Want to get some basic proficiency in bushcraft in the next few weeks (courses?)

[Lupine Lacuna]

As I have several weeks off work, but no courses are available, the ones here just got cancelled and I am worried I'm going to waste time! Some specific questions:

1. Does anyone know of any upcoming courses? I cant find any that exist or are not full using google.

2. What is a beginner knife?

3. What book/s should I be reading?

Thanks so much

Paul

 

[Ogri the trog]

Welcome aboard Paul,

Courses - it might be worth phoning whatever companies you can find to see if they have any spaces - you might get lucky and pick up a last minute cancellation or you might not.

The standard knife by which all others are compared is the Frosts Mora Clipper or similar - don't be put off by their low price as they punch well above their weight/price tag.

Books - any of Rays books, anything by Mors Kochanski or settle yourself down with this forum for a few hours.

There are many lessons to be learnt from reading a bit and then practising on your own - much cheaper that way and valuable lessons in the form of beginners mistakes that loads of us have made which lay the foundations for many other topics and crafts.

ATB

Ogri the trog

 

[sasquatch]

Check the meets section to see if there are any near by. No real need for courses when you can go hang out with like minded people. +1 on the Mora

 

[Redwall]

Recommend this (available from other sources) in carbon steel. VERY good value for money, will do everything you need.

 

[Retired Member southey]

Cant really add to waht the other chaps have said other than this the mora companion (free shipping for orders under £10)

 

[Lupine Lacuna]

Thanks guys.

I didnt actually ask the biggest question, where do you go to practice? Is it legal to start erecting shelters? Is it easy to find quiet woodland spots? I'm based in Bournemouth at the moment (before moving to Guernsey - serious lack of trees!). I suppose the answer is yes, at least to finding a quiet spot, but do you ever feel self conscious? (Bearing in mind this is coming from a keen scottish hillwalker and wildcamper who doesnt normally mind being 'out there' but then knows he is on his own...)

 

[jacko1066]

Just had a look through some courses mate and these are available according to there websites-

http://www.truewayssurvival.com/school/Survival-Course-Dates-Availability.html

http://www.survivalschool.co.uk/ind...ion=com_virtuemart&Itemid=9&vmcchk=1&Itemid=9

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

http://www.wildernessessentials.co.uk/Course-Dates.html

That should keep you going for a while mate
Cheers
Steve

 

[outdoorpaddy]

Can't go wrong with a good ol' clipper, great knives, as for books, ray mears essential bushcraft is spot on IMO, in terms of courses, it really depends on what you
want to spend and what sort of a course you're looking for, a meet might do you some good or like me you could attend a woodlore course like fundamental bushcraft and I cant recommend it enough, fantastic week, learnt an awful lot of bushcraft and even more about myself. Its great that you're making an effort to get into it as well.
All the best
outdoorpaddy

 

[Lupine Lacuna]

Thanks everyone.

And thanks Jacko, I hadnt found them!

However the problem with some of the courses there is that they are survival focussed. And I am already pretty good on navigation, first aid, management etc, through my ML training and climbing and walking in general. What I'm after is more about food, shelter, fire, basic knife skills.

Although not strictly what I'm after at least this is more on point:

http://www.woodsmoke.uk.com/p/v/Courses/Specialist+Bush+Skills/Autumn+Harvester/

The other problem I am seeing is how to tell if anyone of these places are any good?

 

[jacko1066]

Thanks everyone.

And thanks Jacko, I hadnt found them!

However the problem with some of the courses there is that they are survival focussed. And I am already pretty good on navigation, first aid, management etc, through my ML training and climbing and walking in general. What I'm after is more about food, shelter, fire, basic knife skills.

Although not strictly what I'm after at least this is more on point:

http://www.woodsmoke.uk.com/p/v/Courses/Specialist+Bush+Skills/Autumn+Harvester/

The other problem I am seeing is how to tell if anyone of these places are any good?

No problem,

But if you read what the course contents are most of it is to do with what your after, I think they just dress it up as survival to open it up to other sorts of people.
I cant actually comment on how god any of them are because much like yourself Im on the look out for a suitable course to go on to get some basics of bushcraft.

Let us no how you get on