what did everyone think then?

[Not Bob]

Yes I agree it wasn't a bad programme for the general viewer but I'm reviewing it from the perspective of someone interested in bushcraft (on a website devoted to bushcraft). The programme was called 'Bushcraft' and was presented by the countrys best known exponent of bushcraft; therefore I feel a little cheated by the lack of actual bushcraft in the programme, especially when RM repeatedly stated the importance of good bushcraft in that environment.
As a travelogue it was OK but then so many other presenters could have done a good travelogue. All in all, an opportunity missed.

 

[Adi007]

Not Bob you make a good point there In some way the program will be responsible for encouraging people into the outdoors who don't know what they are doing and they think you can chop trees, build shelters and make fires all over the place, bringing the reputable bushcrafter into disrepute ...

 

[al]

which is all ready happening any how through tv or not

 

[masongary44]

"And I think I was wrong on the Knife - Frost Mora not a clipper "

It certainly looked like the one I have in my toolbox, for those occasions my other knives are too valuable!! - I suppose its not the knife, its how you use it that counts

On the whole I enjoyed the program and can understand both sides of the argument, for and against more detailed information. I think that as students of Bushcraft, a great many of us have, or have almost :roll: perfected the art of tying a Hootchi / hammock up between two trees, and maybe even lighting fires by friction (I too was moved when he re-introduced the skill back... How satisfying and fulfilling would that be!! - Nice one Ray :super: ), But we have to consider the wider audience and the purpose behind the series.

If we are looking for a televised bushcraft course, for already competent individuals to use to hone their skills, I think we would be asking way too much.

If we are looking for a series that introduces people to the concept of bushcraft, and the wonders of the natural world... drumming up more interest in the subject and members for this forum.... (more likely) i think it does the job very well.

And it is a real relief from the likes of Emmerdale Farm, Eastenders etc...

 

[Paganwolf]

Ah Bushcraft so what would you have liked to have been on it ? bearing in mind its a program ray has made for BBC2 for the general public and bushcrafters alike, i too would have liked a little more bushcrafty type stuff BUT if your selling a show to BBC2 its for the general public viewers and people interested in buscraft (AKA us) if the BBC 2 bosses sat with ray watching a show on pure die hard bushcrafty stuff and had no interest in bushcraft well need i go on, it makes for good TV and er doesnt someone do courses on this stuff anyway? :shock: :?:


Hmmm i liked that show i wanna know more about bushcraft i wonder where i can learn more :?: Ill put R..M... in yahoo see what comes up :?:
:Thinkingo

 

[Kim]

If they do every produce a show that's very specifically an A-Z of bushcraft in all it's infinite detail it will probably end up on channel BBC 624 at 1.30am in the morning.

But here's hoping...

until that happens however, and I'm forced to relent and go out and by a digibox type thing so I can get more than five channels, think I'll stick with Ray.

 

[Adi007]

I understand the point being made but it's not like the BBC doesn't put out specialist programs. Last night felt to me like the equivalent of watching Patrick Moore look through a telescope and making some note without really getting to know what he was doing. A long time ago, before the Internet and before there were hundreds of channels, TV did try to try to educate rather than just provide eye candy or mind anasthetic.

 

[Paganwolf]

there would be some red eyed bushcrafters on friday mornin i can tell you :icon_evil :rolmao: :rolmao:

 

[Adi007]

Oh yeah, it would be on late for sure, but that's what the video is for ...

 

[Paganwolf]

you would be able to sleep knowing a bushcraft show was on! :shock: id be like this :shock: all night :shock: :rolmao: :rolmao: :You_Rock_

 

[Kim]

I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing to be reminded of the 'ethos' of what bushcraft is. In this forum we are clearly a group of people who are interested in learning more about it, and as such it's easy to expect a programme with such a title, and presented by someone who has been in the field for such a long time to deliver instruction because that's what a lot of us are after.
However, in wanting to learn more, try more, be shown more we can get wrapped up the 'must have these skills' which in one way is absolutely fair enough. But I don't want to forget why I was interested in it in the first place. To bridge the gap between myself and the natural world and to know how to conduct myself/travel safely and in a respectful manner whilst in it.
So, here's to learning tons more skills, and managing to remain just a little misty eyed and romantic over the whole thing.
I'm sorry I can't help it I'M A GIRL...

