Survival videos

[Bhold]

Does anyone knows Ron Hood's (www.survival.com) survival videos?
I've been thinking on getting one for some time now, but I don't have the slightest idea if they are worth their salt.

The one I am considering is the one about Tracking (http://www.survival.com/volume-8.htm), but again, don't know if it is good, and if having a video is much better than a book to learn tracking (as both options are way cheaper than a course).

Another one that I fancy is the one about blacksmithing (http://www.survival.com/volume-9.htm). Both are on the Woodsmaster series, under "video".

What do you think about the videos?

Cheers

 

[Stuart]

I have seen 3 of the DVD's produced by Hoodswoods 'shelter & priorities', 'primitive weapons' and 'primitive knifemaking' I was for the most part very unimpressed and In my personal opinion they are not worth buying.

with one exception, the 'primitive knifemaking' which was actually quite interesting to watch but this was different from the others in that it wasn’t presented and demonstrated by Mr Hood but instead by Tai Goo a very well respected member of the neotribal forging movement, as a non-knife maker I found this dvd interesting to watch, I don’t think I could have learnt to forge from it and only a knife maker could tell you if it was technically educational, but it made an interesting documentry/interveiw style introduction to neotrible forging.

 

[Bhold]

Always vigilant :You_Rock_

Thanks Stuart, nice to have your oppinion.
It is really hard to judge just by the synopsis they provide.
I just ordered their free catalog, maybe there is more info there.
The main impression I have is that if you read the synopsis carefully, you can find the same information and techniques someplace else.
About the knifemaking video: I am a hobby knifemaker (was, probably, as I don't have space or my tools at the moment), and forged some things (although not blades). It would be really nice if the knifemaking video was clear enough to put me on the right track.

Cheers

 

[mrganderson]

You could check out "Self promotion deleted".

 

[Tadpole]

You could check out "selfpromotiondeleted" .

do you not think that your unashamed self-promotion is getting just a bit tiring?

 

[Stuart]

havent you had 2 of your threads pulled for this already mrganderson, your well on the way to earning yourself a ban

 

[C_Claycomb]

Indeed.
Having had three threads removed and a fourth one locked, one would think that Mr. Ganderson would take the hint.

Had you not had those previous threads, and recieved Moderator PMs detailing why they had been removed, you would probably have got away with the above plug for your site.

As it is, you have had fair warning.

 

[Simon E]

Have to agree with Stuart here, I bought a few of the ones that I thought would give me some good info. I'm afraid to say I was completely under whelmed with all of them, the crafts for the fields was a total joke and survival camping was a just as bad.

Really, this guy needs to get a little better with his hands on skills. An Internet pal of mine has a load of them, he said he is so tired of his wife taking the mick when she sees the shoddy stuff he makes that he daren’t watch them with her in the house. The yanks love him though, maybe we have come to expect better having seen Lofty and Ray?

 

[Bhold]

You could check out "Self promotion deleted".

no problem, I can provide some alter-promotion.
Here it is: {well, I can delet it myself; I just would like to know what is the problem if I am not giving a link to a site or video of my own? I understand self promotion is forbidden, but I really thought the video was quite funny sorry if it appeared as if I was disrespecting the forum rules}

These guys are hilarious!
hahahah

THAT is a bloody spoon!!
Mr Mears must be trembling with envy.

 

[Bhold]

Have to agree with Stuart here, I bought a few of the ones that I thought would give me some good info. I'm afraid to say I was completely under whelmed with all of them, the crafts for the fields was a total joke and survival camping was a just as bad.

Really, this guy needs to get a little better with his hands on skills. An Internet pal of mine has a load of them, he said he is so tired of his wife taking the mick when she sees the shoddy stuff he makes that he daren’t watch them with her in the house. The yanks love him though, maybe we have come to expect better having seen Lofty and Ray?

Now, seriously. I heard from a guy on the documentaries industry that Hoods Woods sells amazing amounts of those videos, the figures, if I am not mistaken, are around 300 DVDs/week. Considering that, I certainly was expecting a better product.

Glad I decided to ask first in the forums.

Regarding that other subject matter:
It is interesting the way RMears motivated people not only to get involved in bushcraft, but in video as well.
It seems a lot of people not only want to go out and do bushcraft stuff. They want as well to do and talk bushcraft on the screen. To be just like Ray Mears, knowledge is not enough, you need an audience to emulate not the real RM, but his appearances on tv.
The more you know, the less you carry; except for the camera.
But then again, on the other hand, comunication, information, it is all good, and it will all be judged the peers.

 

[Simon E]

Like I said, the yanks seem to like them, I wonder how many are repeat buyers though

Then again, some people are easily impressed/pleased

 

[sam_acw]

I'm waiting for one of Mors Kochanski's DVDs on the post so I'll let you know how I get on with that. If you search for Kochanski DVD or video there are a couple of threads on here.

 

[Lurch]

Had you not had those previous threads, and recieved Moderator PMs detailing why they had been removed

Perhaps it might be helpful for the rest of us to learn why they were pulled?
If nothing else it might help prevent other trangressions.

 

[dommyracer]

Because there was swearing in the videos.

 

[Toddy]

We have *very* few rules on BcUK concerning posts.

No porn, no swearing, no promotion of illegal acitivity, no promotion for self gain, etc., and we ask that any direct links posted also adhere to those guidelines.

The link on mrganderson's post broke the rule and despite assurance that he would edit he has persisted in re-posting the unedited link .


Toddy

 

[Lurch]

Blimey. My ghast is flabbered.
From memory, and I can't be bothered watching them again, the swearing was of such a low grade that you'd get the same in most tv scheduling.
Actually this is one of the reasons I don't tend to go to meets. I swear quite casually and I can't be on my guard for a whole weekend on the off chance a sprog is in earshot.

 

[Snufkin]

Always vigilant :You_Rock_

Thanks Stuart, nice to have your oppinion.
It is really hard to judge just by the synopsis they provide.
I just ordered their free catalog, maybe there is more info there.
The main impression I have is that if you read the synopsis carefully, you can find the same information and techniques someplace else.
About the knifemaking video: I am a hobby knifemaker (was, probably, as I don't have space or my tools at the moment), and forged some things (although not blades). It would be really nice if the knifemaking video was clear enough to put me on the right track.

Cheers

I don't have a copy but this DVD is highly regarded.

 

[Fallow Way]

Bushcrafters who start making DVD`s must think themselves so knowledgable in the field, they can lecture others in it. There are some who claim the title of "expert" which to me, is about as lofty as you can get, you really have to act without flaw to deserve that title and interestingly, those people who we on the whole regard as experts, wouldnt call themselves so.

If you have to tell people you are such and such, you must not be obviously.

 

[Pablo]

Bushcrafters who start making DVD`s must think themselves so knowledgable in the field, they can lecture others in it. There are some who claim the title of "expert" which to me, is about as lofty as you can get, you really have to act without flaw to deserve that title and interestingly, those people who we on the whole regard as experts, wouldnt call themselves so.

Sorry Fallow Way, I have to disagree with you there. I've posted a couple of videos on the net (not DVD's) and certainly don't think I can lecture people because I'm knowledgable. I just like to help others who may not know as much and indeed want to learn. I've had nothing but good feedback. However, I would never claim to be an expert. What's the difference between this and someone saying "...Hi mate, I've heard you can tie an Evenk knot. Any chance of showing us?"
Just my opinion.
Pablo.

 

[sam_acw]

I have to agree with Pablo. You can learn from anyone who knows more than you regardless of if they are perfect at the skill.