Learning to use an axe ambidextrously makes bucking logs more efficient, balanced, and comfortable. In this article I explain the technique, with a video demonstration, and show why it’s worth adding to your axe skills.
In this episode I share my top five knots for bushcraft and outdoor life, then answer what really makes a good travelling companion on wilderness trips. I also discuss what it would take for me to teach courses in the USA, offer advice on lighting fire dogs from previous campfires, and reflect on how students today compare with those of 15–20 years ago.
In Episode 61 of my podcast, I speak with James Steyn, one of only a handful of guides to hold the elite FGASA Scout qualification, combining Senior Tracker status with advanced dangerous game trails guiding. James shares his journey from growing up near Kruger to guiding wilderness trails, training future guides, and running Senalala Safari Lodge in the Klaserie. We discuss the art of walking safaris, the rigour of CyberTracker assessments, the evolution of guiding standards, and the skills needed in dangerous game country.
The forest axes we favour in bushcraft are light and versatile, but sometimes they get stuck in stubborn rounds of wood. The inverted axe technique turns this problem into an advantage, using the weight of the log and gravity to do the work. In this article I walk you through the method step by step, with photos, safety tips, and a full video run-through.
In Episode 90 of #AskPaulKirtley, I answer listener questions on where I would go for a leisure canoe trip, how I balance compass use with natural navigation cues, and practical ways to improve weather forecasting skills without technology. I also reflect on some of my most beautiful moments in nature, from mountain sunsets to close wildlife encounters, and finish with some practical tips on making feather sticks.
How do you turn a passion for nature and outdoor skills into a meaningful livelihood? In this episode of The Paul Kirtley Podcast, I’m joined by UK-based bushcraft instructors Jamie Dakota and Adam Logan for a wide-ranging conversation about career paths in bushcraft, building experience, working with others, and the evolving landscape of outdoor education. Whether you’re an aspiring instructor or simply curious about how people make bushcraft a way of life, you’ll find plenty of insight and inspiration here.
In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley I respond to a range of listener questions, from comparing rations with bush cooking, to sharing memorable wildlife encounters, including some close-range moments with deer, badgers, and otters. I also explore how to adapt bushcraft skills to unfamiliar environments, such as moving from the northern temperate, or boreal forest, to tropical climes, plus I offer suggestions on primitive projectile weapons worth trying, and share my thoughts on knife danglers versus other carry methods.
In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley, I respond to five new questions from the community. I explore the potential use of the adze in bushcraft, how long a bow drill hearth board will last, and the best wood conditions for creating fire by friction. I also discuss how to physically prepare for a Canadian canoe expedition, and finally, I reflect on some of the wilderness skills I’m currently pursuing more deeply, including basketry and lithic technology.
The organisers of the 2025 Global Bushcraft Symposium in Sweden invited me to deliver a keynote presentation. The theme of the symposium was The Nordic Way. My talk explored how Nordic influences have shaped not only my bushcraft journey but also the broader international bushcraft community. In this post, I share the full recording of that presentation along with some context for those who couldn’t attend in person.
Stephan Kesting, author of Perseverance: Life and Death in the Subarctic, joins me to discuss a long-planned solo canoe journey through remote northern Canada, which took on extra significance following a life-threatening illness. In this episode, he shares the story behind the trip, the challenges he faced, and the motivations that led him to undertake such an ambitious expedition. We also discuss how his background in biology, firefighting, and martial arts all played a role in shaping both the journey and the lessons that came from it.