 

[Paganwolf]

:notworthy

 

[bigjackbrass]

It's probably unreasonable to expect one programme to meet everyone's needs, and it has been said several times that we are a fairly specialised bunch here. In my opinion Ray has produced something much more enticing to to the average viewer than a straight "how to," and of course it's possible that as the series progresses it will increasingly show further depth and skills, drawing the viewer in gradually. Anyway, if he covered absolutely everything then he wouldn't need to make any more programmes in coming years, and I hope that there will be more.

Not owning a telly means that I have to make a bit of an effort to catch a particular show, so I was particularly delighted to see that before "Bushcraft" there was another excellent outdoors programme with Nicholas Crane, exploring Scotland through the means of an early map. I was lucky enough to see him lecture in Brighton a few years ago and his enthusiasm translates surprisingly well to television. Catch this one if you haven't already. Not bushcraft, although there's plenty of camping and hiking, but the outdoors is a jewel of many facets and I'm glad that the BBC continues to show some of them to us.

 

[Great Pebble]

Ethos??? What's an Ethos?

Are they tasty? Easy to catch? How long do you have to cook it for? Does it make decent vindaloo?

Only joking BTW.. I know it's one of those Scandinavian knives....

 

[eraaij]

Not owning a telly means that I have to make a bit of an effort to catch a particular show, so I was particularly delighted to see that before "Bushcraft" there was another excellent outdoors programme with Nicholas Crane, exploring Scotland through the means of an early map.

Hear hear. I fell into that program half way. It was a pleasant surprise. Next thursday I'll watch it completely. 2 hours of great outdoors television then .

-Emile

 

[SquirrelBoy]

Just clicking through my TV guide and it shows the 4th program will be Africa Camp.`This edition finds him in the company of true hunter gatherers,the Hadza of Tanzania...`

This all sounds very familliar to previous programs - World of Survival IIRC? Im desperatly hoping its not just going to be a rehash of whats gone before.

I was hoping for his new series to be a little more like the 5min spots on Tracks i.e the nitty gritty detail. I understand the need to show pretty pics of places for general interest but think this has been done with his earlier stuff. All my opinion of course :biggthump

 

[Great Pebble]

Hmm... I wonder if there is a market for a sligtly more "hardcore" show?

 

[bushwacker bob]

Hmm... I wonder if there is a market for a sligtly more "hardcore" show?

What :yikes: Ray Mears in a bikini?????
DOH, sorry,wrong hardcore :?:

 

[ScottC]

I enjoyed Thursdays episode, ok there wasn't much 'how to' information but I don't think it is that kind of programme. I think it is something that is trying to open peoples mind to the world of bushcraft, people who haven't experienced it before which I for one think is a good idea, the more it get's recognized the more it is going to be accepted by society (i'm dubious whether that will ever happen but we can always try). There was still some things that I learned from that show and it also gave me a deeper insight into the people living in the amazon.

It was sad to see that the art of firelighting by friction had been lost but was great to see that skill being given back to them by someone who handled it very well to avoid insult.

Looking forward to the next episode.

 

[jakunen]

I think part of the problem for us anyway, is that aside from wanting to try and reach and manitain as wide an audience as possible, to appease the great god Tee Vee Rae-Tings, Ray probably wants to tease people, like he seems to do in his books, by showing you just enough to get you thinking 'Yeah, ok, but how EXACTLY did he do that? Oh, well may as well sign up for a course' so by just giving glimpses of bushcraft related things, he's trying to increase the revenue of the industry as a whole by giving us tantalizing glimpses of things to do and buy.

I know, I'm a cynic...