Paul Kirtley - Wilderness Bushcraft. Survival Skills. Outdoor Life.

PK Podcast 55: John Rhyder – Woodsman, Naturalist, Educator and Senior Tracker

Paul Kirtley Comments 6 comments

This podcast is long overdue. My guest is John Rhyder, naturalist, writer and highly experienced bushcraft educator. Indeed he was the instructor on the first formal bushcraft course I took many, many years ago. John is an innovator in the field of bushcraft and nature education, and continues to push his own knowledge too. In particular, John is passionate about wildlife tracking; he is currently the only person in northern Europe certified as Senior Tracker under the Cybertracker system. There is much to savour in this conversation….

Paul Kirtley bushcraft instructor answering questions about when to upgrade a Small Forest Axe, recommended thread for both fixing gear and fishing line, the expected lifespan of a Bahco Laplander saw, and why do my podcasts play too fast?

#AskPaulKirtley 87 – Upgrading from Small Forest Axes, Lifespan of Bahco Laplanders and Dual-use Line for Repairs and Fishing

Paul Kirtley Comments 5 comments

In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley I answer questions about why my podcasts play too fast, some thread for fixing gear and for use as fishing line, the expected lifespan of a Bahco Laplander saw and when to upgrade from a Gransfors Bruk Small Forest Axe?

Small metal rods with plastic handles laid out on an orange cloth

The Best Ferro Rod? Insights From My Experience

Paul Kirtley Comments 2 comments

In this article we examine common questions about ferro rods. These simple devices have become a mainstay of outdoor fire-lighting, especially in bushcraft, and a key component of many modern survival kits. Yet, ferro rods are not all made equal. We need to be selective about the ferro rods – and associated strikers – we choose to rely on. In this article – and embedded video – I share some insights gleaned from many years of experience relying on ferro rods in the wilderness, along with countless interactions with my students when they learn ferro rod techniques. Foremost I try to share the qualities and features to look for in a dependable ferro rod. However, I also offer some top picks from the available brands. These picks promise consistency, durability, portability and, of course, that vital spark when you need it most…

Paul Kirtley answering questions about Place for Larger Knives, Firesteel Material Choices, Alternatives to Square Lashings and Collabs

#AskPaulKirtley 86 – The Place For Machetes, Parangs and Larger Knives, Ferro Rod Material Choices, Alternative Knots to Square Lashings

Paul Kirtley Comments 12 comments

In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley I answer your questions about collaborations with other bushcrafters, the place for larger knives, machetes and parangs, alternative knots to square lashings and what are the best materials to look for in a firesteel or ferro rod?

Orange lighter, whistle, knife, saw, ferro rod and match safe

The Value of Visibility: Considering the Colour of Critical Kit

Paul Kirtley Comments 17 comments

In the bushcraft world, we tend to like muted, natural colours. These mirror the colours of our local natural environment, typically shades of green and brown. I think there’s a strong argument for important pieces of equipment being brightly coloured. The items of equipment I particularly have in mind are critical on-person items. These are both important and typically small, thus relatively easy to mislay or lose outright. I expand on this idea in this article, which also contains a video with me discussing particular pieces of equipment…

How to filet a pike and remove the Y-bones

How To Fillet A Pike (And Remove All The Y-Bones)

Paul Kirtley Comments 11 comments

On a recent winter camping trip in Canada I was shown a really great way of filleting a pike. If you’ve ever prepared a pike for eating, you’ll know these fish contain awkward Y-shaped bones that are hard to remove from the flesh. I was recently shown a superior method of dismantling a pike, which involves tidily removing the Y-bones and minimal waste of the flesh. Full details are in this article…

Two umbellifers with clusters of white flowers, from members of the carrot family or Apiaceae

Discussing Problems Presented By The Universal Edibility Test

Paul Kirtley Comments 2 comments

The Universal Edibility Test, while having its place, presents problems. These problems largely fall into two categories; 1) problems caused by the way this test is commonly presented, especially on the internet, and 2) shortcomings inherent in the application of the the test itself, even when fully presented and properly applied. There are also a number of issues caused by the popularity of the test. Gordon Dedman of Bushcraft Survival Australia and I discuss these problems and some solutions in the embedded video…

man sitting on rock overlooking lake in Canadian Shield wilderness area

Berens River Wilderness Solo Canoe Trip

Paul Kirtley Comments 9 comments

The Berens River is a wild river, running through remote, untamed wilderness. This waterway starts in north-western Ontario, Canada and runs westwards, soon entering Manitoba, ultimately flowing into the vast Lake Winnipeg. There are several rivers in this area of the country running into the eastern side of Lake Winnipeg, including the Berens. All…

PK Podcast 54: Dave Holder, Wilderness Living Skills Instructor and TV Survival Consultant

Paul Kirtley Comments 10 comments

Dave Holder is a wilderness living skills instructor and wilderness guide based in Canada. He is also a TV survival consultant, being the lead survival and safety consultant on the Alone show on The History Channel. In this podcast episode we get into a wide-ranging conversation which should provide you with insights into long-term survival situations, psychological factors for success, skillsets required, equipment, nutrition and more.

Two men sat on benches in the woods talking about bushcraft

The Dunning-Kruger Effect in Learning and Teaching Bushcraft, Survival and Wilderness Living Skills

Paul Kirtley Comments 2 comments

Gordon Dedman, lead instructor at Bushcraft Survival Australia returns. He was keen to discuss a number of questions with me, particularly in light of some of his observed developments in the instruction of bushcraft and survival in Australia, along with potential parallels with what we have already experienced in this field in the United Kingdom. Moreover, there were a number of inter-related topics that were top of mind following the 2022 Global Bushcraft Symposium, which had happened a few weeks before we had this conversation. In particular the keynote presentations from David Wescott and Cody Lundin, respectively, provided some valuable points of reference for this conversation. His questions also referred back to my keynote at the 2019 Global Bushcraft Symposium, and specifically my referencing of the Dunning-Kruger effect therein. In terms of how we approach our learning and development, there is something for everyone here….