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familne

Full Member
Dec 20, 2003
444
1
Fife
Viking said:
Bushcraft ot gearcraft?

When native people discuss kit and how to improve it, the y do it becausethey need it to survive not because it´s fun to discuss it.


I'm sure they also get enjoyment out of a new tool in their own way as boaty pointed out e.g. the Hadza and the new bow.
 

KIMBOKO

Nomad
Nov 26, 2003
379
1
Suffolk
Tenbears. If you think in terms of boots I don’t think you will every make them . What about starting in the towards that goal with either making moccasins… buying the leather, mark out, cut, only two seams to sew. Or do something towards making leather, ask around for the supplier of venison and ask them if you can have a skin. Or cut the skin off a piece of pork scrape it, dry it and you have made rawhide. Just take a small step towards making your own. Take a step or perhaps you should consider using sandals or no shoes at all. Nobody started out as a skilled crafts person everyone has to learn.
Don’t close you mind to your own abilities.

Tantalus. If your work is outdoors it is a different matter depending on the type of work. What has to be done in a given time period has to be done. I work in an office, bushcraft to me is a part time pleasure and I am only talking about bushcraft. The pleasure to me is in doing things for myself and testing my attitudes to the things that happen.
When I am outside and it rains I can either continue doing what I am doing and get wet or put on a fully waterproof non breathable jacket and get damp or find some shelter and do something else these are options for me these are options for everyone. Usually I put up an umbrella. Please be aware that you have a choice you don’t need a fully breathable jacket and it doesn’t rain all the time in Scotland. I don’t spend enough time outside to be worried about arthritis just yet.
The gas hob in my camper is easier to cook with than a flint and steel to light a fire!.


Squidders. You are right when you go climbing its not a Bushcraft activity your focus is on the climbing not the Bushcraft and you need the correct equipment as your life depends on it.
Please just consider that when you have the time for Bushcraft that perhaps you consider making something rather than buying it. The time to develop skills is now.

Jakunen. You do have an option. You can say "I'm no good with a sewing machine" or you can learn to sew. Its one of the least desirable Bushcraft attributes along with basket making but one of the most useful.

Familne. I agree.

Viking. The three stick pack frame ….YES.
You may think that Native peoples are trying to survive but I don’t think they would agree with you. They just love talking, as much as we do.

I do not carry out bushcraft activity 24/7 I go out for weekends and holidays. When I am on a bushcraft activity I imagine that I am living in a long term situation. I ask myself what will I do when the nylon on my tent has disintegrated, the pile on my jacket is totally threadbare, the soles of my sandals have left the uppers. The questions are raised when I am out and I try to resolve them whilst at home so at the moment I am have various projects on going, trying to make sandals from car tyres I can’t think they will wear out quickly.
There is the rawhide waiting to be made into buckskin.
Last night I made a bamboo cane bow thanks to this forum.
I made an arrow similar in form to the one Ray Mears made in first of the current series. I had started that on holiday in the summer by abrading a piece of bone I found on the beach I had collected the hazel wands locally in the spring.

In the short term I usually end up making or buying something that I think I require and then trying to obtain the skill to replace it.
I have thoughts on making a capote from blankets from charity shops thin ones for animal use are usually only a pound and some wool for sewing together and perhaps tape for the edges is not going to break the bank.
I have a bundle of canes ready to make up an Indian bed.
I Bushcraft in odd moments.

It was only this year that I resolved for myself the problem of keeping warm at night without a sleeping bag thanks to Tom Browns books and the debris shelter. I'm always learning.

I sound like pompous git and I probably am.

Where’s Felicity Kendal?
 

tenbears10

Native
Oct 31, 2003
1,220
0
xxxx
Well said Kimboko I think you raised a valid point and I have got much more satisfaction from things I have made or learnt to do for myself than from bought stuff but I do still enjoy gadgets (he says listening to his new 20gb ipod) and that doesn't make me any less bushcrafty.

The process of replacing your bought things with homemade makes a lot of sense.

Bill
 
J

Jamie

Guest
tenbears10 said:
Well said Kimboko I think you raised a valid point and I have got much more satisfaction from things I have made or learnt to do for myself than from bought stuff but I do still enjoy gadgets (he says listening to his new 20gb ipod) and that doesn't make me any less bushcrafty.
Bill

on a lighter note, does the ipod come in camo or olive? :wink: :lol:
 

tenbears10

Native
Oct 31, 2003
1,220
0
xxxx
Jamie said:
on a lighter note, does the ipod come in camo or olive? :wink: :lol:

I wasn't trying to be heavy sorry if it came over that way. As for the pod, no polished metal and white plastic so not very bushcraft at all. I am trying to get some bushcraft e-books on it though so we will see there's hope for it yet.

Bill
 

tenbears10

Native
Oct 31, 2003
1,220
0
xxxx
Nice one Tom I nearly bought one of those last week. Pretty good value compared to other cases. Anyway this is going way off topic sorry.

Bill
 

jakunen

Native
KIMBOKO said:
Jakunen. You do have an option. You can say "I'm no good with a sewing machine" or you can learn to sew. Its one of the least desirable Bushcraft attributes along with basket making but one of the most useful./QUOTE]

I can sew, by hand, but just can't seem to work modern electric sewing machines. And my female relatives have given up trying to teach me.

I just accept that's its not one of my skills. I have plenty of other skills - I can cook, make jewellery, do carpentry, etc., so I don't let it get me down, I just accept it and buy what I cannot easily make. OK I could sit down for about 100hrs and hand stich a bergen, but I do have other things I'd rather do, like get out and see what Gaea has for me to see today.:wink:
 

Carcajou Garou

On a new journey
Jun 7, 2004
551
5
Canada
Something to realize that in "primitive societies" there were specialist who excelled at a certain craft. Trade between "tribal members was a way to strenghthen ties in a tribe or among other tribes. Certain functions were reserved for a specific gender to enhance the family unit. In our people a man or woman is not complete without an opposite mate to skill compliment each other. If every body went each their own way it wouldn't survive long as a tribe. The knowledge of making your own kit is important, the knowledge of its use is crucial. When "primitive peoples" are exposed to better ways they tend to adopt them fast if they are an advantage, disregard them equaly fast if they are less helpfull. Example copper pots cook better than bark containers :wink: Modern more efficient tools and equipements are not cheating they are evolution, just remember the roots to them and yourself. Don't get hung up on what is the absolute best as it will be improved on in some way at sometime, just get good with what you got. Carry your kit with you and you will never be in dire need even if outlook is bleak, do your best with what you brought.
just a thought
 

jakunen

Native
Its not the size of foot that counts. If you use the old fashioned knee lenght socks, they are long enough to act as shoulder straps.

I've had to use them myself, (good old cadet force issue packs) and they are fairly comfortable so long as the pack isn't too heavy...
 

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