Starting Out Buschcraft

[oep308]

Hello, my name is Oliver and I am 15 years old from North Yorkshire, UK.

Since a young age I have always had an interest in Bushcraft with watching Ray Mears on the tele. But recently I have wanted to go outside and start doing something practical. I have purchased a couple of books of Amazon so I can take them outside and well, put them to practice. ;D

However, I will need some basic equipment so I was wondering if you could link me to some equipment to get started with. (Preferably Amazon or eBay ). And I would like to try and stick around a £60 budget. There is a small woodland next to my house where I will be able to practice as well as a field.

Thanks for reading guys!

 

[welchyd1]

Mate read this.

http://frontierbushcraft.com/2012/07/06/bushcraft-on-a-budget-kit/

Also welcome to the forum.

 

[Goatboy]

Hello and welcome Oliver,

Hope you enjoy yourself here.

ATB,
GB.

 

[copper_head]

Welcome to the forum,

 

[oep308]

Thank You.

 

[copper_head]

Military Mart do quite a good starter kit that's just over your budget. Might need to talk to you parents about the sharp bits first mind .

 

[spandit]

You don't need fancy lightweight stuff or camouflage. Have a look round charity shops in your area. Buy sleeping bag & blankets, get some polythene sheet for a tarp or construct your own shelter from natural materials. I'd say attitude is more important than equipment, but be careful as at your age you don't want to get in trouble by lighting fires in the wrong place or getting caught carrying knives

 

[Elen Sentier]

Hello and welcome, Oliver. Seems like folks have already given you lots of good ideas

 

[Big Stu 12]

Hello and welcome to BCUK

 

[oep308]

Military Mart do quite a good starter kit that's just over your budget. Might need to talk to you parents about the sharp bits first mind .

That looks pretty good lol. Thats a good price and some good kit. i'll bare that in mind

You don't need fancy lightweight stuff or camouflage. Have a look round charity shops in your area. Buy sleeping bag & blankets, get some polythene sheet for a tarp or construct your own shelter from natural materials. I'd say attitude is more important than equipment, but be careful as at your age you don't want to get in trouble by lighting fires in the wrong place or getting caught carrying knives

Yea. That sounds like a good idea. I'll do that.

And shouldn't be a problem I live in the countryside haha.

- Thanks guys.

 

[Dark1704]

Hello and welcome!

I'm in North Yorkshire too, Harrogate based! I'm 18, and looking for similar things to you, I think

I found Halfords is surprisingly good for tarps and tent pegs, and I got the Gelert Tryfan sleeing bag from Ebay.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GELERT-TR...tingGoods_SleepingBags_SM&hash=item2ebd575a41

I use a basic magnesium fire striker to start fires:
http://www.heinnie.com/Fire-Lighter...-Magnesium-Fire-Starting-Tool/p-485-487-3400/

I also use Heinnie for knives and cheap paracord. I use a Condor Varan for processing wood and a Mora Companion for smaller jobs.

Over to ebay and Amazon for cooking!
A few aluminium cooking pots: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200924279637?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649
Mess Tins: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000RXX3YK/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[thedawnawakens]

Hi and welcome to the group.

 

[oep308]

Hello and welcome!

I'm in North Yorkshire too, Harrogate based! I'm 18, and looking for similar things to you, I think

I found Halfords is surprisingly good for tarps and tent pegs, and I got the Gelert Tryfan sleeing bag from Ebay.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GELERT-TR...tingGoods_SleepingBags_SM&hash=item2ebd575a41

I use a basic magnesium fire striker to start fires:
http://www.heinnie.com/Fire-Lighter...-Magnesium-Fire-Starting-Tool/p-485-487-3400/

I also use Heinnie for knives and cheap paracord. I use a Condor Varan for processing wood and a Mora Companion for smaller jobs.

Over to ebay and Amazon for cooking!
A few aluminium cooking pots: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200924279637?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649
Mess Tins: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000RXX3YK/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Yea that looks good, i'll have a look at Halfords. And i found some cheap paracord on amazon for £3.50. And a fire starter for £1.50. And I added the cooking pots to my basket. And I read up some reviews on the companion - looks good. And i'm Scarborough based haha.

Thanks.

Hi and welcome to the group.

Cheers!

 

[rg598]

Welcome to the forum. My advise would be to not get trapped in the "bushcraft is a special skill that requires special gear" mentality. All it will lead to is a bunch of heavy gear that will have little use if you try to go any other outdoor pursuits. If I were you I would look at regular camping/backpacking equipment. It will provide you with a good foundation that will allow you to stay out in different conditions. From there you can start adding skills and equipment as you see fit.

Here are some lower cost option, although, more than what you would like to spend:

Day Trip Gear: http://woodtrekker.blogspot.com/2011/11/day-hike-gear-now-that-we-have-clothing.html
Overnight Gear: http://woodtrekker.blogspot.com/2011/11/beginners-guide-to-bushcraft-and_23.html

The only thing I would change these days is to use the Sawyer Squeeze filter rather than the MSR Miniworks. Also, don't immediately start collecting cutting tools. Spend the money where it counts: sleeping bag, pad, shelter, backpack, etc.

 

[John Fenna]

Hello and welcome!

 

[s'étonner]

Hello and welcome!

Like many others have said- don't think you need to buy loads of fancy/expensive equipment to practice bushcraft.

By far the best book I can recommend is "essential bushcraft" by ray mears. It covers all of the basics.

Best things to start with would be a ferro rod set for practicing fire-craft, a mora clipper (if your parents don't mind you having a knife!) and a basic tarp. That with a few other bits like a sleeping bag/mat and a billy can is all you really need

One very satisfying way to find cheap kit can be to make it yourself- you end up with the thing you need and new skills to go with it at the end.

 

[rik_uk3]

Get a cheap Dome tent from Tesco, ten or twelve quid just now. No use you relying on a tarp until you have practised, the tent is fine for woodland camping and will keep off the rain and keep you warm while you develop your skills.

Get to meet local bushcraft campers but YOU MUST keep/get your parents involved, they must be happy with you going on trips with others and if I were them I'd want to speak to anyone who is prepared to take a fifteen year old camping. Get them to drop you off and pick you up and talk with whoever else is involved on the phone before the trip.

This is a great hobby but at your age you need to take some basic precautions Oliver.

 

[MartiniDave]

Hello and welcome.

The best advise I think I can offer is to concentrate on the skills, not the kit. You can get a lot done with the cheap basic kit. If you don't believe me have a look at the posts by PatrickM, very inspiring.

Anyway, enjoy what you do & have fun.

Dave

P.S. - A couple of good links.

http://www.backwoodsurvival.co.uk/about.htm

http://www.bushcraft.ridgeonnet.com/

 

[crosslandkelly]

Hi Oliver, Welcome and enjoy.