AFAIK "bushcraft" started in the UK. In the USA we'd call it woodscraft or woods skills or just knowledge guys should know if raised correctly.
Hobos of the 1930's had roughly 1000 times the skill level that today's "bushcrafters" are trying to attain.
At least they're getting fresh air and exercise trying to chop small trees in half with a knife..........
They are hell on chopping stuff! I camped several times with some very nice young fellows who's hobby (I think) was spending all day chopping on big pieces of dead fall! Heck, nice pieces of wood laying everywhere on ground! But They insisted on chopping!!! Ok, exercise!I started bringing big pieces of chainsawed pisselum for em to split for Just burning wood. They was happy as pigs in slop!!!
They are all even tempered fellows that just wanna learn. Like someone said they are out in the fresh air and having fun. They really are good types!
And after all that chopping, it's time for batoning.
It's amazing how critical guys are today of knives that only cut well. If a knife can't be wailed on and driven through knotty hardwoods indefinitely, then it's just not a quality blade. This thinking is relatively recent, and a result (I think) of the Bushcraft and Prepper trends. In the 80's hollow handled Rambo knives were the rage, so I guess whatever stimulates the imagination and the economy.
In related news I like my Ontario SP8 a lot for making kindling. It's a froe that's intended only for batoning, and not general knife tasks. The absolute precision and safety it offers in splitting wood is an eye-opener.
Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery. --Winston Churchill
They are hell on chopping stuff! I camped several times with some very nice young fellows who's hobby (I think) was spending all day chopping on big pieces of dead fall! Heck, nice pieces of wood laying everywhere on ground! But They insisted on chopping!!! Ok, exercise!I started bringing big pieces of chainsawed pisselum for em to split for Just burning wood. They was happy as pigs in slop!!!
They are all even tempered fellows that just wanna learn. Like someone said they are out in the fresh air and having fun. They really are good types!
Well, kaywoodie,
when you're done with them I've got 2-3 cords of juniper and pine at our place down in N CA that need split.
I've got an 8 lb maul too, no need to use a nice axe to split wood unless it's all one has.
Geno
The desert is a true treasure for him who seeks refuge from men and the evil of men. In it is contentment In it is death and all you seek (Quoted from "The Bleeding of the Stone" Ibrahim Al-Koni)
PS, did you post her pic in the basement too? Why just have all the fun up here?
The desert is a true treasure for him who seeks refuge from men and the evil of men. In it is contentment In it is death and all you seek (Quoted from "The Bleeding of the Stone" Ibrahim Al-Koni)
They are hell on chopping stuff! I camped several times with some very nice young fellows who's hobby (I think) was spending all day chopping on big pieces of dead fall! Heck, nice pieces of wood laying everywhere on ground! But They insisted on chopping!!! Ok, exercise!I started bringing big pieces of chainsawed pisselum for em to split for Just burning wood. They was happy as pigs in slop!!!
They are all even tempered fellows that just wanna learn. Like someone said they are out in the fresh air and having fun. They really are good types!
Well, kaywoodie,
when you're done with them I've got 2-3 cords of juniper and pine at our place down in N CA that need split.
I've got an 8 lb maul too, no need to use a nice axe to split wood unless it's all one has.
Geno
Dear Geno,
I went back to beIng a hermit! I try to stay the hell away from people anymore. So I don't associate with them these days. Most of my social transactions these days occurs when I have to go to grocery store or liquor store. Most time at grocer it isn't pretty to watch.
Your anti-social pal
Bob
😁
Founder Ancient Order of the 1895 Winchester
"Come, shall we go and kill us venison? And yet it irks me the poor dappled fools, Being native burghers of this desert city, Should in their own confines with forked heads Have their round haunches gored."
Oh yeah, all fixed up. I've got more planned. Have you used the safety wedges before? The round ones.
I also learned another new word, batoning.
It's amazing what someone can do with a knife in 45 minutes that I can do with an axe in 30 seconds.
I don't use anything but wood wedges. My reasoning, right or maybe wrong, is I don't want anything to cut across the grain in the direction of the most force. I cut the slot for the wedge until it is around 2/3 the way through the eye of the head add Swell-Lock and set the wedge. Saw of the excess and call it done.
Batoning works if you don't have an axe, I just always have and axe. Even my wife can make kindling with a full sized double bit axe. I think I can make tinder with a pocket knife and start a fire with out a match, lighter or a gallon of gasoline even in the wet Pac NW. I have been doing it for years.
Have you watch this? It is the best I have seen concerning axe restoration and hanging.