What are the aims & purpose of Bushcrafting?

[Le Loup]

What 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.

 

[TLM]

Good question, I am going to follow the answers with interest. As I already come from a different tradition (at least in some ways) I don't quite feel qualified to comment very much just now.

 

[Van-Wild]

Good question! I suppose that if you read 'the aims and purpose of bushcrafting' then you see bushcraft as a set of tasks to be completed? I dont wholly disagree. I see bushcraft as the knowledge of skills that allows you to live in or travel through the wilderness for either a short or extended period of time. Depending on your purpose (to camp for an extended period in one place, or travel through an environment on a trip for a week, for example) will dictate the amount of knowledge or skills that one feels they need.

It may also come down to ease. A ferro rod is far easier than using a bow drill, while a bic lighter is easier than both, but all serve the same purpose, to light a fire. One is also more reliable than the other. But the most important thing about fire is the skill in growing it and maintaining it. I know how to procure, fashion and use a bow drill set and to do so is satisfying. But I always carry a ferro rod and a lighter because I like to have a P.A.C.E plan. Invariably I use the ferro rod.

I love the feel of canvas and leather, but silnylon is lighter and when leather gets wet it stays that way for days and requires far more maintainance. Its 'horses for courses' isn't it.... I am totally confident that I could survive for a week in the forest with just a knife, but that wouldn't be as comfortable or as enjoyable now would it.....





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[punkrockcaveman]

I think for me it's learning a skillset that removes the need for modern equipment, food, supplies etc and trades it with natural alternatives. That's my personal aim.

I try to work on all areas of my bushy skills to aid with this. But at some point you have to give yourself some modern equipment if it's just to be able to get out there and practice it. Otherwise I might have to take up bushcraft full time and become utterly feral!

 

[TeeDee]

What 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.

Have you not read what the original Constitution says on the matter?

Its Subjective Keith , everyone brings and takes what they feel it is.

 

[Chainsaw]

to have fun and mess about with sharp things and burny things in the woods...

Just pitching an alternative viewpoint, not to say the skills learned don't have other benefits.

 

[Broch]

IMO there is no such thing as 'bushcrafting' - it's not an activity in itself. It just happens to be a convenient label for a set of skills and knowledge that, when learnt and practiced, make doing other activities more enjoyable, comfortable safe etc. So, I don't practice or teach bushcraft; I practice, continue to learn, and teach ways of doing things in the wilderness (wilderness skills) that make living, working, and playing outdoors easier. Those skills are then applied when I'm trekking, canoeing, fishing, hunting, or just lazing by a campfire in the woods ....

But, hang on; why are you using a modern firelighting techniques like flint and steel? that's only been around (in this part of the world) for about 2,500 years - there are much older ways I don't think anyone can criticise anyone else for their particular choice of level of 'primitiveness' applied to their activities - unless, of course, its playing bl**dy Youtube videos at high volume when everyone else is trying to enjoy the crackle of the fire and the sound of wildlife - that's just not 'bushcraft'

 

[SaraR]

For me, an important part of it is knowing more than one way of say builing a fire or a shelter and than being able to adapt to the situation and use the most appropriate way to achieve your objectives at that time.

The skills I included are mainly those that you need for sorting out shelter from the elements, dealing with ins (water, food, cooking etc) and outs, navigation and travelling through nature/ in the outdoors in a safe, comfortable and efficient manner.

 

[Robson Valley]

As your confidence in outdoor living skills increases, I'd hope it would provoke a curiosity about biogeochemical cycles and energy flow in nature. That your curiosity would begin to identify and place the characters in their roles in food webs.

The big six elements in biological chemistry are carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur and phosphorus. CHONSP.
What happens to those where you hang your hammock?

 

[John Fenna]

I just like being "out there" using the self reliant skills I have and trying to build on those...
I can go into the woods using only kit I have made myself but find some commercial items allow me more flexibility eg - I have a 4x3 tarp lt wt cotton I crafted myself but my DD4x4 can live in the woods and not suffer from a bit of damp while my cottton tarp would start to rot ... keeping my tarp in the woods allows me to pack in a bit lighter: I have crafted my own footwear but TBH my modern boots are more comfortable, less likely to slip and are a lot more waterproof - in good weather I may wear my DIY footwear - in all else it is my modern footwear.
Being out there is the main thing about Bushcraft for me, the skills make it fun, learning new skills/honing existing skills add to the pleasure.

