Survival Hints

Crimson Fox

Crimson Fox

Joined
Dec 16, 2003
Messages
3
Hi..i'm new at survival, and was wondering if anyone could tell me any hints or things i should know from their experince? I know some of the basics(mainly primitive hunting; moving under things than over, really limited flintknapping, hand drills, the fox walk and belly crawl,etc) but like i said..i'm really new at this. If anyone could teach me things to look out for or think about, i'd be very grateful.

Also, for anyone that knows flintknapping..would you please help me threw the steps? I'm having a rough time being self taught since there's no local instructors. Thank you very much.
 
Welcome!

That's kind of a tough question to answer, because that is what we are doing all the time here- exchanging ideas, teaching and learning, etc. I would start by going back and just reading over the posts here for the last few weeks, or even months- not necessarily every one, but those that are releveant to what you're wanting to learn. There's a wealth of informaiton on this board.

Also, get a good survival manual. I would strongly recommend the Collins Gem "SAS Survival Guide." The book is 4 3/4" x 3 3/8" x 7/8" (i.e. it's a bring-with-you book) and contains the full text of John Wiseman's survival classic. All the basics and a lot more are in here. Food, shelter, fire, water, emergency childbirth, how to kill an octopus... (I'm not kidding!) I got mine for $10 CAN at a bookstore.
 
Depends really. There's too much info that'll take forever to read. ;)
Just ask a question and someone will sure to answer.


Joe
 
If you know how to make fire with hand drill, your skills can't be that bad. I see your in WV, what wood(s) are you using?

I myself have just gotten into flint knapping. Sorry but I wouldn't know where to begin to tell you to start other than try and find a knap-in or primitive demo somewhere. Usually there are people there selling kits which include some flakes and a copper tool. Buy it and ask them to show you a few things to get started and don't leave until you make your first arrowhead. Most of those guys are happy to make another convert. That's what I did and I have become fairly proficent at the rock-n-roll method and pressure flaking. Haven't learned percussion yet though.

Also, when you are at one of those functions, try and look at some of the raw material so you know what to look for. Also, watch at they work down larger pieces to flakes. That can be just as hard or harded than making the tool itself depending on material. Also, you owe it to the rock.

Funny thing - I was mumbling the other day and my wife heard me say, "I need to cook some rock." She knew what I meant but cautioned me not to say that infront of the wrong person.
 
There's about a million books, webpages, manuals, magazines, video tapes, schools, experts, veterans, etc etc to learn from, but they mostly all boil down to some common-sense basics like
- use your head first
- test any new technique or equipment for fun before you NEED it
- get the best you can
- find what works for YOU
- tailor your kit for your environment, then make sure to have it with you
- don't try to be the Lone Ranger, teamwork is best
- watch and learn from the locals, wether they're chipmunks or street kids
etc

Regards
 
Very simple answer in my opinion.Learn to be completely self sufficient,which means to learn a little about all things,not only traps and snares but for when your sick or hurt,know how to handle the little things whether it be an upset stomach or a hungry stomach.And most important learn to overcome all obstacles mentally,these things include fear,lonliness,hunger,cold.The things that drive you are those which make you learn.when your cold you will learn to make fire,when hungry you will hunt,when alone you will cope.All things that occur before you are perceived through your own mind,its how you handle them that makes you better.I read somewhere once that a true survivalist can do anything from change a diaper to building a raft to float a river.
 
Thanks for the help, especially the last one on being self reliant. And book suggestions are always great, i'm thinking about buying something from Tom Brown(the tracker, not Green) too. And to answer Quiet Bear, pretty much random..there's a local cat tail grove i use. From there it's just anything i can find. Lots of maples and oaks, the rest of it was taught in the scouts(had some good teachers back at good ol' summer camp ). There's not much flint knapping stuff in wv i think, but i might be visiting my uncle in Alaska for a while, and maybe there might be a local Innuit/s who will be gracious enough to teach me something. Even if it's not flint knapping, they have great winter survival skills, early european explorers lost out on rejecting their stuff :p


Thank you for everyone who posted, it means alot ^_^
 
Hi Bro-

Welcome to the forums!

Check out the threads on PSk (personal survival kits) you'll get a kick out of em and can learn a corresponding skill to ever piece of mini gear therein.
 
Helloooo

I'm far away to be an oudoor and survival specialist,all days I try to learn the more I can, but,with pleasure, I'll tell the few I know.
For flintknapping, I'll say this,
1. Buy a good (with different drawings) "stone tool dictionnary".
2. Build yourself kit. You must have 4 tools:
a. A 2" pebble
b. A piece (+/- 7"long & +/- 2" large)of either a strong wood (box for sample)or stag.
c. A smaller and pointed one.
d. Some pieces of lether (to protect your hand and leg)
You can apply all flintknapping technology on glass (coca cola bottle are the best) because flintstone have the same physical composition but glass are easiest to find.
Try to reproduce the tool you find in the dictionnary.
Begin small and simple, with time you will be able to create those magnificent obsidiane blade.
The great secrets of the flintkapping is to take the time and the preparation of the nucleus (the basic item that gave all the other blades).

Always here to gave more explanation.

Regards
 
On flintknapping - not too sure of its authenticity, but the "Clan of the Cave Bear" series by Jean M Auel gave some very detailed descriptions of flintknapping techniques. She actually covers quite a bit of prehistoric technology - can't verify any of it, but interesting and maybe even useful. Anyone else read it?

edited for typos
 
"....................but the "Clan of the Cave Bear" series by Jean M Auel gave some very detailed descriptions of flintknapping techniques"
You'll find a lot of good instructions in this saga , flintknaping or soap making.
I've read those books, they 're excellent and very scientifically written.
 
I purchased a fine video, "The Art of Flint Knapping" through Thomas Epfel (sp?) some time ago. The box for the video is imprinted "Mound Builder Books", P.O.Box 702, Branson, MO 65615. IMHO the video is easy to follow, and although I'm not an accomplished or well practiced "knapper", I could fabricate a knife, axe, or arrowheads in a survival scenerio which was my original goal. Be prepared for many cuts, scrapes and bruises.
 
Ther's a fictional book called Survive or Survival written by a Texas A&M professor that goes into all sorts of things dealing with primitive survival. This man from modern times is transported back to the stone age and learns to survive from an old shaman and along the way he gives some ideas too.
 
Hi Friend

:D

Welcome to the forever learners
We are always learning something.

I will share this with you, not everyone will agree with this but it is my opinion:)

Have at least two knives in your bug out bag, I carry about four.

There is no one knife that can do everything carry spares.

See ya
Knifesmith
 
Get ahold of John McPherson's "Naked into the Wilderness 1 & 2" Primitive Wilderness skills series.

http://www.prairiewolf.net/Pages/BOOKS.html

I've heard good things about Larry Dean Olson.

Hope this helps, stick with it, best of luck and remember: everything gets easier with practice! :D
 
Lot's of suggestions here. Just remember when it comes to flint knapping it all boils down to one thing... a Hertzian Cone. Whether you pressure flake or use percussion, that is what you are creating when working the material. After time, you will learn what is good material, and what works for you in achieving results.

Made a couple of arrowheads today... The original bloodsport!!!
 
I would recommend "Outdoor Survival Skills" by Larry Olsen, he did the technical advising for the movie "Jeremiah Johnson" and his book is one of the best.
 
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