View Full Version : Greetings!
Hi there all,
My name is Garry, I'm a 45 year old kid, live in Hampshire and know nothing about bushcraft apart from what I have seen on Ray's t.v. progs!!! So, fist things first....HELP!
I do, however, own a couple of good knives (both Helle), which I would love to learn to use properly. Any suggestions on the best way to start learning practical ways of bushcraft without paying for a course I may not like or enjoy?
Been reading the forum for a while and am quite awe struck at the knowledge you guys have, how do you learn?
Stupid questions I know but I'm quite shy, believe it or not, (most people that know me would heartily disagree).
Nice to join you all, Cooky
weekend_warrior
08-09-2005, 20:49
Welcome! Loads of help and advice here, so enjoy! (The meets are great too!)
Hi there all,
Been reading the forum for a while and am quite awe struck at the knowledge you guys have, how do you learn?
Nice to join you all, Cooky
Hi Cooky,
How do I learn? Well, I have learnt most of my practical stuff about fire lighting by doing it myself. One can look things up on the internet but practical skills only come with trying. I was a member of an American "Primitive" forum before this one and they would occasionally give me some hints when I was stuck.
Started out with making up my own bow drill set. I spent a lot of time with trial and error. I am still not good at it. I then branched into hand drilling and found I could do that much better. Then I moved into flint and steel. Then lenses. I have had huge fun playing about with making up ways of focusing the sun's rays to make a fire. I experimented with different ways of making up a tinder. I have mucked around with designing fire pistons.
I think some of my methods may be uncommon as no one has taught me.
I am still learning. Just this week I tried out making fire with sparks from Pyrite and Flint. Got sparks but no fire. So some way to go with that one. Currently also working on making fire from just paper (see "Paper Challenge" thread).
I learn a bit from TV - Ray Mears will often show a skill and I might try to emulate it and then show it off to friends.
I only joined this forum a couple of weeks ago. I thought I knew a lot, but I see that I have a long way to go.
Willowbark
08-09-2005, 22:08
Hi Cooky
I've just joined too, and like you am a bit awed by the experience of the community out there. I started out with books, tv etc and just spending time out in the woods. Mostly learned by trial and error. I'm not saying it's not great to be able to learn from others, as it surely is, but it's also really satisfying when you work it out for yourself.
Enjoy the challenge
Willowbark
A warm welcome to BCUK :) Any questions you have please feel free to ask.... we are quite a friendly bunch here......
:D
Ed
Welcome to BCUK cooky:D
I believe we have a fair few people that live in the Hampshire area, every now and then they have meet ups in the Southampton area, so for practical advice and one to one skills it may be worth getting along on one of the meets that they have.
A lot os skills are common sense blended with practice and knack so you should be on your way once you get meeting people both online and off, all the best:)
jdlenton
09-09-2005, 10:29
hello and welcome Cooky
best ways to learn without a course hmmm :- ask on here , get out and about with people in your area, get to a meet up, read and practice
just my 2p for what it's worth
isotonicpies
09-09-2005, 11:55
Hi there all,
My name is Garry, I'm a 45 year old kid, live in Hampshire and know nothing about bushcraft apart from what I have seen on Ray's t.v. progs!!! So, fist things first....HELP!
I do, however, own a couple of good knives (both Helle), which I would love to learn to use properly. Any suggestions on the best way to start learning practical ways of bushcraft without paying for a course I may not like or enjoy?
Been reading the forum for a while and am quite awe struck at the knowledge you guys have, how do you learn?
Stupid questions I know but I'm quite shy, believe it or not, (most people that know me would heartily disagree).
Nice to join you all, Cooky
Welcome to the site! I've just joined myself, and learned lots already, the people here are great, loads of knowledge & buckets of advice. I'm similar to you, up to a few years ago my only knowledge was Ray's tv programmes and before that Bushtuckerman 'Les Hiddins'! As far as I can tell the fundamental of all temperate zone bushcraft is trees, learn all your trees in all their seasonal states and every other bit of information is referenced from that knowledge. Trees to bushcrafters are like scales to musicians. Welcome aboad Cooky!
bambodoggy
10-09-2005, 11:08
Hi Matey,
Welcome to the group, they're a nice bunch out there so ask any questions you like. There's also a search function that can be used to access the info in older threads, it's quite useful.
I'm up the top end of Hampshire but just inside the Surrey board at Frimley, I know it's short notice but myself and another member from here (raskudarottie) are going out in my local woods for the day tomorrow, you'd be welcome to join us for the day if you fancy it?
Pm me if you want to come :)
Cheers,
Bam. :D
Many thanks for your offer, but I haven't got online for a few days so I missed the opportunity to join you. Thanks again for your very kind offer though,
All the best,
cooky
Thanks to everyone for your kind advice and support. I will most certainly try some stuff myself and let you know the results, be they good or bad!
Thanks again,
cooky
welcome from phx. az. U.S.A...great info here ,and nice folks...vince g. 11b inf...sorry for the late post......