 

[Theproccessor]

What 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.

Its because there are always VULTURES on the lurk....these are opportunists who are looking for any possible means to make money.

Buschcraft and prepping are BIG money makers these days. Just spread some fake news on politics, leftwing organisations, one world order, vaccines and people start prepping and stocking....

Unfortunately these companies and individuals gives the false impression to consumers that if a scenario should occur where you must rely on survival skills and equipment....that their products will be the best and the situation will be just like camping....they create the impression that its easy and that no skill is needed.

I don't see that it would change anytime soon



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[TLM]

Ok I think I get the drift now. Mr Susi has taken the path of about somewhere 1800 maybe even 1700 or slightly earlier with some small changes he might be 1000 years ago. I see that as an option I am somewhat envious about but that is just one way. I am of the opinion that knowledge is the key not the age of technology used as one must not get too fixated or dependent on any one method or material. Would the hunter of thousand years ago have used some of our materials if available, I am fairly sure the answer is yes (guns not included).

At least I try to learn new things or new ways of making familiar things.

 

[punkrockcaveman]

As your confidence in outdoor living skills increases, I'd hope it would provoke a curiosity about biogeochemical cycles and energy flow in nature. That your curiosity would begin to identify and place the characters in their roles in food webs.

The big six elements in biological chemistry are carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur and phosphorus. CHONSP.
What happens to those where you hang your hammock?

Can you elaborate RV? Not fully following. But you have my attention at 'hammock' haha.

 

[Broch]

Can you elaborate RV? Not fully following. But you have my attention at 'hammock' haha.

I suspect he means 'understand and be at one with natures complex cycles' - in which case I wholeheartedly agree

 

[Broch]

Its because there are always VULTURES on the lurk....these are opportunists who are looking for any possible means to make money.

Buschcraft and prepping are BIG money makers these days. Just spread some fake news on politics, leftwing organisations, one world order, vaccines and people start prepping and stocking....

Unfortunately these companies and individuals gives the false impression to consumers that if a scenario should occur where you must rely on survival skills and equipment....that their products will be the best and the situation will be just like camping....they create the impression that its easy and that no skill is needed.

I don't see that it would change anytime soon



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I agree that the constant desire to have more shiny, brighter, lighter, flashier, big name bits of kit is very tiresome (to some of us) but I don't actually see many people making big fortunes in the industry. In fact, it appears that to make money out of the whole thing one has to cheapen it like Sports Direct have done.

 

[punkrockcaveman]

I suspect he means 'understand and be at one with natures complex cycles' - in which case I wholeheartedly agree

Yeah I got that from the first paragraph but I feel like he had more to say with the second

 

[TLM]

What happens to those where you hang your hammock?

They get hung up? Hmmm... Nitrogen is in all polyamides but I think Sulfur and Phosphorus are fairly rare in outdoor fabric materials and most of those two are locked inside yourself. Your shoes have maybe some Sulfur if they have rubber soles.

 

[Herman30]

I don´t do "bushcraft", I just simply go out and enjoy the outdoors. That enjoying may or may not not include firelighting.

 

[TLM]

I think many of us Finns have a similar attitude some with a few twists.

 

[Paul_B]

What is bushcraft? To define bushcraft is to define it for one person and is pointless. That sets up the possibility of bushcraft hierarchies based on activity, philosophy, skillset, tools used, etc. Just what is the point of that?

The only definition is that bushcraft is whatever it means to you and as such is not applicable to others.

What truly matters is that you enjoy it.

If camping out using flint knives and bow drills for fire under shelters made from what materials you can find is your thing then that's your version of bushcraft.

If you like getting outdoors for a walk and a night or so outside using the latest gadgets, stoves, etc then that's your bushcraft.

If like me you're just outside enjoying yourself travelling and using what you know to do so safely, perhaps teaching my son a few things then it's still bushcraft. Imho it's a more honest and true form of bushcraft. What some call bushcraft is really just an older form of what I'm doing. There will always be people trying to do an older form of bushcraft than you somewhere. Does that make yours less bushcraft?