Why Bush Crafting?

redsquid2

redsquid2

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Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Aug 31, 2011
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I think the idea behind bush crafting is to get your basic needs met using a knife and a fire steel.

I don't see why. With all of the easily portable essential gear these days.

The Ten Essentials, are so easily portable.

1.Navigation (map and gps/compass)
2.Sun protection (sunglasses and sunscreen)
3.Insulation (extra clothing)
4.Illumination (headlamp/flashlight)
5.First-aid supplies
6.Fire (waterproof matches/lighter/tinder)
7.Repair/sewing kit
8.Nutrition (extra food)
9.Hydration (extra water)
10.Emergency shelter (a flimsy plastic drop cloth can get you through until you are found)

I sometimes add:

11. A signalling device: at least a whistle. I used to carry a smoke bomb, bright orange poncho, marine strobe, and/or signal mirror, but now I just go with a group, and I don't get separated from my group. I don't even carry the signal mirror any more.

Of course, I can leave items behind. I know my risks and I take my chances.

So I don't need a do-it-all knife. I have 2.5" linerlock, and that's all I need to compliment my other items. I only use it to slice cheese or sausage, or to whittle an extra tent peg or cut some cord. In 40 years of backpacking and canoeing, I never needed to build a shelter out of vegetation, or make snares to catch animals.

When do people do bush crafting? Under what circumstances?
 
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I just started to get into it. It interest me, learning the different skills, knots, traps, fire, shelter.

It's another learning process, challenge.
 
"
I think the idea behind bush crafting is to get your basic needs met using a knife and a fire steel.
"
Where does this come from!


I learnt Woodcraft in Boy Scouts 50 years ago
there was no bushcraft yet......
we had heavy canvas tents, big cooking pots, food, sizel string
knives, axes and matches

the rest we did ourselves

I learnt the outdoors is a wonderful friendly place to be
I learnt the skills to be comfortable and not afraid

that is why bush crafting
 
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I'm sure everyone's reasons for Bushcrafting are as individual as the people themselves. For me, I tend to use a mix of modern and antique equipment. As a hobby historian, I really enjoy doing things the old way with the old tools. I like to practice these things so that I know me and my family could have a decent chance at surviving in the wild if the need arose. Plus its just a lot of fun and relaxing.
Vonrichthofen
 
A big part of bushcraft is being able to make do when you have to do without. Knowledge weighs nothing, so being able to identify plants for medicine, natural cordage, dangerous bugs/plants/etc., being able to make a shelter, being able to do things in multiple ways in case you cannot fall back on your typical approach. That's another part of it - being able to think in different ways to make your environment and resources work for you.

And this is all of the practical/pragmatic; another component to bushcraft is appreciation for primitive living, the evolution of tools and culture, and general appreciation for what the outdoors provides.

That's my take on it at least.
 
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Just another way to enjoy the outdoors when I am out for a hike. I won't get out specifically to bushcraft, but I will try out something new and interesting when I am out and about.
 
I'd rather have the skills, just in case I find myself without those conveniences. And the only way to get skills is to practice.

Plus it's fun.

I don't bush-craft when I'm camping with my family, but I like knowing I could provide shelter, fire and food/water for them if needed.
 
I think the idea behind bush crafting is to get your basic needs met using a knife and a fire steel.
Click to expand...

I don't I have ever seen that as a definition of the term Bushcraft. There is a lot more to it then that.
 
To me its not about having less or more stuff. Its about being a part of the environment I'm in. I go into the wild to be a part of that world as opposed to an urban environment where I'm as self contained as possible. So all that knowledge is to me "bushcraft". Knowing which trees are good for the hammock, what hazards might be in an area. How to deal with situations. My definition of bushcraft probably contains more technology than many others, but thats just how I look at it. It also includes everything I do towards leaving no trace, and what resources can be sustainably used. Survival is a subset of those skills. I think the way I would summarize it is survival is living, bushcraft is living well.
 
Some do it for enjoyment, others for comfort, then some of us because we were thrown into at a young age and know little else.
 
Bush craft for me is having pride in the knowledge that was passed down to me from my elders.
It's also nice to whip up a quick, hot lunch without burning down the woods.

"The more you know, the less you carry."
This is a term I heard long ago, and it still has it's merits for me.
 
thelastbestplace said:
Bushcraft is not the same as practical survival, though it does sometimes overlap it. A good amount of it is just for fun.

I thought this was a good video on the definition of Bushcraft and might help explain why:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxvVfgx9PBU
Click to expand...

That makes sense. According to that definition, I am a bush crafter: a nylon and matches bush crafter. And have been since about 1973.

Lashing/hitches/knots: learned some as a Scout, but I forgot some of it. Could re-learn. As would be expected, the knots that I have remembered, have been the knots that I use most frequently. Repetitive learning.

Fire bow- never done it. However, I do understand the fun factor in learning this and other historical technologies.
 
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I honestly don't know how to prevent these double posts.
 
For me it was weight and preparing for the worst hopping for the best. I got the weight part when working overseas just so much junk I didn't need and it just stuck with me.
 
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