And you are only telling me now, after some hundreds of days spent living outdoors and sleeping in tents that I had no purpose or aim, all in vain!?why does bushcraft have to have a purpose
Without reading through the entire thread, I hope I am not repeating, ....
Having read the original post and replies.I wonder if there might be a place for the "traditional" bushcrafter?.By this i mean someone that tries to use a relatively simple approach.Trying to avoid ultra modern equipment.
I say this as an angler using the traditional approach for my fishing.Split cane rods,reels of the era willow creels,cork and quill floats etc.I do use modern hooks and line.I also use a box of matches for lighting fires. ; - )
Good post champ.Having read the original post and replies.I wonder if there might be a place for the "traditional" bushcrafter?.By this i mean someone that tries to use a relatively simple approach.Trying to avoid ultra modern equipment.
I say this as an angler using the traditional approach for my fishing.Split cane rods,reels of the era willow creels,cork and quill floats etc.I do use modern hooks and line.I also use a box of matches for lighting fires. ; - )
I guess it is like many other interests, different people interpret them in different ways. I was born in the West Sussex countryside in an 18th century farm house. I have always felt that I was just another animal & I belonged to the natural environment. I started with really primitive methods & tools, making what I could, but slowly advanced to appreciate the 18th century lifestyle & I settled on that. I have always felt that modern gadgets did not belong in nature, it just doesn't feel right, but obviously not everyone feels like I do.But what is 'traditional'? Mesolithic hunter-gatherer? fire by friction, no cooking pots, no knives, axes or saws just stone, antler and bone tools, animal skin shelters .... the list goes on. Or maybe you allow yourself iron age - so fire by flint and steel, metal cookware etc. Or perhaps, medieval, or pioneer 17 and 18 centuries?
Any of these are laudable things to aspire to. I am trying to cut down on my dependence on 20th/21st century kit when on my own but not to a pedantic level; but, if I have others or my grandchildren with me, I make no effort to limit how we go about things.
There is an immense level of satisfaction about using 'old ways' and for that reason alone I would encourage others to have a go - but learn to enjoy wilderness living first
I guess it is like many other interests, different people interpret them in different ways. I was born in the West Sussex countryside in an 18th century farm house. I have always felt that I was just another animal & I belonged to the natural environment. I started with really primitive methods & tools, making what I could, but slowly advanced to appreciate the 18th century lifestyle & I settled on that. I have always felt that modern gadgets did not belong in nature, it just doesn't feel right, but obviously not everyone feels like I do.
Personally I would love to see a traditional section of bushcraft on this forum, & it would hopefully have a cut off point before the 20th century.
Take care out there & stay safe.
Keith.
It includes identifying and utilising (or avoiding!) wild plants, fungi and animals for wilderness living but does not include conservation. Collecting birch sap: that's bushcraft. Planting birch trees? Nope.
And there you have hit upon my biggest loathing of the way 'bushcraft' is taught and practiced in so many circles - conservation, nurturing nature, and living with the environment should be the start of all 'bushcraft' learning. Kids (and adults) should be taught about the fragility of the land before they're taught how to exploit it.
And yet much of Bushcraft seems to based around some sort of consumerism.
A bit like people learn martial arts, but there is no such thing as "Martial Arting". Like the martial arts, there is a wide range of reasons people are interested and learn outdoor skills. Fortunately, the apparently inevitable rivalry over what is "proper" bushcraft, vs survival, vs primitive skills, vs chilling out vs etc etc...doesn't get settled the way keen martial arts practitioners go about settling questions of "whose art is better"!
There seems to be exceptions to the rule but that is besides bushcraft.I was about to say the same thing about martial arts. The old masters would be disappointed if they knew we ignored the evolution of any art in favour of "tradition".
I agree with u on this I'm a minimilist but everyone is differentWhat are the aims & purpose of Bushcrafting?
I ask this question because I used to think that Bushcraft was like Woodscraft, where people would learn the old skills & crafts. But now I see Bushcrafters increasingly using modern gadgets, especially for fire lighting, they have even started calling the ferrocerium rod a flint & steel!!! It just seems to me that Bushcraft is becoming more & more about gadgets & modern items rather than learning & using skills to accomplish a task.
I am 72 years of age, I camp out in winter. I use flint & steel & tinderbox to make fire, but I know several other primitive fire lighting methods. I make a bed of sticks to keep me up off the ground & cover it with bracken to make it more comfortable. I use an oilcloth because I like the feeling of being self reliant & self sufficient & using skills to keep me comfortable rather than carrying extra gear.
Just asking, has Bushcraft really changed that much, or is it just a few that view Bushcraft as simply a form of modern camping?
With respect & regards, Keith.