New Bushcraft Skills?

[Tony]

What bushcraft skills are you looking forward to getting stuck into over these next few months? I've not tried my hand at carving a wood spirit, so I fancy that. I'm also reviewing Dan Hume's book, 'The Art of Fire' and I'm re-inspired to have a go at some other fire lighting methods, I've had a go at most of them, and been successful but I don't really have any proficiency, so that's what I'm looking forward to I think, more time around the fire after it's been made in different ways...

How about you?

 

[Man of Tanith]

Hand drill got sent this set in a trade so no excuse now

 

[Tony]

Ha ha, good for you Sam let us know how it goes...

 

[Buckshot]

For me it's plants. I know a few but i want to get to know more
the trouble is i'm one of those that struggle learning from books in the way that is often needed for plant ID and especially their properties.
I shall persevere though...
Also, i've owned a MIG welder for years but never managed to set it up properly. Any welding I've needed to do i have managed with an arc welder. it's time to grab the MIG welder by the horns and get the darn thing going properly at least. i know some people that understand MIGs so i can pick their brains...

 

[WealdenWoodsman]

Would like to become proficient with flint and steel, at the moment its a bit hit and miss whether or not I can get a fire going with it!

 

[bearbait]

Not exactly bushcraft but looking forward to trying out my Wynnchester bedroll/swag for the first time for a couple of nights now the days are lengthening out nicely. Equinox just a couple of days ago so Spring is now here, according to me at least.

Don't mind short days, but in camp trying to get all the admin done before dark makes for a long night.

 

[snappingturtle]

Not really new but, fire and plants, and practice when condition are bad I think its a good test of method and kit

 

[woodsorrel]

My first goal for this year was to teach myself to make custom-handled firesteels.

Over the past two months I've slowly been getting better at it. My first ones don't look as nice. Here's a picture of one of the early ones. It's made from spalted maple burl to match the handle of my bushcraft knife. I wrote an article with instructions for how to make them (here). I need to update it with pictures of recent (and better looking) firesteels I've made.

My second goal is to improve my Bird ID skills. I'm spending Saturday with an ornithologist learning to identify sparrow species. Heavy rain is predicted (of course).

My third goal is to backpack the Skyline to the Sea trail near my home in northern California. This is not a skill, but I hope to improve my backpacking (navigation, packing, cooking, shelter, etc.) skills. They've languished because I have not put effort into doing a lot of multi-day backpacks.

Later this summer, I intend to (learn how to) make a soaproot brush from Soaproot plants I've been growing the past two years. I think the bulbs are large enough for me to harvest for the glue and husk material I need to construct the brushes.

My last goal is to visit Alaska. This is not a skill, but something I've wanted to do for a long while. I need to get off my butt and figure out how to make it happen.

- Woodsorrel

 

[Bishop]

Ordered a copy of Michael Finkel's book "The Stranger In The Woods" about the North Pond Hermit. That will keep me busy till the weather improves a little and I can get out to my favorite secluded hedgerow and try bowl burning again.

 

[Man of Tanith]

First go with hand drill
Pug observer not helpful

 

[Tony]

sweet, how goes it?

 

[Man of Tanith]

sweet, how goes it?

Slowly......

 

[KenThis]

I want to try and wild camp this year with my pup.

 

[Tony]

Slowly......

slowly slowly catchy monkey as my dad used to say....

 

[Hammock Hamster]

Looking forward to doing a bit more experimental cooking, usually I opt for something you can chuck in a pot with water and let boil. After getting my firebox I’m really keen to experiment with over the coals cooking (and learning temp control, roasting and maybe even baking.
Also want to work on my whittling, though I love carving spoons I have done them to death. Got the “carving the little guys” book for Christmas and have been drooling over some of the recent figurines I’ve seen on here recently.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Barney Rubble]

My list of bushcraft skills to learn is never-ending....

I'd like to learn a little more about wild edibles this year and incorporate some of my foraged goodies into my campfire cooking. Will aim to keep it simple; first and foremost I'd like to use nettles to make tea and add them into some meals. I'd also like to try some pine needle tea as I have a few of them on my permission. Then I'll be looking forward to the fruits later in the year and try making some nice deserts. In between that time I think I'll be taking my 'food for free' book out on some camping trips and see what else I can find.

Continuing on this theme I'd also like to improve my tree ID, I have a good knowledge on a few trees, but there's lots more to learn. I'm also keen to understand more about the woods that are best for firewood.

I am working to refine my knowledge of fire lighting. I don't like the fact that I often default to birch bark as my natural tinder material and would like to learn more about other useful tinders that I can source in my local woodland. There's lots of clematis, I know that works, so I think that'll be my next experiment.

Continue to volunteer and help the landowners maintain the woodland. This in turn is helping me share knowledge and achieve my above stated aims. Plus it's always a good workout....who needs a gym membership when you have a woodland to manage!

Finally, this is not bushcrafty, but I'm desperate to see one of the many Tawny Owls that live in my local woodland. Often heard but rarely seen! It's obviously not helpful that they're nocturnal but whenever I walk around the woods I am always looking up at the gnarly old Beech and Oak trees to see if I can see one snoozing.

 

[Tiley]

I recently bought a copy of "Spon" and, on the strength of it, will be trying to carve some different shapes and sizes of spoon. I'll also be continuing with trying to improve my knowledge of plants, their uses and taxonomic names - an ongoing struggle! Along with the normal hurly-burly of everyday life and practising the skills I already have, I think that should keep me busy enough!

 

[Tony]

Hey Tiley, do you fancy doing a review of the book? and do let us see some pictures of your creations.

Barney, sounds like a great list of stuff and I completely agree with the foraging, I'm so poor at that, I learn stuff and then don't use it enough and forget it, then learn again.... Good luck with the Tawny Owl spotting.

Sam, how are you getting on with the hand drill? is it a little quicker now? Where did you get your set?

 

[Tiley]

Hey Tiley, do you fancy doing a review of the book? and do let us see some pictures of your creations.

Barney, sounds like a great list of stuff and I completely agree with the foraging, I'm so poor at that, I learn stuff and then don't use it enough and forget it, then learn again.... Good luck with the Tawny Owl spotting.

Sam, how are you getting on with the hand drill? is it a little quicker now? Where did you get your set?

I'll happily review it and take a few pictures of the bits of mangled tree that result. I'd better get started...

 

[Man of Tanith]

Traded with a chap in 'merica
Its took a back seat with real life getting in the way

Now it's prep for course season but i shall continue in free time