at least when it was frosty I wasn't getting wet! May have a night out later in the week, depending on the weather.

 

[jojo]

What about finding a dead twig and a bit of rough stone,then you can abrade it into a needle for sewing.
Or make one of these

Or what about abrading a stone arrow head using some soft stone like Slate.

Or collect some resin if you have conifers in your area, then turn it into pitch for attaching
the arrow head to a shaft.Just for starters.

Cheers Stuart.

Is that deadfall trap meant as a warning to the bunnies or piggies who live in that hutch in the background? ie: thats what happens when you escape?? squish.....

 

[stuart f]

Is that deadfall trap meant as a warning to the bunnies or piggies who live in that hutch in the background? ie: thats what happens when you escape?? squish.....

Hi Jojo,yeah i just like keeping the piggies on their toes and not getting to big for their boots.

 

[novembeRain]

Anyone got any more?

 

[launditch1]

How about finding a suitable tree and making some cord?Or picking out 5 trees and identifiying them and find out 5 different things you could do with them?...

 

[novembeRain]

not a bad idea, I'd rather be taught how to make cord sometime though.

Trees, well I need to learn how to identify them in the winter but you've given me the idea of having a walk and learning a few new plants and then working out what I can use them for.

Thankyou.

 

[tommy the cat]

Not far of the time of the year when edibles are coming through so lots to try to id!
Me I just decided to go up a small hill today for a stroll instead.
Will post a few pic's maybe.
D

 

[Diligence]

Why not try to make yourself a cattail leaf decoy? Or a childs doll of cattail?
http://www.nativetech.org/cattail/catduck.htm
http://www.nativetech.org/decoy/DecoyInstr.htm

....how about making a roycroft frame?
http://www.primitiveways.com/pack_frame.html

D
PS...of coures, photos are required in order to get your full Bushcrafter craft badge...lol

 

[NatG]

take a piece of wood, even a bit of old pine will do and try and make it round using only your knife!

then, when you'e got it as round as you think you can get it, try and carve a spiral all the way up- evenly spaced.

it's pretty tricky but it will teach yousome goodknife control and you can do it in the living room

 

[Walks with dogs]

Sorry to drift the thread but for the life of me I can't figure out how the deafall toggle works on the one pictured. I made my first figure 4 deadfall last week and was extremely pleased with myself. I can see how the whole thing works just not the blummen toggle.

 

[Diligence]

http://www.wildwoodsurvival.com/survival/traps/paiute/paiute01.html

shows a couple of trigger close-ups....should sort you out.

D