I received this this morning and have read it now and feel ready to comment.
I'm going to do this as a kind of good and bad points review.
GOOD POINTS
- I like the A5 size. Much easier to stuff in the top of a rucksack or even in my jacket pocket.
- I liked the mix of articles and in general they felt quite detailed.
- I like the Competition - I hate easy competitions - you know the kind a) Angelina Jolie b) A fluffy bunny rabbit c) Pol Pot (Actually maybe that's a tricky one for Bushcrafters
)
- I was glad to see that articles weren't placed right next to advertisements from the writer's businesses. In fact I've just realised that Patrick didn't even advertise. That's how I think it should be.
BAD POINTS
- I only have one real gripe and that's only because I am a photographer. Obviously the detail of photographs is going to suffer to some degree because that's the trade-off for an A5 magazine. But some of the printing quality and maybe some of the photo editing could be improved in a few individual areas.
Don't get me wrong, it's not a major issue, but maybe it would help if I give an example - The photo on page 10. I'm happy to talk about the photo editing more if anyone wants to. Like I say they aren't bad,in fact some are quite good, but a number could be better despite the size restrictions.
ARTICLES
I wanted to also say a bit more about the individual articles.
Nature as Wallpaper. Nice. In a good position at the front and kind of sets the 'bushcraft' mood for you.
Reviews. Detailed and giving good factual information. Even better you can win the Petzl. I've already mentioned the photo
Making a bow from kiln-dried timber. Detailed and interesting. I've made a flatbow myself and its interesting to see different techniques. Hopefully we'll see more How to articles like this - the thirty-minute bow? flatbow? Stovie's bamboo bow?
Twelve plants for twelve months. Relevant seasonal info is a great plus point. I would have rather seen 12 plants a month though!
Similarly The reality of food in the bush was great and I look forward to part 2.
Lime bark cordage. Now this is exactly what I think should be in a Bushcraft magazine. The kind of how to where you can do exactly that. More small and interesting projects please. Even if a reader knows how to do something already it is always useful to see how others who have mastered the same skill do it.
I was impressed with the level of detail in the hand drill article. The simplified drawings were clear and easy to understand too. I assume bowdrill is just around the corner.
NITPICKING
This is simply small points, many of which simply come down to personal preferences. So ignore as you see fit.
Adverts. These weren't very intrusive, however I think that many of the bushcraft schools - and I am sure there will be others clamouring to advertise in the near future - should really spell out their location in the UK. When you're faced with many adverts for courses which often have crossover between schools, showing the location of your courses could be the difference between getting a call from an interested person and not.
Contact information. Why repeat the single issue info twice? (Told you this was nitpicking!)
Outdoorcode's postage offer expired before I got the magazine.
Byline. The byline for the writer (Stuart) of Reality of food in the Bush is missing.
That's about it. All in all an impressive debut. If I wasn't already signed up you could sign me up
Marts
I'm going to do this as a kind of good and bad points review.
GOOD POINTS
- I like the A5 size. Much easier to stuff in the top of a rucksack or even in my jacket pocket.
- I liked the mix of articles and in general they felt quite detailed.
- I like the Competition - I hate easy competitions - you know the kind a) Angelina Jolie b) A fluffy bunny rabbit c) Pol Pot (Actually maybe that's a tricky one for Bushcrafters
)- I was glad to see that articles weren't placed right next to advertisements from the writer's businesses. In fact I've just realised that Patrick didn't even advertise. That's how I think it should be.
BAD POINTS
- I only have one real gripe and that's only because I am a photographer. Obviously the detail of photographs is going to suffer to some degree because that's the trade-off for an A5 magazine. But some of the printing quality and maybe some of the photo editing could be improved in a few individual areas.
Don't get me wrong, it's not a major issue, but maybe it would help if I give an example - The photo on page 10. I'm happy to talk about the photo editing more if anyone wants to. Like I say they aren't bad,in fact some are quite good, but a number could be better despite the size restrictions.
ARTICLES
I wanted to also say a bit more about the individual articles.
Nature as Wallpaper. Nice. In a good position at the front and kind of sets the 'bushcraft' mood for you.
Reviews. Detailed and giving good factual information. Even better you can win the Petzl. I've already mentioned the photo
Making a bow from kiln-dried timber. Detailed and interesting. I've made a flatbow myself and its interesting to see different techniques. Hopefully we'll see more How to articles like this - the thirty-minute bow? flatbow? Stovie's bamboo bow?
Twelve plants for twelve months. Relevant seasonal info is a great plus point. I would have rather seen 12 plants a month though!
Similarly The reality of food in the bush was great and I look forward to part 2.
Lime bark cordage. Now this is exactly what I think should be in a Bushcraft magazine. The kind of how to where you can do exactly that. More small and interesting projects please. Even if a reader knows how to do something already it is always useful to see how others who have mastered the same skill do it.
I was impressed with the level of detail in the hand drill article. The simplified drawings were clear and easy to understand too. I assume bowdrill is just around the corner.
NITPICKING
This is simply small points, many of which simply come down to personal preferences. So ignore as you see fit.
Adverts. These weren't very intrusive, however I think that many of the bushcraft schools - and I am sure there will be others clamouring to advertise in the near future - should really spell out their location in the UK. When you're faced with many adverts for courses which often have crossover between schools, showing the location of your courses could be the difference between getting a call from an interested person and not.
Contact information. Why repeat the single issue info twice? (Told you this was nitpicking!)
Outdoorcode's postage offer expired before I got the magazine.
Byline. The byline for the writer (Stuart) of Reality of food in the Bush is missing.
That's about it. All in all an impressive debut. If I wasn't already signed up you could sign me up
Marts
